3. Introduction
My two kids, my wife and I manage 1000
acres of pasture land in Simcoe, Grey and
Dufferin Counties
We have been on the home farm in
Melancthon since 2004
We intensively graze 900 head of
backgrounding cattle, pasture a small
flock of ewes and feed lambs
My first introduction to sheep production
was during employment at a neighbours
and through 4-H in the early 90’s
4. A Year on Swidersky Farms
January
Winter feeding
Our goal is to feed hay for 120
days
<1round bale per ewe/year
No bedding
Breeding
5. A Year on Swidersky Farms
February
our goal is to maintain body
condition with average quality
hay
Utilization is determined by quality
of feed and body condition
Benefits of pasture feeding includes
no competition for feeders space
and allows old and young to
compete for feed
Feed waste=3x increase in pasture
production for several years
7. A Year on Swidersky Farms
March
Lambing of old ewes that
are going to be culled and
ewe lambs
8. A Year on Swidersky Farms
April
Spring break-up
Sheep are confined to a small
section of netting on high ground
to prevent mud and to stop
sheep from loosing body
condition while hunting for grass
9. A Year on Swidersky Farms
May
Sheering
Ewes out to grass
Checking fences
Cattle out to grass
11. A Year on Swidersky Farms
June
Moving, checking , training stock
Lambing-includes tagging, needling
and leaving them alone
When lambing sheep get a field large
enough for at least a week
Sheep move themselves to new field
and are allowed to return to get
their lambs if needed
13. A Year on Swidersky Farms
July
Increase stock densities
Move cattle every 24 to 48 hours
Densities of 100 head per acre
Sheep are moved every few days
I aim for rest periods of +-50 days
Cattle clean graze for sheep
If grass is on the mature side I only
allow the stock to the top portion and
tramp the remainder of the plant
14. A Year on Swidersky Farms
August
Lambs are weaned mid August
onto the best grass
Rams and cull ewes run with
lambs as chaperones
Ewes do renovation grazing in the
roadside ditches
16. A Year on Swidersky Farms
September
Stocking rate decreased
Some cattle are shipped
Qurbani lambs, sheep and
goats start to arrive
17. A Year on Swidersky Farms
October
Ship the remainder of the cattle
Receive and ship Qurbani sheep
and lambs
Start “snacking” lambs
Prepare for winter
Ewes start to get better feed
25. Gerald te Velde, Twin Creeks Farm
Farm is located in the Municipality of
Meaford – 10 minutes east of Owen Sound
Gerald was raised on a dairy farm
Started in 1998 on current farm and
started with milking sheep. Milked sheep
for 3 years.
26. Gerald te Velde, Twin Creeks Farm
Mainly commercial flock of 100 cross
bred ewes (dorset/rideau/suffolk).
Also shorthorn and black angus cows and
calves. As well as pasture raised
tamworth and berkshire pigs.
27. Gerald te Velde, Twin Creeks Farm
Home farm is 111 acres – 95-100 acres
pasture & hay, 5-10 acres vegetables, 6
acres buildings/trees/wetland.
Approx. 200 rented acres of hay (100
acres, pasture, & barley (50 acres).
Approx. 150 acres used for pasture and
about 50 of those acres are hayed as
well.
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30. Gerald te Velde, Twin Creeks Farm
Past few years grazing cows and sheep
separately. Started grazing stocker
calves with sheep late summer 2014.
Move sheep to new grass every 24-48
hours and 50-60 day rest for pasture.
Managed to graze until mid-November
when we were buried in 2 feet of snow.
Prefer to leave 6”, but at least 4” of
growth on pasture. Roots and soil life
need to stay covered with adequate
plant residual.
31. Gerald te Velde, Twin Creeks Farm
Looking to graze sheep and cows
together this year (2015) and move every
12-24 hours with a minimum 60 rest
period.
Also will attempt more winter grazing
including feeding hay on the snow – need
more perimeter fencing.
Will be moving toward May lambing.
32. Gerald te Velde, Twin Creeks Farm
Last 10 years using ElectroNet portable
fence netting for electric fencing.
Primarily use plug in fencer unit, but
also use 12V battery powered fencer
when no plug in power is available.
Some high tensile perimeter page fence
has been installed.
Looking to erect more page fence and
temporary/permanent high tensile
electric fencing as well.
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39. Gerald te Velde, Twin Creeks Farm
For water the home farm pastures are
fed by ¾” & ½” poly pipe from drilled
well.
Water wagons are used for pastures on
rented land.
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41. Gerald te Velde, Twin Creeks Farm
Prefer a pasture with diverse grasses and
legumes. There also needs to be
evidence of worms and life in the soil.
