Breeding Stock from our extensive pasture reared-pasture raised model
The katahdin flock selected and maintained by World Shepherd places emphasis on a balanced animal with good meat production and yield characteristics. We expect twins after the first year and with the vigor to survive outside year round without artificial structures for shelter.
We take advantage of mixed woods and pasture paddocks in our system. Mixed pine and hardwood areas are bedding grounds, shade, and provide pine straw for lambing. We manage timber, pasture, watershed lakes, natural springs, and sheep in our sustainable production system.
Good flocking instinct and docile temperament insure ease of handling. Guardian dogs are used in each paddock.
We take a tough approach on selection. A successful breeder is ruthless and relentless in removing any cull faults or any animal that is unproductive.
With high rainfall in our Piedmont section of Georgia, our sheep must survive parasite challenges and have strong feet and legs. Foot issues have no place in our system. We make use of fecal egg counts and growth rate in selection.
Respiratory disease is non-existent in our flock. We do not use antibiotics for this purpose.
The flock is vaccinated against Clostridial diseases but the most significant protection from Clostridial entities comes from allowing the flock to be ruminants and by not feeding simple sugars, cereal grains, or molasses. Supplements occasionally come in the form of dehydrated alfalfa, soy hull pellets, and lespedeza pellets. Routinely sampling tissue concentrations of copper and selenium is helpful in supplying correct mineral nutrition.
When our lambs are processed for the customer, each is identity preserved and ACTUAL yield data is used in selection criteria for future matings.
Each year the lower end of our eweling flock for parasite resistance and growth rate goes to slaughter. This insures that we stay focused on a strain of sheep that requires a minimum of management inputs.
We sell breeding stock and breeding stock genetics. This is available in the form of live animals, embryos, and semen.
