Do you sell Sheep Milk?
Yes. The Utah Dairy Act gives an exemption to small farms allowing them to sell up to 120 gallons of raw milk per month. Fresh sheep milk is $15 per quart. The state allows raw milk to be sold for up to 9 days after milking, but I like the milk I produce to be out to the customer within 24 hours. Call the night before you want to purchase milk, and I will save you a quart or two. Selling milk is more risky for me. Herd sharing allows me to plan ahead and make long term decisions.
What does Sheep Milk taste like?
I don't know if I could tell the difference between whole raw cow milk and whole raw sheep milk. I do prefer sheep milk to goat milk. Sheep milk is higher in fat than either cow or goat milk. It is creamy and smooth. Some members of my family prefer it skim. Sheep milk also has more solids in it than either cow or goat milk. Because of the extra solids, I get a lot more cheese per gallon of milk. Some people say sheep milk makes twice as much cheese, but for me it has been about 25% to 30% more per gallon. Come over and have a glass of milk and you tell me what it tastes like!!!
What is the advantage for the customer of buying herd shares rather than buying milk?
There are less rules with herd shares. The herd share program allows me to share "products" in addition to fresh milk. If a ewe lambs in April, I don't usually start milking until May. I only milk once a day and let the lambs have milk too. My herd share milk is based on what my ewes produce being milked once daily. When the lambs are weaned in June or July, there is more milk for a few months that can be frozen or made into products that can be used in the winter (aged cheeses, frozen butter, frozen cream cheese, etc.) The herd share program allows me to distribute these products to my share holders during the winter just like they could have them if the ewe lived at their home and they were doing the milking and processing themselves.
Are sheep easy to train?
Yes, and no!!! Sheep that are left out on pasture and never handled can be as wild as can be. When you try to catch them they can run over you and knock you down even if they are just a few months old. To train sheep you need to spend time with them. I handle all the lambs as soon as they are born and pet them every day for the first few days. Then I leave them with their mothers until weaning. At weaning time, I put collars on the ewe lambs and keep them in a small pen so they get used to me. Children visit often and I have found that full grown ewes are as intimidated by children they don't know as they are are by grown ups they don't know. Sheep like the same things to happen every day. They like you to take your time and not rush them. They are startled easily so while lead training them be aware of things like loose tarps and cats. Be prepared for an over reaction. Make sure that your reaction to their over reaction is calm and reassuring.
Do you have a question?
Email me and I will try to answer it!