TECHNICAL ASPECT.docx

TECHNICAL ASPECT Sheep Raising: Raising sheep is the primary production activity that will be the main source of the product i.e., the sheep meat and the sheep itself and the by product which is the fertilizer. The following are the requirements needed in maintaining a sheep farm.. I.

Sheep Farm Requirement:

a. Location. Raising sheep can be a very rewarding experience and a great way to convert grass into food and money. Sheep are designed for grazing so wide grasslands and hills can be a suitable place to start up a sheep farm. It is because since sheep are not ―picky ―eaters, they eat everything around them. They are even better eaters than goats because sheep totally eats the grass while goats only prune them. Also the location must be fenced so that the sheep will not go far beyond the area and to minimize the animals and persons who enters the farm. b. Farm Facilities. The buildings needed in raising sheep depend on the size of the flock. A barn is useful for storing feed and supplies and protecting sheep from the elements, especially wind and rain. They also serve as the feeding pen for ewes during their pregnancy. A drinking system may also be established. The use of plastic water troughs is the best alternative as a drinking system in a sheep farm. A shredder is optional equipment. It will be used to shred corns and the like as an alternative food for the sheep.

A multicab or any transporting vehicle will be used for the transportation of the sheep from the farm to the costumers. Also, they will serve as the connecting link from the farm to the restaurant. c. Food. Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is a fodder grass that produces a lot of highprotein forage. It is also known as ―elephant grass‖, ―Sudan grass‖ or ―king grass‖. This is the best grass to be fed to sheep as prescribed by the Department of Agriculture. Napier grass is best suited to high rainfall areas, but it is drought-tolerant and can also grow well in drier areas. It does not grow well in waterlogged areas. It can be grown along with fodder trees along field boundaries or along contour lines or terrace risers to help control erosion. It can be intercropped with crops such as legumes and fodder trees, or as a pure stand. Since sheep are created for grazing it is more advisable for them to be grazed but not everyday. They can also be fed with feeds. d. Handling facilities. No matter the size of the flock, sheep will always need some individual attention—this is where handling facilities come in. Handling facilities can be used to gather and to sort sheep, as well as isolating sheep for shearing, trimming, or medical procedures. At minimum, a gathering pen should be in place, but a forcing pen, chutes, and sorting pens are also helpful. Gathering pens should be able to hold all the sheep at once, with spare room for water tanks, salt blocks, and feed.

e. Health and Sanitation. The easiest way to prevent illness in sheep is to keep them in good health. One important way to do that is through a dependable veterinarian. When starting to raise sheep, it is important to find a quality vet and develop a working relationship with him or her. Poor sanitation is one of the main causes of disease in sheep. Always keep in mind to practice good sanitation in the farm through making the barn always clean, keeping the water and food healthy, etc. Remember also to keep harmful, poisonous and corrosive objects, such as pesticides, gasoline, etc. away from the flock. Diet and nutrition are also essential to sheep health. Sheep should also have adequate space and clean pastures. Sheep are also prone to parasites and worms. In order for them to always be healthy try them to be de-wormed 4 times a year and be vaccinated. Try also to rotate pastures every 2–3 weeks and keep low stocking rates to prevent this parasites.

Daily Schedule of Activities on a Sheep Farm (as prescribed) Time 8:00 am

9:00 am

Farm Operations 

Turning out the animals to be grazed.

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Observe and isolate sick animals

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Feed half of the daily concentrate ration to nursing females and fattening lambs.

9:30 am

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Watering of animals in the grazing lands.

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Feed chopped green and dry napier grass to penned

sheep.

10 am – 2 pm

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Cleaning the sheds and disposal of manure.

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Special activities like record keeping, weighing and marketing of lambs, shearing, vaccination and preventive health care, disbudding, storing, sorting, etc.

4 pm

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Return sheep to their pen

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Feeding the other half with daily concentrate ration to nursing female and fattening lambs

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Feeding chopped green and dry napier grass to all the animals.

II.

Farm Capacity

The farm will have a capacity to accommodate 100 sheep per month. The actual operation will have a capacity of 25 sheep per week inclusive of those who will be butchered to be delivered in the restaurant’s operation. The farm will function in the conditioning, cleaning, storing and making the sheep productive. Hence, one batch will stay in the farm for one month; however, for effective utilization of resources (manpower, equipment, transport, etc) and efficient operation and management, the farm operation schedule will be based on weekly basis. III.

Production Program

The farm will operate all year round. The farm will start at 50% of its capacity and full capacity in the second year and the next years to come. At the second year, the farm

will expand its operations and start to venture on a restaurant business. In this year, he will be supplying sheep to expected costumers and selling sheep delicacies to sheep lovers. IV.

Production Process