Preparing our Farm for Summer

Preparing our farm for summer probably looks a lot different than most people think. When we consider our climate, our schedule and our capacity, it makes sense to lighten the load by culling (selling and harvesting) our goat and lamb herds before our Texas summer heat arrives. For us, it’s crucial for several reasons, all tied to the overall well-being and productivity of our farm:

Animal Welfare: As shepherds of our livestock, ensuring their welfare is our top priority. Culling our herds before the heat of summer arrives prevents them from suffering in our high Texas temperatures, where most days are well over 100 degrees. Summer heat can be particularly harsh on animals, causing stress, dehydration, and even heat-related illnesses. By reducing the number of animals on the farm, the remaining livestock can have access to more resources like water, shade, and food, keeping them healthy and comfortable.

Resource Management: Managing a farm includes juggling resources such as food, water, and space. With limited resources (land and water) available, it's important to us to maintain a balance between the number of livestock and the available resources we have access to, especially during summer when our land and our water are highly impacted by heat and drought. Culling our herds ensures that the remaining animals have an adequate supply of food and water so that they can thrive and produce efficiently.

Disease Prevention: Overcrowded herds can increase the risk of disease such as worms and pneumonia. Summer weather, with its warm and humid conditions, can increase this risk as pests thrive in such environments. Culling our livestock helps in reducing overcrowding, which minimizes stress on the remaining animals, and decreases the likelihood of disease. This proactive approach to disease prevention saves us both time and money.

Preserving our Land: As a steward of our land, holistic preservation is important to us. Overgrazing and overstocking, especially in the heat of summer, can lead to land degradation, such as soil erosion and forage destruction. By responsibly managing the number of animals on our farm, we can ensure that we will have lush land in the future for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.

Hopefully this gives you a glimpse into the benefits of culling our livestock before our Texas summers arrive. summer weather arrives. This not only helps us keep our herds healthy, but it also helps us to make sure that we are stewarding our land well.