Sheep and Goats Safely Graze

A note from us: Hello! We hope you’re having a wonderful summer. Over the next few weeks, we’re excited to tour Christmas tree farms and watch our lambs show in 4-H exhibitions. So, we’ll be taking a break from Sylvan Sundays. We will see you again soon!

The ground squished under Daishin the Llama’s hooves. A storm had blown through while he tried to rest last night, and he hoped for a bit of sleep this morning.

He looked around at his companions. Everyone was in their places: the sheep resting under the hay wagon, the goats lounging on top of it. Most of all, they were all quiet. Daishin found a dry spot and cushed regally, laying his head down.

It seemed he had hardly closed his eyes when The Human arrived. On cue, the chorus of bleats and baas began. Daishin groaned. Every time The Human came to the paddock, the sheep and goats pretended like they were starving, when in reality, there was always enough to eat.

Luckily, they wouldn’t be putting on a show for long: The Human was going to open up new eating grounds.

Of course, she took her own sweet time about it. She peered at their water tank, then looked at their mineral tub, went away, and came back with a cup full of mineral. The goats dove at the tub as soon as she poured the cup in.

Then, finally, The Human walked to the netting on the far side, pulled it open, and opened the gate to new grass.

The goats emerged from the mineral tub and sprinted to the front of the flock. The ewes followed, then the rams. While his companions were focused on food, Daishin looked around at the world outside the netting while his companions. There were no threats.

Once everyone had passed through the gate, he rushed through as Rear Guard. He looked around again, ensuring all the sheep and goats were happily eating, then he bowed his head to the ground and chomped off a big bunch of Timothy grass.

Then, of course, there was The Human, holding her phone in front of her, catching him with his mouth wide open.

Thanks, Human.

Thanks for Reading!

And I hope you feel refreshed and rejuvenated for the week ahead with this moment preserved in picture and prose. Consider:

• What skill would you like to learn this summer?

Share your answer and this newsletter with someone who can teach you that skill.

If Sylvan Sundays was forwarded to you, welcome! To learn more about our farmers, check out “A New Year’s Introduction,” and to learn more about our name, visit “Being Sylvan.” Also, make sure to check out “This Week on the Farm” and “Farm Shop” below!

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This Week on the Farm

A new adventure: we’re on a podcast! The NCR-SARE Program, which supports our sheep and Christmas tree study, hosts “Farming Matters.” Our regional coordinator, Liz Brownlee, interviewed us on our project. Here’s the episode!

One discovery we’ve made so far this year is that the ewes rub their heads against the tree trunks for a scratch. That leads to injured branches. Jeff looked for a solution and found a scratch brush, installing one on the water wagon. It didn’t take long before the sheep began rubbing their heads against the bristles.

All of the lambs are growing nicely! We’ll train our Shetland show sheep to walk with a halter over the next few weeks, preparing for the Indiana State Fair.