Shane on Leon’s Substack

I think cut and carry from protected fodder banks during droughts is the best compromise (since often you have spare time during dry seasons anyway). Ideally species that can also be direct grazed, but leave upper branches in reserve for times when feed runs short. Definitely agree about keeping animals out rather than in. Fencing will be in short supply again in the future, so we need to start experimenting with alternative approaches. I just spent an hour cutting back a hedge to supplement the goats. Being reluctant to hire someone makes sense. I feel much the same way. Maybe one day when I am aging out, but still have some long term projects to finish off, I might bring someone young in to help out. I suspect your last sheep might have managed to outlive the others if there is some limiting micronutrient in the available feed. Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to health. Mixing species also helps reduce worm burdens since cows and goats generally don't cross infect each other (though chooks help as well). So many issues can be solved with diversity, but you can't breed a single goat, so the older patterns where everyone had a few of each kind of animal enabled the scale needed to maintain genetics. Thanks so much for the review! Only a couple more to go and I can try that other promotion strategy.