ROTATIONAL GRAZING IS THE KEY

On 2^nd August over fifty farmers from the West Country and beyond descended on Crablake Farm, Exminster for the West Country Lleyn Sheep Open Day. The sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky!

Jerry Sanders-Carr is the second generation farmer at Crablake, a 300 acre mixed farm. The free draining soil can be drought-prone in a dry summer but will grow grass most of the winter, allowing stock to outwinter. Since taking over the running of the farm, Jerry has reduced the cropping area to 100 acres and increased the focus on sheep. His aim is to produce high quality lamb from forage whilst improving soil fertility which, in turn, leads to lower inputs for the arable enterprise. 

'I moved from Suffolk Mules and Poll Dorsets to a Lleyn flock of 450 ewes about 12 years ago. The ewes are smaller and easily handled but still produce 45 kg lambs. At the same time I switched to outdoor lambing from mid-February. Commercial Charollais rams are used on the main flock plus pedigree Lleyn rams and an Aberfield SR ram on high performing ewes to produce replacement ewes and potential breeding rams.'

'Mob grazing techniques are used with the sheep moving to a new paddock every 48 to 72 hours on an approximate 30 day rotation. Thus fresh grass is always in front of them and I am building soil carbon along the way. Rotational grazing allows me to run 20% more ewes than I otherwise could. Developing suitable water infrastructure to fit the large number of paddocks has been a key challenge.' 

Responding to the recent exceptionally dry summers, Jerry is working with seed companies to develop more appropriate forage mixtures (not including ryegrass which gives stalks but no leaf in these extreme conditions). 

'Exeter Market is close by and, thanks to Russell Steer, is very successful. All lambs are sold there liveweight between late May and October off a predominantly forage diet utilising herbal leys and short term grasses that form part of the arable rotation. Target weights are driven by market demand but are typically 40-42 kg at the start of the season, rising to 45 kg plus from July onwards.'

'Breeding rams are advertised online and through breeding sales. The majority are sold to existing/repeat customers.' A new customer this year is King Charles with 4 rams going to Sandringham.'

'Replacement ewe lambs are tupped if they have reached 50 kg. Otherwise they are reared to shearlings. Ewes are split into lambing groups 2-3 weeks before lambing. Singles get no feed except grass. Multiples get Lifeline buckets and haylage, if required.' Jerry also sang the praises of lamb macs to make the lambs weather-resistant!     

The prolonged period of very hot weather and serious drought had resulted in an almost total lack of grass but, despite this, people on the farm tour were impressed by how well the sheep were looking.

The ewe flock was being kept in a sacrifice field with plenty of shade, water, a molasses lick and haylage. They seemed very comfortable. In another enclosure were the remaining 120 or so lambs, 60 due to go to Exeter Market the following day at around 42-45 kg. Finally, in another paddock, the unbred ewe lambs from 2025 had grown well into shearling flock replacements.

Along the way, Jerry pointed out some aspects of his diversification scheme (for which he received a Devon Farm Award in 2022): farmhouse and converted barn holiday lets, Air B&B, a caravan site, caravan and boat storage and container storage. All very impressive.   

Jerry had set up displays of quality shearling ewes, stock rams and lambs and visitors were encouraged to judge the ewes and guess the weight of a pen of lambs.

Sarah Eckett thanked everyone for coming and thanked Jerry profusely for giving up his time and effort for everyone's benefit, showcasing the Lleyn breed and his innovative ways of working.

Despite the rise in cases of Bluetongue in the South West and the drought, farmers left optimistic and enthused by Jerry's thoughtful and unusual farming approach. All in all, the Open Day was extremely enjoyable, interactive and informative. What a great way to spend the afternoon! 

The next annual Lleyn Sheep Society Sale is at Exeter Livestock Centre at 10 am on Thursday 27^th August. Kivells - 01392 251261.

John Adams