The Shepherdess

Grace is an entrepreneur, Shepherdess, and rotational grazing enthusiast. This eclectic mix converges here on the Shepherdess Podcast where we talk about regenerative farming for profit, raising Dorper sheep, and daily life as a small-scale, regenerative farmer.

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The Shepherdess

WHAT IS THE MOST PROFITABLE BREED OF SHEEP? (9 breeds to choose from)

May 19, 2026 • Grace

0:00 | 29:30

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Choosing the right sheep breed can make or break the success of your for-profit farming operation, especially if you are running a pasture-based system. In this episode, I’m answering your sheep farming questions and breaking down the pros and cons of popular hair sheep vs. wool sheep breeds, what I’ve learned from raising Dorpers in a high-rainfall environment, how to find quality breeding stock, and why carcass size, minerals, and lambing timing matter so much in a profitable sheep operation.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 Welcome and overview

00:02:25 Which hair breed sheep I have chosen for my farm

00:03:44 Pros and cons of three popular hair breeds

00:06: 24 Why carcass size matters when you are running a for-profit meat operation

00:07:42 The importance of investing in high quality breeding stock to start your flock

00:10:00 My best tips on where to find good quality stock for your specific area

00:12:38 What has changed about raising wool sheep in the modern economy

00:17:59 Pros and cons of three major wool sheep breeds

00:19:27 What you need to know about purchasing stock on Facebook

00:21:58 Why you don’t need a huge farm to implement my sheep farming systems

00:23:05 The importance of timing your lambing with the weather in your area