I recently visited a sheep farm in Mount Gilead, Morrow County, Ohio, as part of a "Yarn Trek by Bicycle". For information on the bike trip, see this post.
Roger Cox, along with his wife Jan, was named the 2022 Ohio Charles Boyles Master Shepherd of the year by the Ohio Breed Improvement Association. They raise mostly Katahdin sheep, which is a "hair sheep" breed. This means that they do not have to be shorn every year, as they naturally shed their short wool. You can see the new coat growing in on this sheep, and the old one shedding off.
The wool is not useful for making yarn, as the fibers are too short for spinning. I suppose if labor was not prohibitive they could be combed and use for felt or perhaps some industrial purpose, but the economics mean that most shepherds just let the sheep shed into the pasture, which is actually good for the soil. Everything is recycled.
The Coxes have over a hundred ewes on their acreage. Many of the ewes have more than one lamb. Roger explained that his lambing rate last year was over 200%, meaning that several ewes had triplets. In fact, there was one mother who had quadruplets this year!
Roger has had sheep since he was ten years old, in 1956. He started with Hampshires, also a meat breed, and has had Dorset/Cheviot crosses. He and his sons also raised and trained Belgian draft horse teams for some extra income, and later, also raised mule teams. He started with the Katahdins in 2004, and gradually increased the flock of Katahdins as they were successful, eventually dropping other breeds.
The Coxes have mostly specialized in breeding stock, instead of concentrating on selling meat for processing. I remarked how I almost never see lamb at the grocery, except mostly around Easter, and he told me that most of the lamb from the processor makes its way to cities with higher Muslim and Jewish populations. I do like lamb, having eaten it especially the year I spent in Spain as a student. But I rarely buy it, since I never see it on the shelf. Jan mentioned that I should check with Pinhook Meats in Lucas to see if they might have some, as they do some processing for area shepherds.
Roger explained that they chose to concentrate on meat breeds, because the wool industry in this country just doesn't really makes economic sense (my words, not his). It is difficult to find and schedule shearers before or during the busy lambing season, and it costs more to shear the sheep than the wool brings on the market. Yet, wool sheep must be shorn, because they have evolved along with humans in a codependent relationship. The heavy coat of wool is hot, and occasionally the ewe may even smother her lamb by lying on it and not feeling it through a thick coat of wool. Hair sheep eliminate this problem. The Katahdin breed, like other hair sheep, has a less gamey taste than some wool sheep. The breed was developed in Maine by a breeder named Dr. Piel. (Ironically, the word "Piel" means "skin" (not hair) in Spanish although I have no idea if the breeder is of Spanish heritage.). The breed takes its name from the highest mountain in the state of Maine. The breed is parasite-resistant, wool-less, and generally have multiple lambs per season.
There is a lot of hard work to do on the farm. In spring, lambing season begins in April and lasts for about three weeks. Roger practically lives in the barn for those three weeks, as with 100 ewes, there is always some work to do. In addition, there is worming each sheep for the barber pole parasite, mucking out stalls, rotating the sheep through the various paddocks, training the border collie, and occasionally plowing a paddock to reduce the risk of parasites. Not to mention mowing the pastures, baking the hay, and keeping the lawn mowed. Very busy life for a 76-year old!
Rotational grazing has been a practice that the Coxes have turned to and found that it is very good for the land. They keep the sheep in one paddock for 5 days, then keep them out of that paddock for about 30 days. This lets the grass recover, and also helps with parasite management. They raise some cereal crops, and also, purple-top turnips as it is nutritious and also has a high nitrogen content when turned into the soil after grazing.
The Coxes have three sons and a daughter, and one of the sons, as well as the grandson, has followed him into shepherding. Two other sons are employed in ag-related industries, one in a local factory, and his daughter works in admissions at the Ohio State Branch in Marion. It is heartening to see a family farm that is passed down through multiple generations.
We spoke briefly about current events and how inflation is affecting everyone. It is reminiscent of the early 1980's when a high rate of inflation and unfavorable economic conditions sent many farmers to bankrupcy. Some lost everything, including one of the Cox's neighbors. I pray the current economic situation resolves soon.
The Coxes were very kind and hospitable people. They made sure I was rested and hydrated from my bike ride before we launched into our discussion and tour. And they insisted on feeding me before I said goodbye. Roger mentioned how blessed their family has been to increase their flocks and provide a living for his family. He gives back to the community by occasionally mentoring younger shepherds and getting them set up with livestock. I can see that he and Jan have worked very hard to achieve their goals. They introduced me to their granddaughter, who was busy painting with water on the patio floor while we talked. Her creations evaporated, but provided her with endless material for artistic expression. I really enjoyed my visit with the Coxes and feel that they are friends, even after knowing them such a short time.
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