During the summer, Konstantijn heard about the 4-H program for young people interested in raising and showing sheep. One aspect of the program, which peaked her interest was learning to do public speaking.
When fall came, Konstantijn attended the first two meetings, expecting to learn about sheep and how to give a public presentation. She was sorely disappointed when most of the time was spent playing games and popping balloons. (She's a lot like her dad, Martin – serious and inquisitive about matters of importance.)
Martin told her that instead of going to 4-H, he would spend a few hours each week instructing her on sheep and she could take over the responsibility of feeding them morning and evening. Konstantijn was happy about this development, but still wanted to pursue public speaking.
Her mom Jeannie suggested K write up what she wanted to talk about and give a presentation when we had company over the holidays, which she did. And she did well for her first foray into public speaking.
We don't have a video of her presentation, but here's her written work.
Sheep – My Favorites
My favorite animals are sheep, and here is why I think there should be more of them in the world.
For starters, they can be easily integrated into cattle grazing operations without any need for extra land. In fact, you can normally add two to three sheep for every one cow on the pasture without increasing your need for acreage. The reason this is possible is because sheep prefer weeds, forbs, and brush while cows are very partial to grasses and legumes. This isn't just a thrifty use of pasture resources, it also serves to make sure the grasses and weeds have equal grazing pressure, which eliminates the need for herbicides on pasture land.
As a natural parasite preventative measure, cows won't feed anywhere near their dung or on any grasses tainted by their hooves. But since parasites are species specific, the sheep don't mind a bit to cleanup around the cow pies and make sure perfectly good forage doesn't go to waste.
In other words, two or three sheep can live off the leftovers of your average cow with the added bonus of a healthier pasture.
Another big advantage of sheep is their size. Because sheep are much smaller than cattle, they can easily fit into backyards, and don't require large or heavy-duty shelters and fences. Their small size also means that children can look after them safely and handle them when necessary.
One of the best things about lamb is that it tastes great, but not only is it tasty, it's been found that lamb is healthier than beef. For example, a grass-fed lamb has a significant amount of omega-3 fats, a nutrient that reduces the risk of heart disease. It also contains more conjugated linoleic acid than any other clean meat.
Linoleic acid is a nutrient with health benefits that have been puzzling researchers for years. The average North American adult consumes too many omega-6 fatty acids in comparison to omega-3 fatty acids. It's also a general rule to consume as little trans-fats as possible, yet, CLA is made of these two fats and has been found to have health benefits, such as reduced inflammation and body fat. CLA is also particularly good for women.
And finally, my personal favorite things about sheep:
One, they can be friendlier than other livestock if you shepherd them.
Two, their young are cuter and more playful.
And three, sheep all have very individual personalities. (Not all of their personalities are that great!)
I hope you found this information useful!
Konstantijn
