Custom Feedlot Geared To Sheep

Custom Feedlot Geared To Sheep LIVESTOCK Sheep/Goats “We run it like a cattle feedlot but it’s only for sheep ” says Kyle Shippy about his family’s business Shippy Sheep Feed Lots in Colome S Dak He also runs his own flock of 200 to 300 sheep Experienced in raising sheep since the mid 1970’s he opened for business as a feedlot in the early 1990’s The opportunity came mainly from sheep producers in areas where corn supplies are very limited Others faced drought issues and wanted a place to fatten their lambs and maintain ownership Most lambs are at Shippy’s lots for about 90 days during the months between September and May to fatten up before being shipped to slaughter or the sale barn for auction “We have all the equipment fencing feed bunks feed storage and working areas ” he says “We can sort 300 to 400 sheep in 20 min with our alley and sorting gates ” He and his son Dale worm all the lambs when they come in and do routine care Each owner’s flock is marked with paint and kept in separate lots Shippy sorts sheep by size to ensure they don’t compete with larger lambs for feed Located in south central South Dakota 40 miles from irrigated cornfields in Nebraska Shippy has access to plenty of corn in addition to the hay he grows on his own land Another benefit is the soil “We are on sandy soil on the edge of the Sandhills in Nebraska so the wool on the lambs doesn’t get muddy which is good for the slaughter house ” Shippy says “Our lots are situated behind shelterbelts to provide wind and storm protection ” he adds “We prepare most of the feed but you have the option of having feed of your choice delivered from one of the local elevators to our lots for your lambs ” He’s had customers bring lambs from as far away as 900 miles Most go directly from Shippy’s to slaughter but last year a producer in an extreme drought area brought his ewe lambs to the feedlot just for the winter and took them back home in the spring Shippy says demand goes up and down according to lamb prices “Customers are gambling that the market goes up when they’re ready to sell ” he says With room for 3 000 lambs there is plenty of room for new customers Shippy says Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Kyle and Dale Shippy 29321 321st Ave Colome S Dak 57528 Kyle- 605 842-0935; Dale- 605 842-3967; Ks6241@hotmail com; www sheepfeedlot com

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