Sheep in a regenerative system serve specific roles beyond grazing the same ground cattle left. They perform tasks cattle can't, grazing regrowth at optimal height in a sequence that breaks parasite cycles and sustains pasture productivity. This is what leader-follower grazing means.

Leader-Follower Rotation, In Practice

Our Highlands lead the rotation, grazing a paddock for two to five days before moving on, removing tall vegetation, opening the pasture, and leaving partially grazed areas and manure. Three to five days later, sheep follow, grazing new growth, trimming unconsumed species, and leaving the pasture clearer and more uniform than they found it. This process has several measurable effects.

Forage Utilization rises

Cattle prefer grasses. Sheep are more willing to eat forbs and broadleaves. Following one with the other captures more of what the pasture actually grows

Parasite Cycles Are Interrupted

Sheep and cattle parasites are mostly species-specific. The eggs sheep shed in their manure can be ingested by cattle without issue — the parasite can’t complete its life cycle in the wrong host. By rotating species on a paddock with adequate rest periods, we significantly reduce the parasite load.

Manure Distribution Improves

Two species mean two distinct manure distribution patterns, resulting in more uniform fertility across the paddock.

Pasture Diversity

Increases as selective grazing across multiple species promotes a wider variety of plants, which in turn benefits pollinators, soil microbiology, and resilient productivity.
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Sheep In Our Silvopasture Alleys

Part of our pasture is silvopasture — an agroforestry system with cultivated trees near grazing areas. Sheep are suitable here: they can move easily between trees, won’t compact the soil like cattle, and can trim the understory without harming trees if managed carefully.  

The risk is animals damaging young trees by chewing, browsing, or rubbing trunks. We protect them with tree guards, time sheep access, and rotate grazing to prevent overuse.  

When managed well, sheep in silvopasture enhance landscape diversity and productivity. Poor management risks tree loss; success relies on planning, observation, and timely animal rotations. 

Standards In Practice

Every part of our sheep management is guided by the standards of our three certifications.

  • USDA Organic

    Daily grazing during the season; year-round outdoor access; species-appropriate shelter; clean, dry bedding; water and soil protection.

  • Regenerative Organic Certified®

    Builds on organic standards by adding formal pillars for soil health and animal welfare, which includes the Five Freedoms. It involves diverse forage, soil testing, no CAFOs, suitable shelter, and limited transport.

  • Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World.

    Continuous outdoor access, pasture plan, humane handling, specific lambing and space minimums, audited annually.

These three frameworks overlap and reinforce each other. We treat them as a single integrated standard.