Flerd.. What’s a Flerd?? Great Question!
A flerd is a grazing management practice where a flock of sheep and a herd of cattle are combined to graze together. This integrated approach offers several potential benefits, including improved pasture utilization, enhanced parasite control, and increased predator protection for the sheep.
Decreased predation: Smaller ruminants like sheep and goats, when bonded with cattle, are less likely to be preyed upon by predators like coyotes because the cattle act as a protective barrier.
Better pasture management: Different animals graze differently, so a flerd can lead to more efficient utilization of pasture and better control of weeds.
Parasite control: Many parasites are species-specific, so mixing species can help break parasite life cycles.
Reduced labor: Managing one unit, rather than separate flocks and herds, can save time and effort.
Throw in some chickens and you have the perfect trifecta!
