Dairy Sheep

Farmer Ash

Dairy Sheep

We partner with a small regenerative farm that raises sheep as nature intended. This approach produces sheep milk with lower toxin levels, higher nutrient density, a more natural fatty acid composition, and superior taste—better for both you and the environment.

  1. 100% Grass-Fed and Rotationally Grazed 
  2. Superior Nutrient Profile, No Fatty-Acid Manipulation
  3. Sanitary milking conditions
  4. Lactation schedule Aligned with the Natural Rhythms 
  5. Needle-Free Production
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1. 100% Grass-Fed and Rotationally Grazed

The dairy sheep are never confined and never fed grain, spending their days grazing freely on lush, regenerative pastures—just as wild ruminants do. This allows them to express natural behaviors, roam in fresh air and abundant sunshine, and maintain a deep connection to the land. In the mornings and evenings, they return to the milking parlor, where they briefly step onto the milking stand before heading back out to pasture. To encourage this routine, our farm partner offers organic alfalfa pellets as a treat during milking. These pellets, made from compressed, dried alfalfa, provide a rich source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, supporting overall health while ensuring a smooth and stress-free milking process.

Our farm partner follows regenerative rotational grazing, moving sheep to fresh pasture daily while allowing previously grazed areas to recover. This method mimics natural flock movements and brings profound environmental benefits:

  • Enhanced soil health and fertility
  • Increased biodiversity in grass species and soil microbiome
  • Improved carbon and water cycles
  • Reduced parasite exposure
  • Enhanced nutrient density in the final product

Unlike continuous grazing—where animals remain in one area too long, leading to overgrazing and soil depletion—this approach creates a self-sustaining cycle. Sheep graze intensively for a short period, then move on, allowing plants to fully regenerate. The result? Healthier land, richer forage, more resilient animals, and superior-quality meat and dairy.

When pastures become dormant in winter, our farm partner provides only chemical-free, high-quality hay sourced from approved locations. This ensures the sheep continue receiving clean, nutrient-rich forage, maintaining peak health even in cold months. In extreme weather conditions, sheep are provided with shelter for safety and straw bedding to keep them warm and comfortable.

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2. Superior Nutrient Profile, No Fatty Acid Manipulation

Our farm partner never feeds grain, oilseeds, or uses rumen bypass methods to manipulate fatty acid composition—ensuring that our sheep dairy retains its natural fat profile, just as nature intended.

Grain feeding introduces several concerns:

  • Grains and distiller grains contain endocrine-disrupting phytoestrogens and pesticide residues that can disrupt hormone balance.
  • Grain feeding increases Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) levels while reducing beneficial saturated fats, which can negatively impact metabolism.

Our commitment to the Nourish Promise LowPs™ standard means our sheep dairy remains naturally low in PUFAs, phytoestrogens, and pesticides, delivering superior nutrition and metabolic health benefits.

Since the dairy sheep are rotationally grazed on diverse pastures, their milk not only contains more vitamins and minerals, but it's also rich in beneficial phytochemicals, naturally occurring plant compounds with numerous health benefits. Terpenoids provide anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-carcinogenic properties, while polyphenols protect against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, supporting immune function and gut health.

Rotationally grazed sheep consume a wide variety of forages, each contributing unique phytochemicals. Research shows these compounds transfer directly into the milk, enhancing both nutritional value and flavor. Feedlot grain-fed sheep consume virtually none of these beneficial compounds, while continuously grazed sheep access far fewer plant varieties. This is why truly regenerative, grass-fed sheep dairy is not only healthier—it also delivers the distinctive, rich flavor that only comes from a diverse, pasture-based diet.

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3. Sanitary milking conditions

A common misconception is that raw milk inherently contains harmful bacteria. In reality, contamination only occurs after the milk leaves the teats, and this happens solely due to unsanitary milking conditions. To uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and safety, our farm partner follows strict milking protocols.

Each morning and evening, the sheep are brought in from pasture for milking. The milking equipment is meticulously sanitized with hot water and diluted hydrogen peroxide, and the milking area is diligently maintained for optimal hygiene. Before milking, the sheeps’ teats are carefully cleaned with a diluted iodine teat dip (0.5%). Lab testing confirms this diluted concentration does not artificially increase iodine levels in the milk. Maintaining clean, healthy udders is essential for preventing mastitis and ensuring milk safety.

Once collected by a milking machine, the milk is immediately transferred to a chill tank, where it is rapidly cooled to preserve freshness and prevent bacterial growth. It is then bottled on-farm, ensuring a single point of origin that keeps the milk safe and traceable. In contrast, conventional dairy combines milk from multiple farms into large vats, significantly increasing the risk of contamination.

To maintain these rigorous standards, milk is tested monthly for quality and pathogens. Additionally, a dedicated dairy field representative routinely visits each farm to oversee and support best practices. By prioritizing sanitation, traceability, and strict quality control, we ensure raw milk that is clean, safe, and nutrient-dense.

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4. Lactation schedule aligned with the natural rhythms

Dairy sheep, like goats, do not produce milk year-round. Our farm partners work in harmony with their natural cycles to ensure their well-being. As seasonal breeders, dairy sheep typically go into heat in the fall, as daylight hours decrease. Their heat cycles last 17–20 days, with visible signs including increased vocalization, restlessness, and interest in the ram. After a 5-month pregnancy, they give birth in late winter or early spring, initiating their lactation period. They are milked for 5 to 6 months before being dried off to rest in preparation for the next breeding season—and the natural cycle begins again! (The short lactation period is one of the reasons why sheep dairy is more expensive, as they produce less milk compared to other livestock).

Honoring this natural rhythm means there will be a brief period each year when fresh milk supply is lower. However, during this time, cheese continues to age, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality, matured dairy products year-round.

Milk production, like in humans, follows a birth cycle—milk is produced after lambing, and as long as the sheep is milked regularly, lactation continues. This 6-month lactation period allows for milk production without requiring continuous pregnancies. But do not worry - lambs are not deprived of milk in this model. They receive essential colostrum at birth and raw sheep milk for the early weeks, gradually transitioning to solid food (pasture) around 3 to 4 weeks of age. Regular breeding, lactation, and resting cycles ensure a steady supply of milk while respecting the natural rhythms of the animals.

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5. Needle-Free Production

At our partner farm, the sheep thrive without pharmaceutical interventions because they are raised in optimal conditions—fresh pasture, clean air, regular rotation to new grass, and minimal waste exposure. This natural lifestyle reduces parasite exposure as the animals move to fresh ground regularly, eliminating the need for routine antibiotics, vaccines, hormones, and dewormers commonly used in industrial agriculture. In the rare event that an animal requires medical treatment to ensure its survival, it is removed from our Nourish production line.

This stands in stark contrast to feedlot operations, where confined conditions require constant interventions like insecticides for fly control, dewormers for parasite management, extensive vaccination programs, and routine antibiotics which contributes to the growing concerns of antibiotic resistance. 

With every lactation, the sheep give birth to lambs, who are raised with the goal of eventually entering the production line as they mature. This gradual process helps to grow the flock and steadily increase supply over time. Any dairy sheep that are brought into the farm to expand, however, are from approved sources with the same rigorous standards. Crucially, the lambs are raised without vaccines or pharmaceutical interventions, ensuring a needle-free flock with natural immunity. As a result, all of the dairy sheep are born and raised on the farm, continuing the cycle of health and resilience.

By prioritizing regenerative practices, our farm partner fosters natural resilience in the herd. Diverse pastures provide immune-boosting compounds, regular movement minimizes parasite exposure, and freedom from confinement prevents stress-induced health issues. This holistic approach makes pharmaceutical interventions unnecessary, resulting in sheep free from medication residues and living in genuine health, producing pure, wholesome dairy just as nature intended.

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