Milne Feeds Sales Manager, Paul Nenke, recently travelled to the United States to visit sheep producers and learn more about shed-based farming. The trip included visits to commercial operations, university farms and feedlots across several states. It provided valuable insight into how American farmers are adapting to land use pressures and shifting market demands.
Many American producers are moving sheep off traditional grazing land and into fully housed systems. Shed-based systems are being adopted across a range of operations in the United States, from university farms to large commercial and individual producers. These systems are helping farmers improve lambing results while making more efficient use of valuable land.
The shift has largely been driven by economics and practicality. In regions where land is expensive or primarily used for cropping, livestock is being pushed into more confined and managed spaces. In some areas, fences are being removed altogether and paddocks are being cropped right up to the roadside. For producers still running sheep, this has led to are think of traditional systems and an increased focus on productivity per square metre.
One of the major advantages of shed farming is the ability to lamb year-round. In colder parts of the country, lambing during winter on open pasture is not viable. Sheds offer a more stable environment, protecting lambs from cold stress and making it easier for staff to monitor animals during lambing. Superior Farms has gone a step further, converting old turkey barns into sheep sheds with the goal of lambing twice a year. While this approach allows for more lambs per ewe annually, it also means the ewes do not last as long in the system. Most are processed at around four years of age.
Shed systems allow for close monitoring of both ewes and lambs. Producers report improved lamb survival and growth, as well as the ability to manage health and nutrition more precisely. Increased weaning percentages and heavier weights at slaughter are important in a country where the national flock has declined significantly over the decades. With just five million sheep remaining in the United States, every productivity gain matters.
Predator pressure is also reduced in barns, with producers noting fewer losses from coyotes and other threats. In northern states, protection from snow and frostbite is another major benefit. However, these systems come with their own risks. Without proper ventilation and spacing, shed environments can lead to respiratory issues and stress.
Setting up for shed-based production requires a substantial upfront investment. Barns, feeding infrastructure, drainage and cleaning equipment are all necessary. Space guidelines suggest 1.5 square metres per ewe, and more for a ewe-lamb pair. Feed costs are higher than in pasture systems, particularly when lambing out of season or using creep feeding. That said, corn prices in the US are currently very low, which offsets some of the cost. Rations generally include corn, silage and wheat.
Labour is another key factor. Shed systems are labour intensive, requiring staff for daily feeding, cleaning and lambing support. Labour is more affordable in the US than in Australia, though recent immigration changes have made it harder to find workers in some regions.
Breed selection also plays an important role. Not all sheep do well in sheds. In the US, producers favour Dorset and fine-wool crosses that can lamb out of season and perform well in more intensive settings. Other breeds like Finnish Landrace, Suffolk and Border Leicester are valued for fertility, while Katahdin sheep offer the added benefit of being self-shedding.
Despite the focus on animal comfort inside the sheds, one surprising observation was how quickly lambs are transitioned to outdoor feedlots after weaning. These feedlots typically have no shelter, which exposes young lambs to environmental stress and likely impacts growth. The sudden shift from a controlled indoor setting to an unprotected outdoor space raises valid concerns about the long-term effectiveness and consistency of these systems.
In the Australian context, the viability of such systems in the short term is more uncertain. High infrastructure and labour costs pose challenges, making widespread adoption questionable for now. That said, with continued upward pressure on lamb prices and the growing need for efficiency, especially as farms expand their cropping operations and repurpose grazing land, shed-based systems may become more attractive in the future.
Milne Feeds continues to work with producers across a wide range of systems, offering nutrition support designed to help maximise performance while supporting animal wellbeing. Whether sheep are run on pasture or in more intensive systems, feeding plays a central role in productivity.
To learn more about Paul’s visit to the United States or to discuss Milne Feeds’ products, contact Paul Nenke on 0407 720 040.
