Sheep Feed Costs: How to Reduce Expenses Without Sacrificing Health

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-08-14

Key Takeaways

• Forage testing is foundational: Analyze hay and pasture nutrient content (crude protein, TDN/RFV, minerals) to precisely match supplementation needs, preventing overspending on unnecessary nutrients and ensuring adequate intake for different production stages (e.g., 8-9% CP for dry ewes vs. 13-15% CP for lactating ewes).
• Body condition scoring (BCS) is a free diagnostic tool: Assess fat and muscle cover (1-5 scale) to identify individual ewe nutritional status, enabling differential feeding to reduce grain costs by 20-30% by providing maintenance rations to BCS 3+ ewes and higher energy rations to BCS <3 ewes.
• Optimized grazing management significantly reduces purchased feed: Implement rotational grazing and pasture stockpiling to extend the grazing season by 30-60 days, potentially cutting purchased feed needs by 20-40% through increased forage utilization and reduced reliance on stored feeds.
• Strategic culling targets inefficient feed converters: Remove "hard keepers," ewes with chronic health issues, or those consistently failing to wean a lamb, as these animals incur daily feed costs without commensurate production, directly impacting flock feed budget efficiency.
• Parasite control directly impacts feed conversion efficiency: Heavy worm burdens (e.g., Haemonchus contortus) impair nutrient absorption, leading to wasted feed; targeted selective treatment using FAMACHA scoring and good pasture management minimizes dewormer use and maximizes feed utilization for production.
• Record-keeping provides actionable data for cost control: Track feed purchases, inventory, and flock performance metrics (e.g., cost per pound of lamb produced) to identify trends, measure the efficacy of cost-saving strategies, and inform future purchasing and management decisions.

Feed represents the single largest variable expense on most sheep operations, often consuming 60 to 70 percent of total production costs. For commercial producers and small flock owners alike, finding ways to lower that number without compromising ewe condition, lamb growth, or flock health is the difference between a profitable year and a loss. This guide covers practical, field-tested strategies for reducing sheep feed costs across all production stages, from pasture management and forage testing to targeted supplementation and strategic culling. It is written for sheep farmers of all scales who want to keep their animals healthy while tightening their feed budget.

At a Glance

• Test your hay and pasture forage before buying supplements. Knowing actual nutrient content prevents wasted spending on unnecessary feed.
• Body condition scoring is your best free tool. It tells you which ewes actually need extra feed and which are fine on forage alone.
• Grazing management, including rotational grazing and stockpiling, can cut purchased feed needs by 20 to 40 percent.
• Buy feed in bulk with neighbors or through cooperatives to access wholesale prices.
• Match feed quality to animal needs. Dry ewes in early gestation need far less than lactating ewes with lambs.
• Parasite control directly affects feed costs. Wormy sheep waste feed because they cannot convert it into body condition.
• Cull hard keepers. A ewe that needs extra feed to stay in condition is costing you money every single day.
• Keep detailed records of feed purchases and flock performance so you can see what actually works on your farm.

Understanding What Drives Sheep Feed Costs

Before you can reduce sheep feed costs, you need a clear picture of where the money goes. Feed costs are not a single line item. They include purchased hay, grain, mineral supplements, pasture maintenance, and the labor involved in feeding. Each of these responds to different market forces and management decisions.

The biggest driver of feed costs is the gap between forage availability and animal demand. In most climates, pasture growth is seasonal. Spring brings surplus grass, while winter and late summer bring shortages. Producers who fail to plan for those gaps end up buying expensive hay and grain at peak market prices. Producers who manage grazing and store forage strategically buy less and pay less per ton.

Weather is the second major driver. Drought years force early hay purchases and reduce pasture carrying capacity. Wet years can ruin hay quality at harvest. You cannot control the weather, but you can build flexibility into your system. That means having a grazing plan that adjusts to growth conditions, maintaining a hay reserve, and being willing to sell animals early when forage runs short.

The third driver is animal efficiency. A flock with high parasite loads, poor genetics, or mismatched breeding seasons will need more feed to achieve the same production. A ewe that weans a 40 pound lamb on forage alone is far more profitable than one that weans a 50 pound lamb but requires 100 pounds of grain to do it. Feed efficiency is a flock trait that responds to culling and selection pressure.

Market prices for hay, grain, and supplements fluctuate regionally and seasonally. Buying ahead of peak demand, locking in prices with local growers, and exploring alternative feed sources can all reduce what you pay per pound of nutrient. The cheapest feed is not always the best value. A low quality hay at a bargain price may cost more per pound of protein than a higher quality hay at a slightly higher price.

Forage Testing: The Foundation of Smart Feeding

Most sheep producers feed their animals without knowing what is actually in their forage. They assume hay is good because it looks green or bad because it looks stemmy. Assumptions are expensive. Forage testing removes the guesswork and lets you build a ration based on facts.

A basic forage test costs between 15 and 30 dollars per sample. That is a tiny fraction of what you will spend on feed in a single winter. The test tells you the dry matter percentage, crude protein, energy content measured as TDN or relative feed value, and key minerals like calcium and phosphorus. With that information, you can match supplements to actual deficiencies rather than feeding a generic ration.

Sampling technique matters. For hay, use a hay probe to core at least 15 to 20 bales per lot. Sample from the ends of round bales or the sides of square bales, avoiding the outer weathered layer. Combine the cores into one clean plastic bag and send it to a certified forage testing lab. Your local extension office can tell you where to send samples in your state.

For pasture, take samples from the plants your sheep are actually grazing. Clip representative areas to grazing height and send those samples in. Pasture quality changes through the season, so test at key transition points such as spring growth, summer dormancy, and fall regrowth.

When you get results back, compare them to sheep requirements. A dry ewe in early gestation needs about 8 to 9 percent crude protein and 52 to 55 percent TDN. A lactating ewe with lambs needs 13 to 15 percent protein and 65 to 70 percent TDN. If your hay tests at 6 percent protein, you know immediately that dry ewes will lose condition on it alone and you need a protein supplement. If it tests at 10 percent protein, your dry ewes are fine without any grain at all.

Forage testing also helps you buy hay intelligently. When a seller quotes a price per ton, you can calculate the actual cost per pound of protein and energy. That hay at 180 dollars per ton with 10 percent protein is a better buy than the hay at 150 dollars per ton with 6 percent protein. You are feeding nutrients, not bales.

Body Condition Scoring: Your Free Feed Management Tool

Body condition scoring is a hands-on method of assessing fat and muscle cover over the spine and loin of a sheep. It uses a 1 to 5 scale, with 1 being emaciated and 5 being obese. It takes about 10 seconds per ewe and requires no equipment beyond your hands. It is the single most valuable tool for controlling feed costs because it tells you which animals actually need supplemental feed.

To score a sheep, place one hand on the backbone and the other on the loin area just behind the last rib. Feel for the sharpness of the spine, the fullness of the loin muscle, and the fat cover over the ribs. A condition score of 3 is ideal for most production stages. The spine feels rounded and smooth, the loin is full, and you can feel the ribs with firm pressure but not see them.

Score your ewes at key points in the production cycle. At weaning, at breeding, and at lambing are the three most important times. A ewe that is too thin at breeding will have lower conception rates. A ewe that is too thin at lambing will produce less milk and weaker lambs. A ewe that is too fat at lambing is at higher risk for pregnancy toxemia and difficult births.

The feed cost connection is direct. Thin ewes need extra grain to regain condition. Fat ewes are eating more than they need. By scoring each animal and grouping them by condition, you can feed thin ewes a higher energy ration and fat ewes a maintenance ration. This is called differential feeding and it can cut grain costs by 20 to 30 percent compared to feeding the whole flock the same amount.

Differential feeding requires sorting pens or at least the ability to separate groups at feeding time. Many producers sort ewes into three groups at weaning: thin ewes needing condition, moderate ewes on maintenance, and fat ewes on restricted feed. Each group gets a different ration until the thin group catches up. This practice pays for itself in reduced grain purchases within a single season.

Grazing Management to Cut Feed Costs

Pasture is almost always the cheapest feed you can provide. Growing your own forage costs pennies per pound of dry matter compared to purchased hay and grain. The goal of grazing management is to maximize the amount of nutrition your sheep harvest from pasture and minimize the time they spend eating stored feed.

Rotational grazing is the most effective tool for increasing pasture utilization. Instead of turning sheep out on one large pasture for the whole season, divide the pasture into smaller paddocks and move sheep through them on a schedule. This gives plants time to recover between grazing events, increases total forage production per acre, and forces sheep to eat more of the available plants rather than selectively grazing their favorites.

A simple rotational system might have 6 to 10 paddocks with grazing periods of 3 to 7 days depending on growth rate. In fast spring growth, you can move sheep faster. In slow summer growth, you slow the rotation down. The key is matching stocking rate to forage growth and adjusting as conditions change.

Stockpiling is another powerful strategy. This means letting pasture grow without grazing for a period of time, usually late summer to early fall, and then grazing the accumulated forage in winter. Stockpiled forage can extend the grazing season by 30 to 60 days or more, directly reducing the number of days you feed hay.

For stockpiling to work, you need to rest pastures during the accumulation period. That means having enough other pasture to carry the flock while the stockpile grows. In many climates, the best stockpile comes from cool season grasses that grow in fall. Grazing stockpiled forage through the winter works best when you use strip grazing, moving an electric fence daily to give sheep access to a small amount of forage at a time. This reduces waste dramatically compared to giving them access to a large field.

Crop residue grazing is a third option in row crop areas. After corn harvest, sheep can graze corn stalks and pick up dropped grain and crop residues. This can provide several weeks of grazing at very low cost. Check with local farmers about access and be aware of any pesticide or herbicide restrictions on the fields.

Extending the Grazing Season

The length of your grazing season directly determines your purchased feed costs. Every additional month of grazing is a month you are not feeding hay. Producers in mild climates can graze nearly year round with careful management. Producers in cold climates can still extend their season significantly.

Early spring grazing can start as soon as the ground firms up and grass begins to grow. Turn sheep out when pasture is 3 to 4 inches tall and do not let them graze it below 2 inches. This may mean using a sacrifice area or dry lot for part of the day and grazing for a few hours. Limit grazing in early spring protects the pasture from damage while still providing fresh forage.

Fall grazing can continue well into winter if you have stockpiled forage or if you allow sheep to graze regrowth after the first frosts. Cool season grasses remain palatable after frost and provide good nutrition. The key is managing grazing pressure so you do not damage the pasture crowns.

Overseeding annuals into permanent pasture can fill gaps in the grazing calendar. Annual ryegrass, oats, turnips, and brassicas can be seeded into existing pasture in late summer to provide fall and winter grazing. These annuals grow quickly and provide high quality forage at times when permanent pasture is dormant. The seed cost is modest compared to the hay you save.

A sacrifice area is essential for wet or muddy conditions. When pastures are too wet to graze without damage, sheep need a dry lot where they can be fed hay without destroying the sod. Having a well-drained sacrifice area with good footing saves both pasture and feed by allowing you to control when and where sheep graze.

Buying Hay and Feed Strategically

Hay is the biggest single feed purchase for most sheep operations. How you buy it has a major impact on your annual feed budget. The cheapest time to buy hay is usually at harvest, when supply is highest and prices are lowest. Buying at harvest requires storage space and the ability to pay for a large quantity at once. If you have both, this is often the most cost effective approach.

Buying by the ton rather than by the bale is almost always a better deal. Bale weight varies enormously, and buying by the bale means you are guessing at what you actually get. Ask sellers for a per ton price and verify weights if possible. A certified scale at a local elevator or feed mill can weigh your trailer for a small fee.

Quality matters more than price. A ton of high quality hay at 200 dollars may deliver more usable nutrition than two tons of low quality hay at 100 dollars per ton. Low quality hay also requires more supplement to balance the ration, which adds cost. Compare hay on a cost per pound of protein and energy basis, not just cost per ton.

Consider buying directly from growers rather than through a feed store or broker. Direct purchases cut out the middleman and often save 10 to 20 percent. Build relationships with local hay producers. Let them know you are a consistent buyer who pays on time. Many growers will give repeat customers first access to their best hay and better prices.

Cooperative buying with neighbors can unlock wholesale pricing. If several farms in your area pool their orders for hay, grain, or mineral supplements, you can often negotiate volume discounts. Some feed mills offer bulk pricing at quantities as low as one to two tons. A buying group of five to ten farms can easily reach the volume needed for significant savings.

Alternative Feed Sources

Cheap sheep feed does not have to mean poor quality feed. Several byproducts and alternative feeds can reduce your feed costs when used correctly. The key is knowing the nutrient content of these feeds and introducing them gradually to avoid digestive upset.

Whole cottonseed is a high energy, high protein feed that is often available at reasonable prices in cotton growing regions. It is about 20 percent protein and 20 percent fat, making it a concentrated source of both. Feed it at no more than 0.5 to 1 pound per ewe per day. It is particularly useful for lactating ewes.

Soybean hulls are a byproduct of soybean processing that is high in fiber but digestible, making them a good energy source for sheep. They are often priced well below corn or other grains. Soybean hulls can replace part of the grain in a ration, particularly for ewes in mid gestation.

Corn gluten feed is another byproduct with moderate protein and energy levels. It is often available in bulk at competitive prices. It can be used as a partial replacement for both grain and protein supplement. Start with small amounts and increase gradually.

Brewers grains, both wet and dry, are byproducts of the beer making process. They are high in protein and phosphorus but can be variable in quality. Wet brewers grains must be fed within a few days of pickup or preserved properly. Dried brewers grains store well but cost more.

Whole corn is often cheaper per pound of energy than commercial sheep pellets. Cracked or rolled corn is more digestible than whole corn for sheep. Corn is low in protein, so it must be paired with a protein source when fed to growing lambs or lactating ewes. For dry ewes on good forage, corn may not be needed at all.

Do not feed moldy feed, spoiled hay, or feed that has been contaminated with foreign material. The cost savings are not worth the risk of illness, abortion, or death. When trying any new feed, introduce it over 7 to 10 days and watch for signs of digestive upset.

Mineral Supplementation Without Waste

Sheep require specific minerals that are often lacking in forage. A good mineral program prevents health problems and improves feed efficiency. But mineral supplements are expensive, and many producers waste money by offering the wrong product or allowing it to spoil.

The foundation of a mineral program is a sheep specific mineral mix that contains salt, calcium, phosphorus, and trace minerals. Do not use cattle or goat mineral. Cattle mineral often contains copper levels that are toxic to sheep. Goat mineral may have different copper levels than sheep need. Always read the label and buy a product formulated for sheep.

Free choice minerals in a covered feeder are the standard approach. The feeder should protect the mineral from rain and snow, because wet mineral cakes and becomes unusable. Place feeders near water sources and loafing areas where sheep naturally spend time. Check feeders regularly and refill before they are completely empty.

A cheaper alternative is to mix mineral into a grain ration if you are already feeding grain. This ensures each animal gets the mineral and reduces waste. The downside is that not all sheep eat the same amount of grain, so intake can be uneven. For most flocks, free choice mineral in a good feeder is the most practical approach.

Monitor mineral intake. A typical ewe consumes about 0.25 to 0.5 ounces of mineral per day. If your flock is going through mineral much faster than that, the feeder may be wasting it or sheep may be deficient in something. If they are barely touching the mineral, it may be unpalatable or they may have access to another source. Adjust as needed.

Reducing Waste at the Feeder

Feed waste is a hidden cost that many producers overlook. Hay feeding waste can range from 5 to 40 percent depending on the feeding method. A 20 percent waste rate means you are buying 1.2 tons of hay for every ton your sheep actually eat. Reducing waste is one of the fastest ways to cut feed costs.

Hay feeders make a significant difference. Round bale feeders with a solid bottom or a skirt that catches dropped hay can reduce waste dramatically compared to feeding on the ground. A well designed feeder can cut hay waste from 30 percent down to 5 to 10 percent. The cost of the feeder is recovered quickly in hay savings.

For square bales, use a hay rack or feeder that allows sheep to pull hay through slats. This limits how much hay they can pull out and trample. Feed only as much as the flock will clean up in a day. If there is leftover hay in the feeder, you are feeding too much.

Grain feeding waste is also common. Feeding grain on the ground guarantees waste and increases the risk of parasite transmission. Use troughs or pans that are long enough for all animals to eat at once. This prevents dominant animals from pushing others away and ensures more even intake.

Adjust feeding amounts based on actual consumption. If sheep are leaving feed, reduce the amount. If they are cleaning the feeder completely and looking for more, increase it slightly. Regular observation tells you more than any feeding chart.

Grouping Animals by Nutritional Need

Sheep have very different nutritional requirements depending on their production stage. A dry ewe in early gestation needs far less feed than a ewe nursing twins. Feeding the entire flock the same ration means you are either overfeeding some animals or underfeeding others. Both are expensive.

Divide your flock into management groups based on nutritional need. The most common groups are dry ewes, ewes in late gestation, lactating ewes with lambs, and growing lambs. Each group gets a ration matched to its requirements. This is more work than feeding the whole flock together, but the feed savings are substantial.

Dry ewes in early to mid gestation can often be maintained on good quality pasture or hay alone with mineral supplementation. They do not need grain. Feeding them grain is wasted money that goes to fat rather than production.

Ewes in the last 4 to 6 weeks of gestation have rapidly increasing energy needs. This is when grain supplementation becomes necessary, especially for ewes carrying twins. The amount of grain needed depends on forage quality and ewe condition. Body condition scoring at breeding tells you which ewes need more or less.

Lactating ewes have the highest nutritional requirements of any group. A ewe nursing twins may need 50 to 75 percent more energy than a dry ewe. This is where the biggest feed dollars go. Managing lactation feeding carefully, with high quality forage and appropriate grain supplementation, supports lamb growth without waste.

Growing lambs destined for market or replacement need a high quality ration to reach target weights efficiently. The cost of gain is a key metric. If your lambs are gaining slowly, you are spending more per pound of gain than necessary. Monitor average daily gain and adjust the ration to achieve efficient growth.

Strategic Culling to Reduce Feed Costs

Some sheep cost more to feed than they are worth. Identifying and culling these animals is one of the most effective ways to reduce flock feed costs. The problem is that many producers keep unproductive animals out of attachment or a desire to maintain numbers.

Cull ewes that are consistently thin despite adequate feed. These hard keepers convert feed into body condition poorly and will never be efficient producers. They pass their inefficiency on to their lambs. Culling them removes their genetics from the flock and their demand from your feed budget.

Cull ewes that fail to conceive, lose lambs, or raise poor lambs. A ewe that does not wean a lamb every year is eating feed without producing income. In most flocks, the bottom 10 to 20 percent of ewes produce little or no profit. Identifying and culling them improves flock efficiency and reduces feed costs.

Cull ewes with chronic health problems, especially those with recurring foot rot, mastitis, or prolapse. These animals require extra care and often extra feed. They are also more likely to have problems in future years. Replacement with healthy, efficient ewes improves the whole flock.

Cull for parasite resistance. In regions with barber pole worm problems, some ewes require frequent deworming while others stay clean. The ones that need constant treatment are costing you money in dewormer and in lost production. The American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control recommends using FAMACHA scoring to identify and cull susceptible animals.

Timing of culling matters. Cull before winter feeding starts to avoid paying for a full season of feed on animals you will not keep. Cull at weaning when you can assess ewe condition and lamb performance together. Cull at breeding to avoid carrying open ewes through the winter.

Parasite Control and Feed Efficiency

Parasites are a major hidden driver of sheep feed costs. A ewe with a heavy worm burden cannot convert feed into body condition or milk efficiently. The nutrients she eats go to support the parasites instead of her production. Controlling parasites is not just a health issue, it is a feed cost issue.

The barber pole worm is the most damaging parasite in warm, humid regions. It feeds on blood and can cause severe anemia, weight loss, and death. Infected sheep eat normally but fail to thrive. They look like they are starving even when feed is abundant.

A targeted selective treatment approach, using FAMACHA eye scoring to identify anemic sheep, reduces the amount of dewormer used while maintaining effective control. Only treat the sheep that need it rather than the whole flock. This approach saves money on dewormer and slows the development of drug resistance.

Good pasture management is the foundation of parasite control. Rotational grazing with adequate rest periods breaks the parasite life cycle. Larvae on pasture die when they cannot find a host. Grazing sheep ahead of cattle or horses can also help, as many sheep parasites do not affect other species.

Copper oxide wire particles are a tool for controlling barber pole worms without chemical dewormers. Given as an oral bolus, they provide a slow release of copper that is toxic to the worms. The American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control provides guidance on using this tool safely and effectively.

Well nourished sheep are more resistant to parasites than thin sheep. This creates a cycle where good feeding reduces parasite problems, and parasite control improves feed efficiency. Both work together to lower your overall costs.

Record Keeping for Feed Cost Control

You cannot manage what you do not measure. Detailed records of feed purchases, feeding amounts, and flock performance are essential for controlling feed costs. Without records, you are guessing at what works and what does not.

Track every feed purchase including hay, grain, mineral, and supplements. Record the date, quantity, cost per unit, and total cost. At the end of the year, you will know exactly what you spent on feed. This number becomes your baseline for measuring improvement.

Track feed inventory. Know how many bales of hay you have, how many tons of grain, and how long the supply will last. This prevents emergency purchases at premium prices when you run out unexpectedly. A simple inventory sheet updated weekly is enough.

Track flock performance including lambs weaned per ewe, average weaning weight, and pounds of lamb produced per ewe. Divide your total feed cost by pounds of lamb produced to get your cost per pound of production. This is the number that matters most. It combines feed costs with production efficiency.

Track body condition scores at each key stage. This tells you if your feeding program is meeting the flock's needs. If ewes are losing condition despite adequate feed, something is wrong with feed quality, parasite control, or health.

Review your records at the end of each production cycle. Look for trends. Is your cost per pound of lamb increasing? Are hay costs rising faster than lamb prices? Are certain groups of ewes consistently requiring more feed? Use this information to make changes for the next cycle.

When to Call Your Veterinarian or Extension Agent

Most feed cost management is within the skills of a competent producer. However, some situations require professional help. Knowing when to call for assistance can save money by preventing small problems from becoming expensive disasters.

Call your veterinarian if sheep are losing condition despite adequate feed intake. This can indicate internal parasites, dental problems, chronic disease, or nutritional deficiencies. A veterinarian can run diagnostic tests to identify the cause and recommend treatment.

Call your veterinarian if you suspect pregnancy toxemia or other metabolic diseases. These conditions are emergencies that require immediate treatment. Delaying treatment can result in ewe and lamb losses that far exceed any feed savings.

Call your veterinarian or extension agent for help formulating rations, especially for large flocks or when using unusual feed ingredients. A professional can help you balance rations for protein, energy, minerals, and vitamins using locally available feeds. This service often pays for itself in reduced supplement costs.

Call your extension agent for help with forage testing interpretation, grazing planning, and pasture improvement. Extension agents have access to regional data on forage varieties, planting dates, and expected yields. They can also connect you with local producer groups and cost sharing programs.

Call your veterinarian if you see signs of illness that do not respond to your usual treatments. This includes persistent diarrhea, coughing, nasal discharge, or sudden death in multiple animals. These can indicate infectious disease outbreaks that require professional diagnosis and a whole flock treatment plan.

Common Mistakes That Increase Feed Costs

Many producers make the same mistakes when trying to manage feed costs. Recognizing these errors can help you avoid them.

Buying hay without testing is one of the most common mistakes. Producers assume all hay is similar and buy on price alone. This leads to overfeeding supplement to balance poor quality hay or underfeeding energy to animals on low quality hay. Both are expensive.

Feeding the whole flock the same ration is another common error. This either overfeeds dry ewes or underfeeds lactating ewes. Either way, you waste money or lose production. Grouping animals by nutritional need is worth the extra effort.

Waiting until hay runs out to buy more is a costly mistake. Emergency hay purchases are almost always more expensive than planned purchases. Running out of hay also forces last minute ration changes that can upset the flock's digestive system.

Overfeeding grain is a widespread problem. Many producers feed more grain than necessary because they believe it is good for the sheep. Excess grain is wasted as fat and increases the risk of digestive problems. Use body condition scoring to determine actual needs.

Ignoring parasite control until sheep are visibly sick is expensive. By the time you can see the effects of parasites, the sheep have already lost production and feed efficiency. A regular monitoring program using FAMACHA and fecal egg counts catches problems early.

Keeping unproductive animals is a costly mistake. Every ewe that does not wean a lamb is eating feed that produces no income. Regular culling of non performers is essential for feed cost control.

Building a Year Round Feed Budget

A year round feed budget helps you plan purchases, manage cash flow, and avoid emergency spending. Start by estimating your flock's monthly feed needs based on animal numbers, production stage, and expected pasture availability.

Calculate your hay needs by estimating the number of days you will need to feed hay and the amount of hay your flock consumes per day. A typical ewe consumes about 3 to 4 percent of her body weight in dry matter per day. A 150 pound ewe eats about 4.5 to 6 pounds of dry matter daily. If you feed hay for 120 days, one ewe needs about 540 to 720 pounds of hay. Multiply by your flock size to get total hay needs.

Estimate grain needs based on your feeding plan. Dry ewes may need no grain. Ewes in late gestation may need 0.5 to 1 pound per day. Lactating ewes may need 1 to 2 pounds per day. Multiply by the number of animals and the number of days at each feeding level.

Add mineral and supplement costs. Estimate mineral consumption at 0.25 to 0.5 ounces per ewe per day. Add any specific supplements your forage test indicates are needed.

Compare your estimated needs to your pasture availability. If you have enough grazing for 8 months of the year, you need hay for 4 months. If your grazing season is shorter, you need more hay. Adjust your plan to match your situation.

Set a budget for each feed category and track actual spending against it. Review the budget monthly and adjust as conditions change. A drought may require buying more hay sooner. A good fall grazing season may reduce hay needs.

Making the Most of Every Feed Dollar

Reducing sheep feed costs is not about cutting corners or depriving your animals. It is about making sure every dollar you spend on feed produces the maximum possible return in animal health and production. The strategies in this guide work together as a system.

Start with forage testing so you know what you have. Manage grazing to maximize pasture utilization. Use body condition scoring to identify which animals need supplemental feed and which do not. Buy feed strategically based on actual needs and market conditions. Control parasites to improve feed conversion. Cull animals that do not pay for their feed. Keep records so you can measure your progress.

The producers who succeed at reducing feed costs do not use just one of these strategies. They combine them into a comprehensive approach that matches their specific climate, resources, and market. They also review and adjust their approach regularly, because conditions change from year to year.

Your sheep do not need expensive feed to thrive. They need the right feed, in the right amounts, at the right times. Matching feed to actual animal needs, based on objective measurement rather than habit, is the key to cutting costs without sacrificing health.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to feed a sheep per month?

The cost varies widely by region, time of year, and production stage. A dry ewe on good pasture may cost very little beyond mineral supplement. A lactating ewe on hay and grain in winter may cost 20 to 40 dollars per month. The best approach is to calculate your own costs using your feed prices and your flock's actual consumption.

Can sheep survive on hay alone without grain?

Yes, many sheep can, depending on the hay quality and the production stage. Dry ewes in early to mid gestation can thrive on good quality hay alone. Ewes in late gestation and lactating ewes generally need grain supplementation to meet their energy demands, especially if they are carrying or nursing twins.

What is the cheapest way to feed sheep?

Grazing pasture is almost always the cheapest way to feed sheep. The cost of growing forage is typically far below the cost of purchased hay or grain. Extending the grazing season through rotational grazing, stockpiling, and annual forages reduces the amount of purchased feed needed.

How can I reduce hay waste when feeding sheep?

Use a well designed hay feeder that keeps hay off the ground and limits how much sheep can pull out at once. Feed only as much as the flock will clean up in a day. Consider using a feeder with a solid bottom or skirt to catch dropped hay. These measures can cut hay waste from 30 percent down to under 10 percent.

What is body condition scoring and how do I do it?

Body condition scoring is a hands-on method of assessing fat and muscle cover over the sheep's spine and loin. You feel the backbone and loin area and assign a score from 1 to 5. A score of 3 is ideal for most production stages. Your local extension office can teach you the technique in a few minutes.

Is it cheaper to buy hay by the bale or by the ton?

Buying by the ton is almost always more accurate and often cheaper. Bale weights vary considerably, and buying by the bale means you may be paying for air or getting less than you think. Ask for a per ton price and verify weights when possible.

Can I feed my sheep kitchen scraps or garden waste?

Sheep can eat some vegetable scraps in small amounts, but this is not a reliable or cost effective feed source. Kitchen scraps can introduce foreign materials, mold, or toxic substances. It is better to stick with proven feeds that you can test and ration accurately.

How often should I test my forage?

Test each new lot of hay you purchase or harvest. If you buy from the same grower and the hay looks consistent, you may test once per cutting. For pasture, test at key growth stages if you are balancing rations. At minimum, test hay once per year to know what you are feeding.

Related Farming Guides

This section will be populated with links to related sheep farming guides covering nutrition, health management, breeding, and pasture management topics. Check back for updates or explore the farming library for more resources.

Related Clinical & Scientific Guides

• Sheep Grazing Lease: Terms, Rates, and Legal Considerations
• Sheep Breed Selection for Meat, Wool, Dairy, and Low-Input Systems
• Sheep Barn Flooring for Hoof Health: Best Materials and Practices

References

• American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC): https://www.wormx.info/
• USDA APHIS Sheep Health: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/sheep-goats
• FAO Sheep and Goat Production: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/
• FAO Animal Production and Health: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/
• WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health): https://www.woah.org/en/home/

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.