Country A Supplement to the Star Shopper
cres A Focusing on Today’s Rural Environment
Friday, December 21, 2018 • Edition 18
A different view on grazing PHOTOS BY KATELYN ASFELD
Mae Petrehn stands in front of her herd of Dorper-cross sheep Nov. 19 in a pasture near Sunburg. Petrehn currently owns 100 head of sheep on her operation, Young Oak Ranch.
Petrehn takes academic approach to farming By KATELYN ASFELD Staff Writer SUNBURG - Sitting at the dining room table in her old farmhouse, Mae Petrehn holds a cup of coffee while petting her border collie, Zak, one of four dogs she has on her property. “He’s a very intellectual dog and a great worker,” Petrehn said. Zak is a prized helper for Petrehn. He earns his keep on the farm by helping his owner move her herd of Dorper-cross sheep from one pasture to another. The other three dogs are a mix of breeds but their physical features are dominated by the characteristics of the Great Pyrenees breed – large heads, tall, long bodies and a natural guard-
ian instinct – features perfect for deterring coyotes from taking sheep. “[Coyotes] are very thick here,” Petrehn said. “There’s more public land in this township than private land and coyotes respond very well to hunting. They propagate more in response to being hunted. That’s the reason why the wolf and fox population dwindled and coyotes are still thriving.” Petrehn currently owns 100 head of sheep on her farm, Young Oak Ranch. “I named this place that because there are a lot of young oak trees sprouting up around here in the pastures,” she said. “You can only have young oaks with healthy grassland management allowing for rest and recovery.” Petrehn keeps about 50
This month in the
ewes and one ram year-round for breeding stock. The offspring are sold at the market when they reach at least 110 pounds. Dorpers are a fast-growing, meat-producing breed of sheep. Unlike other wool sheep breeds, Dorpers have a light wool coat that is more like hair which they shed every year, therefore, many do not require shearing. Other characteristics of Dorpers include a high fertility rate, parasite resistance and good maternal instinct. The demand for lamb in the area is growing. Petrehn sells her meat to local restaurants and in packages to individuals. “I think people are more open to eating lamb,” she said. “There’s a movement where people are questioning what they’re eating and how it affects them
COUNTRY
Mae Petrehn pets one of her dogs at her farm, Young Oak Ranch, near Sunburg.
and the environment.” Although making a profit from her livestock is important, it is not the only reason Petrehn raises sheep. The animals are used to create and maintain native grasslands by rotational grazing. Grazing is one practice used by landowners to maintain a healthy grassland habitat. It encourages re-growth of na-
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tive grasses while suppressing woody invasive species, creating a healthy, diversified habitat for wildlife. Petrehn’s passion for grazing management began after taking a sociology class in college. “I originally went to undergraduate school for biology
PETREHN continued on page 2
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