Farming without Pharmacuticals
Agriculture is a steep learning curve, but with dedication and the right guidance, you can overcome hurdles. If you're on your own adventures in agriculture, I'm here to offer guidance and resources to make your path smooth.
About Our Farm
I’m Roberta McKowen, a retired small animal veterinarian, and my husband, Keller, have been farming in Louisiana for over 25 years. Today, we have a flock of 300 sheep, 3 goats, 150 head of cattle, three livestock guardian dogs, and a flower farm.
The property was originally family land, and our foray into farming started with only cattle. The path to sheep wasn't initially on the radar.
The journey into sheep farming began unexpectedly because of our Cardigan Welsh Corgi, named Carlin. Initially, the sheep were brought into our lives as a source of entertainment for her.
Flower Farming
Sheep Farming
Cattle Farming
Breaking the cycle, breaking the norms, breaking the rules.
I graduated from vet school in 1985, the same year that Ivermectin was released. At the time, there were more than 300 pharmaceutical companies. Those were consolidated, and only three choices were left when I retired. The pharmaceutical companies made it so my client didn't have a choice.
My most critical decision was to not use deworming pharmaceuticals on my sheep altogether. Since my original flock had been sourced from conventionally dewormed sheep, they were “ drug dependent” and experienced a 50% loss in the first year and a 25% loss in the second year. I found a local flock of mostly ewes that had been only selectively dewormed and started over without using any dewormers. It was a tough choice, but 20 years on, it has led to stronger, more resilient sheep.
I made the acquaintance of other veterinarians with the goal of avoiding pharmaceutical dependency in livestock. We discussed strategies to reduce the need for drugs by creating healthier animals and environments.
Rotational grazing and the synergy between sheep and cattle aid in natural deworming, eliminating or reducing the need for chemical interventions.
Preserving the Land for Generations
Today, my focus is raising high-quality breeding stock and helping others. The practices we’ve developed over the decades have enhanced soil health, created healthier animals, provided for wildlife habitat and improved the farm's overall productivity.
Each farm is unique, and success depends on a tailored approach. Personalized consultations are available where I visit your farm, assess your land, incorporate your schedule, and evaluate the resources available to develop and create a custom plan designed to optimize your farm's performance.
