What Betty is Doing Now March 2026
Spring is Almost Here
Life is about to get busy. Lambing season is approaching quickly. The garden will soon need tending and the grass is already starting to turn green.
Invasive Species Removal
Over the winter I applied for a grant to help remove honeysuckle and other invasive bushes in my 52 acres of woods. It was approved. A neighbor has a machine that can remove them quickly, so I plan to contract him to do most of the work.
I had assumed clearing honeysuckle would take me the next 20 years working at it slowly. Now I think we may be able to get most of it done within a year.
Sheep
The sheep have come through the winter well. Maybe a little too well. A month ago they were looking a bit heavy, so I reduced the amount of hay.
Ewes that are overweight can have a harder time lambing, so I am trying to pay closer attention to body condition scoring. Unlike horses, you really have to put your hands on sheep to evaluate their condition. With horses I can usually tell just by looking. I still have a lot to learn as a shepherd.
Permaculture (Regenerative Agriculture)
I have also been digging into permaculture and thinking about how to improve the land immediately around my house. My goal is to reduce the amount of lawn and replace it with perennial plantings that are both beautiful and productive. Some could produce food or herbs while also supporting pollinators and wildlife.
I decided to hire a designer with permaculture experience to help me think through the layout. His design should be finished within a month. With the silvopasture planting and the honeysuckle removal project already planned this year, I will likely phase in the new plantings slowly and do much of the work myself over time.
Sheep Sales
After visiting several local auction barns, I realized selling lamb through the auction system may make the most sense for now.
My instinct after years of running a business was to immediately think about branding, marketing, and direct sales. When I stepped back and looked at the logistics, auctions offer a much simpler path. I can sell lambs before they consume a lot of hay, avoid managing multiple individual customers, and keep the operation small and manageable.
The downside is that grass fed lamb does not really command a premium in that market. For now I am comfortable with that trade off. I will still fill my own freezer, and I am always open to selling directly to anyone who reaches out looking for grass fed lamb.
Sometimes the simplest system is the right one, at least at this stage.
Contact Me
If you're interested in working together or have any questions, feel free to contact me via email or LinkedIn!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bettybrennan/
Auction Sheep Prices
This auction publishes their weekly prices. It is in Sullivan, IL which is a little over an hour away from me. This may be where I sell 2026 lambs.
Hay Feeder
One of my winter projects was building another sheep hay feeder.
Snowy Days
We had plenty of cold, snowy days this winter. Bella does not seem to mind her snow blanket.
She will turn three this year, and I would like to start riding her. For now I am giving her a little more time to grow. She still looks like she needs to fill out a bit more before carrying a rider.
Osage and King
I try to avoid highly processed food for myself, so it made me start thinking about what I feed my dogs.
Kibble is convenient, but it is still a highly processed food. I experimented with a freeze-dried brand that they absolutely love, but it is very expensive.
Lately I have been experimenting with making some of their food myself. The challenge is that it takes time, and I want to make sure they are getting the right nutrient balance.
So for now I am testing different options and seeing what works best for both the dogs and my schedule.
Osage and King are very willing participants in the experiment.
Draft Horses
Gordyville USA is right down the road from me, and every February they host a large draft horse sale. I always enjoy stopping by. There is something impressive about standing next to those huge horses.
This year my friends Sally and Connie joined me and we had a great time walking through the barns and watching the sales.
It is a big event. Last year one horse sold for $170,000. During the few hours we were there this year, one sold for $40,000. Amazing to see.