Inside a First-Generation Sheep Ranch Operation (Live Farm Tour) - Michael Greco | #99

This on-the-ground episode explores Michael Grecos first-generation regenerative sheep operation, run entirely on leased land in New York’s Hudson Valley.

We walk the pastures with Michael as he explains stocking strategy, grazing philosophy, shade management, lambing, predator protection, mineral systems, on-farm slaughter, and why sheep can make regenerative agriculture viable on smaller landscapes.

Key Topics

• Why Michael chose sheep and how leased land shapes his operation
• Daily rotational grazing, density, rest periods, and pasture response
• Lambing, weaning, animal stress, shade, and heat management
• Guardian dogs, predators, minerals, biochar, and health management
• Ethics, transparency, local food, and on-farm harvest philosophy

What You’ll Learn

• Why sheep economics differ from cattle and fit smaller northeastern landscapes
• How paddock design, net fencing, and daily moves build soil and resilience
• Practical realities of lambing, natural weaning, and dealing with rejection cases
• How to think about ticks, rainfall, heat stress, shade, and pasture density
• Why buying local matters and why ranchers care deeply about animal welfare

Connect with Michael:

Website
Instagram

Follow the tour on YouTube

Timestamps

 00:00:00 – Meet Michael & the Hudson Valley Sheep Ranch
 00:01:00 – Why Sheep? Cost, Scale, & Land Fit
 00:03:00 – Leased Land & Grazing Philosophy
 00:05:00 – Natural Weaning vs Forced Weaning
 00:07:30 – Daily Moves, Density & Pasture Impact
 00:10:00 – What a “Good” Grazed Paddock Looks Like
 00:15:00 – Lamb Count, Losses & Culling Logic
 00:17:30 – Guardian Dog & Predator Control
 00:19:30 – Minerals, Biochar & Health Support
 00:21:00 – Rumination & What Calm Sheep Look Like
 00:23:00 – Lambing Timing & Spring Nutrition
 00:28:00 – Shade, Heat Stress & Summer Management
 00:30:30 – On-Farm Harvest & Ethics
 00:36:00 – Visiting Farms & Transparency
 00:37:30 – Rest Periods, Regrowth & Stockpiling
 00:44:00 – Milkweed, Pollinators & “Poison Plant” Myth
 00:47:00 – Mowing vs Not Mowing
 00:48:00 – Scaling Plans & Future Growth