Role of Genetics in Grass vs. Confinement

Attend the KSWPA Field Day August 15, 2026 to find out the answer!

by: Harry Frederick, Winding Creek Farms

Within the ever growing sheep industry, there is always the question of which management practice is most optimum- grass, confinement, or both. Each has pros and cons but a decision cannot be made without considering genetics. Some genetics allow for animals to be fed and pushed nutritionally in a feedlot and other genetics lend favor to more pasture based management. When producers, new or established, want to purchase sheep they must do so from an operation similar to the way they manage and that have similar goals . If a new producer wants to manage an operation on grass and grass alone, it would not be in the producer's best interest to buy from someone managing sheep in confinement, but rather a breeder utilizing genetics that thrive on grass. 

Confinement VS Grass

There is really no wrong answer when choosing a management system to use, but rather what system best fits resources like land, time, and desired level of intensity in production and marketing.

Confinement operations tend to have higher input costs for feed and medication and require more intense time management, but can send high quality lambs to market more quickly. 

Grass based operations must have access to larger fenced parcels of land, have strong predator control, and offer enough acreage to make an operation profitable. Generally, the time to finish grass fed lambs is much longer than confinement.

According to Jason Wachter,  the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Marketing Specialist, typically marketed grass fed lambs are not as high quality as grain finished because they are older and do not have a balanced ratio of muscle and fat needed for a Prime grade. 

So, considering Kentucky is plush with grass, how do we maximize this abundant resource with the ability to market profitable lambs? Some producers run a hybrid system where animals are on grass until weaning and in confinement until they reach market weight. 

I mentioned earlier that producers need to use genetics that match their preferred management system, but what kind of genetics optimizes grass and confinement? Do you focus on parasite resistance or performance traits like post weaning gain? 

To get the answer, attend the KSWPA Field Day August 15, 2026! 

A good example of a hybrid system is New Slate Land Management near Franklin, KY, operated by Brad and Katie Carothers. New Slate Land Management uses solar fields to graze their sheep and they also have a feed lot for finishing lambs. Guest speakers will include Dr. Nicole Kopetzky from Virginia Tech and Dr. Camren Maierle from the American Lamb Board. Topics covered will be grazing management and temporary fencing solutions as well as ram selection and genetics. Rounding the day off will be a presentation of ewe lamb development and feed efficiency.  A barbecue lamb lunch will be provided. Please check the KSGDO website (www.kysheepandgoat.org/product-page/2026-kswpa-field-day) for registration details. This will be an event you won't want to miss!

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