The Sheep
Rambouillets
Rambouillet sheep are also known as "French Merino". The Merino traces its ancestry to the Moors of North Africa during the importation of African flocks to Spain in the 12th century, the ancestors of the Merino accompanied these moorish foreigners as they entered Al-Andalus. The Spanish shepherds recognized the potential of this emerging breed and they began to amplify desirable traits like wool fineness, a trait for which these sheep are highly prized. In time, what resulted is what we know today as the Merino. More recently, the Rambouillet descends from the Merino Sheep imported to France and acquired by Louis XVI in 1786. After being crossed with English Long Wool breeds, the Rambouillet developed into an excellent dual purpose breed known for superior, long staple, dense, fine wool, valued for next to skin softness. By the mid 1800s, Americans were importing Rambouillet sheep to the United States. They are hearty, tough, range sheep that thrive in a variety of conditions. They have proven themselves in the semi arid environments of the southwest.
Navajo Churros
Navajo Churro sheep descend from the first Churra sheep the Spanish brought to North America in the 16th century. Acquired by the Navajo, Navajo shepherds raised and kept these sheep for centuries. They are known for their exceptional long beautiful wool, and mild tasting meat. Through a process of meticulous independent stock breeding, the Navajo bred these sheep to be highly adapted to a pastoral lifestyle in a harsh desert environment. What resulted is a highly efficient animal that has a compact frame, requires less water, and displays a heightened disease resistance, lambing ease, and low maintenance that makes them incredibly self sufficient. We strive to preserve the integrity of this breed and we recognize the importance of the Navajo Churro to the land of New Mexico and the Navajo people.
The Cattle
Llano Seco does not currently maintain a cow herd of its own, though we integrate cattle into our grazing system through custom grazing, (managing other peoples cattle). A long term goal is to develop a cowherd that, like our sheep, are efficient and well adapted to our environment.
The Benefits of Multi Species Grazing
Multi-species grazing boosts productivity and land health by using diverse groups of animals to better utilize varied forages, control weeds and brush, improve soil fertility, and break parasite cycles leading to better animal performance, and more resilient pastures.
Ruminants have different grazing habits. Cattle prefer grasses, sheep target broadleaves and forbs, and goats like brushy plant material. Integrating two or more of these species leads to more uniform plant removal, less overgrazing, and encouragement of diverse plant growth. This method of management also leads to increased plant diversity and nutrient cycling from varied manure which improves soil structure, biology, and carbon sequestration. Most importantly multi species grazing improves ecological resilience due to the fact that diverse pasture ecosystems are more stable and resilient to stressors like drought.
