The Role of Sheep in Regenerative Farming
Sheep are often overlooked in discussions about regenerative agriculture, but their role is far from minor. Managed correctly, they can be a powerful tool in restoring ecosystems and driving soil health.
Unlike cattle, sheep graze much closer to the ground. That trait can be both a gift and a significant risk. Left unchecked, it leads to serious overgrazing — stripping plants before they can recover and exposing bare soil to erosion. But when managed within a regenerative framework, their unique grazing behaviour helps reset and renew the land.
Sheep open up the sward — the living layer of grass and plants covering the soil — allowing sunlight and air to reach lower levels. This encourages full, even regrowth rather than the partial regrowth often seen in cattle-only systems. In practice, their short, tight grazing can act as a “biological mower,” stimulating plant diversity and encouraging new shoots.
Where cows tend to trample and fertilise with heavier impact, sheep operate with a lighter footprint for more delicate land. In a mixed-grazing system, sheep complement cattle by targeting different plants and grazing heights. This creates a mosaic of vegetation structures — vital for biodiversity, from soil microbes to ground-nesting birds.
At Telfit Farm, cattle remain the focus. Their weight, movement, and manure drive much of the soil regeneration. But sheep play their part. They help manage pastures more precisely, tidy up after the cattle, and maintain open habitats that many wild species rely on.
The key is timing. Regenerative farming isn’t about letting animals loose — it’s about movement, recovery, and balance. Sheep are a fine tool when used with intent. Too long in one place and they damage the system. Move them quickly and in rhythm with the land’s recovery, and they accelerate regeneration.
In a world chasing easy fixes, the answer is often found in diversity — of species, plants, and management. Sheep bring that diversity. They remind us that every animal has a place when farming works with, not against, natural systems.
