New Mexico Dahl Heritage Hair Sheep Foundation; Terra Patre Ranch LLC

New Mexico Dahl Heritage Hair Sheep Foundation; Terra Patre Ranch LLC https://issuu.com/nmfb/docs/24-spring-farmandranch-final-digital2

09/19/2026

Sheep are funny creatures. 😂

Most mornings, the second we open the corral, they are READY. They rush toward the gate like they’ve been waiting all night for their big adventure. “LET US OUT! LET US OUT!” 🐑💨

But today?

Fog.

And apparently, fog is TERRIFYING. 😂

They stood there looking out at the pasture like, “Um… what exactly is happening out there?”

So instead of happily running out, we had to chase them out.

Because sheep are naturally cautious. Anything unfamiliar can make them nervous—even something as simple as a little fog changing the way their world looks.

And honestly, it made me think about how often we can be the same way.

We can be completely comfortable with something we know—even if it isn’t perfect—because at least we know what to expect.

Then something changes.

A new season.
A new opportunity.
A new routine.
A path we haven’t walked before.

And suddenly we’re standing at the gate thinking, “I don’t know about this…”

Sometimes the thing we’re afraid of isn’t actually dangerous.

It’s just new.

And sometimes we need a little encouragement (or a sheep farmer behind us 😂) to take that first step.

Today, the sheep eventually made it out into the fog.

And I’m pretty sure they discovered the pasture was still there. 🐑❤️

Maybe that’s your reminder today, too.

You don’t have to be fearless to move forward. You just have to be willing to take the next step.

08/21/2026

Have you ever wondered why we have SO. MANY. GATES around the ranch? 😂

We get asked this all the time!

The truth is… every single gate has a purpose. 🐑❤️

Some are used to:
• Corral the sheep
• Separate animals
• Move sheep from one pasture to another
• Section off different fields
• Keep certain animals where they need to be
• Create smaller areas when we’re working with the flock
• Make moving livestock safer and easier

And the funny thing is… they all get used. Frequently. 😂

When you live and work on a ranch, gates aren’t just gates. They’re part of the system that keeps everything organized, safe, and running smoothly.

So yes… there may be a LOT of them. 😆

But ask us to get rid of one?

Absolutely not. We need that gate! 😂🐑🚜❤️

06/30/2026

One of the questions we get asked is what we feed our sheep.

Along with hay, pasture, tree branches, and weeds from the garden, we’re fortunate to be able to feed spent grain from local breweries. 🍺➡️🐑 Instead of going to waste, the grain becomes a great supplement for our flock.

With the severe drought we’ve been experiencing here in New Mexico, our pastures haven’t been able to produce the forage they normally would. Having access to spent grain has been an incredible help in supplementing our sheep’s diet, especially during the winter months when pasture is already limited.

If you raise livestock, it may be worth reaching out to breweries in your area to see if they have spent grain available. Many are happy to have local farmers put it to good use, making it a win-win for everyone by reducing waste and helping feed animals.

Every farm is different, and what works for one may not work for another, but we’re always looking for practical, sustainable ways to care for our flock.

Now we’re curious…

🐑 What do you feed your sheep or other livestock? Have you ever used spent grain from a brewery? We’d love to hear what works well for you!

06/28/2026

If you’ve ever thought about getting sheep but worried about shearing them, you’re not alone! That’s one of the questions we hear most often.

The good news? We raise hair sheep, not wool sheep, so they naturally shed their coats—no shearing required! 🙌

Why do we prefer sheep over goats?

🐑 Hair sheep don’t need to be sheared.
🐑 They’re generally low-maintenance and easy to care for.
🐑 Rams usually aren’t aggressive unless they’re raised like pets and encouraged to play with people. We treat ours like livestock, and they respect boundaries.
🐑 Sheep tend to stick together and mind their own business.
🐑 They aren’t smelly! Billy goats often spray themselves with urine during breeding season to attract the nanny goats… and let’s just say, it’s a smell you won’t forget. 🤢
🐑 Sheep are much less likely to climb on your vehicles, fences, or chew through wiring.
🐑 And, in our experience… they’re a whole lot quieter than goats! 😂

Now, before all the goat lovers come after us—we’re not hating on goats! ❤️ We’ve owned both over the years, and they each have their own personalities and advantages.

For our ranch and the way we like to manage livestock, hair sheep are simply the better fit.

What about you? If you had to choose, would you rather have 🐑 sheep or 🐐 goats?

06/25/2026

It’s moving day for this group of sheep! 🐑

One of the jobs on the ranch is gathering and sorting lambs once they’re a little over two months old. After they’re weaned, many head off to new homes, which means it’s time for us to wrangle them up.

And let me tell you… it’s usually quite the rodeo! 😂 Sheep are not big fans of being caught or handled, and they definitely have their own opinions about where they want to go.

Our New Mexico Dahl sheep are actually a little easier to manage because the rams and ewes have horns. Being able to hold onto their horns helps us guide them safely where they need to go. (And no, holding their horns doesn’t hurt them!)

This group is headed to a new home today. It’s always exciting to see them move on and become part of someone else’s flock, even if getting them loaded is an adventure every single time!

Have you ever tried to move a group of animals that didn’t want to be moved? 🤣

Hello Don. Colores on PBS is showing the story of your Dahl sheep again this Friday. Congratulations for your hard work...
06/23/2026

Hello Don. Colores on PBS is showing the story of your Dahl sheep again this Friday. Congratulations for your hard work and passion for the saving of these historical sheep. Susanna

06/21/2026

We get asked ask the time who are the New Mexico Dahl sheep, and today we’re going to tell you a bit about them!

There are a breed breed of sheep that came over with Coronado in the 1500’s. When he came, he brought a bunch of sheep and other animals for food. When he left, these sheep went feral and mated with the Rocky Mountain bighorn.

Donald as a lover of history read some books and heard stories from old ranchers about white bighorn sheep.

He found some in San Lorenzo canyon, and was able to catch them which is a good thing as fish and game are working on getting rid of them. 😔

Fast forward 30+ years, a genetics from UC Birkley came and did an independent study and blood draw and confirmed that these sheep are from 2 ancient breeds (almost extinct) from Spain!! How cool is that!!!

So here in Terra Patre Ranch we are working to bring back from extinction!

What would you like to know next about the NM Dahl Sheep?

06/21/2026

If you’ve ever wondered where the phrase “ramming heads” comes from, here it is in action! 😆

These boys spend a lot of time sizing each other up and occasionally settling who is the toughest by crashing their heads together. As dramatic as it looks, they were actually designed for this!

Their massive horns help distribute the impact, and that big muscular hump on the back of their necks and shoulders acts like built-in support and cushioning. Their thick skulls, strong neck muscles, and unique anatomy allow them to withstand forces that would seriously injure most animals.

Watching them can be a little nerve-wracking the first time, but this is natural ram behavior. They’re establishing dominance, protecting their place in the flock, and proving who’s boss. 🐏👑

Around here, we call it “just another day on the ranch!” ❤️

Have you ever seen rams settle a disagreement this way? 👇🐑

🐏💕

06/20/2026

🐏💥 Just Rams Being Rams! 💥🐏

If you’ve ever wondered where the phrase “ramming heads” comes from, here it is in action! 😆

These boys spend a lot of time sizing each other up and occasionally settling who is the toughest by crashing their heads together. As dramatic as it looks, they were actually designed for this!

Their massive horns help distribute the impact, and that big muscular hump on the back of their necks and shoulders acts like built-in support and cushioning. Their thick skulls, strong neck muscles, and unique anatomy allow them to withstand forces that would seriously injure most animals.

Watching them can be a little nerve-wracking the first time, but this is natural ram behavior. They’re establishing dominance, protecting their place in the flock, and proving who’s boss. 🐏👑

Around here, we call it “just another day on the ranch!” ❤️

Have you ever seen rams settle a disagreement this way? 👇🐑

🐏💕

06/19/2026

We get asked ask the time who are the New Mexico Dahl sheep, and today we’re going to tell you a bit about them!

There are a breed breed of sheep that came over with Coronado in the 1500’s. When he came, he brought a bunch of sheep and other animals for food. When he left, these sheep went feral and mated with the Rocky Mountain bighorn.

Donald as a lover of history read some books and heard stories from old ranchers about white bighorn sheep.

He found some in San Lorenzo canyon, and was able to catch them which is a good thing as fish and game are working on getting rid of them. 😔

Fast forward 30+ years, a genetics from UC Birkley came and did an independent study and blood draw and confirmed that these sheep are from 2 ancient breeds (almost extinct) from Spain!! How cool is that!!!

So here in Terra Patre Ranch we are working to bring back from extinction!

What would you like to know next about the NM Dahl Sheep?

Address

Belen, NM
87002

Telephone

(505) 550-7569

Website

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