If you've recently dried off your dairy ewes (or are about to), you might be experiencing a mix of emotions. Relief at having a break from the demanding milking routine, but also a bit of sadness knowing you won't have that incredible fresh sheep milk for a while. Trust me—I get it!

Drying off your dairy ewes might seem straightforward, but the timing and approach can make a big difference in their health, body condition, and milk production in the following lactation. Here's how I handle the dry-off period on my farm, along with the reasoning behind my approach.