Bill Fosher, my grazing mentor, was at the farm today to help me with a somewhat complicated sheep transaction — moving the ram out of the main group of ewes without exposing him to the ewe lambs and ending up with unintentional child brides.  I knew that my skills as a shepherd and dog handler were insufficient to the cause, so I was especially grateful for Bill’s help.  He keeps me from becoming the novice farmer who is ineffectual, frustrated, and swears at his animals.

Here’s the spoiler:

Bill’s dog Fern moved the two ewes flanking the ram (the ewes are there to keep the ram company, as sheep hate to be alone) down the field and into the new pen.  The ram was uninterested in cooperating with Fern (or Cass, in a previous attempt), so he got frog-marched down the field.

After our main job was done, Bill let Fern do some easy work with the rest of the flock as a reward. Bravo thinks he’s playing herding dog, but Fern is off to the left in control of everyone’s movements.