By M. Charles Gould
As solar development expands across Michigan farmland, one sheep producer is demonstrating how solar sites can remain productive agricultural landscapes.
During the MI Ag Ideas virtual session Solar Grazing in Michigan: Lessons Learned from One Sheep Producer hosted by Michigan State University Extension, Sy Caryl, a Genesee County sheep producer and partner in J&S Solar Grazing and Mowing, shared lessons learned from grazing his sheep on more than 330 acres across two utility-scale solar projects this past summer.
A long-time agricultural producer, Caryl grew up on a dairy farm and spent decades shearing sheep across Michigan and neighboring states. As solar development accelerated, he began to see an opportunity. He noticed that solar projects were being repeatedly mowed, and believed sheep could provide a practical alternative.
Transitioning into solar grazing required more preparation than many might assume. Grazing sheep on solar farms involves subdividing large, fenced sites into smaller paddocks, rotating flocks carefully and working around infrastructure such as transformers that must be gated off. Caryl emphasized that understanding site layouts ahead of time is critical and often begins with reviewing aerial maps before sheep ever arrive.
Water access and fencing were among the first logistical challenges. Portable water systems had to be installed, and internal electric fencing was required to manage rotations effectively. Over time, Caryl found that forage growth under solar panels was more productive than expected, reducing both water demand and pressure on fencing.
Forage productivity, Caryl said, exceeded expectations. “The productivity of the ewe out on the solar farm was phenomenal. Ewes maintained their body condition on the forage and milked like no tomorrow. Their lambs grew phenomenally.”
Source : msu.edu