Herdade da Sancha is a sustainable and ecological family agriculture farm led by Inês Dragão and her three daughters. The farm, located on 300 hectares of land, focuses on breeding German Merino sheep and White Merino sheep. The transformation of the farm began in 2015, shifting away from conventional cattle and cereal production to a more sustainable and women-led agriculture approach. To ensure the well-being of their animals, the farm provides careful daily care to the ewes, offering them a tailored diet based on their nutritional needs at each stage of reproductive life. The farm grows a variety of crops, including peas, oats, barley, corn, beans, and vetch, to produce animal feed. They also produce their own hay and silage, ensuring a year-round supply of high-quality feed. Animal welfare is a top priority at Herdade da Sancha. The farm ensures that the animals have access to clean water, shelter, and a comfortable environment. They avoid using chemicals or synthetic products that could harm the animals’ health and implement natural methods for pest and disease control. The farm follows sustainable practices, including the conservation of soil, use of renewable energy, and waste reduction. They have transformed their cereal areas into biodiverse pastures and implemented a triennial rotation system to avoid using chemicals. They aim to improve ecological biodiversity and protect water resources.
In terms of neonatal management, the farm employs the Healthy Lamb Technique, which involves careful handling of newborn lambs, disinfection of the umbilical cord, and ensuring sufficient colostrum intake. They also practice early weaning at 45 days old to increase the economic profitability of the farm. Herdade da Sancha is committed to gender equality and providing job opportunities for women in agriculture. Currently, the farm’s only employee, besides the family members, is a woman. They plan to add another job position in the future to further support women in the agricultural industry. Future objectives of the farm include building a new sheepfold to enhance animal welfare and continuing to invest in improving sustainable practices. The farm aims to contribute to the production of high-quality and sustainable food by providing a healthy and natural environment for their animals.
