A summer rotation works when moves are triggered by the grass, not the calendar alone. Sheep go onto a field when growth stands at about 6–8 inches, come off at about 3–4 inches, and the field then rests commonly three to six weeks in the growing season before it carries the flock again. Held to those figures, grass keeps its energy reserves, roots stay deep enough for dry spells, and the flock always walks onto feed rather than stubble.
On at 6–8 Inches, Off at 3–4 Inches
At about 6–8 inches, grass has leaf to spare: sheep harvest the top, and the plant still holds enough leaf to regrow quickly. Graze down to about 3–4 inches and stop. Below that, sheep nip the growing points and eat into the plant's reserves, regrowth slows sharply, and bare patches open where weeds move in. Sheep graze closer than cattle by nature, so the exit height is the keeper's discipline, not the flock's: they will happily scalp a field if they are left on it. Measure with a ruler or a marked boot in a few spots rather than judging from the gate, because a field that looks even from the fence often hides a scalped corner around the trough where the flock camps.
Rest That Rests Grass and Worms Alike
After a field is grazed, rest it for commonly three to six weeks in the growing season — nearer three when growth is racing, nearer six as summer dries and growth slows. The rest rebuilds leaf and root, so the next grazing starts from strength. Resting also rests the worm cycle: worm larvae picked up from pasture wait for a host, and an empty field gives them no flock to infect while numbers fall away. Rotating on a rhythm therefore supports sheep health and pasture output with the same move. Keep the sequence of fields written down in grazing order, so a field is never re-grazed early simply because it stands nearest the yard, and mark which field is next before the current one runs short.
Shade and Water in Every Field
Summer specifics decide whether a sound rotation stays sound. Every field the flock enters needs shade — a tree line, a shelter or a movable shade — and water already in place before the sheep arrive, not carried in after they have stood thirsty at a dry trough. Sheep crowd into shade at midday, so a single small patch turns muddy and fouled; generous shade spreads them out. Check troughs as part of every move, scrub algae from the water surface, and walk the fence line while you are there: a rotation is also a weekly inspection of every boundary the flock will test. In a heat spell, move sheep in the cool of the morning rather than driving them at noon.
Running the Rotation With Named Duties
A rotation fails quietly when everyone assumes someone else measured the grass. Ruth measures grass each morning in the field the flock is due to enter and calls the move when the figures say so. Ben checks troughs and shade in that field before the flock arrives, and confirms water is running and shade is usable. Either of them notes the entry and exit heights for the field just left, so the rest period is counted from a real grazing date. The rotation plan sits in the Care Teams record on KinsLe, with completed moves timestamped for anyone covering the flock that week.