A Returnee Student Raises Hu Sheep, Making the Industry Bigger and Stronger

"Please enter the disinfection room for disinfection!" Recently, when the reporter had just stepped into the gate of Hubei Chuangqi Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., a sunny big boy politely invited them into the disinfection room at the entrance.

"Sorry, sheep are susceptible to bacterial infections, so all people and vehicles entering the gate must be disinfected before entering the factory area." Earnest, meticulous, and thorough. The message conveyed by this big boy was: "professional."

"He is the 'Little Manager Chen' of the base, and also a returnee 'shepherd.'" The "Little Manager Chen" mentioned by Yu Guisheng, head of the publicity department of the Datonghu Management District, is named Chen Xue, 28 years old this year, fully in charge of production, procurement, sales, technology, and other matters at the base.

Disinfecting the sheep sheds and feeding tools once or twice a week, disinfecting the surrounding environment once a month, carrying out epidemic prevention twice a year in spring and autumn, and emergency epidemic prevention when special situations arise... One by one, item by item, he explained everything clearly and systematically. It was clear that Chen Xue was especially "attentive" to raising sheep.

Each sheep has an ear tag marked with its birth time, epidemic prevention information, sex, and who its father and mother are... "This facilitates product traceability."

This building houses breeding sheep about to give birth; this building houses nursing breeding sheep; this building houses sheep waiting to be mated; this building houses sheep being fattened...

In every word and action, this shepherd's professionalism and focus were impressive. He runs sheep farming as a career, full of vitality and passion. "After a year of preparation and operation, the base has begun to take shape. We have built 13 sheep sheds and a work plant, and 2 silage feed cellars. At present, there are more than 2,200 sheep on hand. Drinking water, disinfection, cooling, and feeding are all mechanized."

A Returnee Student Falls in Love with Raising Sheep

"Many people think I studied animal husbandry, but actually I studied finance at university in the United States, which has nothing at all to do with raising sheep." Speaking of his indissoluble bond with sheep, a somewhat shy smile appeared on Chen Xue's slightly chubby face.

In 2008, after returning from studying in the United States, Chen Xue worked in foreign trade at a company in Guangzhou. Half a year later, at the request of his father Chen Yibing, he returned home to follow his father in the non-woven fabric business. As the state increased its support for agriculture, Chen Xue's family believed that investing in agriculture had great prospects. But what project should they do?

"Last year, Wuhan's cattle and sheep sales reached more than 3 million tons, while local production accounted for only more than 1 million tons. The gap is quite large, and there is great potential." Upon understanding the market, Chen Xue was delighted. "Local people are more interested in fresh mutton. Fresh mutton is about 20 yuan per kilogram more expensive than frozen mutton. Moreover, Hu sheep are more suited to southerners' tastes, with little mutton odor."

In addition, raising Hu sheep in Hubei has abundant feed, and the cost is not high. The corn stalks, soybean stalks, rapeseed stalks, and rice straw that Hu sheep eat are everywhere.

Low cost, high output value, and bright market prospects. Chen Xue believed that raising Hu sheep was a thriving sunrise industry. After the family discussed it together, they decided to return to their hometown of Datonghu to raise sheep!

Chen Xue and his father's intention to raise Hu sheep received strong support and a positive response from the leaders of the Datonghu Management District. In March 2014, they transferred 190 mu of land in Gucunhe of the management district, registered 14 million yuan, and Chen Yibing and the Datonghu Farm jointly established Hubei Chuangqi Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., mainly engaged in Hu sheep breeding.

In March, construction began on modern breeding factory buildings. Starting in August, 1.8 million yuan was invested to purchase 1,000 breeding sheep in succession, beginning the journey of Hu sheep breeding.

Not Only Wanting to Be the "Sheep King," but Also the "Lead Sheep"

"In just two years, the scale of sheep farming can be expanded to 10,000 head." Although the current captive breeding scale ranks first in Hubei, Chen Xue's appetite is a bit bigger.

With more than 1,200 breeding sheep, three births in two years, and 2 to 3 lambs per birth, it can develop to 10,000 head in less than two years. Chen Xue had a well-thought-out plan. "Even with 10,000 sheep, the annual mutton supply capacity is only 250 tons, and the gap is still quite large."

At present, mutton sells very well. Frozen mutton can sell for 40 yuan per kilogram, while fresh mutton can sell for about 60 yuan per kilogram. According to estimates, "Chuangqi" output value in 2016 could reach 25 million yuan. By the year after next, selling sheep manure alone will bring a net profit of more than 1 million yuan a year.

Not only did he want to be the "Sheep King," but also the "Lead Sheep." Chen Xue was ambitious. He told the reporter that his even greater goal was to adopt a "company + farmers + base" business model, encourage farmers to use idle land to grow feed, drive surrounding farmers to engage in breeding, and take the path of "circular agriculture." The ideal "circular model" is: use the manure produced by sheep to make organic fertilizer, then use the organic fertilizer to grow stalk crops such as corn, soybeans, and rapeseed, and then crush and ferment the stalks of crops such as corn and soybeans to use as feed for raising sheep.

The dream has already set sail. Chen Xue, keep going!