There’s not a lot of filtering in the version of Sandi Brock’s sheep farm that she shows to the world. It’s real and it’s popular with viewers of her YouTube channel. On the channel she talks about what she does on her farm in great detail, from lambing processes to barn design to shipping to […] Read more
Tag Archives sheep — page 10
Sheep farmer tells her farm’s story using video
Sandi Brock is gaining a significant YouTube following for her video logs
First generation sheep farmers find success in all sheep market opportunities
The Schill family is growing the CircleR flock while supplying meat and wool markets from their farm
Ryan and Romy Schill have big plans for their farm as they embrace many markets for their sheep products. The Schills, first generation sheep farmers, sell breeding stock around Ontario, lamb for the meat market and wool and wool products out of their farm store and at local and province-wide markets. Why it matters: The […] Read more
Data needed to drive Ontario sheep industry forward
Producers have been reluctant to provide even aggregated data for the EweGROW program
The general manager of Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) had strong messages for producers gathered at the recent Grey-Bruce Farmers’ Week. “We haven’t had the really hard conversations about where we want the industry to go,” Jennifer MacTavish said. This has resulted in inefficiencies along the supply chain and an unwillingness to commit to and invest […] Read more
Getting ewes and rams ready for their big date
Feeding ewes and rams more before breeding periods has a high return on investment
Ram and ewe fertility both can be improved with targeted and timely bumps in nutrition. At the recent Ontario Sheep Convention Richard Ehrhardt of Michigan State University shared his tips for making sure rams are ready for successful breeding and that ewes are healthy enough to successfully carry a lamb. Why it matters: Sheep farming […] Read more
Marc Carere acclaimed as Sheep Farmers of Ontario chair
Heather Little and John Hemsted are the new vice-chairs of the organization
Ontario Sheep Farmers elected its officers for 2018-19 and recognized the achievements of some of its members at its recent annual general meeting in Alliston. District 7 director Marc Carere was acclaimed as chair. Carere, his wife Helen and son Matt operate Ballinahistle Farms, a large commercial ewe flock and lamb feedlot. He replaces Rob […] Read more
Different routes to sheep farm growth
A recent panel of farmers who manage their sheep differently shows there are many routes to success
There isn’t one model of success in the sheep sector. In fact, producers have taken many routes to growing their flocks. Farmers at the recent Sheep Farmers of Ontario annual convention heard from three successful producers who have taken different routes — one with minimal buildings and investment, one with a converted dairy barn providing […] Read more
Livestock price drop being felt by farmers
An August drop in prices in pork and beef mean losses across the province
The drop in the livestock markets in the past couple of months is concerning because the factors that created it show little sign of abating. “I think if we saw an end in sight, we’d ride through it,” said Joe Hill, president of the Beef Farmers of Ontario. “Unfortunately this is more than just (the […] Read more
Editorial: Optimism for sheep farmers
Sheep farming has always been a tough grind. Sheep are not the heartiest of beasts, lambing is a thankless and tiring job and the market has been fickle. But several years of decent lamb prices in Ontario have created optimism I haven’t seen for a long time. The Large Flock Operators group (made up of […] Read more
Made at home inventions can be best — and cheapest
The Steele family manages 2,000 ewes on multiple properties near Norwood, Ont., and it has had to find innovative ways to feed them. The farm uses 850 acres on 15 properties in the area. That means moving feed and animals around. Five greenhouse shelters are on the farm, most dating back 20 years, but they […] Read more
Data management solutions abound for sheep
Farmers can mix and match data readers, sorters and software for labour saving and management decisions
Norwood-area farmers John and Eadie Steele have been using electronic identification to identify and manage the data for their 2,000-ewe flock for 15 years. However, many other sheep farms, often smaller, are not yet using technology to reduce labour, and increase and improve their management information. That’s why the Large Flock Operators group featured a […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
