The Sheep Farmers of Ontario (OSF) is encouraging sheep producers to consider taking steps to mitigate a silent, hidden illness that may be having a greater impact on their bottom line than they realize. Maedi Visna (MV), also known as ovine progressive pneumonia, is a chronic viral illness that is 100 per cent fatal. The […] Read more
Tag Archives sheep — page 6
Maedi Visna – the hidden disease
The illness is difficult to detect as symptoms don’t usually appear for one to three years
Funding announced to revive wool market
The Canadian Wool Council hopes to set a new direction for the natural fibre
Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian Wool Council is seeking more visibility for its wares and recently received almost $150,000 to make that happen. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) announced the funding in late February, linking the money to development of environmentally sustainable textiles. Why it matters: Meat rather than wool is the main focus of […] Read more
Wool advocates hope to boost domestic sales
Industry says synthetic materials pushed wool out of fibre markets, but consumer demand for sustainability is growing
Glacier FarmMedia – An opportunity exists to build a larger, higher quality wool production industry in Canada, according to The Campaign For Wool Canada (TCFW), and the organization has developed a five-year strategic plan to do that. “There are definitely challenges but there are huge opportunities in Canadian wool,” said Matthew Rowe, TCFW Canada chief […] Read more
Sheep, goat producers work together to improve genetic potential
Four organizations hope increased co-operation will do for their sector what genetic research did for the beef industry
Sheep and goat producer organizations are starting an initiative to improve genetics in Canadian flocks in conjunction with the University of Guelph. The project aims to strengthen the genetic evaluation program GenOvis, modernize breed registration and provide better information for meat and dairy production in sheep and goats. Why it matters: There is room for […] Read more
U.S. to lift BSE-related rules off sheep, goat imports
New scrapie-specific rules take effect next month
U.S. restrictions that have hindered that country’s imports of live Canadian sheep and goats, going back to the start of the BSE crisis in 2003, are set to be scrapped and replaced with rules applying specifically to scrapie. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on Friday published a new […] Read more
Lamb sees increased global market demand
Strong sales sparked by supply chain disruption, pandemic-related shortages of other animal proteins
Global meat protein supply gaps sparked by African swine fever (ASF) and the pandemic have created expansion potential for the sheep sector. Melissa Clark-Reynolds, a New Zealand entrepreneur, strategist and foresight practitioner, told those at the recent Ontario Sheep Farmers annual general meeting that the sheep sector has a bright future given current premium prices. […] Read more
Ontario Sheep Farmers launch new strategic plan
Group says plan positions it for future growth, challenges
Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) unveiled a five-year strategic plan Oct. 28 entitled Building Strength for a Better Future. “Our new plan sets an ambitious and engaging path forward for the organization,” said John Hemsted, newly elected OSF chair and District 6 director. “We are well-positioned to seize the opportunities and address the challenges we heard […] Read more
Britain, New Zealand strike free trade deal
London/Wellington | Reuters — Britain and New Zealand have reached agreement in principle on a free trade deal designed to reduce tariffs, improve services trade, and take London one step closer to membership in a broader trans-Pacific trade agreement. Prime ministers Boris Johnson and Jacinda Ardern sealed the deal in a Zoom call on Wednesday […] Read more
Sheep shearing fundraiser honours industry legend
Shearers donate wages to help Don Metheral and his family with costs due to illness
In early August, Waupoos Island Sheep held a fundraising shearing event for one of Canada’s legends of sheep shearing, Don Metheral. Metheral, who operates Glen Huron, Ont.-based Great Lakes Shearing Company, has been a shearer in Ontario and other provinces for more than 30 years. Matt Fleguel, who co-owns and operates Waupoos Island Sheep with […] Read more
StatsCan sees higher cattle, hog inventories at July 1
Full impacts of West's drought not yet counted
Nationwide head counts of livestock from the “early stages” of Western Canada’s ongoing drought won’t yet show the weather’s full impact, but showed slightly larger herds heading into this summer compared to last year. Statistics Canada on Monday reported the first year-over-year increase in the size of the country’s cattle herd as of July 1 […] Read more
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