Dramatic shifts in soil moisture are again bringing anthrax spores to the surface on the Prairies, this time in a southeastern Saskatchewan sheep pasture. Lab results on Wednesday confirmed anthrax as the cause of death of one animal in a flock of sheep in the R.M. of South Qu’Appelle, about 50 km east of Regina, […] Read more
Tag Archives sheep — page 7
Anthrax kills southeastern Saskatchewan sheep
Spores forced up by changes in soil moisture
Knowing sheep behaviour makes handling easier
This is part of an OMAFRA fact sheet on sheep handling facilities. Producers who understand sheep behaviour can use this knowledge to their advantage in all aspects of sheep production and management. Whether setting up and using handling and shearing facilities, moving the flock to a new pasture or catching an individual sheep, taking their […] Read more
Sheep and solar panels make an efficient mix
Science Notes: Researchers found solar panel field grazers had same gain as conventionally grazed sheep
Land productivity could be greatly increased by combining sheep grazing and solar energy production on the same land, according to new research by Oregon State University scientists. This is believed to be the first study to investigate livestock production under agrivoltaic systems, where solar energy production is combined with agricultural production, such as planting agricultural […] Read more
Brock and Nairn named 2021 Food and Farming Champions
Farmer and OFA rep lauded for their communication about agriculture with the public
Updated Farm and Food Care Ontario (FFCO) recognized Sandi Brock and Paul Nairn as its 2021 Food and Farming Champions. “This is truly an honour. To be nominated by peers is truly amazing and I, for once in my life, I’m a bit speechless,” said Brock. Why it matters: Farm and Food Care’s annual award […] Read more
Eastern Canada cattle herd grows
National cattle herd size drops, part of a decline happening since 2005
Glacier FarmMedia – Eastern Canada saw a slightly larger cattle herd in 2020 compared to 2019 but nationally there were fewer cattle and sheep and slightly more hogs. Statistics Canada released its livestock 2020 inventory March 1, showing a one per cent decline in the national cattle herd, totalling 11.2 million animals, and a two […] Read more
Managing footrot needs a whole-flock effort
Isolation of infected animals is key to managing hoof health issues
Footrot continues to be a concern for sheep producers across the province. The virus’s ability to survive in warm and wet conditions, and on the hoof of previously infected sheep for many years, makes it a difficult disease to control. “Mud and manure (help) to cause abrasions to the skin to help the infection get […] Read more
Feed quality starts with proper harvest
Different forages have different ideal harvest stages
Different forage types require different harvest practices for optimal feed quality, says Courtney Vriens, ruminant nutritionist with Vriens Nutrition Consulting. Each of the four main types of forage used by sheep producers, alfalfa, grass, small grain silages and corn silage, provide excellent feed quality if harvested and managed properly. Why it matters: Accomplishing on-farm goals […] Read more
Blast kills at least 23 at Afghanistan livestock market
Area shelled in clashes between government forces, Taliban
Kabul | Reuters — At least 23 civilians were killed in Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province and dozens were wounded when rockets hit a cattle market on Monday, Afghan government and Taliban officials said. The warring sides blamed each other for the attack on the open-air weekly cattle market in Sangin district, where hundreds of villagers […] Read more
Uruguayan shearers flown in to relieve sweltering Spanish sheep
Expert shearers authorized to enter country amid COVID-19 pandemic
Villafale, Spain | Reuters — Brought to Spain on a special flight amid the coronavirus lockdown, some 250 Uruguayan sheep shearers race against time to shear millions of Spanish sheep as sweltering summer temperatures hit. The Uruguayan shearers come to Spain every year, where farmers value them for their skills, their speed and particular care […] Read more
Sheep pastures expanded into orchards, woodlots
Norfolk County producers were winners of sheep pasture award
Adding hay and sheep to the output from land that continues as an apple orchard certainly seems like an idea with merit. Add to that the pasturing of sheep and even geese in once-neglected woodlots, and grazing on corn stalks into the early winter, and it’s not surprising the innovations of Norfolk County’s Schuyler Farms […] Read more
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