Within the sheep industry there isn’t one ideal design when building or retro-fitting a facility. This leads to an array of facilities, ideas and layouts in production systems across the province, although, there are factors to keep in mind to allow for efficiency and improved health of the flock. Why it matters: Barn layouts affect […] Read more
Tag Archives sheep — page 9
Production system, shearing status and lamb numbers are important factors in barn decisions
Floor and bunk space play a vital role in sheep health
Ontario Sheep looks into production insurance
The potential insurance plan would focus on production levels rather than price
Ontario Sheep Farmers is investigating production insurance for its members that would help farmers guard against production declines. Meetings were held across Ontario for producers from Sept. 10 to 12 to discuss the risks they face within their production systems, and for Ontario Sheep Farmers to grasp producer interest in a production insurance program. “The […] Read more
Canadian Sheep Federation hosts the world
This year’s event in Saskatoon went well, so the Canadian Sheep Federation has been asked to host another one next year
Canada did such a good job hosting the first-ever Global Sheep Conference this summer, the Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) has been asked to host another one next year. “I think it’s important for a national organization to reach out and find some common issues with other sheep producers around the world,” said CSF chair Allan […] Read more
Stark named independent advisor to Ontario Sheep Farmers
Organization says the unique position will build its capacity to deal with challenging issues
Ontario Sheep Farmers is signing on an independent board advisor to serve as a sounding board, mediator and to help the organization deal with sector-wide issues. Dr. Deb Stark, a former deputy minister of OMAFRA who was also the province’s first chief veterinarian, has signed onto the position. Marc Carere, chair of the board of […] Read more
Condition scoring added to COFS sheep handling demo
The new demonstration will showcase how the practice can help farmers manage flock condition
Sheep body condition scoring (BCS) has been added to handling system demonstrations at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) this year to emphasize the importance of the practice. Delma Kennedy, sheep specialist genetics and reproduction with OMAFRA, will be leading the demonstration for farmers at the Ontario Sheep Farmers’ exhibit during the three-day show in September. […] Read more
Sheep complement fruit production on Ontario farm
The Schuylers raise sheep, maintain apple and cherry orchards and grow corn, soybeans and wheat
When farmers are told they have a good story to tell, a prime example may be found at Simcoe, Ont. Schuyler Farms is a diversified livestock, crop and fruit farm owned by brothers Marshall and Drew Schuyler, and Marshall’s sons Brett and Ryan. They grow about 3,000 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat, maintain 1,200 […] Read more
U.S. to move BLM headquarters to Colorado
Reuters — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will move its headquarters to Colorado from Washington, officials said on Tuesday, sparking ire from conservationists who said the decision would weaken the agency dedicated to managing the country’s vast public lands. The Department of Interior, which oversees BLM, announced the move in letters to key congressional […] Read more
Two Alberta sheep flocks quarantined for scrapie
Two flocks of sheep in Alberta are under federal quarantine after a sheep that lived at both farms was confirmed June 21 with classical scrapie. A degenerative nervous system disease affecting sheep and goats, scrapie is one of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) family that includes Creutzfelt-Jakob disease in people, BSE in cattle and chronic […] Read more
Dual action designed to avoid resistance
A new drench is designed to provide effective treatment of sheep without allowing parasites to develop resistance
Parasite resistance to products approved for use on sheep is causing major problems for producers who find current options don’t do an adequate job of deworming. A new product from Zoetis, coupled with new recommendations on treatment protocols, is designed to provide effective treatment without allowing parasites to develop resistance. Dr. Melanie Wowk, large animal […] Read more
Small ruminant market prices remain high
Greater Toronto Area has high demand, but there’s little growing supply to meet it
Market prices for small ruminants have been steadily high for the past few years. The demand is there but the supply is not. Dirk Boogerd, producer and Ontario Goat chair milks 500 goats east of Embro and he’s noticed the usual post-Easter price drop has been slower than previous years. He says many producers are […] Read more
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