The Canadian Sheep Federation (CanSheep) has announced the launch of the Canadian Verified Sheep Program (CVSP). A rebranding of the Food Safe Farm Practices program, this new program adds two additional modules on animal care and biosecurity. Sheep farmers who have already completed the Food Safe Farm Practices program will only need to complete these… Read more »
Category: Lamb
Canadian Lamb Producers Co-operative Files for Bankruptcy Protection
The Canadian Lamb Producers Co-operative has filed for bankruptcy protection. The website, not updated since 2014, has since been taken down. The marketing site — Läm — is still live. Representatives for the co-operative could not comment on the process or whether or not farmers were owed money. The co-op, where sheep producers bought shares in… Read more »
No Compressor or Hoses for Cordless Fence Stapler
Marketed as “the world’s first cordless fencing stapler,” the STOCKade ST400i won first place in the innovation contest at Agri-Trade in Red Deer, Alta., this fall. The cordless stapler has more power than a pneumatic fencing stapler and does not require a compressor and hoses, notes Axle Boris of Langley, BC-based FenceFast Ltd., in this video recorded at Agribition… Read more »
SunGold Specialty Meats Looks To Grow Lamb Consumption and Production
Lamb is still considered a niche market in Canada, but unlike some other red meat, consumption is on the rise. Once largely thought of as only a choice for the ‘ethnic’ food market or special holidays, SunGold Specialty Meats out of Alberta is looking to increase lamb consumption by all Canadian consumers. As Kurt Paskal, manager… Read more »
CFIA Proposes Changes to Animal Transport Rules
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has proposed changes to the rules for the transportation of animals. Discussions about changes to the transport regulations, most of which have been in place since 1977, have been ongoing for a number of years. The draft amendments were finally published in Canada Gazette on December 3 (read the entire proposal here.) The… Read more »
Three Provincial Organizations Form National Sheep Network
Sheep farmers in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec have formed a new partnership to continue to move the sheep industry in Canada forward. Ontario and Alberta were the most recent provincial organizations to withdraw support of the Canadian Sheep Federation. The National Sheep Network – comprising of the Alberta Lamb Producers, the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency… Read more »
Making Sure it All Goes Right — Help for Maiden Ewes
First-time lambing ewes need all the hormone feed back loops and events of labour and birth to go right in order to set them up for both short- and long-term mothering success. But maiden ewes are also more likely to take more time to birth, which could possibly lead to more interventions, which can then interrupt… Read more »
The Science Behind the Ewe-Lamb Bond and Why it Matters
It’s estimated that lamb losses amount to over $5 million a year to the Ontario sheep industry — and that’s just Ontario. For an industry that’s trying to off-set significant imports from the likes of New Zealand and Australia, those lost lambs amount to lost market share. While some losses occur in pregnancy, the majority occur… Read more »
Barber Pole Worm Treatment for Sheep Cleared for Canada
Canadian sheep producers will now have access to Elanco Animal Health’s Flukiver (closantel) for the treatment of Haemonchus contortus (Barber Pole worm) in ewes and lambs. The oral anthelmintic was was only available through an Emergency Drug Release before now. Haemonchus contortus is incredibly costly to the Canadian sheep industry. Of all the gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) found… Read more »
Streeee-tch Those Hay Supplies
Do you know which crop’s straw is the most palatable? If you don’t have a TMR, how do you get livestock to eat more straw to stretch those hay supplies? Did you know straw quality can change significantly from year to year? What are the more creative options for feeding livestock? 2016 has not been… Read more »
Ontario Bans Coyote Trapping & Hunting in 40 Municipalities
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has announced a hunting and trapping ban on wolves and coyotes across 40 townships, effective immediately. Said to be a step towards protecting Ontario wolves, specifically the recently re-named Algonquin wolf, hunters and trappers will be banned from hunting or trapping wolves and coyotes in three additional districts: The… Read more »
Health Canada Proposing Changes to Antimicrobial Drug Rules for Livestock
Proposed amendments to Canada’s Food and Drug Regulations were outlined in more detail this week, after a brief announcement by Health Canada on June 30, 2016. The potential changes look to “strengthen rules governing the importation, sale and use of antimicrobial drugs in livestock.” “Health Canada’s proposal to strengthen the rules around the use of these drugs in… Read more »
ALMA Dies on the Alberta Government’s Budget Killing Floor
Today the Alberta Government released its budget and there were some casualties for agriculture. In an effort to cut costs and internalize much of the agency work that has been spun out to third-party boards, the Alberta Livestock Meat Agency had its funding cut. Other boards, commissions and agencies that will be impacted are: Alberta Grains… Read more »
Exploring the Role of Alberta Farm Animal Care, or AFAC
The agriculture industry is pretty bogged down with acronyms, let’s face it. That’s why, every once in a while, we like to do an interview that focuses on what, exactly, these acronyms mean. This week, we’re talking AFAC, or Alberta Farm Animal Care. “We are a multi-species livestock welfare organization,” explains Kristen McDonald, marketing and membership… Read more »
Sheep Producers Warned to Watch for Bluetongue; Virus Found in Ontario Cattle Herd
The Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency (OSMA) is warning sheep producers that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed a positive case of Bluetongue virus in an Ontario cattle herd. Bluetongue disease is caused by the Bluetongue virus, and transmitted from animal to animal by the Culicoides midge. The virus attacks the lining of blood… Read more »