If your dog is outside, unattended for more than 60 minutes at a time, the province of Ontario considers your dog one that lives outside. That matters because as of July 1 there are new rules regarding the care of dogs that live outside. The new rules, under the PAWS Act, include requirements for housing,… Read More
For those with two years of experience or more, Scotiabank is offering a new finance option for sheep farmers to expand the ewe flock. The Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) and Scotiabank have partnered on a new short-term financing option to add ewes through the Scotiabank Yield More Financing program. Ontario Sheep members may access funds to purchase… Read More
Ontario heads to the polls June 2, 2022, to select its next government. We’ve heard from the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), on the six priority areas the organization is focused on. But what does the livestock sector need? For the dairy, beef, and lamb sectors, there are common asks surrounding infrastructure needs and risk… Read More
Jennifer MacTavish has announced her departure from Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF), happening sometime before August 31, 2022. MacTavish has served in the role for the last nine years. OSF chair John Hemsted has named a transition committee of the board to oversee the recruitment of a qualified individual for the general manager position. MacTavish is recognized… Read More
Anyone who owns and moves livestock needs to get up close and personal with the latest transportation regulations. The rules encompass all animal movement, including that done by farmers themselves, and has been law for two years. The “for two years” part has caught some producers by surprise, and that’s because the Canadian Food Inspection… Read More
The Ontario Research Centres at Elora is set to begin construction on an $18 million hog research facility, with $3.6 million from Ontario Pork and $14.4 million from the Government of Ontario The new facility will build capacity and expertise at the centre to support research to drive innovation in the swine sector and contribute to the… Read More
Ontario Sheep Farmers recently updated several online resources for its membership, including a new version of the price and profit predictability tools. OSF created this farm management tool in partnership with the University of Guelph and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and recently assumed ownership and administrative duties of the resource to ensure… Read More
After a goodwill request to meet to build trust and discuss the re-establishment of a Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) that represents all provinces at a national level, the CSF has responded with a resounding no. Marc Carere, chair of Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF), committed to the membership an open and transparent process regarding any discussion… Read More
The Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) held its annual general meeting October 23, via Zoom, and the chair’s opening report directly addressed the ongoing issue of dissension within the membership and the Canadian sheep industry as a whole. “I am frustrated by the distrust in our industry that has led to too many acrimonious and hostile… Read More
Ontario Sheep Farmers is accepting registration for its Master Shepherd’s Course until August 14, 2020. The 18-month professional development course consists of 12, 2-day modules that cover: Business planning; Flock productivity and reproduction; Ewe flock nutrition; Industry dynamics and governance; Genetics; Infrastructure and feeding systems; Effective flock health management; Lambing and lamb rearing; Predation and… Read More
Beef Farmers of Ontario, Grain Farmers of Ontario, Veal Farmers of Ontario, and the Ontario Sheep Farmers are collectively asking Ontario’s Premier and the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to immediately move to fully fund the Ontario Risk Management Program (RMP) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Representing over 50,000 Ontario farmers, the groups say… Read More
Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) has appointed Dr. Deb Stark as its first-ever independent board advisor. The role is designed to strengthen the board’s governance structure, address sector-wide issues, and expedite fair, just and equitable resolution of issues regarding board and/or member conduct, according to the organization. The addition of Stark to the role follows an… Read More
Canada’s sheep industry is full of opportunity, with strong demand and decent prices, but producer retention past the five-year mark has been identified as one of the challenges of growing the industry. Several factors play a role in new entrant and existing producer success, and Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) have focused on risk management program… Read More
Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) has secured funding from the AgriRisk Initiative Program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to investigate the feasibility of a production insurance program for the sheep industry and wants producer input for its development. The key outcome of this project will be recommendations on whether production insurance is feasible and affordable for… Read More
Heavy lamb prices across Ontario sale barns have dipped steeply lower in the last three weeks, with year-over-year drops at some auctions over $0.30 (or more) a pound for the same weight class. While some seasonal dips are expected at this time of year, Ontario sheep farmers are also up against a much higher than… Read More
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