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
It’s a lively Tuesday on the show which includes the following: Shaun Haney starts the show focusing on the worst case scenario for Canadian agriculture in the Huawei CFO arrest. Jessika Guse has the the top ag news of the day which includes McDonald’s announcing its antibiotic policy, the U.S. and China — will there ever be… Read More
Ontario Sheep Farmers held its convention and annual general meeting last week near Cookstown, Ont. It was Rob Scott’s final meeting as a board member, having served the last two years as chair. Scott had announced ahead of this meeting that he would be stepping down as chair and as provincial director for his district…. Read More
When the Ontario Sheep Farmers hold their annual general meeting next month they will be in need of a new chairperson. In the latest Ontario Sheep magazine, current chair and delegate for district 4, Rob Scott, announced he is not only stepping down as chair, but is also leaving the board. In his time as chair,… Read More
Ontario Sheep Farmers is once again offering its Master Shepherd’s Course, beginning in September, 2018. The 18-month course is set up as 12, two-day modules covering a wide variety of sheep production topics. Each module consists of one and one-half days of classroom style presentations and discussions, and one-half day of farm and industry tours…. Read More
Canada imports more than half the lamb it consumes, which spells opportunity for our sheep farmers, but that opportunity isn’t the easiest to capitalize on. In the interview below, Marc Carere, vice chair of Ontario Sheep Farmers, talks to Shaun Haney about the tremendous amount of potential — but also incredible challenges —of this still-maturing… Read More