Messenger News Letter - March 2011

T HEMessenger M ESSENGER The M ARCH 2011

2010-11-13 NovemberNovember 2010 Volume 1, Issue 1

Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, ON, N1K 1B1 www.ontariosheep.org Tel: 519-836-0043

Inside This Issue

VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO ALL PRODUCERS: It is imperative that all lambs and sheep leaving your farms be properly tagged. Animals detected by CFIA ( the Canadian Food Inspection Agency) without tags are now receiving fines of $1300.

These fines are being charged to everyone involved in the sale.

Therefore the producer, the transportor and the Salesbarn are each receiving a $1300 fine for every sheep or lamb without a tag.

Failure to comply may soon result in Salebarns refusing to accept lambs and sheep for sale.

PLEASE NOTE: All fines have been a result of sheep and lamb arriving at the Salebarns without evidence of ever being tagged.

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Board Decisions / Actions Programs Projects General Interest Religious & Ethnic Holidays Programs / Workshops Upcoming Events District Information OSMA Reaching Out Contacts / Resources Internal/External Committee’s Benchmarking Project

Please pass this information onto any other producers you know especially those who do not have email access.

Invitation – Producers, industry partners and anyone or organization interested in serving the Ontario Sheep Industry are encouraged to contact either OSMA Directors or the office with ideas, comments, questions or suggestions that may be beneficial to Ontario Sheep as it carries out its mandates.

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

March 2011

BOARD DECISIONS / ACTIONS BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE 2011 March 30 – April 27 May 25 July 6

Conference Call Face to Face Conference Call Face to Face

August 19 August 20 October 12

Face to Face District 9 Tour Face to Face

BOARD MEETING – February 23 A synopsis of OSMA decisions and plans follows: Advocacy: • OSMA is presently working with many groups in order to advance the industry (OMAFRA, OLAMA (Ontario Livestock Auction Markets Association) , CSF, and ALP (Alberta Lamb Producers) • OSMA has adopted a strategy for Ontario to move to a means by which the field bird, Bobolink, can lay their eggs in hay fields yet producers can harvest their hay.

Committees: • The By-laws & Regulation Committee is revising Regulations #1 including the collection of licence fees by agents • The Governance Committee is currently reviewing and updating Agency policies • The Research Committee is reviewing projects to be supported.

District Development: • The training pilot project is being lead by OMAFRA is proceeding.

• Three representatives per District will be participating in a face-to-face train-the-trainer session in Guelph on March 25 & 26 Focus/Logo: • A new logo has been approved by the Board (stay tuned to see it)

•

OSMA has identified its focus as “Turning Opportunities Into Profit”. This will be used for all activities, programs, and services.

General: • Finances for the year to date are on budget • The Board has a group of Directors addressing “Board Training” Predation: • The OSMA Board has approved a position paper on Predation. (it can be found on OSMA website) • The OSMA Board has approved a project to study additional tools and an awareness/education program for predation. An application has been filed to obtain government financial support for this project.

Services: • The OSMA Board has approved having CEPOQ provide the SFIP program in Ontario. The service will be called “GenOvis”, as it is elsewhere in Canada.

• The OSMA Board has approved working with BIO & Farms.com to develop a web based flock management software; it will likely be called BioFlock (it is based on BIO’s service called BioTrack).

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Traceability: • OSMA is working with Auction Markets to address the best way to overcome sheep coming to market without tags including CFIIA fines.

March 2011

OSMA receives many questions on tagging, RFID tags and traceability. Concerns and questions are addressed in conjunction with CSF. • OSMA is currently developing a position statement on Traceability.

•

BOARD CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR 2010-2011 At the recent OSMA AGM a new Board Chair and Vice Chair were elected. Congratulations to both.

Chair: Vice Chair:

Chris Kennedy Dennis Fischer

PROGRAMS

CANADIAN SHEEP INFORMATION PLATFORM Overview The Canadian Sheep Industry is in the process of studying data systems and programs that currently exist in Canada containing animal and flock data. The purpose for the study is to arrive at ways of linking or combining the current and any future data systems into one electronic information platform. This initiative is being lead by the Alberta Lamb Producers , CSF, OSMA, and the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board and the d'Fédération des producteurs d'agneaux et moutons du Québec agneaux et moutons du Québec.

Study Committee:

The study committee met in July, August, December, and January. The January meeting was in Ottawa with CFIA and Ag Canada to establish data requirements to comply with National traceability requirements. At the present time there is a group working on plans and costs associated with making Sheep Central (Alberta based) the National Data Platform.

OSMA’s Involvement: Plans are that OSMA will be involved and one of the owners of the national data.

Contacts / More Information: Murray Hunt, OSMA: mhunt@ontariosheep.org 519 836 0043

*************************************************************************************** BUSINESS RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OSMA is working with its partners in the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Coalition. At this time OASC is developing extensive facts on commodity costs of production and trade implications of a revised Agri Stability Program.

OSMA is presently working on establishing cost of production numbers for sheep. After that OSMA will need to work with OMAFRA in establishing a program for sheep producers.

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

SFIP- SHEEP FLOCK IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Thank you to the 10 producers that volunteered to test the new web based system.

At the AGM in October there was great interest in SFIP. Inquiries came from producers who were active previously but let their record keeping lag a bit as well as new producers who are new to SFIP. Keeping records is a very important component to animal production, whether that is sheep, cattle, pigs etc.

Determining which animals to keep as replacements or which animals to cull cannot successfully be done by eye. Let the production records tell the results.

Testing is almost complete on the web based system.

Some users are already using it.

To receive an enrolment package contact OSMA at 519-836-0043.

March 2011

CFIA TESTING FOR SCRAPIE The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is urging sheep and goat producers to submit suspicious cases for scrapie testing as the number of confirmed cases in Canada is up to a level not seen since 2003.

Eleven sheep flocks were confirmed to have seen cases of the reportable disease as of Nov. 30, up from six in all of 2009.

Of the 11, six were in flocks in Quebec, two in Alberta, two in Ontario and one in Saskatchewan. Of those, the Saskatchewan case and one in O ntario were found to be “atypical” scrapie.

CFIA said it would like to test any mature animals (12 months and older) that die on the farm or show unexplained weight loss, problems standing or walking, or changes in behaviour.

Producers can call the CFIA at 800-442-2342 to arrange to have a sample taken for testing. The agency noted it covers the costs of testing samples under the program, and that producers could also be eligible for compensation for animals ordered destroyed due to a scrapie diagnosis.

PROJECTS

SMALL RUMINANT RESEARCH PROJECTS Starting this summer OVC (Ontario Veterinary College) and OMAFRA will be carrying out two projects: 1) Johne’s Disease – prevalence, risk and impact in small ruminant dairy industries and 2) Q-Fever – prevalence in small ruminants and farm workers.

Further details can be obtained by contacting: Jocelyn Jansen – 519-846-3414 or Jocelyn.jansen@ontario.ca The OSMA Research Committee is currently in the process of reviewing four research projects for possible funding

by OSMA. More details will follow once the OSMA Board decides on projects to be supported.

RFID TAGS MANDATORY The Federal Government has committed to have National Traceability Programs in place by December 31, 2011 to allow for the tracing and tracking of products and food animals from farm to consumer. To meet these requirements for a national traceability system, CSF has voted to adopt mandatory RFID tags.

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

March 2011

The ability to monitor movements of products (including agricultural products) is important to Canada, a Nation that depends heavily on trade (export and importing). Many government support programs are geared to traceability, on-farm food safety and on-farm biosecurity. Ontario producers should have access to support for enhancing their on-farm systems once there is industry infrastructure to support tracking from farm to fork.

Further details can be obtained by contacting: CSF at 519-824-6018 or info@cansheep.ca

GENERAL INTEREST

DISTRICT 11 - USING NEW TECHNOLOGY TO BRING SHEEP PRODUCERS TOGETHER ONTARIO SHEEP MARKETING AGENCY – District 11 was recently able to use new technology available at Kerns Township Hall. On Saturday January 15, 2011, 30 sheep producers from the Temiskaming and Verner area met for an information meeting on Ewe Lamb Management facilitated by OMAFRA Beef Cattle and Sheep Nutritionist Christoph Wand, and OSMA 11 provincial director Mark Lenover,. High-speed internet upgrades at the Hall allowed the group to connect via WebEx and present to over 30 more producers in Thunder Bay, Emo, Jim Johnston Chairman (705)647-7160

Deb Garner Secretary/Treasurer (705)563-2761

Kapuskasing, Cochrane and Thessalon. Producers from across the large District were able to take part in this session without having to travel hundreds of kilometers. Comments such as “it was awesome and everyone really seemed to enjoy it”-Gary, Kapuskasing, “It has been a long time between events for local sheep producers”- Rudy, Thunder Bay, and “Thank you for putting on such an informative event on Saturday. I learned a lot and could have chatted with Christoph all day about nutrition in sheep. I really appreciated having such a seminar a little closer to home.” – Nancy, Verner.

The OSMA 11 board of directors hopes to be able to make use of this technology again in the future to keep our members informed.

Mark Lenover Provincial Director (705)563-2966

PREMIER’S AWARD FOR AGRI-FOOD INNOVATION EXCELLENCE Congratulations to Algoma Sheep and Lamb Producers – Algoma District Sheila Harris, Collen Alloi and Heather Jansa are sheep and lamb producers who recognize that co-operation can be profitable. The three have worked together to co-ordinate lambings and build a year-round farm gate market for lamb. This also helps keep area meat shops and a local health food store continually supplied with a consistent product. Their lamb cookbook has sold 300 copies and their wool is processed together into yarn and blankets that give customers a wider range of colours. With their profits, the group has purchased a large shared freezer and a shrink wrapper, so they can sell individual cuts of lamb, rather than just sides. Their collaboration has increased sales and reduced costs. These shepherds know how to promote Ontario lamb and keep customers flocking to their businesses.

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

HELP FOSTER NEW INTEREST IN WORKING WITH LIVESTOCK The veterinary technology degree is a two-year college program that covers topics such as animal handling, data entry and records management, nutritional management, nursing care, surgical assistance, laboratory procedures and medication administration.

Most veterinary technicians (VTs) are employed in small animal veterinary clinics, pharmaceutical sales or medical research.

However, some are employed in large animal or equine veterinary clinics where they may go out to farms to perform calf dehorning (with lidocaine block), vaccinating, ultrasound, bandaging, ovulationsynchronization and milk sample collection for culture, in response to directions from a veterinarian.

Unfortunately colleges with veterinary technician programs have decreased their large animal teaching components over the past decade.

There is inadequate exposure to farm animals or management in most programs. Without exposure to practical experience with livestock, few VTs will develop an interest in an agricultural career path.

March 2011

A large variety of livestock farms employ VTs as herdspeople. VTs are excellent at keeping records and giving extra care to young, sick or injured animals.

The Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food are compiling a list of farms throughout Ontario who would accept a VT for either a paid or volunteer position. The list would be provided to veterinary technicians and technician students within the province. In most cases the VTs will have limited farm experience, so farm staff should be willing to teach production and management practices and common disease problems and treatments. Terms and length of the position would be negotiated between the owner and the student.

If interested please contact Kathy Zurbrigg, OMAFRA, with your name, address, phone and/or email and commodity type.

Kathy Zurbrigg (phone) 519-846-3418, (fax) 1-888602-6911, Kathy.zurbrigg@ontario.ca

RELIGIOUS & ETHNIC HOLIDAY’S

2011 Holidays Passover April 19-26 Easter

Start of Ramadan Month of Fasting Aug 1

Jewish Holiday Western Roman April 24 Eastern Orthodox April 24 Islamic Holiday

Meat Preferences are for lambs of 30-55 lbs live weight, that are milk fed and fat. Meat should be prepared by Kosher slaughter Traditional market is for lambs 30-45 lbs live weight, milk fed and fat, or for a suckling kid weighing 18-35lbs live weight.

Traditional market is for lambs 40-55 lbs which are milk fed and fat, or suckling kids in the 25-50lbs live weight range.

Weaned market lambs 60-80lbs are preferred as well as male and female kids with all their milk teeth (not older than 12 months).

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Rosh Hashana September 29-30 Eid ul Fitr Festival of Fast Breaking Aug 31

March 2011

Jewish Holiday

Forequarters from weaned lambs 60-110 lbs are wanted.

Islamic Holiday

Most desired lambs are between 60-80 lbs live weight. The most desired goat is usually a young animal weighing between 50-70lbs.

Either animal is usually acceptable and male animals are preferred.

It is also important that the animal be without any blemishes.

Eid ul-Adha Festival of Sacrifice November 6

Islamic Holiday

Dasara / Navaratri Oct 6

Hindu Holiday

The traditional lamb for this holiday is a yearling although large market lambs and older sheep are also used. The animals must be blemish free, however the definition varies. For some this means the animals should be healthy with no broken horns, open wounds or lameness. For others, it should not be castrated nor have even a torn ear. Age is the main concern and the weight is ideally between 60-80 lbs.

Females are not usually acceptable for this holiday.

The size of the carcass varies.

Chanukkah December 21-28

Jewish Holiday

Muharram /Islamic New Year Nov 26 Christmas Dec 25 Various Caribbean holidays through the year Cinco de Mayo and other Hispanic holidays

Islamic Holiday

Various Chinese holidays through the year Various Filipino holidays through the year

Christian Holiday Caribbean

Hispanic

Chinese Filipino

The meat preferences are the same as Passover, which are lambs 3055lbs live weight, milk fed and fat prepared by Kosher method of slaughter.

Mutton is one of the dishes for this festive.

There is no restriction of age or weight for this day except the animal should be healthy and good looking.

Milk fed lambs are preferred Curried goat from intact market kids or bucks accompanied by a goat soup using the rest of the goat carcass is a traditional dish for Caribbean’s.

Some Mexican families desire a small Cabrito kid to celebrate Mexico’s independence day from Spain. Others prefer a large market kid or yearling barbecued whole over a pit.

Goat stew (Seco de Chivo) is a popular dish for other Latin American cultures for holidays such as Christmas.

The Hispanic market for goats is for 20-35 lb live weight milk-fed kids for Cabrito, and larger animals for Seco de Chivo.

The Chinese market for goat is limited to the six colder months.

The preferred weight range is 60-80 pounds live, and goats in good health are required.

Goat is one of the livestock animals that are very popular among Filipinos. Goat meat is cooked in several ways like stew or roasted.

Healthy looking >60 lbs goat is what Filipinos always look for.

Look for more information in the OSN And on OSMA website: www.ontariosheep.org

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

March 2011

PROGRAMS - WORKSHOPS CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL LOANS ACT (CALA) PROGRAM

Farmers eligible include: Existing farmers, beginning/start-up farmers (i.e. less than six years of farming); and families taking over the family farm.

The CALA program builds on and replaces the previous Farm Improvement & Marketing Cooperative Loans Act (FIMCLA) program.

On behalf of AAFC, participating financial institutions administer loans under the CALA.

The CALA program is a financial loan guarantee program that provides farmers easier access to credit.

Farmers can use these programs to establish, improve and develop farms.

For more information: http://www.agr.gc.ca/index_e.php

*************************************************************************************** GROWING FORWARD A commitment by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial government that supports the development and implementation of best practices in four key areas: 1) Environment and Climate Change 2) Business Development

3) Food Safety and Traceability 4) Biosecurity

For more information Call 1-888-479-3931 or e-mail growingforward@ontario.ca What's New For Program Year 3 – 2011-2012 • More opportunities for new farmers - improved cost-share opportunities to help new farmers set their business goals, improve their farm-related skills and develop actionable business plans.

• Support for leadership and governance skills • More Advanced Business Plans - up to $20,000 in cost-share funding to support the development of up to three business plans for a farm business.

Business Development For Farm Businesses Incorporates self-assessment and goal setting with a range of cost-share advisory services and skills development opportunities to help reach your farm business goals.

Step One - The Place to Start GYFP - Growing Your Farm Profits Workshop: A two-day workshop to help you assess your current farm management practices, identify priorities and develop action plans to reach your business goals.

For more information and a list of future workshops: http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/default.htm Step Two – Action Plan Review Following the workshop, eligible farm businesses will meet one-on-one with the Workshop Leader to discuss priorities and action plans, identify specific resources to assist with action plans, and receive the required sign-off on action plans to be eligible to apply for cost-share funding under Growing Forward Business Development.

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

March 2011

Apply April 5

FOOD SAFETY AND TRACEABILITY INITIATIVE •

Apply on time as annual funding is limited and applications are reviewed on a first come first served basis

FSTI provides 50% reimbursement of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $25,000 to: • • • •

Support to implement written food safety programs Support to implement a working traceability system Assist in the purchase and installation of equipment that improves food safety or traceability Train staff to increase the adoption of food safety and traceability

Application Guidelines: OMAFRA 2011 FSTI Information Sessions will be held across the province to assist you in preparing your FSTI application when the program re-opens. Note these sessions are mandatory if you choose to apply for Project Option 1 listed above. Please call 1-888-479-3931 (1-888-GRWFWD1) to register. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/foodsafety/grants/fsti.htm ON FARM FOOD SAFETY CD OMAFRA has a new user-friendly CD to make food safety practices easier for you. It contains the entire Advantage Good Agricultural Practices manual plus tools to help you implement food safety on any farm.

Call 1-877-424-1300 to get your free copy of the Advantage iGAP CD.

*************************************************************************************** ONTRACEABILITY 2011 April 7th, 2011 - 8:30 am – 3:30 pm Cambridge Hotel & Conference Centre 700 Hespeler Rd. Cambridge, ON N3H 5L8 The morning will feature keynote speakers who will discuss traceability in both Canada and the US, from a variety of perspectives, and how it will impact the

agri-food industry. The afternoon will feature an expert panel and interactive discussion with the audience that explores the state of agriculture and food traceability in Canada.

Register today.

Cost: $75 For more information: Toll Free 1-888-38-TRACE (8-7223) or www.ontrace.ca

*************************************************************************************** OMAFRA – FOOD SAFETY TRAINING & EVENTS March 10 – Markdale March 16 – Elora March 24 – Bloomfield (Prince Edward County) Cost for Agricultural Producers: $45 + HST

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

March 2011

New one-day comprehensive workshop which focuses on the following five topics: • Getting started in food safety • Hygiene & sanitation • Pre and post harvest water use • Manure, compost & compost teas • Food safety on multi-commodity farms For information: 877-424-1300 or 519-826-4047 Email: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/foodsafety/producers/workshops.htm

*************************************************************************************** AGRIWEBINAR – LEARNING WITHOUT LIMITS Presented by The Canadian Farm Business Management Council.

Tune in Mondays at Noon EST to take part in this informative, innovative and inspiring series.

Date March 14

Speaker

Topic

Michelle Painchaud

Vision & Goal Setting, Part 2 – Will address the challenges involved in creating a vision and setting goals.

Jean-Phillippe Gervais, Sr. March 21 Agricultural Economist

The Economy & Your Bottom Line – Will share his insights about the connection between economic growth & agricultural markets and what this means relative to energy, financial and currency markets. Learn what drives the business of agriculture.

For a complete list of speakers and topics, to access over 100 archived webinars, and to subscribe to their mailing list, visit http://www.agriwebinar.com/ “The webinars give a different perspective on many current topics. They provide information and direction which one would have great difficulty obtaining on their own.”

ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, ANYONE! - Participate in Live Broadcasts - View Archived Presentations - Download as a Podcast

Agriwebinars are: - FREE and Bilingual - 1 hour in length with Q&A - Accessible through any internet connection

*************************************************************************************** FARM CREDIT CANADA Where do you want your operation to be in five years? Do you know how to get there? Find out with FCC workshops. In each workshop, you'll focus on a specific farm management skill that you can use in your operation.

• • •

Advanced Commodity Marketing Management Commodity Marketing Management Estate Planning

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger • • • • • • •

March 2011

Farm Financial Management – Statements and Ratios Farm Financial Management – Profitability and Budgeting High Performance Management Hiring and Keeping Employees Transferring the Farm The Ultimate Farm Management Challenge: Working with your family Vision and Goal Setting

For more information: www.fcc.ca/workshops 1-888-332-3301

*************************************************************************************** LAMB COURSE AT OLDS COLLEGE Introduction to Sheep Nutrition Sat Mar 12 - 9:00 am–4:30 pm This course provides an introduction to nutrition principals and their application to sheep. We will discuss feed sampling techniques, how to read feed analysis sheets and the role of energy, protein, minerals, vitamins and water in sheep diets.

$120 + GST To avoid disappointment and before making your travel arrangements, please contact us to ensure the minimum class enrollment requirement has been met.

Call 1-800-661-6537, ext. 4677 for more details

*************************************************************************************** SHEEP INFRASTRUCTURE WORKSHOPS April 6 & 7, 2011 – Kemptville Area (TBD) Two day Course sponsored by the Large Flock Operators and OMAFRA – limited to 20 participants.

suit their needs for their facilities and make informed decisions on expansion.

This program targets people in the planning cycle for building large scale, commercial scale infrastructure as part of an expansion plan in their sheep enterprise.

**This training opportunity is eligible for cost-share funding through the Growing Forward Business Development for Farm Businesses program.**

Workshop is intended to give ideas, show latest concepts, test out participant’s ideas and examine relative costs. Includes stops at several commercialsized operations that are using some of the concepts covered as well as some choosing not to use the featured concepts. This will allow participants to mix and match what portions of the workshop will best

For more information and to register: Toll free: 877-424-1300 Local: 519-826-4047 Email: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca or

www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/sheep/200 81211.htm

*************************************************************************************** LIVESTOCK EMERGENCY RESPONSE COURSES April 13 ( Kitchener) & 15 (Thunder Bay) More information and application at the end of the messenger

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

March 2011

UPCOMING EVENTS OTTAWA VALLEY FARM SHOW March 15 – 17 - District 9 will have a booth at the farm show

DISTRICT 10 PERFORMANCE TESTED SHEEP SALE July 30, 2011 Spencerville, ON Featuring performance tested rams, ewes and commercial ewes. This auction will be an opportunity for producers to purchase healthy, top performing animals.

To include animals in this sale contact: Colleen Acres – 613-826-2330 (colleen.acres@sympatico.ca) or Gary Lapier at 613-989-2792 (rockyhylandfarm@ripnet.com)

*************************************************************************************** LOOKING AHEAD ……….

September 13 – 15, 2011 – Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Canada’s Outdoor Park, Woodstock, ON. Watch for event details at http://www.outdoorfarmshow.com/ September 20 – 24, 2011 – 2011 International Plowing Match, Prescott Russell.

Details at http://www.plowingmatch.org/ipm2011/index.php November 4 – 13, 2011 – Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Exhibition Place, Toronto. Visit http://www.royalfair.org/ for all the details.

DISTRICT INFORMATION District 1: District 1 Committee: Director: Fraser Hodgson District Chair: John Sipkens District Vice Chair: Bill Duffield District Sec/Treas: Marlene Raymond

June: Aug: Sept:

No Meeting Farm Tour Annual Meeting @ Coldstream

Meeting Dates:

Meetings are usually held the first Thursday of every month at Coldstream Community Centre, just north west of London, Ontario at 8:00 PM

May 5: Paul Luimas speaking on sheep feeding trial at Ridgetown College Meeting

District 1 Website: OSMA_district_1.tripod.com Contact: Marlene Raymond at 519-683-6635

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

March 2011

District 2:

District 5:

District 2 Committee: Director: Dennis Fischer District Chair: Vince Stutzki District Vice Chair: Sarel Smit District Secretary: Anita DeJong District Treasurer: Jason Emke

District 5 Committee: Director: Andrew Gordanier District Chair: Jason Oosterhoff Vice Chair: Bill McCutcheon District Secretary: Lene Band District Treasurer: Dianne Orr

District 3:

Contact: Lene Band phone 905.87-2969 e-mail lhband@hotmail.com meetins last Wed. of every month, Location TBA

District 3 Committee: Director: Neil Mesman District Chair: Bill Jeffrey District Vice Chair: Luann Erb District Sec/Treas: Mike Beuerman Meeting Dates: March 17: 7:30 pm – Rostock Hall, Rostock Topic TBA April 14: 7:30 pm – Rostock Hall, Rostock Guest Speaker – Jack Kyle – Extended Grazing For More Information: Contact Mike Beuerman – 519-527-2676 or email mike_beuerman@ hotmail.com

District 4: District 4 Committee: Director: Chris Kyle District Chair: Nancy Ireland District Secretary: Sharon Petheram District Treasurer: Norman Johnson Contact:

Nancy Ireland at 905-701-6026

Meeting Dates: April 19 th 7:30 pm at the firehall in Onandaga.

Focus will be on predation.

Last Saturday of every month: Breakfast at 9 am at Devine’s in Jarvis. Join us for sheep chat, good people and good food.

District 6: District 6 Committee: Director: Markus Wand District Chair: Peter Harvey District Secretary: Grant Cowan District Treasurer: Karen Harvey

District 7: District 7 Committee: Director: Judy Dening District Chair: Leslie Dyment District Vice Chair: Rebecca Parker District Secretary: Cynthia Palmer District Treasurer: Phil Smith

District 8: District 8 Committee: Director: District Chair: District Vice Chair: District Secretary: District Treasurer:

Chris Kennedy Linda Huizenga Jim Sabin Kenton Dempsey Pat Purvis

Meeting Dates: March 26: 10 am -2 pm - Bird's Creek Community Hall - Workshop with Dr. Sherry Smith of Campbellford Vet Services - Keeping Your Sheep Healthy - Disease Diagnosis and Prevention - Lunch served April 18: 7 pm - Westdale Park Public School- What RFID means to your Farm with Fred Baker

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

District 9:

District 10

District 9 Committee: Director: District Chair: District Vice Chair: District Secretary: District Treasurer:

March 2011

Allan Burn Ganesh Raj Christopher Moore Sara Loten Judy Senior

District 10: District 10 Committee: Director: Colleen Acres District Chair: Fred Baker District Secretary: Laurie Maus District Treasurer: Greg Stubbings Meeting Dates: April 20th : 7 – 9 pm. – Dunvegan, ON District 10 Event: Fecal testing as part of effective parasite management. Lecture and Demonstration by Dr. Miltenburg April 20th 7-9 pm Dunvegan Recreation Hall, 19053 County Road 24, Dunvegan, Ontario Contact Laurie Maus at 613-527-1897 or info@hawkhillfarm.ca for more information

cont’d :

July 30th : District 10 Performance Tested Sheep Sale in Spencerville, ON Sale of Production Tested Rams and Ewes. To include animals in this sale contact Gary Lapier at 613-989-2792 (rockyhylandfarm@ripnet.com) or Colleen Acres at 613-826-2330 (colleen.acres@sympatico.ca) District 10 Website: www.osmadistrict10.ca/ Contact: Colleen Acres – 613-826-2330

District 11: District 11 Committee: Director: Mark Lenover District Chair: Jim Johnston District Secretary: Debra Garner Meeting Dates: March 21: 6:30 pm – At the farm of Bill & Deb Garner Rebecca Parker will be demonstrating pregnancy scanning and Mark Lenover will be discussing Body Condition Scoring.

Cost is $15 and limited to 10 participants.

To register contact Deb Garner at 705-563-2761 or dgarner@ontera.net

*************************************************************************************** Other District Organizations: Victoria County Sheep Producers.

Middlesex Sheep & Lamb Producers

Third Wednesday every month starting at 7:30 Sunderland Co-op Boardroom at Oakwood Location Membership is $20 per farm per year.

Contact: Doug Walden Phone: 705-324-7478

Chairman - George Molson, 600 Trillim Drive, Lot 2, Con 2, Newbury, ON N0L 1Z0, 519-695-2936, Secretary/Media - Mels van der Laan, R3- McEwen Drive, Denfield, ON N0M 1P0, 519-666-2423, Email: dutchtexel@execulink.com, Treasurer - Marilyn Walker, RR 1, Glencoe, ON N0L 1M0, 519-287-5637

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

March 2011

Grey Bruce Sheep Management Club Location: Grey Gables in Markdale

Western Ontario Lamb Producers District 2 and 3 area

Meeting Dates: March 29th Courtney Denard will bring us up to date on the Scrapie disease. Grant Preston will tell us about his experiences with Scrapie April 26th Bill McCuthceon will speak on Finishing lambs for the “Best Market Price”

March 26th “Time For A Road Trip” Please go to the end of the Messenger for details

OSMA REACHING OUT OSMA Website – w w w .ontariosheep.org Have you visited OSMA’s new website yet. If you haven’t, please take a moment to check it out. The following are just a few of things you will find.

Locators – Lamb, Guardian Animals, and Breed - Virtual Farm Tour News and Events - Market Information Lamb Nutrition and Recipes - About Ontario Sheep Programs, Services, and Research - Current Initiatives Sheep Production Information

*************************************************************************************** MARKET INFORMATION Lamb and Sheep market information is posted to the website weekly on the following days: Tuesday Wednesday Fridays Monthly

Ontario Stockyards (OSI) – Monday Sales Embrun Livestock – Monday Sales Ontario Livestock Exchange (OLEX) – Tuesday Sale Weekly Summary and Graphs and Data Brussels Livestock – Thursday Sales Past month will be posted at the beginning of each month

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

March 2011

QUESTIONS OR IDEAS Anyone with questions or ideas for OSMA to consider are encouraged to send an email to admin@ontariosheep.org. Staff will acknowledge receipt and attempt, in a timely fashion, to provide an answer or comment.

*************************************************************************************** UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION It is important for Ontario Sheep to have current contact information for all sheep producers in order to keep you up to date on current events.

• Do you have a new email address • Has your address changed Please contact us by calling 519-836-0043 or emailing: admin@ontariosheep.org

*************************************************************************************** OSMA STRATEGIC PLAN Copies of the Strategic Plan and Direction can be obtained by contacting Jennifer Johanson – 519-836-0043 or email-admin@ontariosheep.org

CONTACTS / RESOURCES PROGRAMS, SERVICES and RESOURCES • Agricultural Information Contact Centre: 1-877-424-1300 or e-mail ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca • Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council Agriculture related training opportunities: http://agritalent.ca • Environmental Farm Plan: dates www.ontariosoilcrop.org/en/programs/workshops/programscalendar.htm • The Farm Line: 1-888-451-2903 - A confidential emotional support and referral service • Growing Your Farm Profits: /www.ontariosoilcrop.org/en/programs/gyfp091.htm • Growing Forward Information Line: 1-888-479-3931 or e-mail growingforward@ontario.ca • Nutrient Management Line: 1-866-242-4460 or e-mail nman.omafra@ontario.ca • OMAFRA Website: www.ontario.ca/omafra • OMAFRA Cost of Production Calculators: www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/bear2000/Budgets/budgettools.htm • OMAFRA Financial Resources and Support Services for Families - Call: 1-800-461-6132

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

March 2011

Time for a

Directions to their farm are at the end of this newsletter.

with the Western

Following the tour, Anita O’Brien from OMAFRA will be making a power point presentation regarding handling facilities and using RFID technology.

road trip

Ontario Lamb Producers Association !

Mark your calendars for March 26, 2011 for our farm tour. This year we are privileged to meet the family of Anita and Brian DeJong. For those of you who have not met the DeJong’s be sure to attend this tour, they are a wonderful couple who along with their daughters have a farm in the Wiarton area and are raising OLIBS sheep. The farm has 300 ewes expanding to 400 this year. Brian is farming full time and Anita works fulltime for 4-H Ontario from her home office. Their two daughters Rayleen 8 and Nicole 7 like to help with the lambs and have rabbits and ducks. The herd consists of OLIBS ewes from Rachel and Darryl Stoltz and Neil and Heidi Bowman. Their Maremmas are an important part of the team. Six guardian dogs ensure the safety of the flock while on pasture.

The flock is an Annual winter lambing system with a smaller group lambing in May. They participated in the Agritraceability funding and are set up with radio frequency tags, software and reader from Shearwell.

The tour will be a rain or shine event beginning at 1:00pm, ending at 4:00pm.

WOLPA will be providing biosecurity boots for everyone who attends this tour. Please remember to not wear your barn attire as we need to follow biosecurity measures when visiting other farms both for their protection and yours.

We are considering hiring a bus to go for this tour, there could be 2 – 3 pickup spots depending on interest. Please contact Steve Ernewein 519 – 392- 8624 before March 18 if you would like to ride the bus (cost will depend on how many use the bus, if not enough interest we will not be using the bus).

Address is 463028 Conc 24, Georgian Bluffs.

(519) 534 - 1211 The best way is to travel on Highway 6 North towards Wiarton.

North of Hepworth travel to grey Road 17. At this corner there is the sign gateway to the Peninsula and the OPP station.

Turn East (right on Grey Road 17.)

Travel to the sign for Wolesley. At this intersection Grey Rd 17 turns South and Centre road is left.

Turn Left (North on Centre road) In the hamlet of Lake Charles turn right(East) onto 24 concession. First farm on the right is DeJong Acres.

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

March 2011

Ontario Sheep Benchmarking Project We are looking for sheep producers with 250+ breeding ewe flocks who are interested in participating in our Ontario Sheep Benchmarking Project. There is no cost to participate. Thirtytwo producers participated in year one and we would like to increase that number to at least 40 in 2011.

What is involved?

Participation involves completing two paper surveys, a production management survey and a financial template. The management survey is comprised 64 questions covering demographic information, sheep production practices, farm management practices, feed management, and marketing. This survey is completed once during the first year of participation. Only changes to management practices are noted in subsequent years.

The financial information is gathered on-farm by contracted surveyors and some Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs extension staff. The 2010 financial data will be gathered between February and April 2011.

There is also an online managerial (personality type) survey which takes 20 minutes to complete.

A hard copy version is also available.

What are the benefits?

Participating producers will receive a composite summary of data gathered from all farms as well as an individual report relating to their operation. The composite data will be used to develop a set of agricultural performance benchmarks and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which you may use to: • compare your operation’s performance with other Ontario sheep operations; • highlight your strengths and weaknesses; • identify problem areas that require investigation; • gauge the overall scope for improvement; and • provide a focal point for business management decisions and performance review.

You will also be offered a complimentary copy of the AgExpert software and IT support for one year to facilitate the production of standardized financial reports.

Funding for this project was provided in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Adaptation Council’s CanAdvance Program.

Contact Ruth Gilmour at general@ontariosheep.org or Susan Fitzgerald the project coordinator (susan.tfio@sympatico.ca, 519-669-3350) if you are interested in participating.

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This course will cover decision making for accidents involving livestock, trailer design an extrication, animal behavior, means to calm, rescue, capture and temporarily confine animals, laws, euthanasia protocols and how to develop response teams.

Livestock Handling Specialist Jennifer Woods, of J. Woods Livestock Services, will present an informative and interactive 1 day course along with Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC) for front line response and rescue teams to learn how to properly handle livestock in emergency situations.

April 13, 2011 Best Western St. Jacobs Country Inn

April 15, 2011 Murillo Hall

50 Benjamin Road East Waterloo, ON N2V 2J9

4569 Oliver Road Thunder Bay, ON

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7:30am to 2:30pm

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Livestock Emergency Response Course Please select one of the following courses: Kitchener Course

April 13, 2011 Best Western St. Jacobs Country Inn

Thunder Bay Course April 15, 2011 Murillo Hall

Course fee is $150 per participant (includes training materials and lunch).

Registration is confirmed once payment has been received.

No refunds. Substitution of participants is accepted.

Name(s):____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Company/Organization (if applicable): ____________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________

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OSMA and the Industry – Messenger

March 2011

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COMMITTEES 2010/2011 Standing Committees

Governance Committee: Christopher Kyle *, Neil Mesman, Dennis Fischer, Markus Wand, Murray Hunt Audit Committee: Fraser Hodgson *, Colleen Acres, Judy Dening, Members at Large – Jason Emke, Jennifer Peel Research Committee: Markus Wand *, Mark Lenover, Fraser Hodgson, Colleen Acres, Murray Hunt By-Law and Regulations (Ad Hoc): Neil Mesman *, Allan Burn, Christopher Kyle, Murray Hunt ___________________________________________________________________________________ Standing Teams Advocacy: Chris Kennedy, Dennis Fischer, Murray Hunt * Education: Judy Dening, Christopher Kyle, Murray Hunt *, Ruth Gilmour R & D: Mark Lenover, Colleen Acres, Fraser Hodgson, Murray Hunt * Organization: Allan Burn, Neil Mesman, Murray Hunt *, Ruth Gilmour Promotion: Markus Wand, Neil Mesman, Murray Hunt *, Ruth Gilmour Predation: Chris Kennedy, Mark Lenover, Allan Burn, Judy Dening, Dick Kuiperij, Leah Ridell, Al Whitlam, Murray Hunt * Breeding Stock: Colleen Acres, Christopher Kyle, Ruth Gilmour, Murray Hunt *, Darryl Hopkins, Gary Brien, Brian Atkinson, Jim Groves, Ted Skinner

External Representatives 2010 – 2011 Agricultural Adaptation Committee, Livestock Seat: Judy Dirksen (OVA); Oliver Haan (ON Pork) CFFO: Fraser Hodgson Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF): Mark Lenover *, Andrew Gordanier, Dennis Fischer CSF-CSIP: Dennis Fischer Environmental Representative: Chris Kennedy Farm Innovation Program: Murray Hunt National On-Farm Food Safety Working Group: Murray Hunt Ontario Agricultural Commodity Council (OACC): Andrew Gordanier *, Murray Hunt Ontario Federation of Agriculture : Judy Dening OFPMC Sheep Advisory Committee: Will be determined at a future date OLPC: Murray Hunt OSMA Ontario Scholarship Committee: Education Team Predation Leader: Chris Kennedy Presidents Council: Chris Kennedy Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (Sheep Committee): – Christopher Kyle *, Lene Band Sheep Flock Improvement Program Advisory (SFIP) Committee: Bob Comfort, Bill Duffield, Wayne Oosterhoff John Steele, Rebecca Parker, Scott Prudom

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