Ontario Sheep News March 2021 by Ontario Sheep Farmers

Vol. 39 - Issue 1

March 2021

NEWS

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Stress Resilience of Sheep to Climate Change Security From Trespass and Protecting Food Security Act Update OSF Professional Development P M 4 0 0 3 3 529

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OSN

March 2021

Features 12 2020 Genovis Recognition Award 22

2021 OSF Awards and Scholarship

New Dairy Distribution List

Chairman’s Report

GM Report

From the Editors Desk

Market Report

Frozen Ground and Nutrients Don’t Get Along - By Lilian Schaer

ONTARIO SHEEP FARMERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Provincial Directors Telephone

19 Dairy Sheep Distribution List

District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8 District 9 District 10 District 11

20 New Dairy Genetics Indexes - By Amélie St-Pierre

ONTARIO SHEEP FARMERS STAFF

10 Stress Resilience of Sheep to Climate Change 12 2020 Genovis Recognition Awards - By Amélie St-Pierre 14 Campaign for Canadian Wool - By Jeanine Moyer 16 Security From Trespass and Protecting Food Security Act

Ed Post Jay Lewis Keith Todd Marusha Kostuk Heather Little John Hemsted Marc Carere Gary Fox Reggie Campbell Lee Brien Colleen Alloi

(519) 280-4638 (519) 323-7439 (519) 528-2650 (519) 865-6874 (519) 843-1675 (705) 487-2466 (705) 324-2432 (613) 393-5258 (613) 257-7524 (519) 809-5332 (705) 248-3287

22 2021 OSF Awards and Scholarships

Jennifer MacTavish

General Manager jmactavish@ontariosheep.org

23 Ewe Impacts on Colostrum Quality - By Marlene Paibomesai, PhD

Jennifer Johanson

Executive Assistant / Bookkeeper jjohanson@ontariosheep.org

24 OSF Professional Development

Anita O’Brien

25 2021 Market Calendar

On Farm Program Lead aobrien@ontariosheep.org

Tom Lewis

27 Producer Remittance From

Industry Relations Specialist tlewis@ontariosheep.org

Jan Smith

Administrative Assistant jsmith@ontariosheep.org

Dairy Specialist OMAFRA

28 Genetic and Health Program Enrollment List 29 Auction Market and Abattoirs 30 District Contacts 31 Classified Ads 34 Breeders Directory OBC 2021 OSF Photo Contest COVER PHOTO: Ontario Sheep Farmers DESIGN & LAYOUT: Prism Studios Advertising & Design Inc. DEADLINES FOR SUBMITTING TO ONTARIO SHEEP NEWS: March Issue - February 3rd • June Issue - May 4th • September Issue - August 3rd • December Issue - November 2nd ONTARIO SHEEP NEWS is the official publication of Ontario Sheep Farmers. Contents of this publication may be reproduced only by permission of the Editor and with credit acknowledged. Views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of the publisher or Ontario Sheep Farmers. Ontario Sheep News is published by Ontario Sheep Farmers and is distributed quarterly to all registered farmer-members. Subscriptions are available by contacting Ontario Sheep Farmers’ office. Subscription rates - $20 +HST (one year); $30 +HST (two year). Cheques should be made payable to Ontario Sheep, 130 Malcolm Rd Guelph, ON N1K 1B1. Editorial and advertising enquiries are welcomed.

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: ONTARIO SHEEP FARMERS 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, Ontario N1K 1B1 Phone: (519) 836-0043 Fax: (519) 836-2531 E-mail: admin@ontariosheep.org Website: www.ontariosheep.org www.lambrecipes.ca Market Line: (519) 836-0043 Ext. 4 Publications Mail Registration Number: 40033529 ISSN 0844-5303 MARCH 2021 Date of Issue: March 2021 Photo submissions for use in publications (magazine, promotional/ education materials). Photo submissions are welcomed. Include the following information with your submission: name, mailing address, phone number, email address, expressed consent for Ontario Sheep Farmers to use the photo. If there are individuals in the picture, they should be identified and permission to print their picture must be secured either directly (if adults) or (if children) from a parent/guardian). Emailed photos must be a minimum of 300dpi and each photo should be clearly identified with the required information as outlined above. Photos will not be returned, and all submissions become the property of Ontario Sheep Farmers to be used or reproduced at the organization’s discretion. Wherever possible, credit will be given to the photographer if used.

Chairman’s Report

Marc Carere, Chairman

Setting the Organization’s Path Forward

hen we launched the Crossroads Challenge back in November, I did not anticipate the kind of engagement we have seen from the industry. So far, over 200 producers have participated in the Challenge to date. This is exceptional. Setting an organization’s path forward for the next five years is no easy task. To do this while maintaining a commitment to ensure it is built from the grassroots up, during a pandemic makes our progress to-date even more exceptional.

It is a vast network of activity with some common and some divergent priorities and concerns. In some ways the complexities of planning for an organization intended to support the full spectrum of activities, intentions and concerns are greater than those experienced in other livestock sectors that principally define individual production in terms of size and scope. Which it to say that we are different – with a hopeful and growing future; but some real challenges ahead. So, where to from here?

On behalf of the Ontario Sheep Farmers board of directors, I want to thank you for your willingness to engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue through surveys, townhall meetings, individual and/or small group calls and by emailing your thoughts in. The goal of this first phase of the Crossroads Challenge was to understand your goals and aspirations and the perceived barriers to success. What have we learned? As an industry you are engaged and cautiously optimistic about the future. There is a general bias to growth, restrained by some critical barriers that include: • Access to processing capacity. • Capital cost (land and buildings). • Instability in market prices. Mixed into the conversation is a theme best summarized by the question “what are we as an industry?” The sheep industry in Ontario is both relatively small and vast. The spectrum of sheep production includes a large range of genetics, market access (direct to consumer, direct to processor, livestock auction), intended consumer, end product (milk, meat, wool) and more.

Now that we have some understanding of the aspirations and barriers - as well as the inherent complexity of the “industry” - the task now is to identify and define how OSF needs to be strategically oriented in order to support the success of the “industry” and identify the essential long term choices for OSF in its efforts on behalf of you, the producers. Before signing off, I do want to address one of the identified barriers to growth, instability in market prices. I have been spending a great deal of time these days trying to understand our markets. As stated earlier, the instability in market prices is a concern for you, as it is for me. For some time, I have believed that there is an imminent, significant market correction looming, and for some time I have been wrong. Given that we do not understand what is driving this (prolonged) strong market, and our inability to predict where prices are going, I share the concern expressed by Ontario sheep farmers about where market prices may head. One thing I know for sure though, is that the unpredictability of our markets makes the work that OSF does on the provincial Risk Management Program (RMP) and the federal Business Risk Management (BRM) suite of programs even more important. Thank you once again, for your continued passion and commitment to our collective success. OSN

Editorial policy: Ontario Sheep Farmers welcomes and encourages letters to the editor and article suggestions from farmers and industry partners as a means of communicating with the Ontario Sheep Farmers board of directors and other farmers on issues of importance. Letters may be on any sheep industry topic, including Ontario Sheep Farmers’ policies, programs and procedure. Letters may address previous articles or letters to the editor, and the editor may comment on the accuracy of the information in letters. Letters should not exceed 300 words and may be edited for style and grammatical errors. When submitting a letter, please include the name of the author, address, phone number and/or email address (for verification purposes). Printed letters will include the author’s name. Potentially defamatory or libelous material, or personal attacks on individuals will not be permitted. If an author feels that the editor has inappropriately edited or not print a letter, a written request can be submitted to the board of directors for review to determine if there has been a violation of Ontario Sheep News’ editorial policy.

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General Manager’s Report

Jennifer MacTavish, General Manager jmactavish@ontariosheep.org

Ontario Sheep Farmers Join Farmers for Climate Solutions

he environment is taking agriculture by storm. Over the last 18 months or so, conversations around soil health, water quality, wetland conservation, sustainable agriculture, regenerative agriculture, carbon sinks, carbon tax, and carbon credits have all become daily conversation topics. At a time when the public has started to settle into a belief that agriculture is bad for the environment and contributing negatively to climate change, the agriculture sector has rallied and challenged that belief by demonstrating the environmental benefits of agriculture, most especially grazing livestock. The sheep industry has a great story to tell around the environment. Grazing livestock improve soil health, provide wildlife habitat, and can reverse desertification. The OSF is committed to promoting the benefits of sheep production on the environment. By leveraging relationships with other organizations, we have been able to engage in larger discussions on the beneficial role of sheep in mitigating climate change. In February, the OSF took another step forward in building its partnership network on the environment file when it joined Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS). FCS is a national alliance of farmer organizations and supporters who believe that agriculture must be part of the solution to climate change. More specifically, FCS works to advance agricultural policies that will help Canadian farmers mitigate and adapt to climate change. By creating space for farmers to lead by sharing stories about climate impacts, practical solutions, and policy recommendations, they are creating a dialogue between farmers, the public and decision-makers to advance and scale-up practical and needed climate solutions.

2. Enhance soil health on all agricultural land. 3. Increase on-farm biodiversity and the provision of environmental goods and services. 4. Maximize the benefits of the livestock production while minimizing emissions. 5. Prioritize low-emissions energy sources, energy-saving building retrofits and on-farm renewable energy generation. 6. Diversify food production and processing systems. $300 million may sound like a lot, but not when we compare it to the investments that are being made in other sectors for climate change adaptation and mitigation, we are falling short. European ($51.75 CDN/acre) and American ($8.47 CDN/acre) farmers benefit from much larger agri-environmental programs that support climate-friendly farming. Canada ($0.70/acre) has a long way to go to close that gap, quickly, especially as consumers and supply chains are increasingly demanding lower-emission and more sustainable food and fibre. FCS knows that livestock plays an important role in mitigating climate change, and OSF is proud to be its newest member so we can contribute to and amplify their work. Conversations and action on mitigating climate change and care for the environment are going to grow in importance and scope as we face increased threats of droughts, floods, and global climate craziness. OSN

FCS is dedicating to collaborating with the federal government to provide farmer-led solutions that help our sector take climate action. For FCS, agricultural policy should support farmers to: 1. Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture. 2. Increase carbon sequestration in agricultural soils. 3. Increase resilience of individual farms and of the sector. 4. Improve farmer livelihoods. In the context of the 2021 federal budget, due to be announced at the end of March, FCS proposed a package of initiatives for the government to consider. These initiatives would cost the government $300 million annually over the next two years and would reduce emissions by 10 megatonnes. To accomplish this FCS is recommending a set of six policy priorities: 1. Reduce the use of high-emissions inputs, especially nitrogen fertilizer. OSN M a r c h 2 0 2 1

From the Editor’s Desk

By Tom Lewis, Ontario Sheep News Editor tlewis@ontariosheep.org

Clarity on Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Security Act

elcome to the first issue of Ontario Sheep News (OSN) for 2021. The team here at Ontario Sheep hope this publication finds you, your family, and friends well. Recently, the livestock sector welcomed the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Security Act (The Act) as a tool that will further assist in rural crimes and fill gaps in other pieces of legislation such as the Trespass to Property Act. Producers have expressed that the existing laws preceding the Act did not allow for enough protection from invasion of farms, homes, or places of work. Ontario Sheep Farmers DIVISION OF GAMBLE & ROGERS LTD. (OSF) have recently received clarity from the Ministry of Agriculture Food TUESDAYS and Rural Affairs 9:00 A.M. (OMAFRA) on details pertaining Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows to the Act.

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OSF has worked with other Ontario livestock commodity groups, and the Ontario Federation (OFA) in developing materials to assist producers on understanding how to meet the requirements of the Act. It has been noted when the Act

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME The OSN welcomes letters to the editor. Please email: tlewis@ontariosheep.org or mail to: Ontario Sheep News, 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph ON NIK 1BI. 6

OSN M a r c h 2 0 2 1

came into force there was confusion around the requirements for signage, including where they are needed and what they need to look like. The Act sets out areas deemed Animal Protection Zones (APZ) on farms, processing facilities and other prescribed premises where livestock animals are kept. Certain situations will require APZ signage to be protected. The three main types of APZ’s are as follows; Category A consists of animal enclosures, such as fully fenced pastures and barns. Category B is designated as an animal protection zone by the landowner or facility operator with signage when regulatory requirements are met. Category C are other areas defined by the regulation, such as show rings. Further details can be found on page 16, 17 and 18 of this publication or by visiting www.ontariosheep.org/Tresspass resource page or www.aboutbill156.com. Some examples of Category A APZ’s would include an animal enclosure such as fenced pasture or barn/outbuilding where farm animals are kept or reasonably likely to be kept and does not require signage to be protected. Category B APZ’s are areas that are designated by owner/occupier and cannot include the entire property. It includes areas where agricultural animals are likely kept and must not obstruct access to the front door of any residence found on the property. Signage is only required for Type B APZ’s and producers should not mark areas that do not meet the requirements of APZ Type B as mentioned above. An example of a Category C APZ would be a pen containing farm animals at a fall fair or sales yard and would not require signage. So, what do APZ signs need to look like? Signs that define Type B zones should be orange and large enough to contain a 30 cm diameter circle. These signs must be visible in daylight, and indicate that the area is an animal protection zone. The perimeter of the APZ needs to be clearly indicated by demarcating the perimeter of the APZ. Those interested in having a sign made can download a PDF of the sign for printing via the websites mentioned above. As always, we hope that you enjoy reading this issue of OSN. Please take care and stay safe! OSN

The Ontario Market Report

ull market information can be found every week in the Ontario Farmer and online at www.OntarioSheep.org under “Market Information”. The graphs here show the trends in pricing and volume of the last six months in Ontario NOTE: OSI did not submit numbers from September 15th to November 15. OSN

You can also listen to the weekly information by calling 519-836-0043 and press 6 to go to the market line. Market information for OLEX, the Ontario Stockyards, Brussels and Embrun are recorded every week. You can also find archived weekly summaries on the Market page.

Record Keeping Made Simple Anytime. Anywhere. www.agsights.com

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Frozen Ground and Nutrients Don’t Get Along Why you should avoid spreading in the winter and what you can do so you don’t have to. By Lilian Schaer for Farm & Food Care Ontario

here are various reasons why farmers apply manure in the winter. Lack of storage capacity or an attempt to avoid soil compaction caused by heavy equipment are two common motivators for a practice that has negative impacts on the environment while also attracting added scrutiny to farmers and farming methods. As we learn more about nutrient losses and how phosphorus moves in the environment, it has become abundantly clear that frozen ground and nutrient application don’t get along. And that means farmers should avoid applying manure, whether solid or liquid, on frozen or snow covered ground wherever and whenever possible. Here’s why. Manure is rich in nutrients and micronutrients that are important for healthy crop growth. It can also help build underground biodiversity and add structure that will improve the water-holding capacity of soil, especially when used together with cover crops, minimum-till or no-till, and other practices that boost soil health. Manure applications can always be susceptible to runoff and nutrient loss, but winter manure applications in particular are prone to nutrient losses. That’s because after freeze-thaw events, air pockets in the soil that have filled with water can refreeze to form an impervious, concrete-like layer. That means water from melting snow combined with winter or early spring rains isn’t absorbed into the soil; instead, it carries manure and nutrients across this impervious layer and off the field into water courses. Phosphate can move off the field dissolved in water or attached to eroding soil particles and flow into lakes, streams, and water ways where it can promote algae growth. As algae die and decompose, they use up available oxygen in the water, which impacts aquatic life. Research has shown that there’s a higher risk that manure from winter application will move during spring thaw. In fact, 60 to 80% of sediment and phosphorus loading occurs between November and April and surface runoff accounts for about 80% of dissolved phosphorus loss. It’s important to remember that both solid and liquid manure can run off, and even though solid manure might still be visible in the field after application, some nutrients will still dissolve and find their way into waterways. 8

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So, what to do? Build additional storage. Make sure your farm has adequate manure storage capacity for the size of your flock, including a contingency in case a wet fall or delayed harvest make it difficult to get all the manure out before winter. Cover existing storages. Extend the holding capacity of your existing manure storage by putting a roof over to keep out rainwater. Calculations by Christine Brown, Field Crop Sustainability Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs show, for example, that a 115-head dairy barn with a 12’ x 145’ circular liquid manure tank can store up to 121 extra days of manure if it is covered. Add temporary storage. For solid manure, temporary storage in-field is one approved solution when barn storage is limited for bedded-pack manure from cow or heifer barns, or even calf hutches. The key is identifying the best location that will have minimal impact on water and neighbouring properties. Make a deal. Look at your excess manure as a resource that can help reduce commercial fertilizer costs and consider selling it to other farmers in your area without livestock. Rotate crops. Adding an extra crop to your rotation is one way to have additional options for spreading manure over the course of the year. Wheat is one of the easiest crops to add for expanded manure management options, but winter barley, winter canola or even hybrid rye are also options for consideration. Use technology. Manure application technology is continually evolving, making it easier to apply manure into crops during the growing season. Not only does this take the pressure off during spring and fall, but it offers yield boosting potential too. Using manure is a sustainable agricultural practice but it’s important to manage it responsibly in order to minimize environmental impact, so timing really does matter. More information about all of these topics is available at https:// www.farmfoodcareon.org/timing-matters/. OSN This article is provided by Farm & Food Care Ontario as part of the Timing Matters project. It was funded by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year federal-provincialterritorial initiative.

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Stress Resilience of Sheep to Climate Change Krishani Wijesinghe; Visiting Researcher, Dr. Ankita Sharma; Post-doctoral Fellow and Dr. Niel Karrow; Professor, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Canada

limate change is a global threat to the sustainability of livestock production. Climatic factors such as increasing temperature, humidity, solar radiation and wind speed negatively impact the availability of water and feed, quality of fodder and pasture, livestock reproduction and production, and can increase the risk of disease. Among these factors, increasing ambient temperature has been recognized as the most influencing parameter on livestock production and animal welfare (1).

Small ruminants play a decisive role in food security and livestock-based subsistence around the world, especially in environments of diverse and extreme climatic conditions. For example, sheep are efficient converters of forage into highquality consumable proteins and are more drought-tolerant than cattle(2). Sheep also possess higher thermotolerance than large ruminants. Approximately 50% of the sheep population is found in the arid regions of the world emphasizing their adaptability and capability of tolerance to extreme temperatures(3). In terms of soil quality, sheep are also more sustainable than cattle(4), and grazing sheep may also contribute to biodiversity(5). Despite these advantages, sheep are also negatively impacted by climate change. Climatic fluctuations, including heat stress and drought, can negatively impact sheep production(6,7), and increase risk of disease; European bluetongue disease(8) and haemonchosis(9) are examples. At high environmental temperatures, sheep are unable to maintain thermal, hormonal, energy, water and mineral balance(10), and a disparity between metabolic heat production and its dissipation to the surrounding environment results in heat stress, especially during high humidity(11). These conditions are common to tropical regions; however, Canada sheep can also experience heat stress, especially during summer headwaves when there are minimal reductions in overnight temperature(12). Continuous exposure of sheep to heat stress may pose a life threat, but more often compromises production, reproduction and may affect the immune system(1). Sheep respond to hot weather with elevated rectal temperature, respiratory rate and heart rate(11), and reduced feed intake(13), which collectively retard growth rate, milk yield and meat quality, causes reproductive issues such as lower birth weight of lambs and reduced semen quality, and affects immunity making them more susceptible to disease(14). For instance, a 15% reduction in total milk production was observed when Sarda ewes were exposed to temperatures above 21–

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24 °C, and milk production was reduced by 20% when the temperature-humitidity index (THI) increased from 60 – 65 to 72–75(15). It has been recognized that tropical sheep breeds are more adaptive to hot climates than high-producing temperate breeds. Furthermore, high producing breeds are more sensitive to heat stress as they generate more metabolic heat(11). In this regard, there may be some good news in terms of genetics, since there are over 1000 sheep breeds worldwide, and these breeds have variable resilience to climate conditions(7). Haired breeds such as Pelibuey, Droper, Katahdin and crosses with these breeds for example, have normal growth rates, body temperatures and reproductive capacity during heat stress(16). This raises the possibility of introgressing genetics from these breeds into North American breeds to improve their resilience to climate change. Alternatively, since resilience to heat stress is also variable within breeds, breeders may be able to improve resilience through selective breeding using phenotypic and, ultimately, genotypic selection. A study conducted in Dr. Karrow’s laboratory in the Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph (U of G), has identified three variable groups of stressphenotyped sheep that are being used to assess resilience to heat stress. Stress phenotyping was carried out during an immune challenge with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is also dected in the blood of heat-stressed animals due to enhanced intestinal permeability to gut contents including bacteria and bacterial components such as LPS(17,18,19). Leakage of luminal contents into the circulation may contribute to the harmful effects of heat stress on animals(18), in part by activation of innate immune system and resulting systemic inflammation(20). LPS is a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) derived from the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria that contributes to several illnesses in animals, including acidosis, mastitis, endometritis and heat stress(17). The LPS challenged Rideau-Dorset sheep used at the U of G show a strong stress response in terms of increased production of serum cortisol(21), which contributes to controlling the potentially damaging inflammatory response and also has modulatory functions in terms energy metabolism and physiology(22). Cortisol is the primary stress hormone in ruminants, and sheep breeds indigenous to semi-arid tropical regions display higher thermotolerance at 40- 42 °C in part by mounting an effective cortisol response(23).

The capacity of an animal to alleviate the effects of hot environmental temperature, without progressing into a stress response, is species- and breed-dependent(24), and we hypothesize that stress-resilient sheep, defined by their cortisol response phenotype to LPS challenge, will also be more resilient to heat stress. Comprehensive approaches, such as the selection of thermotolerant sheep through the identification of genetic traits and nutritional modifications, are possible strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on sustainable and profitable sheep production and welfare. Thus, an investigation of the direct and indirect impact of climate change on sheep production and the mechanisms adopted by animals during harsh weather conditions is vital. OSN References: 1. Joy, A., Dunshea, F.R., Leury, B.J., Clarke, I.J., DiGiacomo, K. and Chauhan, S.S., 2020. Resilience of Small Ruminants to Climate Change and Increased Environmental Temperature: A Review. Animals, 10(5), p.867. 2. Akinmoladun OF, Muchenje V, Fon FN, Mpendulo CT 2019. Small Ruminants: Farmers’ Hope in a World Threatened by Water Scarcity. Animals (Basel). 9(7):456. 3. Gowane, G.; Gadekar, Y.; Prakash, V.; Kadam, V.; Chopra, A.; Prince, L. Climate change impact on sheep production: Growth, milk, wool, and meat. In Sheep Production Adapting to Climate Change; Springer: Singapore, 2017; pp. 31–69. 4. Cox AH, Amador JA. How grazing affects soil quality of soils formed in the glaciated northeastern United States 2018. Environ Monit Assess. 190(3):159. 5. Uusitalo V, Kuokkanen A, Grönman K, Ko N, Mäkinen H, Koistinen K 2019. Environmental sustainability assessment from planetary boundaries perspective -A case study of an organic sheep farm in Finland. Sci Total Environ. 687:168176. 6. Theusme C, Avendaño-Reyes L, Macías-Cruz U, Correa-Calderón A, GarcíaCueto RO, Mellado M, Vargas-Villamil L, Vicente-Pérez A 2020. Climate change vulnerability of confined livestock systems predicted using bioclimatic indexes in an arid region of México. Sci Total Environ. 751:141779. 7. Al-Dawood A 2017. Towards heat stress management in small ruminants. A review. Ann Anim Sci. 17: 59-88. 8. Baylis M, Caminade C, Turner J, Jones AE. The role of climate change in adeveloping threat: the case of bluetongue in Europe 2017. Rev Sci Tech. 36(2):467478. 9. Rose H, Caminade C, Bolajoko MB, Phelan P, van Dijk J, Baylis M, Williams D, Morgan ER 2016. Climatedriven changes to the spatio-temporal distribution of the parasitic nematode, Haemonchus contortus, in sheep in Europe. Glob Chang Biol. 22(3):1271-85. 10. Silanikove, N., 1992. Effects of water scarcity and hot environment on appetite and digestion in ruminants: a review. Livestock Production Science, 30(3), pp.175194. 11. Das, R., Sailo, L., Verma, N., Bharti, P. and Saikia, J., 2016. Impact of heat stress on health and performance of dairy animals: A review. Veterinary world, 9(3), p.260. 12. Polsky, L. and von Keyserlingk, M.A., 2017. Invited review: Effects of heat stress on dairy cattle welfare. Journal of dairy science, 100(11), pp.86458657. 13. Baile, C.A. and Forbes, J.M., 1974. Control of feed intake and regulation of energy balance in ruminants. Physiological Reviews, 54(1), pp.160-214. 14. Gupta, M., Kumar, S., Dangi, S.S. and Jangir, B.L., 2013. Physiological, biochemical and molecular responses to thermal stress in goats. Int J Livest Res, 3(2), pp.27-38.

15. Peana, I., Fois, G. and Cannas, A., 2007. Effects of heat stress and diet on milk production and feed and energy intake of Sarda ewes. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 6(sup1), pp.577-579. 16. Macías-Cruz U, López-Baca MA, Vicente R, Mejía A, Álvarez FD, CorreaCalderón A, Meza-Herrera CA, Mellado M, Guerra-Liera JE, Avendaño-Reyes L 2016. Effects of seasonal ambient heat stress (spring vs. summer) on physiological and metabolic variables in hair sheep located in an arid region. Int J Biometeorol. 60(8):1279-86. 17. Vargas, N. and Marino, F., 2016. Heat stress, gastrointestinal permeability and interleukin-6 signaling—Implications for exercise performance and fatigue. Temperature, 3(2), pp.240-251. 18. Fernandez, M.S., Pearce, S.C., Gabler, N.K., Patience, J.F., Wilson, M.E., Socha, M.T., Torrison, J.L., Rhoads, R.P. and Baumgard, L.H., 2014. Effects of supplemental zinc amino acid complex on gut integrity in heat-stressed growing pigs. Animal: an international journal of animal bioscience, 8(1), p.43. 19. Koch, F., Thom, U., Albrecht, E., Weikard, R., Nolte, W., Kuhla, B. and Kuehn, C., 2019. Heat stress directly impairs gut integrity and recruits distinct immune cell populations into the bovine intestine. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(21), pp.10333-10338. 20. Hall, D.M., Buettner, G.R., Oberley, L.W., Xu, L., Matthes, R.D. and Gisolfi, C.V., 2001. Mechanisms of circulatory and intestinal barrier dysfunction during whole body hyperthermia. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 280(2), pp.H509-H521. 21. Naylor, D., Sharma, A., Li, Z., Monteith, G., Sullivan, T., Canovas, A., Mallard, B.A., Baes, C. and Karrow, N.A., 2020. Characterizing ovine serum stress biomarkers during endotoxemia. Journal of Dairy Science. 22. Karrow, N.A., 2006. Activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system during inflammation and altered programming of the neuroendocrine–immune axis during fetal and neonatal development: Lessons learned from the model inflammagen, lipopolysaccharide. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 20(2), pp.144-158. 23. Shilja, Shaji, V. Sejian, M. Bagath, A. Mech, C. G. David, E. K. Kurien, Girish Varma, and Raghavendra Bhatta. “Adaptive capability as indicated by behavioral and physiological responses, plasma HSP70 level, and PBMC HSP70 mRNA expression in Osmanabadi goats subjected to combined (heat and nutritional) stressors.” International journal of biometeorology 60, no. 9 (2016): 1311-1323. 24. Abdelnour, S.A., Abd El-Hack, M.E., Khafaga, A.F., Arif, M., Taha, A.E. and Noreldin, A.E., 2019. Stress biomarkers and proteomics alteration to thermal stress in ruminants: A review. Journal of thermal biology, 79, pp.120-134.

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2020 GenOvis Recognition Awards Recognizing Breeders of Excellence Across Canada By Amélie St-Pierre, GenOvis technical support and development, CEPOQ

e are proud to launch the fist edition of the All Canada GenOvis Recognition Awards. This contest was run for the first time in 2019, but only for Quebec breeders. Now, it is time to extend it to all Canadian GenOvis participants. The contest aims to recognize breeders who believe in the GenOvis genetic evaluation program and who actively contribute to its proper function.

Purebred Awards (maternal/prolific/terminal breeds) are determined based on a combination of five criteria: • Genetic Selection Index (20%) • Diffusion Rate (20%) • Evaluated Animal Percentage (20%) • Average Ram Age at Lambing (20%) • Number of Different Rams Used (20%) The Productivity Award is determined by the ewes’ productivity (flock’s average of kilograms weaned/ewe/year). The eligible time period included lambing from August 1st, 2018 to July 31, 2019. The official rules are available on our website (genovis.ca). For this first edition, the genetic team is proud to award the 3 finalists of each category, from

all Canadian participants, for their excellent contribution to genetic improvement through their proper utilization of our genetic program. For this first edition, the finalists within each category are the ones that ranked within the top 3 of the category, regardless of their location.

Maternal Breed Rank 1 2 3

Awardees Le Biscornu Shereff Stock Farm Brien Sheep

Prolific Breed Rank 1 2 3

Awardees Ferme Ovimax Senc. Cedar Creek Charollais Bergerie Ovigène

Terminal Breed Rank 1 2 3

Awardees Larry Mastine Ferme Maple Star Half Diamond Farm

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Breeds Icelandic Dorset Dorset

Province QC MB ON

Breeds Rideau Arcott Rideau Arcott Romanov

Province QC ON QC

Breeds Suffolk Suffolk Charollais

Province QC QC AB

Crossbred Productivity

Awardees Bergerie de L’Estrie Bergerie InnOvin Bergerie Alexandre Murray

Breeds Dorset/Romanov Dorset/Romanov Dorset/Romanov

Province QC QC QC

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists! The 3 awardees within each category will receive an Official Recognition Certificate. We can be proud of breeders who stand out across Canada! We would like to congratulate all GenOvis participants who recorded proper data and used breeding values to improve their breeding selection. The tables below present the finalists within each province by category. They list the farms that obtained the higher score within each province and indicate the breed(s) considered within the category. The farms are sorted in the order they ranked within the contest. Province QC MB ON SK

Maternal Breed Le Biscornu Shereff Stock Farm Brien Sheep Double L Farms

Margarete Zillig

Breeds Icelandic Dorset Dorset Dorset, North Country Cheviot Dorset

Prolific Breed Ferme Ovimax Senc. Cedar Creek Charollais Half Diamond Farm Leger Farm Gentes Ridge Ranch

Breeds Rideau Arcott Rideau Arcott Romanov Rideau Arcott Rideau Arcott

Province QC AB ON NB NS MB

Terminal Breed Larry Mastine Half Diamond Farm Codan Suffolks Blackie’s Suffolks Renfield Farm Tobacco Creek Farm

Breed Suffolk Charollais Suffolk Suffolk Suffolk Dorper

Province QC AB ON

Crossbred Productivity Bergerie de L’Estrie Young Buck Farms Asphodel Sheep Co

Cross Dorset/Romanov Commercial Commercial

The genetic team would like to thank all the sheep farmers for their efforts of in genetic selection. Within the last few years, your thoroughness and your remarkable work have led to notable genetic improvement of sheep breeds in Canada. We are looking forward to continuing to support your efforts and develop new tools and strategies to help you go even further. See you next year for the next edition of the All Canada GenOvis Recognition Awards. OSN

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Campaigning for Canadian Wool By Jeanine Moyer

s the most sustainable, renewable and biodegradable fibre in the world, it makes sense that wool should be a high value commodity. But as most Canadian sheep farmers know, that’s not the case, for now. For seven years, The Campaign for Wool has been working in Canada to bring awareness of the unique, natural and sustainable benefits of wool, working towards the ultimate goal of creating demand and adding value to Canada’s wool clip. Launched in Canada by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall in Pictou, Nova Scotia during their 2014 May Royal Tour, the Campaign is The Prince’s global endeavour to raise awareness of the unique, natural and sustainable benefits of wool. The Campaign currently runs across the world in 13 different countries, and since its Canadian launch, the focus has been on engaging and educating industries about the benefits of using Canadian wool as a fibre and the importance of supporting the domestic wool industry. “Wool has been overlooked for too long in Canada,” says Matthew Rowe, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Wool Council. “The Campaign for Wool is the only organization in Canada that brings together every aspect of the wool value chain. No one along that value chain had really talked to each other for a long time. So, we’re working to raise awareness of the quality of the Canadian wool clip, while at the same time, bringing all the industry players together to find opportunities to connect everyone and increase demand.”

ONTARIO STOCKYARDS INC. Box 1051, 3807 Hwy. 89, Cookstown, ON L0L 1L0 Office: 705.458.4000 Fax: 705.458.4100 E-mail: info@ontariostockyards.on.ca Website: www.ontariostockyards.on.ca

BRIAN PASCOE

Res: 705.878.7026 Cell: 705.878.6918

WAYNE SMALL

Phone: 705.435.1423 Cell: 705.435.8275

Total Livestock Marketing 14

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Wool in Ontario Ontario sheep farmers produce approximately 800,000 lb. each year. According to Eric Bjergso, General Manager of the Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers, there are markets for most of the wool produced, but the varying conditions the sheep are raised in result in a wide range of wool quality and grades. “Most sheep farmers are focused on meat production in Ontario rather than the wool, but the wool is still a marketable product that offers opportunities,” he says. The Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers has been a strong supporter of the Campaign for Wool in Canada

since its inception. “Wool is second to none as a multi-use, sustainable fibre. There is so much potential for this product and we are proud to support the Campaign and it’s initiative to add value and improve returns for wool here in Canada and on a global scale,” says Bjergso. The wool market, like so many other industries, has faced a new set of challenges as a result of the global pandemic notes Bjergso. “It’s hard to sell wool for clothing manufacturing when the clothing and fashion industry aren’t deemed essential. Clothing hasn’t been a priority with consumers either and we’ve seen the lack of demand filter down the value chain.”

Strategic planning underway The Canadian sheep industry is no stranger to market challenges, making the Campaign’s new emphasis on strategic planning and driving demand for domestic wool a welcome addition to 2021 roster of industry activities. In 2020, the Campaign set out to develop a research and strategic plan for the Canadian wool industry to identify the best approach to support the Canadian wool industry, find value-added uses for Canadian wool and implement an action plan to deliver results. From sheep farmers, wool processors and weavers, through to designers and consumers, the Campaign has committed engaging with everyone along the value chain as part of the strategic planning process.

Rowe says the planning process should find any gaps in the domestic value-added wool market by determining existing problems or limitations, identifying infrastructure challenges and addressing shortages in labour and skill sets like shearing, that are necessary to keep the value chain functional. “We want to create solutions to benefit everyone and create lasting opportunities for Canadian wool,” he says, noting that while clothing and fashion are traditional uses of Canadian wool, he’s optimistic new semi-industrial applications for such a sustainable fibre will be added to the value chain. “There are some amazing innovations that make the most of wool’s inherent technical properties. Finding new uses for wool will really move the needle on demand, value, prices and ultimately, raise the profile on such a versatile product.” The strategic plan is funded in part by the global Campaign for Wool, the Dalglish Family Foundation and the Ontario Water Centre. This first information-gathering phase of the plan is scheduled for release in spring of 2021. OSN

“There are so many opportunities for Ontario and Canadian sheep farmers to realize the potential of their wool, we just need to understand the challenges, identify the opportunities and then take action to ensure a sustainable wool industry in Canada,” says Rowe. The Campaign has already completed two information gathering sessions with the Ontario Sheep Farmers mebership via webinars in 2020, and is currently conducting an on-line outreach survey with the broader membership. “This first phase is all about listening to everyone in the value chain, starting on the farm, where the wool is produced. If you haven’t heard from us yet, please get in touch.” OSN M a r c h 2 0 2 1

The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020 THE ISSUE The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020 protects Ontario farm animals, farms, farmers and their families, agri-food employees, and the safety of the entire food supply by addressing the ongoing threat of unwanted trespassing and from unauthorized interactions with farm animals. The Act strikes an important balance, respecting the right to peaceful public protest, while giving the justice system the tools it needs to help protect farmers, agri-food workers and businesses, and the food supply from trespassing and harassment.

ANIMAL PROTECTION ZONES The Act establishes animal protection zones: Animal protection zone: with respect to a farm, animal processing facility or prescribed premises, means an area on the farm, facility or premises on which farm animals may be kept or located and that is, a) An enclosure for farm animals, whether or not it is marked as an animal protection zone, b) An area that meets prescribed requirements and is marked as an animal protection zone by the owner or occupier using signs in accordance with the regulations, c) An area prescribed by the regulations as an animal protection zone for the purposes of this Act. Persons are also prohibited from stopping, hindering, obstructing or otherwise interfering with a motor vehicle transporting farm animals.

NO IMPLIED CONSENT Persons are prohibited from interfering or interacting with

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ontariosheep.org ofa.on.ca

farm animals in or on the animal protection zones or from carrying out prescribed activities in or on the animal protection zones without the prior consent of the owner or occupier of the farm, facility or premises. Persons are also prohibited from interfering with a motor vehicle that is transporting farm animals and from interfering or interacting with the farm animals in the motor vehicle without the prior consent of the driver. This applies even if the trespasser has not been told orally, or in writing, to keep out or if no signs have been posted which restrict or prohibit entry.

FALSE PRETENCES Consent to entry in or on an animal protection zone, or other prescribed activities which has been given to a person is considered invalid if it is obtained using duress or under false pretences. If consent was obtained under these conditions, the consent will be deemed to not have been given.

OFFENCES & PENALTIES Offences under the Act carry higher penalties; up to $15,000 for the first offence, and up to $25,000 for subsequent offences. Higher penalties are introduced to serve as a deterrent from trespassing and breaching biosecurity protocols. Persons found guilty of an offence can be held responsible, and may receive a restitution order for any injury, losses or damages occurred as a result of the contravention.

LIMITATION PERIOD The Act introduces a two-year limitation period for the commencement of proceeding for an offence under the Act. The two-year period begins on the later of the day the offence was committed, or the day on which evidence of the offence first came to the attention of a police officer.

@OntarioSheep @OntarioFarms

OntarioSheep OntarioFarms

O. Reg. 701/20: General REGULATIONS O. Reg. 701/20: General, under the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act includes definitions and provisions which support the Act.

SIGNAGE Animal protection zones that require signage can only be marked if they meet the requirements listed in the regulations. The sign serves as a warning to any person that is about to enter the animal protection zone that entry is prohibited unless the person has consent, is exercising treaty rights, or enforcement powers, or meets exemption requirements. Signs must be a minimum of 30cm x 30cm, and be orange in colour. Signs must be erected at each ordinary point of access to the animal protection zone being signed, and must be clearly visible in daylight. The area marked will only be considered an animal protection zone when farm animals are present.

PRESCRIBED PREMISES The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act allows for the regulations to prescribe certain premises as animal protection zones. Currently, the following are considered prescribed premises: 1. Premises at which farm animals are ordinarily bought or sold and in respect of which a licence has been issued under the Livestock Community Sales Act. 2. Premises at which farm animals are displayed for public viewing. 3. Premises at which fam animals lawfully compete against one another.

INTERFERENCE INTERACTION Acts which are considered prohibited interferences and interactions with farm animals are listed in the regulations. They include: 1. Directly or indirectly having physical contact with a farm animal, whether the farm animal is dead or alive, 2. Providing any substance to a farm animal, including spraying or throwing any substance on or at a farm animal, 3. Releasing a farm animal from an animal protection zone or transport motor vehicle, 4. Creating conditions in which a farm animal could escape from an animal protection zone or transport motor vehicle, 5. Any activity that causes or is likely to cause harm to a farm animal or harm with respect to food safety.

FALSE PRETENCES DURESS The regulations outline the situations where false statements result in contravention of the Act, including false statements regarding employment qualifications. Certain exemptions exist for journalists and whistleblowers. Similar conditions exist for when consent is obtained under duress.

INCREASED PENALTIES The regulations list certain circumstances which increase the gravity of an offence, including whether any farm animals were harmed, killed, or whether any human harm occurred. Penalties can be increased for a person who is found guilty of committing an offence under these listed circumstances. For more information, please visit: www.AboutBill156.com

ontariosheep.org ofa.on.ca

@OntarioSheep @OntarioFarms

OntarioSheep OntarioFarms

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YES

REQUIRED

NO SIGN

it does not include the entire farm, animal processing facility or prescribed premises, it only includes land on which farm animals are reasonably likely to be kept or located, it is located within the legal boundaries of the area, it does not impede access to the front door of any residence on the area.

Please visit www.aboutbill156.com/order for a downloadable sign.

An ORANGE sign, minimum size of 30 cm x 30 cm, must be posted if the area meets the requirements*, indicating the area is an animal protection zone.

SIGN REQUIRED*

1. A pen within the premises where farm animals are kept, 2. A ring or other area where farm animals are displayed or shown, or 3. An area for loading or unloading farm animals at the premises.

Marked areas are only animal protection zones only when farm animals are present.

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

ZONE

PROTECTION

NOT AN ANIMAL

Premises at which farm animals are ordinarily bought or sold and where a licence has been issued under the Livestock Community Sales Act. Premise at which farm animals are displayed for public viewing. Premise at which farm animals lawfully compete against one another.

4. None of the Above

b. c.

1. Land where farm animals are gathered for the purposes of being transported from the farm to another place, 2. An area of one metre from the outside wall of any building where farm animals are kept, or 3. A prescribed premises:

Is the area within the prescribed premises:

1 or 2

Is the area an enclosure for farm animals? (i.e.- barn, fenced pasture)

Which describes your area:

* To designate an additional animal protection zone, the area (farm, animal processing facility or prescribed premises) must meet the following requirements:

Farmers may choose to designate additional animal protection zones, subject to criteria prescribed in the regulation*.

O. Reg. 701/20: General require farmers to post signage indicating an animal protection zone, only in certain circumstances. Signs are not required for farm animal enclosures, prescribed animal protection zones or in certain areas within prescribed premises.

YES

The majority of places where farm animals are normally kept or located will not require signage to be considered an animal protection zone under the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020. This decision tree serves as an aid to determine whether your area requires an animal protection zone sign.

Dairy Sheep Distribution List

ver the last couple of months, the Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) has been working on putting a list of dairy sheep famers together. Notices have been in the Messenger and Ontario Sheep News asking for those of you who milk sheep to contact the office and add your name to the dairy sheep famers list. Ensuring you are registered as a dairy sheep farmer will connect you to dairy sheep farmers across Ontario. It will also enable the office to provide you with targeted communication material for the dairy industry. This includes upcoming meeting and event information, along with any regulatory or policy issue that might impact your business. The OSF is committed to ensuring that the dairy sheep industry has a voice and will be included and represented in policy related activities. The first step to ensuring this was the establishment of the dairy sheep committee. The role of this committee is to provide recommendations to the OSF board of directors on issues specific to the dairy sheep industry.

The dairy sheep committee members are Colleen Alloi, Keith Todd, Heather Little, Marc Carere, Mike Thompson, Mark Martin, Jeff Cressman and Peter Van der veen. If you have any questions and/or comments regarding the committee please feel free to connect with the chair of the committee is Keith Todd (toddsheepco@hurontel.on.ca | 519.525.7539) or Mark Martin (markmartin@mwpol.ca | 519.588.3644). OSF is the voice for Ontario sheep farmers when working with governments on programs that help producers prosper. Through advocating for important support, such as the risk management program, or providing farm-level perspective and input on important animal welfare and food security initiatives, OSF ensures that the Ontario dairy sheep industry can grow and thrive. If you are a dairy sheep farmer and want to connect with other dairy sheep farmers, please contact Ontario Sheep Farmers at general@ontariosheep.org or call 519.836.0043. OSN

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New Dairy Genetic Indexes New tools to support dairy sheep farmers! By Amélie St-Pierre, GenOvis technical support & development, CEPOQ

WFS Sheep Program We Take Pride In: • • • • •

Using a sheep-specific ration balancing program to optimize performance Customized programs to meet each operation’s specific goals Offering innovative products and knowledge Expertise in both dairy and commercial sheep operations Excellent customer service through unique on-farm services such as: - forage sampling and custom rations - body condition scoring - lamb development recommendations - return over feed cost analysis

Contact WFS or one of our dealers near you for an on-farm appointment to discuss your sheep nutrition needs.

airy sheep farmers will soon have access to new tools to support and guide them through their ewes’ selection. The GenOvis Dairy Genetic Module will shortly offer not only breeding values (EBVs) for 22 dairy traits, but also two new genetic selection indexes. These indexes will greatly simplify genetic selection in the dairy sheep industry. Genetic selection indexes will be used to select animals that perform better on different traits assessed simultaneously. The indexes consider the correlations and heritability of traits that influence genetic progress based on the importance of one trait over another. Without genetic index, selecting quickly becomes a difficult task for breeders wishing to improve more than one trait at a time in their flock. The first index is designed to select the most productive ewes in terms of kilograms of milk produced per lactation. The index combines the EBVs for milk production (kg of milk) for the first parity and the subsequent parities (figure 1). The aim of this tool is to help select ewes that have the genetic potential to have a greater milk production per lactation compare to others. Concerned farmers for this index will mainly be those who do not analyse the milk components of their ewes on test day record. Figure 1: Index distribution traits to improve milk production without considering milk component performance

Wallenstein, ON 1-800-265-8858 | www.wfs.ca

Chesley, ON 519-363-3308

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Walters Falls, ON 519-794-2747

Sunderland, ON 705-357-3491

The index integrates two traits. The EBV milk yield for the first parity weighs for 1/3 while the EBV milk yield for later parity represents 2/3.

The second index will be more beneficial to farmers who on test day record are analysing the milk components of their ewes. This index is used to select ewes who produce more kilograms of fat and protein. The index integrates the EBVs for the milk fat and milk protein production (kg) for the first and the following parities (figure 2). The purpose of this index is to select the ewes with the best genetic potential to produce greater amount of fat and protein per lactation. Figure 2: Index distribution traits to improve milk fat and protein yield per lactation

This index integrates four traits. The fat and the protein weigh both half of the index. For each component, EBV for the first parity weighs for 1/6 of the index while EBV for later parity represents 1/3.

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These new dairy indexes will be monitored over the next years and will gradually evolve while more evaluated traits will be added. These first genetic indexes are a major step forward for the dairy sheep industry. Furthermore, well-adapt and easy friendly reports are going to be available for dairy farmers. The CEPOQ genetic team is currently working on a pilot project regarding data visualization to develop reports for commercial farmers. The expertise acquired throughout this project will be used to improve the dairy reports and make them more interactive. CEPOQ would like to thank all the Quebec, Ontario and American participants in the GenOvis Dairy Module for their contribution to the creation of a dairy database. Considering that the database is sufficiently large to allow the creation of dairy genetic indexes, your efforts are now rewarded with access to the first two valuable new indexes to facilitate your breeding selection. OSN

INFO@MAPLEVIEWAGRI.CA

519-638-3769

WWW.MAPLEVIEWAGRI.CA OSN M a r c h 2 0 2 1

2021 Awards & Scholarships

Applications are now open for the 2021 OSF Awards and Scholarships Outstanding Shepherd Award Awarded to an Ontario shepherd who has made significant contributions to the advancement of the Ontario sheep industry. This award is presented to an Ontario shepherd who exemplifies the values of leadership and responsible sheep husbandry.

Long Service Award Awarded in acknowledgment and appreciation of longstanding contributions to the Ontario sheep industry, recipients of this award have demonstrated outstanding dedication, leadership, and an innovative spirit. This award is presented to an Ontario shepherd or industry service provider in recognition of their significant contributions to the advancement of the Ontario sheep industry over many years of service.

Mapleseed Pasture Award This award, sponsored in part by OSF, Mapleseed and the Ontario Forage Council, recognizes individual sheep farmers who are doing an outstanding job of pasture management. The Mapleseed Pasture Award is a way of encouraging sheep farmers to implement pasture management strategies to maximize production per acre. The winner of the award receives a cash prize of $250.

Ontario Sheep Farmers Undergrad Scholarship This $500 cash scholarship is open to applicants who are enrolled in their first or second year at an accredited university, college or apprenticeship program. Applicants do not have to be enrolled in an agriculture program to be eligible for the award. Applicants must be 21 years of age or younger (as of January 1, 2020). Applicants must be one of the following: • A registered sheep producer as of April 30, 2020; • Have a parent/guardian registered as a sheep producer as of April 30, 2020; or • A member of a 4-H Ontario sheep club.

In addition to completing the application form, applicants must submit either a written article (minimum 500 words) or a two to three-minute video on one of the following topics: • What strategy or strategies do you think the sheep industry should employ to address public trust? • If you were going to produce sheep, what management style - annual lambing, accelerated lambing or a combination of the two - would you choose and why? • Give a detailed description of the biosecurity setup and explain why this is important to the individual sheep farmer and the industry. • What do you feel is the sheep industry’s greatest weakness, and therefore greatest challenge? How would you address that if you could?

Ontario Sheep Farmers Memorial Fund - Industry Leader Award Funds for this award have come from donations made in memoriam of Ontario sheep industry leaders. This fund was started with donations that have been made in memory of the late Bob Irvine, an Ontario sheep farmer who was a strong supporter of continuous learning. He was a dedicated member of the industry, with a focus on sheep genetics and was a mentor to many. This $500 cash award is open to applicants who are wanting to further their leadership development in Ontario’s sheep industry. This award can be used by the successful applicant to participate in postgraduate or industry education opportunities and leadership courses. Individual registered Ontario sheep farmers or those who are involved in the Ontario sheep industry (i.e. veterinarian students) are eligible to apply for this award. Applicants must complete the application form, submit two reference letters along with either an essay (of at least 500 words) or a two to three-minute video answering the following question: • What do you see as your contribution to the Ontario sheep industry in the next five years? 10 years? OSN

For more details visit www.ontariosheep.org/Awards%20Scholarships 22

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Ewe Impacts on Colostrum Quality By Marlene Paibomesai, PhD, Dairy Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

What impacts ewe colostrum production and quality? An Irish based study by Campion et al. (2016) compiled data from 415 twin bearing ewes to assess factors that impact colostrum production and quality. Breeds included in this

Colostrum IgG concentration

Increased Ewe Age "

Decrease BCS

Increased lamb birth weight "

BCS <2.5 or >3.5

Longer gestation length (142 vs 152 days)

Decrease in Liveweight, but not changes in BCS

Increased lamb birth weight "

Ewe Breed Variable

Colostrum is produced by the ewe in the third trimester with preparations in the body beginning well before lambing. The ewe will increase antibody concentrations in circulation, specifically IgG, 6-8 weeks prior to the birth of her offspring. Closer to lambing Immunoglobin G (IgG) is transferred from circulation into the udder. Components like fatty acids, growth factors, anti-microbial compounds, microRNAs, and other compounds are produced in the udder and incorporated into colostrum. Colostrum is only produced in this time prior to lambing and must be consumed by lambs within the first few hours of life for successful transfer of passive immunity.

Colostrum yield (1, 10 & 18-hours after lambing)

How is colostrum produced?

Table 1. Ewe Factors that impact colostrum yield and IgG concentration in colostrum adapted from Campion et al., 2016.

Immunity is broken into 3 different types: passive, innate, and adaptive immunity. The innate and adaptive immune systems are designed to respond to pathogens that enter the body and help maintain homeostasis through the life of and individual. Innate immunity is the first line of defense and is described as non-specific and lacks memory. Adaptive immunity is a longer lasting defense and is described as longer lasting, specific and can develop memory. Passive immunity in ruminants is the transfer of immunity developed by the dam to her offspring through colostrum. Since the lamb has an underdeveloped immune response at birth, without successful transfer of passive immunity from the ewe, the lamb will be susceptible to disease. Successful passive immunity is influenced by the timing of colostrum consumption in relation to birth, quantity of colostrum consumed, and quality of the colostrum based on IgG as a proxy. Current recommendations are 150-200 ml/kg of body weight within the first 18 hours.

Passive Immunity

research were Suffolk, Leicester, Belclare and Terminal type ewes. The researchers assessed colostrum volume at 1, 10 and 18 hours and IgG concentration from a subset of ewes (215 ewes). The average total colostrum volume produced was 1587-1991 mL in the first 18 hours, there was not much difference in volume per hour between 1, 10 and 18 hours. Campion et al. (2016) found that colostrum yield and IgG concentrations were impacted by different factors shown in Table 1. In addition to the ewe factors listed in Table 1, nutrition in late gestation can also impact colostrum yield and quality, mainly dry matter intake and crude protein which can also have impact on body condition score (BCS).

olostrum is rich in nutrients and immune factors, which are important to support growth and survival of newborn lambs by providing energy, passive immunity and helping to maintain body temperature. At birth lambs are born with an underdeveloped immune response and are susceptible to pathogens in the environment. The process of a dam passing her immunity to her offspring is referred to as passive immunity. Not all colostrum is created the same with some colostrum having poorer quality than other colostrum. This article describes passive immunity and ewe factors that impact colostrum production and quality.

There are some variables listed above that are not controllable at an individual level, but can managed in the flock overall, like ewe age and breed, by using long term management decisions. One kg increase in lamb birthweight resulted in 47mL increase in colostrum yield. There are other variables that can be managed for an individual including liveweight and body condition score through nutrition. IgG yield was mainly impacted by breed type, lamb birth weight, gestation length, year sampled and change in body condition score. Changes in body condition score represented either a drop in body condition score in late gestation or ewes that were outside of optimal BCS at lambing. In summary, passive immunity is an important factor influencing the survival and growth of newborn lambs. Colostrum quality of ewes is influenced by ewe age, breed, gestation length, changes in body condition score in late pregnancy, lamb birth weight, and nutrition (dry matter intake and protein). It is important to take some time to assess colostrum quality and yield if your flock is experiencing higher lamb mortality or morbidity early in life. OSN

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OSF Professional Development

ntario Sheep Farmers is involved in the development and delivery of programs for sheep farmers that may assist them to better their farming operations. Programs have been developed, both at a provincial and national level, to address such areas as flock health, marketing, biosecurity, environment, record keeping, risk management, transportation and traceability.

The online course is designed for individuals who are considering starting a sheep and/or goat farm in Ontario . The course can be viewed at your own pace in the comfort of your home. Registrants are given 60 days to complete the course. Course Breakdown

The following professional development courses have moved to an online format and are currently available to Ontario producers.

• Module 1 - Introduction

Introduction to Small Ruminant Production (Online Self-Guided)

• Module 4 - Organizations and Legislation

Getting started in small ruminant production? To help facilitate education and knowledge transfer, Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) offer an online Introduction to Small Ruminant Production Course. Each online course covers both sheep (meat, fibre, and dairy) and goat (meat, fibre and dairy) species, providing an overview of each sector and introductory concepts.

• Module 2 - State of Industry - Sheep • Module 3 - State of Industry - Goats • Module 5 - Genetics, Selection • Module 6 - Health • Module 7 - Handling / Infrastructure • Module 8 - Reproduction and Production Systems • Module 9 - Pasture/Predation/Fencing/Parasites • Module 10 - Nutrition • Module 11 - Lambing/Kidding Continued on page 26.

Zuidervaart Agri-Import LTD 5259 HWY 8 NOK-1NO Mitchell Ontario E-mail zuid-agri@quadro.net Tel.: 519-393-8290

Ideal Sheep and Goat equipment Custom fabrication available! Visit our website for a complete product list for all your sheep handling needs

www.venostal.ca

Selfclosing feedgate; Lambs can’t get through, no loss of silage and hay.

Feeding racks, hanging or attached on a wall 24

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Crowding tub and work schute

Maternity fences with wood, mesh wiring and synthetic casing

Turning crate sideways for hoof trimming

Creepfeeder 2.45 mtr + 1.25 mtr with safety hurdle

THE 2021 ONTARIO LAMB MARKET CALENDAR Year January 6 February 12

Holiday

Consumption Preferences

Epiphany (Christian)

Lamb is featured in many celebration meals.

Chinese (Lunar) New Year

Both mutton and lamb are used in a variety of dishes and is a favorite ingredient in hot pots.

March March 28 to April 4

April 2

Lower market volumes.

Easter holiday inventory buildup.

Growth in supply following winter, with Easter demand increase.

Healthy finished lambs. (up to 64 lbs live weight; ideally milk fed and fat)

Steady market. A limited influence.

Western Easter

Roast lamb is a main festive meal for European (Italian, Portuguese, and Greek) heritages.

Healthy young lambs. (under 60 lbs live weight; ideally milk fed and fat) Numbers of lambs under 65 lb begin to increase in three weeks before Easter, and peaks during the week before Easter. Numbers of 65-79lb lambs will increase during this time as well.

Higher market demand in 2 to 3-week period preceding holiday. Hint: check local auction schedules for ‘special’ Easter sale dates.

Some celebrations will occur prior to start of Ramadan.

Weaned market lambs (60 – 90 lbs live weight)

A moderate market factor for week leading into Ramadan.

Start of barbeque season which more frequently featuring Ontario lamb.

Mod demand. Processors see an increase Commonly higher supply and slightly in BBQ lamb demand from May to August. higher but still moderate demand.

Celebrations occur during the fast break period which will feature lamb products.

Weaned market lambs 60 – 90 lbs liveweight. Lower demand for heavy lambs.

A moderate market factor for the week leading into Ramadan.

Eid, the festival of sacrifice, is one of the most important observances in the Islamic faith.

Lambs (70 – 110 lbs live weight)

High market demand in period leading up to holiday. Peak demand is in week preceding holiday.

Eastern Orthodox Easter (May 2,2021)

Ramadan (Islam) 1 month (daylight fasting)

Eid al-Fitr (Islam) Festival of Fast Breaking Eid al Adha (Festival of Sacrifice, Eid) (Islam)

July 20 to 23

Lower market volumes generally.

Traditionally must be processed under Kosher laws.

May

May 13

Recently weaned and milk fed lambs are preferred.

Public Auction Market Impact

Passover (Jewish) 8 days

A peak sale period for in the year. Apr 13 to May 11

Market Processor Needs

A peak sale period in year.

(This may be referred to as Qurbani, though this refers to the actual act of animal processing.)

Desired weight differs across different communities. Lambs should be under a year of age and be unblemished. Blemishes may include open wounds, torn ears or other physical unsoundness. Wethers and lambs with docked tails may not be acceptable to some buyers.

Note: There is a high activity level of private holiday sales sought by families for this important celebration period.

Muharram (Islamic New Year)

The Islamic New Year is the first day of the Muslim calendar. Mutton is often served as the main course for this holiday meal.

There is no preferred weight for this holiday, although animals should appear healthy.

Steady market. A limited influencer.

August 10

September 7 to 8

Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year

Lamb is a tradition or symbol of a new beginning.

Forequarters from weaned market lambs (60 – 109 lbs live weight)

Steady market. A limited influencer.

Thanksgiving

Lamb is an alternative to turkey.

Steady demand with slow year over year consumer demand increase.

Steady market. A limited influencer.

Stew/casserole are growing in seasonal popularity

Lower but steady demand during transition from Thanksgiving into Christmas period.

Lower market volumes.

Chanukah (Festival of Rededication) (Jewish) 8 days

Traditionally must be processed according to Kosher law.

Healthy heavy lambs. (up to 100 lbs live weight)

Usually occurs close to Christian Christmas which leads to high demand.

Christmas Day to New Year (Christian)

Lamb is a feature at Christmas parties (lamb-pops, spiedini, roasts).

Higher market demand in 2 to 3-week period preceding holiday.

A peak sale period in year.

Leg of lamb, stews and curries are food staples.

Lambs should be freshly weaned (milk fed), up to 80 lbs, and not older than 3 months of age. Out-of-season breeding is required to produce the favoured type of lamb for this market.

October 11 November

November 29 to December 6

December 25

Cull sheep are popular for stew and curry.

This calendar is also available on the OSF website at https://www.ontariosheep.org/religious-ethnic-market-calendar. OSN M a r c h 2 0 2 1

Continued from page 24 ~ OSF

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Module 12. Marketing and Processing • Module 13. Economics and Record-Keeping • Module 14. Wrap Up • Module 15. Farm Tours The course fee is $30 per participation. Last-minute cancellations do not receive a refund for the course. Participants must have a working computer or tablet and internet connection (highspeed internet is recommended). A certificate of completion is offered at the end of the course.

Parasite Management Course (Online Self-Guided) This new course launching is the spring of 2021 focuses on gastro-intestinal parasite management of sheep and goats under Ontario conditions. This online self-guided course is presented by Dr. Rex Crawford of Dundas Veterinary Services in Orangeville, ON and Dr. Amy Gaw of Temiskaming Veterinary Services in New Liskeard, ON and Anita O’Brien, OSF. Developed from the materials and presentations in 2020’s Parasite Management Course.

Each module will take approximately 75 minutes to complete with 50 minutes of presentation time and the module quiz. The course is broken down into 6 modules: • Module 1 - Intro, Life Cycle of the Gin, How do GIN’s Behave • Module 2 - Diagnosing Disease, Using Clinical Signs to Diagnose Parasitism • Module 3 - Dewormers, Reasons why wormers sometime do not work, Anthelmintic Resistance • Module 4 - Sustainable Integrated Parasite Management (Overview of the Ontario 5-star plan), Managing Pastures to Manage Parasites • Module 5 - Use Anthelmintics Appropriately-who, when, refugia, Investigating Treatment Failure, Quarantine & Treatment of New Animals • Module 6 - Putting it all together Developing an on-farm parasite management plan The quiz in each module requires 50% correct answers before proceeding to the next module. Should a passing grade not be achieved participants will be required to retake the quiz until a passing grade is achieved before advancing to the next module. A final quiz is given in Chapter 6. Once

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all modules are completed including quizzes and final quiz a certificate of completion will be issued. The course fee $60 per participant and Individual modules are not offered separately.

Master Shepherd’s Course (Online) The Master Shepherd’s course is open to sheep farmers who want to improve the management, productivity, and profitability of their flocks. The current online version of the Master Shepherd’s Course consists of 12 modules.

• Module 11 - Marketing and wool, and • Module 12 - Business Plan presentations (limited to full course participants only) The course started in September 2020 and will finish in January 2020. with Module 5 being offered now. The full module schedule is available for download from the OSF website www.ontariosheep.master-shepherds-course. Modules are scheduled six weeks apart with each module consisting of eight (8) 1.5-hour sessions held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm.

NEW...

• Module 1 - Industry dynamics and governance

Full course applications will continue to be accepted. A new policy enables students to enter the course at the start of any module and complete the course in the following offering. Producers can also sign up for individual modules on a first-come first-served basis.

• Module 2 - Flock productivity and reproduction • Module 3 - Lambing and lamb rearing • Module 4 - Business Planning and Time Management • Module 5 - Nutritional Management of the Ewe flock

Online format has enabled OSF to reduce registration fees. With the entire course $3350 now $1750 and individual modules $375 now $200

• Module 6 - Predation and pasture management • Module 7 - Genetics • Module 8 - Infrastructure and feeding systems

Questions about specific programs and their requirements can be directed to the Ontario Sheep Farmers office at admin@ontariosheep.org or by calling 519 836 0043. OSN

• Module 9 - Effective flock health management • Module 10 - Lamb feedlots and dairy

ASSOCIATION DIRECTORY PUREBRED SHEEP BREEDERS OF ONTARIO Joan Finlay, Box 364 Lucknow ON N0G 2H0 • 519-528-2620 • email: psbo.secretary@gmail.com

PRODUCER/SHEEP OWNER LICENCE FEE REMITTANCE FORM (PRIVATE TREATY SALES)

Ontario’s 3,000 sheep producers are represented by the Ontario Sheep Farmers organization. With a focus on profitability and sustainability, the organization works in the areas of advocacy, industry capacity, research and market development. The organization is funded through a check off (or licence fee) on lamb and sheep marketed in Ontario. Representing the sheep, lamb and wool industries, it was established in 1985 under the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Act. A compulsory check off (licence fee) of $1.80 per head sold or slaughtered in Ontario is payable to the Ontario Sheep Farmers to fund projects and operations supporting the Ontario sheep marketplace. Visit our website (www.OntarioSheep.org) to see your licence fees at work. Auction markets, livestock agents, and processors are to deduct the check off fee from the proceeds payable to a seller, and processors must also assess the licence fee in addition to the slaughter fee. This fee is applicable to each sale or slaughter transaction. Private sales (i.e. a sheep owner to sheep owner sale, sales not done at an auction market, nor to an agent or processor) require licence fee selfassessment and reporting through this remittance form.

Ontario Sheep Farmers 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, Ontario N1K 1B1 SHEEP/LAMB: FEE IS $1.80 PER HEAD PLUS 13% HST

Producer # __________________

Name:_____________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________________________ City:_____________________________________ Prov.: _______________Postal Code: _______________________ Date of Sale: _______________________________

Date Remitted: _____________________________________

# of sheep/lamb sold: _______________________ Lic. Fees (x $1.80=) $ ________________________________ ___________________________________________ PAY BY PHONE USING VISA OR MASTERCARD 519-836-0043

HST# 107800823

Plus 13% HST

$ _______________________________

TOTAL REMITTED

$ _______________________________ OSN M a r c h 2 0 2 1

Genetic and Health Program Enrollment Listing If you have questions, concerns, or would like more information about these programs please contact the Ontario Sheep office at (519) 836-0043 or email general@ontariosheep.org.

CURRENT PRODUCERS ENROLLED IN THE GENOVIS PROGRAM (AS OF MARCH 2021) 4S Maple Lane Farm • Kimberly Schneider • (905) 404-7811 5-Star Livestock and Farm Services • Jen & Chris Vervoort • (519) 993-6413 Allinbrook Farms • Neil Allin • (905) 983-5791 Breezy Ridge Farm • Philip & Elizabeth Smith • (905) 478-4280 Brubacher Ovine • Earl Brubacher • (519) 323-4152 Cedar Creek Charollais • Ted & Joanne Skinner • (905) 263-2102 Cedar Grove Farm • Quintin Mc Ewen • (519) 949-4130 Century Lane Farm • Robert & Shirley Graves • (613) 791-2656 Circle R Livestock • Ryan & Romy Schill • (519) 669-4146 Codan Suffolks • Bill & Lynne Duffield • (519) 899-2663 Craigmore Farm • Wayne Kreklewich • (416) 892-0664 Cursio Farms & Arkell Valley • Frank & Ned Cursio • (519) 766-3378 DP Farms • Neil Post • (519) 820-2810 Ewenique Farm • Nathalie Labelle • (613) 290-5405 Fare Vewe Acres • Mark & Betty Bearinger • (519) 323-1760 Jim & Wendy Driscoll • (519) 638-5703 G & L Brien • Gary & Luanne Brien • (519) 674-3846 Gollan Sheep • Tania Gollan • (226) 622-0887 Hutchings Farms • Kevin & Sandra Hutchings • (705) 437-4441 J & J Farms • Ross & Clementine Savasi • (705) 652-7477

Kettle Crest Farm • Art & Sandra Alblas • 519-317-9988 Lamb Lady Farm • Shelagh Finn • (647) 932-7102 Leahy Hill Farm • Clara Leahy • (705) 927-3545 Madertone Farm • Courtney Mader • (705) 313-5882 Maple Meadow Farms • Colleen Acres and Dwayne Bazinet • (613) 826-2330 Meadow Brook Family Farm • Steven A. Ernewein • (519) 392-8624 Our Farm CSA • Katie Ward • 613-797-0601 Prolific Acres Sheep Farm • Charlie Renaud • (705) 322-2140 Rising Oak Farm • Laura Gratrix • 705-305-9275 Schuyler Farms Ltd. • Brett Schuyler • (519) 427-9696 Shepherd’s Fold • Bethanee Jensen • (519) 887-9948 Sheperd’s Grove • Harv & Christine Breman • (519) 879-6579 Shillalah Farm • Florence Pullen • (519) 233-7896 Sloan Brothers • Jacob Sloan • (519) 379-1966 Stonehill Sheep • Paul Dick • (519) 794-3732 Todd Sheep Company Inc. • Keith Todd • (519) 528-2650 Tulach Ard Farm • Sean McKenzie • (905) 786-2476 Woodhurst Farm LTD • Tom Wood • 519-281-9829 Wooldrift Farm • Chris Buschbeck & Axel Meister • (519) 538-2844

CURRENT PRODUCERS ENROLLED IN ONTARIO SHEEP HEALTH PROGRAM (AS OF MARCH 2021) Asphodel Sheep Company • Todd & Jennifer Payne • (705) 875-5904 Birchgrove Farms • Jason & Kit Koivisto • (705) 782-2276 Circle R Livestock • Ryan & Romy Schill • (519) 669-4146 The Greenhill Farms • Wietze & Leny Raven • (519) 928-2705

ITSA Breeze Farm • Tammy Trinkwon • (519) 843-4222 Kettle Crest Farm • Art & Sandra Alblas • (519) 637-0050 Lamb Lady Farm • Shelagh Finn • (647) 932-7102

FLOCKS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED EITHER “A” OR “MONITORED, LOW RISK” STATUS ON THE MAEDI VISNA PROGRAM (AS OF MARCH 2021) Anchor A Farms • Tim Thomsen & Allison Lange • (506) 538-2835 Cedar Creek Charollais • Ted & Joanne Skinner • (905) 263-2102 Century Lane Farm • Robert & Shirley Graves • (613) 831-2656 Cleon M. Martin • 519-323-3519 Hunterdown Farm • Gerald & Joanne Hunter • (613) 283-7565 Mark Martin Dairy Sheep • Mark & Rosena Martin • 519 638 3644

Orchardview Farm • Gordon Walker • (519) 287-5085 Rider Ridge Ranch • Jill & Tim DeClark • (519) 644-0766 Robert Pennie • (705) 859-2671 Stonehill Sheep • Paul Dick • (519) 794-3732 Howard & Denise Wideman • (519) 335-6124

FLOCKS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED “B” STATUS ON THE MAEDI VISNA PROGRAM (AS OF MARCH 2021) 4S Maple Lane Farm • Kimberly Schneider • (905) 404-7811 Brenda McLean & Martha Kuepfer • (519) 363-3207 Cursio Farms and Arkell Valley Suffolks • (519) 766-3012

Shepherd’s Flock • John Stoltzfus • (519) 773-9569 Sisson Sheep Farm • Perry Sisson • (705) 277-1866

FLOCKS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED “ENROLLED NEG” STATUS ON THE MAEDI VISNA PROGRAM (AS OF MARCH 2021) Anthony Numan • (519) 955-2466 Brian Atkinson • (705) 924-3043 Bojudabrook Farms • Robert & Judy Pringle • (519) 794-2579 Creekdale Lamb & Wool • Josh & Ashtyn Bruton • (519) 807-6978

Kettle Crest Farm • Art & Sandra Alblas • (519) 637-0050 Maderstone Farm • Chad & Courtney Mader • (705) 313-5882 Mountain View Acres • Carleen & Steve Doerksen • (204) 215-2450 Rodney Weber • (519) 291-8801

SHEEP PRODUCERS ON THE SCRAPIE PROGRAM (AS OF MARCH 2021) Century Lane Farm • Robert & Shirley Graves • 1 Certified Codan Suffolks • Lynne & Bill Duffield • 1 Certified DP Farms • Lorraine & Neil Post • 1 Certified Lamb Lady Farm • Shelagh Finn • 1 Certified

Oak Glen Farm • Bridget & Peter Misener • 1 Certified Our Little Flock • Jaime Neeb • 1 Certified WoolDrift Farm • Axel Meister • 1 Certified

For more information visit scrapiecanada.ca/vsfcp/vsfcp-enrolled-producers/.

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Auction Markets and Abattoirs ABATTOIRS NAME Abattoir LeFaivre Inc. Afghan Halal Meat Suppliers Agram 2005 Meats Inc. Al Madina Halal Meat Packers Aman’s Abattoir Bachert Meats Belle Vallee Meats & Abattoir Bentinck Packers Ltd. Beverly Creek Farm *Bilal Farms Inc. Birch Lake Abattoir Bluewater Meat Packers Brian Quinn’s Meats Ltd. Burt Farm Country Meats Caledon Halal Meat Packers Charles Quality Meats Ltd. Cloverbelt Country Meats Co-operative Cole Bros. Meat Processing Country Fresh Packers Creative Meats Desormeaux Slaughter-house & Meats Inc. Dresden Meat Packers Ltd. Elora Road Meats Ewe Dell Family Farm Farmersville Community Abattoir FGO Organic Processing Ltd. Gord’s Abattoir Ltd. Green’s Meat Market & Abattoir Ltd. Grey County Meats Hank De Koning Ltd. Hanson Meats Harriston Packing Company Ltd. Hastings Meat Market Hay’s Custom Cutting Ltd. Highgate Tender Meats Ltd. Highland Packers Ltd. Hilts Butcher Shop Ltd. Hunter’s Dressed Meats J.J. Meat Distributing Inc. Joe Savage & Fils Abattoir Inc. Johnson Meats Julius Meat Packers Inc. Kawartha Meats Ken R. Mogk L & M Meat Distributing Len and Patti Butcher Block Local Harvest Ontario Matar Meats McGarroch of Micksburg Custom Butchering Miedema’s Country Meats Miedema’s Meat Market Ltd. Millgrove Packers Ltd. Mr. Beef Inc. Mount Brydges Abattoir Ltd. Newmarket Meat Packers Ltd.

CITY Lefaivre Schomberg Georgetown Brinston Wellington Walton Belle Vallee Hanover Hamilton Clarence Creek Massey Wyoming Yarker Gore Bay Bolton St. Agatha Oxdrift Picton Tilbury Warren Crysler Dresden Mildmay Woodslee Athens Ingersoll Leamington Wingham Maxwell Port Dover Cayuga Harriston Stirling Campbellford Highgate Stoney Creek Norwood Dunnville Schomberg St. Albert Aylmer St. Anns Little Britain Tavistock Gilford Lindsay Mount Forest Osgoode Pembroke Exeter Embro Waterdown Pakenham Mount Brydges Newmarket

PHONE NO (613) 679-4698 (416) 894-1802 (905) 877-6082 (613) 652-1301 (613) 399-2173 (519) 887-9328 (705) 647-7419 (519) 364-3538 (905) 690-8111 (613) 488-2268 (705) 865-3395 (519) 845-9999 (613) 377-6430 (705) 282-0328 (416) 999-9999 (519) 886-7931 (807) 937-6716 (613) 476-6955 (519) 682-2222 (705) 967-2006 (613) 987-2148 (519) 683-2585 (519) 367-2261 (519) 723-4456 (613) 924-0400 (519) 236-7717 (519) 326-2503 (519) 357-2912 (519) 922-2400 (519) 583-0115 (905) 772-5053 (519) 338-3330 (613) 395-0505 (705) 653-3388 (519) 678-3383 (905) 662-8396 (705) 696-2172 (905) 774-5900 (905) 859-1540 (613) 987-2070 (519) 773-9208 (905) 957-7162 (855) 786-9970 (519) 462-2280 (905) 775-6775 (705) 328-2100 (519) 323-3350 (613) 821-7929 (613) 732-7181 (519) 235-4978 (519) 475-4010 (905) 689-6184 (613) 624-5222 (519) 264-1873 (416) 364-2671

ABATTOIRS NAME CITY Northern Meat Packers and Abattoir Ltd. Trout Creek Norwich Packers Ltd. Norwich Ontario Halal Meat Packers Inc. Milton Otonabee Meat Packers Ltd. Peterborough Palmateer’s Abattoir Ltd. Tweed Parkhill Meats Parkhill Peel Sausage Abattoir Drayton Penokean Hills Farms Bruce Mines Rainy River District Regional Abattoir Inc. Emo Ralph Bos Meats Ltd. Strathroy Reiche Meat Products Ltd. Pembroke Rua Meats Ltd. Foxboro Simcoe Street Meat Packers Oakwood St. Helen’s Meat Packers Ltd. Toronto Stayner Meat Packers Ltd. Stayner Taylor’s Custom Meats Roseneath Teals Pure Pork Sausage Waterford The Beefway Kincardine Thunder Bay Meat Processing Co. (1986) Ltd. Murillo Tom Henderson Custom Meat Cutting Chesterville Townsend Butchers Simcoe Vanessa Meats & Deli Vanessa VG Packers Simcoe Walkerton Meat Market Walkerton Wallace Beef Inc. Joyceville Wall’s Pork Shop Oxdrift Wayne’s Meat Products Inc. Hagersville Weiland Meats Ltd. Petrolia Willie’s Meats Ltd. Troy Windcrest Meat Packers Ltd. Port Perry Zehr’s Country Market Dashwood

Aylmer Stockyards Inc. Brussels Livestock Exchange D.H. Hickson Ltd. Denfield Livestock Exchange Inc. Embrun Livestock Exchange Ltd. Hagersville Auction Centre Kawartha Lakes Community Sale Barn Inc. Keady Livestock Market Ltd. Ontario Livestock Exchange Inc. Ontario Stockyards Inc. Renfrew-Pontiac Livestock Ltd. Temiskaming Livestock Exchange Vankleek Hill Livestock Exchange Ltd

AUCTION MARKETS 8933 Walker Road, RR 1 42857 Newry Road, RR 3 2508 County Road 8, RR 5 12952 Sixteen Mile Road, RR 2 1643 Salebarn Road, 97 First Line, RR 6 580 Woodville Road, RR 3 117012 Grey Road 3, RR 4 856 Weber Street N, 3807 Highway 89, 18156 Highway 17, RR 3 883006 Highway 65 E, RR 3 1239 Ridge Road,

PHONE NO (705) 723-5573 (519) 468-3617 (905) 875-0270 (705) 743-8547 (613) 478-3801 (519) 293-3000 (519) 638-3446 (705) 782-4224 (807) 482-3028 (519) 245-1574 (613) 732-3773 (613) 962-7915 (705) 821-3151 (416) 769-1788 (705) 428-3006 (905) 352-2367 (519) 443-8844 (519) 396-2257 (807) 935-2911 (613) 448-3471 (519) 426-6750 (519) 446-3897 (519) 426-2000 (519) 881-0781 (613) 536-6379 (807) 937-4357 (905) 768-3633 (519) 882-1215 (519) 647-3160 (800) 750-2542 (519) 237-3668

Aylmer

(519) 765-2672

Brussels

(519) 887-6461

Campbellford

(705) 653-3660

Denfield

(519) 666-1140

Greely Hagersville

(613) 821-2634 (905) 768-5601

Woodville

(705) 439-4444

Tara

(519) 934-2339

Waterloo Cookstown

(519) 884-2082 (705) 458-4000

Cobden

(613) 646-7335

New Liskeard

(705) 647-5415

Vankleek Hill

(613) 678-3008

* Bilal Farms – Always looking for quality lambs (70 – 80 lbs) and have a year round market. wzazay@hotmail.com or www.bilalfarms.com

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District Contacts

District 1

Look for your district news and events in the Messenger or on the website.

Counties of Essex, Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, and Elgin Director Ed Post Chair Lindsay Lackey Vice Chair Fraser Hodgson Secretary/Treasurer Vacant

District 7

519.280.4638 519.764.2442 519.786.4176

District 2

Counties of Grey and Bruce Director Chair Vice Chair Secretary Treasurer

Jay Lewis Jake Sloan Jay Lennox Olivier Garceau Petra Aeberhard

519.323.7439 519.363.5564 519.374.4055 519.477.1305 519.665.2017

District 3

Counties of Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Oxford Director Keith Todd Chair Quintin McEwen Vice Chair Mike Groot Secretary Bonnie DeWeerd Treasurer Rick Zimak

District 4

County of Brant, Regional Norfolk and Niagara Director Chair Secretary Treasurer

519.528.2650 519.949.4130 226.378.0938 519.273.6980 519.284.0533

Municipalities of Hamilton-Wentworth, HaldimandMarusha Kostuk Chris Kyle Juliet Orazietti Monica Roberts

519.865.6874 519.588.7602 905.380.9095 519.755.7487

District 5

Counties of Wellington and Dufferin and the Regional Municipalities of Halton and Peel Director Heather Little 519.843.1675 Chair Anthony D’Atri 519.928.5709 Vice Chair Mike Swidersky 519.370.8586 Secretary Ryan Schill 519.669.4146 Treasurer Bill McCutcheon 519.928.9626

District 6

County of Simcoe, District Municipality of Muskoka and the District of Parry Sound Director John Hemsted 705.487.2466 Chair Grant Cowan 705.436.2236 Vice Chair Shelagh Finn 647.932.7102

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City of Toronto, Regional Municipalities of York and Durham, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Counties of Peterborough and Northumberland Director Marc Carere 705.340.0759 Chair Ken Lamb 905.985.4247 Vice Chair Jeff Dejong 905-376-9969 Secretary/Treasurer Rebecca Parker 705.277.1711

District 8

Counties of Lennox and Addington, Hastings, Prince Edward, Frontenac and Leeds Director Gary Fox 613.393.5258 Chair Phil Botden 613.358.2676 Vice Chair Brad Davis 613.659.3347 Secretary/Treasurer Jennifer Nash 613.477.1908

District 9

Counties of Renfrew and Lanark, and the Township of West Carleton and the City of Kanata in the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton Director Reggie Campbell 613.257.7524 Chair Simon Deschamps simcor.contracting@gmail.com Vice Chair Sarah Loten 613.812.0438 Secretary Lyndsey Smith 204.807.5897 Treasurer Katie Ward Chiasson 613.797.0601

District 10

Counties of Russell, Prescott, Glengarry Stormont, Dundas and Grenville, and the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, except the Township of West Carleton and the City of Kanata Director Lee Brien 519.809.5332 Chair Fred Baker 613.327.8508 Vice Chair Ghislain Mayer 613.330.2856 Secretary Vanessa Durand 613.914.5755 Treasurer Brigitte Meunier-Grimes 613.989.5774

District 11

Districts of Kenora, Rainy River, Thunder Bay, Cochrane, Algoma, Sudbury, Temiskaming, Nipissing and Manitoulin Director Colleen Alloi 705.248.3287 Chair Jim Johnston 705.647.7160 Vice Chair Mark Lenover 705.563.2966 Secretary/Treasurer Amy Oriet 705.563.9484 OSN

Classifieds MARTINS AGRI & EQUINE SUPPLIES & SERVICES

Sheep and Goat Handling Equipment, Milking Parlours, Penning, Gates, Hay and Grain Feeders, Bale and Feed Carts, Waterers, Full Line of Fencing Supplies, Electric Hoof Trimmers. Enquire about delivery.

DAVE or LIZ 21936, Cherry Hill Road, Thorndale, ON N0M 2P0 519-461-9331 • www.martinsagri.com

East Friesian X Lacaune Dairy Sheep Continuous supply of breeder rams with high milk numbers and resistance to Maedi Visna & Scrapie. New Lacaune strain available. Maedi Visna A Status flock

WANT TO PLACE AN AD? Call Ontario Sheep at 519-836-0043 for ad rates.

Orchardview Farm

Texel Sheep • Top Quality Rams & Ewes • Add Carcass to Any Breed • Maedi Visna Tested

Breeding Stock Available Gordon Walker & Family R.R. #2, Glencoe, Ont. N0L 1M0

(519) 287-5085

Premier breeder at the 2008 Royal Texel Show

This space is available at the reasonable rate of $45 per issue. Call or email us for our price list.

ITEMS FOR SALE

HYDRAULIC SHEEP TURNER Custom made with Ponsoby U of Guelph Sheep Research. Places animal belly up for vaccinating, hoof trimming, etc. $1600 obo 3 GALVANIZED STEEL SHEEP FEEDERS WITH GRAIN TROUGHS Two double sided, one single sided, 8ft, 5ft and 8ft lengths. $750.

PICTURES ON REQUEST Glen Duff, Rockwood • 519-856-9935

Mark & Rosena Martin • 519 638 3644 markmartin@mwpol.ca

PDK

SHEARING & CONSULTING Shearing & Tutoring Available Phone (519) 348-4266 Cell (519) 274-2050

e-mail: peter_kudelka@sympatico.ca

PETER KUDELKA

SLOAN BROTHERS SHEARING JAKE & SAM SLOAN 501 CON 6 RR#2 CHESLEY ON • N0G 1L0 519-379-1966

Mitchell, ON N0K 1N0

sloansheep@gmail.com

ITEMS

THORNY MEADOW HAVEN

Small Grain Wagon

Home of Registered Lacaunes Breeding Lambs and Ewe Lambs for Sale

FOR SALE 36 Foot Grain & Bale Elevator 1 Row New Idea Corn Picker For more details call Bill (Codan) Duffield

519-899-2663

Contact Alvin Weber

519-698-0839

Thistlestone Farm TRADITIONAL STYLE DORSETS Featuring Australian, British and recently added ‘NEW’ New Zealand bloodlines. Keith and Mary Lamont 5074 Erin Fourth Line, Acton Ontario L7J 2L8 519-853-1975 • lamont@sentex.net

www.thistlestonefarm.com

This space is available at the reasonable rate of $45 per issue. Call or email us for our price list.

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Classifieds EMKE LIVESTOCK Quality N.C. Cheviot & Charollais Sheep

WANT TO PLACE AN AD? Call Ontario Sheep at 519-836-0043 for ad rates.

LOOKING TO BUY CLEAN WOOL Willing to pay $0.90/lb for white and $2.00/lb for coloured Pay within 30 days of loading on truck.

Rams available in Spring of 2021. Limited selection of purebred and commercial cross ewes for sale.

For more information contact Ian Murray at 613-539-2338 or email ian@topsyfarms.com

Murray Emke & Family

BEST BAA FARM PUREBRED BRITISH MILK SHEEP

849 25 S.R. Brant RR1 Elmwood, ON, N0G 1S0 Office Manager: Missy Emke-Wright m_wright17@hotmail.com

226-230-1433

Prolific, high milk yields. Good carcass quality. Calm temperament. Closed flock since 1999, Maedni visna free. Hardy, good lamb survival. Breeding stock and semen available.

www.emkelivestock.webs.com

E&E Bzikot, original importers of British Milk Sheep

“QUALITY BREEDS QUALITY”

519-848-5694

ee.bzikot@everus.ca

PUREBRED POLLED DORSET & COMMERCIAL STOCK T CK

CIR

R LIVES

THE

MIL

E S TA

519 669 4146 www.circleRlamb.ca

Strong deep bodied maternal ewes Fast growing lambs High health status flock Meadi Visna A Status Flock Genetic Evaluations (BIO/GenOvis) circle.r.livestock@hotmail.com

Breezy Ridge Rideaus Rideau breeders since 1989

Selected for • Prolific • Hardy • Easy Care Sheep

More Lambs, More Milk, More PROFIT Ongoing Performance TestingPurebred and Commercial breeding stock.

Visit us at rideausheep.com Phil & Liz Smith and Sons, Sutton, ON 905-478-4280

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This space is available at the reasonable rate of $45 per issue. Call or email us for our price list.

Wholesale and Retail Meats We buy Lambs & Sheep for Slaughter Contact: LOUIS KONTOS 801 DANFORTH AVE., TORONTO, ONTARIO M4J 1L2

TEL: (416) 469-0733 OR (416) 469-1577 FAX: (416) 462-1564

Lac-Tek

Automatic milk feeders for lambs, kids and calves. New and used available. Parts in stock.

Call Naaman Bowman

519-291-5882 This space is available at the reasonable rate of $45 per issue. Call or email us for our price list.

This space is available at the reasonable rate of $45 per issue. Call or email us for our price list.

DUFF FARMS RIDEAU YEARLINGS & LAMBS

TOP GENETIC SELECTION • SFIP & EweByte based • Maintaining 3 ram lines HIGH HEALTH STATUS • Closed Flock since 1995 • Maedi Visna Status “A” • National Scrapie Program • Ontario Sheep Health Program GLEN & SHARON DUFF R R # 2 , R o c kw oo d, ON , N 0B 2K 0 519-856-9935 Email: rideausheep@sympatico.ca

CEDAR CREEK SCANNING Ultrasound Pregnancy Scanning for Sheep, Goats and Alpacas OLIBS Accredited REBECCA PARKER, VET TECH. 858 Hwy 7A East, RR#1, Bethany ON, L0A 1A0 Mobile: (905) 259-1102 E-mail: middlekingdomfarm@gmail.com

Best time to scan is between 45 and 80 days after introduction of ram.

Bergerie

Country Heart White Dorper breeders Fullblood and Australian lines Champion Ram and Ewes Daniel and Brigitte Martel

819-621-7059 Facebook Bergerie Country Heart

Red Maple

Homestead

Looking to have your wool processed into a nice wool rug? For pricing and options contact us directly! • Small Ruminant Flock Health Veterinarians Dr. Haelzle and Dr. Topp. • Pregnancy Ultrasounding. • Ultrasounding aids in managing pregnant animal grouping and increases feed efficiency. • Available tools and protocols for Estrus Synchronization can maximize Ewe reproductive performance.

1010 Industrial Cres. St. Clements ON • N0B 2M0 1-800-663-2941 • linwoodvet@linwoodvet.ca

www.linwoodvet.ca

519.807.2295 @redmaplehomestead RedMapleHomestead www.redmaplehomestead.com redmaplehomestead@gmail.com

PUREBRED HAIR SHEEP BREEDING STOCK – ST.CROIX (open year-round, excellent mothering, high lambing percentage, parasite resistance, height/length/smaller bone/ less fat for higher meat yield); REGISTERED WHITE DORPER (impressive muscling, rapid gain). MARKET LAMBS – ROYAL WHITE weanlings (St. Croix/White Dorper) robust with rapid gain and high meat yield, ready June 2021. All stock sound, excellent conformation and clean genetics. Proud Ewe Hair Sheep, Monte Lake, BC, 250-375-2528, proudewe@gmail.com, (possible shared transport availabe).

• Breeding Stock & F1 Crosses • Closed Flock, Maedi/Visna-Negative • Prolific & High Yielding • Extensive Production Records • Semen and Embryos Approved for Export

Chris Buschbeck & Axel Meister R.R. #3, Markdale, Ontario, Canada N0C 1H0 Telephone (519) 538-2844 Fax (519) 538-1478 Email: wooldrift@bmts.com

Purebred Polled Dorset Stock Genovis Tested Australian and New Zealand influence Genetics designed to work in the pasture and the barn Quintin and Rachel McEwen 519-949-4130 info.cedargrovefarm@gmail.com OSN M a r c h 2 0 2 1

BREEDER