Ontario Sheep News March 2020

Vol. 39 - Issue 1

March 2020

NEWS

ONTARIOSHEEP THE HIDDEN BIRD LIFE IN THE GRASS A SPECIES AT RISK PROGRAM

2020 Ontario Sheep Convention/AGM and Awards Raven Predation in Ontario OSF Updates Premises Identification Numbers P M 40033529

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March 2020

Features 12 Raven Predation in Ontario 24 Student Chef Challenge 2020 26 The Hidden Bird Life in the Grass 4 5 6 7 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 29 30 32 33 34 35 36 37 39

Chairman’s report GM Report From the Editors Desk The Ontario Market Report Master Shepherd Course – Thank you!

Ontario Sheep Convention and AGM 2020 Raven Predation in Ontario Animal Health and Emergency Management Preliminary Raven Deterrent, On Farm Trials – OMAFRA Federal Transport Regulations OSF Updating Premises Information Timing Matters – Winter Spreading Awareness Student Chef Challenge 2020 The Hidden Bird Life in the Grass – BECO article OSF Call for Scientific Posters EWE Grow Program Ontario Market Lamb Calendar Health & Genetic Program Listing Auction Market and Abattoirs District Contacts Small Ruminant Lenders Seminar Classifieds Breeders Directory National Sheep Network – Letter to the Editor

COVER PHOTO: Esther Kelly 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.

ONTARIO SHEEP FARMERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Provincial Directors Telephone District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8 District 9 District 10 District 11

Ed Post Jay Lewis Sandi Brock Marusha Kostuk Heather Little John Hemsted Marc Carere Gary Fox Chris Moore Lee Brien Colleen Alloi

(226) 781-0832 (519) 323-7439 (519) 319-1914 (519) 865-6874 (519) 843-1675 (705) 487-2466 (705) 324-2432 (613) 393-5258 (613) 913-4994 (519) 809-5332 (705) 248-3287

ONTARIO SHEEP FARMERS STAFF Jennifer MacTavish General Manager manager@ontariosheep.org Jennifer Johanson Executive Assistant / Bookkeeper jjohanson@ontariosheep.org Anita O’Brien On Farm Program Lead aobrien@ontariosheep.org Tom Lewis Industry Relations Specialist tlewis@ontariosheep.org Jan Smith Administrative Assistant jsmith@ontariosheep.org 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 Publications Mail Registration Number: 40033529 ISSN 0844-5303 MARCH 2020 Date of Issue: March 2020 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

Ontario Sheep Farmers are Environmentalist

M

edia coverage and increased activism over the course of the last few years may have many believing that farming is bad for the environment.

By suggesting that farmers pollute the water, are stripping the soil of its nutrients and are responsible for mass deforestation.

The truth though, is that farmers are and continue to be, front line environmentalist and stewards of the land.

peer-to-peer network made of a coalition of agriculture and commodity organizations. The team is here to listen and assist farmers by identifying practical alternatives to spreading manure on frozen or snow-covered ground, in order to use nutrients more effectively and minimize potential environmental impact on local creeks, rivers and lakes, many of which eventually drain into Lake Erie.

Much of the work that the Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) is engaged in is about dispelling this myth and talking with government and the public about how committed sheep farmers are to the environment and sustainable production practices. OSF believes that livestock can be part of the solution when it comes to climate change and sustainability and we continue to be active on this important policy file.

As a member of ECO-AG, OSF is a champion of the environmental work that farmers do focusing on maximizing the reduction impacts of best practices, relying on industry leadership for peer-to-peer culture and behaviour changes, and minimizing regulatory burden on producers.

Ontario’s sheep sector plays an integral role in the management of grasslands and we recognize that the, conservation of grassland birds requires collaboration between farmers and conservation biologists. Given this, OSF along with Beef Farmers of Ontario, are working with Bird Ecology and Conservation Ontario on a project to collaborate with farmers to implement stewardship actions on farms.

These actions will provide nesting habitat for species such as bobolink and the eastern meadowlark on farms and increasing awareness of the value of agricultural grasslands for wildlife. More on this project can be found on page 26.

OSF is also committed to healthy soils and clean water and is taking its responsibility seriously by providing leadership on the Lake Erie Phosphorus Ag Sector Working Group.

This group, brings industry and government together, is a forum to exchange information, provide advice on potential actions by agriculture and government to reduce phosphorus entering Lake Erie. We know we have a responsibility to be part of the solution.

We are also active participants in the Timing Matters - Peer to Peer Response Team. Which is an industry-led,

ECO-AG is committed to providing continued leadership on these important issues. Its activities include the following: • participation in the initiative led by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative to reduce phosphorus loss from farmland by improving water management on private land and in the municipal drainage system; • active promotion of existing nutrient management standards and 4R practices1, including the environmental, social and economic benefits of maximizing nutrient use efficiency and following existing nutrient management standards; • promotion of established and/or innovative best practices; and • ongoing research efforts to develop decision-making tools to help producers determine the most cost-effective means of achieving environmentally sustainable results.

People may not always see it, but Ontario sheep farmers work hard to produce food and fiber for the world. Farmers also protect the environment as stewards of the land for future generations. This continues to be demonstrated daily with many different practices such as conservation (no-till), preservation (lands taken out of production) and moderation by using less resources and developing new ideas of how to best manage the resources on farm. 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 manager@ontariosheep.org

Research: Finding a Better Way

O

ntario Sheep Farmers (OSF) spent the last year revaluating and restructuring its research investments and to develop its priority research areas. These priority areas are aimed at increasing productivity and profitability.

with researchers about their work and ideas that you have.

We are involved with a current project looking at improving “innovation” or the flow of research results to the farm.

In addition, LRIC has just initiated a mentorship program for early stage faculty at the University of Guelph and OSF will be involved, making sure that we build strong working OSF research priorities are developed with producers and relationships with researchers. We need researchers to really industry stakeholders. They are outcome-based and include: understand sheep production at the farm level, knowing the challenges PRIORITY AREA OUTCOME IMPACT TO YOU and opportunities. That way, OSF Documented benefits of lamb and our research dollars can make Ontario sheep production production helps to avoid Environment positively impacts the natural sure that research does indeed find unnecessary regulation and environment. better ways. OSN builds consumer support.

Nutrition

The economics of various feeding strategies for sheep and Reduced feed cost and/or lambs in Ontario are available to improved performance. and useful for producers.

Health

A measurable decline in on-farm lamb mortality and morbidity compared with that which was reported in 2010.

Access to pharmaceuticals and vaccines that improve production. Reduced negative impact of parasites.

OSF has just released a call for proposals and though our budget is limited, we work with researchers to leverage your investment in research. In the past, every OSF dollar committed to research was matched 10:1 through other sources. That gives great value for the OSF investment.

We partner with other sectors (e.g. beef, dairy) when possible with one example being the current project focused on farmer mental health. Through our membership in Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC), we have access to an excellent research management system that will make our process much easier and save staff time.

Great research means nothing if results don’t reach farmers and incite change. Every year at our annual meeting and conference, we highlight current research underway with a poster competition. This gives you a chance to speak directly

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From the Editor’s Desk

H

Understanding and Complying with the New Federal Animal Transport Regulations

appy new year, new decade and welcome to the first issue of the Ontario Sheep News for 2020! This year started off with the implementation of the new Health of Animals Regulations: Part XII Transport of Animals Regulatory Amendment (commonly referred to as the Federal Transport Regulations) which came into force on February 20th. In January, Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) hosted a webinar on the new regulations, led by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the agency responsible for education and enforcement of the regulation.

In developing the new regulations, which had not been changed since the 1970’s, the CFIA heard from academia, animal advocacy, individuals, the livestock industry, MP’s, regulators, veterinarians and veterinary organizations. The CFIA believe that the final amendments are evidence based and science informed. They also have considered concerns regarding the previous outdated regulation; reviewed all consultations and feedback; looked at international standards, consumer and public expectations; market impacts and assessment of feedback regarding ability to adapt to available trending transport related technologies.

The revised Act applies to every person who loads or causes an animal to be loaded and it applies to all animals. It brings additional protection for the more vulnerable animals such as those deemed to be “unfit”. The Act further allows for assessment and monitoring of first factors related to transport such as: Are there any other pre-existing conditions of the animal(s) that could have an impact on the ability to withstand transport? Is the expected duration and conditions of the transport adequate for the animal(s) being transported?

Have measures been taken to prevent unnecessary suffering, injury or death of the animal(s) during transport?

The intent of the regulation is to protect the animals from suffering, being injured or dying during transportation. In the sheep sector, cull ewes and lactating ewes are considered more vulnerable. The first step is to assess the animal before they are transported.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME The OSN welcomes letters to the editor.

Please email: tllewis@ontariosheep.org or mail to: Ontario Sheep News, 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph ON NIK 1BI.

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

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For the two years, transporters who are not in compliance with the new Food, Water, Rest (FWR) times in the Act will be advised they are out of compliance by a CFIA inspector.

Inspectors will focus on education and awareness, rather than enforcement at this time. The FWR times are the only piece of the new regulation that will not be fully effective February 20th, but all other aspects of the regulation must be followed. If there are any negative animal welfare outcomes with a load, CFIA will act regardless of the FWR times.

While ensuring the well-being of animals during transport remains the CFIA’s highest priority, it is recognized that FWR maximum intervals outlined within the amended regulation introduce a requirement for significant adjustments such as the need for new infrastructure to be put in place. CFIA’s enforcement approach will balance the need to ensure the well-being of animals during the entire transportation process while supporting industry sectors in complying with the regulations.

Things to be aware of: • Unfit animals can only be transported under the recommendation of a veterinarian and with the aim of receiving veterinary care.

• Compromised animals must be transported to the nearest place where they can receive care or be humanely killed (cannot go through the auction market) and the maximum interval without FWR is 12 hours.

• Lambs less than 8 days of age cannot go to an auction market, can be transported one time only, for a max of 12 hours and the max interval without FWR is 12 hours.

• Lambs older than 8 days of age but not weaned can be transported for a max of 12 hours and the max interval without FWR is 12 hours (can go through an auction market).

• Cull ewes must be assessed carefully before transport and the driver must be informed of all pertinent pre-existing conditions.

• Lactating ewes in peak lactation are unfit for transport. If in normal lactation, they must be milked adequately to prevent mammary engorgement.

• Pregnant ewes in the last 10% of gestation are unfit for transport.

• Ewes that have given birth during the preceding 48 hours are unfit for transport.

On pages 18 and 19 of this issue we have included some additional resources and would encourage you to visit our resource page www.ontariosheep.org/Transport which will assist in finding the information on the new regulation and compliance with the new regulations. OSN

The Ontario Market Report

F

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. 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.

Go360|bioTrack captures any data you want and you can then work with it in one location. Tracking animal progress and performance makes it easy to pick top producing animals and improve our flock.

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Master Shepherd’s Course

A huge thank you to our speakers and tour hosts.

W

ith the final module of the Master Shepherd’s Course only weeks away, we want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation to the many speakers and farm hosts to date.

Your generosity, time and willingness to participate are key to the success of the program. Thank you!

Christoph Wand, OMAFRA

Speakers

Bill McCutcheon, Mulmur Vista Farm, Grand Valley

Steve Beadle, OMAFRA Dr. Rex Crawford, Orangeville Jenna Jongenotter, SIGA software Phillip Wilman, OMAFRA

John Molenhuis, OMAFRA

Bruce Vandenburg, Mariposa Dairy, Lindsay Eric Bjergso, CCWG

Delma Kennedy, OMAFRA

Shanna Armstrong, Pinnacle Haven Farm, Renfrew.

Mark Ferguson, OMAFRA Jon Chambers, FCC Kate Henderson, FCC Jillian Craig, OMAFRA Jennifer MacTavish, General Manager, OSF Anita O’Brien, MSC Co-ordinator, OSF Barb Caswell, OSCIA Ted Skinner, CSBA Corlena Patterson, CSF Cecelia Curtis, Floradale Feed Mill Ltd. Richard Ehrhardt, Michigan State University Marlene Paibomesai, OMAFRA Jackson Matschke, Grober Nutrition Eadie Steele, Shepherds’ Choice Farm, Norwood Dr. Paula Menzies, Elora Dr. Charlotte Winder, OVC Mark Ritchie, Foot Flat Farms, Amherst Island Dr. Chris Buschbeck, Markdale Paul Luimes, Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph Christine O’Reilly, OMAFRA Dale Darroch, Sunderland Co-op Patrick Hubert, OMNRF Alan Whitlam, Lansdowne Jean-Marc Leclerc, Embrun Brent Patterson, OMNRF Owen Fraser, CO, OMNRF Tim Campbell, Gallagher Cathy Gallivan, Deerville, New Brunswick Fredric Fortin, CEPOQ Johanne Cameron, Sain-Charles-sur-Richelieu, Quebec John Steele, Shepherds’ Choice, Norwood 8

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Tour Hosts Farmer’s Butcher Shop, Lindsay Ballinahistle Farms, Lindsay Van der Veen Farms, Grand Valley Breezy Ridge Farm, Sutton Sunderland Co-op, Sunderland Maple Winds Farm, Port Perry Phil & Melissa Botden, Enterprise Foot Flats Farm, Amherst Island Shepherds’ Choice Farm, Norwood Tuloch Ard Farm, Orono Golden Fleece Farm, Bailieboro Carncroft Farms, Blackstock Circle R. Livestock, Wallenstein Martin Dairy Sheep, Drayton Lewis Land & Stock Co., Holstein Drovers Way Farm, Perth Canadian Co-operative Woolgrowers, Carleton Place OSN

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2020 Ontario Sheep Convention

O

SF is pleased to announce that planning is underway for the 2020 Ontario Sheep Convention that will be held on October 22nd and 23rd 2019 at the Nottawasaga Inn Resort in Alliston, Ontario.

More information will be posted on the Ontario Sheep Farmers Website and in the Messenger in the weeks to come.

OSF Awards and Scholarships Please be reminded that the deadline for submissions for 2019 OSF Awards and Scholarships is September 14th, 2020.

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 acknowledgement 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 $500, a 25kg bag of their choice of Mapleseed Forage Mix, and $250 towards their accommodations to attend the Ontario Lamb Banquet at the Ontario Sheep Convention.

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Ontario Sheep Farmers Undergraduate 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 a biosecurity set up 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 post graduate 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?

More information can www.ontariosheepfarmers.org OSN

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Raven Predation in Ontario

Jillian Craig, Small Ruminant Specialist and Allison Brown, Small Ruminant Livestock Assistant, OMAFRA

T

o gain a better understanding of raven predation, a three-part project was conducted throughout the summer of 2019. Part one involved coordinating a province-wide survey to collect information on the magnitude of raven predation on sheep and beef farms. Part two involved trialing non-lethal raven deterrents on sheep farms to collect data on the effectiveness of the deterrent. A third part was to map raven predation reported through the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program. This article will discuss part one and part three of the project.

Ontario Avian Predation Stats Mapped Data from the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program (OWDCP) was mapped in order to observe any trends in avian predation specifically. Figure 1 shows the number of approved OWDCP avian predation claims by year for sheep, which included ravens and crows. The data for all avian predators was combined as often avian kills are hard to distinguish between species.

TABLE 1: APPROVED SHEEP OWDCP AVIAN PREDATION CLAIMS County

2017

2018

2019

3 Year Total

Bruce County

2

1

-

3

Dufferin County

-

2

1

3

Grey County

3

6

-

9

Kawartha Lakes

-

1

-

1

Leeds and Grenville County

2

2

3

7

Lennox and Addington County

1

-

1

2

Manitoulin District

-

3

1

4

Parry Sound District

13

4

15

32

Peterborough County

-

26

1

27

Simcoe County

1

-

-

1

Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry County

-

-

1

1

Thunder Bay District

-

5

-

5

Timiskaming District

4

-

-

4

Total

26

50

23

99

were tested on farms and some of the deterrents did work for short time periods therefore reducing the amount of raven predation on some farms during the lambing period.

Table 1 shows the number of approved OWDCP avian predation claims by county and by year for sheep.

Figure 1 and Table 1 reveal that there was a spike in avian predation in 2018. One farm experienced a high number of losses from ravens killing lambs on pasture. In 2019 the farm lambed ewes in barns, therefore the rate of predation on the farm dropped. This practice is not practical for most large pasture flocks and has other implications. Through the project, it was also found that a confinement sheep operation was experiencing problems with ravens coming into the barns and killing 90 to 110-pound lambs. Therefore, confinement is not a total solution.

In 2019, the number of kills from avian predation are slightly lower than in 2017, this may be due in part to the OMAFRA raven predation project. Non-lethal deterrents 12

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The survey data and on-farm interviews from the project revealed that under-reporting of raven predation is also an issue. Some of the reasons why producers were not submitting claims to the OWDCP included that they didn’t want to believe that they were experiencing raven kills, didn’t know that the program included ravens as a predator, some were unaware that the losses or injuries were due to ravens and didn’t think it was worth it to claim one newborn lamb.

Sheep Survey Results The sheep survey was completed by 24 farms which represented 11,585 ewes with an average flock size of 480 ewes.

Out of the 24 farms represented in the survey, 16 had experienced

raven predation while seven observed ravens on their farms and a select few had experienced past issues with raven predation. Most of the kills or injuries occurred on pasture, as can be observed in Figure 2. One farm checked the ‘other’ category and cited that they had kills in the pasture, barnyard and barn.

Killing methods observed can be found in Table 2.

TABLE 2: WHAT KILLING / INJURING METHODS DO YOU OBSERVE? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY) Method

Number of Responses

Pecking eyes

16

Pecking rectum

10

Pecking / pulling hide (back)

8

Pecking tongues

7

Pecking at skull

7

Pecking abdomen

7

Tearing bellies on cast ewes

4

Puncture wounds throughout body

3

Pecking through armpit on lambs

2

Tearing bellies on lambing ewes

2

Peck holes at side & pull at wool

1

Peck at navel & ribs of small lambs

1

Pecking nose

1

Tearing udders on cast ewes

1

Chasing sheep & lambs to one corner

1

The most common age group for killed animals (ranked in order) was: Pre-weaned (5/16 farms) Newborn - first 24 hours of life (4/16) First week of life (4/16) Weaned (1/16) Adult (1/16) No killed animals (1/16) The most common age group for injured animals (ranked in order) was: Adult (5/15 farms) Newborn – first 24 hours of life (2/15) First week of life (2/15) Pre-weaned (2/15) No injured animals (4/15 farms) Survey participants were asked if they had success deterring ravens. 13 out of 16 said yes, they have either had success or some success and three said they have had no success deterring ravens. Some of the successful measures

utilized can be found below (respondents were asked to record all measures that worked): • Livestock guardian dogs (6 farms/14 farms) • Shooting (3/14) • Shooting as a warning (1/14) • Scare Eye Balloons (2/14) • Raven Decoys (2/14) • Close windows in the barn (1/14) From the responses, participants reported they had varying degrees of success with these measures and some alluded to the short-term effect of the deterrents. A survey respondent noted some methods are not practical such as closing barn windows or curtains and cited they experienced ventilation problems from doing so. From the preliminary 2019 findings of the small project, it is recommended that non-lethal deterrents be utilized only when experiencing active raven predation. Since ravens are intelligent, deterrents should only be used for a short time period to ensure the ravens do not become accustomed to them. OSN

Thank you to all farms who participated in the on-farm non-lethal deterrent trials and to those who took the time to fill out the raven predation survey. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

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AHEM Helps Producers and Industry Prepare for A Serious Animal Disease Outbreak

I

t could happen in any province – all it takes is one sick sheep or pig to spark a serious animal disease outbreak that would upend the Canadian livestock industry, shutting beef and pork products out of world markets for weeks, months, or years, and severely restricting all livestock sectors. The impact to livestock producers would be intense. Zoning and cease movement orders would put the livestock industry at a standstill and disrupt producers’ routine operations, and it’s anyone’s guess for how long. The hard stop to production cycles, shipments of animals and products, livestock in transit, the delivery of feed and other essentials would spark a myriad of issues for producers.

As nightmarish as this scenario would be, producers can have a better understanding of what may occur during a serious animal disease event using resources from the Animal Health Emergency Management (AHEM) project. The AHEM resources ensure a consistent approach to managing a major disease event from the grassroots producers and their provincial associations to national industry groups and governments.

“Producers have an essential role to play in a disease outbreak,” said AHEM spokesperson Matt Taylor. “Much of our success in responding to a serious animal disease outbreak hinges on people being prepared and understanding what they are required to do, to effectively manage their operations without making things worse.”

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Crowding tub and work schute

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Creepfeeder 2.45 mtr + 1.25 mtr with safety hurdle

Information in the AHEM producer handbooks can be used to prepare for an emergency involving a serious animal disease outbreak, and as a compass as the situation unfolds. Taylor added producers should ask their commodity associations for a copy of the handbook - or download the latest version from animalhealth.ca/ahem/project-resources - noting that it’s best to review material like this before an emergency rather than in the heat of the moment.

Producer awareness workshops are also being organized across the country, through the AHEM project. At the workshop producers are walked through a simulated outbreak event using the handbook’s resource section to guide them through necessary steps on farm, offering some certainty during what’s sure to be a trying time. The discussion at these workshops serves to remind producers of the importance of business continuity and how the routine tasks at an operation will be undertaken, which will be crucial information in the event of a serious animal disease outbreak. “Being proactive with animal health, biosecurity, record-keeping, staff training, having an emergency plan, and regular contact with your commodity association is important,” said Taylor.

“We know that disease emergencies can present significant challenges to all aspects of the industry, including trade relationships, and public trust,” explained Taylor. “This project is part of ongoing joint efforts between industry and governments to strengthen and protect the 79,000+ livestock operations across the country and help to ensure sustainability of the industry as a whole.”

In addition to providing new resources and creating awareness of these resources, the AHEM project is developing industry protocols and offering online disease recognition and response training for veterinarians, veterinary technicians and technologists. The industry protocols will include vaccination, communication, and movement controls applicable across all livestock commodities. The online training begins in May and runs for four weeks. Interested individuals are encouraged to sign up early as seating is limited.

For more information on the AHEM project, upcoming workshops and training, please visit www.animalhealth.ca OSN

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2019-02-14 11:44 AM

Preliminary Raven Deterrent On-Farm Trials

Jillian Craig, Small Ruminant Specialist and Allison Brown, Small Ruminant Livestock Assistant, OMAFRA

T

o gain a better understanding of raven predation, a three-part project was conducted throughout the summer of 2019. This article will focus on part two of the project which involved trialing non-lethal raven deterrents on sheep farms to collect data on the effectiveness of the deterrent.

Non-lethal raven deterrents were piloted on nine Ontario sheep farms in 2019. Deterrents had variable results on-farm due to compounding factors such as different farm types, and histories of raven predation. The results of this study are preliminary. Below are short summaries for three of the deterrents used in the study.

Only data from farms which experienced active kills in 2019 were summarized in this article due to space restrictions, which can be found in Table 1 and Table 2. The number of lambs attacked and the number of days in the study is summarized before and after the deterrent was in use.

Additionally, the number of days the deterrent was effective is included.

Plastic Decoy Ravens Two different farms experiencing active raven predation trialed plastic decoy raven deterrents. The decoy ravens were hung upside down in the pasture with the sheep.

On the first farm, after the decoy was set up there was no raven predation from the time of set up to the end of the study

period (36 days). The deterrent seemed to alter the ravens’ flight patterns and the ravens no longer came into the sheep paddock. The second farm set up the decoy and experienced four kills within eight days. The first kill happened on day four. The results are mixed due to different farm histories.

Raven Kite A raven kite was utilized on one farm. This farm was not experiencing active kills however there were multiple ravens around the barn and pastures. The kite was attached to a 20-foot pole and when the wind picked up, the kite flew around the pole mimicking a large bird in flight. If there was no wind the ‘bird’ remained stationary and therefore did not deter ravens.

The deterrent was set up on a hill close to the sheep and the farmer still observed ravens every day. The amount of time the kite was in flight, stationary and broken can be seen in Figure 1.

Scare Eye Balloons

Scare eye balloons were trialed on four farms with mixed results. Two farms were experiencing active raven kills and two farms were not but had kills in the past.

TABLE 1: FARMS UTILIZING DECOY RAVENS The farm experiencing kills Before Deterrent Use During Deterrent Use set up the balloons and # of Days Deterrent # of Days # of Days had no kills for 15 days, Farm ID # Lambs (first kill # Lambs Utilized Deterrent Deterrent then experienced another Attacked to study Attacked Set Up Effective kill. The other farm which start date) was actively experiencing 49 36 Plastic raven predation was a (May 22 (Jul 10 4 lambs 36 days F Crow 0 confinement operation. killed - Jul 9, Aug 14, Decoy Since there were four large 2019) 2019) barns, different deterrents Visual 12 3 lambs 56 were trialed in each of the Scare 9 lambs May 19 killed + (May 31 I 4 days barns. After the deterrents Feather killed May 30, 1 ewe - Jul 25, Crow

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2019)

injured

2019)

in part due to a small sample size and unequal timings of deterrent use.

Table 2: Farms Utilizing Scare Eye Balloons Unprotected (No Trial Deterrent)

Protected (Using Trial Deterrent)

In summary, it is recommended that non-lethal deterrents be utilized only when # of Days # of Days # Lambs Deterrent Set Deterrent experiencing active raven predation. Since ravens Attacked Up Effective are intelligent, deterrents should only be used for a short time period to ensure the ravens do 30 days 30 1 lamb Scare Eye 4 lambs not become accustomed to them. Similar to 15 days B (May 22 - Jun (Jun 21 Balloons killed killed coyotes, novelties tend to work for a short time Jul 20, 2019) 20, 2019) and then become ineffective once the coyotes 91 26 Scare Eye 4 lambs become familiar to the deterrents. For example, 0 (Jun 27 91 days (Jun 1 H Balloons killed if a farm is experiencing active raven predation Jun 26, 2019) Sept 25, 2019) during pasture lambing, deterrents should be set were set up, the ravens were not observed in the barns and up directly prior to lambing and removed after there were no kills for the duration of the study period. lambing season is complete.

Ravens were observed in the fields around the farm.

Other best management practices noted from the study included picking up afterbirths, disposing of deadstock in a Conclusion & Next Steps: timely manner and eliminating easy roosting spots around the There was a decrease in rate of kills per day after adding pastures or barn such as dead trees and unused silo platforms. a deterrent at each of the four farms, however, the change in rate of kills per day was not significant based on a pooled If you are experiencing raven predation and wish to t-test assuming equal variances with a p-value equal to 0.1537 be involved in the upcoming 2020 study, please email (a p-value of 0.05 or lower is considered significant). This is jillian.craig@ontario.ca or call 705-341-1246. OSN Farm Deterrent ID Utilized # Lambs Attacked

# of Days (first kill to study start date)

Thank you to all farms who participated in the on-farm non-lethal deterrent trials and to those who took the time to fill out the raven predation survey. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

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CHECK ANIMALS BEFORE TRANSPORT

Must be isolated in transport, loaded alone without negotiating ramps. Measures must be taken to prevent unnecessary suffering and must not go to an assembly centre.

NO

YES ANIMAL COMPROMISED EN ROUTE

Onward ANIMAL UNFIT EN ROUTE VET

Humanely kill on truck or nearest place the animals can receive care, or be humanely killed.

Nearest place the animal can receive care or be humanely killed.

The nearest place could include an assembly centre for these animals.

For more information about humane transport and animal welfare, visit inspection.gc.ca/humane.

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CFIA P1040E-20 Catalogue No.: A104-194/2020E-PDF ISBN: 978-0-660-33796-8 Aussi disponible en franรงais

Advice from veterinarian

Monitor en route OK?

TRANSPORTING UNFIT OR COMPROMISED ANIMALS The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulates the humane treatment of all animals being transported into, within, and out of Canada by enforcing the Health of Animals Regulations (Part XII) Transport of Animals.

All persons involved in the transport of animals must ensure that every animal being transported is assessed as being fit for the trip and that all provisions of the regulations are met.

If an animal becomes unfit or compromised before, during or after being transported, reasonable measures must be taken to prevent unnecessary suffering. As soon as possible, the animal must be transported to receive care or be humanely killed or have the animal humanely killed while on the conveyance.

Unfit animals (as described in the Regulations) are not to be transported unless it is to receive care recommended by a veterinarian. If transported, they must be loaded, confined, transported and unloaded in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations (refer to section 139(2)) to prevent suffering, injury or death. Compromised animals (as described in the Regulations) are not to be transported to assembly centres, including auction markets.

They may be transported if they are isolated from other animals, are loaded and unloaded individually without having to negotiate any ramps within the conveyance, and transported to the nearest place where they can receive care or be humanely killed. They must also be provided with feed, water and rest at a maximum, every 12 hours (fewer if needed to meet required outcomes). They must be loaded, confined, transported and unloaded in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations (refer to section 140(1)) to prevent suffering, injury and death.

• is non-ambulatory; • has a fracture that impedes mobility or causes signs of pain; • is lame and exhibits pain in one or more limbs or cannot walk on all of its legs; • is in shock or is dying; • has a prolapsed uterus; • has a severe rectal or severe vaginal prolapse; • has nervous system disorder; • is a porcine that is trembling, discolored and has difficulty breathing; • has laboured breathing; • has severe open wound or severe laceration; • is hobbled to aid in treatment; • is extremely thin; • exhibits signs of dehydration; • is hypothermic or hyperthermic; • exhibits signs of a fever; • has a significant hernia that impedes movement, causes signs of pain, touches the ground when standing, or that has an open wound or infection; • is in the last 10% of its gestation period or has given birth during the preceding 48 hours; • has an unhealed infected navel; • has a gangrenous udder; • has severe cancer eye; • is bloated with signs of discomfort or weakness; • is exhausted; • exhibits any other signs of infirmity, illness, injury or a condition that indicates that it cannot be transported without suffering.

Signs of a compromised animal • is bloated but does not demonstrate signs of discomfort or weakness; • has acute frostbite; • is blind in both eyes; • has not healed after any procedure, including dehorning, castration, and detusking; • lameness other than what is described in the regulation as unfit; • has a deformity or a fully healed amputation that does not cause pain; • is in a period of peak lactation and will not be milked to prevent mammary engorgement; • has an unhealed or acutely injured penis; • has a minor rectal or minor vaginal prolapse; • has its mobility limited by a device applied for treatment (for example, hobbles); • is a wet bird; or • exhibits any other signs of infirmity, illness, injury or of a condition that indicates that it has a reduced capacity to withstand transport.

NOTE: • Calves 8 days and under are prohibited from being transported to assembly centres, including auction markets.

• Lactating animals that cannot be milked to prevent engorgement must reach a destination where they can be milked or slaughtered before becoming engorged.

• Animals with mammary engorgement will be considered compromised or unfit.

All regulated parties are required to be aware of all applicable provisions in Part XII of the regulations.

For more information about humane transport and animal welfare, visit inspection.gc.ca/humane.

CFIA P1037E-20 Catalogue No.: A104-192/2020E-PDF ISBN: 978-0-660-33792-0 Aussi disponible en français

Signs of an unfit animal

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OSF Updating Premises Information Premises Identification Numbers

O

ntario Sheep Farmers will be updating premises information related to Premises Identification Numbers (PIDs) on behalf of all consenting producer members. This is a continuation of the work OSF was doing with OnTrace to improve emergency management and traceability platforms across Ontario.

OSF has signed a data-sharing agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) joining other commodities who have established similar partnerships with OMAFRA. On behalf of producers, staff will collaborate with OMAFRA and Agricorp to obtain a unique PID for each property that a producer member is associated with, or to update their existing PID(s). Agricorp has been contracted by OMAFRA to manage the Provincial Premises

Registry (PPR), formerly the Ontario Agri-Food Premises Registry (OAPR) established by OnTrace in 2006. The PPR registers Ontario agri-business and premises on a voluntary basis in preparation of emergency management needs.

There are many benefits to having a PID. Many existing and most new government funding opportunities require them as a condition of application. The Risk Management Program and Business Risk Management programs offered by Agricorp, such as Agristability, also list PIDs as a requirement for enrolment. Additionally, with some producers having secondary and tertiary commodities on-farm yet belonging to only one association, having a PID will ensure that they receive timely details regarding an outbreak of disease or other emergencies that would affect any or all the commodities they produce.

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OSN M a r c h 2 0 2 0

On behalf of each producer, the OSF organization will submit the necessary details of the property location required to issue the PID. This includes the name and contact information for the primary person to notify regarding events relevant to the premises in question (i.e. the owner, renter or emergency contact for the premises) and activity details including the type of commodity and species produced on-farm (i.e. rabbitry, milking goats, grain corn, etc.). GPS coordinates and property outlines/legal land descriptions may also be collected.

Once the information has been verified by Agricorp, each producer will receive a certificate bearing the unique PID for each of their premises. There are no fees associated with obtaining a PID. Additionally, the producer information submitted will remain confidential and will be released beyond OMAFRA to relevant authorities only in the event of an emergency, when it will be used strictly for emergency management purposes. Emergency management purposes include the processes and activities associated with planning, preparing, responding to, and remediating emergencies.

Information pertaining to income, etc. would never be collected or shared.

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For more information and inquiries, please contact the OSF office, at 519-836-0043 and/or visit: www.ontariopid.com OSN

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Timing Matters is an Ontario initiative between farm organizations and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to promote optimal timing of manure application throughout the year. The goal is to promote a better understanding of manure's value, manure storage options, application equipment and timing.

How do nutrients from manure move when applied during winter?

What's the problem with spreading manure in the winter?

22

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Talking Algal Blooms: What's so special about Lake Erie?

But it’s not just Lake Erie

Alternatives to spreading manure in the winter

What’s the connection to 4R?

OSN M a r c h 2 0 2 0

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2020 Student Chef Challenge

O

ntario Sheep Farmers in partnership with Mushrooms Canada and Durham College hosted the 2020 Student Chef Challenge on February 28th. Participating colleges for this year’s event were Durham, Canadore, Fleming, Centennial, and Humber who participated in both the Butcher contest and Chef challenge.

Boneless Leg, sirloin attached (2), Shank (2) and Ground (including breast).

Culinary students at this year’s event showcased how the flavours from fresh Ontario mushrooms and fresh Ontario Lamb blend deliciously to produce outstanding dishes. The competition was open to teams of Ontario College Culinary Management Students and teams consisting of 3 students and 1 mentor.

The Student Chef Challenge finalist teams cooked three of their own recipes. 1 blended (50% ground lamb, 50% ground mushrooms), 1 using rack & loin with mushrooms and 1 braised (using shoulder) & mushrooms. The braised were created as a “Family Friendly, Wednesday night dinner” type of recipe that is quickly and easily prepared and contains easy-to-find and budget-friendly ingredients.

Butcher Contest Criteria - A full Lamb was supplied to each team to be butchered to industry standards and was presented for evaluation: Boneless Shoulder (2), Rack, Chine off, Frenched (2), Boneless Strip Loin (2), Tenderloin (2), 24

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Student Chef Challenge Criteria Each team created 1 blended (50% ground lamb, 50% ground mushrooms), 1 using rack & loin with mushrooms and 1 braised (using shoulder) & mushrooms. The braised was to be created as a “Family Friendly, Wednesday night dinner” type of recipe that is quickly and easily prepared and contains easy-to-find and budget-friendly ingredients.

A panel of judges (including OSF’s own Jay Lewis) tasted and examine all three (3) of the finalists’ recipes. (Insert picture of Judges at table) Thank you to our Butcher Contest Judge Nicholas Matusiak of Halenda’s Meats and all the Chef Challenge judges which were Jay Lewis - Ontario Sheep, TJ Gill -Restaurants Canada, Jason Kalinowski - Gordon Foods and Amedeo Guzzo-Foliaro - Windmill Farms.

The winners from this year’s Best Butchery skills was Fleming College.

The winners of the 2020 Student Chef Challenge 1st Place Canadore College 2nd place Centennial College and 3rd place Fleming College.

Congratulations to all the winners and participants who worked so hard to prepare such wonderful dishes for tasting.

Thank you to everyone who made this event the success that it was including the participating schools, Durham College for hosting the event, Mushrooms Canada for supplying the mushrooms and Ontario Sheep & New Market Meats for supplying Ontario fresh premium lamb. A digital cookbook will be shared for download once complete and will be distributed via The Messenger. OSN

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

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The Hidden Bird Life in the Grass Zoé Lebrun-Southcott, Bird Ecology and Conservation Ontario

A

couple of years ago, I was driving north on Dufferin Rd 124 to one of our field research sites and saw a car pulled over next to a canola field. The next day, there was another car in almost the same spot and another just up the road. I realized they’d all stopped to take selfies in front of the strikingly yellow canola that was in full bloom. I’ve never seen anyone taking a selfie in front of a hayfield or a pasture.

Agricultural grasslands have a subtler beauty that is often overlooked. They’re not remarkably colourful or breathtaking, but I’ve spent hundreds of hours in hayfields and pastures, watching and listening to gather information about Bobolinks and other bird species that nest in these fields. When you immerse yourself in a grassland, you see how full of life they are and how much is going on in these unassuming landscapes in Ontario through spring and summer.

Bird Ecology and Conservation Ontario, a small non-profit organization, has been researching birds at risk in agricultural landscapes since 2016. Our work has been largely focused on the Bobolink, a charismatic species that never ceases to amuse us each year with its interesting behaviours and individual personalities. Most of our field work occurs on farms—in hayfields and pastures managed for cattle and sheep. Having grown up in Toronto, my farming knowledge is limited, but studying grassland birds on farms has been a fascinating

opportunity to glimpse the complex world of farming, learn about the relationship between the fields and the birds, and between the birds and the farmers who create this habitat.

Grassland bird populations are declining at an alarming rate. A recent research paper in Science reported a loss of 720 million grassland birds across North America since 19701. In Canada, 17 of 33 grassland bird species were recently assessed as in decline2. Bobolinks, a poster species for grassland bird population declines, are still commonly seen singing from fence posts and doing helicopter-like flight displays over hayfields and pastures in southern Ontario. But between 1968 and 2008, Canada lost 88% of its Bobolink population3.

It’s hard to believe this species is in peril with so many of these birds still around, but the steep downward trend of the population, alongside other bird species that share this habitat, isn’t something we should ignore.

There are many factors contributing to the decline of the Bobolink population and other grassland bird species, including factors in their breeding and non-breeding habitats.

Bobolinks overwinter in the southern interior of South America, making a 10,000-km journey each spring to their nesting grounds which span the northern US and southern Canada. For Bobolinks in Ontario, loss of nesting habitat (primarily due to a decrease in the amount of hay and pasture in the province) and changes in agricultural practices (such as earlier and more frequent mowing of hayfields and more intensive grazing of pastures) are considered two important factors contributing to their worrying population trajectory.

What’s tricky is that Bobolinks and several other grassland birds, such as Eastern Meadowlarks and Grasshopper Sparrows, primarily nest in working landscapes on private farms where their nests, built on the ground, are vulnerable to inadvertent destruction and exposure to predators when mowing or grazing occurs. But these hayfields and pastures only exist because they’re being created and maintained by farmers. Mowing and grazing are necessary for farmers to be able to make a living and continue to maintain these grassland landscapes which provide habitat for so many species. With many farmers moving away from grass farming for financial reasons, bird conservation strategies can’t place restrictions on these farmers that cause financial hardship. This would help neither the birds nor the farmers.

One of the farmers we worked with in 2019, Tarrah Young, recently wrote about grassland birds in her farm newsletter.

She talked about the birds as stakeholders, which I think is a useful perspective to approach this conservation challenge.

These birds rely on hayfields and pastures for nesting habitat, and although other private landowners and various levels of government have roles to play in creating and maintaining

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habitat for these species, the vast majority of these birds are nesting on farms. And while it’s essential to realize that this habitat will only continue to exist for the birds if the farmers who manage it can make a living off of the land, I think it’s helpful to recognize that the birds are stakeholders too and they’re an important part of agricultural grasslands.

The situation is disheartening at times. Birds are disappearing from our landscape and there isn’t an easy solution to change their population trajectories. But each farmer we work with inspires us in some way, whether it’s their decision to balk the trend and plant grass instead of row crops; their intense interest in the birds, illustrated in touching ways, for example the annual spring arrival dates of Barn Swallows written on a barn door dating back many years; or their fierce protection of the birds, for example by putting up electric fencing around nests to keep out mammalian predators after a bout of predation in a pasture.

This spring, we’ll continue our research in agricultural grasslands to learn more about the relationship between grassland birds and management activities and to look for conservation opportunities. Despite worrying news about bird population declines, the birds aren’t discouraged. During the peak of the nesting season life is palpable in the fields—it can feel like there is nowhere to go without being in a bird’s way.

Watching from the fence line of a field, a male and female Bobolink with a nest nearby will start alarm calling and approaching me, telling me to go away, worried for the safety

of their vulnerable nestlings nearby. Moving down the fence line to let them continue feeding their young, I’ll enter the territory of an Eastern Meadowlark that will start voicing its concern about my presence. Moving still another way will lead to a Savannah Sparrow and a Field Sparrow annoyed at my disruption of their nesting activities. While it can be slightly frustrating to find a good vantage point from which to observe the birds without disturbing them, it’s reassuring to be reminded of how much life there still is in these landscapes and how determined these little birds are. They will do their utmost to survive and raise their young, if we can find ways to provide them with the space they need to do it. OSN Bird Ecology and Conservation Ontario’s birds at risk in agricultural landscapes program has received funding support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Government of Ontario through Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association’s Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program. For more information, visit becobirds.org and grasslandbirds.ca.

1. R osenberg, K. V., A. M. Dokter, P. J. Blancher, J. R. Sauer, A. C. Smith, P. A. Smith, J. C. Stanton, A. Panjabi, L. Helft, M. Parr, and P. P. Marra. 2019. Decline of the North American avifauna. Science 366:120–124.

2. N orth American Bird Conservation Initiative Canada. 2019. The State of Canada’s Birds, 2019. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Canada. www. stateofcanadasbirds.org 3. C ommittee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). 2010.

COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus, in Canada. Environment Canada, Ottawa, Canada. http://publications.gc.ca/site/ eng/371640/publication.html OSN M a r c h 2 0 2 0

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Ontario Sheep Farmers 2020 Convention & AGM Nottawasaga Inn, Alliston, Ontario • October 22nd – 23rd, 2020

CALL FOR SCIENTIFIC POSTERS

Ontario Sheep Farmers is hosting a poster session at the 2020 Sheep Convention.

Note: Researchers doing research that is not directly sheep focused but is applicable and easily transferrable to the sheep industry are encouraged to submit a poster.

SUBMISSIONS:

Poster abstract with a maximum of 250 words should be emailed to: General@ontariosheep.org Deadline: September 14th, 2020

NOTIFICATION:

An email will be sent out on or before October 9th, 2020 confirming acceptance.

CONTENT:

Posters should address any of the following topics related to animal agriculture: 1. Animal Health (incl. offspring survivability) 2. Nutrition 3. Marketing, Product Quality & Economics 4. Genetics, Reproduction & production systems 5. Environment 6. Animal Welfare

GUIDELINES:

Poster should be brief, well organized and easy to read from 4 to 6 feet away 3’tall x4’wide (90 x 120 cm) poster panels will be available

SET UP AND REMOVAL:

Set up: Evening of October 21st or by 8 a.m. on October 22nd Removal: After 2 p.m. October 23rd

WHAT ELSE?

• Convention attendees will be voting on their favourite research project and cash prizes will be given for the top 3 posters • Be prepared to give a 2 minute overview of your project

ANY MORE QUESTIONS?

Please contact Jennifer MacTavish, General Manager, Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency at: jmactavish@ontariosheep.org or 519.836.0043 ext. 323

A Dinner Suggestion.

Lamb Shanks with Dried Fruits Prep time: 10 minutes • Cooking time: 1 hour 30 minutes Servings: 4

Preparation Dust shanks with salt, pepper and flour. Melt butter with the garlic in a fry pan then brown the shanks on all sides. Put the shanks in a large casserole with all remaining ingredients plus 1-1/2 cups of water.

Cover and bake in 350° degree oven for 1-1/2 hours. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes.

This dish pairs perfectly with a nice Ontario Cabernet Savignon too!

Ingredients • • • • • • • • • •

4 lamb shanks salt and pepper 1/4 cup flour 2 tbsp butter 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 pkg mixed dried fruit 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp allspice 1/2 tsp cloves

• 1/4 cup vinegar 28

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OSF EweGROW Program

O

ntario Sheep Farmers EweGROW is a program designed to help sheep farmers benchmark their production and identify ways to improve their farm’s productivity and profitability.

The sheep industry lacks aggregated industry data that farmers can use to compare their farm businesses to. By keeping track of on-farm data - number of ewes, number of lambs born, number of animals marketed as examples allows farmers to monitor their progress, see the impacts of the management decisions they are making, and if their farm business goals are being met.

Ontario Sheep Farmers has developed a concise benchmarking worksheet to record data for up to 10 key benchmarks. Farmers can submit the data to OSF that will then be aggregated to create industry benchmarks. All

information will be kept confidential and can be submitted anonymously.

For more information on the program or to download the concise benchmarking worksheet please visit https://www. ontariosheep.org/ewegrow Please see sample form below. *Deadline for submitting data to OSF is June 30th, 2020 Forms can be submitted by: Email: general@ontariosheep.org Fax: 519.836.2531 Mail: Ontario Sheep Farmers 130 Malcolm Rd Guelph, ON N1K 1B1

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CONCISE SHEEP BENCHMARKING TEMPLATE Instructions:

Complete the fields highlighted in blue. If you would like to report production data by lambing group, complete columns Lambing Group 1 through 4 and include the month the group lambed. If you are reporting annual production data, complete the annual total column.

Once you have completed your form, email it to general@ontariosheep.org or mail it as a hard copy to the OSF office.

Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) is collecting this data, in aggregate, to: • Better predict lamb supply • Improve our ability to represent, and advocate for, the Ontario sheep industry • Give sheep farmers the ability to benchmark their flocks against the provincial average Premises ID (optional) Name (optional) Contact (optional – email/phone) Annual Total Record month lambing group lambed.

Lambing Group 1

Lambing Group 2

Lambing Group 3

Lambing Group 4

Production Benchmarks Total # of ewes in breeding flock (female animals old enough to be bred) # ewes exposed to a ram # ewes lambed (# of ewes giving birth incl. live and dead lambs) # lambs born (incl., mummified, stillbirths) # lambs weaned # ewe lambs retained for breeding # market lambs sold (incl. ewe lambs, intact ram lambs and wethers) lbs of lamb marketed (total for reporting period) # of cull ewes and rams sold to market Type of lambing Age range at weaning Additional comments

 Annual

 Pasture

 Accelerated

 Modified

Completed forms can be sent to: Email: general@ontariosheep.org Mail: Ontario Sheep Farmers 130 Malcolm RD, Guelph, ON N1K 1B1 Updated: August 2018 OSN M a r c h 2 0 2 0

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THE 2020 ONTARIO LAMB MARKET CALENDAR Year

Holiday

Consumption Preferences

Market Processor Needs

Public Auction Market Impact

January

None

Leg of lamb, stews and curries are in favour with the colder weather

Steady demand for heavier lambs/sheep with some Orthodox Christmas demand.

Lower market volumes generally.

February

None

Leg of lamb, stews and curries are in favour with the colder weather

Lower demand.

Lower market volumes and demand generally.

March

None

Easter holiday inventory buildup.

Growth in supply following winter, with Easter demand increase.

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)

Higher market demand in the 2-3 week period before holiday.

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.

Hint: check local auction schedules for ‘special’ Easter sale dates!

Traditionally must be processed under Kosher laws.

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

Steady market. A limited influence.

Start of barbeque season which Is more frequently featuring Ontario lamb.

Moderate demand. Processors see an increase in barbequing lamb demand from May to August. This will push some demand from May through late July.

Commonly higher supply and slightly higher but still moderate demand.

Later month leads into Ramadan commencement.

Easter Good Friday (Christian) 1 day April 10

A peak sale period in year.

April 8 to April 16

Passover (Jewish) 8 days

May

April 24 to May 23

Ramadan (Islam) 1 month (daylight fasting)

Some celebrations will occur prior to start of Ramadan.

Weaned market lambs (70 – 90 lbs live weight)

A moderate market factor for week leading into Ramadan.

May 24

Eid al-Fitr (Islam) Festival of Fast Breaking

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

Weaned market lambs (70 – 90 lbs live weight) Lower demand for heavy lambs.

A moderate market factor for week leading into end of Ramadan.

Eid ul Adha (Festival of Sacrifice, Eid) (Islam) 1 day

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

Weaned market lambs (70 – 90 lbs live weight); heavier older lambs are also in demand.

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

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

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.

Ending to barbeque season, leads into Eid holiday period.

Lower demand for heavy lambs. Lower consumer demand with end of summer barbeque season and lead-up to Eid.

Lower early demand for light and heavy lambs, will increase in 2-3 week period before Eid.

July 31

A peak sale period in year.

August 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 20

September 19-20

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 (Christian)

Not yet a tradition but lamb is a turkey alternative.

Steady demand with slow year over year consumer demand increase.

Steady market. A limited influencer.

None

Stew/casserole are growing in seasonal popularity.

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

Lower market volumes and demand.

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).

Leg of lamb, stews and curries are food staples.

Lambs should be freshly weaned (milk fed), 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.

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

October 12 November

December 10 – December 18

December 25

A peak sale period in year.

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.

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PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS

Sign up for the Locator – a searchable database for Ontario lamb, mutton, specialty wool, sheep dairy products, breeding stock, and livestock guardian animals.

It’s FREE.

Sign up today To register, visit www.OntarioSheep.org or email admin@ontariosheep.org.

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 $________________________________

ASSOCIATION DIRECTORY PUREBRED SHEEP BREEDERS OF ONTARIO Joan Finlay, Box 364 Lucknow ON N0G 2H0 • 519-528-2620 • email: psbo.secretary@gmail.com OSN M a r c h 2 0 2 0

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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 2020) 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 Granite Forest Farm • Laura McRae • (705) 868-2697

Hawk Hill Farm • Bob Garner and Laurie Maus • (613) 527-1897 Hutchings Farms • Kevin & Sandra Hutchings • (705) 437-4441 Island Meadows Family Farm • Ken & Niki Thompson • (613) 476-9018 J & J Farms • Ross & Clementine Savasi • (705) 652-7477 Lamb Lady Farm • Shelagh Finn • (647) 932-7102 Little Earl Farms Inc • Ryan Bennett • (705) 890-6435 Maple Hill Farm • Brenna McKeeman & Matthew Francisco • (226) 820-1192 Maple Meadow Farms • Colleen Acres and Dwayne Bazinet • (613) 826-2330 Meadow Brook Family Farm • Steven A. Ernewein • (519) 392-8624 Prolific Acres Sheep Farm • Charlie Renaud • (705) 322-2140 Schuyler Farms Ltd. • Brett Schuyler • (519) 427-9696 Shepherd’s Choice • John & Eadie Steele • (705) 696-1491 Shepherd’s Fold • Bethanee Jensen • (519) 887-9948 Sheperd’s Grove • Harv & Christine Breman • (519) 879-6579 Shillalah Farm • Florence Pullen • (519) 233-7896 Stonehill Sheep • Paul Dick • (519) 794-3732 Todd Sheep Company Inc. • Keith Todd • (519) 528-2650 Tulach Ard Farm • Sean McKenzie • (905) 786-2476 Wooldrift Farm • Chris Buschbeck & Axel Meister • (519) 538-2844

CURRENT PRODUCERS ENROLLED IN ONTARIO SHEEP HEALTH PROGRAM (AS OF MARCH 2020) Birchgrove Farms • Jason & Kit Koivisto • (705) 782-2276 Circle R Livestock • Ryan & Romy Schill • (519) 669-4146 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 The Greenhill Farms • Wietze & Leny Raven • (519) 928-2705

FLOCKS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED EITHER “A” OR “MONITORED, LOW RISK” STATUS ON THE MAEDI VISNA PROGRAM (AS OF MARCH 2020) Autumn Ridge Dairy Sheep • Don & Travis Weber • (519) 573-0915 Beitz View Acres • Cory & Jennifer Beitz • (519) 367-2589 Best Boar & Baa Farm • Eric & Elisabeth Bzikot • (519) 848-5694 Brookwater Farms • Harry & Vicki Elsinga • (902) 439-5811 Cedar Creek Charollais • Ted & Joanne Skinner • (905) 263-2102 Century Lane Farm • Robert & Shirley Graves • (613) 831-2656 Circle R Livestock • Ryan & Romy Schill • (519) 669-4146 Cleon M. Martin • (519) 323-3519 DP Farms • Neil Post • (519) 820-2810 Fare Vewe Acres • Mark & Betty Bearinger • (519) 323-1760 Greenwood Farms • Heather & Robert Kelly • (519) 369-5396

Hunterdown Farm • Gerald & Joanne Hunter • (613) 283-7565 Lamb Lady Farm • Shelagh Finn • (647) 932-7102 Maple Meadow Farms • Colleen Acres & Dwayne Bazinet • (613) 826-2330 Mark Martin Dairy Sheep • Mark & Rosena Martin • 519 638 3644 Orchardview Farm • Gordon Walker • (519) 287-5085 Robert Pennie • (705) 859-2671 Rider Ridge Ranch • Jill & Tim DeClark • (519) 644-0766 Shepherd’s Fold • Bethanee Jensen • (519) 887-9948 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 2020) Brenda McLean & Martha Kuepfer • (519) 363-3207

Shepherd’s Flock • John Stoltzfus • (519) 773-9569

FLOCKS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED “ENROLLED NEG” STATUS ON THE MAEDI VISNA PROGRAM (AS OF MARCH 2020) Blackies Suffolks • James & Cecile Blackie • (506) 392-6263 Cursio Farms and Arkell Valley • Frank & Caitlin Cursio, Ned Cursio (519) 766-3012

Craigmore Farm div of The Craigmore Group Inc • Wayne Kreklewich info@craigmorefarm.com Rodney Weber • (519) 291-8801 Shepherd’s Flock • John Stoltzfus • (519) 773-9569

FLOCKS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED “ENROLLED POS” STATUS ON THE MAEDI VISNA PROGRAM (AS OF MARCH 2020) Rodney Weber • (519) 291-8801

SHEEP PRODUCERS ON THE SCRAPIE PROGRAM (AS OF MARCH 2020) Century Lane Farm • Robert & Shirley Graves • 1 Certified Oak Glen Farm • Bridget & Peter Misener • 1 Certified Codan Suffolks • Lynne & Bill Duffield • 1 Certified Our Little Flock • Jaime Neeb • 1 Certified DP Farms • Lorraine & Neil Post • 1 Certified WoolDrift Farm • Axel Meister • 1 Certified Lamb Lady Farm • Shelagh Finn • 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 Apple Meadows Premium Beef Bachert Meats Beeton Meats Belle Vallee Meats & Abattoir Bentinck Packers Ltd. Beverly Creek Farm *Bilal Farms Inc. Birch Lake Abattoir 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 Lambton Meat Products Len and Patti Butcher Block Manitoulin Island Community Abattoir 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 Mount Forest Walton Beeton Belle Vallee Hanover Hamilton Clarence Creek Massey 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 Wyoming Lindsay Providence Bay 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) 323-3301 (519) 887-9328 (905) 729-2771 (705) 647-7419 (519) 364-3538 (905) 690-8111 (613) 488-2268 (705) 865-3395 (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 (519) 845-3358 (705) 328-2100 (705) 377-5622 (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 Northern Quality Meats Ltd. Bruce Mines 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 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 Valtoudis Brothers Meat Packers Claremont 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 (705) 782-4224 (519) 468-3617 (905) 875-0270 (705) 743-8547 (613) 478-3801 (519) 293-3000 (519) 638-3446 (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 (905) 640-4616 (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 Hilary Huisman

District 7

226.781.0832 519.764.2442 519.786.4176 519.630.5016

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 519.374.4055

District 8

519.263.2325 519.949.4130 519.625.8809 519.273.6980 519.284.0533

District 9

District 3

Counties of Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Oxford Director Sandi Brock Chair Quintin McEwen Vice Chair Lorraine Follings Secretary Bonnie DeWeerd Treasurer Rick Zimak

District 4

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

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

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 Paul Corrigan 613.885.9301 Secretary/Treasurer Linda Huizenga 613.477.2314

Counties of Renfrew and Lanark, and the Township of West Carleton and the City of Kanata in the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton Director Chris Moore 613.913.4994 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 Ghislain Mayer 613.330.2856 Secretary Vanessa Durand 613.914.5755 Treasurer Brigitte Meunier-Grimes 613.989.5774

District 11

Counties of Kenora, Rainy River, Thunder Bay, Cochrane, Algoma, Sudbury, Temiskaming, Nippising 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

POST-BONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

2020 Small Ruminant Lenders’ Seminar April 1, 2020

T

he second annual Small Ruminant Lenders’ Seminar was scheduled to be held on April 1, 2020 and hosted

by OMAFRA, Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) & Ontario Goat. This event has been cancelled due to COVID-19.

The Lenders’ Seminar provides information on the sheep and goat sectors to agricultural lenders and bankers. Key areas of focus will include state of the industry reports, producer profiles and cost of production data. The goal of the one-day seminar is to highlight the small ruminant sector to further educate agricultural lenders on the opportunities that exist within both industries. The seminar will be open to agricultural lenders and bankers only and we encourage producers to share details with their lenders once known.

Classifieds

Future seminars will mostly likely allow for both in-person at a location in Guelph or via webinar. A minimum number of individuals are required for this seminar to run. More information including registration details on the next seminar visit the Ontario Sheep Farmers website under the ‘events’ tab or by calling the OSF office at 519-836-0043. OSN

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

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

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 Mitchell, ON N0K 1N0

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

(519) 287-5085

Premier breeder at the 2008 Royal Texel Show

SLOAN BROTHERS SHEARING JAKE & SAM SLOAN 501 CON 6 RR#2 CHESLEY ON • N0G 1L0 519-363-5564

sloan@bmts.com

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

PUREBRED BREEDING RAM YRLGS: White Dorper (impressive bulk, rapid gain) and St. Croix (quadruplets, maternal excellence, parasite resistance, height/ length/smaller bone for higher meat yield).

Commercial Feeder Lambs: Royal White – ready May 2020, robust, fast gain, large carcasses. All sound, UTD maintenance, excellent conformation, clean genetics | Monte Lake, BC | 250-375-2528 | www.harmonyfarmkennelandlamb.com | OSN M a r c h 2 0 2 0

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

Breeding age N.C. Cheviot rams for sale Charollais rams available Aug/Sept 2020 Limited packages of crossbred ewe lambs for sale.

Murray Emke & Family

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

226-230-1433

www.emkelivestock.webs.com

“QUALITY BREEDS QUALITY”

PUREBRED POLLED DORSET & COMMERCIAL STOCK

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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

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

Gollan Sheep British Milking Sheep

High Yielding and Prolific Great Mothering Instinct Fast Growing Lambs Breeding Stock Available

Tania Gollan

Gorrie, Ontario 226-622-0887 • gollansheep@gmail.com www.gollansheep.com

BRITISH MILKSHEEP are a modern breed established in England in the 1980s. The breed averages 300% lambing and the lambs grow quickly to produce heavy weight, lean carcasses as currently in vogue. While being excellent dairy sheep, they are also effective meat flock improvers. In commercial flocks, half-breds usually produce 0.5 lamb per ewe more. Their milking ability ensures vigorous growth of the extra lambs. British Milk Sheep can increase the profitability of your flock.

Available in Ontario from

E&E Bzikot, RR1 Conn Tel./Fax (519) 848-5694 E-mail: ee.bzikot@sympatico.ca

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

CEDAR CREEK CHAROLLAIS Rideaus Also Available Lower Your Feed Costs With Exceptional Growth Rates GenOvis Tested & Scanned for Muscle & Fat Depth We Have a Closed Flock, Maedi Visna Tested with “A” Status JOANNE & TED SKINNER 2910 Concession Rd. 7, RR 5 Bowmanville, Ontario, L1C 3K6 Phone: 905-263-2102 Email: charollais@live.ca

Rideau breeders since 1989

WOODEN SHEEP FEEDERS FOR HAY OR GRAIN

Selected for • Prolific • Hardy • Easy Care Sheep

Size: 2ft x 4ft x 8ft

Ongoing Performance TestingPurebred and Commercial breeding stock.

Grade Suffolk Sheep RR #4 Almonte, ON

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

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Joe: 613-620-3258

SHEEP SHEARING Ruco Braat 30+ Years Experience Wool Depot for CCWG Call 705-939-2366 or Email: goldenfleece@nexicom.net

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

DUFF FARMS RIDEAU YEARLINGS & LAMBS

Country Heart

TOP GENETIC SELECTION • SFIP & EweByte based • Maintaining 3 ram lines

White Dorper breeders Fullblood and Australian lines Champion Ram and Ewes

HIGH HEALTH STATUS • Closed Flock since 1995 • Maedi Visna Status “A” • National Scrapie Program • Ontario Sheep Health Program GLEN & SHARON DUFF RR#2, Rockw ood, ON, N0 B 2 K0 519-856-9935 Email: rideausheep@sympatico.ca

Daniel and Brigitte Martel

819-621-7059 Facebook Bergerie Country Heart

Red Maple

Homested Looking to have your wool processed into a nice wool rug?

For pricing and options contact us directly!

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

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

• 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

• 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

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 0

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BREEDER

DIRECTORY

BLUEFACED LEICESTER

RIDEAU ARCOTT

Rampart Farm & Wool Mill Starter flock imported from US with UK blood lines. BFL is an English long wool type sheep. The crossing results in hybrid with the strengths of each breed.

Lidjia DeAngelis 519.239.4221 lidija.deangelis@gmail.com

Lamb Lady Farm * GenOvis “ TOP RAM 2013” Growth*, Purebred Rideau Closed Flock, GenOvis Ram average index, 97 growth/94 maternal, lambing percentage 2.8, average kg/ewe = 101.5, Maedi-Visna “A” status, Scrapie level “Certified”, OSHP, Vet Certified Breeding Stock available, priced for the commercial producer. Shelagh Finn, 9090 Five Sideroad Adjala, RR#1 Palgrave ON L0N 1P0, 647-932-7102, email: lamblady.finn@gmail.com

BORDER CHEVIOTS J. & J. Farms - Ross Savasi, RR1, Warsaw, ON, 705-652-7477, rossano.savasi@rogers.com.

Registered Purebred Stock from US breed lines (Misty Acres and J. Moore). Scrapie tested RR or QR, Vaccinated & GenOvis Performance monitored.

Harris Farms, Rob and Kyle Harris, RR#3 Lakeside, Ont., NOM 2G0. Purebred Rideau breeding stock available, Maedi visna tested status A, Ontario Sheep Health Program, Closed flock, Genovis performance tested. No order to small, All enquiries welcome. E mail, text, or phone, 226-921-0828, r.harris349@hotmail.ca

Son Risen Farm Andy & Jane Pearson 4102 Line 16 St. Marys, ON N4X 1C9 226-921-4727 Email: sonrisen@gmail.com. Purebred registered breeding stock. Border Cheviot rams work well on ewes lambing for the first time in commercial flocks. Easy lambing, vigorous lambs.

Genotyped for scrapie resistance.

Duff Farms Glen & Sharon Duff, RR # 2, Rockwood, ON, N0B 2K0. 519-856-9935. rideausheep@sympatico.ca Top Genetic Selection - currently maintaining 3 ram lines, SFIP and ewebyte information-based. High Health Status - closed flock since 1995, maedi visna tested and participating in the Ontario Sheep Health Program.

BRITISH MILKING SHEEP

Golden Fleece Farms Ruco Braat. 171 Lakeview Rd., Bailieboro, ON, K0L 1B0 705-939-2366. goldenfleece@nexicom.net. Purebred Rideau Arcotts Closed Flock.

Gollan Sheep - Tania Gollan, Gorrie, Ontario. 226-622-0887 gollansheep@gmail.com www.gollansheep.com MV tested, purebreds from a milking flock, high growth rates, great mothering, high lambing percentages. Ewe lambs and ram lambs available. BMS purebreds and East Friesian crosses.

Mulmur Vista Farm Bill McCutcheon, R.R.#2, Grand Valley, ON L0N 1G0, 519-766-7905, Email: wmccutcheon@sympatico.ca. Purebred Rideau closed flock, SFIP tested, Scrapie level certified.

CHAROLLAIS Cedar Creek Charollais Ted Skinner & Sons, 2910 Conc. 7, R.R. #5, Bowmanville, ON, L1C 3K6. Phone 905-263-2102 Fax 905-263-4388, charollais@live.ca. Heavy muscling, SFIP & MV tested. Increase your dressing percentage.

Prolific Acres Sheep Farm MV Test-Negative. Registered. Excellent mothers, Year Round Breeding, Easy Lambing, Very vigorous newborns, Short-Tailed (no docking required), Shedding coat. Vasectomized ‘Teaser’ Rams and F1 Ewe Lambs (IDFxRV). Charlie Renaud, 2780 Flos Rd. 5 W., Phelpston, ON L0L 2K0. 705-322-2140, prolific_acres@outlook.com. www.prolificacressheepfarm.com

ILE DE FRANCE

SHETLAND SHEEP

Prolific Acres Sheep Farm. MV Test-Negative. Registered. Well muscled, Excellent mothers, Out of Season, hardy fast growing meaty lambs, 180% Lambing Avg, Excellent Terminal Sire Rams & Dual Purpose Females. F1 Lambs (IDFxRV) available. Charlie Renaud, 2780 Flos Rd. 5 W., Phelpston, ON L0L 2K0. 705-322-2140, prolific_acres@outlook.com www.prolificacressheepfarm.com

SHROPSHIRE

Gordon Alblas 775 Sager Road, Branchton, Ontario N0B 1L0 Phone: 519-802-6411. Email: gordssheep@gmail.com 94% Ile De France yearling rams with high growth rates and out of season breeding. Ready to work for you.

LINCOLN LONGWOOL ShadowRock Farm Ann Moffat. 5781 Second Line, RR#1 Schomberg. Rare breed, registered white and natural coloured quality breeding stock and fleeces. 2014 Royal: Champion Ewe, Champion Ram, Eph Snell Trophy for Champion Longwool Get of Sire and Reserve Champion Fleece. 905-936-4136. Shadowrockfarm1@gmail.com

POLLED DORSET Jameshaven Dorsets - Canada’s longest established Polled Dorset Flock. ROP and Scrapie resistance tested. Medium Frame, well-muscled purebred Dorsets selected for out of season lambing and maternal traits. Fall and winter born ewe and ram lambs available. New address, same reliable genetics. Shanna and Tyler Armstrong and Jenna James, 865 Garden of Eden Road, Renfrew Ontario K7V 3Z8 Ph. 613-433-8255 pinnaclehaven@gmail.com Century Lane Farm Robert & Shirley Graves, 5576 Faulkner Trail, Stittsville, ON, K2S 1B6, 613-831-2656, rgraves@storm.ca Breeding & Performance. Geared for the Commercial Producer, Registering sheep since 1967, ROP Tested Flock since 1976, OSMA Maedi-Visna Flock Project – ‘A’ Status, Participants on the CFIA Scrapie Certification Program – Level ‘A’.

Visit us on Facebook at ‘Century Lane Farm’.

Circle R Livestock Ltd. - Registered and Commercial Polled Dorsets. Medium frame Dorsets based from Western bloodlines. Maedi-Visna tested, accelerated lambing flock, high growth rates and lambing percentage with great mothering. Check website or contact for availability of breeding stock. Ryan & Romy Schill - 7489 4th Line RR#2 Wallenstein ON N0B 2S0, 519 669 4146 - circle.r.livestock@hotmail.com • www.circleRlamb.ca

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ROMANOV

Chassagne Farm. The original flock for North America, imported directly from UK in 1980; available in 11 recognized colours; sheep, fleeces and yarns available. Contact: Carole Precious, Chassagne Farm, Puslinch, Ontario. c.precious@hotmail.com, home: (519) 651-2160, fax: (519) 651-0799.

Son Risen Farm Andy & Jane Pearson 4102 Line 16 St. Marys, ON N4X 1C9 226-921-4727 Email: sonrisen@gmail.com. Purebred registered breeding stock. Shropshire rams make excellent terminal sires for commercial flocks as well. Genotyped for scrapie resistance.

SOUTHDOWN McBrien Livestock Rams and ewes for sale. 4-H lambs. All sheep are geno tested. Delivery available. Sean and Deena McBrien Ridgetown, ON 519.437.1874 mcbrien3@ciaccess.com

SUFFOLK Sunrise Farm Joel & Irene Thomas, 477285 3rd Line, Melancthon, ON L9V 1T5 . sunriseangus@xplornet.ca British type, Ram & Ewe lambs available with good performance.

Bred for meat & milk. Please call 519-925-5661.

Shillalah Suffolks Don & Florence Pullen Box 715 Clinton, ON N0M 1L0 519-233-7896.

Bred for traditional meat type and high production. Several British bloodlines now available.

Our stud rams carry the R gene for scrapie resistance. GenOvis performance tested. MV test negative. Closed flock.

TEXEL Orchardview Farm Gordon Walker & Family, R.R.#2, Glencoe, Ont. N0L 1M0. 519-287-5085.

Texel Rams and Ewes for sale. Maedi Visna Tested.

Mulmur Vista Farm Bill McCutcheon, R.R.#2, Grand Valley, ON L0N 1G0, 519-766-7905, Email: wmccutcheon@sympatico.ca. Texel Rams available from French and Dutch Bloodlines.

Embryos available, closed flock, SFIP tested, Scrapie level certified.

TUNIS Comfort Tunis - Tunis sheep are a heritage breed that has lots to offer modern sheep production. This breed has so many strengths for any breeder who wants quality sheep on their farm. Our goal is to keep improving the good qualities of the breed: excellent growth rates, attractive muscling, high twinning with easy fleshing and a quiet temperament. Scrapie resistance tested. Mark and Bev Comfort, Cardinal ON. www.comforttunis.com 613-577-3263

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor...

I

t was with a combination of humbleness and excitement that I accepted the role of Chair of the National Sheep Network (NSN) this past October. I am grateful to my fellow board members for the confidence they have shown in me by giving me this opportunity and, with vice-chair Pierre Lessard and the rest of the board, I am committed to building the profile and productivity of the NSN on a foundation of good governance set by the leaders before me.

Quebec, Ontario and Alberta came together to form the NSN to provide an effective national voice for the business of sheep farming and have adopted a collaborative governance model to enable us to meet this vision. Collaborative governance brings together organizations committed to the collective pursuit of common issues as they strive to address complex problems by building cooperation and consensus

among stakeholders. This collaborative governance approach demonstrates our commitment to governance innovation and creating an effective voice for the sheep industry.

This model also allows the NSN to easily welcome new members.

Over the course of the next month the focus of the NSN will be on completing its strategic map which will outline its key areas of activity, priority initiatives and performance indicators. This map is built around our goal to create, and influence, the conditions of the business of farming sheep by providing effective leadership and national coordination.

Ryan Greir, Chair, National Sheep Network

1-866-216-4113

WWW.LRSHELTERS.CA

Hamilton: info@LRSHELTERS.ca

All RT Shelters meet a minimum snow load of 50 psf

Leasing Available OAC

ENGINEERED DRAWINGS INCLUDED WITH EVERY RT SHELTER

42’ wide Truss Shelter Call for pricing details

24x30 $4696 14 mil tarp cover/ back end cover

RT Animal Housing

double white poly/roll up sides 30x100 $11,727

14 mil tarp cover/end covers 30x100 $12,799

20x36 $3320 double poly/roll up sides

double poly cover /roll up sides 30x 72 $7224

2020 PHOTO CONTEST If you’ve got an eye for capturing great moments in a photo this contest is for you.

Entries are now being accepted for the 2020 Ontario Sheep photo contest.

We’re looking for photos of your flocks, activities around your sheep farm and you, Ontario’s sheep farmers. This contest is open to everyone. You do not have to be a member of Ontario Sheep Farmers to be eligible to enter.

Winners of the contest will be announced in November, after the Ontario Sheep Convention.

CATEGORIES • Flock shots – a minimum of 20 sheep must be in the photo • Around the sheep farm – farm landscapes, outside/ inside your barn or pasture, shearing day and more • Sheep farmers – farmers at work, farm family life PRIZES A $100 cash prize will be awarded to the top photos in each of the categories. An overall grand prize award of $250 is also available. All photo entries will be eligible to win the fan favourite cash prize of $100. Entries will be voted by attendees of the Ontario Sheep Convention this fall.

SUBMISSIONS

CONTEST RULES

Send pictures electronically to general@ontariosheep.org in a jpeg format with the subject line 2020 photo contest.

Photos submitted must be at least 200 dpi and a minimum of 1 MB in file size.

Any photos received become the property of Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) and will not be returned.

OSF reserves the right to use and/or reproduce the photos. Where possible, credit will be given to the photographer.

The deadline for entries is September 14, 2020.

• Mailing address, phone number, and email address

If the person who submits the photo to the contest is not the person who took the photo, the name of the photographer needs to be included with the submission.

• Name of photographer if different than the person submitting the photo.

Only two (2) entries per photographer, per category will be accepted.

• Category you are submitting the photo for (see above for criteria and a list of categories)

Entrants do not have to be involved in the sheep industry to be eligible to enter.

Include the following information with your submission: • Title of the photo (optional)