Ontario Sheep News - March 2010 by Ontario Sheep Farmers

industry highlights

production innovations

Vol. 29 - Issue 1

march 2010

NEWS

OntarioSheep OSMA

Celebrates 25 Years!

Choosing Breeds for Producing Profitable Market Lambs License Fees - Who Pays and When?

P M 4 0 0 3 3 529

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SHEEP CANADA

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OSN

March 2010

4. Chair’s Report Markus Wand - OSMA Celebrating 25 Years 5. Jack James Chairman’s Report (Address from the 1998 AGM) 6. GM Report Murray Hunt – Good Communication… Gives Opportunity

7. Francis Winger’s “Try It… You’ll Like It”. (GM Report from the Past)

8. Twenty-Five Years – A Look Back 10. Market Report 11. Editorial

Miss March came in like a lamb. She is seen here taking a ewe turn at the fountain.

Growing Our Industry

14. National On-Farm Biosecurity 16. Upcoming Q Fever Study 17. Religious & Ethnic Holidays and Demand for Lamb -2010 18. Choosing Breeds for Producing Profitable Market Lambs 21. The Grass-Fed Option 24. National Surveillance Program for Scrapie 25. Coyotes and Sacrificial Lambs 27. Dwayne Acres Recognized by the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame 28. Canada’s Economic Action Plan Strengthening the Sheep and Goat Industry 30. Prevention of Neonatal Diarrhea in Lambs 32. What OSMA is Doing for Producers 35. Understanding OSMA’s Revenue and Expenses 36. License Fees- Who Pays and When? 38. Current Events 39. Shrinking Canadian Flock 40. Erectile Dysfunction Drug Enhances Fetal Growth in Female Sheep 42. Considerations Before Purchasing Arch Frame Buildings 43. Middlesex Sheep Producer 2009 Wrap-Up 44. District 10 Sheep Day 45. District News Cover Photo: “Kid’s Rule” from Allan and Gail Burn, Cairn Farm, Perth, Ontario

Correction: L ast issue’s “Interview with Dr. Rex Crawford” neglected to mention that the article was written by Courtney Denard”. Deadlines for submissions to the Sheep News: For March Issue - deadline February 1st • For June Issue -deadline May 1st For September Issue - deadline August 1st • For December Issue - deadline November 1st Ontario Sheep News is published by Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency and is distributed quarterly to all registered producers. Non-producers may subscribe in writing to the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency. Subscription rates: Non-producers $15.00 for one year, $25.00 for two years. Prices include GST. Please make cheques payable to: Ontario Sheep News, 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, Ontario N1K 1B1. Editorial and advertising inquiries should be made to the OSMA. Ontario Sheep News is the official publication of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency. 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 the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency.

OSMA Board 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

(519) 786-4176 (519) 363-3819 (519) 462-2423 (519) 632-7602 (519) 925-6502 (705) 724-2314 (705) 324-3453 (613) 389-0554 (613) 264-0801 (613) 826-2330 (705) 563-2966

Fraser Hodgson Dennis Fischer Neil Mesman Chris Kyle Andrew Gordanier Markus Wand Judy Dening Chris Kennedy Allan Burn Colleen Acres Mark Lenover

OSMA staff Murray Hunt Bob Connelly Ruth Gilmour Jennifer Johanson Shannon Meadows

General Manager 519-836-0043 manager@ontariosheep.org Liaison Officer Office Manager/Communication Co-ordinator, OSN Editor OSN Assistant OSMA Office: 519-836-0043 OSN Assistant OSMA Office: 519-836-0043

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: ONTARIO SHEEP MARKETING AGENCY 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, Ontario N1K 1B1 Phone: (519) 836-0043 Fax: (519) 836-2531 E-mail: general@ontariosheep.org Website: www.ontariosheep.org www.lambrecipes.ca Market Line: (519) 836-0043 Publications Mail Registration Number: 40033529 ISSN 0844-5303 march 2010 Date of Issue: March 2010 Submitting photos to OSMA for use in publications (e.g. magazine, promotional/educational materials). Photos will be accepted with the following information attached separately: your name, full mailing address, phone number, permission to use the photo for print purposes (in addition, if there are any 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 or guardian). When emailing photos, pictures must be a minimum of 200 dpi (300 dpi preferred) and each picture should be clearly identified with the required information provided as outlined. Photos will NOT be returned and all entries become the property of OSMA to be used or reproduced at the discretion of OSMA. (Whenever possible, credit will be given to photographer if used.)

chairman’s report

march 2010

OSMA Celebrating 25 Years Markus Wand

hank you for taking the time to read this, my first report of 2010 which is also the first of OSMA’s 25th year as the legislated body that represents you, the producer. Many things have changed over the 25 years that OSMA has been in existence, but it may or may not come to you as a surprise that many things have remained fairly constant both within the industry and our organization. (As an aside, while I am writing this it is very intriguing to me that I as Chair am only 4 years older than this organization…certainly puts things into perspective!) In preparation for writing this Chair’s report, I have read through some of the very early OSMA Chair reports written by Jack James with one from 1987 and another from the 1988 AGM. While reading these two reports, (as part of OSMA’s 25th Anniversary, there will be some reprints of past OSN articles and reports in the 2010 OSN) two things in particular jumped out at me: that we as an organization are still hovering around the 4000 producer members and that Mr. James – over 20 years ago – identified communication as “our number one weakness.” I’m not going to focus on the bit of our producer numbers as much as the second point of communication, but I will come back to that point later on. In a number of previous reports, I have touched on and gone into greater detail on the objectives that the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission (OFPMC) gave to OSMA to complete in order to improve how we as an organization function and serve our member producers. It was very obvious that at the time, the Board and organization had fallen out of touch with our producers and was the OSMA’s number one weakness. While we have worked hard on meeting the requirements of the OFPMC by enhancing how well and often we communicate through our communication vehicles like the OSMA Messenger, OSN and the website, it is without any doubt that as an organization, we can not become complacent or stagnant in our communication to you. At the February Board meeting, the Board approved a proposal by staff that will see our website fully overhauled with new features added to it that will enhance our ability to more effectively communicate with producers. The website, the Messenger, OSN, producer meetings and one on one communication with directors and staff etc., are all pieces to the puzzle for us to stay on top of the communications game and not see our communications be our number one weakness both tomorrow or 25 years from now.

In another OSN report that Mr. James submitted, he spoke of the inaugural meeting of the Sheep Industry Advisory Committee. This committee is mandated within our regulation under the Farm Products Marketing Act and is a forum where stakeholders from across the industry (meat processing, auction markets, truckers, producers, grocers, OMAFRA etc.) come together to discuss and provide advice, information and communication back to the OSMA Board so that we can make good decisions and lead the industry in the most appropriate direction. I am pleased to inform you, that after a number of years of this committee not being formed, a meeting will have taken place on March 2nd and the Board is looking forward to hearing the outcomes and communicating that back to you as well. While the main theme of this meeting is traceability (and theme is determined by current issues in the industry or whatever the Board needs input on), the goal is to see what needs to happen within our industry to make traceability successful, but to also identify other needs and priorities that will help the industry grow, while keeping it sustainable and profitable to producers. The Board also expects that this committee will be meeting more regularly in the future such that ideas and enthusiasm do not run cold and that we will keep the right momentum going to help us achieve our industry goals. This leads me into my last point of growing the industry and touching on the earlier point of our organization still maintaining approximately 4000 producers as OSMA members. A producer can have 1 sheep or 1000 sheep or more and are all required to remit the $1.55/head license fee to OSMA, but whether we have 2000 producers, 6000 producers or our current 4000, the OSMA is committed to producers to work on your behalf and to make the most effective use of your license fees and keep this as a sustainable, profitable industry for profit driven producers. As an industry, we only supply about 41% of our domestic market and the OSMA does encourage production expansion and this expansion may be in producer numbers, flock size, per unit production or a combination of various factors. However, the OSMA does also keep in mind that for expansion of the industry, more producer support and education is needed, continued advocacy concerning regulatory and other outside factors, and that we as an industry do not break that supply and demand threshold of where our profitability decreases. In closing (and realizing of course that we don’t have a crystal ball to look into!), I would like to have you to ponder this: where do you see our industry in 5, 10, 15 or even 25 years? OSN

Editorial policy: Ontario Sheep News represents an important vehicle for two-way communication between the OSMA Board and its member producers. Ontario Sheep News welcomes and encourages letters from producers as a means of enabling producers to communicate both with the Board of Directors and other producers on issues of importance to OSMA and the entire sheep industry. Ontario Sheep News also invites suggestions for articles from producers and other industry participants. Letters to the editor of Ontario Sheep News may be on any sheep industry topic, including OSMA policies, programs or procedure. Letters may address previous Ontario Sheep News Articles or letters to the editor, and the editor may comment briefly on the accuracy of any information contained in letters. Letters should be of general interest to other readers of Ontario Sheep News, should not exceed 300 words, and may be edited for style or grammatical errors. All letters must include the author’s name, postal address and telephone number for author verification. Letters printed will indicate the author’s name, town, and title if applicable. Potentially defamatory or libelous material, or personal attacks on individuals, will not be permitted. Subject to space limitations, Ontario Sheep News will attempt to print all letters which meet the criteria indicated above. Where more than one letter is received on the same topic, Ontario Sheep News may print only a representative sample of letters. If a producer feels that the editor has inappropriately edited or not printed a letter, he or she may submit a written request to the Board of Directors for a review to determine whether there has been any violation of Ontario Sheep News’ editorial policy.

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2010 is OSMA’s 25th Anniversary Year! To celebrate this year, the Sheep News will be running articles from the past as well as memoires from those who helped to start this organization. In this issue, please take the time to read this Chairman’s Address from the 1988 AGM given by Jack James, OSMA’s first Chair. Jack James, sadly recently deceased, was one of the three gentlemen credited with starting OSMA along with the late Walter Renwick and Garth Noecker who is still active in producing sheep in District 5. Also in this issue is an article from the past by Francis Winger, OSMA’s first GM. Francis is still very active in producing sheep and is a participant in the SFIP, Maedi Visna and Ontario Health Flock programs. Francis was kind enough to also provide us with an article about the early days of OSMA. We will be compiling articles and information for the annual AGM in October throughout the next few months and will be running article in every 2010 issue. If you would like to share stories, or photos with us, we would be very interested. Photos will be returned to you after we scan them in. Please call Ruth Gilmour at 519-836-0043 extension 27 or email general@ontariosheep.org. How appropriate that we take time this year to contemplate and thank the early pioneers of the Ontario Sheep Industry as we watch our industry thrive and grow.

Chairman’s Report- Archive by Jack James (Chairman’s Address from the 1988 AGM) I have had the opportunity, for the past 3½ years to serve as Chairman of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency. I feel that our industry has seen more changes in that period than any other similar time period previously, particularly from the organizational standpoint. It has been a privilege, honor and most of all a challenge to be part of this change, which has merely established a foundation for an organization that has tremendous potential to build, grow and thrive. When this agency was established provision was made to have a producer vote as to the continuation of the Agency if producers wished. At our Annual General Meeting last year, a resolution was passed to hold such a vote before the 1989 AGM. We have been working with OMAF on that vote, I am pleased to announce today that the current plans are to hold the

vote around the end of March 1989. An exact date will be announced in the near future. I would like to spend the next few minutes sharing with you my thoughts on how we as sheep producers should vote. These thoughts are based on three different perspectives of the industry. First and most importantly in my perspective as a producer because that is where the majority of my income comes from. Secondly, as chairman and member of the board for the past 3 ½ years and finally as a keen observer of what agricultural organizations in this province and this country have done for the producers they represent. One day this fall as I was ploughing and had time to do some thinking, I started to formulate my thoughts for this presentation. looked at what OSMA had done for me as a sheep

producer in Ontario and Canada. As you are already aware our sheep operation has more than one facet to it. We produce lambs for the freezer trade. When we sell one of these lambs we can supply the consumer with recipe cards. Ontario Country Fresh Lamb (OCFL) labels and take their instructions on an order form. We Continued on page 10

OSN M a r c h 2 0 1 0

general manager’s report

march 2010

Good Communication… Gives Opportunity Murray Hunt

Customers Speak, OSMA Listens

Each and every week OSMA Directors and Staff receive input from Ontario sheep producers. For staff the majority of the input is either emails or phone calls. The input is valuable and the producers are passionate about the business of sheep farming. Most of the producer questions or comments are constructive. The majority of the input that I, as OSMA General Manager get to field is about where our industry is moving in the future. I wish to share with producers some thoughts on a vision for our industry in the future but first I ask you to consider how another industry that is important to Ontario followed incorrect market signals. For decades the auto giants listened to their customers that wanted horsepower, ground speed, physical size and with chrome and glitz. So they gave the customers what they wanted; big, fast, energy wasting chariots. But then the customer’s base changed and they wanted fuel efficiency, low carbon footprint and long vehicle life plus comfort without grandeur. The companies continued to tell their customers they needed the big powerful inefficient vehicles. Today we know that it took considerable time, almost bringing both companies and our government to their knees but in the end the needs of the majority of customers won out. OSMA has two customers; the producer-owners and the consumer-buyers. Balancing the demands of both these customers can be challenging at times.

Producer Perspective. Industry Perspectives.

Recently I fielded a few calls from producers concerned about an ad, which appears in this issue, with the title Give your business more legs. The producers calling me were concerned that with having more producers and more production that prices will drop and their farm would generate less revenue and producers newly in the industry or those operating higher cost operations could go out of business. I told the callers that those were fair concerns and yes that scenario had played out in the past. By the way I thanked the producers that called as it gave me the opportunity to reflect and realize that OSMA had not been communicating its vision of the Ontario sheep industry for the next decade. Where demand for Canadian lamb will increase by 40%, where locally grown lower carbon footprint food products will 6

OSN M a r c h 2 0 1 0

be in demand, where profit per animal unit per year will be important, and where labour and feed efficient enterprises will be the customers that our industry must serve. I say Canadian lamb because Ontario currently produces about 33% of the weaned lambs but processes and consumes about 47% of the national inspected lamb slaughter. To add to the challenges ahead are the facts that Canada now produces only 41% of the lamb consumed where once we produced 55%, that there is not adequate on-farm sheep production data stored in a central data base to do meaningful genetic evaluations, industry benchmarking or research and that without critical mass we will not be able to have an effective future industry infra-structure (truckers, auctions, processors, veterinarians plus other services providers that have profitable enterprises). So OSMA and its sister producer owned sheep organizations in Canada must collectively address how to create an industry that serves the best interests of both producers and consumers.

Standing Together. Moving Forward

OSMA Directors and staff are proud to say they are farmers or work for a progressive livestock industry. It is our responsibility to develop, lead, communicate and implement principles and services that bring profit to Ontario shepherds. In the total industry sense it is also our responsibility to ensure that the food buyers of this province have safe, nutritious, tracked, biosecure domestically produced sheep products. OSMA over the past year has developed a Strategic Plan that encompasses a mission, a vision, actions and communications. To achieve the plan will take the collective effort of the entire industry. It can be done if the industry stands together and works for the mutual good of all stakeholders. Growth in the size of the industry and on-farm profit are important components in the plan.

Communication Goes Both Ways

By vehicles like its website, the Messenger and Ontario Sheep News, OSMA attempts to get information to all industry stakeholders. It is very important and necessary that OSMA hear from all stakeholders – producer’s service providers, policy makers, regulators and consumers. Your thoughts, comments and questions need to be communicated to OSMA. Communication goes both ways. OSMA needs to hear from you. OSN

General Manager’s Report – Archive The Secretary-Manager’s Report March Issue 1988

Try It ... You’ll Like It! By: Francis Winger At the time of this writing, we have just concluded three successive weekends of regional workshops with our district committees. I have again been reminded of the vital role that these dedicated people play in our organization. Aside from Ontario Sheep News, the District Committee serves as the primary liaison between the Agency and the sheep producer. These committees plan and implement programs for producer education and product promotion at the local level – programs designed for the benefit of all producers in the area. As we work with these committees, one concern seems to recur frequently – “burn out.” In many cases a very small number of people are left to do all the

work. A few dedicated individuals may carry the full load for a short time, but eventually will run out of ideas or enthusiasm. Recently, one of our district chairmen was in the office, and we were discussing the issue of involvement. He noted that he felt an obligation to participate because of the help he had personally received from a number of individuals (and he named several) in getting started in sheep himself. Our sheep producers have been known for this willingness to share experience with those who are beginning. However, sometimes we forget that the product promotion display at the local fair or mall benefits all producers in the area. Or are we just prepared to accept those benefits without any participation? I am sure that all of our district committees could be strengthened in at least two ways. First with a word of

appreciation and encouragement for their efforts on your behalf. But more important, with your involvement. Why not volunteer to share in a promotional effort, or even to serve on a committee. Certainly the district committee would be surprised at the personal satisfaction that can be gained from involvement and sharing in the future of your industry. Why not give your district secretary a call?

   

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Email info@sheltersolutions.ca

Address 360 King Street Unit #5 Palmerston ON N0G2P0

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Twenty-Five Years – A Look Back By Francis Winger

(Francis Winger was secretary-treasurer of the Ontario Sheep Association from 1979 - 1985, and the first manager of OSMA from 1985 - 1992.)

istorically there were several sheep producer organizations in Ontario over the years, but the one that immediately preceded OSMA was the Ontario Sheep Association. Originally the province was divided into five zones, with two directors from each zone - one each elected from the purebred and commercial sectors. In the early 1980’s, restructuring took place, which divided the province into 11 districts with a director from each - the same structure still used by OSMA. The OSA was a voluntary organization of 700-800 members. It was funded by a check-off through the sales barns which was also voluntary - producers could request a refund of their check-off fees. Requested refunds were not large in total, probably less than 7%, but OSA members felt that they were being expected to fund projects for the benefit of all producers in the province while many were not contributing. Through the early 1980’s, this inequity, along with concerns about the marketing of lambs and market share relative to imports became of increasing importance. There was also increasing pressure for OSA to become involved in product promotion. As a result, at the annual meeting of the OSA held in November of 1983, a resolution was passed requesting the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Board to develop and implement a marketing plan for sheep. In response to that resolution, the Minister of Agriculture appointed a commission of three sheep producers - Jack James, Walter Renwick and Garth Noecker to tour the province for producer input and put together the framework of a marketing plan. Their report to the Minister resulted in the implementation of OSMA with the marketing plan similar to that in place for pork. One of the options being considered was single desk marketing, and we were told by the Farm Products Marketing Board to include anything in the plan that we thought we might want. OSMA was officially put in place in September of 1985 without a producer vote - something which had happened only once before in the case of the Ontario Milk Marketing Board. The formation of OSMA came as a part of the Red Meat Plan - a major initiative on the part of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture to bolster both the cattle and sheep industries. The Red Meat Plan for sheep included producer incentives for the SFIP and other programs, and major funding for the setup of OSMA as well as grants for product promotion. The first board of directors of OSMA was appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, although several members had been previously elected as directors of the Ontario Sheep 8

OSN M a r c h 2 0 1 0

Association. The original board was composed of 13 members - 11 district directors, and a chairman and vicechairman appointed for three and two terms respectively. First board members were Jack James, chairman; Walter Renwick, vice-chairman; Rick Fuerth, District 1; Reg Martin, District 2; Harriet Boon, District 3; Amos Kitchen, District 4; Ralph Southward, District 5; Neil Metheral, District 6; Carolyn Hills, District 7; Robert Fluegel, District 8, Tom Redpath, District 9; Larry Buck, District 10, and Ron Wight, District 11. Appointed director terms expired over a three year schedule, and were followed by elections by districts. Terms for the chairman and vice-chairman expired at the end of their first terms, and then reverted to elections from within the board. The first office of the OSMA was at the Ontario Stockyards in Toronto. Staff consisted of the secretary-manager and a full-time office secretary (who in retrospect should have been designated as administrative assistant). There was also a part-time public relations director who served as secretary for Sheep Focus, and also edited Sheep News when it was begun in 1987. In 1990, when it became evident that the future of the stockyards in Toronto was in serious doubt, the OSMA office was moved to Dovercliffe Rd. in Guelph in space rented from the OCA. Objectives of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency were concentrated in five major areas: To stimulate and expand the market for Ontario produced lamb and wool; to improve the efficiency of lamb and wool marketing; to improve production efficiency, product quality and continuity of supply; to provide liaison at all levels with farm organizations, producer organizations from other provinces, other members of the trade, consumers and government; and to maintain and expand communications with producers and producer organizations at all levels. Early initiatives in the area of marketing included live lamb grading in co-operation with OMAF, electronic sales, and the development of the market information line. The electronic sales worked very well for several sales, and were quite well accepted by a number of the buyers, but suffered from a lack of producer support. An advantage of this type of auction was the ability of the producer to set a minimum bid for his lambs, but the very erratic week to week variation in the traditional markets made it difficult to set realistic minimums. A very thorough study was made of the Ontario Pork single desk marketing, as this type of marketing had definitely been a consideration in the discussions leading up to the formation of OSMA. However, the major stumbling block was that, unlike pork, there is no “standard” market lamb. As well,

the proportion of heavy lambs available for market in the late 1980’s was much smaller than today. The diversity of our market, where there is a home for every size and shape of lamb seemed to make the implementation of a single desk system unworkable. Product promotion was a major emphasis in the first years. Through OMAF’s Red Meat Plan and Red Meat II, grants of $100,000 per year were made available . The focus was on promoting lamb through high end butcher shops who would feature Ontario lamb, and promotion materials were made available to them. As well, materials were made available to producers for the freezer trade.

were paid, as it stands today. In the 1990’s, the fee structure was again changed to a flat fee per head. While OSMA certainly had its growing pains in the early years, some of the early initiatives can still be seen in a number of areas of the current market. Of particular significance has been the relationships that have developed between OSMA and leading lamb processors, as well as those butcher shops that carry and promote our product. The trend to heavier weights of lambs has also helped the market develop. OSN

Considerable effort was also made to help district committees fully understand the operation and responsibilities of the Agency. Annual district committee conferences were held, and a binder of information made available to every district committee member which outlined in detail the structure and functions of the Agency. Although OSMA was formed by action of the Minister of Agriculture without a producer vote, the original commission report had called for a referendum to be held on the continuance of the Agency after a reasonable length of time. That vote was held in April of 1989, and resulted in a 72% “yes” vote for continuance. At the 1989 Annual Meeting, the OSA was officially disbanded, and all its assets and reponsibilities were turned over to OSMA. Assets included some shares in the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers (which fund the OSMA scholarship program). OSMA continued to sponsor the annual Sheep Focus, including the R.O.P. ram sale, (which had been a project of OSA). OSMA also became the provincial organization representing the purebred sector and electing directors to the Canadian Sheep Breeders Association. The license fee structure has also evolved over the years. Originally the fee was 1% of sales, then raised to 1-½% in 1987. Custom slaughter was included from the start. Direct to processor farm gate sales were a very controversial issue. These sales avoided the check-off, and it was also felt that bringing all sales into the competitive bidding process would strengthen the market. At the 1987 annual meeting a resolution was passed to ban farm gate sales completely. However, when the board considered the issue in detail, it was decided to allow farm gate sales only on the condition that the license fees

OSN M a r c h 2 0 1 0

market report

march 2010

The Ontario Market Report

ull market information can be found every week in the Ontario Farmer and online at www.ontariosheep.org under “Market Information”. The graphs shown here show the trends in pricing and volume of the last 6 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.

Chairman’s Report- Archive Continued from page 5.

can sell some of these lambs because the consumer may have seen a sign at the gate saying we sold OCFL or they may have gotten our name from a list handed out at one of our district promotions in a mall, at a fair or some other event. We also wholesale carcasses to Certified Butchers. When we approach these retail outlets we can now supply them with recipe cards, OCFL stickers, a sign for their stores, cutting charts and so on. This all helps them sell OCFL and become part of a team 10

OSN M a r c h 2 0 1 0

promoting a product I’m proud to produce. What does this mean to us? We sell more lamb.

a thought in me I can write the editors and share my thoughts with 4000 of my peers.

We also sell breeding stock and just like we promote OCFL we promote our breeding stock. One of the ways we promote this stock is in the Ontario Sheep News. When the new issue arrives and I look for our ad, I see a lot of other ads, I read about what is happening in other districts and what OSMA is doing. I can also get up-todate information from researchers, vets, sheep specialists and others. If all this reading provokes

We all know that if we are going to market lambs we have to produce them and if we’re going to make money we have to produce efficiently. This whole process can be aided by attending producer education sessions. These sessions may be provincial seminars, district information meetings, farmer’s week programs, weigh club meetings or OMAF programs. Many of these happen because of input from various Continued on page 12.

from the editor

march 2010

Growing Our Industry Ruth Gilmour, Ontario Sheep News Editor

ou own your own property. You start a business. You put all your energy, time, and money into it. You slave over it. You commit yourself to it 100%. You obviously want to be the sole owner of that business, right? But let’s say you don’t own it. Someone else has come along and simply taken 60% of it.

This puts you in a very bad situation. You are not even in control of the decision making process for your own business and worse than that, at any time your property could be sold by the majority owner. Sound absurd? Sound impossible? Well, this is the situation that the Canadian Sheep Industry finds itself in. At the present time, Canadian shepherds are only providing 41% of the market share while imports control almost another 60%.

Ontario Quebec Alberta/Sask. Other Provinces Foreign

Is this a problem? You bet it is. Having such a small percentage of the market does not allow domestic shepherds to be in charge of their own industry and future. As if that is not bad enough, all the money spent on promoting the consumption of more lamb is actually helping our competitors more than us because they hold the major market share. There has been some recent concern about producer federations promoting more Canadian lamb production. Some producers are worried about the market being glutted by too much lamb the same as other livestock commodity groups are currently experiencing. Rest assured that this is not the case given the high foreign market share. But we need to get past this vicarious situation of lack of domestic market share. OSMA believes we need to have control of 60% of the market to reach critical mass or rather, to reach the point where we can turn the tide on imports and be in better control of the domestic sheep industry. This is our goal. Can this be achieved without an increase in producers? Certainly. Providing existing producers increase production by less lamb loss, more breeding ewes and/or less predation loss.

Over the past few years, OSMA has been calling on producers to grow the domestic market share but this has not happened. I would like to share two (out of many) correspondences that we receive at the OSMA office. The first is from a large wholesale company. The sender introduces himself as a wholesaler from out of country and asks, “I am looking to hopefully get some contact information for lamb producers and packers in Ontario. We buy about 100 containers per month of lamb worldwide and would like to hopefully start purchasing from Canada. If you can let me know the size, as well we are 12.50% looking to buy by the container load”. 13.50%

The second is from an article in the National Post dated January 7th, called 5% ‘10 Carnivorous Trends to Watch in 2010’. It states, “Local Lamb: New 59% Zealand and Australia have great lamb and have figured how to affordably ship to Canada a fresh, not frozen, product. Ontarians however, have discovered the sweetly mild taste of their own lamb. We see customers shifting towards local lamb consumption but they also seek out very young lamb that is mild and most tender. 10%

The future is unbelievable. So, why be afraid? Think bravely about what is ahead. Unlike other commodities, we cannot be shut down or stopped because we are exporting our product. Are we limiting ourselves? This is the 25th Anniversary Year for the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency. We celebrate it by remembering those who first started this organization. Imagine the daunting task ahead of them when they started. They forged ahead and so should we. Our future is ours to create and own. OSN

letters to the editor are welcome The OSN welcomes letters to the editor. Please email: general@ontariosheep.org or mail to: Ontario Sheep News, 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph ON NIK 1BI.

OSN M a r c h 2 0 1 0

Chairman’s Report- Archive Continued from page 10.

levels of OSMA. At this point it was time to do chores so I went on to that task. After dinner that night I continued to think about the topic from the afternoon. It was a cold fall night and we were all enjoying the cozy comfort of our home. I was also enjoying another kind of comfort. It was the comfort of knowing that I belonged to an organization 4000 strong that was doing their best to express concerns of our industry to numerous groups and bodies. Maybe what they expressed didn’t seem to fit my goals for the next few days or maybe I have trouble seeing how they will ever have any positive effect on our business but we must think of the industry as a whole. Nevertheless, I was further comforted to know that somebody, on our behalf, talked to OMAF and through them to the Federal Government about what our industry wanted out of free trade and on other occasions about what our industry wanted expressed at the GATT review this winter and on yet on another occasion about our concerns re tripartite stabilization. I also felt comforted by the fact that our agency has been talking to OMAF for some months now about the very real need for a follow up to the Red Meat Plan, the need for continued support for ROP and perhaps expanding this to a flock recording program for large commercial producers that is more easily applied at the farm level, the need for increased levels of compensation for predator losses, the need for more promotion money on a cost share basis to promote that quality product we have out in our barns. I also felt good about the fact that concerns were being expressed to

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Canada Sheep Council, their import committee and in turn to three different federal government departments about the threat of imported lambs on my livelihood. In addition our organization was making input into the need for a strong national sheep organization and they were stating Ontario’s concerns and positions regarding “Sheep 2001”, a national strategy that is being developed. While all this was happening the Agency was also working on a 5-year plan and budget so we had a better idea where we were heading. By this time I was getting pretty comfortable in the lazy boy and it was time for a cup of tea before settling in. As we drank our tea I could not help but think about other things that had been happening in the last three years. A few examples are the market information line, the electronic auction that we never sold on because we have a good market but we bought on it when we needed lambs, the new lamb video available for our promotion activities. I also think of the opportunity to sell sheep, to attend seminars on producer education, distribute lamb samples and view displays of the latest equipment, all at Sheep Focus, the promotional booths at the Royal, Ottawa Ex., IPM and many other major events. I also thought about representation, the Canadian Sheep Breeders Association, Canada Sheep Council, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, ROP Advisory Committee, Red Meat Committee, Ontario Animal Research Committee, sheep committees at major shows across Ontario and the list goes on. Well, it’s bedtime. Tomorrow is another day and we must prepare for it. During chores the next morning I got thinking about the future. What does our industry need? What does

the organization need to provide the leadership? In some areas of the province we need expanded markets especially for heavier lambs, more buyers for heavy lambs, a processor who will break carcasses into primal cuts and retail ready cuts, alternative marketing methods, a continued product promotion program, more research on pasture utilization, flock health and sheep diseases, action on the consumer attitude study on lamb and computer models for financial planning of the sheep farming operation. You know, when I checked these ideas out I found that practically all of them had been or were being worked on. Later that same day things started to go wrong in the barn but after awhile I got everything sorted out. As I reflected on those details it brought me back to reality and I realized that no matter how good things seem to be going there is always the negative side. I began to explore negatives of the Agency and the industry. Not what was negative but how it could be improved. There are a number of areas - new markets, new products, development of a feedlot industry, further processing facilities, federally inspected slaughter facilities, improved communications, increased funding, new ideas and new blood. Of all these things one seemed to stand out. Communication. That, in my mind is our number one weakness. As I developed this idea further I began to realize something. Not every sheep producer in Ontario has had the opportunity that I have had to know what is going on. I guess really only the 12 or 13 board members have had that opportunity. Then I looked over the list of board members. I was surprised at what I discovered. I am the only sheep producer in Ontario who has had the opportunity to sit at every

Chairman’s Report- Archive board meeting in the last three years to know about all these things that have been going on. It was a frightening feeling. No wonder there are so many questions. We have tried hard to tell our story, at the district, provincial and board levels but no matter how hard you try there is always more you can do. I recalled my training in 4-H, through school and my experience with the Agency and they all told me not to despair, think positive, it’s not too late. I wondered about the best way to spread the message. We must get the message to the grass roots who know bits and pieces but not enough. Again the thought process clicked and the light went on. I would have an opportunity to share this information at the AGM in Barrie. I have in front of me over 100 people, interested producers who were elected by their peers to represent them and their ideas this weekend at the AGM and to bring back information. What better opportunity to put the wheels of communication in motion? I felt quite comfortable that these people would help me as they have so many times in the past. But before I ask for their help, have I given them the necessary tools? No, there is something missing. What happens when the first person they tell this great story to says – “So, the Ontario Sheep Association could have done all that. Why do we need a marketing board?” A logical question. Maybe they could Did they? No! They did a great job but they didn’t do all the things that are being done now. Why? Maybe because we have more funds now. Maybe because we have an office in the centre of marketing activity for Ontario. Maybe because we have two full time dedicated and efficient staff. Maybe because we have an organization with authority

to implement things now. Maybe because we represent 4000 producers now instead of 1000. Maybe because we enjoy excellent rapport with the provincial government, particularly OMAF. Maybe because we received money from OMAF to get started and to promote ourselves and our product because they believed in us and want to help people who show the6y want to help themselves. Maybe because the people we represent demand and expect more. Maybe because as a group of agricultural producers we need more in order to survive. However, the reason is probably more complex than any of the above and is a combination of many of them. The important thing to remember is that it is being done, not just talked about or dreamed about. There is another likely and logical question. What does all this cost? I don’t know what it costs each and every producer. I do know it costs me less than 1.5% of my gross farm income. I also know it costs some people very very little and they still enjoy most of the benefits. I’m sure there are other questions. However, I hope I have given you a package you understand and will find useful. Now I ask you, how do we tell our story? We tell it to individuals, to information meetings, to Sheep News, to the farm press who have helped us tell our story all along. There are many ways to tell our story. We must all work hard to accomplish this. Our industry needs a strong voice and strong leadership. As I said earlier we have a foundation so let’s build on it. We must exercise some control over our own destiny. Now is not a time to look back or slow down because time doesn’t wait. In today’s world even if we maintain the status quo we really

are falling behind. So please help me tell this story. I want you to understand your Agency better and when you cast your ballot. I want you to understand what you are voting on and have the information required to make a wise decision. What is equally important I ask you to take this message forward to the people who sent you here to represent them and urge them to exercise their right to vote. Demonstrate to them what this organization has done and can do for them. If they understand this they will want to support and belong. In closing, I have proven in the last three years and hopefully demonstrated today that no one of us can do this alone. This is a team task but remember, a team is only as strong as its weakest player so while it’s a team task the responsibility to get the job done still comes back to the individual. My final thought takes me back to 1967 in Guelph at Provincial 4-H Leadership Week when we were assembled as a group before we went back to our respective activities. We were given a sendoff message that I will never forget and I want to share it with you now. Tonight on your way home please think about what I’ve told you in the last few minutes and think your position on the team and think about the goal of the team. Tomorrow morning and hopefully many times in the next few months as you stand in front of a mirror, look at the eyes that are looking at you and say to yourself for the future of our organization and our industry. If it is to be, it is up to me!

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National On-Farm Bio-Security

Interview with with Dr. Lorne Jordon, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

lthough bio-security practices have been employed on Canadian farms for many years, only recently has the term become common in producer literature. Outbreaks of animal diseases, and the recognition of new diseases, have highlighted the need for an examination of on-farm biosecurity practices at a national level. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) responded to this need by creating the Office of Animal Bio-Security (OAB). They’re currently developing national bio-security standards, protocols and strategies for animals and plants, in collaboration with industry, provinces and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Dr. Lorne Jordan is a Chief Bio-Security Specialist with the OAB and has more than 20 years experience working in the field of infectious diseases. The Canadian Sheep Federation spoke with Dr. Jordan about bio-security and what practices sheep producers can take at home on the farm.

What does bio-security mean? The term is used in several ways, depending on the context. The OAB is principally concerned with farm level bio-security, which refers to those practices that prevent or mitigate disease-causing organisms from entering, spreading within or being released from premises. The principles of farm-level bio-security are applicable across many sectors of agricultural production, including animal and plant. Where should bio-security measures be implemented? Ideally, bio-security measures should be in place not only on farms but at agricultural markets, auctions, research laboratories and international borders. They are also relevant for industries such as feed suppliers, animal transport and abattoirs.

Why is bio-security important? The spread of infectious diseases costs producers money. Disease can reduce your feed efficiency, decrease milk production, increase reproductive losses and sometimes cause death. In addition to the direct production losses, producers may incur expenses related to the use of antibiotics, increased labour costs associated with animal treatment, and potential loss of market opportunities. Bio-security practices are important because they work to lessen the spread of infectious diseases, thereby working to save producers money and maintain market access.

What are some of the practices farmers can do to increase bio-security on their farms? There are certain principles of farm-level bio-security that are applicable to all farms, regardless of type and size. These include access management – restricting access to the 14

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farm to only authorized personnel; good signage on the farm and appropriate fencing. Good animal health management practices should be applied to all animals on the farm. As each circumstance and farm is different, producers should consult with their veterinarian on which bio-security practices will work best on their operation.

What precautions should farmers take with regards to bio-security before adding new sheep to their flock? Shepherds should employ the followings steps before bringing new sheep into their flock: • Purchase from reputable breeders. • Know the health status and vaccination history of the animals being considered for entry. At minimum, this should involve close inspection of new stock and the farm of origin. In some cases, a veterinary inspection may be a good idea and testing for particular diseases may be required (e.g. Q-fever and scrapie resistance). Upon arrival at the farm, new entries should be quarantined before being placed within the flock (including the use of separate feed troughs). Producers should examine for signs of disease at least daily. Ideally, producers should attend to already resident animals before dealing with the new arrivals. If moving from new animals to resident animals, change/clean boots and coveralls.

Should farmers take special precautions when showing sheep? Farmers should ensure that only healthy sheep are taken to shows, this protects both their own stock and others at the show. While at the show, attempts should be made to minimize direct contact between livestock, especially nose-tonose. Cross-contamination with manure and bedding should also be avoided. Handling of sheep should be limited to one’s own animals, and simple personal hygiene measures such as hand disinfection, should be used. Upon returning home from the show, animals should be isolated or quarantined from the rest of the flock.

Should farmers take special precautions when shearing sheep? Basic bio-security principles should be employed, such as shearing sick animals last, ensuring equipment is clean, avoiding transfer of manure from pen to pen, and treating any cuts that occur in a prompt fashion. If using a commercial shearer, ensure that his/her equipment is sanitized or use yours (if available), and ensure that he/she has clean boots and coveralls.

Should farmers limit access to their farm or flock for bio-security reasons? Yes, producers can apply simple procedures such as designating controlled and restricted access zones. Post signs and protocols around the farm so these areas are well-marked and known. Where access is essential, the use of designated footwear and outer clothing can be employed. Vehicle access should also be restricted, particularly for vehicles that may have been on other farms.

What can happen if producers do not pay attention to bio-security? If bio-security procedures are not a component of farm management, there is a heightened potential for the entry and spread of infectious disease on the farm. As explained above, this has financial implications for the producer. Poor biosecurity practices can also lead to the release of infectious agents off the farm, which could potentially have negative results for other producers. Depending on the disease, human health may also be affected, potentially placing people, including the farmer’s family and staff, at risk.

Is there anything else in general you would like to say about bio-security? A bio-security plan is one of the best investments producers can make. Although preventive measures are not new to Canadian farms, we are asking all sectors of the industry to look at their bio-security practices in a formal manner, ideally with their veterinarian. Improving bio-security at the farm-level will, in turn, enhance regional and national levels of bio-security. To assist producers, general principles of bio-security can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website at www.inspection.gc.ca. OSN This article was provided by the Canadian Sheep Federation, POV Jan 2010, Volume 4, Issue 1

Current ProduCers on Maedi-Visna ProduCer naMe Robert & Gail Irvine Joanne T Ted Skinner Bryan & Janice Lever Robert & Shirley Graves Perry & Christina Sisson Heather & Robert Kelly John & Eadie Steele Glen & Sharon Duff Neil & Heidi Bouman Axel Meister William MacTaggart Gordon Walker Garry & Beth Collins Tina Harrington Colleen Acres Gerald & Joanne Hunter Bethane Jensen Francis & Elaine Winger George & Diane Kydd Darryl & Rachel Stoltz Riva Berezowski & Steve Vidacs Ted Brown Fred Baker Gary Lapier Bert Henderson Jennifer Woodhouse Karen Hayward William Jeffrey Harry & Eleanor Pietersma

FarM naMe Rocky Lane Farm Cedar Creek Charollais Windblest Farm Century Lane Farm Sisson Sheep Farm Greenwood Farm Duff Farms Wooldrift Farm MacTaggart Suffolk Orchardview Farm Collins Horned Dorsets Stonehill Sheep Maple Meadow Farms Hunterdown Farm Shepherd’s Fold Highlands of Tara-Grey Excel Ewe Genetics Cedar Ridge Farm Brown Woolies Farm Hawkwind Farm Rocky Hyland Farm Trillium Woods Sheep Elysian Fields

telePhone 705-292-7207 905-263-2102 613-259-5484 613-831-2656 705-277-2887 519-369-5396 705-696-1491 519-856-9935 519-750-9928 519-538-2844 519-824-3878 519-287-5085 519-934-3239 519-794-3732 613-826-2581 613-283-7565 519-887-9948 519-323-3531 705-277-1274 519-887-8216 519-371-7314 905-877-2323 613-989-5352 613-989-2792 613-346-5980 519-599-5379 519-371-8487 519-234-6872 613-652-2044

Current ProduCers on ontario sheeP health PrograM ProduCer naMe Bill & Lyne Duffield Robert & Gail Irvine Francis & Elaine Winger John & Eadie Steele George & Diane Kydd Colleen Acres Darry & Rachel Stoltz Anne Dockendorff Wietza & Leny Raven

FarM naMe Codan Suffolks Rocky Lane Farm Highlands of Tara-Grey Maple Meadow Farms Excel Ewe Genetics Silver Rapids Farm Green Hill Farm

telePhone 519-899-2663 705-292-7207 519-323-3531 705-696-1491 705-277-1274 613-826-2581 519-887-8216 705-724-9183 519-928-2705

sheeP ProduCers on the sCraPie PrograM ProduCer naMe FarM naMe Bill McCutcheon Mulmar Vista Farms, Grand Valley, Ontario Axel Meister Wooldrift Farm, Markdale, Ontario Bill & Lynne Duffield Codan Suffolks, Wyoming, Ontario Francis & Elaine Winger, Mount Forest, Ontario Mels & Ruthanne van der Laan Cold Stream Ranch, Denfield, Ontario Riva Berezowski & Steve Vidacs Cedar Ridge Farm, Owen Sound, Ontario Peter Carrie & Susan McDonough Smokey Creek Farm, Arthur, Ontario Glen & Judy Porteous Paul Dick & Tina Harrington Stonehill Sheep, Chatsworth, Ontario Nicole Heath Veliraf Farm, Conn, Ontario Bryan & Janice Lever Windblest Farm, Lanark, Ontario Brad & Gerald Miller Miller Farms, Kerwood, Ontario Roger & Julie Harley, Keene, Ontario Robert & Shirley Graves & Sons Century Lane Farms, Stittsville, Ontario Sara & Jamie Scholtes Harmony Marsh Farm, Bailieboro, Ontario Joshua & Melissa Groves VanGro Farms, Brantford, Ontario Chris Wiltshire Iternal Impressions, Bath, Ontario Leigh Nelson & Luc Pouliot Bent Willow, Kapuskasing, Ontario Karen & Jim Hayward Trillium Woods Sheep, Shallow Lake, Ontario Robert & Laurie I’Anson St. Catherines, Ontario Chris Kennedy Topsy Farms, Stella, Ontario

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Upcoming Q Fever Study By Shannon Meadows

his summer University of Guelph researchers will be conducting serological sampling to study the prevalence of Q Fever, and the risk factors associated with infection in Ontario sheep flocks, goat herds and their farm workers. This study is a cross-sectional survey of 4 defined small ruminant populations: dairy goat herds, meat goat herds, meat sheep flocks and dairy sheep flocks, specifically examining breeding females; and the farm workers who have routine contact with these animals on-farm.

The Coxiella burnetii organisms are resistant to heat, drying, and many common disinfectants. These features enable the bacteria to survive for long periods in the environment. Since Q fever is so resilient, eradication programs have had limited success. This means that understanding the management risk factors and preventing Q fever infection becomes of paramount importance. Bottom line, this study means that those in the industry will gain a better understanding of the prevalence and risk factors of Q fever in small ruminant farms in Ontario, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be able to identify what management practices producers can undertake to prevent infection in themselves and their flock or herd. We would like to encourage all producers who are

As many of you are aware, Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a species of bacteria that is distributed globally. An ongoing outbreak in the Netherlands connected to sheep and goats, has drawn attention to the surveillance and control of this infectious disease. The Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment reported the outbreak of Q fever and as of Nov. 25th, 2,293 human cases have been confirmed in 2009, including 6 deaths. Q fever remains primarily an occupational hazard for people in contact with the carriers of the bacteria, which are mainly cattle, sheep and goats. Therefore, groups at risk from Q fever include producers, veterinarians, abattoir workers, those in contact with dairy products, and laboratory personnel working with Q C. burnetii, the Q fever causing agent fever-infected animals. In addition to causing human illness, Q fever has been recognized as a cause of abortion in small ruminants, and knowing the risk factors would aid in reducing financial losses to infectious abortion. The latest comprehensive study to obtain the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in sheep flocks in Ontario was published in 1991, and found that 22 of 103 farms had at least one positive test for Q Fever. It is important ascertain the current extent of risk in Ontario of infection and what producers and policy makers can do to avoid both animal and human infection. If the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii is high, results from this study will provide support for the Canadian approval for small ruminant killed-1 vaccines (CEVA SantĂŠ Animale), further assisting producers to improve the health status of their animals and themselves.

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contacted as a part of the random sampling, to participate and to consider the potential impact that this study could contribute to the understanding and prevention of Q fever. A special thank you goes to those who have provided funding for this project, which include the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion and the University of Guelphâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Animal Health Strategic Investment, and also to the other members of the project team: Dr. Paula Menzies, Dr. Andria Jones, and Dr. Jocelyn Jansen. OSN

Religious & Ethnic Holidays and Demand for Lamb and Goat Meat 2010 Holidays

Meat

Mawlid al-Nabi Prophet’s Birthday, February 26

Islamic Holiday

• The Halal slaughtering is the acceptable way of processing. • No indication of specific age, sex or weight.

Passover March 30-April 6

Jewish Holiday

• Preferences are for lambs of 30-55 lbs live weight, that are milk fed and fat. • Meat should be prepared by Kosher slaughter

Western Roman April 4

• Traditional Italian Market is for a suckling kid weighing 18-35lbs live. • There is growing demand for larger suckling kids, market kids and curry goats by various ethnic families who also celebrate western Easter.

Eastern Orthodox April 4

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

Easter

Start of Ramadan Month of Fasting, August 11

Islamic Holiday

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

Rosh Hashana September 09

Jewish Holiday

• Forequarters from weaned lambs 60-110 lbs are wanted.

Islamic Holiday

• Most desired lambs are between 60-80 lbs live weight. The most desired goat is usually a young animal weighing between 50-70lbs. • Either animal is usually acceptable and male animals are preferred. It is also important that the animal be without any blemishes.

Eid ul-Adha Festival of Sacrifice, November 17

Islamic Holiday

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

Dasara / Navaratri November 17

Hindu Holiday

• Females are not usually acceptable for this holiday. • The size of the carcass varies.

Chanukkah December 2-9

Jewish Holiday

• The meat preferences are the same as Passover, which are lambs 30-55lbs live weight, milk fed and fat prepared by Kosher method of slaughter.

Muharram /Islamic New Year December 08

Islamic Holiday

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

Christmas December 25

Christian Holiday

• Milk fed lambs are preferred

Eid ul Fitr Festival of Fast Breaking, September 10

Various Caribbean holidays through the year

Caribbean

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

Cinco de Mayo and other Hispanic holidays

Hispanic

• Some Mexican families desire a small Cabrito kid to celebrate Mexico’s independence day from Spain. Others prefer a large market kid or yearling barbecued whole over a pit. • Goat stew (Seco de Chivo) is a popular dish for other Latin American cultures for holidays such as Christmas. • The Hispanic market for goats is for 20-35 lb live weight milk-fed kids for Cabrito, and larger animals for Seco de Chivo.

Various Chinese holidays through the year

Chinese

• The Chinese market for goat is limited to the six colder months. • The preferred weight range is 60-80 pounds live, and goats in good health are required.

Various Filipino holidays through the year

Filipino

• Goat is one of the livestock animals that are very popular among Filipinos. • Goat meat is cooked in several ways like stew or roasted. • Healthy looking >60 lbs goat is what Filipinos always look for.

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Choosing Breeds for Producing Profitable Market Lambs By Delma Kennedy, Sheep Specialist, OMAFRA

he Ontario sheep industry has not determined an optimum production system for profitability. There has also not been research done in Ontario conditions to determine what specific breeds and breed crosses will result in the most profitable enterprise to produce today’s premium lamb. New entrants to the industry are faced with a large number of breeds to choose from and little objective data. As a result, new producers should have a strong business plan formulated before choosing breeds. If you are starting in the sheep industry, it is important that the production system and the market product for your business has been determined before choosing the breed or breeds of sheep that will be used in the operation. It is much easier to evaluate your resources, choose a production system and then choose a breed of sheep that will fit that system than it is to try and fit a breed into a production system that it may not suit.

BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd.

Upcoming Sales Tuesdays 9:00 a.m.

Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows Thursdays 8:00 a.m.

Drop Calves, Veal, Pigs, Lambs, Goats & Sheep Fridays 10:00 a.m.

Stockers

CONFIDEN C E , TRUST & SE R V I C E

519-887-6461 www.brusselslivestock.ca

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Production Systems The two main commercial production systems in Ontario are annual spring lambing and accelerated lambing. Annual spring lambing is an extensive, low cost production system that is based on having a large flock that lambs when the highest feed requirements of the flock can be met using pasture. Accelerated lambing is a more intensive system based on prolific ewes and high

production that aims to produce market lambs and cash flow throughout the year.

Annual lambing profitable enterprise characteristics: • Lamb once a year in April or May to maximize the use of grass and the conception rate and fertility of the ewes. • Rely on hardy breeds or breed crosses with the following traits: - very strong mothering ability - excellent foraging ability - medium fecundity Accelerated lambing profitable enterprise characteristics: • Lamb 3- 5 times a year, timed to take advantage of best months for conception and fertility of ewes, maximizing use of pasture and use of buildings • Rely on prolific breeds or breed crosses with the following traits: - high fecundity (lambing percentage) - early maturity - extended breeding season

Common Breeds The most common breeds in Ontario are Polled Dorset, Suffolk, Rideau Arcott and their crosses. This is based on the most popular breeds tested on the genetic evaluation program, the Sheep Flock Improvement Program (SFIP). Another indication of what breeds are being used in Ontario is the breed registration numbers. These same breeds have the highest registration numbers.

in one flock by very few ewes. As a result, the performance listed for breeds with little data may not be an accurate indication of average breed performance.

2008 Ontario Sheep Registrations – Canadian Sheep Breeders Association Breed

# Sheep Registered

% of Registrations

Dorset

640

22.4

Hampshire

118

4.1

North Country Cheviot

151

5.3

Rideau Arcott

342

12.0

Suffolk

642

22.5

Texel

219

7.7

20 other breeds

740

26.0

Total Ontario Registrations

2852

100.0

Choosing Breeds A profitable commercial sheep operation should take advantage of the benefits of crossbreeding. Crossbreeding increases the efficiency of the operation by crossing two breeds which have high genetic merit for different traits. Maternal traits or reproductive traits tend to be negatively correlated to terminal or growth and carcass traits. An example of this is that an animal that has more lambs born and more milk will tend to be less muscular with poorer feed conversion and gaining ability. There is a reason why there isn’t a sheep breed that has as many lambs as a Romanov and is muscular like a Texel. It is difficult if not impossible to produce a sheep that is exceptional in both maternal and terminal traits.

The benefit of choosing among the common breeds to start your flock is general availability and more accurate average performance information. There are more animals available for purchase providing more potential numbers as well as choice among breeders. There is also better Ontario performance information available.

Ewe Flock

Breed Performance

In general, the ewe flock should be made up of medium to small ewes with good reproductive traits rather than large ewes that grow fast in order to control the largest cost for the enterprise which is the feed cost. Larger ewes cost more to

It is important to have good expected average performance information when choosing breeds and formulating your business plan. Although there is information on many breeds listed in the table below, a number of breeds are only represented

Continued on page 20.

Average Breed Performance 2008 – Sheep Flock Improvement Program Breeds

# Ewes

# Born

# Lambings

Ave Born Per Lambing

Ave Weaned Per Lambing

Ave Birth Wt (kg)

Ave Adj 50 Wt (kg)

Ave Adj 100 Wt (kg)

Ave ADG (kg)

Ave # Lambings/ Ewe/Yr

Border Leciester

1.27

1.20

4.5

22.5

n/a

1.00

Canadian

1.60

1.00

4.8

20.8

39.9

0.38

1.00

Charollais

134

1.70

1.56

25.6

43.5

0.36

1.00

Corriedale

1.33

4.9

28.0

46.4

0.37

1.67

Dorset Horn

1.51

1.40

3.8

22.5

35.8

0.27

1.03

Dorset Polled

729

1217

794

1.53

1.44

2.6

25.0

38.2

0.26

1.09

East Friesian

124

2.07

1.73

23.8

39.1

0.30

1.00

Hampshire

1.59

1.57

28.6

48.0

0.39

1.00

Katahdin

109

1.65

1.53

21.1

32.7

0.22

1.14

North Country Cheviot

1.45

1.38

22.8

40.9

0.36

1.04

Newfoundland

1.58

1.29

17.9

24.5

0.13

1.00

Oxford

1.93

1.71

24.4

46.1

0.44

1.00

Rambouillet

1.08

0.96

4.6

20.3

25.3

0.09

1.00

3.1

21.6

39.2

0.35

1.22

27.3

41.1

0.28

1.00

3.9 3.6

Rideau

2297

6235

2809

2.22

1.92

Shropshire

1.71

1.64

Suffolk

407

641

408

1.57

1.41

5.1

25.6

44.5

0.37

1.00

Soay

1.50

1.00

2.1

20.3

19.6

1.00

Texel

142

204

142

1.44

1.32

4.6

22.6

35.5

0.23

1.00

Crossbred

1699

3794

2019

1.88

1.64

4.2

21.2

31.8

0.21

1.19

Total

5831

13176

6817

1.93

1.70

3.7

22.4

38.4

0.31

1.17

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Continued from page 19~ Choosing Breeds for Producing Profitable Market Lambs

feed per year than smaller ewes. Approximate ewe weight ranges are: small â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 50-65kg, medium - 65-80kg and large 80+kg. If you use a crossbreeding program, the maternal ewe flock must be maintained. As a result, maternal type rams must always be used in the flock to increase flock size and to produce replacement ewes for cull ewes leaving the flock.

below provides a guide to approximate slaughter weights based on the mature size of the ewes of the breed. The table was developed using ewe and wether information on diets relatively high in energy.

Target slaughter weightsa for ewe and wether lambs produced from sire and dam breeds of varying mature weights

Examples of maternal breeds Prolific: Finn, Rideau, Polpay, Romanov, Outaouais Hardy: North Country Cheviot, Border Leicester Extended Season: Dorset, Finn, Rideau, Polypay, Romanov, Outaouais, Corriedale, Rambouillet, Columbia

Market Lambs Growth rate and size of market lambs can be adjusted by crossbreeding. It is important to remember that the average performance of the progeny will be approximately the average performance of the two parents. a

Target slaughter weight =((sire breed mature wt. + ewe breed mature wt.)/2) x .50

Ontario has a market for several different weight classes of lamb. Lambs should be marketed when they have an optimum level of finish or carcass fat. The proportion of carcass fat is different between breeds and sexes but is most affected by degree of maturity or percent of mature weight at slaughter. Research done by Dr. Eric Bradford of the University of California in 2002 suggests that lambs should be marketed at a maximum of 60-70% of the average of the mature weights of the ewes of the sire and dam breeds to avoid overfatness. The American Sheep Industry Association defined lean lamb as having a backfat thickness at the 12th rib of .10 - .25 inches. The American market prefers a slightly fatter carcass than markets in Ontario. As a result, in Ontario a maximum of 50% of the average of the mature weights will work better. The table

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Terminal sires should be chosen to complement your ewe flock and produce the best carcass and growth rate for your production system and chosen target market. Crossbreeding also results in heterosis. Heterosis is an increase in the performance of progeny compared to the average of the parents. One important thing to remember is that if the two parental breeds are not similar in performance for a trait, the lamb will not be better than both parents, it will only be better than the average of the two parents. For example, if you cross Finn sheep with an average of 2.5 lambs per lambing and a growth rate of .25kg/day with a Suffolk who has 1.6 lambs per lambing and a growth rate of .50kg/day. The Finn ewes may have 2.5 lambs that grow an average of .40kg/day (ave of parents =.375kg/day) and the Finn cross Suffolk ewe lambs if you keep them may have 2.1 lambs per lambing on average (ave of parents =2.05 lambs). In the literature, positive heterosis effects have been reported consistently for pre-weaning survival and growth traits. There is little evidence of any heterosis effect on carcass traits. The small heterosis effects on different traits when using crossbred lambs accumulate and result in significant differences in overall productivity. This example shows how the growth rate of market lambs can be easily improved by using a fast growing terminal sire.

lambs for the flock as well as market lambs. The best terminal sire to produce your market lambs will improve the growth and carcass traits of your lambs. OSN References Bradford, G.E. 2002. Relationships Among Traits: Growth Rate, Mature Size, Carcass Composition and Reproduction. Sheep and Goat Research Journal 17:38-41 Leymaster, K.A. 2002. Fundamental Aspects of Crossbreeding of Sheep: Use of Breed Diversity to Improve Efficiency of Meat Production. Sheep and Goat Research Journal 17: 50 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 59

Examples of terminal breeds: Dorset, Canadian, Charollais, Southdown, Texel, Oxford, Hampshire, Suffolk, Ile de France

Conclusions: It is most important to formulate your farm business plan and choose your production system before deciding what breed or breeds of sheep will best fit your operation. The best breed of ewe will be a small to medium sized ewe that will produce the most efficiently to fit your production system. Sires will usually be required to produce replacement ewe

Thomas, David L. Breeds of Sheep in the U.S. and Their Uses in Production. Article. December 23, 2008.

The Lakeland Carcass Sire Project

his project, taking place in Alberta, is comparing the ability of five terminal sire breeds of sheep used in western Canada (Suffolk, Charollais, Canadian Arcott, Texel and Ile de France) to sire lambs that grow quickly and produce lean carcasses with a high yield of wholesale cuts. The results presented are preliminary results from the second year of the project; final conclusions about the terminal sire breeds used in the study will only be available at the end of the project. In each year of the project, rams of these five breeds were mated to ewes in a commercial ewe flock. Lambs were born, weaned and fed to market weight at the college. From there they were transported to slaughter, grade and process into wholesale cuts. The 2 year interim report stated that the Suffolk and Charollais, will grow faster up to slaughter weight. Larger breeds that grow faster are also expected to be leaner at a given slaughter weight and the lower carcass GR measurements of the Suffolk- and Charollais-sired lambs are consistent with this expectation. In contrast to the growth traits, lambs sired by the smaller breeds of rams (Ile de France and Texel) outperformed the larger breeds for all of the carcass conformation scores. To see a full copy of the 2 year report, please see the following link. http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/ deptdocs.nsf/all/sg12068 OSN

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The Grass Fed Option By Shannon Meadows

ere at OSMA, we have had a number of inquiries from producers looking for information about grass fed Ontario Lamb, so in response we wanted to gather some information on the advantages and disadvantages. This topic is not unfamiliar to Ontario producers, and OSMA has been a founding sponsor for the two Functional Foods Conferences in 2006 and 2009, which highlighted opportunities for producers from both a nutritional viewpoint and a consumer preference perspective. The purist standard for being branded as grassfed state that grass and/or forage shall be the feed source consumed for the lifetime of the ruminant animal, with the exception of milk consumed prior to weaning. The diet shall be derived solely from forage, and animals cannot be fed grain or grain by-products and must have continuous access to pasture during the growing season. This definition does have some variance depending on what organization puts forward the certification standards. As with all production and management systems, there are trade-offs to raising lamb primarily on grass or confining them and feeding them a grain ration. A producer must choose the appropriate feeding and management system for their lambs based on their individual preferences, available resources, and market demand. One of the first potential advantages to a grass fed system is that the grass-based diet is natural to the physiology of the sheep, and the lambs are less likely to suffer digestive upsets or other metabolic disorders like enterotoxemia (overeating disease) and urinary calculi. Also, grass-fed lambs are usually weaned later than their grain-fed counterparts, thereby reducing the risk of mastitis in their dams. Another potential advantage is the presence of a specialized health based market for grass fed lamb. Meat and milk from grass-fed ruminants contains more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, and vitamin A than the meat and milk from grain-fed animals. The linoleic acid content of grasses varies by plant species and maturity, being highest in grasses that are in a growing, vegetative state. CLA is readily absorbed by the animal from the rumen and ends up in milk, meat, and fat. Therefore, the improved nutritional profile of grass-fed meat and milk may enable some producers to command a premium price for their products if they market directly to consumers, restaurants, and specialty food stores/ chains. Also, pasture gains can offer an economical advantage 22

OSN M a r c h 2 0 1 0

compared to those achieved on feeding grains, however, this is dependent on land costs, and also the production challenges that you might face with this management system. Like all things, there is a balance, and raising grass fed lamb does come with some disadvantages. There are more external variables to manage on pasture than in confinement. Internal parasites are one of those variables, and are a much larger problem with grazing animals than those being fed in confinement. So you may require frequent de-worming or handling to monitor parasite levels. Controlling parasites in grazing sheep is becoming an even greater challenge due to the widespread emergence of drug-resistant worms. While grazing animals are less likely to experience metabolic disorders, grazing poses its own set of health risks such as bloat and grass tetany. However, with good management practices these risks can be minimized. It is important to recognise that utilizing different production systems means that you will be selling a different product, so along with the differences in production, there are also carcass differences. Grain feeding tends to improve rate of gain, and usually bring a higher price at auctions because they tend to carry a higher degree of body condition. The taste is also different, and although grain-fed lamb has generally been preferred in taste panel tests in Canada, this does vary greatly among different consumer markets. Also, since raising Ontario lamb on pasture is seasonal, there is a challenge to provide a steady supply of lamb throughout the year. This seasonality is a hindrance to being incorporated into large grocery store markets or consumer branded labels. Currently, a value chain promoting grass fed lamb in live auction markets has not been developed. Therefore many producers feel as though direct marketing or farm gate sales are the most advantageous methods of marketing grass fed lamb. Lastly, but certainly not to be overlooked, is the increased predation challenges when operating a grass based system. In Ontario, producers are continuing to suffer monumental predation losses, with the main culprit being coyotes. So, if you do choose to operate a grass fed system, a very thorough predation management system will need to be in place. Whether you choose to raise grass fed lamb, grain fed lamb or a combination of both, what it really comes down to is understanding what system fits your management style, facilities, and what you like to spend your time doing. For more information please contact Jack Kyle, OMAFRA Grazing Specialist, at jack.kyle@ontario.ca or at 705-324-5855. OSN

Before they leave home

make sure there’s a number where they can be reached.

Ear tags approved by the Canadian Sheep Identification Program (CSIP) protect the health of your flock and help you manage risk. Donʼt let them leave home without one. Today, your flock needs to be traceable, and that means tagging them before they leave their farm of origin. Doesnʼt it make sense to use an ID system with the most benefits for your business as well as Canadaʼs food production system? The CSIP-approved ear tag system helps protect the health of your flock and manage food safety. Itʼs affordable, simple to use, practical and reliable. For additional

benefits, consider a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system that can reduce handling, simplify record keeping and ease flock production analysis. The Canadian Sheep Federation is committed to ensuring the CSIP evolves with the changing needs of producers, the industry and global market demands. Please visit the CSIP section on www.cansheep.ca for more information about ear tag options, and a list of approved distributors.

1-888-684-7739

www.cansheep.ca

Canadian Sheep Federation Fédération Canadienne du Mouton

OSN M a r c h 2 0 1 0

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) National Surveillance Program for Scrapie Have Your Suspect Animals Tested for Free

crapie is a “reportable disease” under the Health of Animals Act. This means that all suspected cases must be reported to the CFIA for immediate investigation by inspectors. The CFIA National Scrapie Program is an eradication program with the goal of eliminating the disease from Canada. As well as responding to suspected cases of Scrapie, CFIA conducts a surveillance program to detect Scrapie in apparently healthy animals or animals which have died from unknown reasons. Surveillance is carried out to detect any remaining cases of disease and to monitor the prevalence of the disease and thus the effectiveness of measures undertaken to eradicate the disease. No fee is charged by CFIA for surveillance sample testing. Scrapie surveillance is carried out by CFIA in the following ways: • Mandatory dead stock surveillance for 5 years on premises where scrapie is diagnosed • Abattoir surveillance – samples are collected from mature sheep and goats slaughtered in federal and some provincially inspected abattoirs • Dead stock surveillance – samples collected at dead stock and rendering facilities from mature sheep and goats • Submissions from Pathology labs – samples are encouraged from mature sheep and goats submitted to path labs • Dead stock surveillance at auction markets from mature animals which died in transit • On farm dead surveillance – owners are encouraged to submit samples from mature animals which died on their premises Mature sheep and goats are all sheep and goats over 12 months of age All sheep and goat producers are encouraged to contact the CFIA to report dead mature animals and make arrangements to have a sample submitted for scrapie testing. On large farms it is preferable to collect and freeze samples and submit them in batches to CFIA. Consult the District Veterinarian to make arrangemenst for submisison of Scrapie samples. Staff from the District staff can provide guidance on how to collect suitable 24

OSN M a r c h 2 0 1 0

samples from sheep or goats. There is no fee charged by CFIA to submit surveillance samples and no fee is charged by the CFIA lab to do the testing. Specific efforts towards managing the risk of scrapie on individual premises can be recognized through formal participation in a scrapie flock certification program. In the absence of adopting specific measures to minimize the risk of scrapie on their farm, a producer is encouraged to implement general good management and biosecurity practices such as: • individual animal identification; • record keeping; • prompt isolation of sick animals; • separation of females giving birth; • increased cleanliness of birthing environment; • disinfection of equipment between animals; and • single use needles for infections. The CFIA websote contains information on Scrapie at this site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/ disemala/scrtre/scrtree.shtml For more information Contact your CFIA Area office: Ontario Area: 519-837-9400. You can find your local CFIA District office on the CFIA Web site or by consulting the blue pages of your local phone directory. OSN

Coyotes and Sacrificial Lambs By Glenda Eden

MHERST ISLAND — There’s little doubt that coyote numbers and kills are up. How to address the issue is far from clear or simple.

back on wolves and coyotes. “It’s bad public relations,” he says. He’d would rather see skilled hunters and trappers deal with the issue.

Coyotes are Chris Kennedy’s biggest management issue. “I lose more sleep over coyotes than anything else,” says the Eastern Ontario sheep farmer.

As vice president of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, Kennedy was a member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s predator task force. Their report submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and OMAFRA almost a year ago called for a number of legislative changes to deal with the problem but there has been no response so far, he says.

While predatory behaviour is on the rise compensation for lost livestock has remained the same and does not cover the full monetary loss to the farmer. Predator compensation paid out by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is based on market meat value and the $200 that Kennedy receives for ewes doesn’t cover the loss of a purebred animal or breeding stock. A bred ewe, he says, is worth much more than $200. Kennedy has 900 breeding ewes on his Amherst Island farm west of Kingston. A carcass must be provided to receive compensation and that is often impossible with lost lambs. Coyotes will take a lamb right out of the pasture and with a large flock, the farmer may not realize lambs are missing until he does a count at the end of the week.

The two main things the OFA task force is asking for is compensation for farmers to hire hunters and trappers to deal with problem animals and the lifting of the ban on neck snares in Southern Ontario. Coyotes can be very difficult to trap and neck snares are the most effective. Hunters and dogs are also effective. There is a third option he’d like to see but doubts it would be embraced in Ontario. Some jurisdictions in the Continued on page 26.

“But, not all coyotes are a problem,” he says. Some pay little heed to live stock, living on whitetail deer, ground hogs and rabbits. Hunting is a learned behaviour and pups learn to eat what their parents eat. Some years are worse than others and Kennedy would dearly like to know why that is. There have been years when he has lost up to 10 per cent of his lamb crop. In 2009 he almost got through the entire summer with out any kills. His neighbour on the other side of the island, however, wasn’t as lucky and lost lambs all summer long. Many farmers use guard animals like llamas, dogs and donkeys to protect their flocks but even that seems not to work anymore, he says. Coyotes are becoming bolder and hunting in packs, which are overwhelming the guard animals. He currently has 11 adult Akbash dogs and a litter of pups guarding his sheep. The large, lanky, white-coated dogs originated in Turkey and weigh between 90 and 120 pounds. The dogs worked great the first couple of years, he says, but coyotes are very cunning and have figured out how to deal with them. They’ll lure the dogs to one side of the flock and take lambs from the other, he says. He’s personally not a big supporter of putting a bounty

The Ontario Forage Council presents the…

Profitable Pastures Conference

Monday, March 29th Elmwood Tuesday, March 30th Elmvale Wednesday, March 31st Cobden Key Speakers: Duane McCartney recently retired from Agriculture Canada in Saskatchewan and Alberta & Bill Gallagher from Gallagher Animal Management Systems Their vast experience will provide a practical take home message

Call 1-877-892-8663 to register by March 26th Visa or Mastercard Pre-registration is necessary to ensure dinner. Conference registration is $35 and includes a hot roast beef dinner. For more info visit www.ontarioforagecouncil.com CEU Accredited

OSN M a r c h 2 0 1 0

Continued from page 25~ Coyotes and Sacrificial Lambs

U.S. use a baited lamb to target and poison problem coyotes. Administered by conservation officials, a poison collar is fitted to a lamb while the rest of the lambs are safely shut away. A marauding coyote then gets a mouthful of poison when it attempts to take the bait. It is a far better method he believes as it targets only coyotes which pose a risk to livestock. Public opinion he expects will nix this new spin on the sacrificial lamb.

to the North Bay fur auction and they didn’t even sell. In Osgoode it started out as a rural problem but the coyotes have now moved farther into the city of Ottawa and are making off with domestic cats and dogs. Mussell believes that just might be what it will take for government to pay attention to what farmers have been telling them for some time now. Far from a local problem, coyote predation is, in fact, a North American phenomenon according to Brent Patterson, a research scientist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in Peterborough.

The Ministry of Natural Resources claims to have no money and OMAFRA pays only for kills. “We argue that it’s more cost effective to pay for the removal of problem animals.” According to OMAFRA, in the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the province paid out $1,292,921.48 in coyote/wolf compensation under the Livestock, Poultry and Honey Bee Protection Act for 5,964 farm animals killed or injured. That’s up from $950,775,10 and 4,563 animals in 2006-2007. Livestock included sheep, cattle, goats, horses and poultry. Osgoode County farmer, hunter and trapper Paul Mussell says both of the two main task force recommendations would go a long way in addressing the problem. He’s not yet made up his own mind on the effectiveness of a bounty. Saskatchewan and Bruce County have put bounties into place, he says, and he’ll wait to see how it affects numbers. Coyotes are becoming increasingly bold in his county. Fifty years ago you’d see the odd coyote says Mussell. At a dairy farm near him, they took two dairy calves right out of the hutches and that kind of thing was unheard of until just recently. He believes several factors come into play including the natural cycle of the coyote population, their ability to live in close proximity to farms and urban areas, low fur prices and the availability of white tail deer. “There is no pressure or push back,” he says of increased coyote numbers. And just how low are fur prices? Mussell’s father sent two coyote pelts 26

OSN M a r c h 2 0 1 0

The coyote is not native to eastern Canada. Cultivation and development forced the much smaller western coyote to migrate east from the central plains and crossbreeding with the large eastern wolf in the early 20th century. Although people will argue other wise, these animals, though quite variable in size are hybrids and for the most part coyotes, Patterson says. Conditions just aren’t suitable for the true eastern wolf in southern and eastern Ontario and they are rarely seen south of Highway 7. Migrating western coyotes managed much better.According to Patterson, the return of a bounty will do little to address the problem that farmers face with coyotes and livestock. Ontario lifted the ban in 1972 and in the 53 years it was in place there is no evidence that it made a difference in the coyote population. A bounty does not target the problem animals and the population density is too high, he says, they would quickly re-populate. The coyote was first reported in Lampton County in 1919. Where management practices aren’t effective in discouraging or preventing coyote kills Patterson believes money would be much better spent, at least in the short term, in targeted hunting of specific coyotes — the bad apples as it were. He’d rather see resources focused on areas where livestock losses actually occur and covering the costs of creating a network of skilled hunters who can deal with a problem coyote within hours. In southern Ontario, trapping can be problematic and caution is necessary. Though the neck snare is effective it can’t be used south of Highway 7, said Patterson. The coyote is difficult to trap using a foot snare or leg-hold trap and an inexperienced trapper may actually be educating the coyotes. Coyote predation in urban areas is neither chronic nor inevitable, says Patterson. Prevention is effective and protecting pets, not leaving dog food outside and keeping garbage out of the way will discourage coyotes from sticking around. OSN Courtesy of AgriNews Interactive www.agrinewsinteractive.com

Dwayne Acres Recognized by the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame

n its thirty-first year, the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Association will induct three leaders into the Hall of Fame Gallery at Country Heritage Park in Milton on Sunday June 13, 2010. To qualify for this prestigious recognition, inductees must have demonstrated visionary leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship in the advancement of agriculture in Ontario. They will have left a lasting legacy for the benefit of future generations. We are please to announce that Dwayne Acres of Osgoode is one of the chosen three. The name, Dwayne Acres, is synonymous with the success of the sheep industry across Ontario and Canada. From 19642007, Dwayne was a partner with his wife, Laura, in Maple Meadow Farms, a 500-acre dairy, sheep, beef and cash crop enterprise. His sheep flock consistently topped results for rate of gain and feed efficiency, and his ability to breed top performing sheep is recognized around the province.

and also as Chair of the Sheep Flock Improvement Program Advisory Committee. In this capacity, he is working to secure funding for staffing of the program and for sponsoring awards to enhance producer awareness of the benefits of utilizing production records to build profitable flocks. He has been sought out as a competitive judge both within Canada and Internationally, including at the Royal Winter Fair, the Australian Melbourne Royal and the World Sheep Congress. Dwayne worked to develop the education format of the Central Canadian Exhibition Association and then founded “Capital Agrifest” to showcase the livestock of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec and to provide a forum for 4H livestock and showmanship competitions. In fact, in 1992, he was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the Canadian Association of Exhibitions. The scope of Dwayne Acres’ work and vision on behalf of Ontario and Canada’s sheep industry has been extensive. He is an exceptional addition to the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Dwayne demonstrated insightful leadership throughout the Congratulations also go to the other two inductees, Vera sheep industry, including genetics, performance testing, wool Mitchell of Metcalfe and Terry B. Daynard of Guelph. OSN sales, judging, advocacy, marketing and computerized record keeping. He served on the board of the Ontario Sheep Breeders in the early 70’s and helped to change the membership so that it included commercial Basket Feeders for Sheep - SHB producers as well as purebred breeders. Out F Hoop spacing 7-1/4” of this grew the Ontario Sheep Association F 1-1/4” square tube frame F 1-1/2” x 1/4” flat hoops which Dwayne chaired in 1975, leading F Stackable the establishment of the first check-off for F For round bales up to 5’ x 5’ wool. This helped to finance initiatives F Also available with pan underneath by the current Ontario Sheep Marketing to feed grain and catch leaves Agency to advance the interests of the Ontario sheep industry.

Mar-Weld Inc.

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He became the founding Chair of the Ontario Ram Test Station Committee and was instrumental in establishing and operating ram test stations across the province to enhance the performance testing system. Nationally, he served as Chair of the Canadian Sheep Marketing Council in the late 70’s, and in the early 80’s as President of the Canadian Sheep Breeders’ Association where he helped institute a national venue for the sale of purebred sheep, now the All Canada Sheep Classic sale. He also served as Chair of the Canadian Livestock Records Corporation where he worked with breed associations to develop a means to expense the computerized record keeping system. Today, Dwayne serves as a Director on the Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers,

F Basket rod spacing is 2-3/4” F Feeds hay and grain F 8” alley through centre of the feeder F Remove doors and pin feeders together to create a row F Also available in 1 sided fenceline style

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Canada’s Economic Action Plan Strengthening the Sheep and Goat Industry

hrough Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada is strengthening the sheep and goat industry by helping to eradicate disease, enhance traceability and improve on-farm food safety practices.

within the industry on identification and traceability of goats and sheep. It will also be used to further the work done on the Canadian Sheep Federation’s Canadian Sheep Identification Program. • $354,000 will support the Canadian Sheep Federation in the development of their On-Farm Food Safety Management System. This is the last step in the federation’s On-Farm Food Safety system, which could lead to government recognition of their Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP)-based system. “Our Government is working to boost the bottom line for the sheep and goat sector in Ontario and across Canada,” said MP Tilson. “This investment is another step forward in Canada’s Economic Action Plan to increase international trade, strengthen the Canadian economy and make sure our agriculture industry comes through this global economic instability stronger than ever.”

Murray Hunt GM, MP David Tilson and Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz

On February 6th, at the Gordanier farm in Shelborne, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, with Member of Parliament David Tilson (Dufferin-Caledon), announced an investment of up to $6 million to help sheep and goat farmers come through this economic recovery stronger than ever. “As Canada begins to show signs of economic recovery, the Government of Canada knows that the sheep and goat industry can deliver tremendous returns as it already brings in over $100 million to the farm gate,” said Minister Ritz. “A strong animal health and traceability system will position Canada’s sheep and goat producers for the premium prices their top-quality products deserve around the world.”

“We are pleased to be working with the Government of Canada to provide more resources and tools for the Canadian sheep producer,” said Dwane Morvik, chairman of the Canadian Sheep Federation. “Improving access to farm technology and implementing programs to address animal health issues can make a real difference to the bottom line of our farmers and improve our ability to take advantage of international and domestic markets.” The sheep industry is worth $124 million in farm receipts. Canada’s Economic Action Plan will remain focused on strengthening the economy, while working towards returning to balanced budgets and securing Canada’s economic future. For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca. OSN

The AgriFlexibility fund, a commitment made under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, will deliver up to $4.5 million to determine the prevalence of scrapie, a fatal neurological disease, in Canadian sheep. This information will help establish a time frame in which scrapie can be eradicated from Canada and international markets can be reopened. The remainder of the investment of more than $1.5 million will go towards the following three projects: • $733,000 will support the Canadian Sheep Federation’s pilot project to have a select number of producers implement fullscale Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to demonstrate the benefits RFID can provide to the industry. • $491,000 will help the Canadian National Goat Federation and the Canadian Sheep Federation to foster education 28

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MP David Tilson, Andrew Gordanier CSF Vice Chair and OSMA District Director, Minister Gerry Ritz

On the

Lighter Side

A Scottish shepherd was herding his flock in a remote pasture when suddenly a brand new Range Rover advanced out of a dust cloud towards him. The driver, a young man in an Armani suit, Gucci shoes, Ray Ban sunglasses and a Hermes tie leaned out of the window and asked the shepherd... ‘If I can tell you exactly how many sheep you have in your flock, will you let me have one?’ The shepherd looks at the young man, then at his peacefully grazing flock and calmly answers ‘Aye!’ The yuppie parks the car, whips out his notebook, connects it to mobile phone, surfs to a NASA page on the Internet where he calls up a satellite navigation system, scans the area, opens up a database and some 30 Excel spreadsheets with complex formulae. Finally he prints out a 10 page

CSF Launches Virtual Tool Box for New Producers

new online resource is now available to help producers wanting to enter the sheep industry. The CSF’s Virtual Tool Box is a repository of information covering key aspects of sheep production from business, housing, handling and flock health to nutrition, grazing, predation, breeding and wool. Although intended for new entrants, existing producers may also find it a helpful resource as they evolve and expand their operations. Located on the CSF website at http://cansheep.ca/cms/en/ Resources/VTBox/VTBox.aspx, the Tool Box demonstrates the education and training commitment set out in the CSF business plan.

The Tool Box was developed through a collaborate process involving participation and input from Alberta Lamb Producers, Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board, Dr. Paula Menzies and Jennifer Woods with funding provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. A special thank you to Dr. Paul Menzies and Jennifer Woods for use of their photos and illustrations. OSN

report on his hi-tech miniaturized printer, turns to the shepherd and says ‘You have exactly 1586 sheep here!’ That’s right said the shepherd, and as agreed, you can take one of the sheep. He watches as the young man makes a selection and bundles it in his Range Rover. Then he says ‘If I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me my sheep back?’ ‘OK - why not?’ answers the young man. ‘You are a consultant’ says the shepherd. ‘That’s right’ says the yuppie ‘How did you guess?’ ‘Easy’ answers the shepherd. ‘You turn up here although nobody called you...you want to be paid for the answer to a question when I already knew the answer...and you don’t know a damned thing about my business. That’s obvious. Now give me back my dog.’

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Prevention of Neonatal Diarrhea in Lambs Allyson MacDona ld, DVM, MacDonald Mobile Veterinary Service

his is the first of a series of articles being written for Ontario Sheep Magazine by the Small Ruminant Veterinarians of Ontario (SRVO). It is our hope to share with the sheep industry relevant and useful information to improve your profitability. As lambing season approaches I have chosen lamb diarrhea as our opening topic. If there are specific medical topics you would like to see discussed in these pages please contact rgilmour@ontariosheep.org and we at SRVO will take your suggestions into account for upcoming articles. The goal of every sheep operation is to maximize the number of kilograms of meat per ewe. One way to ensure this is making sure every lamb that hits the ground has the maximum chance to grow to market weight. In a 1987 article in the Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research entitled Factors Associated with Productivity in Canadian Sheep Farms, Drs Dore, Meek and Dohoo concluded; “Prevention of scours and starvation in lambs should be given priority in order to increase productivity.” Unfortunately the list of organisms which can cause diarrhea in lambs and are prevalent in Ontario is long. It includes, but is not limited to, enterotoxigenic E. coli, Cryptosporidium parvum, Salmonella, Rotavirus, Clostridium perfringens (enterotoxemia), Coccidiosis and Giardia. Fortunately the prevention of all of these pathogens comes down to the same basic husbandry practices.

Colostrum The single most important factor in prevention of diarrhea is the consumption of an appropriate volume of good quality colostrum. Each lamb should consume at least 15% of its body weight in colostrum in the first 12 hours of life. In a management situation where lambs are nursing you may think there is little you can do to facilitate this but in fact many decisions you make can ensure this happens. The freshening ewe should be moved to a small individual lambing area so that the lambs are never geographically far from the milk bar. The area should be warm enough that lambs are comfortable, up and about and wandering, not huddled in a corner for warmth. An individual pen situation ensures the lamb doesn’t get discouraged from nursing by being refused by the wrong mother before bonding has occurred. No ewe has enough milk to give proper colostrum to triplets or quads. It can be time well spent to keep a colostrum bank. This involves freezing colostrum from mature ewes that only had a single lamb and can afford to spare some. It can be stored in 50 – 100 ml aliquots in Ziploc bags or in ice cube 30

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trays and fed to the weakest of the lambs. If milking sheep is not something you want to do, you can obtain cow or goat colostrum from a neighbouring farm but you need to do this on consultation with your veterinarian to ensure you do not import any disease problems. If you are unsure how well your lambs are obtaining colostrum there are inexpensive blood tests your veterinarian can run on a couple of randomly chosen lambs to see if failure to receive colostrum is an issue on your farm. To ensure the ewe has a healthy amount of good quality colostrum she needs to be in good health herself. Optimum nutrition before lambing is the key. When the ewe is moved to the lambing area be sure to wipe the udder down with a good quality disinfectant and then dry it. If the teat is dirty and the lamb nurses, the pathogens enter the gut before the colostrum and infections become established. Which antibodies are present in the colostrum can be affected by vaccination of the ewe. You should discuss with your veterinarian which vaccines would be the most appropriate for your farm. Clostridium perfringens is widespread in Ontario and this vaccine is commonly recommended. The vaccine will only be effective if a proper vaccine protocol for your farm is established.

The First 48 Hours The lamb requires a warm clean area to spend the first few days of its life. The levels of clinical diarrhea are highest in accelerated lambing programs. Although these programs make sense from a management point of view they also put extreme pressure on the lambing area. Be sure to plan for sufficient space for the lambs and ewe to have a couple of days to bond and to improve the lamb’s resistance to disease. These pens should be cleaned out and disinfected between uses. If space allows it, it is ideal to be able to leave a pen empty and dry for 24 hours between residents to eliminate pathogens. The type of disinfectant you need may vary from farm to farm based on your previous pathogen history, but formalin, Virkon or a quaternary ammonia product might be recommended. Lime is effective against some, but not all, organisms. Cryptosporidia is one of the leading causes of lamb diarrhea and is not killed by lime. Common but essential husbandry practices include dipping the navel with an iodine disinfectant, at least 2% but can go up to 7%. An empty film canister works for dipping (if you can still find one). Be sure the dip container is stored in a cool dark place and thoroughly clean at regular intervals so it does not become a source of infection. Also inject each lamb with vitamin E / selenium. Be sure to accurately weigh and dose animals with these products. Over dosing is common and the toxic effects can be more fatal than not dosing at all.

Stress This is an often thrown around term in management circles. Almost every article you read states the animal should have a stress free environment, why? When an animal is under stress their body releases cortisol, a hormone inside the body that has a variety of effects. In this discussion the most important effect is the suppression of the immune system. We need the immune system of both the ewe and the lamb to be at a maximum. Healthy ewes don’t get mastitis, which results in poor nutrition to the lambs, and they don’t get pneumonia, which results in the ewes spreading organisms to the lambs. Healthy lambs run around more, nurse more often and start eating earlier. Stress can take one of two forms, physical and mental. The most obvious physical stresses include; overcrowding, damp bedding and poor ventilation. To evaluate these factors you need to get down to sheep level. The environment at 6 feet may not reflect that at 2 feet where the sheep are breathing. While down on your knees breathing, see if you can feel dampness seeping through your pant leg. It may look dry but if moisture is seeping through, the animals are sleeping in a wet environment. Mental stress may be harder to evaluate but just as important. Sit back and watch the herd. On paper there may be enough bunk space but if it is all in one area the dominant sheep may not allow submissive sheep to eat until they have eaten all the best feeds. If there is only one water bowl submissive sheep may only seldom get to drink and you can’t produce milk if you are thirsty. Sheep hate changes in routine and loud noises. If your weekend help comes in and turns on loud rock music and handles animals differently than you do this will really upset the flock.

a fresh area. Keep affected lambs hydrated. Keep them with their mothers so they will nurse but supplement them with an oral electrolyte solution at a level of 10% of their body weight over 24 hours. This would mean that a 6.5 pound (3 kg) lamb wound require 150 ml of electrolytes twice per day. Lambs are very susceptible to low blood sugar so with small ruminants we always suggest a highenergy electrolyte source. This is usually mixed up 2 litres at a time. Be sure to keep the remaining solution in the fridge so that organisms don’t start to grow in it, we don’t want it to become a source of further problems. Warm just the amount you need to feed at each meal. If you are supplementing fluids you must be very vigilant that all equipment for mixing and feeding is well sterilized. If an animal is weakened fighting one organism you don’t want to introduce another. Once you have established a diagnosis you and your veterinarian can come up with an organized and effective treatment protocol. I hope this article has been helpful to you. Good luck with the upcoming arrivals. OSN Allyson MacDonald Bibliography Allyson graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1988. Entering mixed practice with a speciality in dairy medicine, she gradually took on more small ruminant work. Over the last decade her specialty has been sheep and goat dairy medicine. Her primary concern is to maximize response to treatment based on a proper diagnosis and species appropriate therapy.

In The Face Of A Diarrhea Outbreak Sometimes, in spite of our best efforts at prevention, we will get cases of diarrhea. It is a problem if cases of diarrhea exceed 2% of the lambs. The single most important factor in stopping an outbreak of diarrhea is to establish the cause. Your veterinarian can be very helpful in getting a diagnosis. You may choose to have a farm visit or talk to your veterinarian about what type of samples they need to establish a diagnosis. Some tests can be done on feces right in the clinic while other must be done at an outside laboratory. The Animal Health Laboratory in Guelph processes food animal cases at a discounted rate and a proper diagnosis early on can prevent a lot of wasted time and medication treating the wrong disease. While waiting for a diagnosis there are a few simple steps that can be taken no matter what the cause. Immediately move your lambing area. Infectious organisms build up in the environment. Use gates or temporary walls but start in

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The Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency – Working for You With this issue, Ontario Sheep News is providing to you, its loyal readers more information about what OSMA is doing for the Ontario shepherds, industry stakeholders and interested parties. The next three articles cover the topics of finance, projects, initiatives, services and industry relations. OSMA is your industry. Your thoughts, ideas and questions are important to the dedicated people serving the Ontario industry. Please take time and communicate with Directors and staff.

What OSMA is Doing for Producers Why OSMA Exists OSMA’s Mission: To enhance producers’ returns and provide consumers with premium lamb and sheep products by encouraging sheep producers to provide quality, yearround product through advocacy, education, research and development and promotion. OSMA’s Vision: To be the leader and trusted ally for the Ontario sheep industry that will enable Ontario shepherds to be the principal supplier of lamb and other sheep products in Ontario.

What we do for Producers Current Projects Benchmarking I The pilot phase of Benchmarking I was completed over the past year. In this phase, OSMA formed a technical advisory committee to decide what should be measured, and how to capture the information. A management questionnaire and financial survey were developed, tested and revised using a pilot group of producers. The objective was to learn how top producers achieved very good financial results. The overall aim is to establish the appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) for Ontario sheep operations. The underlying goal is to provide Ontario sheep producers with the information and financial tools to make their own businesses profitable . Once we know what specific factors are most important to benchmark and how to measure it, we can provide producers with a set of financial, production and managerial parameters that are meaningful to their operations.

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Benchmarking II The second phase of the project is now in progress. Management and financial surveys are now being collected from 36 producers. After the data is collected, analysis will take place, and the participating producers will be provided with individualized and composite reports. These reports will serve participants and the industry because they will detail where individual producers stand compared to the rest of the group on KPI’s. Meat Probe The results from the study of a probe to measure fat and meat on a carcass have been inconclusive. The concept of predicting yield on a carcass is important however more investigation will be needed by OSMA and its partners. Industry Development Project OSMA, in cooperation with Fitzgerald & Co., conducted a survey to get feedback from producers and industry stakeholders opinions on: obstacles to and reasons for expansion, future possibilities for research and education. Overall, there was considerable optimism in the survey sample with 45% planning to expand. An insufficient supply of Ontario lamb to meet consumer demand was the top ranked challenge facing the industry. Other issues noted were lack of branding of Ontario lamb, predation, and the need to develop a commercial focus/mentality within the sector. A full copy of the final report is available on the OSMA Website.

Identifying Obstacles of Sheep Expansion – The 2009 Producer Survey showed marketed lambs per ewe, reproduction and predation to be the main factors limiting expansion. OSMA addresses all its initiatives with these

matters in view. It is very encouraging to get calls from and see new producers at meetings. While increasing volume of lamb coming off farms is important, so is on-farm profit and producer sustainability. The OSMA Board at each meeting discusses ways to expand the industry and make sheep farming profitable. Producer input on these topics is always welcomed, Homegrown Homegrown Ontario was an alliance of Ontario Pork, the Ontario Veal Association, the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, Turkey Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Independent Meat Processors. The project is now complete and new ways to brand and market our products will be studied over the coming months Feasibility Study- Financial Protection Program OSMA, in cooperation with Fitzgerald & Co., conducted a survey to get feedback from producers and industry stakeholders on the need for a financial protection program. Solely based on producer numbers, the survey sample did not support an Ontario Sheep Financial Protection Program. However, 54% of the marketed lambs represented are sold by producers identifying this as a need. Most producers are still selling through sales barns but we don’t know whether this is because this affords de facto financial protection, because they are selling in small lots, it is more convenient. It was noted that the financial protection program might encourage more producers to try other methods of selling and would be especially helpful in promoting the value chain approach. At this time OSMA is consulting with sheep producer organizations serving producers in other areas of Canada about collaborating on a financial protection program. Business Risk Management Program OSMA is a participating member of the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Coalition (OASC). This coalition is working with the Ontario Minister of Agriculture and Food to address changes to the AgriStability Program and to obtain assistance for producers in financially challenged industries. It is very encouraging to see that all sectors (Oils & Grains, Horticulture and Livestock) are working together. Although sheep farming is not under the financial pressures that some of the other commodities may be, the OSMA Board believes it is important to be an active participant in OASC. Funding Research Projects OSMA is in the process of evaluating the research letters of intent, and soliciting full project proposals from a chosen few projects. The projects that were submitted show great promise for advancing knowledge in the sheep industry, and we are looking forward to seeing them progress.

On-Going Support and Events from OSMA Sheep News Magazine This is a quarterly magazine available to all sheep producers. The magazine keeps producers up to date with education, industry development news, network opportunities and much more. Website Development A state-of-the art OSMA website is now being developed. Look to the summer to early fall to see this project completed. It will contain a brand new lamb locator, purebred sheep locator and guard animal locator. There will also be a complete resource library for producers to find information from A to Z pertaining to the Sheep Industry. Messenger – In OSMA’s monthly electronic newsletter that is emailed to producers with the latest events and news. This is available to everyone who has Internet access. Please contact the OSMA office to give us your email address if you are not receiving it. The Messenger can also be found on the homepage at www.ontariosheep.org. Host and Sponsor- OSMA supports and often attends Sheep Education Events, Sheep Seminars, Sheep Shearing Courses, Farm Shows, the Royal Winter Fair, the Outdoor Farm Show and other functions. Health Programs run by OSMA - Maedi Visna and the Ontario Flock Health Program. Producers desiring more details on these programs should contact the OSMA office. Support to Producers and Districts – The office staff is always available to offer support to producers and District Executives in any way they can. Producer Education Day/AGM – Every year the Annual General Meeting informs producers of OSMA activities and finances over the past year. As well the day before is full of seminars, education and updates of OSMA activities. In 2010, these days will take place on October 29th and 30th at the Holiday Inn in Guelph. Predation – At its March meeting the OSMA Board decided to seek support from others associated with Ontario sheep farmers to bring the needs of farmers to more immediate attention of the Ontario Government. More details will be out soon on plans and actions. Education – The OSMA GM has now spoken at six meetings since January 9th. Most of these presentations have addressed Continued on page 34.

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Continued from page 33~ What OSMA is Doing for Producers

industry potential and how producers might take steps to grow their sheep enterprises. At the present time OSMA is speaking with other industry stakeholders to find ways and means of making producers aware and informed on how to enhance their enterprise. A group within OSMA is currently addressing the resources available and producer needs with respect to education. By the fall OSMA hopes to have an educational program designed. The OSMA GM welcomes the opportunity to speak at meetings or attend District Events. OSMA also educates through the Sheep News Magazine as well as brochures, posters and pamphlets, informational packages on health programs and introductory sheep binders for new producers. Weekly market information is available on the website, submitted to the Ontario Farmer and can also be accessed verbally by into the OSMA office and selecting the phone option. The new website is being designed to include a substantial resource library. There is also a series of educational information for schools. Traceability – OSMA is working with other industry stakeholders to initiate projects that will provide traceability from Farm to Fork. Over the coming months OSMA will be attempting to find ways for a cross industry traceability to occur on a planned basis that includes all steps in the supply chain. CSF is conducting a RFID pilot study for ways to use RFID tags and document their benefits to users. This is a long-term matter. However, it is important that it be a cross industry approach that starts with animal identification and ends with consumers buying a high quality product where food quality and safety are both assured and where consumers pay for that assurance.

Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency

ANOTHER PHOTO CONTEST

WINTER SCENES ONLY We are running another contest called “Winter Scenes Only”. We have so many wonderful photos of spring, summer and fall in our photo library but our winter scenes are quite sparse. Obviously, it is wise to run the contest now. All rules are the same as our regular contest. Please note: We’d love to see some photos of large scale operations as well. This contest will be judged by graphic professionals from outside the OSMA office with no information provided to judges as to the origin of photos. The Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency photo contest is open to all who wish to enter, which means that you don’t have to be involved in the sheep, lamb or wool industries to participate. The only rule is that your photograph must include sheep or lamb(s). Entries must be postmarked no later than March 31 2010. Photographs will be judged on clarity, content, composition and appeal. Winners will be announced in the December Sheep News. Impress us! Three Grand Prizes will be awarded as follows: 1st Grand Prize of $100.00 to the best photo overall 2nd Grand Prize of $75.00 to the 2nd best photo overall 3rd Grand Prize of $50.00 to the 3rd best photo overall.

Biosecurity – By mid summer OSMA and its biosecurity gap analysis project partners will conclude the study of gaps and diseases. Hopefully, next fall and winter OSMA will be able to make producers aware of ways they can address biosecurity on their farms.

CONTEST RULES: • Photographs will not be returned and all entries become property of OSMA to be used or reproduced at the discretion of OSMA. (Whenever possible, credit will be given to photographer if used). • All entries must be 5” x 7” or 8” x 10” colour or black and white prints. • Entries must be submitted in the name of the person who took the photograph. • Only two entries per person will be permitted. • Entries should not be mounted on cardboard or cardstock. • Only photographs that have been taken within the past five years may be entered. • Entries must be submitted by mail – email not accepted. • It is recommended that photographs be submitted on photographic paper if printed on a home printer. This improves your chances of winning as regular bond paper produces a poorer quality photo.

The Sheep Advisory Committee

SUBMISSIONS: Include the following information with your submission. (please do no write

The committee is chaired by a person named by the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission and the purpose for the committee is so that all stakeholders have an opportunity to bring forward ideas and concerns they feel the OSMA Board needs to address. The Board determines if OSMA should take actions based on the input. On March 2nd, a communication meeting was held to address “Traceability-Farm to Fork and here to Stay”. The meeting was well attended and the end result to the OSMA Board was that OSMA take steps and facilitate a cross industry initiative on traceability. OSN

directly on the back of the photograph.)

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• Title of photo • Photographer’s name • Mailing address • Phone number • Approximate location/ date of the photo • E-mail address ENTRIES ARE TO BE MAILED TO: 2008 Ontario Sheep News Photo Contest Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency 130 Malcolm Road Guelph, ON N1K 1B1 Any questions, call Ruth Gilmour at the OSMA office, 519-836-0043 or email general@ontariosheep.org

We look forward to seeing your submissions!

Understanding OSMA’s Revenue and Expenses

ntario Sheep producers sometimes ask - “please tell me about OSMA’s revenue and expenses.” The OSMA Board feels it is important that producers should be able to understand those details on an animal marketed basis. First, OSMA receives licence fee revenue on the sale of over 325,000 head annually that amounts to 62.2% of the OSMA Revenue. Some of these licence fee revenues are used for leveraging support for research and development from government and other groups for 17.7% of the total revenue. Additionally 15.3% of the revenue comes from the Toronto Stock Yards Land Development Board. The end result is that producers directly contribute 62%, another 33 % comes from support programs and the final 5% comes via various means.

If you have questions, wish to notify OSMA that you will be forwarding licence fees or seek clarification contact licence fees officer Bob Connelly at licensefees@ontariosheep.org or at 519-836-0043 ext 25. Producers who have not forwarded inspection fees in the past need to revise their practises and commence remitting inspection fees. The rational is that every time a live animal changes ownership, revenue is generated at the farm level due in part to the programs and services of OSMA. Continued on page 36.

The expense side is not quite so simple. The most prevalent use of revenue is money used for research and development at 28.1%, staffing permanent, part-time & projects 23.9%, followed by Board Committee work at 11.3%. The use of funds for research and development is based on needs identified by the Board, committees, requests and producer surveys. Obviously inspection fees do not cover all expenses. In addition to the almost $20,000 OSMA provides to Districts, Districts themselves generate up to another $1000 per district for education, training and some local promotion. Regularly the OSMA auditors have commented on how frugal and creative the Board and Staff are when using the producer contributed dollars. Another question often asked is when the inspection fee is to be paid. OSMA works under the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Act which gives OSMA the authority to collect inspection fees, undertake actions, set policies, give direction, work with other organizations, hire staff, provide services etc.

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OSMA License Fees – Who Pays and When?

very year the Ontario sheep industry has new producers, abattoirs, processors sales agents, auctioneers and stakeholders joining the industry and they frequently ask about License Fees. OSMA operates under the Farm Products Marketing Act and uses the revenue from License Fees to provide services mainly to Ontario producers but also to other industry stakeholders in advocacy, awareness, information, education, promotion, verification, monitoring, industry liaison, industry & producer development and research.

• the Licenses Fee for direct producer to producer / producer to customer sales must be remitted to OSMA by the seller • the License Fees must be paid / collected for all live sheep or lambs arriving in Ontario from other provinces or countries by the buyer, agent or processor. • the License Fee for registered breeding animals is collected by the Canadian Livestock Records (CLR) and remitted to OSMA by Canadian Sheep Breeders Association (CSBA). For breeding or replacement animals sold but not transferred through CLR, the License Fee must be remitted to OSMA by the seller.

The basic facts of License Fees are: • the License Fee is owed to OSMA by the seller every time a live ovine animal is sold, privately or publicly, in Ontario • all Ontario sheep producers are required to be registered with OSMA. • all sales barns, abattoirs, processors, sales agents and auctioneers must register with OSMA and are required to collect and pay to OMSA the License Fee, on behalf of the seller, for any sheep or lambs sold or processed through their organization.

OSMA encourages anyone with questions to contact the OSMA Office. Details on the regulations can be viewed at www.ontariosheep.org, select “About OSMA” and then select “Regulations”. Hard copies will be faxed or mailed when requested. OSMA operates for the benefit of all and appreciates the cooperation and assistance of all stakeholders. License Fees are the major revenue source for OSMA and it is the law. By everyone paying or assisting with the collection of License Fees all are treated equally and it benefits all who participate in supplying product to all consumers. OSN

Continued from page 35~ Understanding OSMA’s Revenue and Expenses

Sometimes producers are concerned that other producers do not voluntarily send the inspection fees to OSMA. That is a very fair concern and is a matter OSMA is currently addressing. Not paying inspection fees hurts every producer, as it means there is less revenue for industry services, research and development. Some sheep producers may not be aware that they must register with OSMA and remit inspection fees. Information can be obtained by a visiting the OSMA Website at www. ontariosheep.org. OSMA is in the process of developing an entirely new website and all the details will appear on the new site. 36

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The level of inspection fee ($1.55) has not changed for more than a decade. As OSMA grows and undertakes more representation, education, research, development, promotion and other services there is a need for more revenue. An increase in inspection fee to cover the growth is mentioned by producers as being both necessary and not necessary. It should be noted that without more revenue OSMA will not be able to service the industry on a more complete way as designed by OSMA’s recently adopted Strategic Plan. OSMA routinely publishes its actions, information and details whereby producers can enhance their profit on the web, in the Messenger and in the Ontario Sheep News. OSN

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On the

Lighter Side It had been a long winter and Billy and Ben decided to build an ice skating rink in the middle of their pasture. A shepherd happened to be leading his flock nearby and decided to take a shortcut across the frozen field. But the sheep were scared of the ice and would not go onto it. The shepherd became frustrated and began pulling them along to the other side. “Look at that,” said Billy. “That guy is trying to pull the wool over our ice!”

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Current Events WOLPA

Lambs Down Park Festival

Western Ontario Lamb Producers Association (WOLPA) with support from Grey-Bruce Sheep Farm Business Management Association are having a sheep seminar day on August 28 2010, 9 am- 4:30 pm at Walkerton Community Centre (Arena). The featured keynote speaker will be Janet McNally from Hinckley, Minnesota (www.tamaracksheep. com). Janet will be speaking on such topics as her pasture lambing experiences, managing ewes and pastures during the lambing period, cutting $16.00 per ewe from the budget, 6 things to stop depredation NOW!, using long pasture rotations to beat the parasite cycle and finishing lambs on turnips. Featured also is Phil Smith from Sutton, Ontario (www.rideausheep.com) along with Jack Kyle (OMAFRA). Together they will be presenting Phil’s experiences with pasturing his dry ewes on corn silage plants for extended fall grazing and a rest period for his permanent pastures.

June 12th, 2010 Lambs Down Park Festival 2010 Rural themed festival with petting zoo, sheep shearing, sheep dog demo’s, food venders,etc

The cost for the day will be $30.00 per person attending the day, includes a catered lunch. Limited space available, advance ticket sales available only by calling Steven or Lisa Ernewein (519) 392-8624, the cut off date for ticket purchases will be August 1st 2010 or when sold out.

Two day Course sponsored by the Large Flock Operators and OMAFRA – limited to 20 participants.

Canadian Classic May 21 – 23rd All Canada Classic will be held in Quebec this year. May 21 – Fleece Competition – Contact CCWG for details (613-257-2714) May 22 – Sheep Show Banquet May 23 - Sheep Sale Contact Information Daniel Dion Tél: 418-856-1200 Fax: 418-856-6247 Email: semrpq@cepoq.com David Mastine Tél: 819-848-2538 Fax: 819-848-2538 Email: fermemaplestar@b2b2c.ca www.sheepbreeders.ca www.agneauduquebec.com/semrp

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Contact Information: CCWG Head Office - Carleton Place, ON Call 613-257-2714 or Cathie McOrmond - CP BIA Tel: 613-257-8049 Email: cmcormond@carletonplace.ca

Sheep Infrastructure Workshops April 28 & 29, 2010 – Grand Valley September 1 & 2, 2010 – Grand Valley

NOTE: This program targets people in the planning cycle for an expansion plan in their sheep enterprise to large scale, commercial scale infrastructure. Workshop is intended to give ideas, show latest concepts, test out participant’s ideas and examine relative costs.

Sheep Exchange Saturday, June 5th - All Breeds Welcome 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Buy - Sell - Trade Call Rob Lamont at 519-323-1769. For more information, Go to www.sheepexchange.ca

Shrinking Canadian Flock By Jennifer MacTavish

ver the past few weeks, the CSF has been fielding a number of calls from producers who are disappointed with an advertisement that was placed in Ontario Farmer and sheep publications across the country. This ad, entitled Give your business more legs, was designed to get producers to think about increasing their production. Some producers, however, have indicated they are concerned that increasing supply will mean a decrease in the prices and are wondering why the CSF would place such an ad. A closer look at the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statistics helps to shed some light on why an increase in production is critical. Over the course of the last six years, the Canadian flock has lost more than 105,000 breeding ewes dropping from a high of 622,200 ewes in 2004 to 517,100 ewes as of January 1, 2010. This drop in the ewe flock size has meant a decrease in the number of lambs processed in Canada from 775,200 in 2004 to 739,200 in 2009. This five per cent drop in the number of lambs processed in Canada occurred over the same period of time that demand for lamb grew by four per cent It is also worth noting that the decrease in the number of lambs being slaughtered in Canada is coming at the same time that the number of slaughter/feeder lambs being imported from the United States is increasing. In 2004, only 92 slaughter/feeder lambs were imported; by 2008 that number had increased to 33,461. In 2004, Canadians consumed over 34 million kilograms of lamb yet Canadian producers only supplied 48 per cent of that demand; or 16.5 million kilograms. By 2008, Canadians were consuming over 36 million kilograms of lamb while the amount of Canadian-supplied lamb fell to 15.8 million kilograms or 43 per cent of domestic demand. To fill the gap between supply and demand Canada imported 20.2 million kilograms of lamb at a cost of $113 million. Some producers have indicated that it is okay if Canadian shepherds do not fill the demand for lamb as other countries, such as New Zealand and Australia will fill the demand. There are a few problems with leaving it up to other countries to fill our growing demand; not the least of which is the fact that all major sheep producing countries are seeing their ewe flocks shrink, including the US, the EU and Australia and New Zealand. The New Zealand flock is now reported to be

down to 32 million head in 2009; down from over 70 million in 1982. While the Australian flock is down to just over 70 million head from 180 million in the 1970s. While the 2009 consumption rates have yet to be released, lamb imports did rise to more than 21 million kilograms at a cost of $131 million. Make no mistake this $131 million has gone into supporting the infrastructure of sheep industries in other countries. As the number of lambs produced in Canada continues to drop, it is inevitable that the amount of infrastructure supporting the industry will disappear. For example, during the week of 22 February, there were only 1,729 lambs available at OSI, Embrun, OLEX and Brussels combined. It is difficult for processors to meet their customer needs with so few lambs on the market. Processors may start deciding that it is easier to not kill lambs than to short their customers every week. OSN

Coming Soon A brand new

www.ontariosheep.org.

OSMA is updating itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Website. New Lamb Locator, New Purebred Sheep Locator, New Guardian Animal Locator. Make sure to send us your email address so that we can keep you totally up to date.

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Study Shows Male Erectile Dysfunction Drug Enhances Fetal Growth in Female Sheep

OLLEGE STATION – A joke among two Texas AgriLife Research scientists later turned into a fully-funded study found Viagra can aid fetal development in female sheep. Female sheep (ewes) are an agriculturally important species, which can serve as an excellent animal model for studying the physiology of human pregnancy, the researchers said.

were working with pregnant ewes.

Viagra (sildenafil citrate), which is used to treat male erectile dysfunction, enhanced blood flow in pregnant female sheep, helping send vital amino acids and other nutrients needed in fetal development. The study’s results not only will assist with solving fetal development problems in other livestock, but possibly in humans, said Dr. Guoyao Wu, AgriLife Research animal nutritionist and Senior Faculty Fellow in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University.

The team submitted a proposal to Pfizer, using pregnant sheep as an animal model for evaluating Viagra’s potential role in enhancing fetal growth. The research team would also evaluate both adequate or inadequate maternal intakes of nutrients from the diet, Wu said.

“Because 5 percent to 10 percent of infants are born as low birth-weight babies worldwide, and because fetal-growth retardation is also a significant problem in livestock species, our findings have important implications for both human health and animal agriculture,” Wu said. The findings appear in a recent edition of The Journal of Nutrition ( http://www.nutrition.org/).

“We made a joke that many men are now using Viagra and that women may also have a need for it,” Wu said. “Interestingly, one week later, we saw that Pfizer Inc. announced an international request for research proposals on Viagra.”

Pfizer selected the proposal and work began. “Viagra acts like nitric oxide to relax smooth muscle cells of blood vessels and, in turn, allow for increased uterine blood flow,” Wu said. The drug is a synthetic medicine that can be used to stimulate blood flow in humans and animals. “For pregnant mammals, Viagra can enhance the supply of nutrients from the mother to the fetus via utero-placental blood flow,” he said.

The study originated in 2003 after a chat between Wu and fellow AgriLife Research scientist Dr. Tom Spencer when they

The study revealed Viagra increased the blood supply to the

P r od u c e r R e m i t t a nces

Regulations made under the authority of the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Act require that producers pay to the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency a licence fee per head for all sheep and lambs sold other than to a sales barn or abattoir (includes breeding or farmgate sales). This applies to private livestock auctions as well. Unless such licence fees are paid either to the sales yards, abattoirs, or OSMA, these sales are not legal under the regulations. If such sales apply to you, please fill out the following and forward your payments within one month to:

The Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, Ontario N1K 1B1 Sheep/Lamb: Fee is $1.55 per head plus 5% GST

Producer #___________________

Name:_____________________________________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________ City:______________________________________ Prov.:________________Postal Code:________________________ Date of Sale:________________________________ Date Remitted:_ _____________________________________ # of sheep/lamb sold:________________________ Lic. Fees (x $1.55=) $_________________________________ Pay by phone using Visa or MasterCard

519-836-0043 40

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Plus 5% GST

$________________________________

Total Remitted $________________________________

AT A GLANCE: • Texas AgriLife Research scientists have found that Viagra can be beneficial in promoting fetal growth in pregnant sheep. • The findings could lead to future studies involving human pregnancies, leading to potential discoveries reducing the number of infants born as low birthweight babies with reduced chances of survival and increased risks for adult onset of disease. • Fetal development has been a focus of study in livestock species because small offspring do not do well after birth. • Viagra (sildenafil citrate) was found by researchers to increase blood flow to the uterus and fetus in female sheep, supplying amino acids (a major fuel for fetal growth), as well as other essential nutrients. Source: Texas AgriLife Research

fetus in female sheep, supplying amino acids – a major fuel for fetal growth. Approximately 60 ewes were mated to rams at the Texas A&M University Sheep Center. Pregnant females were randomly selected and treated with or without sildenafil citrate. Results of the study indicated long-term use of Viagra enhanced fetal weight in both “adequately fed and nutrient-restricted female sheep.” Greater concentrations of amino acids and polyamines in fetal blood and placental fluids were found, leading the researchers to suggest that Viagra alters the trafficking of nutrients from the female sheep to the fetus. It was also observed that Viagra did not affect changes in maternal weight, body condition score, maternal liver mass or muscle weight, Wu said. “We were surprised that Viagra enhanced ovine fetal growth under the conditions of either adequate or inadequate maternal intakes of nutrients from the diet. The results of our study indicate that augmenting systemic blood flow may be a novel and effective strategy to prevent fetal growth retardation in humans and livestock species without affecting maternal health.” Wu said the team would like to extend its research into future studies involving other mammalian species, including pigs, cows and humans. The research team includes Fuller Bazer, Carey Satterfield, Spencer and Wu - all AgriLife Research scientists and faculty members with the animal science department at Texas A&M in College Station. OSN

Are Your Sheep Top Performers? More lambs, better gains, improved carcass quality You can improve the performance of your sheep by selecting breeding stock with known performance records from:

Atkinson International, All Breeds Atkinson@interhop.net • 705 718 2879 Riva Berezowski, Texel rberezowski@gbhs.on.ca • 519 371 7314 Neil and Heidi Bouman, OLIBS www.qualitysheep.com • 519 750 9928 Breezy Ridge Farm, Rideau www.rideausheep.com • 905 478 4280 Cedar Creek Charollais, Charollais X charollais@live.ca • 905 263 2102 DP Farms, Rideau and Charollais www.hedgrowfarm.ca • 519 820 2810 Bill & Lynn Duffield, Suffolk www.codan-suffolks.com • 519 899 2663 Robert & Shirley Graves, Polled Dorset clf@atechmicro.com • 613 831 2656 Ann and David Hartley, Polled Dorset • 519 369 2438 Peter Hyams, Polled Dorset www.somersetfarm.ca • 613 473 5244 Bob & Gail Irvine, Polled Dorset rgirvine@nexicom.net • 705 292 0460 Bethanee Jensen, Polled Dorsets • 519 887 9948 William Mactaggart, Suffolk lesmact@xplornet.com • 519 824 3878 Maple Meadows Farms, Hampshire, Suffolk, Dorset, Rideau 613 826 2581 Bill McCutcheon, Rideau, Texel wmccutcheon@sympatico.ca • 519 928 9626 Susan McDonough & Peter Carrie, Dorper, www. smokeycreekfarm.ca • 519 848 2400 Mik-Lin Farm, Rideau mik-lin.farms@rogers.com • 905 476 0530 Wayne Oosterhoff, Charollais wayne196@talkwireless.ca • 905 541 9041 Don & Florence Pullen, Suffolk • 519 233 7896 Roly Poly Farms, Katahdin rolypolyfarms@bellnet.ca • 905-852-9252 SGS Farms, Rideau Arcott • 613 774 4563 D. Stoltz, N. Bouman, OLIBS www.qualitysheep.com • 519-887-8216 John & Eadie Steele, X-breeds, Texels www.shepherdschoice.ca • 705-696-1491 Stonehill Sheep, Suffolk, Dorset, Texel tharrington@sympatico.ca • 519 379 5087 Thunder Hill Farm, Polled Dorset, Rideau X pshepherd@i-zoom.net • 905 986 1874 Francis Winger, Rideau, fwinger@everus.ca • 519 323 3531 Woodhurst Farm, Texel tomwood.woodhurst@gmail.com • 519 681 9829 Karen Hayward, Trillium Woods Sheep trilliumwoods@sympatico.ca • 519-371-8487 Judy and Henry Dening, Katahdin, Suffolk, Rideau theshepherdsgate@xplornet.com • 705-324-3453

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Considerations Before Purchasing Arch Frame Buildings

Robert Chambers P. Eng • Engineer, Swine and Sheep Housing and Equipment, OMAFRA

re-engineered buildings such as fabric covered arch-framed buildings or hoop barns, are common in Ontario’s Agricultural Community. These structures are used for hay, machinery and manure storages as well to house sheep. Properly engineered, constructed and maintained they can offer years of useful economic service. These buildings are not considered to be temporary buildings. A Building Permit is required and if used for livestock housing for more than 5 Nutrient Units (40 meat ewes or 100 Feeder Lambs) or as manure storages they will require a NMS (Nutrient Management Strategy) approved by OMAFRA and if greater than 300 Nutrient Units an approved NMP (Nutrient Management Plan) as well. The NMS and NMP must be prepared by a certified person. In unorganized municipalities where there may be no building permit requirements, a NMS must still be prepared and kept on the farm. Livestock housing and manure storages will also be required to be set back from conflicting land uses as per the Minimum Distance Separation formula, even for capacities less than 5 Nutrient Units. It is also required to file an engineering design with the municipal building official as well if deemed necessary by the official. Arch Frame structures are subjected to the same snow and wind loads as other types of buildings and should be designed as such. In order for a Farm Building to qualify as a Greenhouse and allowed designed uniform snow load of 0.7 kPa (14.6 lbs/ft2) it MUST have a heating and drainage system installed specifically to prevent the accumulation of snow. Having the building occupied by animals or having a clear plastic covering does NOT qualify as a heating system. These types of structures due to their profile can be subjected to unbalanced loading (accumulation on one side of the structure from drifting and sliding snow and ice) as well. This pile of snow and ice in extreme cases if not designed for, can create significant pressures pushing in on the wall of the structure. These buildings should be located away from other structures such as barns and silos where snow and ice could slide off and onto the roof of the hoop barn. Arch Frame buildings are commonly constructed on two types of foundation systems, On Grade and On Posts. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages. On Grade systems have the steel frames anchored directly to the concrete floor. This provides the best support for the structure as the horizontal forces generated by the roof loads are carried by the concrete floor. The disadvantage of these 42

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systems is that the roof covering must be protected from livestock damage. On Post systems are favored as they provide a more usable height along the wall. Since the steel frames impose a significant outward thrust on these posts, there must be some features designed so as to counter act these forces. The higher the wall, the more significant these forces become. Often designers use tie rods connecting the two sides of the building encased in a concrete filled trench under the floor to counteract these forces. Wind causes both uplift and lateral loading on buildings. As the wind moves up and over the top of a structure it generates significant uplift forces. Typically, the net uplift in a 1 year in 10 design wind can be in the range of 4.2 to 8.4 lbs/ft2. For example a building 27’ by 50’ could potentially have an uplift force of 11, 250 lbs, and this can double for short periods due to gusting. If this force has not been accommodated in the design and construction of the building, there is a significant risk of total failure. Lateral wind loads that try to push the structure over must also be designed for as well. The use of diagonal cables and structural members is commonly used to perform this function. Further more the tarp covering must be tightened regularly to insure that it is not damaged by flapping in the wind. In summary, fabric covered arch framed structures for farm buildings are subject to same building codes and engineering design principles as all other farm buildings. More importantly, for a safe environment for yourself and your animals and a useful structure for the future ensure that the building is properly designed, constructed and maintained for the purpose that it is intended for. This article was adapted from a factsheet on Plastic and Fabric Covered Arch Frame Buildings written by Harold House, Harry Huffman and John Johnson OSN

Middlesex Sheep Producer 2009 Wrap-Up

iddlesex Sheep Producer’s enjoyed a very good year, ending with a summer lamb BBQ held the end of August at Poplar Hill. This event was well attended, with over 500 lamb connoisseurs waiting to fill their plates with succulent barbecued lamb from the area. The December meeting included 4H leaders, friends and producers (50 in all) to a lamb dinner with all the trimmings, plus prizes etc. It is with sadness we must announce that two members of our association have passed away. Barbra Morrow was a spinner, knitter and weaver, as well as a qualified wool judge, well known throughout the industry. She judged at the Classic, Royal Winter Agriculture Fair and area fairs where wool was on display. Barbara was a chartered member of our sheep club. Allan Dowbiggin, a member for 12 years passed away in November. Allan, a dairy farmer from Quebec, moved to the Strathroy area, built a barn and filled it with sheep. He was always ready to help, especially at the barbecues, knowing some of the monies realized would go to the local 4H sheep club. With his passing the family followed his wishes and asked that any memorial contributions made in his memory go to ‘The Middlesex Sheep & Lamb Producers Association’ to be distributed to the existing local 4H sheep clubs to be used for ‘Field trips or special projects”. The Association will arrange with his wife Juliana and daughters Laura and Cathy to present a cheque at the second 4H meeting held in 2010. The sheep producers are ready for another great year. January 28th meeting introduced Jacqui Laporte, speaking about government grants and management of dead stock, to 35 producers. Her presentation was excellent, anyone wanting a speaker contact Jacqui at OMAFRA in Clinton. February meeting features Doctor Paul Morris DVM, topic bio security and Jake deBruin on making your own electricity through solar power. All the best in your 2010 spring lambing. OSN

CHRISTIAN FARMERS FEDERATION OF ONTARIO

MAKE THE CFFO YOUR FBR CHOICE IN 2010 STRONG ON VALUES

The CFFO has a vision of a renewed agriculture which is productive, keeps people on the land & protects our provincial resources of land, water & air while honouring our Creator.

STRONG ON LEADERSHIP

The CFFO Executive Board has a wide experience in family farming, international missions, the corporate world, the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program & direct marketing to consumers.

STRONG ON POLICY

The CFFO believes that our family farms are only as strong as the public policies that support them. With input from our members, we specialize in long-term thinking for today’s issues.

7660 Mill Rd. RR 4 Guelph ON N1H 6J1 519-824-1835 www.christianfarmers.org

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District 10 Sheep Day

istrict 10’s popular Sheep Day was held on February 20, 2010 and was attended by approximately 115 producers from Eastern Ontario and Western QC. Several people in attendance drove two or three hours to gain insight into the day’s theme of “Marketing More Lambs by Weaning More Lambs”. Former OMAFRA Sheep Specialist Anita O’Brien set the stage for the day by looking at lamb mortality and when and why lambs die. She outlined some of the signs and prevention methods to address lamb mortality. Beef and Sheep Nutritionist Christoph Wand followed up by stressing the importance of Body Condition Scoring your ewe flock and addressed the various stages of nutritional requirements for ewes – breeding, late gestation, lactating, and weaning. Later in the day Christoph again presented an informative talk on the nutrition of lambs especially during the transition from milk to full feed. Biosecurity and Disease were two more topics discussed during the day. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Dr. Lorne Jordan spoke about On-Farm Biosecurity programs and methods to reduce the spread of diseases between flocks. Dr.

Rex Crawford from Dufferin Veterinary Services in Orangeville ON outlined several important and costly diseases that can cause production losses on sheep farms. In his talk Dr. Crawford outlined both the clinical signs as well as prevention strategies to address diseases like Maedi Visna, contagious abortion, Caseous lymphadenitis and footrot. Producers in attendance particularly enjoyed the producer panel which discussed the different perspectives of three farms on the topic of replacement ewes - selecting your own or buying in ewe lambs. The importance of good record keeping was a prevalent response, especially for the producers selecting their replacements from within their own flocks. This tied in to the next topic that focused on Management Records and the use of software programs to assist in this task. Fred Baker and Gary Lapier demonstrated the FarmWorks software package to producers. The Canadian Sheep Federation’s Executive Director Jennifer MacTavish wrapped up the day by stressing the importance of expanding the number of lambs Canadian farms send to market to supply the current strong demand for lamb and to support the overall infrastructure. OSMA 1st Vice President Chris Kennedy had these comments: “The Spencerville Sheep Day was indeed an excellent day, and District 10 is to be congratulated on a very informative program. It was also a great chance to meet with other producers to exchange ideas and eat the delicious lamb chilli provided by the local 4-H club.” Producers left with parting words to organizers that it was another informative Sheep Day and to keep the good information coming! OSN

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district contacts

District 1

Counties of Essex, Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, and Elgin Meetings usually held the 1st Thursday of every month at Coldstream Community Centre, just north west of London, ON at 8 p.m. For information or a full list of upcoming events please see our website: OSMA_district_1.tripod.com; or phone Marlene Raymond at 519-683-6635 Past District Events At our last meeting on February 4th our guest speaker was Dr. Paul Morris, a local veterinarian specializing in small ruminants who gave an excellent presentation on lamb survival. Director Fraser Hodgson 519-786-4176 Chair John Sipkens 519-845-3710 Vice-Chair Bill Duffield 519-899-2663 Secretary/Treasurer Marlene Raymond 519-683-6635

District 2

Counties of Grey and Bruce Meetings usually held the 1st Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. For more information contact Glen Porteous at glenporteous@hotmail.com or Keith Grein at mk.grein@ bmts.com April 9: Annual Lamb and Wine dinner at the Elmwood Community Center. Tickets will be available soon. Director Dennis Fischer 519-363-3819 Chair Keith Grein 519-369-2189 Vice-Chair Sarel Smit 519-369-1365 Secretary Glen Porteous 519-794-4549 Treasurer David Hartley 519-369-2438

District 3

Counties of Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Oxford Meetings usually held the 3rd Thursday of each month in Rostock at the Perth Agricultural Building Everyone is welcome at our meetings so please plan to attend. March 18: Rostock Community Hall at 8 p.m. Dr. Chris Buschbeck will speak on lamb survival and fostering lambs. April 15: with a producer guest speaker on his experiences with pasturing and cost of production discussions Past District Events At our meeting on February 18 our guest speaker was Jacqui Laporte from OMAFRA and his presentation was on Deadstock Regulations and Grant Information. Director Neil Mesman 519-462-2423 Chair Bill Jeffrey 519-234-6872 Vice-Chair Victor West 519-349-2381 Secretary/Treasurer Mike Beuerman 519-527-2676

march 2010

District 4

County of Brant, Regional Municipalities of Hamilton-Wentworth, HaldimandNorfolk and Niagara March 16: 7:30 pm - at Kohler Agricultural Bldg. Introduction to SFIP with OMAFRA sheep specialist Delma Kennedy along with local producer Wayne Oosterhof May 18: Ultrasound pregnancy scanning and the management advantages of this information with Len Hilderley Director Chris Kyle 519 632-7602 Chair John Creeden 519-442-3006 Vice-Chair David Campbell 519-443-6399 Secretary Treasurer Nancy Ireland 905-701-6026

District 5

County of Wellington and Dufferin and the Regional Municipalities of Halton and Peel March 31: 8 to 10 pm at Holmes Agro Board Room, County Road 11, Dufferin April 28: 8 to 10 pm at OMAFRA Elora Resource Centre, 6484 Wellington Rd. 7, Unit 10 May 26: 8 to 10 pm at Holmes Agro Board Room, County Rd. 11, Dufferin August 15: 6:30 to 9:30 pm BBQ Social & AGM, Thatcher Farms, 5727 5th Line, Eramos Director Andrew Gordanier 519-925-6502 Chair Bert Nieuwenhui 519-941-0479 Vice Chair Bill McCutcheon 519-928-9626 Secretary Shelegh Finn 519-942-8861 Treasurer Dianne Orr 519-928-5302

District 6

County of Simcoe, District Municipality of Muskoka and the District of Parry Sound Director Markus Wand 705-724-2314 Chair Leah Riddell 705-435-2859 Vice Chair Peter Harvey 905-729-3196 Secretary Grant Cowan 705-436-2236 Treasurer Karen Harvey 905-729-3196

District 7

County of Metropolitan Toronto, Regional Municipalities of York and Durham, Counties of Victoria, Peterborough, and Northumberland March 23: District meeting at 1 p.m. at Leslie Dymentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm April: Hoof to Hook Seminar â&#x20AC;&#x201C; examine live lambs and then evaluate the hanging carcasses. Mark Carere to chair. May 4 & 5: Sheep shearing beginners course: Contact Phil Smith May 21-23: Sheep Classic in Richmond QC; Continued on page 46.

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Continued from page 45~ district news

Spring: Sheep 101 Taught by Rebecca Parker – New producers can participate in ongoing sessions to start their journey into sheep farming August 6-8: Market lamb class at Fenelon Falls – Leslie Dyment is arranging Aug 26-29: CBCA Championships (Canadian Border Collie Assoc. Championships) August 28: Sheep Seminar Day presented by Western Ontario Lamb Producers Assoc. (WOLPA) with support from Grey-Bruce Sheep Farm Business Management Association, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Location: Walkerton Community Centre (Arena). Cost: $30.00 per person, includes a catered lunch. Advance ticket sales available only by Phone: Steven or Lisa Ernewein (519) 392-8624 Featured speaker is Janet McNally from Hinckley, Minnesota (www.tamaracksheep.com). Topics: her pasture lambing experiences, managing ewes and pastures during lambing period, cutting $16.00 per ewe from the budget, 6 things to stop depredation using long pasture rotations to beat the parasite cycle and finishing lambs on turnips. Also Featured is Phil Smith from Sutton, ON (www.rideausheep. com) and Jack Kyle (OMAFRA). They will be presenting Phil’s experiences with pasturing his dry ewes on corn silage plants for extended fall grazing and a rest period for his permanent pastures. District 7 Victoria County Sheep Producers. March 17: Carolyn Puterbough presenting on Deadstock issues April 21: Dr Jocelyn Jansen presenting on sheep health issues in Ontario May 19: Doug Plaunt presenting on organic farming June - date TBA - farm tour of local sheep producer July - BBQ at farm TBA August - no meeting September - tentative tour to Orangeville large flock operators. Past Victoria County Sheep Events On February 17 Delma Kennedy was the guest speaker and spoke on a number of Sheep Computer software programs available to help with flock management as well as the implementation of the RFID program for Traceability. Victoria County Sheep evening meetings start at 7:30 in the lower boardroom, OMAFRA Lindsay. Membership is $20 per farm per year. Contact: Rebecca Parker Phone: 705-277-1711 Email: middlekingdom@sympatico.ca Director Judy Dening 705-324-3453 Chair Leslie Dyment 705-359-1376 Vice-Chair Rebecca Parker 705-277-1711 Secretary Cynthia Palmer 705-295-3351 Treasurer Phil Smith 905-478-4280

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District 8

Counties of Lennox and Addington, Hastings, Prince Edward, Frontenac and Leeds March 22: 7 pm Social & 7:30 Business – at Westdale Park Public School in Napanee Topic: Potpourri of Ideas – good or bad! April 17: Sheep Clinic For Beginners (or those wishing to refresh) at 2194 Rapids Rd. near Tweed Chili – Lunch and coffee served. Call Linda at 613-477-1393 if interested – Spaces limited June 12: Pasture Walk at 570 Front Rd. on Amherst Island (home of Mark Ritchie) with Jack Kyle, Pasture Specialist with OMAFRA. Ferry leaves mainland at 9:30 am and walk begins at 10 am. Bring lunch. Past Events December 5, 2009 we had our Christmas pot luck dinner that was attended by several producers and it was a very enjoyable evening. A special thank you to Carol and Pat Purvis who were our hosts for the evening. February 22 we had our monthly meeting where there was a lot of good information presented regarding fencing and shelters. Director Chris Kennedy 613-389-0554 Chair Linda Huizenga 613-477-1393 Vice-Chair Jim Sabin 613-477-3443 Secretary Carol Booth 613-358-9089 Vice Secretary Kenton Dempsey 613-969-8154 Treasurer Pat Purvis 613-353-5094

District 9

Counties of Renfrew and Lanark, and the Township of West Carleton and the City of Kanata in the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton March 16-18: Ottawa Valley Farm Show at Lansdowne Park, Ottawa June 12: Lambs Down Park Festival at Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers (CCWG) Carleton Place Director Allan Burn 613-264-0801 Chair Jeff Wright 613-267-7930 Vice-Chair Oliver Loten 613-264-0539 Secretary Melissa Ferguson 613-257-8748 Treasurer Karen Wright 613-267-7930

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 March 31: “Maximizing Profits – When and Where to Sell” Producer discussion. 7:30 pm at Kemptville College, Leahurst House. April 28: “Determining Your Cost of Production” Professor Jim Fisher, KCAT. 7:30 pm at Kemptville College

Past Events Sheep Day in Spencerville had a very successful turnout. The theme was “Marketing More Lambs by Weaning More Lambs” with topics including lamb mortality; recognizing and understanding the most frequent causes of lamb mortality, understand the nutritional requirements of the flock; managing disease and benefiting from enterprise analysis. Director Colleen Acres 613-826-2330 Chair Fred Baker 613-989-5352 Secretary Dave Kerr 613-258-9470 Treasurer Greg Stubbings 613-774-4563

District 11

Counties of Kenora, Rainy River, Thunder Bay, Cochrane, Algoma, Sudbury, Temiskaming, Nippising and Manitoulin District 11 will hold a sheep information meeting in conjuction with the Earlton Farm Show. Come out to the

Farm Show and visit the largest agricultural trade show in northern Ontario. At the same time, attend an OSMA District 11 sheep information meeting with our guests, the Wand brothers. OSMA Chairman, Markus Wand will provide an overview of OSMA activities provincially, while OMAFRA nutritionist, Christoph Wand will discuss mineral supplementation for pastured sheep and lambs. The Farm show is held at the Earlton arena and is open Saturday, April 10th from 9 am to 3 pm. The OSMA District 11 meeting will be held upstairs at the arena from 1 to 2:30 pm the same day. Contact district secretary Jim Johnston at 705-647-7160 for more information.” Director Mark Lenover 705-563-2966 Chair Hal Brown Secretary/Treasurer Jim Johnston 705-647-7160 OSN

Association Directory Ontario Dairy Sheep Association Larry Kupecz, President, 312 Wellmans Road, RR#3, Stirling ON K0K 3E0 www.ontariodairysheep.org Phone/Fax: (613) 395-4491 Email: kupecz@xplornet.com Purebred Sheep Breeders of Ontario c/o Irwin Jackson, RR#4 Rockwood, Ontario N0B 2K0 • (519) 856-4490

ontario katahdin sheep Association Barbara Burdzy (519) 236-7368 Email: bbfarm@hay.net Ontario Suffolk Sheep Association Grant Preston, 26 Wilson Crescent, Dundalk, Ontario N0C 1B0 • (519) 923-6341 Rideau Association of canada Neil Post, 34 Wilton Drive, Guelph, Ontario N1E 7L6 (519) 820-2810 • Fax: (519) 846-2225 Email: info@rideausheep.org • www.rideausheep.org

Classifieds

Want to place an ad? Call Ruth Gilmour at 519-836-0043 for ad rates.

PUREBRED SOUTHDOWNS Purebred Southdown rams and breeding ewes available

$104 + GST

Charles Cunningham 1153 Bruce Rd. 9, Wiarton, ON

519-534-2651 Cell: 226-668-3445

PUREBRED SOUTHDOWNS Purebred Southdown rams and

$104 + $50 + GST

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Classifieds Emke Cheviots Want more vigour in

your next Lamb Crop? Try a North Country Cheviot Ram We have a good selection of ram power for the 2010 season. Logan Emke 849 25 S.R. Brant RR #1, Elmwood, ON N0G 1S0 Office Manager: Missy Emke-Wright 519-364-5087 m_wright17@hotmail.com www.emkelivestock.webs.com

Want to place an ad? Call Ruth Gilmour at 519-836-0043 for ad rates.

MAREMMA WHITE PUPS FOR SALE Pure white coats

• Awesome Sheep Guard Dogs • Will alert Sheep and stand their guard while Sheep run for cover • Far better than Donkeys or Llamas • All Pups raised in Barn with Sheep

CLUN FOREST PROLIFIC, TRUE TYPE

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

Emke livestock Quality Suffolk Sheep

Breeding stock available “MC” Sired 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 519-364-5087 • www.emkelivestock.webs.com

“Quality Breeds Quality”

PDK

S HEARI N G Phone (519)

348-4266

Cell (519) 274-2050 e-mail: peter_kudelka@sympatico.ca

PETER KUDELKA

Box 39, Mitchell, Ont. N0K 1N0

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Contact: LOUIS KONTOS 801 DANFORTH AVE., TORONTO, ONTARIO M4J 1L2

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

Call Ken Burgess 705-527-9058

REGISTERED SHEEP

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

Wholesale and Retail Meats We buy Lambs & Sheep for Slaughter

PERFORMANCE RECORDED Closed Flock Don & Wilma Duncan RR1, 807117 Oxford Road 29 Drumbo, ON, N0J 1G0,

519-463-5511

MAPLE MEADOW FARMS Est. 1923

Hampshires Suffolks Dorsets Rideau Arcotts Rams and Ewes (SFIP tested) Commercial Ewe lambs (Suffolk – Rideau) (Dorset Rideau) Maedi Visna Monitored 6830 Belmeade Road • Osgoode ON K0A 2W0 Phone: 613-826-2581 • Fax: 613-826-1076 www.maplemeadows.ca

CEDAR CREEK CHAROLLAIS Lower Your Feed Costs With Exceptional Growth Rates Based on SFIP Data Our 2006 Ram Lambs Averaged 0.45 kg ADG We have a Closed Flock, Maedi Visna Tested with “A” Status Ted Skinner & Joanne Jones 2910 Concession Rd. 7, RR 5, Bowmanville, Ontario, L1C 3K6 Phone: 905-263-2102 Fax: 905-263-4388 E-mail: charollais@live.ca

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

lomanco hampshires Flock on R.O.P. since 1963 Striving to produce balanced sheep with thickness, muscling, length & correctness.

MANASAN FARM

150 L aberge, Danville, Q C tel (819) 839-3350 F (819) 839-1202

Visitors always welcome f www.manasan.qc.ca

EMKE OXFORDS and

HAMPSHIRES

Sold out of yearlings, taking orders for 2010 lambs. We have a nice pair of Hampshire lambs going to the All Canada Classic in Quebec May 2010. See them on our web page.

Dorsets and Suffolks Traditional Breeding Stock Well muscled for superior carcass quality. Australian and British Bloodlines Closed Flock ROP Tested

Craig Emke & Missy Emke

525 8th Concession, RR#1 Elmwood, ON, N0G 1S0

519-364-6840 • m_wright17@hotmail.com www.emkelivestock.webs.com

Duff Farms Rideau Yearlings & Lambs

Top Genetic Selection • SFIP & EweByte based • Maintaining 3 ram lines High Health Status • Closed Flock since 1995 • Maedi Visna Status “A” • National Scrapie Program • Ontario Sheep Health Program Glen & Sharon Duff RR#2, Rockwood, ON, N0B 2K0 519-856-9935 Email: rideausheep@sympatico.ca VASECTOMIZED ROMANOV “TEASER” RAMS. Effectively bring more ewes into estrus out of season, seasonal ewes breed earlier, more ewe lambs bred in their first season. Reliable out of season with highest libido. Charlie Renaud, Prolific Acres Sheep Farm, Phelpston, ON. charlierenaud@3web.com. (705) 322-2140. www.prolificacressheepfarm.com.

Keith and Mary Lamont R.R. 2, Acton, Ontario L7J 2L8 519-853-1975 E-Mail: lamont@sentex.net www.www.thistlestonefarm.com

Pyrenees/Maremma Pups ready April 1st vet checked with first shots. $350 Raised in large flock environment. Both parents working and on site. 705-932-1511 (evenings or leave message), vanloonryan@ hotmail.com.

Orchardview Farm

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

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

(519) 287-5085

Premier breeder at the 2008 Royal Texel Show

This space is available at the reasonable rate of $34 per issue. Call or email us for our price list.

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

Telephone: (705) 277-1711 Mobile: (905) 259-1102 E-mail: middlekingdom@sympatico.ca

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

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BREEDER