Ontario Sheep News - September 2009

industry highlights

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production innovations

Vol. 28 - Issue 3

september 2009

NEWS

OntarioSheep Benchmarking Improving Your Farm

A Look at Dairy Livestock Compensation for Sheep P M 4 0 0 3 3 529

Cochrane, Alberta, Canada

DORPERS

TIRED OF SHEARING? Sheep you’ve been dreaming of...

JOIN THE CHANGE TO DORPERS Meat Buyers want Dorper and Dorper X Lambs High Carcass Values Ray & Ann Marie Hauck www.ramhbreeders.com

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Tel/Fax: 403-932-3135 am@ramhbreeders.com

SHEEP CANADA

20/03/2008 10:09:03 AM

OSN

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September 2009

4. Chairman’s Report

Challenges can Bring Opportunity 5. Editorial 6. General Manager’s Report

Making Progress For the Producer 7. Market Report 8. 10 Things a Buyer Should Ask and a Seller Should Know 10. Commercial Dairy Sheep Farming

How Big is Big Enough?

11. Dairy Sheep Breeds 12. 2009 Dairy Sheep Symposium with Review of 2008 14. The Wonders of Sheep Milk Discovered 15. Benchmarking

Discovering Opportunities for Improvement on your Farm 16. Premier Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Awards 18. Livestock Compensation Values for Predation Kills 20. Lamb Survival III

Disease Pathogens for Lambs 21. Interview with Dr. Rex Crawford – SRVO 22. July 2009 Beginners Shearing Course Review 23. When the Shearer Comes 24. Wintertime Ventilation Needs of Sheep 27. Sheep Nutrition: Feed Hay First 28. What’s New in the Sheep Industry?

30. Characteristics of Drug Use on Sheep Farms in Ontario 32. Mary Had a Lot of Lambs

Researchers Identify Way to Accelerate Sheep Breeding 33. Shepherd’s Journal Sold to Sheep Canada Magazine 33. OMAFRA Sheep Seminars 33. Infrastructure Workshop 33. Harvest Ontario 2009 Advertising Opportunity 34. Touring Districts 7 and 8 36. 2009 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 36. Producer Education Day/OSMA AGM 37. District Contact Information 39. The 2009 All Canada Sheep Classic 39. Ontario Suffolk Sheep Association Annual Meeting

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Cover Photo: T his was the 2008 Photo Contest Winner - entitled “Field of Yellow”

by Joanne Skinner.

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

George Molson Dennis Fischer Neil Mesman Dianne Booker Andrew Gordanier Markus Wand Vacant at this time Chris Kennedy Allan Burn Gary Lapier Mark Lenover

Telephone (519) 695-2936 (519) 363-3819 (519) 462-2423 (905) 899-3748 (519) 925-6502 (705) 724-2314 (613) 389-0554 (613) 264-0801 (613) 989-2792 (705) 563-2966

OSMA staff Murray Hunt

Bob Connelly Ruth Gilmour

Eleanor Stern Suzanne Denis Shannon Meadows

Courtney Denard

General Manager 519-836-0043 manager@ontariosheep.org Liaison Officer Office Manager/Communication Co-ordinator, OSN Editor Administrative Assistant OSN Assistant OSN Assistant OSMA Office: 519-836-0043 Scrapie Program Coordinator Scrapie Canada: 1-866-534-1302

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 september 2009 Date of Issue: September 2009 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

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september 2009

Challenges can Bring Opportunities

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Markus Wand

he title to my latest Chair’s report – “Challenges can bring opportunities” – admittedly is a motherhood statement and I’m sure that most of you have heard a phrase something to this affect. Within the last 12-18 months, bringing about opportunities from our challenges has been a challenge in and of itself, but something that I think the organization as a whole is making the most of.

OSMA has had some real challenges and eye opening experiences within the last year. You will recall that at the district AGM’s held last year, there were representatives from the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission (OFPMC) at each of those meetings and there were also a set of questions that OFPMC asked to have answered.

From these consultations, the OFPMC set directives for OSMA to achieve in order to better the organization and the Ontario sheep industry. As harsh and challenging as it may have seemed to many that OFPMC intervened in OSMA’s affairs, I can without a doubt say that we are better for it. While no one appreciates having someone look over his or her shoulder, it did give us a real wake-up call and gave OSMA an unbiased view as to what was really happening at the grass roots level. We were able to take a step back, look at the situation and seize the opportunity by redefining our focus as an organization and get “our ducks in line.”

In previous issues of OSN, I have mentioned the importance of OSMA’s new Strategic Plan (one of the directives set by OFPMC) and the focus defined within: the producer. As I am writing this, I find myself a few days before the summer Board meeting, where as a Board, we will be reviewing and hopefully adopting the draft plan that has been in development for close to 6 months. But just to back up a bit, last fall, not only were the directives set out by OFPMC on the mind of the Board, we were also without a General Manager. Without a GM in place, the

challenges of completing our directives and moving the industry forward – let alone running the OSMA office – were daunting to say the least. However, when Murray Hunt came to OSMA in the New Year, it significantly elevated the organization and within a reasonably short time period, allowed OSMA to meet our challenges head on and seize opportunities.

In terms of the Strategic Plan, Murray’s long-time involvement in the agricultural industry and strong background in strategic planning, has allowed the organization to identify further potential challenges, but also potential opportunities that OSMA can take advantage of – even if they are not the result of particular challenges facing our organization or industry as a whole. In reference to the much needed eye-opener that OFPMC gave us last year, the continuing challenge which is addressed in the multi-year Strategic Plan, will be to remain focused on producers’ needs and continually improving the two-way communication (between OSMA and the grass roots) that is needed for OSMA to effectively serve you and provide value for the license fees you submit as a producer.

It seems that in life, we are always told that the key to successful relationships is communication, communication, communication! Most of the time, we communicate or attend meetings when we have a concern or if there is an issue affecting us. But I encourage all producers to let us know when something is being done well or give us your suggestions. Come to a district or industry meeting or the OSMA AGM in November, just for an opportunity to talk about the good things in our industry. So, I leave you with a small challenge: communicate with us regularly.

Contact your director, your district executive or the OSMA office/staff and let us know what you think so that we can continue to serve you and the industry as a whole in the best way possible. 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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from the editor

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september 2009

The Nature of Volunteers Ruth Gilmour, Ontario Sheep News Editor

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any years ago… okay, well, many, many years ago, I attended a Catholic high school. It was considered a private school back then because we had to pay tuition to attend.

This was before the time of Premier Bill Davis granting funding to pay for Catholic schools (at which point I believe we started calling him Saint Premier Bill Davis).

In those days, there was a lot of fundraising going on and many of us raised our tuition money by selling chocolate bars and chocolate covered almonds, a practice that is very common today but back then was something mostly done

by Catholic High Schools.

Selling these wares was not an enterprise to be taken lightly. Professional marketers were brought in and we were given lessons on how to sell. There were two things that I learned and have retained from those lessons. The first is always offer a choice. Smile nicely and ask, “Would you like to buy a chocolate bar or would you prefer a box of almonds?” Never give the single choice to buy or not to buy. The second lesson I learned was ‘he who buys quickly, buys again’.

This second lesson had me vexed right from the start. I didn’t fully understand it, but I started to pay attention and I realized that it had to do with the nature of people. The people who would buy again would always be the friendly ones, the ones who would take the time to stop and chat.

As I went on in life, I learned that these would be the same people who were prone to saying, “Hey, let me give you a hand with that” or “If you are going to need any help, just let me know.” They were the people who were happy to be involved, the people who weren’t afraid to put themselves forward or give up their own precious time just for the sake of doing some good deed or being nice.

This is the reason why I think so highly of volunteers.

It is because I know that kindness is not only a built in characteristic but that their first response usually sways to the positive, to the yes and they carry that with them.

Where is the proof of this? Well, none of us really have to look very far to see it, especially in the fall. I suspect a great many of you have that one job at your local fair that

you know is waiting for you. Every year, you’re helping out with the heavy horses, the 4H sheep club, baking something or helping your kids put their displays together so that they too can learn the importance of living and participating in a small or sometimes not so small community.

At Ontario Sheep, volunteers step forward everyday. This fall many producers are volunteering at the Western Fair, the International Plowing Match, the Outdoor Farm Show and many are requesting our booths, recipe cards and other items to take to their own community fairs. Producers step forward and take on positions of responsibility when they agree to become a part of a District Executive or Committee member or a Provincial Director. Producers open their homes and farms up to tours for other producers for the purpose of education. They are all to be congratulated.

When I first started working at OSMA, I was in need of volunteers to help out with a number of events and quite panicked at the thought of having to fill 30 timeslots at the Royal Winter Fair alone. To my amazement, it all came together because there were producers out there who knew I would need them and they called me. Four years later, I still have the same amazing group of people calling in and telling me to send them tickets again. There are very few openings that I normally have to fill in on my schedule anymore and I cannot thank them enough for making my job quite a bit easier.

So, yes there is an inherent goodness in the make-up of a volunteer and Ontario shepherds have no lack of them. But sheepishly, I must admit that I still have a few openings for the upcoming Royal, so if you don’t mind me asking, “Would you be so kind as to volunteer to work on a weekday or maybe you would prefer the weekend?” 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.

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general manager’s report

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september 2009

Making Progress For The Producer Murray Hunt

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hen I attend meetings with sheep producers, I see a wide range in age of producers, their experience in the sheep industry, the goals of producers in their sheep enterprises, and their needs and expectations of Ontario Sheep. One factor that makes it so great to be working with Ontario Sheep producers is that there are so many in the industry and at meetings that have become shepherds in the past decade. In this article, I would like to share with you how I see the actions of Ontario Sheep that affect you, the producer. In turn, I would ask that you share with the Ontario Sheep Directors and myself, your ideas, suggestions and concepts on how Ontario Sheep can assist you to have a viable sheep farm.

Representation

The first Ontario Sheep strategic direction is advocacy or representation. This role is carried out not only by directors and staff but also producers acting on their own behalf or as elected persons working at the district level. In fact all of us producers, staff and industry stakeholder, must claim ownership for representing the sheep industry. A few of the big challenges for all of us are to make others aware of our ideas and positions; to approach the future from a creative and development point of view; and support others in order to focus on the most important matters for the industry.

Ontario Sheep exists to represent producers’ views and needs in a collective, mutually and beneficial perspective.

Information

Ontario Sheep on its own and often in collaboration with sheep, livestock and agricultural industry stakeholders makes useful information available to producers. The Ontario Sheep organization website contains considerable information. The plan is to update the site over the next year. During 2010 Ontario Sheep plans to find and implement new ways and means of getting information to producers By numerous means, Ontario Sheep will make information available to producers in order to help them create a successful future.

Farm Data

I hear sheep producers sometimes questioning why they need to have on-farm records (animal, flock, crops, financial…) in an organized and electronic format. The first reason is so that individuals and producers can know their own facts and figures so they can make operation management 6

decisions that in the end improve their bottom line. When the data from individuals is collected in a common database (on a confidential basis), the opportunities for the industry to move forward on criteria such as financial, genetics, nutrition, management and marketing is greatly enhanced.

Over the next year, Ontario Sheep plans to work with industry partners to support ways and means of capturing farm data to assist both producers and the industry.

Research

Have you ever questioned the need for sheep research and whether it is the government’s, the industry’s or a joint responsibility? If you have, then you are the same as everyone else in our industry. Often we question future research needs when we see that a past project did not necessarily help producers. Research projects are best objectively evaluated before they are started, based on the potential improvements they can make in financial terms and what they add to the world knowledge of sheep or agriculture.

Ontario Sheep has recently taken on the responsibility to lead sheep research in Ontario. An industry stakeholders committee is now in place and will soon meet to establish the industry needs and priorities.

Development Projects

Industry producers are responsible for the development of their own operations. Ontario Sheep is here to work for the collective good of everyone in the sheep industry. Again, like in research, needs and priorities of development projects must be set in motion. Be assured that Ontario Sheep will be using producer dollars wisely to undertake development projects that are needed and for which there is public support dollars.

Currently Ontario Sheep has many possible development projects included in its strategic planning. The order and priority attached to individual projects will, to some extent be related to where public support can be generated.

Education

Knowledge is strength, it is also success, and it is also a better world for all. How do we obtain knowledge; well, likely through education. If we all approach education as lifelong learners, future industry viability and success will not be denied to sheep farming.

Ontario Sheep will continue to work with many other stakeholders to provide education opportunities for sheep producers.

Continued on page 7.

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market report

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september 2009

The Ontario Market Report

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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.

Continued from page 6~ Making Progress For The Producer

Collaboration

“United we stand, divided we fail” (Winston Churchill).

For the Ontario Sheep industry, this quote is very appropriate at this time. We need to walk and live this concept. What is best for the sheep and agricultural industries is what we want and need. The challenge comes in how we work with others.

Ontario Sheep not being a large organization will, over the next few years, find partners to assist our industry to be successful.

Marketing and Promotion

In the past years, Ontario Sheep has invested resources into marketing and promotional sheep products to consumers.

Progress has been made in regards to consumption of products. The challenge ahead is how to supply the products and increase the domestic market share originating from our country.

Ontario Sheep will continue promoting sheep products, however the focus over the next years will be to increase the volume of products produced from within Ontario and Canada.

Districts

Ontario Sheep is fortunate to have producers dedicated to assisting other producers. In the eleven districts of Ontario Sheep, great potential exists to provide programs that will assist the local producer. Serving producers’ needs at the district level needs to involve not only the districts and Ontario Sheep but also other industry stakeholders.

Ontario Sheep will be allocating time and energy over the next few years to assist its districts to establish ways and means of delivering meaningful district programs.

The call to action from Ontario Sheep is:

The potential, need and opportunity exist to double the size of the Ontario Sheep industry. However, the most important building block to make for a successful industry is step-by-step development of profitable sheep farming.

We can do it together. Does Ontario Sheep have your support? OSN

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10 Things a Buyer Should Ask and a Seller Should Know Guidelines to Choosing your Seller Shannon Meadows

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hen searching for a reputable supplier of sheep there are important questions you should have in mind. Asking these questions will help ascertain whether your seller will instil consumer confidence or whether they will persuade you to look elsewhere.

1. W hat are the biosecurity practices on this farm?

The easiest way to introduce a sheep disease to your flock is to bring it in with new sheep. Let the buyer tell you all about what precautions they take on their farm. What policies do they have on disinfectant and visitor footwear? Do they include the vet and shearer in the biosecurity protocol?

(Remember that both can be efficient vectors for transmission of diseases and pests) Does the buyer have an open or closed flock? If they have an open flock, what quarantine practices do they use when an animal comes to their farm?

2. W hat are the breeding priorities of the farm?

Their priorities could be meat, fibre, breeding stock, milk, or a combination of some or all of these. Try to match the priorities of your seller’s farm to the priorities that you have set for your own flock. For instance, a dairy sheep farm that is developing farmstead cheese will have different breeding priorities and selection standards than a farm that is sells naturally raised lamb. It will be easier to achieve your production targets if the purchased animals were bred with those traits in mind.

3. W hat health or disease challenges does this farm face now or has faced in the past?

It may be as simple as fiddling to balance the rations of bred ewes, or as serious as foot rot, but this is something you need to find out when you are farm shopping. Johne’s disease, foot rot, OPP, and Scrapie are very serious diseases that you will want to avoid introducing these to your flock. Pink eye (conjunctivitis), sore mouth and abortion diseases, while more manageable, are still something that you will want to discuss. Educate yourself on what, if any, diseases or health concerns have been an issue on your potential seller’s farm.

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4. W hat is the worming protocol of this farm?

How often does the shepherd dose the sheep and what wormers do they use? This is becoming increasingly important as we learn more about resistant parasites. Remember that even a ewe that is wormed as she is leaving her old farm can still carry un-hatched eggs or arrested larvae in her gut. These eggs or larvae will mature into worms which then drop eggs onto your fields and paddocks. This is why it is a good idea to worm sheep again during the quarantine period on your farm before they go out to pasture. Discuss this with your seller, including the worming history of the flock, and if possible, of the individual animal. This is valuable information that you will need in order to manage the sheep on your own farm.

5. W hat are the selection criteria for breeding animals at this farm?

In what order are their selection criteria prioritized? A focused thoughtful breeder should have this answer on the tip of their tongue. The following is an example of a selection trait list in order of priority a. General vigour, health and soundness b. Good size and conformation c. Strong maternal qualities (Fertility, ease of lambing, milking ability, and a strong claim to her lambs) d. Quality and quantity of the fleece

6. W hat are the farm’s criteria for culling?

Culling is critical to maintaining and improving the soundness of a flock. Again, if the shepherd cannot answer that question easily and smoothly, then they have not been culling their flock on any specific plan, or worse yet, they have not been culling at all. Husbandry of livestock breeding involves culling, and a farm that does not cull is either using the culls for breeding, or selling their culls to others. As a buyer, both of these situations are disastrous for you and your flock.

7. W hat is the price scale for breeding stock on this farm?

What criterion contributes to the price scale? This is a fair question that a seller should be comfortable answering. Every

farm has a different approach to pricing, and you can learn a lot about the standards and priorities of a farm by discussing the pricing scale.

8. W hat health and fertility guarantee does the seller offer, and under what conditions will the seller replace the animal?

Every farm can have a different answer to this question, so it is best to ask before you make a purchase. For how long is the health guaranteed? What will happen if the animal falls ill, and what does the seller expect you to do? For instance, a seller’s guarantee of health may end if you either do not call during the illness or if you do not heed their advice or that of your vet.

What about fertility? If an animal does not reproduce, what will the seller do for you as compensation and when? Does the seller take unsatisfactory animals back, or will they ask you to cull the animal and then offer you a replacement? This part of the buyer/ seller relationship can get sticky if there is a problem, so it is best to be clear about the seller’s policies before the sheep leave their farm.

9. D oes the seller have a consulting vet, and will the animal come with a full health check?

Does the farm vet do a hands-on health check for each animal, or do they write a health certificate based only on their knowledge of the seller’s farm? Be aware that for very large purchases, the health certificate may speak more toward the general health of the farm than to the soundness of each individual animal. If that is so in your purchase situation, then ask if the seller will still guarantee the soundness and health of each sheep. Also know that the requirements for certificates are more lenient if the buyer and seller are both in-province.

10. Will the seller supply buyer support?

Questions or problems can arise in any purchase, and will the seller be available to help you should need it? Find out at what times of day you can call. Every household has a different schedule, so ask before you call either too late or too early. Will the seller be too busy to help on the phone at certain times, or do they prefer to answer questions via email? Remember that it is a two-way street; if a seller considers buyer support to be part of the deal, then they will also expect you to listen to their advice, or that of their vet, if you ask them for it. I have had a long, friendly relationships both with buyers of our sheep, and with sellers for my own purchases, and consider them to be one of the joys of raising sheep. OSN Information source from Barbara Webb’s article in The Shepherd titled “Ten Things a Buyer Should Ask and a Seller Should be Ready to Answer”

Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency

2009 Photo Contest

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 October 16 2009.

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.

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.

SUBMISSIONS: Include the following information with your submission. (please do no write directly on the back of the photograph.)

• Title of photo • Photographer’s name • Mailing address • Phone number • E-mail address • Approximate location/ date of the photo 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!

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Commercial Dairy Sheep Farming - How Big is Big Enough?

By Courtney Denard

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here’s a lot to consider when setting up a commercial dairy sheep operation but one of the most important questions to ask is, “how big is big enough?” According to Keith Todd of the Todd Sheep Company, that magic number is somewhere around 300 milking ewes.

Presenting at the Grey Bruce Farmers Week Sheep Day on January 10, 2009, Todd shared his experiences of setting up a large scale dairy sheep operation. A third generation sheep farmer, Todd was looking for a way to farm and make a living for his family without having to work off the farm. After a year and a half of research, Todd, along with his parents Hugh and Jo Ann, set up a large scale commercial dairy sheep farm in 2005. Today, the Todd’s milk 400 East Fresian and Lucaune ewes on their farm in Lucknow.

So when trying to decide “how big is big enough,” Todd says that producers need to do what works best for them. However, after almost four years in the business Todd’s opinion is that in order to generate an income suitable for a young family, you wouldn’t want to go any smaller than 300 milking ewes.

“To buy a farm, to mortgage it and do everything else, I couldn’t justify milking 100- 200 sheep. To pay my bills, I needed to milk a certain number of sheep and 300 was the number that made it worthwhile. This also allows us to hire a relief milker every once in awhile so we can get off the farm from time to time,” says Todd.

Deciding how big to go is not the only consideration that needs to be made. Once the number of sheep is determined, setting up an efficient milking system is crucial. The Todd’s chose to set up a rapid exit parlour system on their farm.

“Producers are going to want a system that maximizes animal through-put and minimizes stress on the animals and the people milking. We found that the rapid-exit system allowed us to do this, plus is was about eight times more affordable than setting up a rotary parlour,” Todd says. With their system, there is one milker for every two sheep and about 250 animals can be milked per hour, with four people milking.

When making decisions on housing, it is important to ensure that each sheep has enough room and is kept clean and comfortable. Todd says milking ewes should have minimum 12.5 square feet per ewe; lamb gestation ewes should have minimum 16 square feet per ewe; and nursery lambs should 10

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Keith Todd

have about four to five square feet per lamb. To keep things clean, the Todd’s bed their animals everyday- a management practice that helps reduce the chance of udder infection.

With eight years experience as a Feed Sales and Nutrition Consultant, Todd knew that developing the right feeding system makes all the difference for the sheep. The Todd’s chose to go with a Total Mixed Ration (TMR), a system that allows you to feed consistently everyday. Their ration is made up 17% protein making it very high in energy to get a good milk potential. To feed 400 ewes on a yearly basis, the Todd’s grow about 28 acres of corn silage and 90 acres of hay, and a complete pellet is also purchased. Although the TMR was a larger equipment expense to begin with, Todd says he would never go back to pasture. “Having sheep on pasture makes you much more reliant upon the weather. For example, if there is a year of drought, getting enough feed for your sheep will be difficult,” he says.

Lambs on the Todd farm are fed by two automatic lamb feeders- a machine that offers a consistent supply or warm milk replacer. Since the machines are always on, lambs can access milk 24 hours a day. “Raising lambs is a challenge. With the automatic lamb feeder you’ll see a major decrease in labour because you do not have to put in hours of bottle feeding. We also literally have no bloat in our lambs,” Todd says.

For anybody interested in getting into commercial sheep dairy farming, Todd encourages them to follow these keys to success. First off and foremost, set up your operation to maximize milk production. It’s also important to find ways to increase milking speed and increase through-put. Realize that you need to be continually planning and making changes. And finally, keep it simple, economical and efficient. “One piece of advice I would give is don’t cheap out- it’ll end up costing you more money in the end. That’s definitely something I’ve learned over the past four years,” Todd says.

The Todd farm ships their milk to Gourmet Dairy Shepherd in St. Mary’s. OSN

Dairy Sheep Breeds

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early all domestic sheep breeds have the potential for commercial milk production.

Dairy production variations in regards to quantity and fat content as well as other characteristics unique to each breed have lead dairy producers to choose certain breeds to increase the industry’s productivity. Below are some of the most popular milkproducing breeds worldwide.

The East Friesian Dairy Sheep The East Friesian Dairy Sheep originated in the Friesland area of Holland and Germany along with the Holstein dairy cow. Good feeding and careful genetic selection over several centuries has produced a high production milk sheep that is very docile and adapts well to intensive parlour milking systems.

Prolificacy of 230% has been reported making this breed one of the most prolific breeds. The East Friesian has an average production of 450-500kg per lactation period of 220-240 days. Over the past 30 years the Friesian has been used in crossbreeding to improve the milk yields and prolificacy of other breeds. In Canada it was used to develop the Rideau Arcott. More recently a growing market for specialty cheeses has resulted in a significant growth in the number of East Friesian ewes being milked commercially.

British Milk Sheep Developed during the 1970’s in Wiltshire and Northumberland, the British Milk Sheep is the result of crossbreeding the East Friesian, Bluefaced Leicester, Polled Dorset and LLeyn sheep. It is a dual-purpose meat/dairy breed with high prolificacy. When crossed with other breeds the BMS will improve prolificacy and milking ability.

Lacaune The Lacaune is the most numerous sheep breed in France. It has been selected in France for increased milk

production under a sophisticated selection program incorporating artificial insemination, milk recording, and progeny testing of sires for longer than any other dairy sheep breed in the world. Annual genetic improvement for milk yield in the French Lacaune is estimated at 2.4% or 5.7 kg (12.5 lbs). Lacaune ewes produce milk with higher total solids than the East Friesians, but in slightly less volume.

The sheep of the Lacaune breed produce the milk, which is responsible for the famous Roquefort cheese.

Awassi The Awassi evolved as a nomadic sheep breed through centuries of natural and selective breeding to become the highest milk-producing breed in the Middle East. The breed is of the Near Eastern fattailed type. The average Awassi ewe has single lactations over 300 litres (650 pounds) per 210-day lactation, and it is not uncommon for outstanding females to have 210 day lactations above 750 litres (1,625 lbs. The breed also has the advantage of natural hardiness and grazing ability.

Assaf The Assaf sheep is the result of crossbreeding the Awassi and East Friesian Milk sheep.

In 1955, researchers of the Israeli Agricultural Research Organization (A.R.O) started this project aiming to improve the fecundity of the Awassi sheep. A combination of 3/8 East Friesian and 5/8 Awassi blood emerged as the best cross. Most dairy sheep breeders in Israel have adopted the Assaf, which is considered not only a top quality dairy sheep and excellent mutton producer, but is also well adapted to semi-extensive to extensive production systems. Under Israeli conditions, in which ewes have approximately 3 lambings in 2 years, the annual milk yield is 450 litres. The demand for Assaf sheep is increasing every year. They have been exported to Spain, Portugal, Chile and Peru. OSN

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11

2009 Diary Sheep Symposium The 15th Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symposium is scheduled to take place on November 12th -14th at the Albany Marriott in New York.

The Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symposium is the major annual event of the dairy sheep industry in North America. For 15 years, this event has attracted dairy sheep producers from Canada, Mexico and throughout the United States. As a small but growing industry, the symposium provides critical connections among producers. The first day includes talks directed towards beginning producers. The second day features presentations by innovative producers and top scientists from North America and abroad to bring the latest information on dairy sheep production and sheep milk processing to our domestic industry.

The final day will include tours of local dairy sheep producers and processing plants that manufacture sheep milk cheeses. The Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symposium provides an educational environment and fosters connections among dairy sheep producers, processor and researchers.

Topics will include: • Getting Started in Sheep Dairying • Cheese-making with Sheep Milk • Challenges in Cheese Plant Design • Intake on Pasture • Effects of Pre-pubertal Lamb Nutrition on Milk Production • Genetic Markers for Milk Production • Sheep Nutrition and Fermentable Fibre

Highlights from the 14th Dairy Sheep Symposium in 2008 By: Eric Bzikot

T

he 2008 symposium was held in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was memorable for many reasons, not least for the wonderful venue at the Ruby Tuesday Lodge (an American restaurant chain HQ) and that it ended on the day before the presidential election.

Seven Canadians attended: two from Nova Scotia and five from Ontario.

It followed the usual format of two days of lectures and a day of farm tours. The featured speaker was Dr. Gabriel Leitner from Israel. Dr. Leitner’s main lecture covered the role of immunities with regard to udder health, suggesting that mastitis is a serious concern with dairy sheep regardless of where they live. Although the focus of the lecture was most interesting, the peripheral information on sheep dairies in Israel was just as valuable. The breed of choice in Israel is the Assaf which is a cross of the Awassi and East Friesian with the favoured percentage being 5/8 East Friesian. The Assafs are big sheep, 200lbs when adult and produce a lot of milk. They target 500 litres per lactation. Their down-side is 12

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late maturity - never lambing before they are 24 months. Dr. Leitner also showed us videos of their flocks, rotary parlours and housing adapted for the extreme heat of that country. I got the impression that sheep dairying is taken very seriously in Israel. In the films, there was evidence of meticulous management there seemed to be a lot of personnel around.

Flocks are around 300 head. On the lighter side, Dr. Leitner referred to the biblical evidence of sheep in Israel, specifically Jacob’s flock.

The day of farm tours was also memorable. Rain was scarce in Tennessee in 2008 and this made life hard for their farmers. Apparently the cow dairy business hit hard economic times and all but three of the previously twenty five cow dairy herds in this area disappeared. I could not help but compare this situation with the stability that our Canadian supply managed system provides our dairy industry. Perhaps we dairy shepherds should observe the global cow dairy scene as to which policies have worked and which have not. The cow dairy industry has evolved to its present state over decades

and scrutinising their progress gives us an opportunity to avoid mistakes they have made. In the States it has been a free-for-all with only the most tenacious farms surviving.

Canadian sheep dairy farms, at this stage, can be divided into two types; larger flocks producing milk for sale to other processors, or smaller units which engage in value adding and marketing. A third way is for dairy flocks sized in between these two to be engaged in an agreement with a processor whereby they have some interest in the value added chain without actually processing or marketing themselves.

Ron and Daphne Rogers made the switch from cows to sheep in 2007, milking 100 ewes that year. In November 2008 they had 300 ewes which originated from Dorset/ Dorper crosses with Lacaune and East Friesian rams. There appeared to be every possible combination of these breeds in the flock. The ewes looked big and sturdy and in good condition.They were housed full time because of lack of fences and were chomping on wheat hay. The heads of wheat in the hay were very light, no doubt because of the drought. The cow milking parlour, with a diamond shaped pit, was converted to suit sheep but only half of it was used.

The milk was cooled and pumped into a converted milk cooler tank mounted on a trailer.

acres of Smoky Mountains for its guests to enjoy. The small sheep enterprise, apart from being an attraction for guests, produces cheese, which is apparently sold all over the country. All the facilities are, as you would expect, extremely fancy and spotless. This is where one could admire milking and processing equipment that most can only dream of. Again this year the Ontario Dairy Sheep Symposium committee has limited funds to assist with travel costs for Ontario shepherds wishing to attend the symposium.

Transcripts of all the lectures can be found through the Diary Sheep Association of North America Website at www.DSANA.org Persons interested in attending the symposium in Albany should contact Eric Bzikot at 519 848 5694 to co-ordinate travel plans so as to make best use of available funds.

You can also email me at ee.bzikot@everus.ca OSN

Mar-Weld Inc.

Basket Feeders for Sheep - SHB

We also visited the farm of Sherri Palko, a new entrant to agriculture. She had previously been a software engineer and related the steep learning curve she was subjected to when starting her sheep enterprise. Sherri milks her sheep and produces cheese right on the farm. She constructed an interesting concrete block “cave” for aging her cheese with a humidity control system from a chick incubator. She never imagined there could be so many regulations! While it is true that America is “the land of the free” if you want to make cheese for sale in Tennessee you had better get a licence! She has a neat operation of modest size and is able to retail all her cheese locally.

The third “farm” we visited was Black Berry Farm. The reason for the inverted comma is that Black Berry Farm is an exclusive hotel facility with over 4000

F Hoop spacing 7-1/4” F 1-1/4” square tube frame F 1-1/2” x 1/4” flat hoops F Stackable F For round bales up to 5’ x 5’ F Also available with pan underneath to feed grain and catch leaves

WTF Walk-through Hay & Grain Feeder 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

Collapsible Feeder - 3CF

F 3” rod spacing F Completely collapsible F All straight bars F Closer spacing allows hay to come out but keeps chaff out of the wool F Also available with 7” spacing Call for a free brochure and a dealer near you.

2690 Manser Rd. RR#1, Milbank Ontario N0K 1L0•(519) 698-1151•Fax (519) 698-1152 Call for a free brochure of all our feeders and handling equipment including wire mesh gates.

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13

The Wonders of Sheep Milk Discovered The Many Reasons the Dairy Sheep Industry is Booming Efficient Production that Pays

What do these Statistics mean?

Sheep milk has higher solids content than goat or cow milk. As a result, more cheese can be produced from a gallon of sheep milk than a gallon of goat or cow milk. Sheep milk yields 18 to 25 percent cheese, whereas goat and cow milk only yield 9 to 10 percent.

While sheep usually produce less milk than goats and much less than cows, sheep milk sells for a significantly higher price per pound, almost four times the price of cow milk.

Composition of different kinds of milk Species

% Solids

% Fat

% Protein

• A well-tolerated, non-allergenic protein source is very important for people who are healing, athletic or growing.

• Calcium is responsible for relaxation, bone density and cavity prevention.

• Magnesium is very critical for the relief of muscle cramping.

• Sheep milk contains twice the amino acid lysine than cow or goat milk. Lysine is one of the most important nutrients in the treatment of viruses.

Calcium (mg) Calories (kcal)

Human

12.5

4.38

1.03

32

70

Cow

12.01

3.34

3.29

119

69

Goat

12.97

4.14

3.56

134

69

Sheep

19.30

7.0

5.98

193

108

The Great Taste with Low Allergenicity It is so close to cow milk that 83% of patients trailed on sheep milk prefer it to any other milk substitutes including; soy, goat, and rice milk.

Leonard S. Girsh, M.D. did a study of 206 individuals and found that 99% of the patients were tolerant to sheep milk over an average of 34% tolerance for soy, goat and rice. It was notable that the severity of allergic symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, sinus congestion, migraines and skin rashes were relieved by simply substituting sheep milk where ever the patient would normally use cow milk.

The Nutritional Value Check out how sheep milk compares to other milks.

• Plus, sheep milk fat is 25% MCT’s (Medium Chain Triglycerides). These healthy fatty acids are easily digested and not stored in the body as fat. They prefer to be burned as fuel and thus are favoured by endurance athletes. MCT’s do not raise LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Why choose sheep milk products?

The advantages of sheep milk products are numerous.

Sheep milk contains almost twice the percentage of calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc that cow’s milk contains. It’s a well-tolerated non-allergenic protein, and it tastes great! OSN Information provided by: www.shepherdgourmetdairy.com/images/nutrition.pdf www.sheep101.info/dairy.html

Nutrient Content per 250 ml glass Human Protein (g) Calcium (mg)

Goat

Cow

Sheep

2.58

8.9

8.23

15

80

335

297

483

Magnesium (mg)

45

35

32.5

75

Lysine (mg)

183

710

640

1260

Vitamin B12 (mcg)

0.045

0.065

0.357

0.711

Zinc (mg)

0.17

0.30

0.38

0.57

14

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• A diet high in Vitamins B12 and C, magnesium and zinc, is recommended for people who suffer from Chronic Fatigue or Immune Dysfunction Syndromes.

Benchmarking

By Shannon Meadows

If you don’t know where you are on a map, then how can you plan a route to get to where you want to go?

Benchmarking tells you where your farm is in relation to other farms so that you can plan a route to meet your business goals.

S

uccess hinges on effective use of information in making knowledgeable management decisions. Benchmarking is a method of finding this information so that you the producer can capitalize best practice methods on your farm.

Essentially, benchmarking is done to compare your farms performance against external benchmarks (peers and competitors) to reveal opportunities for improvement in your operation. Specifically, benchmarking identifies key performance indicators, which are the critical success factors of your business.

Around the world, there has been a variety of research to discover key performance indicators in the sheep industry. The trends of key performance indicators vary in both geographic location, and production type.

There has been considerable research in Australia and New Zealand in sheep benchmarking. Since the wool industry is more prominent in these markets, it is reflected in their key performance indicators. In Australia, producers are able to take advantage of inexpensive pasture, and thus many of their profitability indicators are defined per unit area. The most prominent key performance indicators are stocking rate (livestock grazing per unit area), and measures of wool production.

and the cost of weight gain after weaning. There are also measures of gross flock output, signifying that your farm needs to have a sufficient volume of production in order to be financially efficient. Management skills and protocols were also very important to efficiently utilize labour, especially during lambing.

One of the key requirements to complete benchmarking is a good system of record keeping. To conduct an ongoing analysis of your farm it’s important to have a system that allows you to track and monitor the factors that determine your farm’s performance. Benchmarking is an effective analytical tool in the monitor - analyze - decide implement – evaluate cycle. The practice of benchmarking has long been established as a farm management tool for detecting areas where individual producers could increase net operating profit by adopting the methods of their peers who were able to achieve better results.

Ontario Sheep is recruiting a selected number of producers who have 300+ ewes to participate in our Benchmarking study. If you would like specific benchmarking information on your farm please contact Ruth Gilmour at general@ ontariosheep.org to participate.

For more info. visit www.ontariosheep.org OSN

In the United States, where prime lamb is the primary area of production, the key performance indicators relate more closely to the unit cost of production. The most significant cost factors are the cost of growing feeder lambs

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15

Premier Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Award

T

he Premier’s Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Awards are part of a $2.5-million, five-year program (now in its third year) established to recognize innovators who contribute to the success of Ontario’s agri-food sector.

55 regional farms received the Premier’s Agri-Food Innovation Excellence awards for their innovative ideas. As you may have read in the June issue of the Ontario Sheep News, Best Baa Farm was the recipient of the Premier’s Agri-Food Innovation Excellence award. In addition to Best Baa Farm, there were several other winners.

Congratulations to: Best Baa Farm – Wellington County Eric Bzikot counts ideas instead of sheep at night.

This innovator has created a value-added venture for his farm that also benefits other producers. A processing plant and a small co-op have John Wilkinson, Minister of been established for Research and Innovation and MPP for Perth-Wellington; Eric Bzikot the sale of sheep milk product. The co-op currently produces 12 types of artisan sheep cheese, two types of yogurt and is looking at potential in the ice cream market. With distribution to 60 stores and restaurants, Best Baa is creating innovative growth opportunities for Ontario’s sheep milk product market.

Codan Suffolks – Lambton County

Bill and Lynne Duffield are building a better flock using DNA testing from ‘down under.’ Theirs is the first Canadian sheep farm to use this technology pioneered Lynne and Bill Duffield; MPP for by a New Zealand Lambton-Kent-Middlesex doctor. An FTA card, Maria Van Bommel a chemically treated filter paper used to collect and store DNA, is the key factor that enables the farm to send samples to the other side of the world. The farm sends the cards via international courier and results 16

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are returned electronically. The program has enabled them to genetically test for cold tolerance and footrot. This has resulted in better breeding decisions and economic returns for the farm.

Ewe Dell Family Farms – Essex County From farm to family, this innovator has found a way to deliver a product that meets the needs of Ontario’s growing diversity of cultures.

Ewe Dell Family Carloyn Fuerth and MPP for Farms began as a Lambton-Kent-Middlesex modest 30 ewe farm.

Maria Van Bommel The operation has grown to include a flock of 4,000 and includes a modern, government inspected abattoir, which was specifically designed to process sheep. The farm markets its lambs directly to a variety of different ethnic clients in a nearby urban centre.

The one-of-a-kind abattoir enables the farm to produce specific carcass weights, specialty lamb cuts and products that meet cultural and religious needs of their various customers. This innovative farm has found a new way to honour old traditions.

Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company – Prince Edward County You could say it’s the ‘big cheese.’ Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company is the largest artisan cheese manufacturing facility in Eastern Ontario to process goat and sheep milk. It’s also Stephanie Diamante; Petra Cooper; North America’s only Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of certified Platinum Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs LEED (Leadership and MPP for Prince Edwardin Energy and Hastings;, Stan Siebenga; Marion Environmental Greveling; Lawrence Greveling Design) dairy. This state-of-the-art facility’s solar, wind and geothermal technologies have helped reduce its energy consumption by 60 per cent. The dairy’s sustainability theme is carried throughout the entire enterprise, from environmentally friendly waste processing to green cleaning agents and biodegradable packaging. The facility

has received awards for both its product and its green buildings. The dairy has even built subterranean caves for aging cheese that provide a cool environment with little energy input. Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company is also the winner of the top Premier’s award for their innovation.

Ontario Lamb Improvement Breeding Strategy Replicating Breeder’s Association – Peterborough County Recognizing that Ontario consumers have consistently demanded twice as much home grown Ontario lamb as the industry has been capable of supplying, this innovator John and Eadie Steele; developed a Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of standardized systems Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs approach to produce and MPP for Prince Edward-Hastings large numbers of uniform sheep breeding stock. This has helped the operation grow from a flock of 200 ewes to more than 2,400 in eight years. In addition to developing the system, a marketing strategy has also evolved which is helping to educate commercial sheep producers who are interested in growing their breeding stock and maximizing their bottom line.

Windblest Farm – Lanark County

Janice and Bryan Lever are not sheepish about the success they have made of what was supposed to be a retirement project. Windblest Farm is a beautiful place located close to Ferguson Falls in Lanark County where the Levers sell their own tweed - a unique three-ply worsted weight knitting

Bryan and Janice Lever; Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and MPP for Prince Edward-Hastings

yarn in three colours.

They have developed their own washing system and a fabric wash sac for wool.

The farm employs a high school student during the summer and at shearing time, which helps them deliver the goods from ‘sheep to shawl.’

WoolDrift Farm –Grey County W o o l D r i f t Farm, the first commercial sheep milking operation in the province, has shepherded the growth of Ontario’s sheep milk industry.

Owners Chris Axel Meister; Chris Buschbeck; Buschbeck and Axel Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron-Bruce Meister were the first to import East Friesian dairy sheep embryos into Canada and continuously improved the genetics of the flock, resulting in sales across North America. These innovators have been instrumental in founding the Ontario Dairy Sheep Association and have attracted farmers to the sheep milk market through various educational symposiums and workshops. Today, more than 50 Ontario farmers are milking sheep commercially, producing 1.5 million litres of milk, which is poured into artisan cheeses, yogurt, ricotta and feta cheese. OSN

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

  Website www.sheltersolutions.ca

Email info@sheltersolutions.ca

Address 360 King Street Unit #5 Palmerston ON N0G2P0



 

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17

Livestock Compensation Values for Predation Kills

By Shannon Meadows

A

recent article in the May 2009 edition of Ontario Beef has sparked the interest of a number of sheep producers in Ontario.

The article, written by Jen Snively of the Ontario Cattleman’s Association, detailed the compensation values for predation kills of beef, as written in the Ontario Livestock, Poultry & Honey Bee Protection Act (LPHBPA). Thus, in response to this producer interest, Ontario Sheep decided to outline the summary of this act as it applies to the sheep industry.

As a reminder, under the LPHBPA, livestock producers are entitled to make claims to their local municipality for livestock losses attributable to attacks by wolves, coyotes or dogs. While livestock losses from bears are handled under the Bear Damage to Livestock Program. Compensation under both programs for damage caused by wildlife (wolf, coyote and bear) are funded by the provincial government, while compensation for dog damage is funded by the municipality.

When a livestock producer believes that they have suffered a loss of livestock due to predation by a coyote, wolf or stray dog, they should immediately notify the valuer for their local municipality. Valuers can be identified by your Municipal Clerk. If you are unaware who your Municipal clerk is, OSMA would be pleased to assist you in locating your local Clerk.

The valuer will then make a full investigation and submit a report within 10 days to the Municipal Clerk.

When the valuer comes to your farm to investigate the damage, they will ask you numerous questions to complete their report. This report will include: a description of the damage; what type of predator killed the livestock; photographs of the injured or killed livestock (if possible); whether the owner had taken reasonable care to protect their livestock; farm management information; and, the amount of compensation. A frustrating part of the process is that you can only make claims on animals when there is evidence of a carcass. Often the coyote, wolf or bear will drag the carcass away leaving no evidence and therefore no chance for any compensation.

The compensation value is based on the estimate of the weight of the animal and the current market price. Additional information may be factored into the value. Pedigree, genetics, pregnancy, breeding stock, pertinent performance records, physical identification, invoices and or sales records and age should be considered in determining the value. Simply put the valuers ask themselves, “What would the livestock owner have to pay to replace that animal in the herd?”

Under the LPHBPA and the Bear Damage to Livestock 18

OSN S e p t e m b e r 2 0 0 9

Compensation Program, the maximum compensation per head for sheep is $200. Valuers are encouraged to reference current market prices as seen on the OSMA website or by contacting the OSMA office.

In the case of young un-weaned lambs, a specific methodology is used. To determine the maximum compensation cost for young lambs, the valuer uses a weight of 80 lbs, and multiplies by the price paid per pound in the current market data for the 80-94 lb range. To show some examples of lamb compensation values, we looked to the early 2009 market data:

Maximum Lamb Compensation Values Price Variation Average Lamb Value at 80 lbs ($)

Jan 09

Feb 09

Mar 09

Apr 09

$156.80

$153.60

$160.80

$177.60

After determining the maximum compensation amount, then lamb age is taken into account. This is done by assigning the lamb value to increasing proportions until the lambs reach their full market value. Newborn lambs are valued at 45% of their market value. The value increases by 5% per week and reaches full value at 12 weeks of age.

Using Age to Calculate Lamb Compensation Value Age

Percentage of full value

Dollar Value (if $160 is full value)

1st week

45%

$ 72.00

2nd week

50%

$ 80.00

3rd week

55%

$ 88.00

4th week

60%

$ 96.00

5th week

65%

$ 104.00

6th week

70%

$ 112.00

7th week

75%

$ 120.00

8th week

80%

$ 128.00

9th week

85%

$ 136.00

10th week

90%

$ 144.00

11th week

95%

$152.00

12th week

100%

$ 160.00

In case of injury, producers are entitled to recovering outof-pocket expenses. Claims for injured animals can include vet bills and medication providing necessary supporting

documentation is submitted to the valuer for verification and copies of which must be attached to the valuer’s report.

Producers can appeal to OMAFRA if they are dissatisfied with the valuer’s report. A written appeal, accompanied by $25 fee payable to the Minister of Finance, may be submitted to OMAFRA within 30 days of receiving the valuer’s report. The fee will be refunded if the appeal is upheld. For more information on the appeals process, contact Mr. Robin Chandra of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) at (519) 826-3508 or toll-free at 1-888-466-2372, ext. 6-3508 or robin.chandra@ontario.ca. There is no appeals process under the Bear Damage to Livestock Compensation Program.

Chore Dog Seminar

By Janet Fahey

O

n June 24, Sue Jewell of Have Ewe Herd presented a chore dog training seminar, hosted

by Shelagh Finn at her farm in Adjala. Highlights included a discussion of the pros and cons of buying and training your own puppy vs. buying a trained adult, and how the chore dog can be an invaluable partner to a sheep farmer working alone.

Sue then did demonstrations of how to use the dog for chores such as worming and Photo credit: Daina Hunter medicating, and how to move sheep to different locations, including through chutes and in and out of pens. OSN

Livestock management practices, electric fencing, guardian animals, frightening devices, trapping and hunting are essential to preventing livestock kills. When the government is paying $1 million a year to producers for livestock and poultry kills, perhaps some of those funds would be better spent on other resources. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture has led an active lobby on this issue to the provincial government for many years. Recommendations from their Predator Task Team have included: permitting the use of snares with a training course for producers; improve training for livestock valuers; hiring predation specialists to work on-farm with livestock producers; training to producers; government share-costing for fencing, guardian animals or frightening devices; and reimbursing farmers for costs of removing problem coyotes. Until new solutions are agreed upon, the best compensation programs when predators strike your livestock are still the wildlife damage programs funded by the province and administered by OMAFRA. OSN

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LAMB SURVIVAL

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his is the third article in a series called Lamb Survival to help producers in this area. Lamb Survival I, printed in March 2009, described preparation tips for successful lambing. This included tips such as preparation of emergency nurseries to help with the survival of small, weaker lambs, ewe nutrition, ewe management at lambing, and management of multiple birth and orphan lambs. The second part of the series, entitled Lamb Survival II appeared in the June 2009 issue and featured the importance of Colostrum.

It went on to describe why colostrum is important, how much the lamb needs, information on artificial rearing, methods of feeding milk replacer, feeding lambs in cold conditions and weaning. Now, in the third installation of this Lamb Survival Series is a description of Pathogens in Lambs, including descriptions of what signs to look for, and a checklist of what to do to prevent your lambs from succumbing to pathogens.

2. Identify premature, underweight, starving, cull ewe lambs and ensure adequate milk intake and warmth.

3. Ensure good sanitation practices; maintaining barns with good ventilation, dry, no drafts, and strict cleaning of lambing premises.

4. Group lambs according to age and body weight and supply sufficient nipples. (e.g. 5-6 lambs /nipple at start and increase to 10-25 lambs/nipple dependant on machine and space etc)

Typical disease pathogens for lambs: • Watery mouth – infection with E.coli precipitated by chilling, stress and/or lack of colostrum intake. This typically occurs during the first few days of life and up to six weeks of age. Young lambs salivate and become distressed with a distended abdomen.

The lambs can also scour which can lead to dehydration and even death. This condition can last in lambs for up to 10 days.

• Scours – inflammation of intestine from infectious disease pathogens such as E.coli, Cryptosporidia, Rotavirus and lamb dysentery (clostridia).

• Pneumonia -dust, ammonia buildup, extreme weather changes (especially in humidity levels), etc. can encourage pneumonia. Pneumonia is often fatal or resulting lung damage will affect future health and productivity.

• Internal Parasites- one of the biggest health problems in grazing lambs.

Checklist: 1. As soon as lamb is born ensure adequate colostrum intake by suckling, bottle or stomach tube

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Photo courtesy of Kendra Keels.

5. Monitor lambs closely and regularly for signs of ill health or starvation. Treat as soon as possible.

6. Early rumen development will be accomplished by supplying a highly palatable and nutritious creep feed as soon as possible. Offer hay and clean, fresh water at all times.

Grober milk replacers are manufactured to the highest standards. Grober research and on-farm testing ensures the best nutritional products available for lamb growth and development. Grober Lamb-Gro and good management provide a strong foundation for growth and production of lambs. OSN Courtesy of Grober Nutrition: Kathleen Shore. MSc. (Nutritionist, Grober Nutrition) and Sally Charlton, BSc.

Interview

Dr. Rex Crawford: Small Ruminant Veterinarians of Ontario

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close relationship with a knowledgeable veterinarian is an important part of maintaining a healthy and productive flock. In fact, according to Dr. Rex Crawford, a large animal vet based in Orangeville, Ontario, producers who don’t work one-on-one with a vet are losing out on a wealth of information, another viewpoint on production issues and access to vaccines, pharmaceuticals and feed additives. For the past four years, Crawford has owned and operated Dufferin Veterinary Services, a large animal clinic that works with cattle, horses, sheep, goats and alpacas. Specifically referring to sheep, his clientele consists of 25 producers and a large group of hobbyists. In his practice, Crawford places a strong emphasis on developing relationships with producers. “Just calling the vet clinic occasionally for advice or to pick up drugs is not enough,” he says.

“Producers should understand that veterinarians need to visit a flock, expand their knowledge of the disease and production challenges on that particular farm, and understand management abilities in order to do a good job.”

Vet-client relationship takes time, but pays off In Crawford’s opinion, producers need to work with their veterinarian on regular flock health visits, management protocols, outbreak challenges and individual sick animals. And relationships need to be developed over time; it’s not something that happens overnight. “Producers should understand that veterinarians need to visit a flock, expand their knowledge of the disease and production challenges on that particular farm, and understand management abilities in order to do a good job,” says Crawford. When choosing a vet, Crawford says the most important thing to look for is a willingness to work with and for the producer. “Not all vets are well educated in flock health matters, but they all have access to the resources necessary to provide excellent service if they’re interested in learning,” he says. For producers currently looking for a veterinarian, Crawford recommends starting with the local clinic that provides service to cattle. “Asking local sheep producers who they work with and how well serviced they feel is also a good way to judge whether a clinic is right for you,” says Crawford. “Not all vets are well educated in flock health matters, but they all have access to the resources necessary to provide excellent service if they’re interested in learning.”

situation at least in Ontario. The SRVO, which began in November 2008, was created by a group of vets interested in small ruminant medicine. The University of Guelph and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs have gotten involved and are supporting the initiative. Crawford himself is president of the organization. The objectives of the SRVO are three-fold: to act as a voice for veterinarians within the small ruminant industry; to provide continuing educational opportunities for Ontario veterinarians; and to promote small ruminant medicine as a career path for students and already-practicing vets.

Sheep producers will benefit from the SRVO as there will be more well-educated veterinarians willing to work with their flocks. The SRVO also hopes to benefit producers by acting to increase the number of labelled drugs for the sheep industry. To do this, the organization plans on working closely with government, pharmaceutical companies and the industry groups like the Canadian Sheep Federation. For more information on the SRVO, Crawford says producers should speak with their local veterinarian. OSN

OSMA would like to acknowledge and thank AAC for their support of our Meat Probe Project, the on-going Benchmarking Project and the support they supply through their Speaker Initiative Program particularly in upcoming Atwood and Napanee Sheep Seminars.

New vet organization to benefit sheep in Ontario But in many areas throughout Canada, it is difficult to find a veterinarian who is willing to work with sheep. Crawford hopes that the launch of a new organization – the Small Ruminant Veterinarians of Ontario (SRVO) – will aid to that

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July 2009 Beginners Shearing Course Review

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he Beginners Shearing Course held at the farm of Jay Lewis, Holstein on July 29th & 30th 2009 was a great success. Ten students were enrolled in the course taught by three instructors; Peter Kudelka, who headed it up, Les Jones and Doug Kennedy.

The students’ evaluations of the course were overwhelmingly positive. One of the students, Lene Band stated “By Thursday we were becoming quite proficient and many were able to shear sheep with little or no help from the instructors so it was a matter of just doing it. Improving on speed, memorizing the pattern so it became more automatic and handling the sheep.”

Financial support for this course was obtained from OSMA and the CCWG. The course covered the topics of sheep handling, shearing pattern, personal health and equipment.

The intent was to prepare the participants for the advanced shearing course as well as to produce a quality product for sale to the CCWG. Approximately five of the ten participants are interested in participating in the advanced shearing course.

The instructors; Peter Kudelka, Les Jones & Doug Kennedy, together have 120 years of experience. They taught the students a multitude of valuable information through stories, both shared and read, as well as through hands on experience.

“We used a lot of humor and stories to make our points and the camaraderie worked really well to keep the students motivated and excited about shearing and working with

Left to right: Craig Salverda, Andrew Gordanier, Karen Wharry, Gerard Kottelenberg, Les Jones, Riley Harris, Peter Kudelka, Shelagh Finn, Murray Grein, Norm Troyer (from Eweville Station), Lene Band, Lianne Kaminski, Gil Minty (kneeling in front)

sheep. We also promoted the practice of working in a team situation says Kudelka.”

The instructors supplied the gear for the course, which was taught according to the New Zealand Wool Board standards. Our thanks to Jay Lewis for providing the sheep and the venue. Catch pen, raised platform and a chute system were used creating five shearing stands for ten students, two of which were left-handed. The two-day course left all participants tired, sore, but exhilarated.

Thanks to Peter Kudelka for this report as well as to Lene Band for sharing some words on her experience in the Beginners Shearing Course. OSN

Have You Any Wool?

Duo Shear 1,094 Sheep in 24 Hours

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wo American shearers set precedent for marathon endurance sheep shearing in the United States on July 11-12 in Dimmitt, Texas.

Attempting the feat of shearing for 24 hours straight was Doug Rathke, 48, of Minnesota who sheared 607 sheep and Gavin McKerrow, 60, of Wisconsin who sheared 487 sheep.

To put these benchmark numbers into perspective, Rathke sheared 25.29 sheep every hour (2:23 minutes per sheep) and McKerrow sheared 20.26

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sheep per hour (2:58 minutes per sheep).

The two shearers participated in this endeavour to bring attention to shearing in the United States and to build an interest in sheep shearing as a means of employment. “We hope to get the ball rolling with U.S. shearers to see what kinds of records they can break and get more young people interested in the profession.” OSN Information Provided by: Farm & Dairy News – Top Stories July 20th 2009.

When the Shearer Comes

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heep shearing is a very demanding task, which must be done every year. Good preparation can help alleviate stress on shearing day for the producer, shearer as well as the sheep.

Following are guidelines and strategies to prepare for the shearing day and improve shearing efficiency and quality.

Animal Preparation

Sheep must by dry and preferably as clean as possible for shearing. It is therefore important for producers to provide shelter for the sheep in case of rain or snow. Avoid overhead feeding since this increases debris accumulation on the back of the sheep. Crutching sheep before shearing to remove tags, burrs and chaff can enhance fleece preparation and therefore translate into better wool grades, greater efficiency and a more valuable product.

The flock should never come straight off pasture to be sheared. Grass, and some hay, will build up gas and back up onto the lung area during shearing and cause what is called a gasper. This may cause the sheep to suffocate and die if not returned to its feet immediately.

or debris of any type. The area should be swept and kept clean throughout the shearing process.

You may wish to have a livestock approved disinfectant and a first aid kit near by in case a cut occurs.

Remember that no shearer ever cuts a sheep deliberately but that shearing is very demanding and accidents happen. OSN www.omafra.gov.on.ca - Preparing the sheep flock for shearing www.seregonmap.com - Wool Preparation Guide & Preparation for Sheep Shearing We would also like to thank Peter Kudelka for his valuable input.

Sheep should be fasted (feed and water) for a minimum of 12 hours prior to shearing to avoid animal discomfort when the sheep are sat on their rear and being moved during shearing. Emptying the animal’s bellies also helps minimize contamination of the wool and shearing area.

Shearing Facilities

The shearing facility should be laid out to ensure that delivery of the sheep to the shearer can be done with minimal effort. Holding pens surrounding the shearing area allow for easy access to the animals. Holding pens near the shearing area also helps reduce the animals’ stress induced by transportation.

Be prepared, know the order in which the animals will be sheared, and have adequate adult helpers to keep the job moving. Skirting tables and wool packers should be conveniently located to ensure that the fleece can be rapidly and efficiently skirted.

The shearing facility including the shearing floor, pens and storage areas should be dry and free of drips, leaks and excessive dampness. The shearing and wool handling areas should be well lit, which may require additional temporary lighting. Have a flat level surface for the shearer to work on with lots of head room, good ventilation and numerous available power outlets. The shearing area must be clean of all contaminants such as straw, twine, manure, sand

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23

The SheepHerders Lament

By Curley Fletcher, from Songs of the Sage, 1931 I have summered in the tropics, With the yellow fever chill; I have been down with the scurvy; I’ve had every ache and ill.

I have wintered in the Arctic, Frost-bitten to the bone; I’ve been in a Chinese dungeon, Where I spent a year alone.

I’ve been shanghaied on a whaler; And was stranded on the deep, But I never knew what misery was, Till I started herding sheep.

The camp boss now is two weeks late The burro dead three days.

The dogs are all sore footed, but The sheep have got to graze.

They won’t bed down till after dark, And they’re off before the dawn; With their baaing and their blatting They are scattered and they’re gone.

I smell their wooly stink all day And I hear them in my sleep; Oh, I never knew what misery was, Till I started herding sheep.

My feet are sore, my boots worn out; I’m afraid I’ll never mend; I’ve got to where a horny-toad Looks like a long lost friend.

The Spanish Inquisition might Have been a whole lot worse, If instead of crucifixion, they Had had some sheep to nurse.

Old Job had lots of patience, but He got off pretty cheap-He never knew what misery was, For he never herded sheep.

It’s nice enough to tell the kids, Of the big old horny ram, The gentle soft-eyed mother ewe, And the wooly little lamb.

It’s nice to have your mutton chops, And your woolen clothes to wear, But you never stop to give a thought To the man that put them there.

The blind and deaf are blessed, The cripples, too, that creep; They’ll never know what misery is, For they never will herd sheep.

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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 J. Steele, D. Stoltz, N. Bouman, OLIBS www.qualitysheep.com • 519 887 8216 Stonehill Sheep, Suffolk, Dorset, Texel tharrington@sympatico.ca • 519 379 5087 Thunder Hill Farm, Polled Dorset, Rideau X thunder@durham.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

Wintertime Ventilation Needs of Sheep Robert Chambers P.Eng • Engineer, Swine and Sheep Housing and Equipment, OMAFRA

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heep that are housed inside during the winter require proper ventilation to obtain their maximum performance potential. Ventilation systems are best designed by a ventilation expert because of the complexity of the various factors involved. Producers though must understand how their system works and how to manage it to obtain optimal animal performance.

adjusted to jet air along the ceiling so as to mix with the room air, then slowly descend into the animal space. Doors left open can short circuit the ventilation system and cause drafts and pockets of poor quality barn air. Naturally ventilated barns are at the mercy of wind speed and direction for ventilation. Place a 12” windbreak skirt to the eve in Continued on page 26.

The five main environmental factors that are controlled by ventilation are: • Fresh air to breathe • Freedom from drafts • A comfortable room or barn temperature • A reasonable humidity level in the air space • Acceptable levels of contaminants In winter only a small volume of fresh air is required to provide oxygen, reduce humidity, and control odours. Summer ventilation requires large volumes so as to control the temperature. The challenge of any ventilation system is to provide uniform, high quality air throughout the facility. Fan ventilated barns require proper sizing, staging, location, and control of both the inlets and the fans. Natural ventilated barns use the natural forces of wind and thermal buoyancy combined with controllers (automatic or manual) to ventilate. Adjust the ventilation system to eliminate dead air spaces. If needed, add stir fans to ensure even air distribution throughout the facility.

Mature sheep with a full fleece are not susceptible to winter drafts; young lambs are at the other end of the spectrum. Low birth weight lambs, triplet and quadruplets, are often already challenged with lack of body fat reserves. A wet, newborn lamb exposed to a draft is at risk of dying from hypothermia at 100°C. A dry, healthy lamb, even a small one, kept away from drafts with a belly full of colostrum can handle temperatures down to -10°C. In older bank barns the major source of drafts are open hay/straw chutes and improperly closed doors. Fan vented facilities can have improperly adjusted air inlets that dump incoming cold air directly on to the lambs. These inlets should be

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Continued from page 25 ~ Wintertime Ventilation Needs of Sheep

front of the inlet or use 30% to 40% porosity shade cloth on the top 12” of opening on the curtain. These techniques allow for minimum ventilation, but reduce the effect of wind gusts and blowing snow. On still, extremely cold days, often a chimney can become an inlet. Condensation and snow can also accumulate underneath the chimneys. Locate lambing pens and young lambs away from these areas. Young lambs prefer to have a solid surface to lie against. Provide solid paneling such as plywood or previously enjoyed plastic penning from the swine industry located away from exterior surfaces. By lying together away from drafts and in dry surroundings, the overall room temperature can be lower, yet still provide a comfortable environment for these young animals.

A quick and easy method to determine the presence of drafts is to wet the back of your hand. Most people can sense wind chill on the wetted portion of their hand if the air speed is greater than 50 to 60 feet per minute (0.25 to 0.30 m/s).

Place your wetted hand in the area where newborn lambs are and approximately 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) above the surface; if you can feel a draft on the back of your hand it is too drafty.

Mature sheep have a large comfort temperature range.

Research from Norway concludes that full fleeced, well fed, healthy mature ewes housed in a dry draft free environment can withstand temperatures as low as -40°C. Sheep can withstand cold temperatures as long as they are dry.

Even a healthy, dried off and fed newborn can withstand temperatures to -10°C provided the environment is dry and draft free, though it is preferable to have a temperature greater then 16°C. The smaller the lamb or the higher the lambing percentage the warmer the barn should be during lambing. Instead of warming the entire barn space, provide a radiant type heating during lambing. A Radiant tube, Radiant brooders or Quartz Electric Radiant types of heaters should be used as they warm the surface of the manure pack, where the lamb is, as opposed to the air space above the lamb. The surface of the pack forms a warm, dry microclimate, which quickly dries and warms the newborn lamb.

The main goal with winter ventilation is to control humidity and gasses such as Ammonia and Carbon Dioxide in the barn. The RH (relative humidity) should be ideally maintained between 50% and 75%. If the barn becomes too dry, the lung tissue of the animals can dry out increasing susceptibility to diseases. More often the case though is that barns become too humid, condensation forms on exterior surfaces allowing for the proliferation of molds and funguses that not only impinge on the health of the animals but can also cause equipment and structural deterioration of the barns themselves. The presence of fog throughout the barn indicates a RH of greater than 90%.

Humidity is removed from a barn space by the introduction of outside cold air, warming the air by animal heat within the barn with or without supplemental heat to lower the RH of the incoming air. The presence of condensation on exterior surfaces should also be avoided. Moisture is then absorbed by this air raising its RH and exhausted back outside along with gases and dust from the barn space. The major sources of moisture include the animals and the manure pack. A mature ewe with lamb produces 2.2 litres/day and a finishing lamb 0.9 litres/day of humidity through respiration. The manure pack can also be a source of humidity within the barn. Once the manure accumulates to the point where it begins to heat from decomposition, significant moisture as well as Ammonia and Carbon Dioxide can be released.

Birthing fluids add a significant amount of moisture to the manure pack, consider a clean out as soon as lambing is completed. Check the watering system to ensure leaks and spillage are kept to a minimum. With a solid manure system every litre of water that enters the barn must exit the barn in the animals produced, the manure or out of the ventilation exhaust. If the surface of the pack is well bedded to reduce the moisture content of the pack and removed on a frequent basis before heating takes place, the overall air quality can be improved. Consider purchasing a Temperature/ Humidity pen that allows the producer to quickly monitor the temperature and RH throughout the barn and identify problem areas. These devices can be obtained for less then $150 from ventilation supply companies.

The recommended minimum ventilation rate to control humidity is 10 cfm (cubic feet per minute) per ewe and 3 cfm per feeder lamb. This may have to be increased to 3 and preferably 4 air changes per hour (a complete change of air in the barn every 15 to 20 minutes) to ensure good air quality if the manure pack is heating.

Having the ewes shorn is one method to reduce the RH. The sensible heat (the heat that we feel) production can increase by a factor of four by a shorn ewe over a full fleeced ewe. The heat that is produced by the animals raises the temperature of the barn and consequently lowers the RH, thereby providing a greater absorption of the water vapour within the barn space. In an uninsulated structure, Continued on top of page 27.

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more heat is lost to the outside through the exterior surfaces. This lowers the temperature within the barn, thereby lowering the moisture absorption ability of barn air.

These uninsulated surfaces are often below the dewpoint (point of condensation) of the room air and condensation on the exterior surfaces results. The recommended minimum insulation level for condensation control is R5 (RSI 0.9).

Let’s consider the example of an uninsulated versus and insulated barn (R 5). If the outside temperature is 0°C, the inside temperature is 8°C and the RH is 75% in the barn.

From the Psychrometric Chart (ASHRAE, 1963) the dew point or the temperature, at which the RH equals 100% (condensation), is 3.3°C. The uninsulated surface will have a temperature of 2°C and will therefore have condensation.

The insulated surface temperature will be 7°C and therefore will have no condensation on the surfaces.

In conclusion dry sheep are happy sheep. If possible, shear incoming ewes to increase their heat output. If the barn cannot be kept warm through the addition of insulation or supplemental heat, then it is far preferable to increase the ventilation rate so that the RH remains below 75%. Keep the manure pack well bedded and remove it regularly to lower this additional source of moisture and gases.

Particular care must be taken to avoid drafts onto newborn and compromised lambs. Use solid panels to shelter these animals from drafts, and provide supplemental radiant type heat if required. A dry and cold environment out of the drafts is far preferable to wet and warm environment in a cold draft. OSN

Sheep Nutrition: Feed Hay First

By Bill McCutcheon - Sheep Specialist/OMAFRA

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heep are ruminant animals; this makes it possible for them to consume and utilize roughage or highly fibrous feeds. Animals with simple stomachs (pigs or dogs) are not capable of fully digesting fibrous plant material such as hay. However, the ruminant animal can digest more complex carbohydrates such as cellulose that is the major component of the fibre in hay. The microbes that inhabit the rumen of the sheep can break down the fibre and make the energy, protein and other plant components available to the sheep.

It is very important that the microbial populations in the rumen are maintained at a proper level to ensure efficient breakdown of the roughage (hay) consumed by the sheep.

Furthermore, much of the protein absorbed by the sheep is in the form of microbial protein. Therefore, the microbial populations in the rumen are continually being replaced.

When the hay is fed in relation to when the grain ration is fed will affect the growth of microbes in the rumen and affect the ability of the microbial population to break down fibre and supply microbial protein to the ewe.

When hay is eaten by the ewe, large amounts of saliva are secreted. This saliva is basic (high pH) and creates an environment in the rumen to encourage the growth of microbial populations that will digest the fibre in the hay.

The saliva also acts as a buffer to control the pH in the rumen from dropping too low. When the rumen pH becomes acidic, the microbes needed for efficient digestion of the forage are killed. If the pH in the rumen falls too low, the ewe will become ill and suffer from acidosis, commonly known as grain or rumen overload.

When grain is fed to the ewe, it creates an environment in the rumen that is acid (low pH). If too much grain is fed at one time or if grain is consumed by the ewe into a rumen that has not been buffered with the ewe´s saliva, grain overload or acidosis can occur. When large amounts of grain are being

fed, it is important that the rumen is properly buffered. A large amount of grain would be in excess of one pound per feeding. The rumen can be properly buffered by feeding part of the total hay consumed by the ewe to her before feeding grain. I would recommend the ewes consume hay for about 30 to 45 minutes before feeding grain. By allowing the ewe to eat hay before feeding grain a drop in rumen pH can be avoided. By feeding hay first, the forage in the rumen will break down more efficiently because the pH is maintained at the proper level to promote regeneration of microbial populations. Carbohydrates supplied by grain provide energy for microbial regeneration.

By improving the efficiency of fibre breakdown, the amount of total dry matter intake (DMI) can be increased. When DMI is increased, the amount of crude protein and TDN (energy) for the ewe is increased. This increase in nutrients should result in increased production. This increase in production is important in late gestation and during lactation. Improving DMI in late gestation, helps prevent pregnancy toxaemia and reduce the number of stillborn lambs. If DMI can be increased during lactation, the production of milk will increase and this translates to improved 50 day lamb weights. Body condition should also be more easily maintained during lactation; this may improve conception rates for ewes on an accelerated lambing program because less time will be required to get the ewe into breeding condition after weaning.

By feeding hay first, an environment in the rumen is created to promote proper microbial growth, the efficiency of fibre breakdown is improved, dry matter intakes are increased, and the risk of grain overload will be reduced.

The consumption of more nutrients by the ewe will improve the production of lamb and wool and hopefully improve the profit per ewe per year. OSN

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What’s New in the Sheep Industry?

By Shannon Meadows

Feasibility Study for Establishing a Centre of Excellence in Dairy Goat Research

is guaranteed not to come from lambs who have been mulesed or shipped overseas before slaughter.

This report includes a background on the challenges and potential in the diary sectors for goats and sheep. Some of the key drivers for the development and implementation of the centre are a market driven approach to meet a known supply gap, research priorities addressing the economic sustainability of the sector, food safety, food research and production related work.

Last week, PETA announced a 45-day moratorium on its international boycott to give other wool-industry groups time to review and sign onto the accord. The initial reaction from Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), which is currently embroiled in a costly legal battle with PETA, was negative, but PETA and AWGA are hopeful that positive feedback from retailers will persuade AWI and other groups to embrace the plan.

PETA Media Centre

A report from eBiz Professionals Inc. was released earlier in the year that examined the possibilities of creating a Centre of Excellence for dairy goats and other small ruminants in Ontario.

The report also focuses on the importance of developing alliances among small ruminant stakeholders to optimize the ability to support research. Thus far, there are proposed alliances between Trent University and the University of Guelph.

Public eBiz Report

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 , T RUST & SE R VI C E

519-887-6461 www.brusselslivestock.ca

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Major Retailers Endorse a More Sheep Friendly Wool Label The ink is barely dry on the agreement between PETA and the Australian Wool Growers Association (AWGA), and already, major US retailers such as Talbots, Nordstrom and H&M have expressed their support for a new brand of wool that

The plan devised by PETA and AWGA which provides a timetable for phasing out mulesing of lambs and would end exports of live sheep to countries that don’t meet Australian welfare standards establishes a new wool brand that would be available to these and other retailers internationally.

Methane Emissions Research in Australia The first run of modelling to identify the impacts of different mitigation strategies on sheep enterprise methane emissions and profitability has been completed for Cowra, Australia. The interim report’s key findings are:

• Greatest reduction (20%) in emissions intensity and overall emissions resulted from intensive use of production supplements to finish lambs at the earliest possible age; • The bottom line is that absolute emissions can only be reduced in situations where total kg of feed consumed declines.

Sheep CRC Newsletter

Pregnancy Scanning in Sheep is Driving Increased Profits

Research in Australia is showing that ultrasound scanning to detect empty, single and twin bearing ewes can be used to drive productivity and increase profits.

Increasing numbers of Merino and prime lamb producers are using scanning to more accurately target ewe nutrition and to inform culling decisions; industry estimates are that over

100 contractor businesses are now scanning almost 30% of the Australian ewe flock.

Different management of single and twin bearing ewes is vital to optimise lamb survival and flock reproduction rates.

The pregnancy status information provided by the scanners enables sheep breeders to accurately target nutrition and to differentially manage single and twin bearing ewes, and to better manage their dry ewes.

The ‘Haemonchus dipstick’ is now in the final stages of field testing with a commercial partner.

Principal Veterinary Parasitologist Dr. Brown Besier, says the aim has been to develop a quick on-farm test as an alternative and substantial improvement to the traditional process of monitoring worm egg counts.

Dr. Besier explained that the test dipstick is about 4mm wide by 10 cm long, and the total process from collection to result takes up to half an hour. Continuing, “farmers will still need to collect dung samples from the paddock, but from there it’s a much easier process.”

“The sample is mixed with water according to set dilution rates and the ‘dipstick’ is inserted into the solution, and the colours on the stick will change according to the amount of blood in the faecal sample.”

The major benefits of the Haemonchus dipstick include:

A recent Sheep CRC analysis of a typical self-replacing Merino flock – 5,000 ewes, in south-west Victoria lambing in August/September – showed that managing these groups separately after pregnancy scanning increased profit by nearly $9,000, or $1.80/ewe.

Sheep CRC Press Release

New Quick Test for Barbers Pole Worms A new, rapid testing tool is being developed for sheep graziers in regions where Barbers Pole worm is a known or potential major risk to sheep health and productivity.

• Speed and ease of diagnosis • Easily accessible and able to be kept on-hand on-farm • Reliable, accurate and inexpensive Dr Besier explains “Farmers rarely conduct conventional worm egg counts every week due to the cost, hence, industry runs a risk of stock losses when there are rapid increases in Barbers Pole infection. “We’re very hopeful that we will have a new tool to significantly lower the risks to animal health and productivity caused by this parasite,” he said.

Sheep CRC Press Release OSN

400 Years of Log Fences

E

ugene Fytche is a retired engineer who has owned a commercial sheep flock near Ottawa, Ontario for over twenty years. Eugene conducted extensive research based on issues he encountered as a shepherd. This research has been the inspiration for his books, ‘May Safely Graze’, which focused on the protection of sheep, cattle and goats from coyotes and wolves as well as the book ‘Wild Predators? Not in My Backyard!’ in which he examined the responsibilities of the small farmer who may be raising sheep, goats, poultry and other livestock.

In his most recent book, 400 Years of Log Fences, Eugene records the place of the log fences in the settlements of

pioneer North America before barbed and woven wire became available. Along with the history of the log fence, the book offers guidelines on how to make a good sturdy fence as well as choosing the right fence for your land, whether it is a working fence or landscaping. The book includes photographs of twelve different designs of fences (designs include the stump, log, block, snake, Indian, goat and patent designs), a description of how to build these fences, with working drawings and much more.

To purchase one of Eugene Fytche’s books please contact the author at (613) 256-1798 or by email at efytche@ explornet.com OSN

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Characteristics of Drug Use on Sheep Farms in Ontario

D

espite the fact that antimicrobials represent a large component of veterinary drug use in Canada, on-going surveillance and research has tended to focus on the major livestock species (e.g., beef, swine). Up until now, there has been little documentation on the use of antimicrobials in sheep. Without such documentation it is difficult to know what drugs are being used, in what manner, and if there is a possibility of the emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Recently a project was undertaken in Ontario by University of Guelph researchers, to evaluate the patterns of drug use and

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prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in sheep flocks.

Over the course of twelve months, 49 Ontario sheep producers documented all drug use on sheep, including antimicrobials, v a c c i n e s , anthelmintics and vitamins. During this time, these 49 producers, with an average ewe flock size of 216, marketed over 31,000 lambs.

Extra label drug use (ELDU) is defined as the actual or intended use of an animal

health product (either prescription or overthe counter) such as an antimicrobial or any other pharmaceutical, biological or parasiticide in a manner other than what is specified on the label or package insert.

Antimicrobial use on-farm was determined in 2 ways: 1) Frequency of antimicrobial treatment, i.e., an antimicrobial administered to one sheep or to a group of sheep either once or repeatedly (e.g. in the feed); 2) Rate of antimicrobial treatment, i.e., exposure to an antimicrobial taking into account the number of animals treated and the length of time treated, as well as the number of sheep available to be treated over the study period.

Antimicrobials were the most common drug administered (40.7% of treatment events), followed by vitamin-mineral injections (12%), vaccines (11%), and endectocides (10.7%) (e.g. ivermectin).

Overall, there were 1,103 different antimicrobial treatment events (or 2,715 treatment events with all drug categories) over the 49 participating farms. The project revealed that the participants used 21 antimicrobial agents. The most frequently used were: short-acting penicillin (27.2% of treatments); long-acting oxytetracycline (23.0%), longacting penicillin (21.9%) and trimethoprim-sulfadoxine (12.2%). Additional antimicrobials with high rates of use were chlortetracycline (in feed) and tilmicosin (in ewes). Of these drugs, long-acting oxytetracycline and trimethoprimsulfadoxine (Borgal) are not licensed for use in sheep.

Tilmicosin (Micotil) is only licensed for use lambs and so its use in ewes is considered extra-label use.

Overall, 93% of the antimicrobial use in this project was extra-label drug use: 41% was with a non-licensed antimicrobial and 52% was with a licensed antimicrobial,

but used in a manner inconsistent with label instructions (e.g. different class of sheep, dosage or indication).

The results of the project indicate that in comparison to other livestock industries, antimicrobial use in the sheep industry is relatively low and is predominantly used to treat one animal at a time (49.2%). Sheep were exposed to an antimicrobial on average only 6.7% of the days spent in the flock, with 50% of flocks reporting much lower exposures. However, when the drugs are used, they tend to be used overwhelmingly in an extra-label fashion. This finding is not surprising given the lack of approved drugs for sheep in Canada. The final results for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in sheep flocks will be available later in the fall of 2009. Three common farm bacteria were examined for evidence of AMR: E. coli, salmonella and campylobacter. Initial results indicate that overall AMR levels are low but there are some interesting, and slightly disturbing trends that the industry must address in the future. Stay tuned! In Canada, ELDU can be performed by a variety of animal care givers including veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and producers.

However, the practice of ELDU other than by licensed veterinarians presents some potential human health risks, including a) drug residues from treated animals in meat or milk; and b) development of antimicrobial resistance. In addition, any person using or prescribing extra label use of any animal health product is subject to regulatory action if product residues are found in human food. It is imperative that the FSFP program properly addresses this issue to avoid potential liability and to adequately control the hazards associated with ELDU. OSN Research Team: Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph • Catherine Moon, MSc candidate • Lisa Scott, MSc candidate • Dr. Paula Menzies • Olaf Berke • Scott McEwen Public Health Agency of Canada • Richard Reid-Smith • Brent Avery Picture provided by www.sheep101.info

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 Gilbert Venne 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

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 Wooly Acres 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

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 705-563-8487 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

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

FarM naMe Codan Suffolks Rocky Lane Farm Wooly Acres Highlands of Tara-Grey Maple Meadow Farms Excel Ewe Genetics

telePhone 519-899-2663 705-292-7207 519-323-3531 705-696-1491 705-563-8487 705-277-1274 613-826-2581 519-887-8216

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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Mary Had a Lot of Lambs: Researchers Identify Way to Accelerate Sheep Breeding Source: Blaine Friedlander, www.eurekalert.org

M

ary had a little lamb, but only once a year.

However, Cornell Sheep Program researchers have discovered an unusual form of a gene that prompts ewes to breed out of season as well as conceive at younger ages and more frequently.

naturally produced hormone commonly found in many animals. The change in the DNA sequence of the M allele does not change the amino acid sequence of the protein.

This means that it may be an accurate indicator for the phenotype of breeding out of season, though it’s uncertain whether the gene actually impacts how the sheep’s body reacts to melatonin. And there may be a risk of losing the association over generations, the researchers said, as recombination could occur between the marker and

They conducted a simple genetic test to identify the presence of the unusual form Former Cornell postdoctoral researcher Raluca Mateescu of the gene, the so-called M co-authored a study with animal science Professor Mike Thonney that identifies a way to prompt ewes to breed allele that other researchers had out of season, more frequently and at younger ages. suspected might be correlated with out-of-season fertility, in their test flock and then validated the gene’s relationship with the functional gene. aseasonal breeding by observing that trait in the flock.

Thus, the researchers stress that it will be very important The finding, published in the August issue of the Journal to validate the gene’s ability to indicate for aseasonal breeding of Animal Science (Vol. 87, No. 8), may be a boon for the each time the allele is bred into a new sheep population. “I sheep industry worldwide, especially when combined with think it’s very exciting … we only have one gene, but it’s the Sheep Program’s STAR system – a method to manage ewes definitely a tool that farmers can use,” said Mateescu, who to lamb five times in three years rather than once a year. “The is now focusing on placing markers across the sheep’s entire primary biological limit for sheep production worldwide is genome to more accurately determine which gene or genes the seasonality of breeding, but the market for high-quality directly affect the trait of aseasonal reproduction. lamb is a 52-week thing,” said Doug Hogue, professor emeritus of animal science in the College of Agriculture and The allele is particularly useful for management under Life Sciences. the STAR system, developed by Hogue and Cornell sheep farm manager Brian Magee in the early 1980s, which uses Although the presence of the M allele has been definitively nutrition and conventional breeding techniques to reduce the correlated with the ability to breed out of season, the time between heats. “If a ewe doesn’t get pregnant when she researchers caution that it may only be a marker for the gene is supposed to, instead of a year, it’s only 73 days [using the actually responsible for the STAR system] until she has another opportunity,” Thonney trait. “Breeding out of season said. is a complex trait,” Mateescu said, “so there are a lot of While the STAR system requires better nutrition and genes controlling it.” Mateescu more farm labour to manage the lambing, each lambing observed the phenotype – event involves fewer ewes than traditional yearly lambing. the physical expression of The researchers hope that the discovery of the M allele may the gene – in the researchers’ help the STAR system adapt to consistently high levels of flock during a postdoctoral production without any additional risk to flock health. fellowship at Cornell.

The study was supported by the U.S. Department of “In this case, we’re talking Agriculture, Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station and about a receptor gene New York Agricultural Experiment Station. OSN for melatonin,” Thonney Article provided by Cornell University, Chronicle Online Aug 6, 2009 explained. Melatonin is a 32

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Shepherd’s Journal Sold to Sheep Canada Magazine

P

Sheep Canada magazine will have their subscriptions extended by the appropriate number of issues.

The transfer of the mailing list from The Shepherd’s Journal is underway, and subscribers will receive their first issue of Sheep Canada magazine (the Fall 2009 issue) in September.

Subscribers to The Shepherd’s Journal who already receive

Sheep Canada is a quarterly magazine for Canadian sheep farmers, which was started in 1976 and has been published by Dr. Cathy Gallivan since the year 2000. For more information, or to subscribe or advertise in Sheep Canada magazine, please see the Sheep Canada website at www.sheepcanada.com or call (toll-free) at 1-888-241-5124. OSN

lease note that The Shepherd’s Journal has been sold to Sheep Canada magazine.

Publication of The Shepherd’s Journal, which ended in December of 2008, will not be resumed, but individuals with outstanding subscriptions will receive one future issue of Sheep Canada for every issue of The Shepherd’s Journal that they are owed.

OMAFRA Sheep Seminars This year the Sheep Seminars will be taking place on Tuesday November 10th in Atwood at the Elma Memorial Community Centre and again on Thursday, November 12th in Napanee at the Napanee Lion’s Hall.

The theme this year will be genetics. The best information internationally and domestically has been gathered to help shepherds position their businesses with the latest of advanced genetic tools. The guest speaker is Dr. Mark Young, a senior

geneticist with the producer owned Sheep Improvement Ltd: a subsidiary of Meat and Wool New Zealand. Topics include a world vision on what is happening in livestock genetics, genomics, establishing breeding goals, choosing farm software, genetic strategies, breeds, genetic markers and more!

If you have any questions please call 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website. OSN

Infrastructure Workshop Registrations are now being taken for the April 2010 and September 2010 offerings in the Grand Valley area.

The December offering At Lindsay is full.

This 2 day course is targeted toward people in the planning cycle for building large scale, commercial infrastructure as part of an expansion plan in their sheep enterprise. The workshop is intended to give ideas, show latest concepts, test out participants’ ideas and examine relative costs. The group will look at what regulations need to be addressed and sent home with some new ideas and the need to examine more options before committing themselves on any capital project.

The Workshop includes stops at several commercial operations that are using some of the concepts covered, and also some that are choosing not to use the featured concepts.

This will allow participants to mix and match what portions of the workshop will best suit their needs for their facilities and make informed decisions on expansion.

If you have any questions please visit the OMAFRA website or contact Brenda West at brenda.west@ontario.ca or 519-537-2248 to register. OSN

Harvest Ontario 2009 Advertising Opportunity

H

arvest Ontario is offering free listings on their website www.harvestcanada.com for Ontario Sheep producers who sell to the public from the farm gate. Once the listing is created, individuals

are able to modify their information whenever required.

Thank You to Harvest Ontario for this great advertising opportunity. OSN

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Touring Districts 7 and 8 Touring District 7

On August 25th and 26th, the Board of Directors had the opportunity to hold their Board meeting in District 7 in Lindsay. Following a long-standing tradition, each August the Board takes time out to visit one district. On Tuesday August 25th, they toured three well-run sheep farms, had an opportunity to meet and speak with many producers from the district and in the evening were treated to a fantastic meal courtesy of Judy Dening and her family.

The first stop on their tour was Breezy Ridge Farm in Baldwin, owned

by Liz and Phil Smith. Everyone was treated to a horse drawn wagon ride back into their fields. Phil showed Jack Kyle, OMAFRA Grazing Specialist off his field of silage speaking about Phil and Liz Smith’s corn that he was pasturing on silage corn. using to pasture 300 mostly Rideau ewes and 8 heifers. The field was over seeded with silage corn to provide the most feed value possible in a limited space. The entire field had parameter electric fence and every few days they moved a divider fence to only allow the animals access to small portions of the field at one time. The animals did an exceptional job of cleaning up the corn including the stalks. It was clear to us that this was excellent feed and would last well into the fall.

A wonderful lunch was provided for producers and Board.

The second tour to Ballinahistle Farms in Kawartha Lakes owned by Helen and Marc Carere.

The Carere’s had an excellent building set-up with easy access to move sheep in and out Marc Carere speaking about with minimal solar water station. manpower.

The barns also included their feed mix mill and their automated 34

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system to move grain to the feeders and to the power feed cart. All barns had easy access for cleaning with a tractor.

This again was a large flock and we saw hundreds of excellent breeding ewes and rams. Visitors were treated to a look at a very impressive solar water feeding system At the end of the day, the Board, General Manager Murray Hunt and producers were invited to a fantastic meal at the home of Judy and Henry Dening.

There were too many producers to Visiting Judy Dening’s farm. count but lots of food for everyone.

Judy gave everyone a tour of her farm and the Board answered questions for producers. I think it is fair to say that it was one of the best tours ever and one that the Board will not forget for a long time.

The Dening’s have had Katahdin sheep for years and are presently reducing that flock and replacing them with Rideau and Dorsets. They explained their expansion plans that include a new barn addition and new outbuildings.

This was a beautiful location and because it has a road around the south end of the property, prompted a discussion about SPCA inspectors in our open discussion after supper.

Special thanks to everyone who was involved in setting up the day, Liz and Phil Smith, Helen and Marc Carere and Judy and Henry Dening for opening up their farms and homes to us as well as all of those District 7 producers who worked behind the scenes to help. I would also like to thank Leslie Dyment for sending us these great photos.

A very special thank you must go to Leslie’s daughter Jamie and her partner Tom, prepared much of the meal for us. Their help freed Judy up to be a gracious hostess to Board and producers alike.

District 8

Mother Nature looked favourably as Murray Hunt and his wife, Karen, made their first visit to District 8 on May 22nd and 23rd. Executive members, Kenton Dempsey, Jim Sabin and Linda Huizenga joined them for lunch and a brief chat.

The first stop on a whirlwind tour was at Mike and Julie DeCastris, dairy sheep producers in Prince Edward County. This young family has been shipping to Fifth Town Artisan Cheese since the summer of 2008. We toured their facilities and listened as Mike and Julie told of their up and down journey to the present time. Both still hold off-farm jobs - something they were hoping to avoid.

They continue to struggle with milk quality as the milk is only picked up once a week. If the quality is lacking, then the milk is rejected, leaving them without a milk cheque.

One of their main concerns is the lack of financial support for young people wanting to start farming.

From there we made the trek to Fifth Town Artisan Cheese at Waupoos and sampled a little of the product.

This factory specializes in sheep and goat milk cheeses and has developed their own type using a blend of both milks. The owner, Petra Cooper, has recently received the Premier’s Award for Excellence, as this building is a ‘green’ facility. You can check the website www.fifthtown.ca for more details.

We then briefly toured the facility before Murray and Karen headed to the Bed and Breakfast on Amherst Island with a quick stop at one of nature’s phenomenon’s - Lake on the Mountain.

On Saturday morning, Murray met with Chris Kennedy, our District Director and had a brief look at Topsy Farms before heading to Mark Ritchie and Cherry Allen’s operation on the Island. More producers joined us for an extensive tour of this farm. Mark and Cherry lamb about 1000 ewes on several pastures and have their management perfected to a ‘tee’. Their farm was originally a dairy operation so they have made some adjustments to suit their needs. Mark chops round bales for winter-

feeding and has installed a conveyor system to deliver feed. We toured the pastures by wagon and could see the newborn lambs with their mothers along with the several guard dogs Mark uses. The Ritchie’s have a stringent culling system as the workload is heavy enough without having to graft lambs or bottle-feed babies. They have installed predator fencing on the perimeter of the farm and have been successful in reducing their losses to coyotes. This was a big topic of discussion around the lunch table. Farmers are concerned with the growth in coyote population density and Chris Kennedy and Al Whitlam (both of whom are on the OFA Task Force) were able to discuss the recommendations given to the OFA. Discussion also centered on the hesitation of farmers to increase their production. However, Mark feels that if predation could be brought under control, more lambs would make it to market.

After leaving the Island, we stopped briefly at Jim and Saga Sabin’s farm at Plainfield. They have a flock of Katahdins and use llamas for predator control. Following that, we ended our tour with a stop at Frank and Linda Huizenga’s farm at Roslin. They have a Katahdin-Dorper flock that at the time of the visit was lambing at a 200% rate. They use a totally fenced yard with calf hutches for shelter. The Huizenga’s run a mixed bag of farming with sheep, dairy goats and beef. They do all their own cropping using non-GMO seed, which qualifies their dairy flock for an LFP rating. They are still waiting for the opportunity to ship their goat milk to Fifth Town Artisan Cheese.

It was a busy tour over the 2 days and we look forward to having Murray and Karen join us again. OSN

Pr o d 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

Plus 5% GST

$________________________________

Total Remitted $________________________________

OSN S e p t e m b e r 2 0 0 9

35

2009 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair We are looking for volunteers for the OSMA exhibit and this year we would love to include spinners, as they are always a crowd pleaser.

O

nce again we are looking for volunteers to help us out at out booth. For those of you who have volunteered in the past, we are hoping to hear from you again and if you have not, it is an experience that we think you would enjoy. Over the past two years, we have had a number of spinners show their craft at the booth.

The response is overwhelming and a huge draw to the booth.

If you are a spinner or belong to a spinner’s group and think you might be able to take a few hours to attend the Royal or are already planning on attending, please give us a call at the OSMA office.

Whether you can volunteer to greet visitors to our booth or you would like to share your spinning expertise, please call Ruth Gilmour at 519-836-0043 Ext. 27 or email general@ontariosheep.org.

This year the Winter Fair will take place from November 6th to the 15th at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto.

The Royal is the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world. Where

Sheep Highlights Tuesday Nov 3rd

Fleece Wool Classification & Judging *

Tuesday Nov 10th

Market Lamb Show, New Crop Milk Lamb Show, Market Lamb Auction

Thursday Nov 12th & 13th

Breeding Sheep Shows

Saturday Nov 14th

Junior Sheep Show, Ladies Lead & Wool

Sunday Nov 15th

Sheep to Shawl & Spinning Competition, Wool Auction

Canadian and International breeders, growers and exhibitors are declared champions and where hundreds of thousands of attendees come to learn, compete, shop and have a great time with friends and family.

Now planning for its 87th year, The Royal continues to hold an important place in the world of agriculture and in the hearts and minds of the many participants and visitors - now over 326,000 strong - who continue to appreciate this truly one-of-a-kind event.

For more information visit their website www.royalfair.org or call (416) 263-3400. OSN

at:

Producer Education Day/OSMA Annual General Meeting – November 27th and 28th

T

his year there will be two twists to our regular fall get-together. The first is that our AGM normally held at the end of October will be move this year to the end of November.

The second twist is that there will still be a two-day event but the first day will be a “Producer Education Day”. We are planning a series of speakers covering a range of topics that we hope are both interesting and educational to the producers. All producers are welcome to attend as well as delegates for the following day’s AGM. The AGM held on Saturday, November 28th will cover the usual business day events plus much more.

Ontario members of CSBA should be made aware that the Ontario Chapter of CSBA will be holding their annual meeting in the afternoon of Saturday, November 28th.

36

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Approximate time 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm. If you are a CSBA member and would like more information, please contact Brian Atkinson at 705-424-2879 or email Brian at atkinson@interhop.net. Look for the CSBA information on our website at www.ontariosheep.org.

At this time, the agenda’s for both events are being finalized but will be posted on the website very soon. Both the “Producer Education Day” and the AGM will be held at the Holiday Inn in Cambridge. Please go to www.ontariosheep. org for more information. OSN

district contacts

District 1

Counties of Essex, Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, and Elgin Director George Molson Chair John Sipkens Vice-Chair Steve Jones Secretary/Treasurer Marlene Raymond

n

september 2009

District 7 519-695-2936 519-845-3710 519-762-0613 519-683-6635

County of Metropolitan Toronto, Regional Municipalities Counties of Victoria, Peterborough, and Northumberland Director Chair Judy Dening Vice-Chair Warren Darling Secretary Cynthia Palmer Treasurer Phil Smith

of York and Durham, 705-324-3453 705-277-9700 705-295-3351 905-478-4280

District 2

Counties of Grey and Bruce Director Chair Vice-Chair Secretary Treasurer

Dennis Fischer Jason Emke Sarel Smit Keith Grein David Hartley

519-363-3819 519-364-0044 519-369-1365 519-369-2189 519-369-2438

District 3

Counties of Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Oxford Director Vacant Chair Victor West Vice-Chair Rick Zimak Secretary/Treasurer Mike Beuerman

District 4

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

519-349-2381 519-284-0533 519-527-2676

Municipalities of Hamilton-Wentworth, HaldimandDianne Booker John Creeden David Campbell Sharon Petheram Art O’Neil

905-899-3748 519-442-3006 519-443-6399 519-443-5844 905-779-3808

District 5

County of Wellington and Dufferin and the Regional Municipalities of Halton and Peel Director Andrew Gordanier 519-925-6502 Chair Bert Nieuwenhui 519-941-0479 Vice Chair Bill McCutcheon 519-928-9626 Secretary/Treasurer Daina Hunter 519-843-5441

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 8

Counties of Lennox and Addington, Hastings, Prince Edward, Frontenac and Leeds 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 Director Allan Burn 613-264-0801 Chair Vacant Vice-Chair Philip Jones 613-264-8549 Secretary Melissa Ferguson 613-257-8748 Treasurer Jeff 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 Director Gary Lapier 613-989-2792 Chair Fred Baker 613-989-5352 Secretary Colleen Acres 613-826-2330 Treasurer Greg Stubbings 613-774-4563

District 11

Counties of Kenora, Rainy River, Thunder Bay, Cochrane, Algoma, Sudbury, Temiskaming, Nippising and Manitoulin Director Mark Lenover 705-563-2966 Chair Hal Brown Secretary/Treasurer Jim Johnston 705-647-7160

Please contact one of your District Committee members for an update on your District News.

OSN S e p t e m b e r 2 0 0 9

37

Peel Mutual ad mock up 1

3/13/07

12:09 PM

Page 1

You work hard to increase your farm's production.

Let Peel Mutual Insurance Company work hard at protecting your farm's assets. Peel Mutual Insurance Company has been insuring farm and rural property for over 130 years. With more than 35 agents and brokers in Central Ontario, call 1-800-268-3069 for a representative near you. www.peelmutual.com

storage NEW fitted tarp cover 30x60 $4960

sheep housing Double poly/rollup sides 30x80 $6000

a-frame greenhouse Double poly/rollup sides 20x48 $2875

www.qualitysheep.com Working together with Quality Sheep to provide affordable housing that works!

www.lrshelters.ca

1-866-216-4113

Hamilton Ottawa

Leasing Available

905-627-1101 613-257-7583

Engineered Drawings Provided with every building 38

OSN S e p t e m b e r 2 0 0 9

The 2009 All Canada Sheep Classic

T

he 2009 All Canada Sheep Classic was a great success. The event returned to the Calgary Stampede for the first time since 2001, where the show and sale took over the Victoria Pavilion of the Stampede. The world-class exhibition celebrated superior genetics and breeding stock. Approximately 300 head of sheep and over 50 exhibitors affiliated with the Canadian

Sheep Breeder’s Association from across Canada competed for top honours in their breed category. Ten national breeds were represented – Suffolk, Hampshire, North Country Cheviot, Dorper and Southdown, Texel, Charolais, Horned Dorset, Polled Dorset, as well as Shropshire.

Congratulations to the numerous Ontario Sheep Producers who won prizes in the various events. OSN

Ontario Suffolk Sheep Association Annual Meeting

T

he OSSA AGM will be held Saturday, November 21st, at 11:00 am in the board room of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (in the same building as OSMA) at 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph. Murray Hunt, General Manager of OSMA, will be our guest speaker.

The OSSA AGM has been held the last Saturday of November in recent years. However, the OSMA board has moved its annual meeting back a month to November

27th and 28th, so our organization has to change its date. I contacted our directors and suggested three possible dates: October 24th, November 21st, or December 5th, and asked them to tell me their preferences. Their preferences were quite evenly divided, so I felt that November 21 is a reasonable middle choice.

Please mark this date on your calendar. I will send another notice to all OSSA members about November 1st. 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

Classifieds

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

Want to place an ad?

Call Ruth Gilmour at 519-836-0043 for ad rates.

PUREBRED SOUTHDOWNS Purebred Southdown rams and breeding ewes available Charles Cunningham 1153 Bruce Rd. 9, Wiarton, ON

Predator Control - Purebred GREAT MOUNTAIN PYRENEES puppies ready to go September 18th with first shots and complete Vet Health Check from licensed Kennel in the Kawarthas. Call 705-654-5090 or email grayacres@hotmail.com for details.

$104 + GST Seven Great Pyranees pups for sale.

All vaccinations completed. Pups raised with working parents on sheep farm. Contact Al Whitlam at 613-659-3987 or email sandbaysheep@aol.com.

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

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Classifieds Emke Cheviots

Groups of Ewes for Starter Flocks or Flock Additions

Good selection of rams for sale.

Logan Emke R.R. #1, Elmwood, ON, N0G 1S0 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.

Forestview Acres

Ile de France Ram lambs Well muscled, good gain replacements.

______________________ Henry & Ev Stam 2700 Line 45, R. R. # 1 GadsHill, ON N0K 1J0 hestam@quadro.net (519) 271-4919

CLUN FOREST REGISTERED SHEEP PROLIFIC, TRUE TYPE

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

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

Emke livestock Quality Suffolk Sheep

Suffolk Rams and Suffolk Sired Commercial Ewes for Sale Murray Emke & Family

RR1 Elmwood, ON, N0G 1S0 Office Manager: Missy 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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PERFORMANCE RECORDED Closed Flock Don & Wilma Duncan RR1, 807117 Oxford Road 29 Drumbo, ON, N0J 1G0,

519-463-5511

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.

Maremma Guardian Dog puppies for sale - $500 includes first shots 519-376-6915 or anderon@gbtel.ca

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, le n gt h & co r r ectn es s .

MANASAN FARM

1 5 0 Laber g e, Danville, QC t el ( 8 1 9 ) 839- 3350 F ( 8 1 9 ) 839- 1202

Visitors always welcome f www.manasan.qc.ca

EMKE OXFORDS and

HAMPSHIRES

Solid, Production Sheep Small Starter Commercial Flock for Sale Craig Emke & Missy Wright 525 8th Concession, RR#1 Elmwood, ON, N0G 1S0

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

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

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, Rockw ood, O N , N 0B 2 K0 519-856-9935 Email: rideausheep@sympatico.ca

Division of Lewis Farms

Sheep & Lamb Buyer & Feeder

392242 Grey Road 109, Holstein, Ontario N0G 2A0

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

Orchardview Farm

Rideau Yearlings & Lambs

Eweville Station

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

Duff Farms

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

Office: 519-334-3794 Jay & Penny Lewis Fax: 519-334-3994 Cell: 519-323-7439 Res: 519-334-3622 Email: lewisfarms@highspeedfx.net

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

Bondvale Hampshires “Where Everyday Results Count!”

Breeding Stock Available Gary W. Reynolds & Family Phone / Fax: 905-729-2325 5090 8th Line, RR #1 Beeton ON L0G 1A0 Bondvale1@aol.com

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

DIRECTORY

booroola

Prolific Acres Sheep Farm Increase your flock’s lambing rate in only 1 generation with the Booroola gene (prolificacy gene). 1 copy (B+) guarantees the ewe will have 1 more lamb per lambing.Homozygous (BB) rams pass on 1 copy (B+) to all progeny. Heterozygous (B+) rams pass on 1 copy (B+) to half the progeny. Also 3/4, 7/8, 15/16, 31/32, 63/64 Texel rams available. Vaccinated flock, very detailed flock records. Charlie Renaud, 2780 Flos Rd. 5 W., RR#1, Phelpston, ON L0L 2K0. 705-322-2140 CharlieRenaud@3web.com www.prolificacressheepfarm.com.

Charollais

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

Dairy Sheep

Barbara & Josef G. Regli Canreg Farm R.R. #1, Finch, ON, K0C 1K0 jbregli@yahoo.com Phone/Fax 613-984-0328. Purebred Lacaune, excellent for meat, milk and out-of-season breeding; purebred East Friesian; closed flock, MV negative.

dorper

Gina McDonnell Cherrydale Farm, R.R. 4, 81071 Cherrydale Road, Goderich, ON, N7A 3Y1, Phone 519-524-9394 Fax 519-524-2202 gmcdonnell@hurontel.on.ca www.cherrydale.ca Trillium Dorper Ranch Renfrew, ON. Top quality fullblood genetics. Diverse bloodlines and excellent health records. Rams, ewes, lambs and package pricing available. Contact Eric or Janie Blyth at 613-432-2288 or ericblyth@yahoo.com Visit us online at www.trilliumdorper.com RAM H Breeders Ltd. Dorper sheep, rams, ewes, and lambs available. Flock has been South Africa inspected, typed and certified - Sept. 2003. Call Ray or Ann Marie Hauck 403-932-3135.

Cochrane, Alberta am@ramhbreeders.com www.ramhbreeders.com Cedar View Dorpers Jeff and Karen Wright, 5615 Hwy. 43, RR5 Perth Ontario, K7H 3C7, 613-267-7930, jkwright@storm.ca www.cedarviewdorpers.com Smokey Creek Farm Susan McDonough & Peter Carrie (519) 848-2400, 8886 Concession 7 R.R.4 Arthur, ON, N0G 1A0. Participants in Sheep Flock Improvement Program & Scrapie Flock Certification Program. Registered purebred Dorpers available. smcdonough@highspeedfx.net or www.smokeycreekfarm.ca.

Wendell Palmer Canaan Farm., 6749 Homestead Cres., Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 2H8. Phone/ Fax: 905-358-6146. canaan@vaxxine.com www.vaxxine.com/canaan Participant testing and performance programs. Closed flock. Rams always, high EPD’s / Semen / Embryos.

Rambouillet & Newfoundland F1 crosses. On the health program.

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

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

Don McCutcheon & Sons Mulmur Vista Farms, R.R. # 2, Shelburne, ON, L0N 1S6. Don McCutcheon 519-925-5371. Bill McCutcheon 519-928-9626. Purebred Rideau closed flock ROP tested.

romanOv

Prolific Acres Sheep Farm The only true “out of season” breed. Shedding coat. Shorttailed, No docking required. Very vigorous newborns. Easy lambing. Registered. Commercial, % and Vasectomized “Teaser” Rams. Also high % Texel rams available (no Romanov blood).

Vaccinated flock, very detailed flock records. Charlie Renaud, 2780 Flos Rd. 5 W. RR#1 Phelpston, ON L0L 2K0. 705-322-2140. CharlieRenaud@3web.com www.prolificacressheepfarm.com

Shetland Sheep

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

Shropshire

Muriel Burnett Burndale Farm 1314 Killarney Bay Road, RR#1 Cameron, ON, K0M 1G0.

705-887-6512. Purebred and Commercial. Meaty, Versatile, R.O.P. Tested.

Suffolk

Sunrise Farm Joel & Irene Thomas, RR#2, 477285 3rd Line, Shelburne, ON L0N 1S6. sunriseangus@sympatico.ca British type, Ram & Ewe lambs available with good performance.

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

Ken Burgess Dorpers for sale. Prized meat sheep. Purebred full blood Dorpers & Katahan Cross Dorpers from Prize Genetics. Special qualities: awesome weight gain, heavy muscling, easy lambing, no shearing, superior foraging. Call Ken Burgess 705-527-9058 or email at ontariodorpers@aol.com

Burke & Janet Doran 660 2nd Line R.R. #1 Bailieboro, ON K0L 1B0. Phone 705-939-1146 British Type Purebred Suffolks. Closed Flock.

Iile de france

George Armstrong Armsview Farms, R.R.#1, Newburgh, Ont. K0K 2S0. 613-378-2467. armsview@sympatico.ca Quality Suffolks For Sale.

Clarence Nywening 12618 Baseline Road, Thamesville, Ontario N0P 2K0. Telephone: 519-692-5161. 7/8 and 94% ram lambs.

Morgan Mae Farms 50/50 Ile De France by rideau ewe lambs and purebred Ile De France ram lambs. Morgan Mae Farms c/o John Barnett cell: 519-965-2320 or home: 519-733-5873.

E-mail jbarnett@mnsi.net. Address is 451 Road 3 West ,RR2 Kingsville, Ontario, N9Y 2E5.

Henry & Evelyn Stam World renown quality meat sheep breed, out of season breeders, good lambing percentages, easy keepers, lambs are well muscled with good kill out percentages. RAMS AVAILABLE, CLOSED FLOCK. (This is the flock of Dave & Liz Martin) RR # 1 Gadshill, ON 519-271-4919. E-mail: hestam@quadro.net

Polled Dorset

Jameshaven Dorsets - Canada’s longest established Polled Dorset flock. ROP and scrapie resistance tested. Medium frame, well-muscled purebred Dorsets selected for out of season lambing and maternal traits Fall born ewe and ram lambs and yearlings available. Lois, Shanna and Jenna James, 1467 Wade Road, Russell, Ontario, K4R 1E5. 613-445-5252, jameshavendorsets@hotmail.com.

Robert & Gail Irvine Rocky Lane Farm, R.R. #4 Peterborough, ON K9J 6X5 rgirvine@ nexicom.net. Phone 705-292-7207 Fax 705-292-0460. MV & ROP tested. British and Australian Genetics. Selected for maternal traits and muscling. Accelerated system. New NZ genetics out of Ohio and Takitimu.

Robert and Shirley Graves and Sons Century Lane Farm, 5576 Faulkner Trail, Stittsville, K2S 1B6, 613-831-2656, clf@atechmicro.com, MV negative, Oxford Down quality breeding stock also available.

Rideau Arcott

Francis & Elaine Winger R.R. # 4, Mount Forest, ON, N0G 2L0, 519-323-3531, fwinger@everus.ca. Purebred and commercial, closed flock SFIP, maedi-visna tested.

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Stonehenge Suffolks Doug and Kim Smith, RR 2, Wroxeter, ON, N0G 2X0. PH 519-291-9767.

British Bloodlines. Purebred and crosses available.

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

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

Our stud rams carry the R gene for Scrapie resistance. Closed flock.

Trillium Woods Sheep Karen Hayward, RR#1, 262 141 Shallow Lake, ON N0H 2K0.

Phone: 519-371-8487. Cell: 519-379-3017 Email: karen_hayward3@hotmail.com Breeding Stock, Scrapie Monitored.

Texel

Cornerstone Texels Steve, Janet Jones & Sons, RR.# 2 Dutton, Ont. NOL 1JO. Fullblood & Upgrade Texel Rams and Ewes. Always available. Enquiries welcome. Phone 519-762-0613 or Cell 519-859-2622 Please visit our website www.cornerstonegenetics.com info@cornerstonegenetics.com Black Walnut Lane Ron and Adele Service, Millgrove, On, L0R 1V0, 905-689-0698.

3/4, 7/8 and full Texel ram and ewe lambs available. info@blackwalnutlane.com www. blackwalnutlane.com Cold Stream Ranch Mels @ 519-666-2423. dutchtexel@execulink.com or visit our website www.dutchtexel.on.ca. Registered Texels and % rams – Introduced N.Z. genetics – OPP tested – In 5th year voluntary National Scrapie Program.

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

Texel Rams and Ewes for sale. Add Maedi Visna Tested.

Mulmur Vista Farm Don McCutcheon & Sons, R.R. # 2, Shelburne, Ont. L0N 1S6. Don McCutcheon 519-925-5371. Bill McCutcheon 519-928-9626. Texel Rams available from French and Dutch Bloodlines. Embryos available.

Paul Cardyn 351 Ch Bellevue Coaticook, Quebec, J1A 2S1. 819-849-6496. Full blood Texels.

Super meaty! Dutch, French and British bloodlines. ROP & OPP tested. Also Rouge de ‘l’Ouest. pcardyn@vetcoaticook.ca

Exhaustion Calving/lambing/kidding Weakness/unstable Acute mastitis Ketosis Fever: cattle > 102.5°F 39.1°C sheep/goats > 103.3°F 39.6°C

• • • • • • • • • •

Non-ambulatory (see box below) Fractures of limb or spine Arthritis with multiple joints Cancer eye (severe) Cancer/leukosis (extensive) Extremely thin Pneumonia (unresponsive with fever) Prolapsed uterus Water belly Nervous disorders, such as rabies must be reported to CFIA • Hernia that impedes movement, is painful, touches the ground

Euthanize

• Unable to stand without assistance, or unable to move without being dragged or carried.

Commonly called “downers.”

• Animals should be able to bear weight on all four limbs to be suitable for transport.

• Lameness Classes 3, 4 and 5 can be transported for veterinary treatment on the advice of a veterinarian.

Non-ambulatory Animals

• • • • • •

Delay Transportation and Reassess

Do Not Load Do Not Transport

Abscess Blind Frost bite Cancer eye (eye intact) Lameness Class 1 & 2 (see over) Left/right displaced abomasum (without weakness, toxicity) Lumpy jaw Penis injuries Pneumonia (without fever) Prolapsed vagina or rectum Animals that have given birth within 48 hours

As Soon As Possible

*Animals must travel in a small compartment, either individually segregated or with one quiet animal.

Advise inspector at the destination plant.

• Bloat* • Hardware with localized signs • Intestinal accidents • Recent injury* • Urethral blockage (acute)* • Broken tail or jaw

Within 12 Hours

Animals with multiple conditions may not be fit to transport.

Transport With Special Provisions Direct to Slaughter

If an animal is fit for human consumption but not fit for transport (i.e. injured but not sick) emergency on-farm slaughter is an option. Emergency on-farm slaughter must be authorized by OMAFRA. The animal must meet specific food safety/animal health criteria and pass OMAFRA inspection prior to slaughter. To arrange emergency on-farm slaughter, call 1-888-466-2372 ext. 64230 or 64360. Visit www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/es-process.htm.

Emergency On-Farm Slaughter

• • • • •

• • • • • •

Load Healthy Animals

Do Not Transport to a Sale

SHOULD THIS ANIMAL BE LOADED? Guidelines for Transporting Cattle, Sheep & Goats

Source: Transporting Livestock by Truck (CFIA)

www.ofac.org

Special thanks to the Ontario Humane Transport Working Group. Funding for this project was provided in part from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

* Any animal, including Lameness Classes 3, 4 or 5 may be transported for veterinary treatment, on the advice of a veterinarian.

Unable to rise or remain standing.

Class 5

Requires assistance to rise; reluctant to walk; halted movement.

Class 4

Do Not Load or Transport*

Requires assistance to rise, but can walk freely.

Class 3

Not Recommended for Transport*

Unable to keep up; some difficulty climbing ramps. Load in rear compartment.

Class 2

Visibly lame but can keep up with the group: no evidence of pain.

Class 1

Transport as soon as possible

These categories can be used to determine the status of an animal’s mobility, from normal to non-ambulatory.

Lameness Classes

For more information or additional copies, please contact the Ontario Farm Animal Council: (519) 837-1326

• Transport a sick or injured animal where undue suffering may result, or when the animal is liable to give birth during the journey.

• Continue to transport an animal that is injured, becomes ill, or is otherwise unfit to travel beyond the nearest place it can be treated.

• Mishandle an animal on loading or unloading.

• Use goads or prods on the face, anal, udder or genital area.

• Load or unload animals in a way that would cause injury or undue suffering.

• Crowd animals to such an extent as to cause injury or undue suffering.

• Transport livestock in trailers not designed for safe handling of that species or class of livestock.

DO NOT

• Segregate animals of different species, or substantially different weights and ages, or if incompatible by nature.

• Provide proper ventilation, drainage and absorption of urine.

• Have sufficient headroom for animals to stand in a natural position.

• Either strew the vehicle with sand or have the vehicle fitted with safe footholds, in addition to appropriate bedding.

• Ensure that animals unloaded for feed, water and rest remain at least five hours and longer, if necessary, for all animals to receive food and water.

• Ensure that calves too young to exist on hay and grain are provided with suitable food and water at intervals of no more than 18 hours.

• Ensure that animals segregated in trucks receive extra protection from cold and wind chill; supply ample bedding.

• Euthanize animals promptly when you identify conditions outlined in the “Should this Animal be Loaded?” chart.

DO

Health of Animals Regulations www.inspection.gc.ca

Federal Transportation Regulations

Guidelines for Dealing with Compromised Cattle, Sheep & Goats

Updated 02/2009