Sheep and Goat Production

Sheep and Goat Production

Discussing current topics in Ontario sheep and goat production

All posts in 2016

Nutrient Application: Timing Matters

Posted on Author Marlene Paibomesai, Dairy Specialist, OMAFRAPosted in Health & NutritionLeave a Reply

There’s a right time for everything. Every year, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) receives calls about winter spreading. Long, cold winters that come after a wet fall and/or late harvest tend to make winter spreading more common. However, spreading on frozen or snow covered ground, on saturated soil or before major rain events is not a good practice, even if storages are full. Spreading at the wrong time increases the likelihood of nutrient loss and runoff. Nutrient runoff not only pollutes lakes and rivers, it can also decrease your profits. Lost nutrients have to be replaced from another source, and additional commercial fertilizers cost money. Instead, apply at the best possible time to increase your…

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Invest in a Handling Facility

Posted on Author Jillian CraigPosted in HousingLeave a Reply

If you currently do not have a handling facility, you need to seriously question why you have not invested in one. Handling facilities are essential if producers expect to find any savings in labour and efficiencies in the management of their sheep. Handling facilities will: Some factors which should be taken into consideration if you are building or purchasing one include: More information on handling facilities and sheep behaviour can be found in the OMAFRA factsheet entitled, “Use Behaviour to Your Advantage When Designing Sheep Handling Facilities” When designing a handling facility plan for other contracted jobs such as shearing or pregnancy scanning. For a new facility, consider the various design options for shearing such as raised decks and shearing chutes…

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Utilizing Moisture Stressed Corn as Feed

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in ForageLeave a Reply

This post was written by Thomas Ferguson, Forage and Grazier Specialist, OMAFRA. It was originally posted on Field Crop News August 18, 2016. With the dry weather this year and low forage yields across much of the province, many producers are looking for alternative forages. There is a lot of stressed corn that could be utilized as forage for livestock. The amount of moisture stress that the corn has been through can affect the quality of the silage and there can be great variability between fields and even within a field. In fields that were dry during tasseling or pollination and have reduced grain fill, the energy content of the silage will be reduced but forage quality should remain constant.…

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Are even the most robust parasites able to beat the heat?

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Health & NutritionLeave a Reply

Haemonchus contortus, also known as the “Barber’s Pole Worm,” is a deadly nematode parasite that lives in grass during its infectious juvenile life stage, and as a result, is eaten by sheep as they are grazing. The worms travel along with the ingested food and will bury within the stomach wall of the abomasum of the animal, where it will spend the next major life stage as an adult. Mature female worms have the capacity to release 5-10 thousand eggs per day, which are then released from the abomasum and make their way into the feces. While in the feces, the eggs will hatch and become the infectious juvenile life stage that is found in pastures. This blood-sucking parasite conducts its…

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Predation: Fencing and Resources

Posted on Author Jillian CraigPosted in PredationLeave a Reply

Fencing is one preventative measure available in trying to reduce predation to flocks. There are a few different fencing options available whether building a new fence or adding to an existing fence. A good fence can be utilized in conjunction with other predator prevention strategies (such as livestock guard animals, deterrents, etc).  It is important to note that no fence will completely eliminate predation from occurring. The OMAFRA Factsheet entitled: Fencing Options for Predator Control includes information on electric fences, net-wire fences, electric net fencing as well as a comparison of cost and life expectancy for the three types of fences. Some other resources include: Sheep Management Practices Can Influence Predation Program Guidelines: Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program

Do you have a parasite strategy for this grazing season?

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Health & Nutrition, Risk PreventionLeave a Reply

Anthelmintic resistance is an important consideration for every parasite strategy.  It is important to monitor and treat animals selectively.  That means only treat those animals who need it most.  To slow or prevent antimicrobial resistance at least 30% of the animals must not be treated.  More information on parasites and the 5 Star Worm Program can be found in the Handbook for the Control of Internal Parasites of Sheep and Goats developed by Canadian researchers and extension personnel.

Would Your Barn Get a Checkmark? Barn Fire Safety Checklist

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in Housing, Risk PreventionLeave a Reply

Take time to check how safe your barn is.  The National Fire Protection Association has information related to fire, electrical and related hazards. National Fire Prevention Association Click on the image to make it larger.

Now a Good Time to Think About Your Pasture

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in ForageLeave a Reply

The snow can’t last much longer so now is a good time to start thinking about maximizing the performance from your pasture. The OMAFRA Pasture Production publication provides information on improving pastures, including species selection, fertility, rejuvenation and renovation, weed control, grazing systems, fencing and watering.  A free download is available or you can purchase a copy for $10 from ServiceOntario Publications.

Colostrum Requirements for Lambs

Posted on Author Jillian CraigPosted in Health & NutritionLeave a Reply

Spring lambing is quickly approaching. Ideally, a lamb should receive 50 ml per kg of bodyweight of its own mother’s colostrum, within 1 hour of birth. Additionally, 150 ml per kg spread over three more feedings within the first 24 hours of life should be provided.  If you do ‘inherit’ some bottle babies, the total daily feeding rate should be no more than 10% of a lamb’s own body weight, and in as many as four feedings per day. Appropriate feeding frequencies at a given age are listed below. Recommended feed source, and frequency of milk replacement (M.R.) feeding for lambs from birth to weaning Age (days) Feed Source M.R. Frequency 0 -24 hr. Colostrum 4 to 5 times* 1 –…

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The Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management estimates that barn fires cost Ontario farmers more than $25 million per year (2012-2014 average)

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Housing, Risk Prevention, StatisticsLeave a Reply

Do you know what to do in the event of a farm emergency? Do you know what to do if you have deadstock to manage? Barn fires, natural disasters, equipment failures and diseases are devastating events for farmers, their families and workers, and the neighbouring community. Planning ahead to reduce risks, and preventing accidents with a safe operation will help to protect employees, family members and animals. Emergency events can cause substantial loss to a farm operation and create unique challenges for farmers, including disposing of large volumes of deadstock. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has a regulation that gives you options for deadstock management. These options help to protect water quality, reduce environmental impacts…

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