Sheep and Goat Production

Sheep and Goat Production

Discussing current topics in Ontario sheep and goat production

All posts in 2016

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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Preventing Barn Fires Resources

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in HousingLeave a Reply

The recent number of barn fires involving livestock in Ontario has many people thinking about fire prevention. Food and Farm Care Ontario has a number of resources on their website (Food and Farm Care) for livestock producers and first responders on preventing barn fires and dealing with the aftermath of a fire.  These include the OMAFRA’s Reducing the Risk of Fire on Your Farm. 

Save Lambs from Hypothermia

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

Winter lambing can result in chilled lambs.  It is amazing how newborn lambs can be saved, even from a near comatose condition, using proper revival techniques.  Check out the Treating Hypothermia (Chilling) and Hypoglycemia (Starvation) in very Young Lambs poster (Click link: Hypothermia Poster ) to update or refresh your saving lamb skills.  A Hypothermia Flowchart is also available which serves as a reminder of the basic steps to take with a chilled lamb depending on the lambs body temperature.  More information on lambing and the critical first few days of life can be found in the OMAFRA factsheets titled ” Assisting the Ewe at Lambing“, “Care of the Newborn Lamb” and “Hypothermia in Newborn Lambs“.   e

Late Gestation Rations are Critical for Ewes

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Health & NutritionLeave a Reply

For ewes,  late gestation is the most critical time to ensure proper nutrition.  Ewes should be in body condition score 3 and the late gestation ration must be adequate to maintain this condition.  A poor diet can result in pregnancy toxemia and inadequate colostrum.  The OMAFRA factsheet “Pregnancy Disorders (Metabolic) in Transition Ewes” provides more information on the common difficulties of ewes in late gestation and recommendations for late gestation rations.  

Cache Valley Virus – A Cause of Birth Defects in Ontario Lambs

Posted on Author Jillian CraigPosted in Health & NutritionLeave a Reply

By: Dr. Jocelyn Jansen, OMAFRA; Dr. Maria Spinato, Animal Health Laboratory; Dr. Paula Menzies, Ontario Veterinary College   During the latter half of December 2015 and the start of 2016, the Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) received several submissions of stillborn and aborted lambs with unusual and severe birth defects. Other similar cases were also reported to OVC and OMAFRA veterinarians. The most likely cause of these birth defects is Cache Valley virus (CVV). Blood and tissue samples from fetuses, as well as blood samples from ewes, were tested for the virus and/or antibodies to CVV. On January 14, 2016, test results came back positive for CVV. CVV was previously diagnosed in Ontario flocks in 2011, 2012 and 2013. CVV is…

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FarmSmart Conference Jan 23 in Guelph

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in Business2 Replies

Full FarmSmart Program Check out the Business and Marketing sessions: -2016 Marketing Outlook – Steve Kell, Parrish & Heimbecker -The Changing Dynamic of The Agricultural Workplace – Greg Hannam, Woodrill Farms, Wellington County -All the Kids Want A Future in the Farm. Now What? – Stewart and Blair Cressman, Crystal Brook Farm, Waterloo Cty -Farmland, Rental Contracts, Present & Future Issues – Brady Deaton, UG and Bruce Kelly, Farm & Food Care -Farm Infrastructure. How to make the decisions to build new or stay with the tried and true. – John Molenhuis, OMAFRA and Blair Cressman, Crystal Brook Farms -Sharpening Your Marketing Skills – Steve Kell, Parrish & Heimbecker -Tax Tips, Strategies and Opportunities for Progressive Farmers – Franklin Famme,…

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Reducing the Risk of Barn Fires Publication from OMAFRA

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in HousingLeave a Reply

Recent barn fires in Ontario remind us how important it is to check for fire hazards in our barns. OMAFRA Publication 837 REDUCING THE RISK OF FIRE ON YOUR FARM discusses leading causes of barn fires, ways to prevent fires and things you can do to reduce the impact of barn fires for all species of livestock.