I am interested in understanding more about the current production systems used by Ontario sheep farmers. This is a short, anonymous questionnaire. I am hoping to hear from as many producers as possible. Link to Questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/r/g6QMZRnZ0y The answers to the Sheep Production System Questionnaire will provide: If there are at least 30 participants, I will summarize the results and make them available on our blogsite https://sheepandgoatproduction.ca/ and publish them in an article in the OSF messenger. I appreciate your time and any information you can provide. Delma Kennedy, Sheep Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
All posts in 2026
Frost Seeding FAQ
Frost seeding is a popular way to renovate an existing forage stand and is most effective in fields where patches of bare soil at least the size of a loonie are visible. With spring around the corner, many producers have questions about how to best use this technique to improve their hay fields and pastures. When can I frost seed forages? The optimum time to frost seed is when the snow has melted, but the ground is still frozen. Waiting until there is bare soil prevents the seed from being washed away with melt water. Frozen ground can support the weight of equipment and prevent ruts and compaction. Often the ideal window for frost seeding is very short, and sometimes…
The Basics of Pregnancy Toxemia (Ketosis)
This article was written by Kristy Blankers and Dr. Lisa Sharko. Introduction Pregnancy toxemia, also known as ketosis, is a metabolic disease in dairy goats that occurs during late pregnancy and is caused by an elevation in ketone bodies. Pregnancy toxemia most commonly develops one to three weeks before kidding. Late gestation is a period of high energy demand as the animal supports multiple fast-growing fetuses. If these energy demands exceed the goat’s intake, they enter a state of negative energy balance. Fat is mobilized from the doe’s fat stores and transported to the liver to be used as an energy source. The fat is broken down into ketones, which can be used as an alternative emergency energy source. However,…
Colostrum Quality Impacts on Kid Viability
This article was written by Marlene Paibomesai and originally published in the August 2018 issue of the Dairy Goat Digest. What is colostrum? Colostrum is the first secretion from an udder after birth. Colostrum is rich in nutrients and immune factors, such as immunoglobulins and immune cells that are important for immune and digestive system development (Sanchez-Macias et al., 2014). Colostrum is higher in protein, fat, growth hormones and immune factors than milk. Why do newborns need colostrum? Unlike other mammals, ruminants transfer limited amounts of immunoglobulins and other immune factors from the dam to the fetus during pregnancy. Instead, the majority of immune factors are transferred through colostrum to the goat kid after birth. This is called passive immunity.…
