Sheep and Goat Production

Sheep and Goat Production

Discussing current topics in Ontario sheep and goat production

All posts by Delma Kennedy

State of the Ontario Sheep Industry

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Statistics, UncategorizedLeave a Reply

By Christopher Llewellyn and Delma Kennedy. This article provides an overview of the state of the Ontario sheep industry as of Fall 2024. Highlights Market Demand Inventory Trends Market Prices Lamb Supply Slaughter and Trade Wool Market  Demand Domestic Protein Demand In Canada, the average annual consumption of various animal proteins reveals distinct dietary preferences. Figure 1 reveals that poultry leads with 41.27 kg per person per year, followed by pork at 17.38 kg and beef at 16.23 kg. Fish and eggs also contribute significantly to the diet, with average consumptions of 7.76 kg and 21.21 dozen, respectively. Lamb and mutton, however, account for a smaller share, averaging just 0.94 kg per person per year. Comparing this to the previous…

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Mature Ewe Size – How Big is Too Big?

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in UncategorizedLeave a Reply

What does this even mean?  I am talking about mature sheep size.  Ontario is home to many sheep breeds of many different sizes.  There can also be significant variation in size within breeds.  It is important to consider a number of factors when thinking about what mature size will work best for your operation. Environmental Concerns Concerns have been raised in the past few years about the effect of livestock farming on our environment.  One of the primary concerns is related to the contribution of ruminants to greenhouse gas.  Methane is produced by sheep during the fermentation of feed in the rumen.  The amount of methane produced is related to genetics, feed quality and feed intake. This means that larger…

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Managing Ewe Body Condition Scores Webinar March 22 and 23, 2021

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Announcements

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is hosting a two evening webinar series March 22 and March 23, 2021 from 7-9pm. This course will be hosted virtually on Zoom. Night 1: Monday, March 22 – 7pm – 9pm EST• When to Body Condition Score Ewes with Delma Kennedy, OMAFRA• How Feed Influences Body Condition Score with Michelle Linington, OMAFRA Night 2: Tuesday, March 23 – 7pm to 9pm EST• How to Feed Budget and Start Planning Forage Crop Production with Christine O’Reilly, OMAFRA• Working with a Nutritionist – Featuring an interview with Courtney Vriens, Small Ruminant Nutritionist and owner of Vriens Nutrition Consulting hosted by Marlene Paibomesai, OMAFRA To register for the two nights please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/managing-ewe-body-condition-score-tickets-142919659549…

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Improving Lamb Survival

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Health & Nutrition, Reproduction

Improving lamb survival is an ongoing discussion.  At the June 2019 small ruminant veterinary conference in Guelph, a predominant theme was “Improving Lamb and Kid Survival”.  Lamb survival is often complex and farm specific but researchers from different parts of the world are working on issues and details that affect the survival of small ruminants that may provide ideas to improve lamb survival on your farm. Dr. Cathy Bauman, University of Guelph, talked about neonatal dairy small ruminant survival in intensive rearing conditions.  Two important areas she discussed were record keeping and early life infections. Record Keeping To solve a complex problem, it is critical to keep ongoing records.  Although it is difficult when many animals are being born at…

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Sheep farming is a complex system – how are you making your decisions?

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Business

This article first appeared in Ontario Sheep News. How many decisions do you make each day? Hundreds?  Thousands? Regardless of how large or small your sheep operation is, farming is a complex system requiring many decisions.  Decision making is a skill you need to practice and improve.  For long term success, it is necessary to understand how you make decisions and to actively choose how farm decisions will be made.  Grain and Graze Australia has done research into farm decision making to help farmers make better decisions.  They believe that the only real difference between the top twenty percent of farmers and the rest is their ability to make the right decision at the right time. (Nicholson et al., 2015)…

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What is the workplace culture on your farm?

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Business

I recently read an article on farm labour shortage indicating that “the domestic labour pool is expected to drop largely due to an older-than-average workforce and few young entrants.”  I have also heard conversations like, young people don’t want to work, or they don’t know how to work.  Yet, I have also met some very motivated young people who are looking to start sheep farming and are finding the task of learning everything needed, financing an operation, etc. daunting.  This is not a new issue and is governed by a complex matrix of factors.  I would like to bring up one factor that I haven’t heard talked about often in the sheep industry and that is workplace culture. I know…

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Introduction to Small Ruminant Production Course

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Announcements, Announcements, Business, Business

Looking to Start Your Own Sheep or Goat Farm? OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry of Food and Agriculture) and OSF (Ontario Sheep Farmers) are hosting an introductory course on small ruminant production. This course will introduce potential producers to the wide range of knowledge that is needed to farm small ruminants. Topics covered in the course include: Overview of Both Sheep and Goat Industries Core Production Concepts Selecting Genetics Infrastructure, Handling, & Labour Reproduction/Production Methods Creating a Good Pasture & Combating This course is directed at potential producers who need basic information and the opportunity to tour a farm.. We encourage anyone interested in becoming a part of the industry to attend this course. If you would like to attend please use…

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Managing Rams for a Successful Breeding Season

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

The ram is the most important member of the flock, yet he does not always get the attention he deserves. Good ram management can determine the success of your breeding program and ensure a profitable lamb crop. Sperm production in rams takes 49 days, therefore it is important to remember that you will not see the effects of any management changes for almost 7-8 weeks. You’ll want to ensure rams are well looked after in the two month period leading up to the breeding season as it will have a direct effect on the quality of sperm and fertility of the ram. Testicle size is a good indicator of a ram’s sperm producing ability, which can be assessed using scrotal circumference.…

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Agriculture Youth Green Jobs Initiative

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in BusinessLeave a Reply

The federal government has opened the application process for the Agriculture Youth Green Jobs Initiative.  Farm operators can receive up to $10,000 in cost share for a youth intern (high school to 30 years of age) to work on a farm project that will improve the environment.  More information including application forms can be found at: http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/programs-and-services/list-of-programs-and-services/agricultural-youth-green-jobs-initiative.  Funding will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.  

Premier’s Award Application Process Open Until April 28th

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in AnnouncementsLeave a Reply

Now Accepting Applications for the 2017 Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Program! The agri-food sector has always been innovative in running businesses, adapting practices and collaborating to compete in the world economy. To help spur and to celebrate this innovative spirit, the Government of Ontario created the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Program. Have you developed and implemented a unique product or process that helps foster innovation in Ontario’s agriculture and food sector? Apply and you could be eligible to receive one of these awards: Premier’s Award (one award valued at $75,000) Minister’s Award (one award valued at $50,000) Leaders in Innovation Awards (three awards valued at $25,000 each) Provincial Awards (45 awards valued at $5,000 each) Primary…

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