A total of 82 producers submitted data, with 37.8% (31 producers) representing operations with flock sizes greater than or equal to 100. Note that most analyses broken down by flock size are based on 81 responses due to missing data. The results presented throughout this report are based on information from the 2025 production year unless otherwise noted. Years Owning Sheep 1-99 flock size: Producers that have owned sheep for 15+ years represent the largest group (23 producers). This is followed by 10-14 years (12 producers), then less than 5 years (10 producers), and 5-9 years (5 producers). 100+ flock size: Similarly, producers that have owned sheep for 15+ years also make up the largest share (20 producers). The remaining…
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Sheep farming is a complex system – how are you making your decisions?
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)…
Updated Field Crop Budgets – great planning tool for farmers
Do you know your cost of production? Publication 60 – Field Crop Budgets can help. The 2020 Field Crop Budgets are now available. These crop budgets are a tool for estimating expenses. The sample costs are only a guide to illustrate a method of preparing your projections. They are based on many assumptions, including seeding rates, levels of fertilizer use, etc. Due to regional differences, there may be considerable variation in results.To project your break-even price after total costs, enter your farm figures in the spaces provided. The resulting estimate will help you choose your crop mix and set target prices and marketing strategies for your farm.
What is the workplace culture on your farm?
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…
Introduction to Small Ruminant Production Course
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…
Introduction to Small Ruminant Course
Interested in starting a sheep goat operation? Or know someone who is interested in becoming a small ruminant farmer? The one day course will provide an overview of both industries. The course will focus on four key components: Participants can expect to obtain basic information that will assist in building a business plan as well as key knowledge needed to start an operation and where to find it. Attendees will also have the opportunity to see an operating farm and the facilities required. Course facilitators include Jillian Craig, Small Ruminant Specialist and Delma Kennedy, Sheep Specialist, both with OMAFRA. A registration form can be found at Ontario Sheep Intro Course or by calling the Ontario Sheep Farmers office at 519-836-0043.…
Do you have a water contingency plan?
In 2016, many areas of the province saw very warm and dry conditions, and many wells were still dry leading into the winter. In other years, like the start to the 2017 growing season, the province experienced periods of excessive rain, leading to saturated soils and flooding. Both situations create many challenges for livestock and poultry farmers. No one can control the weather, but we can plan for it. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) encourages you to plan for future weather – conserving water and using it efficiently can help during low water conditions, and having effective drainage systems in place can help with saturated soil and runoff. Things to consider for low water conditions: Plan…
New Food Safety and Traceability online courses!
Give your company a competitive edge – take free eLearning courses to learn more about industry best practices and to be more competitive in the marketplace! Access the new Food Safety and Traceability eLearning courses online on the Agriculture and Food Education in Ontario online learning system through the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus. The new Traceability eLearning courses show how good practices can: maximize productivity, improve business efficiency, reduce costs and improve business processes be used to increase competitive advantage by accessing new markets improve supply chain management The new Food Safety eLearning courses will help you to: identify food safety hazards that can occur in your operation understand best practices and develop programs to control these hazards decrease…
Agriculture Youth Green Jobs Initiative
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.
Great updates to the Agricultural Information Atlas!
Did you hear? We’ve made great improvements to the Agricultural Information Atlas! We’re excited to let you know about the latest updates that we made to the Agricultural Information Atlas (AIA). What is the AIA? It’s the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ (OMAFRA) free, easy-to-use online tool that can help you to: Develop nutrient management strategies and plans Plan tile drainage for your farm Develop a farm sketch for Pest Assessment Reports and Bee Yard Registration and other government programs, including the Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (GLASI) So, what are the changes? The AIA is now housed on a new platform. If you are a current user of the AIA, you’ll need to update your bookmarks to…
