Sheep and Goat Production

Sheep and Goat Production

Discussing current topics in Ontario sheep and goat production

All posts in Health & Nutrition

Total Mixed Rations – are they right for your farm?

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in Health & NutritionLeave a Reply

There are many combinations of feed distribution options. As you move from the traditional (forage plus grain) to TMR group feeding, there is an increase in efficiency of feeding. Pail feeding of ewes requires a large amount of labour. Many producers move into TMR feeding systems without considering that labour in the form of time is still required to move feeds to the mixer, individually add forages so that they can be weighed, and wait for mixing time and delivery of the TMR to the bunk. As a result, time spent feeding sheep may not be reduced unless the system is well planned. OMAFRA’s new factsheet Total Mixed Ration (TMR) Use in the Ewe Flock discusses the advantages and disadvantages of…

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Feeding Corn Silage to Sheep

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in Health & NutritionLeave a Reply

Corn silage is quickly becoming an economical and viable feedstuff for sheep as grain prices continue to rise and sheep flocks are becoming larger and more mechanized. Corn silage is unique due to rapid harvesting ability, low-cost storage and high yields of forage per hectare. It is a high-energy feed with a grain content of 40% or more. OMAFRA’s new factsheet Feeding Corn Silage to Sheep explains how with proper equipment, management and ration formulation, corn silage can be effectively fed to both the ewe flock and market lambs.

Handbook for the Control of Internal Parasites of Sheep and Goats

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Health & Nutrition2 Replies

If you are planning to pasture your flock, it is a good time to review your parasite control program.  Several research projects have been conducted in Ontario over the past 4 years in order to understand the effect of lambing season on the periparturient egg rise, the overwintering survival of gastrointestinal on Ontario pastures and to determine the level of  anthelmintic resistance in Ontario sheep flocks.  The information learned from these projects has been incorporated into a handbook.   This handbook covers the basics of controlling internal parasites of sheep and goats in Canada. Click on the link below to access information from the handbook: Handbook for the Control of Internal Parasites of Sheep and Goats

Alberta Lamb Producers Management Modules

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

The Alberta Lamb Producers have worked with Alberta Agriculture and other organizations to create comprehensive management modules.  The modules that have been created to date are:  The Busine$$ of Sheep and Flock Snapshot, Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta – Reproduction, Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta – Health and Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta – Nutrition.  These modules can be downloaded from the Alberta Lamb Producers website.  To view the web page, click the link below: Alberta Lamb Producers Management Modules Web Page

Understanding Lamb Mortality

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Health & NutritionLeave a Reply

The Ontario lamb industry consists of diverse production systems, breeds and markets. This diversity creates many opportunities but makes it more difficult for producers to determine what production results are “normal” or “good.” Every flock has lamb mortality. Because there are so many reasons lambs do not survive, it is difficult to determine what changes in a flock could improve lamb survival. Even when post-mortems are done on all dead lambs, the results are often inconclusive. An extensive 1999-2000 health study done in Quebec (Belanger, 2001) found that 68% of the post-mortems conducted on lambs that died in the first 2 days of life were inconclusive. Here is a link to a factsheet produced by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,…

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Forage Report – August 23, 2012

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Health & NutritionLeave a Reply

Report originally posted on Field Crop News by Joel Bagg Cutting Alfalfa This Fall? With reduced forage inventories, it will be very tempting to cut some alfalfa this fall. The decision and the immediate need for forage should be weighed against the increased risk of alfalfa winterkill. The Critical Fall Harvest Period for alfalfa is the 6-week rest period preceding the average date of killing frost. Not cutting during this period allows alfalfa plants to re-grow and build up sufficient root reserves to survive the winter and grow more aggressively in the spring. When cut, early in the period the alfalfa will use the existing root reserves for regrowth, “emptying the tank”. Later in the period, the alfalfa uses photosynthesis…

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Forage Report – July 11, 2012

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Health & NutritionLeave a Reply

Report originally posted on Field Crop News (Field Crop News- Forage Report July 11th, 2012) by Joel Bagg Potato leafhoppers (PLH) are being reported at damaging levels in many areas across the province, including areas where they are not typically a problem. PLH dramatically reduces alfalfa yield and forage quality. Reduced stem and root growth, and vigour results in stunting and slow regrowth. New seedings are very susceptible and can be permanently damaged, so be sure to check these fields. Adult PLH are 1/8th of an inch long, lime-green and wedge-shaped. They insert a stylet into a leaf midrib and inject a toxin that results in a wedge-shaped yellow “hopperburn”. Damage is often confused with moisture and heat stress. Scouts…

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