Sheep and Goat Production

Sheep and Goat Production

Discussing current topics in Ontario sheep and goat production

All posts in Housing

Do you have a water contingency plan?

Posted on Author Marlene Paibomesai, Dairy Specialist, OMAFRAPosted in Business, Health & Nutrition, HousingLeave a Reply

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: Things…

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Invest in a Handling Facility

Posted on Author Jillian CraigPosted in HousingLeave a Reply

If you currently do not have a handling facility, you need to seriously question why you have not invested in one. Handling facilities are essential if producers expect to find any savings in labour and efficiencies in the management of their sheep. Handling facilities will: Some factors which should be taken into consideration if you are building or purchasing one include: More information on handling facilities and sheep behaviour can be found in the OMAFRA factsheet entitled, “Use Behaviour to Your Advantage When Designing Sheep Handling Facilities” When designing a handling facility plan for other contracted jobs such as shearing or pregnancy scanning. For a new facility, consider the various design options for shearing such as raised decks and shearing chutes…

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Would Your Barn Get a Checkmark? Barn Fire Safety Checklist

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in Housing, Risk PreventionLeave a Reply

Take time to check how safe your barn is.  The National Fire Protection Association has information related to fire, electrical and related hazards. National Fire Prevention Association Click on the image to make it larger.

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 Farm. 

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.

Rodent Control on Sheep Farms

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in Health & Nutrition, HousingLeave a Reply

Rats and mice have long been a problem on farms where food and nesting sites are plentiful. These animals consume and contaminate food destined for livestock and other animals, as well as humans. Mice and rats have tremendous breeding potential. Under ideal conditions, a pair of rats and their offspring can produce 20 000 000 young in three years. Controlling rodents is therefore a high priority for livestock producers. The OMAFRA fact sheet, “Rodent Control in Livestock and Poultry Facilities,” provides information about rodents on farms and what you can do to control them.

Use Sheep Behaviour to Your Advantage When Designing Handling Facilities

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in Business, Health & Nutrition, HousingLeave a Reply

Sheep handling in “make-do” pens is not only hard, difficult work, it is outright unpleasant. As a result, important jobs like vaccinating and deworming are often delayed or not done at all. Well-designed sheep handling facilities are essential to a successful sheep production operation. Few other investments will create such labour efficiencies and savings. Most producers will only build, or purchase, one handling facility in their lifetime, so planning is essential. Incorporate existing paddocks, laneways and barnyards into the handling system to allow for ample space when the flock is held in the yards for long periods of time. Sheep need to move smoothly between these areas with a minimum of fuss. To achieve this, a producer needs to understand…

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