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…
All posts in Uncategorized
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.…
Machine Options to Reduce Labour when Feeding Milk Replacer
Introduction Artificially rearing lambs and kids is costly and labour intensive. Investing in a machine to help reduce the labour costs associated with feeding is something to consider. There are various types of milk replacer machines on the market. Which type of machine is best suited for an operation depends on the size of operation, current infrastructure and budgets. This article aims to introduce three types of milk replacer machines. Automatic Milk Machine (e.g. Grober/Forester Technik) Automatic milk machines continuously mix small portions of milk replacer for ad libitum milk feeding. A common machine in Ontario is sold by Grober in partnership with Forester Technik. This machine allows for portions to be set and counted and has various features to…
Milk House Matters
This article was written by Peter Maw and originally published in the August 2018 issue of the Dairy Goat Digest. Introduction Your milk house is the first impression visitors get of your farm. A clean and tidy milk house is important for safely storing a quality product and allowing your Bulk Tank Milk Grader (BTMG) to properly grade, sample and pump milk to the transport tank. Hose Port Hose Ports must be kept clean and smooth to prevent damage to hoses. The outer flap that covers the port needs to be self-closing and tight-fitting to keep pests out. Concrete or clean crushed stone should be laid on the ground under the hose port and the area kept free of all…
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…
State of the Ontario Sheep Industry
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…
New OMAFA Factsheet: Dairy Goat Body Condition Scoring
Body condition scoring (BCS) is a hands-on and visual method used to assess the muscle and fat reserves of dairy goats, providing critical insights into their overall health and productivity. Regular BCS is essential for effective herd management and welfare, particularly during key stages of the production cycle, such as mating, pregnancy, and kidding. It helps improve productivity, reproduction, and health by ensuring that goats have adequate energy reserves, especially during periods of negative energy balance like late gestation and early lactation when energy demands exceed nutritional intake. BCS involves evaluating goats on a scale from 1 (emaciated) to 5 (obese), including half scores, by examining three main body sites: the lumbar spine, ribs, and sternum. Ideally, goats should maintain…
Webinar Library Now Live!
The webinar library is now live on the blog. Check out some previous webinars that focused on goat genetics, goat nutrition, udder health and milk quality.
Transporting Livestock: Understanding a Transfer of Care Form vs. an Animal Transport Record
Whether you’re a commercial transporter or a producer transporting your own animals, it is important to keep records on the movement of animals to ensure that animals are being responsibly taken care of and humanely transported. You can do this by filling out a Transfer of Care form and an Animal Transport Record. But what’s the difference? Transfer of Care Form What is its purpose? The purpose of a Transfer of Care Form is to ensure that animals are not left at slaughter facilities, assembly centres, or auctions without evidence that the care has been transferred from the transporter to the receiver. This form only applies for animals that are delivered to slaughter, assembly, and auction facilities. After the recipient…
3 Sheep Podcasts to Listen to in 2023
Introduction Dive into the world of sheep from anywhere with these podcasts in 2023! These podcasts are sure to give you insight into the latest sheep news, covering topics such as management, health, nutrition, and much more! These podcasts are listed in no particular order. Sheep Stuff Ewe Should Know Californian ranchers Ryan Mahoney, Dan Macon, and Dr. Roselle Busch host this weekly podcast covering all sheep stuff you should know. They frequently bring on guests and cover topics ranging from nutrition and management to sustainability and predators. This podcast presents a wide range of information in a short period of time. Length: Approximately 1 hour Frequency: Weekly Number of Episodes to Date: 134 Listen Now: Apple, Spotify The Sheep…
