Article: Owning a farm is much more than a business; it is a way of life. As with most businesses, there are some very stressful times that can weigh you down. During busy seasons or critical production periods, it is normal to be faced with time constraints and pressures and facing major financial issues can multiply these pressures many times. During these times, and with the added reality of COVID-19, these demands can put anyone involved in the business of agriculture under a great deal of stress, often impacting one’s mental health. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) cares about the well-being of farmers and farm families and recognizes the unique challenges that can lead to mental…
All posts tagged Goats
Goat Kid Management Webinar Series February 2021
Join us in February for a webinar series focused on goat kid management. Topics of focus for this webinar series includes management considerations for kidding and kid management. The webinars will take place from 10:00am to 12:00pm on February 16, 18, 23, 25, 2021. This series is being hosted online and over the teleconference. Registration is required. You can register online (see below) or by calling the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300. Schedule of webinars February 16 – Successful Doe Transition with Dr. Robert Van Saun (Pennsylvania State University). This webinar will cover pre-partum nutrition for dairy does and considerations for diet formulations. February 18 – Caring for Goat Kids in the First 48 Hours with Dr. Cathy Bauman…
Predation Prevention Tools for a Goat Herd
When faced with the on-going threat of predation to your herd some proactive steps can be implemented. It should be noted that even with the best prevention strategies in place, predation can and/or will still occur. When considering prevention practices, it is important to consider the level of predation (for example, the dollar value of loss), time of year, location, past history, cost of each predation prevention strategy, and the amount of protection offered. There are different options for predation prevention strategies with some being more effective than others. Options include, but are not limited to, fencing, livestock guardian animals, hunting, trapping, night time enclosures and deterrents (lights, radio, bells, etc.). It should be noted that night time enclosures…
Marketing Meat Goat Kids
When making the decision on where to market meat goat kids, a variety of options exist. It is important to keep in mind that the consumer is ultimately the person who will be purchasing the product. In the value chain found in Figure 1, the consumer is at the top of the diagram as they truly drive the system. With no end user, there would be no demand for the product. In the simplified Figure 1 diagram, this is only one example of how a value chain might work. There are different marketing methods depending on individual preferences. Marketing methods for meat goats include: Live auction Direct to processor Direct to the consumer (farm gate, farmers’ market, online, etc.)…
Introduction to Small Ruminant Production Courses
To help facilitate education and knowledge transfer, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) offers Introduction to Small Ruminant Production Courses. Each course covers both sheep and goats, providing an overview of each of the sectors and introductory concepts. These courses are designed for individuals who are thinking about starting a sheep and/or goat farm. Each course is a full-day workshop, and the registration fee includes a light lunch, all course materials, and a farm tour. 2020 Date and Locations: April 17th, 2020 – Guelph Ontario. Location T.B.D July 17th, 2020 – Lindsay Ontario. Location T.B.D. September 18th, 2020 – Guelph Ontario. Location T.B.D For more information or to register, visit the OSF website…
