Sheep and Goat Production

Sheep and Goat Production

Discussing current topics in Ontario sheep and goat production

All posts tagged Sheep

Predation Tools

Posted on Author Jillian CraigPosted in PredationLeave a Reply

When faced with the on-going threat of predation to your flock 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. Results of an Ontario survey conducted in 2011 to determine current use of predation prevention tools found that the majority of respondents (153/169) indicated they were currently using predation prevention tools. Some respondents who indicated that they were not using prevention tools did however state the…

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Predation: Fencing and Resources

Posted on Author Jillian CraigPosted in PredationLeave a Reply

Fencing is one preventative measure available in trying to reduce predation to flocks. There are a few different fencing options available whether building a new fence or adding to an existing fence. A good fence can be utilized in conjunction with other predator prevention strategies (such as livestock guard animals, deterrents, etc).  It is important to note that no fence will completely eliminate predation from occurring. The OMAFRA Factsheet entitled: Fencing Options for Predator Control includes information on electric fences, net-wire fences, electric net fencing as well as a comparison of cost and life expectancy for the three types of fences. Some other resources include: Sheep Management Practices Can Influence Predation  General OMAFRA Predation Page Overview: Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program  Program…

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Cache Valley Virus – A Cause of Birth Defects in Ontario Lambs

Posted on Author Jillian CraigPosted in Health & NutritionLeave a Reply

By: Dr. Jocelyn Jansen, OMAFRA; Dr. Maria Spinato, Animal Health Laboratory; Dr. Paula Menzies, Ontario Veterinary College   During the latter half of December 2015 and the start of 2016, the Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) received several submissions of stillborn and aborted lambs with unusual and severe birth defects. Other similar cases were also reported to OVC and OMAFRA veterinarians. The most likely cause of these birth defects is Cache Valley virus (CVV). Blood and tissue samples from fetuses, as well as blood samples from ewes, were tested for the virus and/or antibodies to CVV. On January 14, 2016, test results came back positive for CVV. CVV was previously diagnosed in Ontario flocks in 2011, 2012 and 2013. CVV is…

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Register Today for the OMAFRA Sheep Seminar on October 29

Posted on Author Jillian CraigPosted in AnnouncementsLeave a Reply

Grow the Market with More lbs of Lamb – A Profitable Choice? 2015 Sheep Seminar October 29, 2015 Locations: -Nottawasaga Inn, Alliston -Lion’s Community Hall, Napanee via WebEx (speakers will be in Alliston and the presentations will be viewed on a large screen at Napanee) -Select locations in Northern Ontario via WebEx 8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Should you consider taking lambs to heavier weights? Does adding weight add profitability? Cash flowing heavier lambs Health issues in heavier lambs Predicting when lambs will be ready for market   For complete details and registration form please click here.     

Livestock Estimates Released, July 1, 2015

Posted on Author Jillian CraigPosted in UncategorizedLeave a Reply

The Canadian livestock estimate has been released by Statistics Canada. Sheep inventories decreased 2.1% from July 1, 2014, as market lambs fell 2.1% to 405 600 head. The number of ewes declined 1.8%, while replacement lambs fell 3.0% compared with the same date in 2014. Read Full Article on Livestock Estimates  Table: Sheep Inventories  Table: Number of Sheep and Lambs On Farm

Ideas for Shearing Facility Design and Shearing in Ontario

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in BusinessLeave a Reply

Wool production is a year-long process. Yet it is during harvesting – a process that takes a matter of minutes – that quality is often adversely affected. Preparing your facilities and flock properly for shearing will make the job much easier and ensure quality does not suffer. Producers often assume that the shearer knows the best procedure for wool handling and preparation. However, it is the producer’s responsibility to make sure that animal handling is optimized and ensure buyers get the high-quality wool they desire. A number of factors go into designing and constructing a shearing facility that is effective for both workers and sheep. Read more in the OMAFRA factsheet Shearing Facility Design and Shearing in Ontario.

New from OMAFRA Low Labour Feeding Systems and Bunk Design for Sheep

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in Health & NutritionLeave a Reply

This Factsheet discusses winter feeding set-up for the sheep flock and why a feeding set-up with flexibility is important. Flexibility in a feeding system is critical because: -Feed is the single largest cost centre in the lamb production operation. Managing this cost requires that the system has flexibility in accommodating various ingredients for cost-effective rations. -Infrastructure is a major long-term expenditure that is often larger than livestock investment and may approach land costs. Infrastructure that serves as an investment or asset should be adaptable to multiple uses, otherwise it becomes an expense that requires further investment (renovation expenses) to remain current. -Labour is another major cost on sheep operations. The need for labour varies by animal group, time of year…

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OMAFRA’s Sheep Management Journal

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in BusinessLeave a Reply

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has a new sheep management journal. Designed after the popular lambing diary, it is pocket sized and spiral bound. The book is designed to collect information generated on the farm throughout the sheep management cycle. Producers can collect information about things like: on sheep and feed inventories, ram in and out dates, total numbers of lambs weaned and marketed, numbers of animals and days on pasture and health treatments. The book is divided into four main sections: animal management, health management, stored feed management and pasture management. This book provides a low tech method of recording much of the basic information needed to do a basic evaluation of sheep farm…

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Rethinking Orchardgrass

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in ForageLeave a Reply

This article was originally posted on Field Crop News by Joel Bagg Orchardgrass can be very productive, particularly in pastures and hay fields with aggressive cutting schedules. It is a very fast growing, perennial, cool-season grass. However, because it heads so very early in the spring and then declines quickly in digestible energy and protein, it has not been as widely used for stored forage in Ontario compared to other forage grasses. This is changing more recently, as plant breeders are researching and developing newer orchardgrass varieties with later maturity. An Alternative To Timothy? Timothy has always been the most popular grass in Ontario because of its late maturity, ability to mix with alfalfa and go through the small seed box,…

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