Reading Time: 2 minutes When Myrna Gisler moved back to the family farm near Innisfail, her parents decided it was time to branch out into something a little different — ostriches. That lasted all of two weeks. “I didn’t want a thing to do with them,” said Gisler with a laugh. “Those things are evil. They’re miserable creatures. I […] Read more
Strong meat demand spells bright future for goat industry
Demand is far outstripping supply for Canadian goat meat — and enterprising producers can capitalize on this trend
Alberta to restore non-refundable checkoff option
Alberta’s farmed-commodity commissions may soon be able to make their checkoffs non-refundable again if their producer members are willing. The provincial government on Tuesday tabled amendments to the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act (MAPA) which would grant each of the province’s 13 agricultural commissions the ability to determine whether their checkoffs should be refundable or […] Read more
Ruminant parasite drugs are a precious tool — here’s how to use them
Rotating drugs, underdosing, and overtreating can lead to drug resistance in ruminants, says expert
Reading Time: 3 minutes There’s no denying it — drugs used to treat parasites in sheep and goat production need to be employed properly. If they’re not, that could lead to parasitic resistance and drugs that just don’t work. “You can’t just hammer drugs at the problem, because they won’t work forever,” said Lynn Tait, a sheep producer and […] Read more
Manage your sheep pasture to reduce parasites
When it comes to sheep and goats, pasture management is not just about nutrition
Reading Time: 3 minutes Parasites in small ruminants can become a production problem that can’t be solved by throwing dewormer on your animals once a year. Keeping a parasite load low requires a strategy and good management. “Your goal is not to be completely free of parasites,” said Lynn Tait, small-ruminant veterinarian and co-owner of OC Flock Management. “That […] Read more
How to get your sheep on the move
Understanding sheep behaviour is the key to getting them to go where you want them to
Reading Time: 3 minutes If you want to move a sheep, the worst thing you can do is isolate it, yell at it, and then try to move it from behind. “If you understand animal behaviour, that is 90 per cent of handling — the biggest knowledge gap that we have is true understanding of animal behaviour,” livestock-handling specialist […] Read more
Alberta Lamb Producers forms new group with Ontario and Quebec
The trio, which has three-quarters of the national flock, had all quit the Canadian Sheep Federation
Reading Time: < 1 minute Sheep farmers in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec have formed a new partnership called the National Sheep Network. Alberta Lamb Producers, the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, and Federation des producteurs d’agneaux et moutons du Quebec represent 75 per cent of the ewe-flock in Canada. The new alliance “will leverage the resources of the sheep industries in […] Read more
Saskatchewan to thin out wolf pack along treeline
Aiming to prevent “wolf-livestock conflicts” in the region, Saskatchewan’s environment department will again offer a wolf hunting season along the provincial forest fringe starting Saturday. The wolf hunt, running from Oct. 15, 2016 through to March 31, 2017, is to be allowed in wildlife management zones 43 (Melfort, Tisdale), 47 (North Battleford, Turtleford), 48 (Preeceville, […] Read more
New meat products hit the spot for lamb producers
Reading Time: 3 minutes An Alberta processor is putting a face to the farmers behind a new line of lamb products. SunGold Specialty Meats’ Lamb Tonight line of meats began selling at Sobeys, Safeway, and Thrifty Foods stores across Canada earlier this summer. It features 10 ready-to-cook lamb products, including lamb burgers, sausages, meatballs, kabobs, and seasoned ground lamb. […] Read more
Alberta Lamb Producers to quit national federation
The move follows Ontario’s decision to quit, which left the national group representing less than half of Canadian production
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Lamb Producers is pulling out of the Canadian Sheep Federation, saying the national body can “no longer effectively represent the sheep industry.” The move, effective Oct. 20, comes on the heels of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency’s decision to withdraw its membership. Ontario accounts for 30 per cent of the national flock, followed by […] Read more
Sheep producers wanted as demand for lamb outstrips supply
Canada already imports 60 per cent of its lamb but consumers will pay more for local lamb
Reading Time: 3 minutes The want ad isn’t officially posted, but the notice is given: There’s a “great opportunity” for Albertans interested in becoming sheep producers. “Right now, we only produce 40 per cent of the demand for lamb in Canada — there’s a huge market there,” said Lorna Gibson, a sheep producer from Tees. “There’s a real demand […] Read more
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