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
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
It’s never too late to feed test
There’s ‘no substitute’ for knowing the precise energy, protein, and nutrient content of your feed, says a provincial specialist
Reading Time: 2 minutes If cattle feed supplies are starting to get low and pastures need more time before turning cattle out, a provincial beef extension specialist recommends doing feed tests on remaining feed. “The more you know about what you are working with for feed values, the more accurate you will be targeting the animals’ nutrition and ensuring […] Read more
New sheep parasite medication available this spring
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Lamb Producers is welcoming the imminent arrival of a medication to treat a parasite that infects sheep. “Barber pole worm infection is a significant health issue in many Alberta flocks,” Alberta Lamb Producers (ALP) said in a release. “The parasite can cause heavy mortality and production losses, due to anemia in infected sheep. As […] Read more
Extended grazing saves time and money — if done right
Winter grazing is a simple concept, but the trick is in things like good body condition scores in fall and the right grazing sequence
Reading Time: 3 minutes Winter feeding cattle is a matter of using the right tool at the right time, says a federal forage specialist. “Placing grazing methods in sequence is probably going to be the efficient method time after time to reduce risks and costs,” said Vern Baron, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. “In this day […] Read more
Three tips for feeding heated canola seed
Mouldy seed should be tested, it can gum up a mill, and don’t put too much in a ration
Reading Time: 2 minutes When it comes to feeding heated canola seed to ruminant animals such as cattle or sheep, there are a few things to keep in mind. “Canola seed that is heated might be discoloured and have a smell to it, but can still be used,” said provincial beef forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “If there is a […] Read more
Packed agenda at sheep symposium
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Value of Health is the theme of the Alberta Sheep Symposium on Oct. 15-17 in Red Deer. Among the topics at the biannual conference are managing healthy flocks, improving long-term profitability; benefits from grazing; how sheep behaviour impacts lambing; what impact internal parasites have on health and productivity; how drug resistance will change your […] Read more
Range of byproduct feeds available for sheep
Reading Time: < 1 minute Dry conditions, short supplies of forage, expensive supplements, and tight profit margins have many sheep producers looking for alternate feeds. “Canola or grain screenings, potato waste, grass seed cleanings, or beet pulp are just a few of the byproducts that can be used to feed sheep,” said Susan Hosford, a provincial sheep industry specialist. “Byproduct […] Read more
College farm completes Environmental Farm Plan
Reading Time: < 1 minute Lakeland College is the first post- secondary institution in Alberta to complete an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). From January to April, about 50 second-year students in animal science technology, crop technology, and other programs worked together to complete the EFP on the college’s student-managed farm at the Vermilion campus. The experience enabled the students to […] Read more
Copper toxicity an issue for lamb producers
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Lamb Producers says there have been reports of copper toxicity in market lambs and is urging producers to take care. The organization says rations for cattle, goats, or horses should never be fed to sheep, and that land fertilized with hog manure can have high levels of copper. “Since copper is stored in the […] Read more
Anthrax warning issued after two bison die near North Battleford
There is a greater risk of anthrax in dry conditions and a sudden unexplained death is the key warning sign
Reading Time: 2 minutes Authorities are warning that the anthrax danger is higher after two bison northwest of North Battleford, Sask. recently died after contracting the highly contagious disease. “Whenever we have drier summers, anthrax is always a higher risk,” said Dr. Kent Weir, associate veterinarian with Weir Veterinary services in Lloydminster. Anthrax spores can survive for decades in […] Read more
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