Provincial Highlights

Transcription

1 From the flock MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE CANADIAN SHEEP INDUSTRY IN THIS ISSUE: 1 Housekeeping 2-3 What's New All Canadian Classic 5 Scrapie Update 6 Identification Different Ways to Access From the Flock Interested individuals can access the From the Flock newsletter several ways. An e-version of From the Flock is available. Subscribe by filling out the form here: If you prefer to read the PDF format it is available on the website at FromtheFlock.aspx 7-8 Campaign for Wool 9 Alberta Lamb Producers Provincial Highlights With each issue of From the Flock, we will highlight the activities and achievements of provincial sheep associations across Canada. In this issue we are highlighting the work done by the Alberta Lamb Producers, a dynamic partner in building a sustainable, thriving industry for sheep producers. For more information about ALP, visit their website at Read more on page 9. In Alberta... There are approximately 1800 sheep producers with approximately 17% of the national breeding flock (3rd largest after Ontario and Quebec). Premises Identification and livestock movement manifests are legislated requirements. SunGold Specialty Meats is the largest federally inspected lamb processor in Canada and provides carcass data back to the shipper using RFID technology. CANADIAN SHEEP FEDERATION 130 Malcolm Road Guelph ON N1K 1B1 Tel: (519) OR (888) Fax: (866)

2 What's New at the Canadian Sheep Federation Save the Date! This year s Canadian Sheep Federation s Annual General Meeting will take place on November 18th and 19th in Airdrie, Alberta. The CSF is pleased to be partnering with Alberta Lamb Producers and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development in offering a producer session featuring international speakers. All are welcome to attend AGM activities on Wednesday, November 19th. Look for more details in the September issue of From the Flock. Canada competing in the 2014 World Young Shepherds Challenge For the first time ever, Canada will be sending a team to the international World Young Shepherds Challenge taking place this year in Paris, France, from September 27th through October 4th. The World Young Shepherds Challenge is an international competition that tests participants knowledge of sheep production and sheep handling skills. Participants are scored on their ability to: Complete 2 written tests, Sort and handle sheep, Trim hooves, Body condition score finishing lambs and ewes, Drive a quad over varied terrain, and handle a quad and trailer, Shear sheep. In addition to the competition, participants will tour Paris, visit the Agricultural Colleges of Moulins Neuvy and Brioude-Bonnefont, visit local sheep farms including the Rayon de Roquefort cheese making region, participate in the Renewal of generations of sheep farmers conference and visit the Sommet de l Elevage livestock show. Each country s team consists of two young shepherds and one supervisor. The Canadian team includes Adriane Good from Alberta and Valérie Gaumond from Quebec, supervised by agronomist Natalie Sylvain. Adriane grew up on a small acreage near Brooks AB with a flock of 30 Suffolk and Hampshire ewes. She was a member of the Brooks and Area 4-H club for 8 years showing both sheep and beef projects and a member of the Cow Country Judging 4-H club for 4 years in the judging project. During her time in 4-H, Adriane was selected to be an ambassador for the South region in Alberta. She also spent time as a leader with Cow Country. Adriane is currently in her fourth year of an animal science degree at the University of Saskatchewan. When she finishes her degree she hopes to attend grad school to further study ruminant nutrition. FROM THE FLOCK CANADIAN SHEEP FEDERATION - 2 -

3 2014 World Young Shepherds Challenge con't Valérie Gaumond is almost 21 years old and passionate about agriculture from a young age. Although she now lives in the city, she will always remain the little girl from the countryside. Valérie studies agricultural production and business management at the Cégep de Lévis - Lauzon and has a DEP in dairy production. She plans on having a dairy farm one day, but has wanted a sheep flock from a young age. Valerie is very enthusiastic about the idea of participating in the World Young Shepherds Challenge in France and proud to represent her country. The team superviser, Natalie Sylvain, is an agronomist and agricultural technologist and quite passionate about agriculture. Natalie is the daughter of agricultural producer from the Chaudière-Appalaches region of Quebec who developed his passion for sheep production from an early age. Her work as agricultural Advisor in animal production allowed her the opportunity to participate in agricultural missions in France, establishing numerous links with French sheep industry stakeholders. As President of the Sheep Symposium 2012 in Quebec, Valeries connections to the France sheep industry allowed her to invite an international speaker from that region to the Symposium. It was with enthusiasm that Valerie accepted the invitation from France to participate in the 2014 World Young Shepherds Challenge (the Ovinpiades 2014). This September, Valerie will accompany two young Canadian candidates and will represent Canada with pleasure and pride! National Occupational Standards for the Canadian Sheep Industry The Canadian Sheep Federation is collaborating with the Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council (CAHRC) in their development of a National Occupational Standards (NOS) for the sheep sector. CAHRC project outcomes include: Providing agricultural stakeholders with a benchmark of industry-validated skills and knowledge required across the sector; enabling agricultural producers to better recruit and retain skilled employees by clearly defining the skills and knowledge needed for entry-level, experienced, supervisory and management occupations; assisting agricultural employers with HR issues by linking NOS with an existing agricultural HR toolkit; assisting job-seekers, students and HR professionals by linking NOS with an existing AgriPathways on-line career path tool; enabling the labour mobility of agricultural employees by linking NOS with career path resources; and supporting educational institutions with ensuring relevance of their curriculum. A reduction in labour shortage by supporting a better match between skills and job market demands in the medium- to long-term. A reduction in labour shortage in the medium- to long-term by supporting more informed labour market decisions by job seekers, employers and students through the creation and dissemination of labour market intelligence that will clarify the many job opportunities and career pathways (levels, categories and requirements) within agriculture. FROM THE FLOCK CANADIAN SHEEP FEDERATION - 3 -

4 2014 All Canadian Classic The Canadian Sheep Breeders Association 2014 All Canada Classic was hosted in Ancaster, Ontario, this past July 9th-12th. Supreme Champion Ewe was owned by VanGro Farms and the Grove Family, and Grand Champion Ram was owned by Mactaggart Farms operated by Bill Mactaggart. At the All Canada Classic Sale. 183 ewes sold for an average $497 a head, with 118 rams averaging $681. Full event details on the CSBA website:

5 Scrapie in Canada As part of the Canadian sheep industry s Scrapie Eradication Strategic Plan, the prevalence of scrapie in the national sheep flock was estimated at 0.08% (or 1 in 1,300 mature sheep) and 0.26% in the national goat herd (or 1 in 383 mature goats). To put into context what the impact these levels of prevalence have on the industry, the following are some recent statistics about scrapie infected premises: Over the course of the past 6 years, 4,075 animals have been destroyed as part of scrapie investigations. An additional 6,425 animals under 12 months of age have been ordered slaughtered. At the current reimbursement rates established through the Health of Animals Act ($825/commercial, $1200/registered), destroyed animals represent a loss of between $3,361, and $4,890, These losses don t take into account the lost production incurred by farms as they follow mandatory quarantine and cleanup periods, or through the restocking period. There have been 7 new scrapie infected premises identified so far in In December, 2013, a scrapie positive goat was identified in Ontario, representing only the third such instance in the past 38 years. Unlike the other 2 scrapie positive goats identified in 1975 and 2007, the 2013 case was found in a goat that had not comingled with sheep within the past 5 years. Since December, 9 scrapie positive goats have been identified on 6 additional premises and the trace-in and trace-out investigations continue. The Canadian Sheep Federation continues to work with the Canadian Sheep Breeders Association, Canadian National Goat Federation and the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association in implementing the Scrapie Eradication Strategic Plan. The goal of the strategic plan is to eradicate scrapie from Canada in an effort to stop the economic losses it represents to the small ruminant industry. Included in this strategy is the administration of the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program (VSFCP). The VSFCP is a program that follows an internationally recognized system for mitigating the risk of scrapie on-farm, recognizing Certified producers as having achieved negligible risk for scrapie. For more information about the Scrapie Eradication Strategic Plan or the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program, visit the Scrapie Canada website at or contact the Canadian Sheep Federation at FROM THE FLOCK CANADIAN SHEEP FEDERATION - 5 -

6 Canadian Sheep Identification Program - It s the Law The Canadian Sheep Identification Program (CSIP) is a mandatory, industry-led initiative to develop a traceback system that will lead to a full-scale traceability system. CSIP program requirements can be found on the Canadian Sheep Federation website as well as the May issue of From the Flock. The Canadian Sheep Identification Program requirements became law in January 2004 with an amendment to Part XV of the Health of Animals Regulations. With this regulatory amendment, national sheep identification requirements became enforceable by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Producers, along with transporters, auction marts, feedlots, assembly yards, test stations, community pasture operators, fairground operators, deadstock operations, processors and post-mortem labs are subject to fines (Assessed Monetary Penalties or AMPs) and criminal prosecution for not meeting CSIP requirements. The severity of penalties for first time offenders depend on the degree of non-compliance and the intent of the party in question, and can range from $500-$1,300 for individuals and $1,500- $10,000 for offences committed to reap financial gain. Subsequent offences can incur fines of up to 50% more than first time offences. In the case of serious or repeat offences, the CFIA may recommend that the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) press charges and prosecute offenders. When a CSIP approved tag is sold to a producer, the tag numbers are linked to that producer in a central database. In the case of a disease investigation, the CFIA will access the CSIP database and trace the tag numbers of infected animals to their farm of origin. One of the clear dangers of using a tag linked to another producer or allowing another producer use your tags is that it can implicate you in a disease investigation and potentially lead to quarantines or depopulation of animals. Producers are required to follow CSIP requirements. It s not only the law, its good management. For more information about the Canadian Sheep Identification Program, visit the CSF website: or contact the CSF at Two very important CSIP program requirements include the mandatory identification of sheep and lambs leaving their farm of origin for any reason, with tags that may only be purchased from authorized distributors. Not only is the sale or sharing of tags amongst producers illegal, it can have some serious unintended consequences. The purpose of a national ID program like CSIP is to allow the traceback of sick animals in disease investigations. FROM THE FLOCK CANADIAN SHEEP FEDERATION - 6 -

7 Campaign for Wool - Coming to Canada The Campaign for Wool is a global endeavour initiated by its patron, The Prince of Wales, in order to raise awareness amongst consumers about the unique, natural and sustainable benefits offered by wool. The Campaign for Wool currently runs in 12 different countries including France, Australia, Japan and the United States. A launch event was held in Pictou, Nova Scotia on Sunday, May 19, 2014 and included local sheep, farmers, artisans, representatives of the Canadian Wool Industry and models wearing wool designs from the Campaign s newly confirmed founding retail partners Holt Renfrew, Joe Fresh and Pink Tartan. We are thrilled to be able to bring the Campaign for Wool to Canada, says Eric Bjergso, General Manager for Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers, The Campaign s Canadian delivery partner. Wool is a wonder material; a sustainable fabric that supports rural economies. We are grateful to The Prince for helping to share that story with Canadians. Campaign activities are centered on an annual Wool Week, a weeklong festival of events and workshops celebrating wool in all its guises. Canada s first Wool Week will debut this fall in Toronto in partnership with our founding retail partners. Specific events and timings will be announced at a later date. Encouraging collaboration between an international community of woolgrowers, major fashion designers, retailers, manufacturers, artisans and interior designers, the Campaign has been instrumental in educating consumers about the versatility of wool, and reconnecting them with its myriad uses From luxurious fine merino knitwear to fire-retardant insulation for the home.since its launch in 2010, The Campaign for Wool has influenced a new demand for wool on an international scale, and its efforts have seen an outstanding threefold increase in the price farmers receive for their wool. For more information, please visit FROM THE FLOCK CANADIAN SHEEP FEDERATION - 7 -

8 Campaign for Wool FROM THE FLOCK CANADIAN SHEEP FEDERATION - 8 -

9 Spotlight on Alberta Mission - Alberta Lamb Producers is a dynamic partner in building a sustainable, thriving industry for sheep producers. Collaboration isn t an activity, it s an attitude - Alberta continues to benefit from collaboration between Alberta Lamb Producers and Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development with support from the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency. This alliance has enabled us to complete many projects for the benefit of the industry eg. Alberta Lamb Traceability Pilot, Precision Flock Management, Resources & Tools, SheepBytes ration balancer ( and now the SheepBytes validation project. SheepBytes is a web-based application that assists producers in building cost-effective feed rations to provide optimal nutrition at every stage of production. The Canadian sheep industry can better take advantage of the considerable market opportunity by working together to share resources, skills and input from all members. But be aware, collaboration includes LABOR! ALP is a strong supporter of the Canadian Sheep Federation - as the voice of the national industry and co-ordinator of national programs. It is a great opportunity to have the CSF AGM and Sheep Value Chain Round Table here in Airdrie/Calgary November The ALP directors are looking forward to meeting the streamlined CSF board, seeking synergies and learning together. CSF will offer a producer information session on November 19th as part of this year s Annual General Meeting, including presentations from international guest speakers. Resources and Tools is home to many free resources for all producers nationwide. We offer these materials to assist sheep producers in increasing skills, knowledge, productivity and profitability in their operations. The following Resource modules are now available: Shepherding 101, getting started; Health; Nutrition; Reproduction; Business including Flock Snapshot; Infrastructure; Managed grazing. N ewesletters are on the website and all sheep producers are welcome to sign up for N ewesline - free news service and Marketline - free market prices each week from Alberta and Ontario. Visit for farm tours, how to instruction and sheep industry videos more are planned. Coming in September 2014: Marketing and Predation with a focus on coyotes