The next meeting of the OSMA District 8 will be held at the school staff room in Napanee on Monday, November 23rd at 7p.m. Free refreshments.
Contact me for details
Friday, November 20, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Carl Sagan's birthday
This has nothing much to do with sheep, except like us, they are part of the universe.
To commemorate Carl Sagan's birthday which is November 9th, there is a great song!
To commemorate Carl Sagan's birthday which is November 9th, there is a great song!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Terry Spicer on sheep shearing
Terry Spicer is giving a talk for District 8 about how to prepare for your sheep shearer's visit. This will be held at the school in Napanee on Monday, October 19th a 7 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend - you don't have to live in District 8 - just own sheep or be thinking about getting into the sheep farming business.
We have been selling young Katahdin rams for breeding stock and still have some left for sale. We also have a few adult Katahidn ewes and some ewe lambs for sale.
Sorry, we are sold out of guard llamas for this year.
Thank you Mr K.S. from Harrowsmith for the purchase of ths nice white ram.
Friday, September 11, 2009
District 8 sheep meeting
District 8 of Ontario Sheep meeting was held at the school just north of the hospital in Napanee last Tuesday. It was the AGM and the executive has stayed the same as last year. The guest speaker was Murray Hunt who is the new chairman of OSMA.
There was some discussion as to whether Ontario lamb should be classified as "Special" or whether it should take it's place next to cheap chicken by increasing production. It is obviously better to keep it as a luxury food.
There was further discussion on the added potential costs of the new RIF tags. The abattoirs as going to have to increase their charges to cover their costs in addition to our costs of the actual tags and the scanner/readers.
The next Distrist 8 meeting will be at the same location at the Charles school on Monday October 19th at 7p.m. Contact me if you need directions
Just for fun here are pictures of our new baby llamas -both females.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Expensive sheep
A sheep sells for price of a small house
As the most expensive sheep in the world, there is one thing Deveronvale Perfection can be sure of – at £231,000, he will never be made into lamb chops.
By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent
Published: 3:22PM BST 28 Aug 2009
John Yates, Chief Executive of the Texel Sheep Society, said the industry was shocked by the high price Photo: Tim Scrivener
The Texel shocked the agriculture world after selling for the astronomical sum at a livestock auction in Scotland.
The sale broke the last UK record of around £134,000 for a Texel tup - or ram - in 2002 and even the world record for a sheep in Australia in the 1980s.
But the lamb could make its new owner a good return, and go on to be worth millions after selling his progeny around the world.
The sheep was sold by Graham Morrison for 220,000 guineas - or £231,000 - at the Scottish National Texel Sale at Lanark Market on Thursday.
The February-born tup lamb, bred by embryo transfer, is the offspring of one of the breed’s leading tups, Kelso Oxygen, and a champion ewe, Knock Magnum.
It was bought by breeder Jimmy Douglas of Cairness, Aberdeenshire who as not available for comment on Friday.
John Yates, Chief Executive of the Texel Sheep Society, said the industry was shocked by the high price.
However he said the buyer would earn more over the long run by breeding, after selling the semen around the world.
Tophill Joe, the country's previously most expensive ram at £128,000, is thought to have earned his owners more than £1 million in five years.
"Most people would see it as a ridiculous price for a sheep but, for a sheep breeder, it is an investment," he said.
Mr Yates explained that Deveronvale Perfection not only has the right parentage but "looks good". Most importantly, the width of his loin, the muscle that runs up the back of the sheep and makes lamb chops, is a good size.
Texels are currently the most popular sheep for breeding in the UK because of the quality of the meat, which is another reason for the high price.
"Genetic and livestock breeding is all about uniqueness so if there is an animal with the right looks and the right pedigree you can be sure of a good return," he added.
The embryo transfer technique which produced Deveronvale Perfection saw multiple embryos from the best ewe extracted, and then artificially inseminated and transplanted into another ewe. This ensures the only the best bloodlines are bred from.
Jonathan Long, Livestock Editor at Farmers Weekly, said breeding is becoming more selective and prices could become even more expensive in the future.
"I know it seems like a lot to pay for a sheep and in some ways it is, but we are talking about the top end of pedigree breeding and the potential to make millions."
As the most expensive sheep in the world, there is one thing Deveronvale Perfection can be sure of – at £231,000, he will never be made into lamb chops.
By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent
Published: 3:22PM BST 28 Aug 2009
John Yates, Chief Executive of the Texel Sheep Society, said the industry was shocked by the high price Photo: Tim Scrivener
The Texel shocked the agriculture world after selling for the astronomical sum at a livestock auction in Scotland.
The sale broke the last UK record of around £134,000 for a Texel tup - or ram - in 2002 and even the world record for a sheep in Australia in the 1980s.
But the lamb could make its new owner a good return, and go on to be worth millions after selling his progeny around the world.
The sheep was sold by Graham Morrison for 220,000 guineas - or £231,000 - at the Scottish National Texel Sale at Lanark Market on Thursday.
The February-born tup lamb, bred by embryo transfer, is the offspring of one of the breed’s leading tups, Kelso Oxygen, and a champion ewe, Knock Magnum.
It was bought by breeder Jimmy Douglas of Cairness, Aberdeenshire who as not available for comment on Friday.
John Yates, Chief Executive of the Texel Sheep Society, said the industry was shocked by the high price.
However he said the buyer would earn more over the long run by breeding, after selling the semen around the world.
Tophill Joe, the country's previously most expensive ram at £128,000, is thought to have earned his owners more than £1 million in five years.
"Most people would see it as a ridiculous price for a sheep but, for a sheep breeder, it is an investment," he said.
Mr Yates explained that Deveronvale Perfection not only has the right parentage but "looks good". Most importantly, the width of his loin, the muscle that runs up the back of the sheep and makes lamb chops, is a good size.
Texels are currently the most popular sheep for breeding in the UK because of the quality of the meat, which is another reason for the high price.
"Genetic and livestock breeding is all about uniqueness so if there is an animal with the right looks and the right pedigree you can be sure of a good return," he added.
The embryo transfer technique which produced Deveronvale Perfection saw multiple embryos from the best ewe extracted, and then artificially inseminated and transplanted into another ewe. This ensures the only the best bloodlines are bred from.
Jonathan Long, Livestock Editor at Farmers Weekly, said breeding is becoming more selective and prices could become even more expensive in the future.
"I know it seems like a lot to pay for a sheep and in some ways it is, but we are talking about the top end of pedigree breeding and the potential to make millions."
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Hastings Plowing Match 2009
And I had always thought "plowing" was spelled "ploughing"!
I will be at the Hastings Plowing Match as usual with some of my Katahdin sheep. I plan on taking my very friendly ram, as he is great with kids, and a couple of ewe lambs.
We need to sell some meat as we are running out of freezer space.
I may need some help, so any volunteers would be appreciated.
My wife will be busy manning a table near the centre stage for Harvest Hastings where she will have bags of llama fire, some of her felted fibre art and some llama and alpaca knitting wool.
The Ploughing match is at the corner of Bronk Rd and Harmony Rd about 8 km north of the 401 on HWY 37 and 2km East. It is on Wed and Thursday next week- 19th and 20th August. See you there!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Meeting with Leona Dombrowsky
Last Monday, a few of the Hastings County sheep producers were invited to Leona Dombrosky's office in Belleville for a meeting. She informed them of some changes in agricultural policy that might be beneficial to sheep farmers, and in return we were allowed to ask a few questions.
One of the main concerns was large losses of livestock due to predators (coyotes, wolves) in the last few years. This was especially bad in Prince Edward County. It was suggested that a $200 grant be made available to farmers towards the purchase of guardian animals such as certain breeds of dogs, donkeys and llamas.
Questions were also raised about the effects of the combined GST/PST tax on farmers incomes.
McGuinty Government Rewards 14 Recipients For Their Innovations
NEWS June 5, 2009
Innovative ideas grown by Ontario farmers were celebrated today at a ceremony in Tweed honouring local winners of the province’s regional awards for innovation excellence. These fresh ideas are contributing to the local economy, boosting the agri-food industry and giving consumers more choice.
The Premier’s Agri-Food Innovation Excellence awards are part of a $2.5-million, five-year program (now in its third year) established to recognize innovators who contribute to the success of Ontario’s agri-food sector.
Local events across the province are recognizing 55 regional award winners, who are receiving $5,000 each for their innovations. Area winners presented with their awards today are:
Durham Farm Fresh Marketing Association (Hampton, Durham Region)
CIPM Inc. (Madoc, Hastings County)
Ontario Water Buffalo Company (Stirling, Hastings County)
Quinte Organic Farmers Cooperative Inc. (Hastings and Northumberland Counties)
Kawartha Ecological Growers (Woodville, Kawartha Lakes County)
Windblest Farm (Lanark, Lanark County)
Wendy’s Mobile Market (Lyndhurst, Leeds & Grenville County)
Paul Goddard (Brighton, Northumberland County)
Ontario Lamb Improvement Breeding Strategy Replicating Breeder’s Association (Norwood, Peterborough County)
County Roots - Food Focus Program, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute (Picton, Prince Edward County)
The County Cider Company (Picton, Prince Edward County)
Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company (Picton, Prince Edward County)
Vicki’s Veggies (Milford, Prince Edward County)
Ottawa Valley Food Co-operative (Cobden, Renfrew County)
Winners of the $100,000 Premier’s Award and the $50,000 Minister’s Award were presented in April at the Premier’s Summit on Agri-Food.
QUOTES
“Ontario’s agri-food sector continues to lead through innovation. With these awards, we are recognizing and rewarding the creative ideas growing on farms and rural communities across this province. Together, we are building opportunities that will make our agri-food industry and economy stronger.”
- Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
QUICK FACTS
In its first three years, the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence has attracted more than 550 applications highlighting on-farm innovations.
Ontario’s agri-food sector is one of the province’s leading industries, contributing more than $33 billion to the economy every year.
One of the main concerns was large losses of livestock due to predators (coyotes, wolves) in the last few years. This was especially bad in Prince Edward County. It was suggested that a $200 grant be made available to farmers towards the purchase of guardian animals such as certain breeds of dogs, donkeys and llamas.
Questions were also raised about the effects of the combined GST/PST tax on farmers incomes.
McGuinty Government Rewards 14 Recipients For Their Innovations
NEWS June 5, 2009
Innovative ideas grown by Ontario farmers were celebrated today at a ceremony in Tweed honouring local winners of the province’s regional awards for innovation excellence. These fresh ideas are contributing to the local economy, boosting the agri-food industry and giving consumers more choice.
The Premier’s Agri-Food Innovation Excellence awards are part of a $2.5-million, five-year program (now in its third year) established to recognize innovators who contribute to the success of Ontario’s agri-food sector.
Local events across the province are recognizing 55 regional award winners, who are receiving $5,000 each for their innovations. Area winners presented with their awards today are:
Durham Farm Fresh Marketing Association (Hampton, Durham Region)
CIPM Inc. (Madoc, Hastings County)
Ontario Water Buffalo Company (Stirling, Hastings County)
Quinte Organic Farmers Cooperative Inc. (Hastings and Northumberland Counties)
Kawartha Ecological Growers (Woodville, Kawartha Lakes County)
Windblest Farm (Lanark, Lanark County)
Wendy’s Mobile Market (Lyndhurst, Leeds & Grenville County)
Paul Goddard (Brighton, Northumberland County)
Ontario Lamb Improvement Breeding Strategy Replicating Breeder’s Association (Norwood, Peterborough County)
County Roots - Food Focus Program, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute (Picton, Prince Edward County)
The County Cider Company (Picton, Prince Edward County)
Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company (Picton, Prince Edward County)
Vicki’s Veggies (Milford, Prince Edward County)
Ottawa Valley Food Co-operative (Cobden, Renfrew County)
Winners of the $100,000 Premier’s Award and the $50,000 Minister’s Award were presented in April at the Premier’s Summit on Agri-Food.
QUOTES
“Ontario’s agri-food sector continues to lead through innovation. With these awards, we are recognizing and rewarding the creative ideas growing on farms and rural communities across this province. Together, we are building opportunities that will make our agri-food industry and economy stronger.”
- Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
QUICK FACTS
In its first three years, the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence has attracted more than 550 applications highlighting on-farm innovations.
Ontario’s agri-food sector is one of the province’s leading industries, contributing more than $33 billion to the economy every year.
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