OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 1 September 2010

August 26, 2010 OSMA Regulation Update

For Immediate Release At the October 2007 Annual General Meeting, the OSMA Board announced that we were working on changes to our regulations and that producers would be informed in advance of changes. Since that date we have continued to work hard to improve and develop our industry. The OSMA Strategic Plan that focuses on communications, education, programs and services will help producers improve their bottom lines and increase their production to meet the ever growing domestic demand. After 10 years of no license fee increases, OSMA finds itself needing to improve our bottom line. To assist with that, the Board has passed a motion to increase our license fee amount by $0.25 to $1.80, plus applicable taxes, per live animal sale, as per the authority granted to OSMA by the Farm Products Marketing Act Regulation 429. This increase will take effect December 1st, 2010. The additional revenue will allow OSMA to continue to provide essential services to producers as well as develop the industry. Over the years, due to increases in operational costs, we have had to dip into our reserve fund. This modest increase will allow us to start to replenish that fund and prepare for the future. Our future is bright as we enjoy good prices and a great market for our products. Now that we have finalized our negotiations with the Ontario Government to assume the Sheep Flock Improvement Program, OSMA will be expanding the program to include more users. Enhancements will also include more management and genetic data that producers will be able to use for flock management and animal selection. We are truly excited by the new path we have chosen and we feel that our 4,000 producers will see an increase in their net returns as they embrace OSMA’s programs and services. Provided by Markus Wand, Chairman of the Board Murray Hunt, General Manager OSMA (Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency) is a not for profit producer directed agency responsible for producer education, advocacy, sheep research, industry development and the promotion of sheep and sheep products.

Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, ON, N1K 1B1 www.ontariosheep.org Tel: 519-836-0043

The Messenger September 2010

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BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE 2009-2010 October 13 Face-to-Face BOARD MEETING –AUGUST 25 The OSMA Board met on August 25 and approved the following: 1. District Training/Development Program. OSMA

to be visited by OMAFRA (Helen Scutt and Eric Lawlor)

2. License Fee Increase (see page 1 news release) At the present time the staff and Board are developing the budget for 2010-2011. OSMA’s 25TH ANNIVERSARY This year marks The Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency's 25th Anniversary Year. We will be highlighting all four Ontario Sheep News throughout this year with articles and reminisces of the past. We will also be focusing on the event at our Annual General Meeting in October. If you have any information or memories you would like to share, please contact us at the office by email general@ontariosheep.org or calling the office at 519-836-0043 Ext. 27. OSMA STRATEGIC PLAN Copies of the Strategic Plan and Direction can be obtained by contacting Jennifer Johanson – 519-836-0043 or email - admin@ontariosheep.org

CANADIAN SHEEP INFORMATION PLATFORM Overview

The Canadian Sheep Industry is in the process of studying data systems and programs that

currently exist in Canada containing animal and flock data. The purpose for the study is to arrive at ways of linking or combining the current and any future data systems into one electronic information platform. This initiative is being lead by the Alberta Lamb Producers , CSF, OSMA, and the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board and the d'Fédération des producteurs d'agneaux et moutons du Québecagneaux et moutons du Québec

An information fact finding meeting was held in Alberta on 16 July, with a second meeting scheduled for August 2010. After collecting all information from SheepCentral, CCIA, ATI, CGIL, GenOvis/SFIP, and BIO the study leaders will be preparing a document that brings forward alternatives for all industry (producer) organizations to review and comment on. Parties interested in obtaining more details should contact the Executive Directors of the lead organizations. Summary of Information Collected to July 16, 2010

The study leaders have produced a document containing details on all data systems currently offered in Canada. A copy of this document can be obtained by contacting the Canadian Sheep Federation (Jennifer MacTavish). The CIPS Committee met in Alberta in July where presentations were viewed that covered the Alberta Lamb Traceability Pilot Project, the Shearwell Farmworks Flock Management Software, Sheep Central (an Alberta developed data platform) and CCIA (Canadian Cattle Identification Agency). The

BOARD DECISIONS / ACTIONS

GENERAL REPORTING

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study committee appreciated the open way that these groups shared and answered questions.

The first official meeting of the study committee was held on July 16. A synopsis of that meeting include: * All study committee members agree that there is the potential for major savings and advancement of the Canadian industry by working collectively.

* Ultimately the data system must cover from farm to fork, likely starting with identification, then traceability, then performance, then carcass information from processors,...followed by other steps as need and resources permit .

* The study committee sees the need and benefits for all data (except for individual confidential details) to be universally available so that the industry and producers can advance as quickly as is possible. * It is important that producer and industry needs for data be met with key factors being affordable, user friendly, viable and sustainable.

* Ultimately the national data platform will need to cover all disciplines / aspects relative to the sheep industry. In its recommendations the study committee will cover the priorities, steps and stages relative including data in a national data platform. The study committee thanks the Alberta Lamb Producers for hosting the committee July 15 and 16 in Central Alberta. Study Committee Plans

Meetings will be held on August 18 and 19 in Ontario (organized by Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency) where the remaining organizations capturing and storing data will present to the study committee. On August 19 the study committee will summarize their findings and decide on how it plans to proceed. The study committee wishes to hear from any and all organizations that services the Canadian sheep industry and are interested in providing ideas or resources.

Contacts: Murray Hunt, OSMA: mhunt@ontariosheep.org 519 836 0043 Jennifer MacTavish, CSF: jennifer@cansheep.ca 1-888-684-7739 BUSINESS RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OSMA is working with its partners in the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Coalition. At this time OASC is developing extensive facts on commodity costs of production and trade implications of a revised Agri Stability Program. HELP FOSTER NEW INTEREST IN WORKING WITH LIVESTOCK The veterinary technology degree is a two-year college program that covers topics such as animal handling, data entry and records management, nutritional management, nursing care, surgical assistance, laboratory procedures and medication administration. Most veterinary technicians (VTs) are employed in small animal veterinary clinics, pharmaceutical sales or medical research. However, some are employed in large animal or equine veterinary clinics where they may go out to farms to perform calf dehorning (with lidocaine block), vaccinating, ultrasound, bandaging, ovulation-synchronization and milk sample collection for culture, in response to directions from a veterinarian. Unfortunately colleges with veterinary technician programs have decreased their large animal teaching components over the past decade. There is inadequate exposure to farm animals or management in most programs. Without exposure to practical experience with livestock, few VTs will develop an interest in an agricultural career path. A large variety of livestock farms employ VTs as herdspeople. VTs are excellent at keeping records

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and giving extra care to young, sick or injured animals. The Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food are compiling a list of farms throughout Ontario who would accept a VT for either a paid or volunteer position. The list would be provided to veterinary technicians and technician students within the province. In most cases the VTs will have limited farm experience, so farm staff should be willing to teach production and management practices and common disease problems and treatments. Terms and length of the position would be negotiated between the owner and the student. If interested please contact Kathy Zurbrigg, OMAFRA, with your name, address, phone and/or email and commodity type. Kathy Zurbrigg (phone) 519-846-3418, (fax) 1-888-602-6911, Kathy.zurbrigg@ontario.ca UPDATE ON MAEDI VISNA Due to the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) no longer subsidizes the Maedi Visna program, testing costs have gone up. OSMA is working with the University of Guelph to find lower costs for testing. Unfortunately, testing will not go back to $2.50 per blood sample as it was in the past. Special thanks goes to Dr. Paula Menzies for her assistance in this matter. SFIP- SHEEP FLOCK IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Looking for Volunteers for Next Phase of SFIP The transfer of SFIP to OSMA is progressing very well. We are moving toward a web-based system

and in the next phase we need producers to assist us in testing by inputting info. We hope to start the testing early in September. If you are interested in participating, please contact the OSMA office at 519-824-0043 or email Sandy Sorbara at ssorbara@ontariosheep.org. SMALL RUMINANT RESEARCH PROJECTS

Starting this summer OVC (Ontario Veterinary College) and OMAFRA will be carrying out two projects:

1) Johne’s Disease – prevalence, risk and impact in small ruminant dairy industries and

2) Q-Fever – prevalence in small ruminants and farm workers.

Further details can be obtained by contacting: Jocelyn Jansen – 519-846-3414 or Jocelyn.jansen@ontario.ca RFID TAGS MANDATORY The Federal Government has committed to have National Traceability Programs in place by December 31, 2011 to allow for the tracing and tracking of products and food animals from farm to consumer. To meet these requirements for a national traceability system, CSF has voted to adopt mandatory RFID tags. Further details can be obtained by contacting: CSF at 519-824-6018 or info@cansheep.ca

PROJECTS

PROGRAMS

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Please see the March issue of Ontario Sheep News on page 32 for an update on what OSMA is doing for Producers.

OSMA 2010 PHOTO CONTEST DEADLINE: October 11, 2010 Postmarked no later than Monday October 11th, 2010 Please refer to the end of Messenger for the photo contest rules. OSMA AGM & PRODUCER EDUCATION DAY This year's Producer Education Day and AGM will be held at the Holiday Inn in Guelph on October 29th and 30th. In addition to our regular program, we will be celebrating OSMA's 25th Anniversary Year. We hope many of you decide to attend. Producer Education Day – Friday October 29th Theme “Business Management for the Sheep Producer” Friday Daytime Session (includes 2 breaks and a hot buffet lunch) is $25.00 for each participant Friday Lamb Banquet Meal (3 course meal with 2 bottles of complimentary wine) - $45.00 OSMA AGM and Economic Workshop – Saturday, October 30th Cost includes Hot Buffet Breakfast, Break, Hot Buffet Lunch, and the Workshop

Voting Delegates – No cost Non-Voting Delegates - $25.00 For more information:

- See the Ontario Sheep News September Issue

- OSMA Web Site – www.ontariosheep.org - Email: admin@ontariosheep.org - Call the office – 519-836-0043

ETHNIC HOLIDAY INFORMATION

November 17: Islamic Holiday - Eid ul-Adha - Festival of Sacrifice - Traditional lamb is a yearling although large market lambs and older sheep are also used. Age is the main concern and weight is ideally between 60-80 lbs. Animals must be blemish free. For some this means the animals are healthy, no broken horns, open wounds or lameness. For others, it should not be castrated nor have even a torn ear.

November 17: Hindu Holiday - Dasara / Navaratri - Females are not usually acceptable for this holiday. The size of the carcass varies. December 2-9: Jewish Holiday – Chanukkah – The meat preferences are lambs 30-55 lbs. live weight, milk fed and fat prepared by Kosher method of slaughter. Look for more information in the OSN March Issue And on OSMA website: www.ontariosheep.org GROWING FORWARD Program Overview The Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) workshop is the entry point to potential cost-share opportunities available through Growing Forward Business Development. Growing Forward Business Development for Farm Businesses incorporates self-assessment and goal setting with a range of cost-share advisory services and skills development opportunities to help you reach your farm business goals.

UPCOMING EVENTS

OSMA WORKING FOR YOU

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There is a two-day workshop that will help you assess your current farm management practices, identify priorities and develop action plans aimed at reaching your business goals. After completing the two-day workshop, a Workshop Leader will meet with you to review your action plans. Approved action plans can be eligible for cost-share funding for advisory services and skills training. For more information and a list of future workshops in your area visit: http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/default.htm Canadian All Breed Herding Championships October 2 - 3, 2010 Dave Harris and Kathy Warner's Tee Creek farm in Welland, Ontario. The top 40 all breed herding dogs, from across the country will be competing for the title of Top All Breed Herding Dog in Canada. Judging the event are: Shelley Fritzke - Shelley runs a small hobby farm with a flock of mixed breed hair and wool crosses in beautiful British Columbia. Shelley is a breeder of working German Shepherd dogs, a Canadian Kennel Club licensed herding judge and a member of the Fraser Valley Sheep Producers Federation. Heather Forbes - Heather and her husband, Ron run a flock of 400 mixed breed commercial sheep. Heather is a breeder of working Australian Shepherds, a Canadian Kennel Club licensed herding judge and a member of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency. For more information contact Heather Forbes at 519-285-3800 or glenerran@xplornet.com.

SHEEP & GOAT BREEDING STOCK SALE – Commercial & Registered Saturday, October 16, 2010 12 Noon at Keady Livestock Market Featuring: - Meat and Dairy Sheep (for breeding purposes)

Rams – Ewes – Lambs - Meat and Dairy Goats (for breeding purposes)

Billies – Nannies – Kids Prerequisites: - Pre consigning by Tuesday, October 14 is a must

for this catalogued sale, as we are looking for quality stock to supply our sheep and goat producers with good breeding stock.

- No culls will be accepted in this sale - Consignments accepted on a 1st come 1st served

basis - Dispersals are encouraged although small or large

consignments are welcome To consign or for more information: - Call - 519-934-2339 - Email – keadylivestock.com ROYAL WINTER FAIR November 5 - 14, 2010 Exhibition Place, Toronto 16th ANNUAL GREAT LAKES DAIRY SHEEP SYMPOSIUM November 11-13, 2010 The 16th Annual Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symposium will be held during the three full days of Nov. 11-13, 2010 at the Ramada Convention Center in downtown Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The symposium will include presentations by dairy sheep producers,

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sheep milk processors, university scientists, and industry service personnel on Nov. 11 and 12 followed by a bus tour on Saturday, Nov. 13 of a dairy sheep farm, a sheep milk farmstead cheese operation, and the Spooner Agricultural Research Station. The Spooner Station, operated by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has the only dairy sheep research farm in North America. The final program and registration information will be available on the Dairy Sheep Association of North America’s web site (www.dsana.org) by the end of July.

Eau Claire is conveniently located on Interstate 94 in northwestern Wisconsin approximately 100 miles east of Minneapolis. Shuttle service to and from the Minneapolis airport to the Ramada Convention Center can be reserved through Chippewa Valley Airport Service (1-877-811-4211, www.chippewavalleyairportservice.com) at a cost of $33 each way. Several direct flights into Eau Claire’s Chippewa Valley Regional Airport from Chicago O’Hare are available on United Airlines at reasonable costs each day, and while less convenient, it is possible to fly from Minneapolis to Eau Claire with one stop.

For additional information, contact Claire Mikolayunas (mikolayunas@wisc.edu, 608-332-2889).

OMAFRA SHEEP SEMINARS “Keeping Lambs Alive” November 16 (Atwood) Elma Memorial Community Centre 8:45 am to 4:00 pm November 18 (Napanee) Napanee Lion’s Community Hall 8:45 am to 4:00 pm Contact Information Telephone: 1-877-424-1300 By Email: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca Website: www.ontario.ca/livestock

Program Highlights

• Speakers from Scotland and USA • Do You Have a Problem? • Genetics of Survivability • Improving Lamb Vigour • Gestation Nutrition • Linking Reproduction and Lamb Health

SHEEP INFRASTRUCTURE WORKSHOPS December 1 & 2, 2010 - Dufferin-Bruce Area April 6 & 7, 2011 – Kemptville Area (TBD) Two day Course sponsored by the Large Flock Operators and OMAFRA – limited to 20 participants. This program targets people in the planning cycle for building large scale, commercial scale infrastructure as part of an expansion plan in their sheep enterprise. Workshop is intended to give ideas, show latest concepts, test out participant’s ideas and examine relative costs. Includes stops at several commercial-sized operations that are using some of the concepts covered as well as some choosing not to use the featured concepts. This will allow participants to mix and match what portions of the workshop will best suit their needs for their facilities and make informed decisions on expansion.

**This training opportunity is eligible for cost-share funding through the Growing Forward Business Development for Farm Businesses program.** For more information and to register: Toll free: 877-424-1300 Local: 519-826-4047 Email: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca or www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/sheep/20081211.htm

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District 1: October 7 – District 1 Meeting Change of venue – will be at the Rutherford Fire Hall For more information please call: Marlene Raymond - (519) 683-6635 *********** Meetings are usually held the first Thursday of every month at Coldstream Community Centre, just north west of London, Ontario at 8:00 PM. For further details or a full list of upcoming events please see our website OSMA_district_1.tripod.com Or phone Marlene Raymond at 519-683-6635 District 2: Provincial Director: On Sept 16 elections were held and Dennis Fischer was re-elected as your Provincial Director District 3: Regular Meetings: Third Thursday of each month in Rostock at the Perth Agricultural Building District 5: Provincial Director: On August 25 elections were held and Andrew Gordanier was re-elected as your Provincial Director

District 7: Oct. 18 & 20th – Hoof-to-Hook Lindsay Livestock Exchange @ 7 pm Evening 1: Rebecca Parker will weigh and ultrasound Neil Woodrow (auctioneer at Ont. Stockyards and lamb buyer) will give his critique. Len Thurston (Len & Patties Butcher Block) will evaluate. Evening 2: Len Thurston will give his Hook critique Bill McCutcheon (Ont. Lamb Marketing) will grade them. For more information contact: Marc Carere : carere@I-zoom.net Victoria County Sheep Producers. Evening meetings start at 7:30 at the Lindsay Sales Barn Membership is $20 per farm per year. Contact: Rebecca Parker Phone: 705-277-1711 Email: middlekingdom@sympatico.ca District 8: Provincial Director: On September 20th elections were held and Chris Kennedy was re-elected as your Provincial Director District 10: For more information on activities in District 10, please contact Colleen Acres, District 10 Prov. Director at 613-826-2330. District 11: Provincial Director: On September 9 elections were held and Mark Lenover was re-elected as your Provincial Director

DISTRICT EVENTS

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Anyone with questions or ideas for OSMA to consider are encouraged to send an email to admin@ontariosheep.org. Staff will acknowledge receipt and attempt, in a timely fashion, to provide an answer or comment. DIRECTOR CONTACTS FOR OSMA STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS Advocacy Chris Kennedy & Markus Wand

Education Judy Dening & Fraser Hodgson

Research/ Colleen Acres, Chris Kyle, & Development Mark Lenover

Organization Allan Burn & Neil Mesman

Promotion Dennis Fischer & Andrew Gordanier

Predation Chris Kennedy, Markus Wand, Judy Dening, Allan Burn

DISTRICT COMMITTEE’S To see a complete list of your district committee’s please visit OSMA website: www.ontariosheep.org

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION It is important for Ontario Sheep to have current contact information for all sheep producers in order to keep you up to date on current events.

• Do you have a new email address • Have you moved

Please contact us by calling 519-836-0043 or emailing: admin@ontariosheep.org

The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances. -Martha Washington

If you have ideas for OSMA to consider for initiatives to create value for sheep farmers please send them to: Ruth Gilmour 519-836-0043 ext. 27 or general@ontariosheep.org

Ontario Sheep 519-836-0043 admin@ontariosheep.org Invitation – Producers, industry partners and anyone or organization interested in serving the Ontario Sheep Industry are encouraged to contact either OSMA Directors or the office with ideas, comments, questions or suggestions that may be beneficial to Ontario Sheep as it carries out its mandates.

OSMA REACHING OUT

THOUGHTS FROM STAFF

OTHER

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INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COMMITTEES 2009/2010

Standing Committees

Governance Committee: Andrew Gordanier *, Chris Kyle, Judy Dening, Murray Hunt

Audit Committee: Fraser Hodgson *, Colleen Acres, Neil Mesman, Members at Large – Jason Emke, Jennifer Peel

Research Committee: Chris Kennedy *, Mark Lenover, Fraser Hodgson, Colleen Acres

By-Law and Regulations (Ad Hoc): Allan Burn *, Neil Mesman, Chris Kyle, Murray Hunt ___________________________________________________________________________________

External Representatives 2009 – 2011

President Council: Markus Wand

CFFO: Dennis Fischer

OLPC: Murray Hunt

OFPMC Sheep Advisory Committee: Will be determined at a future date

Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF): Andrew Gordanier *, Mark Lenover, Dennis Fischer

Ontario Agricultural Commodity Council (OACC): Andrew Gordanier, Murray Hunt

Farm Innovation Program: Murray Hunt

Predation Leaders : Chris Kennedy (OFA), Dick Kuiperij (CFFO)

Toronto Stock Yard & Land Development Board: Allan Burn

Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (Sheep Committee): – Chris Kyle, Lene Band (elected 2009 - 2011)

Environmental Representative: Chris Kennedy

National On-Farm Food Safety Working Group: Murray Hunt

Provincial On-Farm Food Safety: Murray Hunt

Sheep Flock Improvement Program Advisory (SFIP) Committee: Bob Comfort, Bill Duffield, Wayne Oosterhoff and (elected 2009 – 2011) John Steele, Rebecca Parker, Scott Prudom

Ontario Federation of Agriculture : Chris Kennedy, alternate Judy Dening

HomeGrown Ontario Steering Committee: Murray Hunt

OSMA 4H Ontario Scholarship Committee: To be determined

Agricultural Adaptation Committee, Red Meat Seat: (shared with Ont. Veal on a 2 year rotation): Judy Dirksen from OVA for the term Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2010. * Lead Director

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ONTARIO SHEEP MARKETING AGENCY

2010 PHOTO CONTEST

The Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency photo contest is open to all who wish to enter, which means that you don’t have to be involved in the sheep, lamb or wool industries to participate. The only rule is that your photograph must include sheep or lamb(s). Entries must be postmarked no later than Monday October 11th, 2010. Photographs

will be judged on clarity, content, composition and appeal. Winners will be announced in the December Sheep News. We are looking forward to seeing your photos that highlight our industry! Three Grand Prizes will be awarded as follows: 1st Grand Prize of $100.00 to the best photo overall 2nd Grand Prize of $75.00 to the 2nd best photo overall 3rd Grand Prize of $50.00 to the 3rd best photo overall Contest Rules:

• Photographs will not be returned and all entries become property of OSMA to be used or reproduced at the discretion of OSMA. (Whenever possible, credit will be given to photographer if used).

• All entries must be 5” x 7” or 8” x 10” colour or black and white prints • Entries must be submitted in the name of the person who took the photograph. • Only two entries per person will be permitted. • Entries should not be mounted on cardboard or cardstock. • Only photographs that have been taken within the past five years may be entered. • Entries must be submitted by mail—email not accepted. • It is recommended that photographs be submitted on photographic paper if printed on a home printer. This

improves your chances of winning as regular bond paper producers a poorer quality photo.

Submissions: Include the following information with your submission. (Please do not write directly on the back of the photograph.)

• Title of photo • Photographer’s name • Mailing address • E-mail address • Phone Number • Approximate location / date of the photo

Entries are to be Mailed to: 2010 Ontario Sheep News Photo Contest Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency 130 Malcolm Road Guelph, ON N1K 1B1 Any questions, call Ruth Gilmour at the OSMA office, 519-836-0043 or email general@ontariosheep.org