BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE 2009-2010 February 3 Face to Face March 10 Conference Call April 14 Face to Face May 19 Conference Call June 23 Face to Face July 21 Conference Call August 24, 25 District 4 (alternate District 5) October 13 Face to Face BUSINESS RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OSMA is a participating member of the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Coalition. This coalition is preparing details for the Minister of Agriculture and Food to take to a February meeting of other Canadian agriculture and food Ministers. It is very encouraging to see that all sectors (Oils & Grains, Horticulture and Livestock) are working together. Details on the industry recommendations to Minister Mitchell will be available at a later date. SHEEP ARRIVING AT AUCTION WITHOUT TAGS CFIA is enforcing the regulations requiring that all sheep arriving at auction must have an approved tag. At least one auction has been issued a fine for taking into their pens sheep without tags. CSF is addressing this matter. Producers and transporters can also be fined. Sheep producers are strongly encouraged to insure that all animals leaving their premises are properly tagged. Fines are $500 per occurrence.

AUDIT COMMITTEE Effective this year OSMA will replace the Finance Committee with an Audit Committee. It is very encouraging to see that many producers offered their names to serve on this committee. Committee reports will be to the Board on a quarterly basis. SHEEP INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE This across industry stakeholders committee will meet on March 2 in Guelph. The committee is chaired by a person named by the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission and the purpose for the committee is so that all stakeholders have an opportunity to bring forward ideas and concerns they feel the OSMA Board needs to address. The Board determines if OSMA should take actions based on the input.

BENCHMARKING

Benchmarking Informational Meeting Information:

Participants and potential participants will be meeting on January 27th in Guelph with Economic Professor Dan Nudell, to discuss Critical Control Points of Sheep Production, and how we will be evaluating what Ontario Sheep Producers can do to meet their business goals with the Benchmarking Project. Along with the presentations and discussion, there will also be free AgExpert software available at the meeting for producers with 300+ ewes who sign on to participate.

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

GENERAL REPORTING

PROJECTS

The Messenger January 2010

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 2 January 2010 We are also offering a phone conferencing option for those producers who are not able to attend in person, but are interested in getting more information. For details on how to participate, please contact Shannon Meadows at 519-836-0043 ext. 29 or at shannon@ontariosheep.org New Producers still welcome to join program RESEARCH UPDATE In the fall of 2009, OSMA updated our “Needs and Priorities”, and sent out a call for proposals to researchers. I’m pleased to say that we have received a good response, and are now in the process of deciding which projects will move on to the next phase of submitting a full project outline. All of the projects are currently being evaluated, not only on academic merit, but also on their practical relevance, and their ability to help farm producers solve problems they’re facing on-farm.

OSMA AGM October 29th and 30th, 2010 Location – To Be Announced ETHNIC HOLIDAY INFORMATION Feb 26 : Islamic Holiday - Halal slaughtering

Mar 30 – Apr 6: Jewish Holiday - Lambs 30-55 lbs live weight, milk fed and fat are wanted. Kosher is preferred

April 4: Eastern Orthodox Easter – Traditional market is for suckling kids in the 25-50 lbs. (Live)

April 4: Western Roman Easter – Traditional Italian Market is for a suckling kid weighing 18-35 lbs. (Live)

August 11: Islamic Holiday – Start of Ramadan – Weaned market lambs 60-80 lbs. are preferred. Look for more information in the OSN March Issue

CANADIAN CLASSIC May 21 - 23rd, 2010 All Canada Classic / Classique Canadienne - Richmond (Québec) Join us for the largest annual event of the Canadian sheep industry

May 21 - Fleece Competition – Contact CCWG for details – 613-257-2714 May 22 - Sheep Show Banquet May 23 – Sheep Sale

Contact Information:

Daniel Dion - Tél: 418-856-1200; Fax: 418-856-6247 Email: semrpq@cepoq.com

David Mastine - Tél: 819-848-2538; Fax: 819-848-2538 Email: fermemaplestar@b2b2c.ca

www.sheepbreeders.ca www.agneauduquebec.com/semrp

LAMBS DOWN PARK FESTIVAL 2010-01-22 June 12th, 2010 Lambs Down Park Festival 2010 Rural themed festival with petting zoo, sheep shearing, sheep dog demo's, food venders etc Contact Information: CCWG Head Office - Carleton Place, ON Call 613-257-2714 ccwghq@wool.ca Cathie McOrmond - CP BIA 613-257-8049 cmcormond@carletonplace.ca ONTRACE TRACEABILITY WORKSHOPS FOR PRODUCERS

- Make traceability work for you - Capture needed information easily - Implement your own traceability system

Cost per workshop is $25

UPCOMING EVENTS

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 3 January 2010 Workshop #2 – Gathering the Data (Full Day)

- Feb 4 – New Liskeard - Feb 10 – Kemptville - Feb 18 – Guelph - Feb 23 – Leamington

Workshop #3 – Implementing Traceability (Half Day)

- March 3 – New Liskeard - March 10 – Leamington - March 24 – Guelph - March 30 – Kemptville

To register and for further information: Call: 888-388-7223 Visit: www.ontraceagrifood.com SHEEP INFRASTRUCTURE WORKSHOPS April 28 & 29, 2010 – Grand Valley September 1 & 2, 2010 – Grand Valley Two day Course sponsored by the Large Flock Operators and OMAFRA – limited to 20 participants. NOTE: This program targets people in the planning cycle for an expansion plan in their sheep enterprise to large scale, commercial scale infrastructure. Workshop is intended to give ideas, show latest concepts, test out participant’s ideas and examine relative costs. For more information and to register: Call: 877-424-1300 or visit www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/sheep/20081211.htm CANADIAN FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COUNCIL Agriwebinar – Informative, Insightful, Inspiring Each Monday at Noon An innovative way to present information on topics of interest to listeners. A chance to participate on line and interact with leading thinkers, innovators, producers and educators from Canada and the US.

Upcoming Topics February 22 Adding New Value Powers Up Your Farm – Gary Morton (Morton Horticultural Assoc., NS) This Agri-Webinar explores agricultural value adding and looks at a number of successful Agravators™ (Agra -Innovators) who are using the value adding concept to Power Up Their Farms for new profits and new opportunities for them and the next generation. For More Information Call: 888-232-3262 Email: agriwebinar@cfbmc.com Visit: www.agriwebinar.com OTTAWA VALLEY FARM SHOW March 16, 17, 18, 2010 - Farm Show Dates At Lansdowne Park, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada All breeds invited to exhibit at a cost of $75 For more information: Call: 613-283-5971 Visit: www.ottawafarmshow.com

District 3: Regular Meetings: Third Thursday of each month in Rostock District 4: March 16/10: 7:30 pm - at Kohler Agricultural Bldg. Introduction to SFIP with OMAFRA sheep specialist Delma Kennedy along with local producer Wayne Oosterhof May 18/10: Ultrasounding your ewes for efficient flock management. Details to be announced

DISTRICT EVENTS

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 4 January 2010

District 5: February 24/10: 8 to 10 pm at OMAFRA Elora Resource Centre, 6484 Wellington Road 7, Unit 10 Guest Speaker, OSMA General Manager, Murray Hunt

March 31/10: 8 to 10 pm at Holmes Agro Board Room, County Road 11, Dufferin

April 28/10: 8 to 10 pm at OMAFRA Elora Resource Centre, 6484 Wellington Rd. 7, Unit 10

May 26/10: 8 to 10 pm at Holmes Agro Board Room, County Rd. 11, Dufferin

August 15/10: 6:30 to 9:30 pm BBQ Social & AGM, Thatcher Farms, 5727 5 th Line, Eramos District 8: February 22/10: 7 pm Social & 7:30 Business – at Westdale Park Public School in Napanee Guest: Richard Barrett speaking on Fencing and Shelters

March 22/10 – 7 pm Social & 7:30 Business – at Westdale Park Public School in Napanee Topic: Potpourri of Ideas – good or bad!

April 17/10: Sheep Clinic For Beginners (or those wishing to refresh) at 2194 Rapids Rd. near Tweed Chili – Lunch and coffee served. Call Linda at 613-477-1393 if interested – Spaces limited June 12/10 – Pasture Walk at 570 Front Rd. on Amherst Island (home of Mark Ritchie) with Jack Kyle – Pasture Specialist with OMAFRA. Ferry leaving mainland at 9:30 am, Begin walk at 10 am. Bring lunch. District 10: February 20/10: Sheep Day “Marketing More Lambs by Weaning More Lambs” at Drummond Building in Spencerville ON – Registration 8:30 am - $25 includes hot lunch. For more information contact 613-989-2792

March 31/10: “Maximizing Profits – When and Where to Sell” Producer discussion. 7:30 pm at Kemptville College, Leahurst House.

April 28/10: “Determining Your Cost of Production” Jim Fisher, KCAT. 7:30 pm at Kemptville College

GREY-BRUCE SHEEP DAY Grey Bruce Farmers' Week & Trade Show 2010 - Sheep Day, January 9th Sheep Day was once again successful. The speakers for this event were as follows: Sean McKenzie from the Canadian Sheep Federation spoke about traceability. Murray Hunt from OSMA spoke about Sheep Farming as we move toward 2015. Dr. Rex Crawford, DVM spoke about Managing Babies: The Key to Success in Breeding Sheep. CFIA representatives spoke about the Scrapie Program. More information on that will be found in the March Sheep News. Dr. Danica Baines, spoke about Probiotics and Prebiotics. A producer panel made up of Gerald te Velde from Twin Creeks Farm, Sean McGivern from Grass Roots Organics, Axel Meister from WoolDrift Farm and Les Richards from Bow Bells Woolworks gave personal accounts regarding their direct marketing techniques and the local food movement. Included in this great day was a fantastic lamb and beef lunch and a huge exhibitor gallery. Congratulations to the organizers of this event. This was the 44th year for Grey Bruce Farmer's Week

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.

PAST EVENTS

OSMA REACHING OUT

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 5 January 2010

WINTER SCENES PHOTO CONTEST

April 1, 2010

POSTMARK DEADLINE

Get your camera entries for the 2010 photo contest into the OSMA office. There are three grand prices to be won. Look for more details in the December Sheep News and on the OSMA website homepage www.ontariosheep.org

DIRECTOR CONTACTS FOR STRATEGIC PLAN 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

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION When was the last time you updated your contact information with Ontario Sheep? 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. There are some producers registered with OS without even a phone number. Please let us know when you move or change your contact information. It is important for us to have your complete address including lot/conc. and/or fire number and street name; Phone number, and your email address. Please contact us by calling 519-836-0043 or emailing: admin@ontariosheep.org DISTRICT COMMITTEE’S To see a complete list of your district committee’s please visit OSMA website: www.ontariosheep.org

Positive results are a result of positive people

working for the benefit of all.

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.

INTERESTING OTHERS

THOUGHTS FROM STAFF

OTHER

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 6 January 2010

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, Director at Large Research Committee: Chris Kennedy *, Mark Lenover, Fraser Hodgson, Colleen Acres By-Law and Regulations: 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: 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

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 7 January 2010 Box 463, Markdale, Ontario, N0C 1H0

1-877-892-8663 or (519) 986-1484, Fax: (519) 986-2643 Website: www.ontarioforagecouncil.com Email: ray@ontarioforagecouncil.com

Press Release: January 4, 2010

Intensive Grazing School By

Steve Kenyon Greener Pastures Grazing Management Ltd.

Busby, Alberta

Sponsored by Ontario Forage Council (OFC) February 16th & 17th at Douro, Ontario

February 18th & 19th at Markdale, Ontario

This Intensive Grazing School by Steve Kenyon will focus on a number of areas, including economics, finances, human resources and cell design. Steve has a major focus on grazing principles to develop more sustainable pastures to maximize greater profitability on a per acre basis. Steve has a proven track record of delivering an amazing program and has a technique of passing on the knowledge he has demonstrated on his own ranch. Steve does a great job of localizing the information and techniques to encompass the local situation here in Ontario. This course has been approved for Cost/Share Funding through the Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) Program. Contact your local GYFP Program Rep or the Ontario Forage Council (OFC) for details. This Intensive Grazing Course will certainly provide a practical take-home message that can make a difference. “Weaning a couple of extra calves off the pasture this year will more than compensate for the investment in this course”. Registration will be limited, so please enroll early to avoid disappointment. To register or obtain more information, contact the OFC Office. 1-877-892-8663 or 519-986-1484

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 8 January 2010

District 10 Sheep Day Saturday February 20, 2010 “Marketing More lambs by

Weaning More Lambs”

Morning Session: • Reasons and Prevention Strategies for Lamb Mortalities– Anita O’Brien • Examining Nutrition: The Requirements for each Stage of Production –

Christoph Wand, OMAFRA

• Is Disease Costing You ?

• Biosecurity Programs for Small Ruminants – Keith Campbell, Cdn Food Inspection Agency

• Reducing losses during transition stage from weaning to full feed

Afternoon Session: • Replacement Ewes : Selecting your own or Buying Ewe Lambs? – Producer

Panel • How to Make Farm Records Work for You – Tracy Hagedorn, Alberta

Agriculture • More Lambs to Market – Jennifer MacTavish, Canadian Sheep Federation

Drummond Hall Spencerville Fair Grounds

Registration 8:30 am $25 includes hot lunch

For More Information call: 613-989-2792