Reading Time: 8 minutes Ten years. It breaks down into 3,652 days, or over 87,000 hours. In that way, 10 years can seem like a lot of time. Yet in others, such as when managing a busy farm, it can pass in the blink of an eye. And that decade is certainly filled with vast knowledge acquisition, unexpected surprises […] Read more
Ten years on the farm
Canadian producers share the biggest lessons after a decade of farming
Balancing the ups and downs of raising sheep
The ups and downs of raising sheep can be balanced by a supportive network and shared knowledge
Reading Time: 7 minutes Carla and Tyrone Borsa had already put a lot of research into their Rosthern, Sask., sheep operation even before the first set of cloven hooves hit the pasture in 2022. Almost three years later, that focus on quality sheep production has netted twenty-five mature Dorset ewes and two Canadian Arcott rams. And although the Borsas […] Read more
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2024: TMR’s can save significant time and money
Reading Time: 2 minutes TMR mixer demo at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show 2024 shows sheep producers how significant labour and cost savings can result from using this equipment.
Summer Series: What are they thinking?
[Change Management] Like the Munn-Venns, those new small-acreage farmers down your road may have a surprisingly sophisticated approach to decision-making
Reading Time: 11 minutes This isn’t a typical Country Guide scenario. Three years ago, Karri and Trefor Munn-Venn saw a 25-acre vineyard in Quebec’s picturesque Outaouais region and they bought it lock, stock and barrel — despite having zero farming experience. For established farmers, it could look as if the Munn-Venns had turned their backs on sensible decision-making the […] Read more
Alberta lifts feeder loan guarantee limit
Amendment boosts individual limit by 50 per cent
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta has boosted the limit on the size of loan available under its Feeder Associations Loan Guarantee program, aiming to help producers keep up against rising livestock prices. An order in council amending the provincial Feeder Associations Guarantee Regulation was approved Monday, raising that program’s individual and joint-membership loan limit to $3 million, from $2 […] Read more
Ontario extends deadline to lock in RMP coverage
Final date to secure coverage moved to June 30
Reading Time: < 1 minute Grain and oilseed growers and cattle, hog, sheep and veal producers in Ontario now get until June 30 this year to secure coverage under that province’s Risk Management Program (RMP). The province on May 29 announced the deadlines for grain and oilseed producers to submit their completed RMP applications and make any coverage changes — […] Read more
Préval closes deal for Alberta lamb processor, feedlot
Quebec firm picks up defunct NALCO's Alberta assets
Reading Time: 2 minutes Quebec agrifood firm Préval Ag has wrapped up its deal to buy the Alberta processing and production assets of the defunct North American Lamb Co., marking Préval’s first move into the lamb sector outside its home province. As per Alberta Farmer’s report last week, Préval confirmed Monday its divisions Westfine Meats and West Excelamb are […] Read more
Canadian wool fibre could find future on floors
Canada’s wool is of decent quality but the product needs to find a market focus like Germany has in carpets, industry proponents say
Reading Time: 4 minutes Canada is sitting on a golden fleece of opportunity to lead North America in wool transformation if it can get the infrastructure in place. Jane Underhill, Canada’s International Wool Trade Organization (IWTO) deputy head of delegation, said wool produced in Canada is on par with that of Germany, one of the world’s top producers of […] Read more
New OSF funding program could help shepherds expand flocks
Scotiabank YMF livestock funding program provides funds to buy ewes and feeder lambs
Reading Time: 2 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) wants to support flock expansion and has begun a first-of-its-kind financing program in partnership with Scotiabank. Previously only available for cash croppers, the Scotiabank Yield More Financing (YMF) program is now available for Ontario shepherds. Why it matters: The funding is designed to provide shepherds with the cash flow […] Read more
U.S. sheep herders’ suit alleges cartel-like wage suppression
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters –– Sheep herders in the U.S. West have banded together to sue their employers, accusing them of operating an illegal cartel that artificially suppresses their wages, according to court documents filed Wednesday in Nevada. The case could have implications for how antitrust laws are applied to labour markets, according to legal experts, as the […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
