BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE 2009-2010 June 23 Face-to-Face July 21 Conference Call August 24, 25 District 4 October 13 Face-to-Face BOARD MEETING – May 19 The Ontario Sheep Board met on May 19 by conference call and covered the following OSMA business:

§ Decided OSMA will document it’s history for 1985 – 2010

§ OSMA will have a team of staff, directors and producers to develop a more definitive policy and action plan on predation

§ Approved three new research projects

§ Refined how staff and directors prepare for, and carry out, Board meetings. There will be a director training session associated with the October Board meeting

§ Refined details for the selection of delegates for the AGM. Details will appear in the June issue of OSN

§ OASC (Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition) continues its work. Chair Markus Wand and General Manager, Murray Hunt take part in the OASC conference calls.

NEW STAFF OSMA welcomed Sandy Sorbara to staff on May 17. Sandy will be the project co-ordinator for all OSMA projects having many years experience in research and project management in the Ontario Livestock Industry. Welcome Sandy. 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 OSMA INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Fifteen committee members met on March 2 to discuss “Traceability – Farm to Fork and Here To

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

BOARD DECISIONS / ACTIONS

The Messenger May 2010

GENERAL REPORTING

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 2 May 2010 Stay”. Committee members provided many ideas for OSMA and the industry to consider over the next two years in producer awareness, education and buy in from all Industry Stakeholders. The Board received the report at the April Board Meeting. OSMA will be leading in discussions with OMAFRA on developing a pilot study for across industry traceability systems. BUSINESS RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OSMA is working with its partners in the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Coalition to inform MPP’s and MP’s of the need for a revised Agri Stability Program and assistance for commodities in financial need. Watch the Farm Press or OFA new releases for more, next moves by OASC. OSMA GM attended a meeting on May 13 to address the future of agricultural income support programs. Read the General Manager’s article in the June OSN for more ideas and details. . BENCHMARKING PROJECT UPDATE All participating producers on the Benchmarking study are in the process of completing the financial and production management surveys. Felix Weber and Gordon Hawley from the FCC are planning and carrying out group training sessions to further explore the software. Shannon Meadows will soon finalize the collection of the production management surveys from participants. Shannon left OSMA to pursue a master’s degree as of April 30th. RESEARCH OSMA is now supporting four research projects. They are:

1. Over-wintering of nematodes on organic farms

2. Enchancing and refining sheep genetic evaluation

3. The use of corn silage in finishing lamb diet 4. The prevalence of Q Fever in sheep as well as

including prevalence in shepherd’s Please see the March issue of Ontario Sheep News on page 32 for an update on what OSMA is doing for Producers.

OSMA AGM This year's Producer Education Day and AGM will be held at the Holiday Inn in Guelph on October 29th and 30th. More details will be coming out soon. In addition to our regular program, we will be celebrating OSMA's 25th Anniversary Year. We hope many of you decide to attend. ETHNIC HOLIDAY INFORMATION August 11: Islamic Holiday – Start of Ramadan – Weaned market lambs 60-80 lbs. are preferred. Not older than 12 months September 9: Jewish Holiday – Rosh Hashana - Forequarters from weaned lambs 60-110 lbs September 10: Islamic Holiday – Eid ul Fitr – Lambs between 60-80 lbs. live weight and goats are young weighing between 50-70 lbs. Males preferred and it is important that the animal be without blemishes

UPCOMING EVENTS

OSMA WORKING FOR YOU

PROJECTS

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 3 May 2010 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

1st Annual JAN-LAN-RO FARMS SHEEP EXCHANGE June 5: 8 – 4 pm Location: Jan-Lan-Ro Farm; Fire #103925 10th Concession, RR 2; Mount Forest, ON This is not an auction… Come one, come all to meet producers of a wide variety and buy, sell, or trade your stock. This is your chance to meet with fellow producers, make connections, share tips and have access to stock from all over Ontario. For more information: Rob Lamont at 519-323-1769 or robelamont@yahoo.ca Visit the website for the registration form at: www.sheepexchange.ca

LAMBS DOWN PARK FESTIVAL 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 or Cathie McOrmond - CP BIA 613-257-8049 cmcormond@carletonplace.ca ALL BREEDS, ALL COLORS WOOL SHOW June 27 – Judging at 10:00 am Olds College Fiber Week Fleeces can be dropped off at the College Ag Mech Bay on June 26 or send them to: Donna M. Rudd; RR #3; Ponoka, Alberta T4J 1R3 Judging will be based on traits such as cleanliness, uniformity & soundness, staple style, length and fiber diameter, handle and brightness. Classes are fine wools, down type wools, long wool and specialty fleeces. Ribbons given for each class up to 3rd place, and also a Spinners Choice award for both colored and white fleeces. For further information contact: Donna Rudd at 403-783-3292 or dexters@telusplanet.net ONTARIO SUFFOLK SHEEP ASSOCIATION – 4TH Terminal Sire Ram Sale Saturday July 24th, 2010 1 pm at Carson’s Sales Arena, Listowel

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 4 May 2010 - Including registered Suffolk Ewes and

Commercial Suffolk Sired Ewe lambs - Performance tested and genotyped for Scrapie

resistance - Excellent rams for the Commercial Breeder For Information or Catalogue contact: - Glen Porteous at Home 519-794-4549 or

Cell 519-270-9214 - Grant Preston at 519-923-6341 SHEEP SALE August 21. 2010 at 1 pm Hoard’s Station Sales Barn (near Campbellford) Supported by OSMA District 8 Auctioneer : Brad Denure Purebred and Commercial Mature/Yearlings/Lambs Male and Female Sellers and Buyers needed Entry forms available from: Elwood Palmateer : 613-968-8698 or Chris Byford : 613-476-2380 Forms are to be completed and sent to Elwood by July 24 with the catalogue available August 7. Lunch available on day of sale Accommodations in area: § Campbellford River Inn, 352 Front St. N- 705-

653-1771 or 1-800-984-6665 § Waters Edge Inn, 149 Queen St, Campbellford,

705-653-4470 or 1-877-838-3343 Other hotels in Belleville or Trenton

§ Plenty of room for campers on premises 2010 CANADIAN NATIONAL SHEEPDOG TRIALS August 26 to 29th, 2010 Daily from 9 am to 5 pm Shepherd’s Crook Farm on Lorneville Road just outside of town, Woodville, Ontario

Over a hundred Border Collies and their owners. The team’s task is to negotiate a small flock of sheep through and around a pre-determined set of gates, then separate selected sheep from the group and place them in a holding pen. For more information visit www.cbca-championships.com WESTERN ONTARIO LAMB PRODUCERS ASSOC. (WOLPA) SHEEP SEMINAR DAY August 28, 2010: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Location: Walkerton Community Centre (Arena). Cost: $30.00 per person includes a catered lunch. Western Ontario Lamb Producers Association (WOLPA) with support from Grey-Bruce Sheep Farm Business Management Association are having a sheep seminar day Featured keynote speaker will be Janet McNally from Hinckley, Minnesota (www.tamaracksheep.com). Topics: her pasture lambing experiences, managing ewes and pastures during the lambing period, cutting $16.00 per ewe from the budget, 6 things to stop depredation NOW!!, using long pasture rotations to beat the parasite cycle and finishing lambs on turnips. Featured also is Phil Smith from Sutton, Ontario (www.rideausheep.com) along with Jack Kyle (OMAFRA). They will be presenting Phil's experiences with pasturing his dry ewes on corn silage plants for extended fall grazing and a rest period for his permanent pastures. Limited space available, the cut off date for ticket purchases will be August 1st 2010 or when sold out. Advance ticket sales available only by Phone: Steven or Lisa Ernewein (519) 392-8624 SHEEP INFRASTRUCTURE WORKSHOPS September 1 & 2, 2010 – Grand Valley

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 5 May 2010 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 OUTDOOR FARM SHOW September 14 – 16, 2010 Woodstock, ON Please take time to visit the OSMA booth in the Sheep Coverall. INTERNATIONAL PLOWING MATCH September 21 – 25, 2010 Location: St. Thomas, ON For more information: www.plowingmatch.org (t) 519-631-1234 or 866-976-2010 Email: admin@plowingmatch.org

District 1: 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 3: Regular Meetings: Third Thursday of each month in Rostock at the Perth Agricultural Building District 5: District 5 will be holding its AGM early this year, at the end of June. More information to follow. Also there will be an election in District 5 for Provincial Director. Please plan to attend. "Thank you" to Daina Hunter for hosting an informal get together for members of District 5 when our regular meeting was cancelled. Everyone enjoyed snacks, good company, shared information and laughs. District 7: August 6–8: Market lamb class at Fenelon Falls – Leslie Dyment is arranging Aug 26-29: CBCA Championships (Canadian Border Collie Assoc. Championships) Victoria County Sheep Producers. June - date TBA - farm tour of local sheep producer July - BBQ at farm TBA August - no meeting September - tentative tour to Orangeville large flock operators. Evening meetings start at 7:30 in the lower boardroom, OMAFRA Lindsay. Membership is $20 per farm per year. Contact: Rebecca Parker Phone: 705-277-1711 Email: middlekingdom@sympatico.ca

DISTRICT EVENTS

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 6 May 2010 District 8: June 12: 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. August 6 – 8: 8 am - 6 pm - Kingston Sheep Dog Trials at Grass Creek Park (on Hwy2). For info check www.cityofkingston.ca and follow recreation links District 9: June 12: Lambs Down Park Festival at Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers (CCWG) Carleton Place District 10: For more information on activities in District 10, please contact Colleen Acres, District 10 Prov. Director at 613-826-2330. CANADIAN CLASSIC – May 21-23 See the last page for the show results 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

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

OSMA REACHING OUT

OTHER

PAST EVENTS

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 7 May 2010

Opportunity does not always knock

loudly. Sometimes it is a light at the end of the tunnel. Often it is an idea

someone else shared with us. The key is that the opportunity is taken and

developed.

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.

THOUGHTS FROM STAFF

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 8 May 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, Members at Large – Jason Emke, Jennifer Peel

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 Improveme nt 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

OSMA and the Industry – Messenger Page 9 May 2010

Canadian Classic Show Results – May 21 – 23, 2010

Champion Border Cheviot Ewe Rejean Girard Res. Champion Border Cheviot Ewe Steve and Susan Mastine Champion Border Cheviot Ram Rejean Girard Res. Champion Border Cheviot Ram Steve and Susan Mastine Champion Border Leicester Ewe Brook Ridge Farm Res. Champion Border Leicester Ewe Brook Ridge Farm Champion Border Leicester Ram Marovine/Highlander Res. Champion Border Leicester Ram Brook Ridge Farm Champion Charollais Ewe Hickory Grove Champion Charollais Ram Hickory Grove Res. Champion Charollais Ram Hickory Grove Champion Dorper Ewe Bell Dorpers Res. Champion Dorper Ewe Bell Dorpers Champion Dorper Ram Bell Dorpers Res. Champion Dorper Ram Bell Dorpers Supreme Champion Ewe (Dorset) Mike and Cindy Driscoll Res. Champion Dorset Ewe Jim and Wendy Driscoll Champion Dorset Ram Mike and Cindy Driscoll Res. Champion Dorset Ram Mike and Cindy Driscoll Champion Horned Dorset Ewe Dreammaker Champion Horned Dorset Ram Dreammaker Res. Champion Horned Dorset Ram Van Gro Farms Champion Hampshire Ewe Kyle Seguin Res. Champion Hampshire Ewe Bergerie Dorbert Champion Hampshire Ram Matt Noxon Res. Champion Hampshire Ram Greg Bell Champion North Country Cheviot Ewe Rejean Girard Res. Champion North Country Cheviot Ewe Robert J. Bell Champion North Country Cheviot Ram Robert J. Bell Res. Champion North Country Cheviot Ram Rejean Girard Champion Oxford Ewe Van Gro Farms Res. Champion Oxford Ewe Ferme Woodstock Champion Oxford Ram Van Gro Farms Res. Champion Oxford Ram Ferme Woodstock Champion Romanov Ewe Marovine/Highlander Champion Shropshire Ram Stoneybrook Farm Champion Southdown Ewe A & C Southdowns Res. Champion Southdown Ewe A & C Southdowns Champion Southdown Ram A & C Southdowns Res. Champion Southdown Ram A &C Southdowns Champion Suffolk Ewe Strathearl Farm Res. Champion Suffolk Ewe Kyle Seguin Supreme Champion Ram (Suffolk) Kyle Seguin Res. Champion Suffolk Ram Strathearl Farm Champion Texel Ewe Cedar Ridge Sheep Res. Champion Texel Ewe Orchardview Texels Champion Texel Ram Orchardview Texels Res. Ch. Texel Ram Cedar Ridge Sheep