Monthly Update

April 2023

The Sheep Producers Association of Nova Scotia issues a monthly update to members, occurring the last Friday of each month. This Monthly Update is comprised of industry news and updates, upcoming events, upcoming sales, and relevant articles.

If you have content to be added, such as an upcoming sheep event/workshop, please contact the SPANS office at 902- 893-7455 or aanderson@agricommodity.ca.

Carcass Ultrasound Services

The Nova Scotia Cattle Producers (NSCP) are proud to offer live animal ultrasound technology services for cattle and sheep in the Maritimes. The NSCP obtained the imaging technology equipment and certified two technicians, Jacy McInnis and Ellen Davis, and are proud to offer the first permanent technicians this side of Quebec!

By having ultrasound services readily available to producers, the hope is that overall carcass traits and expected progeny differences (EPD’s) within the region will be increased. This service will aid in future breeding practices, as results will illustrate the appropriateness of breeding stock, indicating which heritable traits, such as those within feed efficiency and carcass measures, should be improved for optimal production.



For more information click HERE

Global Sheep Forum Next Generation 2022 and 2023 Podcasts

If you haven't checked out the Next Gen Sheep Producers podcast series yet, you really should!  The Next Generation Global Sheep Forum has come out of a group of international sheep producer organizations, American Lamb Board, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, British National Sheep Association, Canadian Sheep Federation, National Sheep Association, National Wool Growers’ Association of South Africa and Sheep Producers Australia.

Regulations Amending the Health of Animals Regulations (Identification and Traceability)

The Government of Canada has launched a new online commenting system in CG I that permits stakeholders to comment on proposed regulations online during the consultation period. All stakeholder comments that conform to government guidelines will be posted online after the comment period ends. Making stakeholders’ comments on proposed regulations publicly available will increase transparency and accountability, generating a better understanding of the regulatory concerns and challenges of Canadians and stakeholders, and has the potential to facilitate important discussions between regulators and stakeholders. The online commenting feature has been designed to be easy to use and we strongly encourage you to use it to submit your comments on the upcoming proposed amendments to Part XV Health of Animals Regulations (Identification and Traceability).

For more information, including instructions on how to comment, please see the Comment on proposed regulations page on the Canada Gazette website.



Agri LMI survey extended until May 7^th – More time to have your say!

It is vital that you share your input as producers continue to have difficulty recruiting a sufficient workforce for their operations resulting in lost production. This urgent issue in the agriculture sector may have dire consequences for this vital part of the Canadian economy.

Ongoing evaluation of the current labour market for Canada’s agricultural industry assists in quantifying shortages facing agriculture and accurately forecasting worker requirements.

You will find the survey at: https://cahrc-ccrha.ca/programs/agrilmi#section-surveys

PSBANS Judging Clinic

April 29

WoolstockEAST Fibre Market & Village

September 16

Book your booth today for the 5th Annual WoolstockEAST. The WoolstockEAST Fibre Market & Village will be held at the North Shore Recreation Centre in Tatamagouche.

For a complete listing of all programs,

please visit www.novascotia.ca/programs for more information.