Monthly Update

December 2023

The SPANS office will be closed from December 22, 2023 to January 2, 2024.

Livestock Guardian Dog Health Recording

Earlier this month, SPANS had the pleasure of hosting a webinar with Bill Costanzo, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center, presenting on livestock guardian dog health. This webinar was recorded and can be viewed on YouTube for anyone who may have missed it.

Nova Scotia Climate Change Adaptation Survey

As a part of the Climate Change Adaptation work being done within the cattle and sheep sectors in the province, the Nova Scotia Climate Change Adaptation Survey has been created.

The cattle and sheep sectors have been making strides to adapt to changing weather patterns and climate. When you share your experience and insights about your practices and challenges, you're not just helping with a Climate Change Adaptation Plan; you're opening the door to potential support and funding that fits your needs.

Your time spent on this survey isn't just a contribution; it's a proactive move that puts you at the forefront of making your farm stronger. The stronger our sector, the better our sector can withstand market volatility and potential regulatory changes. 

Meet Your Farmer on Heritage Day

Meet Your Farmer on Heritage Day at Cole Harbour Place is back for 2024 and they’re inviting farmers to join them on February 19th (mid-morning to mid-afternoon). Cole Harbour Place will be offering free family activities during the day which always draws a big crowd. This event has welcomed hundreds of people in previous years. 

Meet Your Farmer on Heritage Day is a great opportunity to connect with an urban audience and show them what modern farming is all about. The goal is to provide opportunities for people to interact with farmers and farm products. It’s not a market or tradeshow style event. They want folks to have fun and learn some things along the way! This will be a drop-in style event where visitors can chat with farmers, visit activity stations, or just sit and enjoy a cold drink and good conversation about farming. 

At past events they’ve had activities like smoothie-making, apple variety tastings, eqq-weighing, and other interactive elements. Activities like these help consumers become more aware of the wide variety of products grown right here in Nova Scotia, and make a personal connection to how those products are grown or raised. 

They are aiming to have representation from a wide range of different farm types like meat, dairy, poultry and eggs, fruit, veggies, and bee-keeping.  

If you’d like to participate, or if you are on the fence and not sure if this event is right for you, please contact April at amaclean@nsfa-fane.ca or 902-893-2293 (office) or 902-577-5761 (cell).

Photo Contest

The Sheep Producers Association of Nova Scotia are getting a new website! Therefore, we are sourcing photos from producers and industry of sheep to use as images on our website (with credit to photographer of course).

Please submit your farm photos to Ashley at novascotiasheep@gmail.com by December 31st. Contest winners will have their sheep photos highlighted on the SPANS website!

Opportunity to Provide Input on the Causes of Stress in Farming

Farm Management Canada is partnering with Northumbria University in its effort to understand the different causes of stress experienced by members of the farming community in both Canada and the United Kingdom. In this effort, a study is being carried out as part of a PhD thesis project, led by young farmer Sarah Nyczaj.

The goal of the study is to design a new measure of farming related stress. Farm Management Canada are asking farmer members, supporters and subscribers to participate in this survey to help make sure they have captured as many of the causes of stress before doing this.

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

Grain Testing Advised



SPANS are advising producers that if you are buying/have bought grain privately to please ensure you get this tested for mycotoxins.

For additional information, please contact Perennia at 902-896-0277.

Perennia’s Hayline



Perennia is pleased to offer a hay and silage listing service to connect Nova Scotia farmers looking to sell excess hay or silage with those needing additional inventory.

Sellers can submit an online form to be added to the listing. Buyers can view the online listing on the website to find information about available hay and silage for sale that meets their needs.

Please visit the website to submit your form, view the listing and for additional information!

Purebred Sheep Breeders Association of Nova Scotia - Annual General Meeting

January 13, 2024

For a complete listing of all programs, please visit www.novascotia.ca/programs for more information.