Monthly Update

March 2024

2024 Summer Feed Efficiency Test

The Maritime Beef Testing Society, with help from the Sheep Producers Association of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Cattle Producers, is gathering intents of interest for an upcoming 2024 Summer Feed Efficiency Test, being offered for rams, ewes and heifers.

Please email maritimebeef@eastlink.ca with your intent prior to April 12, 2024.

Additionally, there will be an Understanding Feed Efficiency webinar with Jonathan Wort, Perennia, on April 2, 2024 at 7:00pm. For more information on the Test, or to register for the webinar, please click HERE.

Maritime Beef Council - Event Topic & Speaker Suggestions

The Maritime Beef Council is asking for industry input on topic and speaker ideas for future events, such as Forage Field Days, Maritime Beef Conferences, Atlantic Beef Schools, etc. Please use the below Google form to submit your suggestions!

OFCAF Applications Open

Perennia is now now accepting applications for the next intake of the On-Farm Climate Action Fund Program! Funding is available to eligible farmers who adopt and implement beneficial management practices for rotational grazing, nitrogen management and cover cropping.

The deadline for this intake period is April 12, 2024. More information, and the application, can be found HERE!

51st Annual Maritime Beef Testing Society Stock Sale

Are you planning to purchase/have you purchased a bull this year? Check out the Nova Scotia Genetic Improvement Program for potential reimbursement!

Eastern Livestock Price Insurance

VBP+ Calving Book/Pocket Book

Are you in need of calving books? Verified Beef Production Plus is offering cattle producers calving books/pocket books for FREE by completing this order form.

Canadian Cattle Youth Council Applications Open

For the application, as well as additional information, please click HERE.

Canadian Cattle Young Leaders Applications Open

Take advantage of mentorship and skill building opportunities in the Canadian beef industry through the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders Program! Applications are now open for the 2024-25 program year!

Click here to learn more and apply today! Application deadline: March 31, 2024.

Beef Cattle Research Council: 2023 Canadian Cow-Calf Survey

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) is asking all Canadian cow-calf producers to share insight into their on-farm management and production practices, which will help inform future beef research and extension strategies. 

The 2023 Canadian Cow-Calf Survey is an online questionnaire set up to collect data to help understand longer-term trends in production methods and efficiencies. Collecting credible information directly from beef cattle producers helps the BCRC identify research priorities and information gaps, develop provincial benchmarks and examine changes over time that impact farms and ranches.  

This survey closes March 31st!

Forage U-Pick

AgriStability Enrolment Deadline

The AgriStability enrolment deadline is April 30, 2024. More information on AgriStability can be found here.

Current Opportunities: Nova Scotia



Check out the list of current opportunities available online HERE!

West Nova Dairy Club Talk

April 10, 2024

Lion’s Club Kentville (74 River Street Kentville, NS)

9:30 - 9:55 am Terry Jones (FCC): “Transitions/Successions Advisory Services.”

10:00 - 10:25 am Cynthia Campbell (Shurgain): “Healthy Life Transitions”.

10:30 - 10:55 am Andrew Griffen (Eric Griffen Agri. Equip): “Ventilation…Understanding Pros & Cons of Ventilation Concepts and how to Appy them, Cost effectively, in a Warming Climate.”

10:55 - 11:10 am Coffee break

11:10 am - 12 pm John Winchell (Alltech): ”Forages--Planning Forage Harvesting based on Growing Degree Days.”

12:05 - 12:45 pm Lunch

12:45 - 1:30 pm John Winchell (Alltech): ”Forages--Harvest Timing in the Maritimes”

1:30 - 1:40 pm Coffee Break

1:40 - 3:00 pm Producer Panel: James Kinsman, Robbie MacGregor, Nick Bokma, Phillip Vroegh with John Winchell.

John is from Eden, NY, and is a graduate of The Ohio State University and has been a dairy cattle nutritionist for over 25 years. He has focused on forage quality for 20 years and is nationally recognized for his harvest analytics and forage harvest timing. John currently works for Alltech with sales and on-farm support responsibilities as well as being on the Alltech World Mycotoxin and Inoculant Team.

There is no charge for this talk, and there is a complimentary lunch. Seating will be limited. Please email sdorrance@lactanet.ca if you plan on attending by April 1, 2024. Based on response, there may be a limit to 2 people/farm.

NSCP Programs:

• Nova Scotia Genetic Improvement Program

Funding towards sire purchases, genomic testing and carcass ultrasound.

Open now for 2024!

• Nova Scotia Soil, Pasture and Forage Management Program

Funding towards the purchase of lime, and/or soil, manure or feed analysis.

Open now for 2024!

For a complete listing of all Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture programs, please visit www.novascotia.ca/programs.

Atlantic Stockyards Limited

Special Sales:

• April 20: Equipment Sale (10am)
• May 11: Breeding Stock Sale (12pm)

Producers are encouraged to pre-register all feeder cattle as early as possible. Atlantic Stockyards Limited (ASL) will be listing pre-registered cattle on their website.

Click Here to visit their website!