New Executive for National Sheep Organization
December 17, 2002 (Guelph, Ontario): Manitoba sheep producer, Randy Eros was acclaimed as Chair of the Canadian Sheep Federation at their annual general meeting held in Ottawa earlier this month. Andre Trepanier of Longueuil, Quebec will continue as Vice Chair for 2002-2003.
Eros is past chair of the Manitoba Sheep Association and had served previously on the CSF board in the early 90’s. Randy and his wife, Solange, and son, Michel have been raising sheep since 1983 at Seine River Shepherds. They run a 200-head flock of commercial and first-cross ewes bred to purebred rams. The Eros’ sell feeder and finished market lambs as well as commercial breeding stock. They also run a value-added wool business from their farm near Ste. Anne in eastern Manitoba.
The Canadian Sheep Federation has been chaired for the past three years by Eastern Ontario native, Fred Baker. “It has been a tremendously busy time for the national sheep organization” remarks Baker. With limited resources both human and financial the Federation has tackled significant initiatives such as the instigation of a national sheep identification system and on-farm food safety programs. Baker will remain a part of the CSF executive in an official capacity as Past Chair for the coming year. “Emerging issues such as Country of Origin labelling, and development of monitoring and surveillance programs for TSE diseases in sheep are newer issues on the CSF radar” reports Baker.
John Hemsted, Chair of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, was one of three of Ontario’s delegates to the Canadian Sheep Federation’s annual meeting. “I was tremendously pleased to see the commitment of the CSF to developing strong communication links between the national organization and the federal government agencies.” says Hemsted. “The interest and support of both the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in issues facing our industry is imperative as we move forward” he says.
The CSF is the national organization representing over 13,000 Canadian producers as the national advocate for member provincial sheep organizations in the areas of flock health, marketing & promotion, inter-provincial communication and liaison with governments.
For
more information contact:
Cathy Lennon, General Manager, Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency 519 836 0043
manager@ontariosheep.org
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The
Canadian Sheep Federation and the Royal Canadian Mint are excited to
introduce two new coins that commemorate the Chinese Year of the Sheep.
The Royal Canadian Mint continues its popular Lunar Coin series with the introduction of the 2003 Year of the Sheep Sterling Silver Lunar Cameo coin and Gold Hologram Coin.
Designed by artist Harvey Chan, the centre of 2003 Sterling Silver Lunar Coin features an octagonal 24-karat gold covered cameo depicting the image of a sheep. Mintage limited to 68,888 coins worldwide.
The elegant 18-karat gold hologram coin features ever-changing colours and is a must as we celebrate the Year of the Sheep. Mintage is limited to 6888 coins worldwide.
Chinese
astrology follows a twelve-year cycle, with a different animal associated with
each year in the cycle. In each year of the series, the design on the gold cameo
changes to depict the animal for the year of issue. The twelve animals in its
cycle are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster,
dog and pig.
Those born in the Year of the Sheep are said to be charming, elegant and artistic individuals who like material comforts. Famous Canadians born in the Year of the Sheep include Joni Mitchell (1943), Robbie Robertson (1943), William Shatner (1931), Donovan Bailey (1967), and Pamela Anderson (1967). Years of the Sheep include: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015.
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. The Royal Canadian Mint is recognised as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale.
The Canadian Sheep Federation is working with the Royal Canadian Mint to promote these beautiful coins. “We are very excited about partnering with the Royal Canadian Mint to commemorate the Year of the Sheep! This is a rare opportunity for our producers to purchase a Canadian coin that celebrates their own unique heritage” - Jennifer Vollmar, Executive Director of the Canadian Sheep Federation.
ORDER NOW! CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-267-1871
#
624103: 2003 Sterling Silver Cameo Coin. $78.88
# 621753: 2003 18-Karat Gold Hologram Coin. $398.88.
020196110
Please quote this code when placing your order.
Prices are in Canadian dollars. Applicable taxes and shipping charge will be
added to all orders.
Notice to Producers: Nutrient Management Act Update
December 5, 2002 - As you are aware, the Stage 2 regulations of the Nutrient Management Act were released on Monday, December 2, 2002. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food along with Ontario Ministry of Environment is holding information sessions across the province over the next two months to provide more details about the proposed regulations. Dates, times and locations of these meetings are outlined below.
The Nutrient Management Act and its regulations will provide clear, consistent standards for agricultural practices that effect the environment especially as they relate to land-applied materials containing nutrients. Public consultation meetings on a second round of regulations under the act are being held across the province during December and January. In advance of these public consultations, a series of stakeholder information meetings are scheduled to provide details on the draft regulations.
Stakeholder
Information Meetings
Regional stakeholder meetings have been planned to provide introductory information
on the stage two draft regulations:
More meetings will be held in additional locations in January, 2003. Stage two consultations will include draft regulations regarding:
A proposed strategy to ban the land application of untreated septage over a five-year period will also be part of the second stage consultations.
Public
Consultations
Each of the stages of consultations involves the posting of draft regulations
on the Environmental Bill of Rights information registry (http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/env_reg/er/registry.htm)
as well as the Ministry of Agriculture and Food's and Ministry of the Environment's
Web sites (www.gov.on.ca/omaf and www.ene.gov.on.ca
).
The second stage will see a series of public consultations in locations across the province during December and January, and several will be hosted by Minister Johns, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Toby Barrett, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of the Environment Bill Murdoch and Minister without Portfolio Doug Galt. Currently there are fourteen public consultation meetings being planned.
The consultation meetings scheduled for December are as follows:
Please pre-register for these Consultation meetings by contacting the OMAF Agricultural Information Contact Centre 1-877-424-1300. Additional meetings will be held in additional locations in January, 2003. The postings for stage two, as well as the times and locations of all public consultation meetings will also be posted on the two ministries' websites in the near future. The information can also be obtained by telephone from the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300.
If you need any further information, or are interested in making a presentation locally, please don't hesitate to contact our office and we'd be please to help in providing background information etc.
Ontario Lamb Secures the Spotlight
November 19, 2002 (Guelph, Ontario) Ontario lamb recently scored a prominent position on Canada’s Food Network series Cook Like A Chef - after grabbing the attention of celebrity chef Michael Cummings in 2001. “The lamb supplied by the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency was the best quality this chef has had the privilege to use” says Cummings, an Ottawa-area restaurateur, and a regular feature in the series’ professional kitchen. He and his business partner, Joe Pantalone, own and operate Trattoria Zingaro in the nation’s capital.
Ontario lamb was invited to become an official sponsor of the series for seasons 3 and 4 which hit the airwaves early October. 48 new episodes of Cook Like a Chef were filmed over this past summer and a whole host of the episodes set to air between now and April of 2003 feature premium Ontario-grown lamb. “From food that you eat with your hands - to how to work with a pressure cooker are part of this season’s features” reports Cathy Lennon, manager of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency (OSMA). “Cook Like a Chef has done a fabulous job of featuring lamb and its versatility” she reports, noting that the Network’s website www.cooklikeachef.net includes 76 hits for lamb recipes. Elegant appetizers made with ground lamb and vine leaves will be featured in the next episode scheduled to air November 27th and December 1st. Episodes aired in recent weeks featured pan fried lamb cutlets in sesame oil and lamb and pine nut sausages.
Fred Baker, a lamb producer from Eastern Ontario says what makes the Cook Like a Chef partnership particularly unique is that it focuses on the how-to of cooking. “They pride themselves in debunking the myth that good cooking is difficult” Baker reports. In consumer research reports compiled by the Agency last year on how to encourage consumers to try lamb the number one consumer suggestion was to “advertise on television - and show people how to cook it.” This new partnership hits that nail on the head.
For more
information, contact:
Cathy Lennon, General Manager at 519-836-0043
manager@ontariosheep.org
Hemsted to lead Sheep Agency for Third Year
November 8, 2002 (Guelph, Ontario) - John Hemsted, an Oro Station sheep producer, was acclaimed Chair of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency (OSMA) at a meeting of the local board held yesterday in Guelph. Each member of the Agency’s Board of Directors is elected from one of 11 districts across the province.
Hemsted serves on the board representing District 6 (Parry Sound, Muskoka and Simcoe County) and has been a Provincial Director for the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency since 1999. Hemsted has been active at the district committee level from the Agency’s inception in 1985. The Hemsted family operates a 200-head commercial sheep operation in Simcoe County.
In the coming years, Hemsted said that key issues affecting sheep producers will be the implementation of national programs such as On-Farm Food Safety and National Identification. “These programs will affect each and every sheep producer across the country and affect the way we do business” says Hemsted. “It’s important that OSMA play an active role at the national level in determining how these programs are developed and roll out.” Hemsted is one of three Ontario directors who will attend the annual meeting of the Canadian Sheep Federation held in Ottawa later on this month.
Chris Kennedy, a partner in Topsy Farms of Amherst Island was acclaimed to a second term as OSMA’s Vice Chair. Kennedy represents OSMA District 8, (Hastings, Prince Edward, Lennox and Addington, Frontenac and Leeds Counties). He joined the Board in June of 2000 and has played a key role in representing Ontario sheep producers on environmental issues, including recent consultations regarding the Nutrient Management Act regulations. Topsy Farms runs about 1200 ewes in a pasture-based system.
Other directors include Maurice Delves, Vince Stutzki, Jaime Heffer, Wayne Oosterhoff, Lorne Small, Mike Thompson, Allan Burn, Fred Baker and Ron Wight. At OSMA’s 17th annual meeting in October, outgoing board members Ken Levy of District 3 and Phillip Jones of District 9 were recognized for their dedication and commitment to the Ontario sheep industry over the past number of years.
OSMA is a producer-run organization representing 4200 sheep producers in the province of Ontario.OSMA provides marketing, promotion, advocacy and education services to its members in order to enhance producer returns and provide consumers with a safe, premium lamb and related products.
For
more information, contact:
Cathy Lennon, General Manager at 519-836-0043
manager@ontariosheep.org
Notice
to Ontario Sheep Producers
November
1, 2002
As a result of the recent decision by the University of Guelph to refocus its research operations, Ontario’s sheep industry has inherited a flock of 544 sheep with known genetics and high health status. The August 20th decision by the University to close down the sheep program at the New Liskeard Agricultural Research Station on November 1st prompted the board to take temporary possession of this valuable flock while a long-term plan is developed for ensuring that Ontario producers continue to draw the benefits from this unique flock.
The Northern Ontario flock has been transferred to the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency (OSMA) by the University of Guelph for nominal consideration of $1. The University also transferred equipment necessary for the care of the sheep at no cost to OSMA along with sufficient funds from the proceeds of recently culled sheep and market lambs to care for the sheep through early into the new year. OSMA took delivery of the flock in a temporary facility in Eastern Ontario’s Oxford Mills on October 31st. The sheep will be housed there while a business plan and feasibility study are prepared to determine the future of the flock.
The OSMA board of directors has engaged a consultant, George Alkalay of Northfield Ventures to assist the board in exploring a variety of options for the long-term future of the flock. Options ranging from sale through public auction, to a dispersal strategy by tender, to investigation of the feasibility of an arms-length, industry-operated research facility are being considered. Northfield Ventures will be assisting OSMA in seeking to identify potential partners in such an endeavor.
OSMA members are invited to submit their suggestions to the OSMA office, their District Committees, or their Provincial Director. The OSMA office welcomes inquiries about this project from sheep producers, universities, feed and animal health companies and other prospective partners. Please let us know what you think we should do to ensure that this valuable flock remains available to OSMA’s member producers.
This elite flock of sheep originates with a Polled Dorset/Rideau Arcott cross in 1995. The initial screening of reproductive performance and production records from 51,156 sheep from Ontario, Alberta and New York resulted in the establishment of the beginning flock - ultimately comprised of the best 35 ewes and 12 rams of each of the two breeds. The original selection process through the Ontario Lamb Improvement Breeding Program (OLIBS) was rigorous - and selected animals were required to be one standard deviation above breed averages. The Dorset/Rideau Arcott cross has demonstrated highly desirable results including an extended breeding season, prolificacy and sound carcass traits.
Sheep producers reminded to enroll in NISA before year end
October 28, 2002 (Guelph) Sheep producers were reminded to enroll in the Net Income Stabilization Account (NISA) program by the end of the year at the annual meeting of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency held in Guelph on Saturday.
“If you are not enrolled in the program by year-end you risk losing out on your share of the bridge funding recently announced by the Ontario government” says Cathy Lennon, General Manager of the marketing agency. She reports that historically, livestock producers have not taken full advantage of the funding available to them through NISA programming.
The NISA program was developed jointly by the federal and provincial governments in cooperation with the agricultural sector. Producers are encouraged to make deposits annually into NISA accounts, which are subsequently matched by government dollars. In lower income years, producers are entitled to withdraw from these funds in order to stabilize farm income.
With the new Agricultural Policy Framework on the horizon, the current package of Safety Net programs is set to expire March 31, 2003. OSMA has been working through the Ontario Agricultural Commodity Council to ensure that the new programs address the needs of sheep producers across the province. Lennon shared with the membership OSMA’s concern that the new program package proposes to include only two core programs - NISA and crop insurance, with no indication of a further disaster program in the works to date. Disaster programs such as the current Ontario Farm Income Disaster Program provide assurances to farmers that assistance will be available where gross margins fall below 70% of previous 3-year average or 5 year olympic-averages for reasons beyond their control such as declining prices, yield losses and increased expenses. “With the tumbling of lamb prices over the past number of months, safety net support such as this become even more critical to the economic viability of the industry” she comments.
In early August, the federal government announced that the first year of federal transition funds ($600 million) will be based on 4.25% of a producer’s five year average eligible net sales. Payments will be deposited into the producer’s NISA account. Producers not enrolled in NISA will have until year-end to enroll and receive their share of these funds. For more information or to enroll in the NISA program call 1-800-665-6472.
For
further information:
Cathy Lennon, General Manager 519 836 0043
manager@ontariosheep.org
Reward Granted by Livestock Protective Association
October 18, 2002 (Guelph, Ontario) - A $650 reward was ratified for an Eastern Ontario producer this week for the producer’s role in the arrest and conviction of a cattle rustler. The reward was announced following the Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Livestock Protective Association (OLPA) held in Guelph, October 16th.
Three purebred Holstein heifers were stolen from a Chesterville area farm in June of 2000. The owner reported the theft to the proper authorities. Calves matching the description of the stolen animals were identified at a sales barn. Staff at the sales barn notified the provincial police . The OPP’s investigation resulted in the apprehension and conviction of the culprit.
OLPA is incorporated under the authority of the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act of Ontario. The Association offers rewards to persons for information leading to the arrest and conviction in a livestock theft. Members of the Association include Ontario Cattlemen’s Association, Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, Ontario Pork and Rural Ontario Municipalities Association. For the purposes of the Livestock Protection Association, livestock is defined as including cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry and horses.
Election of officers also took place at the annual meeting of the Livestock Protective Association. Cathy Lennon of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency was acclaimed President of the Association while Mike McMorris of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association was acclaimed to the position of Vice-President. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food representative John Forsyth serves as secretary-treasurer to the committee.
Graeme Hedley, who has served as President of OLPA for the past number of years, indicated that good relationships between the commodity organizations and the police departments over the years had made a positive impact on reducing the number of livestock thefts taking place in Ontario. He notes “introduction of Rural and Agricultural Crime Teams (RACT) across the province by the Ontario Provincial Police is raising awareness of rural crime and serving to develop strategies to improve communications between the detachments to solve these types of cases.”
For
more information, contact:
Cathy Lennon,
President OLPA at 519-836-0043
manager@ontariosheep.org
New Additions to Annual Meeting Line-Up
October 16, 2002 (Guelph, Ontario): Lamb and wool producers from across the province will flock to Guelph later this month for the 17th annual general meeting of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency (OSMA.) This year’s program reintroduces a day and a half format for the meeting with Friday afternoon boasting an exceptional cross-section of speakers addressing issues such as the environment, changing consumer perceptions towards animal agriculture and financing farm expansion.
With cooler weather just around the corner, OSMA is combining its first ever wool fashion show with a lamb banquet dinner as part of the Friday evening entertainment at the convention. Ernie Parsons, MPP for Prince Edward-Hastings, and former sheep producer will be providing the pre-dinner address while Marsha Boulton, a Stephen Leacock Award winner - and author of Letters from the Country, will be the emcee for the fashion show. Models will be showcasing clothing and blankets from Belle Vallee Wools, Philosopher’s Wool, Warm and Wonderful Wool Farm and Tabi International. Sheep industry stakeholders, government officials and commodity partners will be among the special guests present for the evening program.
OSMA’s regular business meeting will take place on Saturday, October 26th and includes welcoming remarks from Deputy Minister of Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) Frank Ingratta, financial and program activity updates from OSMA staff and directors, as well as the OMAF Sheep Team. The Canadian Sheep Federation will also attend the meeting and provide updates on national initiatives including National ID & On-Farm Food Safety program.s Details about the Annual Convention are available by calling the office at (519) 836-0043 or by visiting the OSMA website at www.ontariosheep.org.
OSMA is a producer-run organization representing just over 4200 sheep producers in the province. OSMA’s key strategic directions are marketing and promotion, advocacy, education and organizational development.
For
more information contact:
Cathy Lennon (519) 836 0043
manager@ontariosheep.org
Two new provincial directors to the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency
Guelph, Ontario: Eleven District Annual Meetings were held throughout August and September under the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency structure. Three districts held elections for Provincial Board positions this year with John Hemsted, OSMA’s current Chairman being acclaimed in District 6 (Simcoe, Muskoka & Parry Sound) to a second three-year term.
Thirty-five year old Jaime Heffer was elected to the Provincial Board for District 3 (Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Oxford Counties). Jaime and his wife Lori are full-time shepherds, and together with five children ranging in age from 2 - 11, they operate a 500 head sheep operation near Wingham. Heffer was born and raised on the farm he currently operates with help from his father and brothers. Heffer replaces Ken Levy of St. Marys who has served on the OSMA board since 1999.
Perth-area Allan Burn joins the OSMA board representing District 9 (the Counties of Renfrew and Lanark, and the former Township of West Carleton and the former City of Kanata, now in the City of Ottawa). Burn and his wife Gail are members of the Canadian Sheep Breeders’ Association and raise Dorset Horned sheep. Burn is a graduate of Macdonald Agricultural College in Quebec. Burn replaces Phil Jones, also of Perth who has served on the OSMA board since 1999 and at a District committee level for nearly 10 years.
Heffer and Burn will join the Board after OSMA’s 17th annual general meeting and convention scheduled for Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26th in Guelph.
This year’s Annual Meeting program includes an exceptional cross-section of speakers including Aaron Bickell of Farm Credit, Carolyn Barkey of Ontario Farm Animal Council and others on Friday afternoon. Saturday’s program includes a variety of reports on Agency activities and financial position of the organization.
For
more information contact:
Cathy Lennon, General Manager
519-836-0043 or manager@ontariosheep.org
September 30, 2002 (Guelph, Ontario) - Local lamb producers are looking to improve the awareness of Southwestern Ontario consumers about the quality lamb available in their own backyards. A lamb and wine dinner is being coordinated by the producers of Essex, Kent, Lambton, Middlesex & Elgin.
The community dinner has been organized with two goals in mind says Mo Delves of Middlesex County: “We want to promote Ontario lamb to the people in our community and then link them up with local markets for their future purchases.” The second goal for the evening is to raise funds for the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency’s (OSMA) District 1 Committee. Delves indicates that any proceeds from the lamb and wine dinner will be used to support educational programs in the area for sheep producers, as well as to assist the group to support local 4-H clubs.
Coldstream Community Centre will be the location of the Lamb & Wine Dinner - Saturday, October 19, 2002. Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are just $20.00 per person and can be purchased by calling Mo Delves at 519-666-1088 or Bob Walker at 519-287-5637.
OSMA is a producer-run organization representing 4200 sheep producers from across Ontario. 2001 Census data reports District 1 is home to 396 sheep producers and more than 28,500 sheep and lambs.
For
more information contact:
Mo Delves at 519-666-1088 or Bob Walker at 519-287-5637
Seeking Scholarship Applications from Young Shepherds
July 17, 2002 (Guelph, Ontario) - 4-H Ontario and Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency are pleased to announce that two scholarships valued at $500 each are available this year to Ontario youth. Two students, with plans to attend a Canadian college or university and who have successfully completed a 4-H Sheep Club will be awarded these scholarships.
"4-H Ontario is excited about this opportunity for youth involved in provincial sheep clubs," said Rob Black , Executive Director of the 4-H Ontario. "Through this scholarship, OSMA is challenging youth to combine the knowledge gained through sheep clubs with developing communication and presentation skills by completing a farm profile or video essay on a specific aspect of the sheep industry.”
John Hemsted, the Chair of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency is a former 4-H member. "4-H members go on to make significant contributions to our agricultural and rural communities. This is an opportunity for OSMA to help these exceptional students reach their goals," says Hemsted. “Awarding these scholarships to Ontario’s young leaders is in keeping with the board’s philosophy of valuing our youth in the sheep industry.”
The deadline for applications is September 1, 2002, and the winners will be announced at the OSMA Annual General Meeting October 27, 2002. For more information regarding the scholarship applications contact 4-H Ontario or the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency.
For
more information, contact:
Cathy Lennon,
General Manager at 519-836-0043
manager@ontariosheep.org
Livestock Commodities Welcome the Passage of Bill 81
Guelph, June 28, 2002 - Ontario Pork, the Ontario Cattlemen's Association and the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency welcomed the passage of Bill 81, the Nutrient Management Act on June 26. The Nutrient Management Act permits the creation of province-wide enforceable standards for nutrient management on farms.
"The three livestock groups look forward to participating in consultations with the government this summer, to discuss what these enforceable standards will be. Livestock producers in Ontario want to ensure consistent province wide rules and regulations are in place," says Ontario Pork Chairman, Clare Schlegel. "The Nutrient Management Act will be the framework for science-based regulations that are both practical, and environmentally sound."
"Livestock producers want to ensure that the details of the regulations are achievable for the farmers of the province," stated Mike Buis, President of the Ontario Cattlemen's Association. "We need to have rules that respect agriculture's importance to Ontario."
"Ontario Pork, the Ontario Cattlemen's Association and the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency have been involved with development of Bill 81 from its conception. We support on-farm regulations for nutrient management. As farmers, we're willing to do our part to ensure a healthy environment," says John Hemsted, Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency Chairman.
Ontario Pork, the Ontario Cattlemen's Association and the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency collectively represent 33,600 Ontario livestock producers in many areas; consumer education, research, government representation, environmental issues, animal care and food quality assurance.
Livestock groups hire joint water quality specialist
Guelph, June 14, 2002 - Ontario Pork, the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association and the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency have appointed Chris Attema as a water quality specialist. Attema will locate, investigate and compile accurate information on provincial water quality relating to agriculture. He will report to a Joint Commodity Committee, made up of representatives from each of the three organizations.
Chris Attema has over 14 years of experience in the agricultural sector. He most recently acted as supervisor of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s rural water quality program. Attema has written numerous papers and has made frequent presentations on the topic of water quality. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Guelph in 1985.
The hiring of this joint water quality specialist marks the first human resources sharing initiative by Ontario’s livestock commodity groups. “We’re excited by this unique opportunity to share knowledge and resources within the livestock sector. Water quality is an issue that affects us all. It only makes sense that we work together to help ensure a clean reliable source of water for Ontario,” says Cathy Lennon, General Manager of Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency.
Issues relating to water quality have become an increasing priority for the three commodity groups involved in this project. Each is frequently involved in the development of industry policy and legislation related to agriculture and water. A dedicated staff position will allow the groups to be even more proactive in areas of water quality. Matching funds from the federal government’s CanAdapt program made the creation of this new position possible, reports Lennon.
The creation of this position highlights the livestock sector’s ongoing commitment to water quality in Ontario. “The environment has always been a priority for us. With the creation of a joint water quality specialist, we can specifically examine the issue of water quality,” says Mike McMorris, Executive Vice President of Ontario Cattlemen’s Association. “It’s an issue that’s more relevant today than ever before.”
Ontario Pork, the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association and the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency collectively represent 33, 600 Ontario livestock producers.
For
further information, contact:
Keith Robbins, Ontario Pork, Director of Communications
Phone: (416) 621-1874, ext. 246
Email: comm@ontariopork.on.ca
Federal Funds Injected into the Environment
June 4, 2002 (Guelph, Ontario) - Just in time for Environment Week, the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency and Ontario Cattlemen's Association announced that 25 water quality demonstration projects will be underway over the summer thanks to funds from the federal government.
"A wide range of environmental activities will be taking place on beef and sheep farms across the province" says John Hemsted, Chair of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency. "Efforts to develop a variety of filtering techniques, buffer strips along water courses, and wind powered generators are just a few of the innovative ideas submitted by farmers."
Funding for these initiatives has been provided by the Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Initiative - a program funded through the Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development Fund. The purpose of the program coordinated by the two livestock organizations is to protect surface and groundwater through implementation of best management practices. Up to $5,000 is available to each of the 25 selected land owners to complete their project.
"We are extremely pleased with the response to the program" reports Mike McMorris, Executive Vice President of the Ontario Cattlemen's Association (OCA). "Although we were only able to fund 25 of the 46 applications due to limited funding, this demonstrates firm commitment by Ontario's livestock producers to the environment, and particularly to water quality." McMorris reports the timing of the projects is ideal as they will demonstrate many of the techniques outlined in a publication entitled Best Management Practices for Buffer Strips on Farm, due out this fall. Complimentary copies of this publication will be sent to every beef and sheep farmer in Ontario later this year.
OCA and OSMA are producer-run organizations representing 24,000 + beef and sheep producers in the province of Ontario.
For more
information contact:
Cathy Lennon, General Manager OSMA at 519-836-0043 manager@ontariosheep.org
Mike McMorris, Executive Vice President OCA at 519 824 0334 mike@cattle.guelph.on.ca
New Executive Director named at Canadian Sheep Federation
June 3, 2002 (Ottawa, Ontario): John Hemsted, Chair of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency welcomes Jennifer Vollmar as the Executive Director of the Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) beginning June 1, 2002. Jennifer comes to CSF with several years of experience working in and managing not for profit organizations in the National Capital area. Hemsted is one of three Ontario representatives to the national sheep organization board of directors.
"We are delighted to have Jennifer join the Canadian Sheep Federation", said Fred Baker, Chair, of the national organization. "With 46% growth in the industry since the last Census of Agriculture, our industry needs to build stronger links between our provincial organizations as we move to implement a system of identification for the national sheep flock and the program that has become known as the On-Farm Food Safety initiative". Baker also notes Ms. Vollmar's abilities as a manager working for diverse boards of directors will be an asset for the Canadian Sheep Federation.
Ms. Vollmar replaces Richard Stern who retired from the Federation at the end of May. Noted Baker, "The Industry owes a debt of gratitude to Richard, for his years of service to the Canadian sheep industry and we wish him the best in his retirement".
The CSF is the
national organization representing over 13,000 Canadian producers as the national
advocate for member provincial sheep organizations in the areas of flock health,
marketing & promotion, inter-provincial communication and liaison with governments.
For more information contact:
Cathy Lennon, General Manager, Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency 519 836 0043 manager@ontariosheep.org
Fred Baker, Chair, Canadian Sheep Federation, (613) 989-5352 or cansheep@cansheep.ca
May 17, 2002 (Guelph, Ontario) - Wednesday's release of 2001 Census of Agriculture statistics held no surprises for John Hemsted, Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency Chairman. Sheep and lambs on Ontario farms May 15, 2001 totaled 337,625 head, up 46.1% from the 1996 census. Inventory consisted of 43.7% more breeding ewes than 1996, totaling 176,818 head.
"Clearly our industry has been in a state of steady positive growth for a number of years" says Hemsted. "Growth in our industry has been apparent in increasing volume moving through the sales barns, through the processing plants and in live market export statistics."
The Agency's general manager, Cathy Lennon, indicates that the Grey/Bruce Region of the province continues to produce the most sheep and lambs in the province with nearly 20% of the inventory within those 2 counties. Simcoe County is a close third in production figures with 23,268 head according to the recently released reports. Lennon reports that Ontario is the nation's largest sheep producing province with 26.7% of the national flock. Alberta falls next with 24.3% and Quebec with 20.1%.
To compliment the increase in production, recent Statistics Canada reports also indicate per capita consumption is on the increase from 800 grams per year in '99 to 1000 grams per year in 2001.
OSMA is a producer-run organization representing 4200 sheep producers in the province of Ontario.
For more
information, contact:
Cathy Lennon, General Manager at 519-836-0043
manager@ontariosheep.org
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Ontario's Outstanding Young Farmers for 2002 were chosen at the 23rd annual awards banquet in Mississauga on Saturday, April 6, 2002.
John and Eadie Steele and their children, Chelsey and Ian, were awarded the honor by Mark Murphy of Alliston, chair of the Ontario region for the Outstanding Young Farmer program.
Mr. and Mrs. Steele farm 300 acres near Norwood in the southern area of Peterborough County. They started their sheep flock with 64 breeding ewes and have expanded to 800 breeding ewes.
Using the accelerated lambing system, they achieve three lambings in a two-year period, and also employ embryo transfers to speed up genetic improvements in their flock.
They will represent Ontario in the national competition to be held during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto in November.
Other finalists in the Ontario competition Saturday were Laurent and Catherine Van Arkel of Dresden, and Fons and Heather Vandenbroek of Aylmer, both pork producers. The Van Arkels work with a 400 hog farrow-to-finish operation, and the Vandenbroeks have 550 sows in their farrow-to-finish production unit.
Bruce Thompson, speaking on behalf of the panel of three judges, termed it "a very close competition." He said all three entrants have to be considered finalists because of the high quality of their farming operations and the presentations they made before the judges.
The awards banquet included a presentation by last year's Ontario winners, Glen and Sheila Burgess of Mildmay that outlined their dairy farming operation that has purebred Jerseys and Holsteins cows.
April 1, 2002 (Guelph, Ontario) - Fresh premium lamb from Ontario is a culinary delight for today’s consumer. Ontario consumers want wholesome food products with the assurance of quality and safety. Building on this, a unique branded lamb product line was officially launched in Ontario supermarkets five months ago this week.
Ontario Fresh Premium Lamb Natural is the result of the combined efforts of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency (OSMA), Holly Park Meat Packers and Longo’s Fruit Markets. For the past two weeks (ending March 30, 2002) Longo’s have featured an unprecedented "buy one get one free" lamb sale in its 13 stores across the GTA resulting in an increase in lamb sales through the marketing agency of 196% over the same period last year.
The Ontario Fresh Premium Lamb Natural program was born out of the OSMA’s forward contracting program, initially launched in 1996. The program guarantees processors a consistent supply of high quality, high yielding lamb carcasses. Grading data is transferred back to producers to be integrated into record of performance programs to continually improve the product quality. With a solid foundation and demonstrated track record, the forward contract program eventually resulted in a new partnership with Longo’s and the formation of Longo’s Ontario Fresh Premium Lamb Natural.
Lamb producers who meet the production criteria of the program, including the Natural specifications, sign contracts with OSMA to provide lambs to Holly Park Meat Packers in Bolton. Producers commit to farm management practices that meet both quality and nutritional specifications. They must also participate in a quality assurance record keeping program. Holly Park adheres to a protocol that ensures that the food safety and product quality components implemented on farm remain in place through the processing of the lamb.
Longo’s is the first retailer to promote the Ontario Fresh Premium Lamb Natural program. They are a family owned grocery chain with thirteen stores in the Greater Toronto Area. The co-branding of the two names: Longo’s and Ontario Fresh Premium Lamb Natural, speaks to the strength of this partnership and the quality of the lamb being produced and marketed through this program.
OSMA, which represents all Ontario sheep producers, sees the program as a step towards strengthening existing markets and creating new ones for premium Ontario lamb. "This is a tremendously exciting initiative for all parties involved," said John Hemsted, OSMA Chair, "it provides producers with a secure marketplace, while providing the processor and retail store with quality lamb, week after week."
For the consumers, the Natural Lamb program provides in-store demonstrations, along with recipe pamphlets and highlighting cooking tips, available throughout the lamb display.
Funding for this program has come from the federally funded CanAdapt program, administered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council.
OSMA is a producer-run organization representing 4200 sheep producers in the province of Ontario.
For more information contact:
Cathy Lennon
General Manager
Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency
519-836-0043
manager@ontariosheep.org
Bernie's Butcher Block Found Guilty At Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency Hearing
February 14, 2002 (Guelph, Ontario) - In a Hearing held on Wednesday, February 6th 2002 at 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, Ontario, convened by the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency (OSMA), Bernie's Butcher Block, 63 Addison Road, R.R.# 4 Athens, Ontario, owned and operated by Mr. Bernie Barber and Mr. Al Shaver, was found guilty on charges of Failing to Remit Required License Fees to OSMA. In addition to the immediate payment of all outstanding License Fees, they were ordered to pay the sum of $2,500.00 within 30 days as penalty for their non-compliance.
The Hearing was conducted under the authority of the Farm Products Marketing Act which permits the Board of Directors of OSMA to sit as a hearing committee to hear cases of non-compliance with the Farm Products Marketing Act, or of a Regulation, Direction or Order of the Agency.
Bernie's Butcher Block failed to pay License Fees owed by them for the slaughter of sheep or lambs in their premises over a significant period of time. They are required by legislation to collect said fees from producers having their product custom-slaughtered, or to pay the fees themselves for the slaughter of their own animals, and to remit the Fees to the OSMA within specified time limits.
License Fees are collected to fund the Agency, whose mandate is to enhance producers' returns and provide consumers with safe, premium lamb and related products.
The current Board of Directors and the management of OSMA, while regretting the necessity of holding such Hearings, feel they are obligated to do so to ensure their producers that all required license fees are being fully and fairly collected on their behalf. They would emphasize that the majority of fees are collected with the full co-operation of the submitting sources, but stress the point that any non-compliance by those involved is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue.
For further information:
Cathy Lennon, General Manager
Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency
(519) 836-0043
manager@ontariosheep.org
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