Dear member.
I am sorry to inform you that the good initiative of the Dawson Creek Sheep sale has been interrupted this year. The reason for this is the limited number of animals entered last year. I hope we can start this initiative up again next year as I think it is a great way for people to market lambs in the fall. If you have any ideas on how we can persuade the auction market to do this a gain, let me know. (eric@grazerie.com)
Wednesday 29 August 2012
Saturday 11 August 2012
Sheep Collar Texts Shepherds When Wolves Attack
So, here is how technology could help reduce predations.
I do think that this could be a tool in the toolbox of measures to help in preventing predations.
However, this text message won't stop predations in itself, but combined with repellants, guarddogs, fencing and other forms of management,
could be very useful.
I do think that this could be a tool in the toolbox of measures to help in preventing predations.
However, this text message won't stop predations in itself, but combined with repellants, guarddogs, fencing and other forms of management,
could be very useful.
Sheep Collar Texts Shepherds When Wolves Attack
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| Image by:Tambako the Jaguar/Flickr |
By Liat Clark, Wired UK
Swiss biologists are testing a sheep collar wolf-warning device that registers heart rate changes and alerts shepherds to attacks via text message, while simultaneously emitting a repellant.
The envisioned collar is in its preliminary phase, and the heart monitor faculty was recently trialled for the first time outdoors near Les Diablerets ski resort. The team, which includes biologist Jean-Marc Landry, fit the collars of 12 sheep with heart rate monitors (similar to the devices used by runners) before releasing them into an enclosure with two muzzled Czechoslovakian wolf dogs. The predators circled the sheep before attempting an attack. Readings from the collar monitors later showed a significant spike in the heart rate of the sheep, from a standard 60 to 80 beats per minute to 225 when the wolf dogs launched their attack.
The team plans on testing the second phase of the collar in autumn 2012. This will include a built-in wolf-repelling device — either a spray or a sound repellant — that will activate when a sheep’s heart rate reaches a certain level. At the same time, the collar will automatically send a text message to the shepherd, alerting the sheep’s keeper to the attack. Though details of the repellant have not yet been released, the fact that Landry is also the author of a paper entitled Non-lethal techniques for reducing depredation suggests the system will not be a deadly one.
Wednesday 11 April 2012
Ram Sale Birch Hills
Bull and Ram sale a success
Prices for breeding bulls are definitely up to previous years, reflecting perhaps the optimism that ranchers are feeling as regards the future of the cattle industry. Birch Hills colony, close to Wanham, held a combined bull and ram sale last week. The bull sale was very well attended, additional seating needed to be arranged as the stands around the sale ring were packed. The red Angus bulls sold well under auctioneer Carter Tink. The top selling two year old bulls were well over 6000 dollars. All the bred heifers were all sold to Morrinville Colony, with the average price for these heifers was over $1650. The Black Angus heifers sold for slightly more.
During the break, the cowboys from both Birch Hills and Shady lane colony gave a short demonstration of their ranch geldings that were for sale.
The Peace Country has not seen a private ram sale for many years. With the sheep industry also on a rise the demand for well bred rams were high. Birch Hills Colony had on offer a number of registered and non registered purebred Suffolk and Dorset rams and a number of bred ewe lambs. Once again the stands around the sale barn were filled to the brim and the bidding and selling was strong. The highest selling Dorset rams were sold for $850. The Suffolk rams averaged 535 dollars and the Dorset rams averaged just over 600 dollars each. The bred ewe lambs sold really well with prices ranging between 350 and 525 dollars.
Tom Walters, the sheep boss at Birch Hills and, Chris and Jonathan Tschetter from the cattle side of the business were “very happy” with the sale and excited at the fantastic turnout.
Friday 17 February 2012
Reminder of Ram and Ewe Lamb sale
Friday 16 March at 4pm
Birch Hills Colony
Birch Hills Colony
Selling 22 dorset and suffolk rams and 32 bred ewe lambs!
For more information and a catelogue call
Tom Walters 780-864-8924
Friday 27 January 2012
Making more from Sheep
Capable and Confident Producers
Richard Apps from Australia, was one of the keynote speakers at the Alberta Sheep Breeders Association Symposium held towards the end of 2011. As one of the (other) guest speakers at this symposium, I was lucky enough to attend a number of the seminars given. Mr. Apps was invited by the Sheep Breeders Association to give a number of lectures on the topic “Making more from Sheep”.
He works for the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) were he focuses on genetic evaluation and extension work. The MLA has a number of publications, divided up into modules, to help the sheep industry move along. These modules are very aptly named “Making more from Sheep”.
Although the modules are written for producers in Australia, there are many lessons to be learned from them. Australia is regarded as one of the top sheep producing countries, which is leading the sheep industry forward.
Richard Apps from Australia, was one of the keynote speakers at the Alberta Sheep Breeders Association Symposium held towards the end of 2011. As one of the (other) guest speakers at this symposium, I was lucky enough to attend a number of the seminars given. Mr. Apps was invited by the Sheep Breeders Association to give a number of lectures on the topic “Making more from Sheep”.
He works for the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) were he focuses on genetic evaluation and extension work. The MLA has a number of publications, divided up into modules, to help the sheep industry move along. These modules are very aptly named “Making more from Sheep”.
Although the modules are written for producers in Australia, there are many lessons to be learned from them. Australia is regarded as one of the top sheep producing countries, which is leading the sheep industry forward.
One of the modules covers the effect that you, the producer, have on your own business. This of course does not only apply to sheep producers but covers all agri- business. Many farms and ranchers are family owned and people have multiple roles within this business. A number of studies have been conducted which show a big divergence in farm profit, even between similar enterprises, environments and management practices. What differentiates a successful family ranching business from the mediocre?
Apps states: “The poorer performance of the average (and below) producers is not a function of a lack of researched-based technical information to fine tune their businesses, but rather a function of social and generational family conditioning, that stifles innovation and uptake of research and development outputs.”
So considering that social and generational conditioning influences the success of a business, this module looks at ways that family orientated operations can improve their business by learning to make clear, defined decisions to avoid tensions and stressors creeping into the managing of their operation.
As most family run operations do not have scheduled business meetings, Apps suggests that this is an important discipline to develop and implement, on any size operation. At these sit down meetings important decisions are discussed and agreed upon.
He highlights also the need for simple day to day meetings, these could be a “tailgate meeting” on the back of the pickup, to discuss the work for that day; who does what and what the expectations are.
Apps states: “The poorer performance of the average (and below) producers is not a function of a lack of researched-based technical information to fine tune their businesses, but rather a function of social and generational family conditioning, that stifles innovation and uptake of research and development outputs.”
So considering that social and generational conditioning influences the success of a business, this module looks at ways that family orientated operations can improve their business by learning to make clear, defined decisions to avoid tensions and stressors creeping into the managing of their operation.
As most family run operations do not have scheduled business meetings, Apps suggests that this is an important discipline to develop and implement, on any size operation. At these sit down meetings important decisions are discussed and agreed upon.
He highlights also the need for simple day to day meetings, these could be a “tailgate meeting” on the back of the pickup, to discuss the work for that day; who does what and what the expectations are.
The focus of this module is on developing five main skills to help family operations become more successful, namely;
Knowing who does what on the ranch. This often can be a bone of contention on many family run ranchers were parents’ farm with their children and spouses do not want to be “told” what to do. Making clear what each person’s role and responsibility is within the company will help to alleviate these tensions.
Knowing who does what on the ranch. This often can be a bone of contention on many family run ranchers were parents’ farm with their children and spouses do not want to be “told” what to do. Making clear what each person’s role and responsibility is within the company will help to alleviate these tensions.
Developing effective communication: Just because a comment or statement is made at the breakfast table or while loading the pickup, it does not mean that it has been effectively communicated! A passing statement made to a family member does not have to mean, that the message is clear or even agreed to. “Oh, by the way (while loading calves) I bought a new baler” is not an effective way to communicate.
Scheduling time to clearly communicate will be rewarded with improved relationships within the farm team, improved relevance (the receiver hears and understands what has been said) and improved respect (understands the issues, whether or not all parties agree).
Scheduling time to clearly communicate will be rewarded with improved relationships within the farm team, improved relevance (the receiver hears and understands what has been said) and improved respect (understands the issues, whether or not all parties agree).
Develop a sound business purpose. Apps state’s that, “it is easy, but often incorrect, to assume that each member of your ranching team clearly understands your goals and the values you apply when working towards these goals”. Discuss, these goals and plans with each member involved in your farming or ranching activity. Flowing out of these discussions, develop an agreed set of values and goals. By doing this you can develop a common sense of purpose within your enterprise. Do review and update periodically.
Build knowledge and skills in the business: as profit is predominantly a people issue it becomes important to foster a positive attitude towards change and commitment. By doing this, new ideas can be easier introduced into the business. Listening to ideas from the people involved and having the confidence to incorporate change, is one of the “secrets of success” for many businesses.
Lastly, Apps goes on to explain the importance of maintaining a happy balance between work and family. In farming and ranching families finding this balance is a real challenge. Working together all day does not automatically translate into quality family time.
Apps, says that “Holiday time is a must – it is equivalent to the annual service for the tractor or header”.
Apps, says that “Holiday time is a must – it is equivalent to the annual service for the tractor or header”.
Considering that farming or ranching is not like any other business; the work place is also the home place, no 9 to 5 schedule, no overtime, no planned day off and certainly no four weeks paid leave! Add to this that ranchers also often have shared ownership (and, management structures) that cross various generations; it becomes clear that investing in people is integral to sustainable and profitable farming business.
So, if this topic interests you, take a look at the website " Making more from sheep"
www.makingmorefromsheep.com.au
Louise Liebenberg
Sunday 1 January 2012
Sheep meeting
Sheep Meeting
The Alberta Lamb Producers is organizing a seminar on Saturday January 7th at 1 pm in Grand Prairie. This meeting is set up so that those sheep producers in the Peace Country have the opportunity to meet the board members of the Alberta Lamb Producers. The topic that will be presented by Dale Engstrom at this meeting will be about ewe nutrition and the updated “SheepBytes” feed rationing program. This program will become available to producers in 2012. The Sheep Bytes program is a web-based ration balancing program that takes factors such as weather condition and stage of production into account when balancing a suitable ration for various feeder groups.
Whether you are feeding lactating ewes or feeder lambs the nutrition requirements for each group are different, even the stage of pregnancy and lactation is important to consider. As the sheep industry matures and become more professional, so does the demand for more knowledge. With high prices and good future prospects for the sheep industry, learning how to utilize correct sheep balancing rations can have a direct financial impact on your operation. Feed to need is the key phrase and ensures the proper nutrient requirements for the animals are being met; feeding at the appropriate stage of production prevents wastage and financial loss.
Sheep producers are invited to come to the Grand Prairie Inn to meet the board of the Alberta Lamb Producers and to learn about the possibilities of using the SheepBytes rationing program.
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