Monthly Update

October 2024

Scroll down to Upcoming Events for more information on any of the above events!

Tomorrow’s scheduled Nova Scotia Beef Initiative Update has been postponed due to the upcoming election.

Once we know a new date and time for this session we will send an update.

NEW: Nova Scotia Beef Herd Renewal and Improvement Program

Through the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture’s Nova Scotia Beef Initiative, a new Nova Scotia Beef Herd Renewal and Improvement Program has been released.

This program closes February 15th, and offers funding for such categories as heifer retention, seed stock development, herd health, preconditioning services, VBP + audits, and surveillance systems in addition to the Elite Sire Program launched earlier in 2024. Through this initiative funding has been approved for all of these activities through the 2025/26 fiscal year.

Animal Health Lab- Temporary Closure

The NS Animal Health Laboratory is experiencing an unplanned closure due to emergency plumbing issues. At this this time the lab cannot receive specimens including animal carcasses for necropsy (autopsy).

Repairs required in the postmortem laboratory are particularly extensive and there is not yet an estimate on when the Pathology service will resume. Other lab spaces in the building (bacteriology, serology, parasitology, and histopathology) hope to resume routine diagnostic testing within 1-2 weeks.

Veterinary pathologists within the Department will be working with large animal veterinarians to support industry during the labs closure.

If producers have questions about submitting a case for laboratory testing, they are encouraged to contact their veterinarian to review options. Laboratory staff can also be contacted at (902) 893-6540 or animalhealthlab@novascotia.ca with any questions. 

Local Mycotoxin Testing Now Available

Mycotoxins in grain are a growing concern for Atlantic Canadian producers. To help give you peace of mind, the Perennia Plant Health Lab now offers testing for 6 different mycotoxins for 5 crops.

Nova Scotia Farm Sharps - Quick Reference Disposal Guide

Wondering where to dispose of your old Sharps containers? See the below map to find the location nearest you:

🚨 New Campaign Alert! 🚨

The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) is launching a public campaign to grow our community of beef supporters across Canada, and we need your help!

Thousands have already joined us in standing up for Canadian beef during key moments like Don’t Label My Beef and Say No to a Bad Deal. Now, we’re building an even bigger community to protect our ranchers, producers, and the delicious, Canadian beef we all love.

By signing up, you can get your very own personalized Beef Champion ribbon, join a strong network of advocates, and help make sure our voice is heard loud and clear when it matters most.

➡️ Sign up and share the campaign with your friends, family, and followers! https://www.cattle.ca/supportcdnbeef

Let’s work together to support Canadian beef! 

Climate Adaptation Leadership Program: Farm Highlight Opportunity

How have you adapted to our changing climate?

Big or small, we want to hear about the innovative practices you’ve been implementing.

Apply to have your farm highlighted by the Climate Adaptation Leadership Program team!

Approved producers could receive compensation up to $1,000!

If interested in being featured, please send an email of interest to office@nscattle.ca, including a brief highlight of the issues you faced due to climate change, and how you overcame them! 

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.

Forage U-Pick

Current Opportunities: Nova Scotia



Check out the list of current opportunities available online HERE!

Perennia: Pasture Walk Series

Come out for an insider look into local farm operations and community pastures throughout the province. Beef, sheep, poultry, hog producers and agronomists are encouraged to join! Are you interested in learning more about rotational grazing and improving pasture quality for your grazing livestock? The pasture walk extension topics will include soil health, rotational grazing, early season management, water management, multispecies grazing and more.

• Dec. 5: Pasture Walk at South River Ranch with Ryan McCarron

NSCP Programs:

• Nova Scotia Genetic Improvement Program

Funding towards sire purchases, genomic testing and carcass ultrasound.

Application deadline: February 15, 2025

• Nova Scotia Soil, Pasture and Forage Management Program

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

Application deadline: November 30, 2024

Nova Scotia SCAP Programs:

Disaster Financial Assistance for Small Businesses: July 2024 Flash Flooding

Application Deadline: October 31, 2024

This program helps small businesses with costs to repair or replace uninsurable, essential basic property loss (like appliances and furniture) due to the July 2024 flash flooding. The program is also available to residential property owners and tenants and non-profits.

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

Atlantic Stockyards Limited

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!