Impact of Cache Valley Virus in Canadian Sheep Flocks

The Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) is conducting a national survey to assess the impact of Cache Valley Virus (CVV) in sheep flocks across Canada.

CVV is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause abortions, stillbirths, and congenital deformities in lambs. While cases have been identified in Canada, the true extent of CVV in our industry remains unknown. The CSF needs your help to establish a clear picture of how this disease is affecting flocks nationwide.

Why Your Input Matters:

✅ Identify trends and risk factors for CVV across Canada

✅ Provide data to support awareness, surveillance, and prevention strategies

✅ Help the industry better respond to emerging reproductive health challenges

Who Should Participate?

• All Canadian sheep producers – even if you haven’t experienced reproductive issues, your input helps establish a baseline for comparison.
• Your participation will help CSF develop practical solutions to reduce the impact of CVV on Canadian sheep operations. Results will be used to inform industry discussions, producer education, and future research priorities.
• The survey is anonymous and takes just 5–10 minutes to complete.

CVV and abortion factsheets have been added to the SPANS website.

It's important to note that CVV issues are not a result of poor management. Instead, changing environmental conditions are making it more challenging to protect our flocks.

Now is the time to plan for next fall's breeding season. Strategies like avoiding grazing in mosquito-heavy areas and improving mosquito control can help reduce risks.

If you suspect one of these viruses has affected your flock, please reach out to your veterinarian.

Feast Forward Technology Adoption Survey

A small organization in Nova Scotia is looking to talk with Canadian farmers to determine whether they're interested in new technology to help their farms. By filling out this short survey, you can help them better understand your needs and how they can potentially find solutions that benefit your industry.

AgriStability - Application Deadline Approaching

Is your farm dealing with:

• unpredictable weather;
• crop or animal disease; or
• high input costs?

Then it may be time to protect your farm with AgriStability.

Click the image below to apply for the 2025 program year.

CFIA Scrapie Surveillance Resources

Have your sheep and goats tested for Scrapie, a fatal disease that affects their central nervous system. If an animal aged 12 months and older dies on your farm, contact the CFIA.

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 practises 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 novascotiasheep@gmail.com, including a brief highlight of the issues you faced due to climate change, and how you overcame them!

Carcass Ultrasound Services



The Nova Scotia Cattle Producers proudly 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

In collaboration with Landview Drones, Extended Learning is excited to offer Ag Drone School – a hands-on, comprehensive 2-day training course designed to introduce farmers, agronomists, and agricultural professionals to the world of drones. This course is tailored for all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned experts.

Course Details:

• Nova Scotia (Dal AC Campus): Tuesday, April 22 – Wednesday, April 23, 2025
• Fee: $590.00 per registrant

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