Monthly Update

July 2024

Sheep Summer Social

SPANS held our Sheep Summer Social on July 16th, at Martock Glen Farm, with food provided by Farm To Truck.

Thank you to Wayne and Nicole Oulton for hosting us and providing an informative tour of their operation, to Chef Kevin Brown for the delicious meal, and to all participants!

Atlantic Sheep Sale

The 38th Annual Atlantic Fall Sheep Sale, hosted by the Purebred Sheep Breeders Association of Nova Scotia, will occur September 14th at the 4-H Building on the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition grounds in Bible Hill, NS.

2024 Atlantic Sheep Sale Package

2024 Atlantic Sheep Sale Advertising Information

Climate Adaptation Leadership Program (CALP) Lime Subsidy

The Climate Adaptation Leadership Program (CALP) have developed a new Lime Subsidy Program for Nova Scotia Cattle and Sheep Producers in good standing.

Cattle and sheep producers are eligible for $15/ton of lime purchases for pre-approval (to a max. of 150 tonnes).

Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2024. Claims will be accepted until December 31, 2024 but can be submitted anytime after approval is received.

Why Lime?

The only reliable way to determine your soil pH is to take a soil sample.

pH influences many things in the soil, particularly the availability of nutrients. The ideal range is 6-7.

Similar to plants, which prefer to have a certain pH range, many microbes also prefer a certain pH range

At low pHs, unwanted plants such as weeds or mosses can thrive in environments where the more preferred plants do not outnumber them.

If the magensium as well as calcium levels are low on the soil test report, consider using dolomitic limestone.

The effectiveness of lime is measured by the calcium carbonate equivalency (CCE), which is identified by a percentage, where pure calcium carbonate is 100%. If using other sources to adjust pH, know the CCE of them.

**Above resources from: Nova Scotia Soil Newsletter (June 2024: All About Soil pH)

Use of pesticides in agriculture : Information from Health Canada

Health Canada's Pesticide Compliance Program (PCP) is responsible for promoting, monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) and its regulations.

The below document is a summary of the most relevant federal regulatory requirements applicable to the use of pesticides in agriculture. 

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!

Open Farm Day

On Sunday, September 15th Atlantic Open Farm Day will be celebrated across all 4 Atlantic Provinces, and registration is open until July 31st for Nova Scotia farms! Farms can participate online and in person again this year.

Welcoming members of the public to your farm is a great way to give people a sneak peek at what farm life is like, gain new customers, and make connections in your community.

Even if you aren’t able to welcome people in person, or September isn’t your most exciting month on the farm, you can still participate. Virtual participants can go live on social media on Open Farm Day or submit pre-recorded videos (no need for professional skills here!). Virtual participation is a great way to showcase your farm when it’s at its best and to build your following online.

To be eligible to participate it is required that:

• Your farm registration is current, you have adequate insurance coverage, and you are a member of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.
• An in-person event provides an educational experience to the public and follows all current public health guidelines and/or a virtual visit on your farm provides an educational experience to the public.
• You do not charge admission to visit your farm on Open Farm Day (paid activities are allowed)

If you’re new to Open Farm Day, want to learn more, or want to chat about what an Open Farm Day might look like for you/your farm, contact April at 902-893-2293 or amaclean@nsfa-fane.ca.

Carcass Ultrasound Services



The Nova Scotia Cattle Producers (NSCP) are proud to 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

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.

Visit the below link to register, as well as for the full detailed pasture walk schedule of dates, locations and topics!

For a complete listing of all programs, please visit www.novascotia.ca/programs for more information. Some you may find of interest include: