Monthly Update

April 2024

April = Nova Scotia Shearers

It is a frequently asked question: who can I contact to shear my sheep? In an effort to help producers contact shearers, SPANS has compiled a list of those who are willing to shear this year. Please visit the website for the full shearer list!

Avian Influenza

As you may have heard or seen in the media, in late-March, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was detected in dairy cattle in the US (Texas, Kansas and New Mexico). HPAI has not been detected in sheep.

We want to assure sheep producers there is no need to be alarmed, as to-date the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has not detected HPAI in any livestock in Canada. The CFIA are continuing to monitor the situation. The identification of HPAI in dairy cattle should not have implications for the international movement of milk, meat or live animals.

This is a great opportunity to improve biosecurity measures within your flock, such as isolating sick and new animals, minimizing contact with wild birds on your farm, regularly inspecting the farm for loose feed, changing boots when entering barns, sanitizing enclosures, waterers, feeders, etc. and limiting visitors to your farm, among others.

Additional resources are available on the CFIA website.

If you have disease concerns within your flock, please reach out to your veterinarian.

If you have general concerns, please out to SPANS Managing Director, Kara Chisholm directly at (902) 957-2699.

Summer Feed Efficiency Test

The Maritime Beef Testing Society, with help from the Sheep Producers Association of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Cattle Producers, is hosting a 2024 Summer Feed Efficiency Test, being offered for rams, ewes and heifers (depending on the number of animals consigned).

Application forms for the 2024 Summer Feed Efficiency Test, occurring July-August in Nappan, NS, are due back Friday, May 3rd.

The application forms, as well as additional information, can be found on the SPANS website.

CCWG Press Release:

Wool Pellets for your garden have arrived!

Wild Valley Farms of Croydon, Utah and the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers Ltd. based out of Carleton Place, Ontario are excited to announce a collaboration to market Canadian wool as the revolutionary sheep wool pellet fertilizer.

Wool Pellets are made 100% from raw wool and are the only fertilizer that reduces watering needs while also creating porosity in the root zone. These Canadian wool pellets will be marketed under the Wild Valley Farms branded Wool Pellets in the North American marketplace and will carry the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers logo. With this partnership, the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers Ltd will become the Canadian distributors for Wild Valley Farms products. The two companies are excited to pool resources to further the marketing and visibility of sheep wool pellets and associated products in both Canada and the United States of America. Please look for these products in Canada at all retail stores under the CCWG group of companies or online at www.wool.ca or www.realwoolshop.ca 

CLICK HERE to read the full CCWG Press Release.

Looking for Legendary Leicesters!

In 1972, an American breeder named Dennis Olson bought a group of 22 Border Leicesters from several farms in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The small flock was assembled by Murray Harvey of Enfield, NS and taken to Olson’s farm in Minnesota. Much to everyone’s surprise when lambs were born to this flock at their new home, one of the lambs was entirely and unexpectedly black. This was the very first of the naturally-coloured Border Leicesters to appear in the United States.

Betty Levin purchased her first Border Leicesters around the same period from Nova Scotia breeders Betty and Jack Hearn of Hampton – part of the William Dexter flock. Over the years, Levin would purchase more stock from Dexter, including some of the famous “Black Beauties” – naturally-coloured Border Leicesters that were being bred on various farms in and around PEI and Nova Scotia. These naturally-coloured purebred and pedigreed animals are some of the earliest registrants to the American Border Leicester Association.

Tara is looking for anyone who knows anything about the Black Beauties. She is a breeder of registered Border Leicesters farming in Alberta and is hoping to learn as much as possible about these particular animals. The last “sighting” they have of these flocks was fewer than 20 animals in 2002, still in the Maritimes. If you have any information about any of the breeders who shepherded the coloured version of the Border Leicester for local handspinners and wool markets, Tara would love to hear from you. Please contact her at:

Tara Klager

c/o Providence Lane Homestead

Rocky View County, AB T4C 2X3

(403)874-2779; taraklager@gmail.com

AAFC Survey on Food Loss and Waste

AAFC would like to inform you about a short SURVEY on food loss and waste (FLW) being undertaken by Second Harvest in conjunction with Value Chain Management International (VCMI).

The survey covers the entire food value chain and will be used to benchmark FLW in Canada.

Survey closes on May 1st.

Shaping Our Future: Canadian Sheep Federation Strategic Plan Renewal Survey

The Canadian Sheep Federation is undergoing a strategic plan renewal, and is seeking input on various aspects of their strategic plan, including new initiatives, funding models, and member engagement strategies.

This survey is a key step in redefining their mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities for the coming years. Your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future for the industry.

AgriStability Enrolment Deadline

The AgriStability enrolment deadline is April 30, 2024. More information on AgriStability can be found here.

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

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