SPANS
CEBA Application Extension
The Federal Government announced August 31, 2020 that the deadline for applying for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) has been extended to October 31, 2020, making the program accessible longer to Canadians. Additional information can be found on the Government of Canada website.
Advisory Direct Sales Producers
The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture (NSDA) is launching a survey looking at the effects COVID-19 has had on direct sales patterns within the Agriculture Industry. Primary producers and producers who value-add are being encouraged to participate in the survey if they direct sell to consumers.
For the NSDA survey, direct sales are defined as “Farm to customer through farm gate, farmers market, online ecommerce, community shared agriculture deliveries and sales through small or alternative retailers.”
If you direct sell to consumers and would like to take part in this confidential survey, please contact Elizabeth Morgan at elizabeth.morgan@novascotia.ca with your name, farm name, and the region your operation is situated. A department staff member will contact you about the survey this September.
Maritime Central Ram Performance & Genetic Evaluation Program – Producer Survey
SPANS, in cooperation with the Maritime Beef Test Society, AgSights and provincial sheep associations, have teamed to offer a 2021 Central Ram Evaluation to be hosted in Nappan, Nova Scotia. This Central Ram Test is designed to provide Canadian purebred and commercial sheep producers with the necessary tools to evaluate the genetic potential of their performance-tested ram(s) as breeding stock, while offering important information used to evaluate their own flock’s genetic improvement program. The information generated in a Central Ram Evaluation can improve the marketability of rams and provide valuable information used as a selection tools to increase a sheep flocks productivity and profitability.
Performance and genetic traits to be evaluated during the 70-day spanning test period would include:
Feed Efficiency – Feed intake and feed efficiency can vary over 20% in a flock posing as a significant cost in sheep production systems. Daily feed intake will be recorded to measure how efficiently each ram converts feed to product (e.g. kg gain). Overtime a new feed efficiency EPD will also be developed that breeders and buyers can reference to identify genetically superior feed efficient rams. Improved feed efficiency across a flock can increase farm productivity and profitability (up to 33%) by improving lamb output while lower feed costs. Feed efficiency will be calculated using a method (Residual Feed Intake (RFI)) that assures that performance (daily weight gain and carcass merit) is not impacted, ensuring that breeders can select for rams that are both productive and efficient.
Sheep Industry Enhancement Program
The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture have released their newest CAP sheep industry program: The Sheep Industry Enhancement Program
This program seeks to improve industry competitiveness and resilience through:
– disease prevention and control;
– enhancing animal health and welfare; and
– improving genetic potential
The application deadline is November 30, 2020.
COVID-19 Financial support for farmers and food processors
An all-inclusive information portal is available to help farmers, food processors and agri-food businesses find information on new and existing programs and financial resources to address hardships that many are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These initiatives help to:
- Maintain workforces,
- Keep facilities safe,
- Provide access to capital,
- Manage processing slowdowns and surpluses, and
- Ensure Canadians continue to have access to a stable food supply
Learn more about at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada website.
Transportation Regulation Manifests and Training
The SPANS have resources available for producers regarding the transportation regulation amendments earlier this year. CFIA resources can be found within the Animal Health section of our website, as well as a fillable livestock manifest.
Beginning September 1, 2020, manifest books will be available at our office for a fee of $10.00 each, for 50 triplicate copies. If you would like customized books made, please contact ASE Print at 902-895-8804. There will be a fee of $25.00 for customization.
Canadian Livestock Transport (CLT) offer an online course for commercial trucker three-year certification at $200.00 for one species, with fees increasing up to all four species. Commercial truckers in Nova Scotia who are interested in participating in this training can contact our office for potential funding opportunities.
We are in the process of planning producer livestock training and will release additional details in the coming weeks.
Emergency Forage Planning for When Hay is Tight
Realizing that unfortunately for many, hay supplies will likely be tight in the coming winter months, Real Agriculture have compiled a list of options either through management, planting, or feeding, to help keep animals cared for in the months ahead.
Their full list of suggestions, such as culling mercilessly, fertilizing what you have, grazing crop residue and testing your feed can be found on their website.
Maritime AgCast
Maritime producers will soon be able to catch local, regional and national guests discussing topics within the industry when the Agri-Commodity Management Association (ACMA) launches Maritime AgCast September 8, 2020!
Brad McCallum will be chatting with various guests regarding important livestock topics, as well as keeping you updated on current markets and upcoming industry events.
This podcast will air episodes bi-weekly, ranging in topic from disease management, forage and pasture management, vehicle compliance and many others!
Ensure you subscribe in advance to your favourite podcast platform such as Spotify, iTunes, Google and Anchor.
Serious Animal Disease Emergencies Awareness Webinar
You are invited to a Serious Animal Disease Emergencies Awareness Webinar.
Please register in advance. You will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting once registered.
CCWG Wool Collection Depot
During these challenging times, the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers Ltd (CCWG) wool depot is still in operation.
The Wool Collection Depot is accepting wool with the shipment to go August 22 (earliest) or September 5 (latest). The date is dependent on the trucking company’s availability and will be communicated ASAP.
Please contact:
Bert Meyer, Hummingbird Farm Livestock Supplies
902-396-7595; hummingbirdfarm@hotmail.ca
Dropoff:
Thursdays 12-6pm
Atlantic Stockyards Ltd. (formerly Maritime Cattle Market)
48 Greenfield Rd., Salmon River, NS
OR via appointment :
Hummingbird Farm
245 River Rd., Eureka, Springville, NS
You can also reach out to Bert or Julie, as CCWG agents for all your tags, wool bag etc. needs.
Julie Van Den Heuvel-Duykers
Antigonish Farm & Garden Co-op
Farm & Livestock Supplies
91 St. Andrews St., Antigonish, NS
902-863-1436; antigsh-mgr@co-opsonline.com
www.co-opcountry.com