Latest News

(Calgary, Alberta) May 25, 2020 - Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) is pleased to announce that it is now in the startup phase, paving the way for the establishment of a new vision for agriculture research in Alberta. The non-profit, farmer-led company will operate at arm’s length from the Government of Alberta, and will determine and fund industry-wide research priorities that will enhance farmers’ competitive advantage.
 
RDAR recently held an initial series of outreach sessions with its key partners including:

• Crop and livestock boards, commissions and associations
• Alberta’s network of applied research associations  
• Universities, colleges and funding agencies
• Private companies engaged in agriculture research

The sessions were aimed at introducing key partners to RDAR and establishing a platform for ongoing dialogue. 

#CanadianLambChallenge is now under way!!

Ryan Greir, ALP & NSN Chair challenges all ALP and NSN Board members and the Honorable Devin Dreeshen.

https://youtu.be/fQYcGfAhZ64

April 9, 2020

I am sure you all have heard the saying “crisis builds character,” but I would suggest over this next year we will see that saying go much deeper and I suspect that “crisis will build community.” This past month has been a whirlwind for myself and Alberta Lamb Producers, full of challenging decisions, made in a short period of time, as I am sure it has been for all industry stakeholders. I want to be very clear that we will only get through this together, as Canadian sheep, lamb, wool, and stock producers. Our market always has some unpredictability but this next year is going to be very tough on lamb prices as millions find themselves unemployed with others looking at a decrease in income and limited markets to shop. We do not yet know the full impact on lamb imports or exports or the other meat commodities, which will all factor into the equation moving forward. Either way, we need to be united as a country in every way and face this together.

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Effective, Monday March 16^th, all ALP staff will be working from home and our physical office space will be closed to the public until further notice. Our working hours will remain the same, Monday to Friday from 8:00am until 3:30pm. If you need to reach ALP office staff, please call the office line at: 403-948-8533 and leave a voicemail message as they will be checking the voicemail periodically throughout the day and will get back to you as soon as possible. You can also send an email directly to ALP Executive Director, Ashley Scott at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or please visit our website www.ablamb.ca for director contact information.

Producers should be aware that these revised operational measures will not affect our ability to work for you. We will continue to operate our business as usual.

The re-evaluation decision for strychnine (RVD2020-06, Strychnine and Its Associated End-use Products (Richardson’s Ground Squirrels)) is now published on Health Canada’s website. RVD2020-06 can be found by clicking here.

Download your copy here.

Notice to all producers and transporters of animals,

Under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA’s) Health of Animals Regulations (Part XII), Canada’s livestock industry will see changes to its Transportation of Animals requirements. The new requirements will be phased in beginning February 20, 2020.

The new regulations are more detailed with respect to animal needs and specify intervals for transporters to provide food, water and rest. OSF is sharing the most recent communications materials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for information purposes and including links to online resources available at this time. 

All persons involved in the Transporting of Animals must comply with the new regulations.   

Summary
 

1. The HAR Part XII applies on-farm, even before the transport begins.
 

2. Unfit animals can only be transported under the recommendation of a veterinarian and with the aim of receiving veterinary care.

3. Compromised animals must be transported to the nearest place where they can receive care or be humanely killed (cannot go through the auction market) and the maximum interval without FWR is 12 hrs.

4. Outcome-based requirements provide more protection for the vulnerable animals that are not considered as being unfit or compromised.

5. Lambs <8 days cannot go to an auction mart, can be transported one time only, for a max of 12 hours and the max interval without FWR is 12 hours.

6. Lambs > 8 days of age but not weaned can be transported for a max of 12 hours and the max interval without FWR is 12 hours (can go through an auction market).

7. Cull ewes have to be assessed carefully before transport and the driver must be informed of all pertinent pre-existing conditions.

8. Lactating ewes in peak lactation are unfit for transport. If in normal lactation, the ewe has to be milked adequately to prevent mammary engorgement.

Additional Resources 

• A PDF copy of the information below click here 
• A copy of the "Now Vs Then" CFIA document click here 
• Direct link to Humane Transport and Animal Welfare website click here
• A Copy of CFIA Sheep Webinar with OSF - January 2020 click here 
• Checklist for Animal Transportation click here 
• The Interpretive guidance Health of Animals Regulations Part XII: Transportation of Animals will be updated to address the questions CFIA receives in order to help the third parties in interpreting the HAR Part XII. 
• National Farm Animal Care Council - Sheep Codes of Practice for the Care and Handling of Sheep click here 

Have a question? CFIA is here to assist! Please send any questions to the Animal Transport email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Canadian Sheep Identification Program Fees Increasing Today
Ottawa, ON (February 3, 2020) – Effective today, Canadian Sheep Identification Program (CSIP) approved Shearwell tags are subject to program fee increases originally noted in the January 4, 2019, press release.

Read the full press release 

NSN Notice to Producers: Update on the New Transport Regulations - Starting February 2020

Update on the New Transport Regulations - Starting February 2020The humane transport regulations will come into force in February 2020.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will implement a transition period for the feed, water and rest requirements for bovine and other sectors. During the first two years, the CFIA will focus its enforcement efforts on compliance promotion through education and awareness measures, which are part of the CFIA’s continuum of enforcement actions.

The amended regulations contain outcome-based requirements to ensure that animals are not likely to suffer (from exhaustion, dehydration, weather or other conditions), be injured or die. The CFIA has the discretion to appropriately enforce these outcome-based requirements to prevent and act on animal welfare situations.The amended regulations contain outcome-based requirements to ensure that animals are not likely to suffer (from exhaustion, dehydration, weather or other conditions), be injured or die. The CFIA has the discretion to appropriately enforce these outcome-based requirements to prevent and act on animal welfare situations.The NSN will continue to work with the CFIA for clarification on the regulation and implementation plan and will communicate with producers as we learn more.

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The Government of Alberta is introducing new legislation that will impact Alberta producers. Bill 26 also known as the Farm Freedom and Safety Act (FFSA) changes current employment, workers compensation coverage, and occupational health and safety requirements for producers.  The following guide will serve as an overview of how these changes will impact you.

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