Requirements for Small Ruminants Imported from the US May 2010
Protocol for Replacing CSIP Tags Used to Register Sheep
Industry Commits to Study Canadian Sheep Improvement Services
January 29, 2010 – Guelph, Ontario - Leaders from both federal and provincial sheep industry organizations met on January 19 in Guelph with sheep improvement researchers and service providers from Quebec and Ontario. The goal of the meeting was to address the need to implement a sustainable national data and evaluation program and to increase the amount of animal and flock performance recording in the Canadian flock. To date, there are major deficiencies in the important areas of: the amount of data captured on-farm; the on-farm data stored in central locations; and the number of animals receiving evaluations for genetic merit.
“In order to improve the genetic and reproductive performance of the Canadian flock there is a need to increase the amount of information gathered to make the genetic evaluations more meaningful. Having both provincial and national level organizations coming together is a huge step forward in making this happen” said Markus Wand, Chair of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, who attended the meeting.
A thorough review of the GenOvis Canada performance recording service highlighted for the group the benefits of a national database housing genetic and performance information. Housing all of the data in one central location not only makes it easier to analyze but also provides shepherds from across Canada the opportunity to access information that could enhance their management and genetic decisions.
With a focus of increasing flock productivity in Canada, the organizations agreed to collectively:
- investigate ways to formalize a working relationship between federal and provincial organizations to set policy and provide service for a national data and evaluation system.
- investigate ways to offer a user-friendly enhanced GenOvis service across Canada.
For more details on these important steps for the Canadian sheep industry please contact:
Russian market opens for Canadian small ruminant genetics
October 13, 2009 – Guelph, ON – The Canadian small ruminant industry applauds today’s announcement from the Government of Canada indicating that the industry now has access to the Russian market. The reaching of an agreement on the export certificate for live sheep and goats into Russia is a clear indication of the growing demand for Canadian small ruminant genetics on the international stage.
“Russia has committed to doubling its small ruminant production, and has identified Canadian genetics as an integral part of this expansion,” says Brian Atkinson, of the Canadian Sheep Breeders Association. “Recognizing the quality of Canadian small ruminant genetics, Canadian breeding stock will be used as the base from which the Russian industry can expand.” Over the next three years it is anticipated that the Russian market could be worth over $8 million for the Canadian small ruminant industry.
“For almost two years, CLGA has been working with the Government of Canada and industry representatives in Russia to reach agreement on the animal health conditions that would allow Canadian small ruminant genetics access to the Russian market,” explains Rick McRonald with the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association. He goes on to say that CLGA members have established strong relationships with counterparts in Russia and arevery pleased to know that trade can now get underway. Russia has been and remains a key market in our Small Ruminant Marketing Strategy and we appreciate the assistance received via the CAFI and now AMP programs of AAFC. We are confident that Canadian sheep and goat genetics and know-how will contribute positively to the advancement of the sector in Russia. Our thanks are extended to all for their perseverance and commitment and we wish the Canadian and Russian partners every success.” |
