The Rural Voice, 1978-12, Page 25Ontario leads in
sheep production
Ontario is no \. Canada's leading sheep -
producing province. says Don Stevenson.
sheep specialist. Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture and Food. Alberta was prev-
iously number one.
"Ontario's sheep population is increasing
while Alberta's is decreasing. There has
been a 10 per cent increase in Ontario
sheep numbers since last year."
The province now has 83,000 sheep,
compared with 77.000 last year. However,
Alberta's sheep populations has dropped
to 76,000 from 79.000.
Ontario's sheep industry has expanded
because prices for lightweight Iambs have
been favorable and more stable than those
paid for some other types of livestock..
Strong demand for fresh lamb is another
reason for increased production.
"The ethnic market wants fresh Iamb.
especially for Christmas and Easter. Most
imported Iamb is frozen." The largest
markets for Ontario lamb are the Toronto
and Montreal regions.
Simcoe and Grey counties have the
largest sheep populations, says Mr.
Stevenson although production is wide-
spread across the province. The largest
individual flocks are located at Beaverton,
in Durham Region, and at Muirkirk. in
Kent County. Each flock contains close to
1,000 head.
Approximately 75 per cent of Ontario
sheep are Suffolks. Dorsets are another
popular breed, followed by crossbreds, and
western sheep.
Sheep are efficient feed converters. A
producing ewe requires one fifth as much
feed required by a beef cow. Hay and grain
are favored rations, and pasture is
recommended in the summer.
In 1978, Ontario residents will consume
roughly 1 kg of lamb per person, and
consumption is increasing.
Bargain on interest
rates Benson says
Farmers can have big savings by
bargaining on interest rates. Bill Benson,
Second Vice -President of the Ontario
Federation of Agriculture told a group of
area farmers at the regional meeting of the
Huron Twp. Federation of Agriculture,
Bruce County. Many farmers with a good
credit rating had recently been able to
negotiate a much lower interest rate than
was originally quoted." He added, "The
practice is not just confined to the banks,
amongst financial in -
but is general
stitutions:'
Benson urged farmers to be aggressive
in their negotiations. "The savings are
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THE RURAL VOICE/DECEMBER 1978 PG. 25