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ALP's 2023 town hall meeting for eligible Alberta Lamb Producers is scheduled to take place Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 7pm MST. In order to be an eligible producer to register, you need to have purchased tags within the last two years of ALP’s fiscal year end (August 31).

Draft Agenda

Please find the meeting date and registration links below.

ALP Town Hall Meeting – Eligible Alberta Producers Only (Eligibility will be confirmed by office)

When: Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Time: 7:00  pm to 9:00 pm

Producers will need to register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwoce-qqzovHd0TZct1_cbIbdVpGZbcq-j8

*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The Town Hall Meeting Package will be emailed to eligible producers who register to attend when it becomes available.

We hope you will engage in this year’s town hall meeting. Attendance and engagement will signal a need to continue with them and your feedback on content and format will shape them to make the most of the time together. If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Scott, ALP Executive Director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CFIA is pleased to inform you that the proposed changes to Part XV of the Health of Animals Regulations are now in Canada Gazette I and the 90-day consultation period is from March 18 to June 16, 2023.  Below, please see the link to CFIA’s main consultation webpage as well as the direct link to the proposed regulations in Canada Gazette I. 

• Share your thoughts: Consultation on proposed changes to Part XV of the Health of Animals Regulations (Identification and Traceability) - Canadian Food Inspection Agency (canada.ca)
• Canada Gazette, Part 1, Volume 157, Number 11: Regulations Amending the Health of Animals Regulations (Identification and Traceability)

Further to the release regarding the launch of consultations on proposed amendments to livestock traceability regulations, please note the proposed dates for the CFIA's sheep producer webinars below:

• Webinar – Sheep producers and owners
  • English session – March 31, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. (mountain)
    

    Microsoft Teams meeting

    Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

    Click here to join the meeting

    Meeting ID: 293 306 602 176
    Passcode: DpDgHY

    Download Teams | Join on the web

    Join with a video conferencing device

    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Video Conference ID: 119 188 964 9

    Alternate VTC instructions

You will note from the consultation link below that there are various webinars being hosted by species and stakeholder type.  You are welcome to join as many as you would like.

Click here to see the copy of the sheep-specific guidance document provided by the CFIA for the consultation.  The document narrows down the regulation to requirements for sheep producers.  The consultation link below also provides guidance documents for operators of livestock sites (abattoirs, assembly points, feedlots, etc.), exporters and importers, and distributors of approved indicators.

If there are any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to CFIA directly. 

The Alberta Lamb Producers (ALP) is aware that producers have been struggling with having timely access to dewormers for their flocks, with options like Startect becoming unavailable in Canada. We are pleased to share that ALP was able to work with a Canadian Company whereby they were able to create a new compound that producers across Canada will have access to.

Sheep that are maintained on pasture commonly become infected with nematodes (roundworms) that live in their gastrointestinal tract. The three most important gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) infecting sheep are Haemonchus (barber’s pole worm), Teladorsagia (brown stomach worm) and Trichostrongylus (stomach hairworm).  The barber pole worm has been shown to be resistant to ivermectin in some Canadian flocks but has been shown to be sensitive to the anti-parasitic drug levamisole.  To address this concern an ivermectin-levamisole drench formulation has been developed which is available through most large animal veterinary clinics through a prescription.  This formulation should provide protection for both internal and external parasites.

If producers or veterinarians have questions, please contact Holden Guillory at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or (403) 483-1700.

The University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) sheep and goat parasite and anthelmintic resistance survey

Over the past few years, a team of investigators as well as summer research students from the University of Calgary have undertaken surveys of sheep farms in Western Canada to assess the level of gastrointestinal parasites present.

The researchers conducted more detailed investigation on anthelmintic resistance of a number of farms in Alberta by on-farm visits to perform fecal egg count reduction tests. The results of this work suggests that many Alberta sheep flocks have high parasite burdens and that ivermectin and fenbendazole/albendazole resistant parasites may be more common than previously thought in the province. More information on sheep parasite control and the research can be found on this website: https://vet.ucalgary.ca/research/sheep-parasite-control/home

In the upcoming summer, the researchers are looking to continue and survey more flocks in Western Canada. The project will look at parasite burden and at the effectiveness of treatment at the flock level. Molecular techniques for identification of parasites will be used. Detection of parasite resistance to dewormers and its evolution will be monitored over several years.

If your flock consist of 20 or more ewes and or Does and you are interested in this project, we would like you to contact us (information below). The results are confidential. If you would like to share the results with your veterinarian, please let us know.

Thank you for your assistance in this project. If you are interested to participate, or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of us! please contact the research group at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Drs John Gilleard and Camila Queiroz

Please find below the Sheep Supply for month ending January 2023.
January 2023

For the most up to date information on the Alberta wildfires situation please find the following information below that was just released by our proviincal government.

Evacuated farmers and ranchers:

• Should visit alberta.ca/emergency to and find the most up-to-date information on the current wildfire situation.
• Can contact the wildfire resource line at 310-4455 with agriculture and livestock related questions.
• Should register online or at the reception centre identified for their community so staff can quickly assist them and connect them with the resources they need.

Agriculture and Irrigation is also sharing pertinent emergency-related information on our social media channels, so please follow and share.

Facebook: @Agriculture Alberta

Twitter: @AlbertaAg

Instagram: @albertaagriculture

For your/your members’ information:

Agricultural societies and auction markets may have room for livestock evacuated from wildfire areas, and may be able to help connect livestock owners with transport:

• Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies
• Alberta Auction Markets Association - For available space at auction marts for livestock call:

• 780-789-3915 (north)
• 403-358-0456 (south)

Albertans with firefighting training or other resources or supplies to volunteer can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Farmers with questions about business risk management should:

• reach out to their AFSC branch office,
• visit AFSC.ca,
• email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or
• call 1-877-899-2372.

During the election period, Government of Alberta responses are limited. These limitations are outlined in the Elections Act and Elections Communication Policy and are in place until the end of the election.

ALP Needs You!

Join the ALP Board of Directors – Fall 2023!

*Nominations are due by July 31, 2023*

Four Director-at-Large positions on the ALP Board will be up for election this fall. 

Alberta Lamb Producers is the voice of producers in discussions with industry stakeholders and government.  ALP needs a strong Board of Directors to ensure the interests of producers are represented, viable marketing opportunities are developed, and that check-off dollars are spent wisely. 

To stand for election, you MUST submit a completed nomination form to the ALP office by July 31, 2023.  Nominations forms are provided below and also from the ALP website (https://ablamb.ca/index.php/about-alp/joining-the-alp-board). There are four Director-at-Large positions open on the 2023/24 Board.  Candidates can be nominated from any region in the province - there no restrictions due to zone or geographical location.

Director Nomination Form

ALP Director Description

The official ballots for the 2023 ALP Director’s election will be mailed with the fall issue of N’ewesletter.  Producers have the option of advance voting by mailing the ballot to the ALP office or of voting in-person at the AGM on November 18^th at the Red Deer Resort and Casino.

What do you need to serve on the ALP Board as a Director?

• No previous board experience is required.
• Must be an eligible sheep producer residing in Alberta (Eligible producers must have paid service charge (check-off) to ALP within the last two years i.e. after Sep 1, 2021).
• Enthusiasm, ideas and a vision for building a strong lamb industry.
• A commitment to collaboration and the ability to work with other board members for the benefit of the industry.
• Ability to make the minimum commitment of 3-4 in-person board meetings, bi-weekly conference calls, and the ability to monitor and respond to emails at least every 48 hours. Per diems and expense reimbursements are provided.

It’s not all work!  In addition to contributing to the industry, serving on the Board gives you opportunities for personal growth and skills development, such as making important industry contacts, and obtaining experience in board governance, leadership and project management.

May 8, 2023—L’Orignal, Ontario— The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of supporting the agri-food sector’s labour market needs and strengthening Canada’s food supply system. One key to success for Canadian farmers and food processors is their ability to recruit and retain a skilled workforce.

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/05/canada-announces-extension-to-the-agri-food-pilot-facilitating-access-to-permanent-residence-for-workers-and-their-families.html">announced the extension of the Agri-Food Pilot, which will now run until May 14, 2025. Launched in May 2020, the pilot helps facilitate the transition of experienced workers in agricultural and food industries to permanent residence in Canada.

To support employers and candidates, the Minister also announced the removal of the annual occupational caps, or the limits for how many candidates can apply for a specific occupation under the pilot. Removing these limits will provide an opportunity for more eligible candidates to apply. By the end of the year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) intends to introduce new changes to the pilot in stages, including

• expanding open work permit access to family members of all participants in the Agri-Food Pilot—regardless of the participant’s job skill level
• allowing unions to attest to a candidate’s work experience, as an alternative to employer reference letters
• giving applicants residing in Canada the option to either meet the job offer requirement, including the median wage requirement for the job offer, or the education requirement, including educational credential assessment verification
• accepting work experience gained under an open work permit for vulnerable workers, giving more workers an opportunity to qualify

For more details, please consult the https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/05/canada-announces-extension-to-the-agri-food-pilot-facilitating-access-to-permanent-residence-for-workers-and-their-families.html">Press Release.

Alberta Wildfires and Emergency Preparedness

Due to the current outbreak of wildfires across the province and as we move further into windy, dry, weather conditions, ALP would like to remind producers about our Emergency Preparedness Resource section on our website (https://ablamb.ca/index.php/resources/emergency-preparedness). This section has numerous resources available at no charge to producers.

ALP also has past webinar recording posted on our YouTube channel, SheepCentralAlberta: //www.youtube.com/@SheepCentralAlberta/videos">https://www.youtube.com/@SheepCentralAlberta/videos  including:

Preparing for Emergencies in the Alberta’s Sheep Industry with Shauna Mellish (AHEM)

https://youtu.be/zNNRZSE_U4I

ALP Mentors Contact Listing

ALP recognizes the importance of mentorship in our industry as we continue to see new producers joining the industry and producers looking to expand their flocks. ALP would like to support both new producers and existing producers by adding a new listing on our website under the ‘Industry Contacts’ section where a contact list can be accessed that provides names and contact information for experienced producers who are interested in mentoring their fellow producers.

Much like the other contact lists on our website, there is a disclaimer: ALP in no way endorses the mentorship/experienced producers or their services in the listing. While care has been taken to ensure that the information provided on our industry contacts is as accurate and as up to date as possible, ALP cannot be held responsible for missing information or errors.

If you are an experienced Alberta Lamb Producer and are interested in mentoring fellow producers, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 403.948.8533 to provide your contact information for this new listing.

Marketline

Based off producer feedback we have been receiving this past year, the ALP Board has decided to phase out sharing our e-communication Marketline as well as uploading the information/reports onto our website due to the skewed reporting which can provide an inaccurate reading of the current AB market ex: Auction Marts in Alberta don’t provide averages, or the number of head sold in each category. ALP also has no way of validating the information being provided, which in turn means an inaccurate market is being portrayed in our report. To avoid any misleading market information, as of June 1, 2023, ALP will no longer be sharing nor sending these market updates. We will however still provide the links on our website (https://ablamb.ca/index.php/industry-information/lamb-market-reports)  for producers to view the auction marts weekly reports both in Alberta and Ontario.

Should you have any feedback on this, please send an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the office at: 403-948-8533.

N’ewesline

The ALP Board has also made the decision to phase out sending our e-communication N’ewesline. Effective June 1, 2023, ALP will no longer be sending out the monthly e-communication that producers opt in for through Mailchimp. Instead, we will continue to send emails containing the same or time sensitive/important information on an as needed basis, to all eligible Alberta Lamb Producers we have email addresses for in our database. If you are unsure if we have an email address on file for you, please reach out to the ALP office at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 403-948-8533.

Should you have any feedback on this, please send an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the office at: 403-948-8533.

Join Steven Roche in interviewing Janna Greir with Whispering Cedars Ranch and Karl Denwood with Lone Valley Farm Ltd discussing recent research on pain mitigation using lidocaine-loaded castration bands in Canadian sheep flocks. Hear the perspectives and experiences of these two producers and from these two producers.
Listen to the podcast here