We empower the sheep industry through education, innovative research, and advocacy. Our focus is on working in the best interests of our producers by building connected relationships through accountability and transparency.
As spring weather is here, controlling those gophers now is crucial! March-April have shown to be the best time to implement measures to reduce the gopher population in your pastures.
Early intervention crucial in managing Richardson's ground squirrels | Alberta.ca
written by Trevor Wallace Nutrient Management Specialist at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
In Oct 2024, the estimated soil moisture reserves for approximately 65% of the province tended to
be near to above normal for that time of the year. Large parts of the eastern portions of the
Central and Southern Regions were estimated to be above normal. (Map 1). However, throughout much
of the North West Region, western portions of the Central Region and the western and northern
portions of the Peace Region soil moisture reserves ranged from once in 3 to once in 12-year lows.
Soil moisture in a large area south and east of Red Deer is trending toward a once in 25-year lows.
The winter or cold season, from November through March, is usually the driest time of the year in
Alberta. The cold season precipitation accumulation (Map 2), to date, is near normal across much of
the east half of the province, north and east of Edmonton and north into the Peace. A large area
running west of Lethbridge, north to Edmonton, then east to Lac La Biche County as well as around
Peace River and High Level continue to report moderately low (once in 3 to 6-year lows), and low
(once in 6 to 12-year lows) moisture accumulations relative to normal.
Looking back over the past 365 days, precipitation accumulations continue to remain below normal
across a large area from Mountain View County, north to Yellowhead County and then extending
east to the Saskatchewan border (Map 3). Similar below normal conditions are being recorded through
much of the Northern Peace Region and around Grand Prairie. Once in 25-year lows continue to
persist in areas in and around Red Deer. Once in 6 to 12-year lows extend around Red Deer,
northeast of Edmonton, around and west of Grande Prairie, as well as north in the Peace
Region to the border with the Northwest Territories. This area is reporting, relative to average,
year- over-year precipitation accumulations 70 to 90% of normal (average) with some areas only
receiving 50 to 70% of annual average precipitation.
Registration is now open for farms and ranches to be part of the 13th annual Open Farm Days on August 16 and 17.
Alberta Open Farm Days is an annual 2-day summer event that presents Albertans with an opportunity to experience the farm firsthand from farmers and ranchers. The program started in 2013 and has encouraged Albertans to engage with their local communities and experience agri-tourism.
In 2024, over 150 farms participated in Alberta Open Farm Day, welcoming over 52,000 Albertans to their farms and ranches. Host farms have included traditional farms, livestock (bison, cattle, alpaca, sheep, llama, goat, poultry) farms and ranches, organic operations, corn mazes, wineries, craft distilleries, meaderies, craft breweries, stables, petting zoos, along with honey, fruit, vegetable, grain and u-pick farms.
Since 2013, Open Farm Days has seen over 235,000 people visit over 1,200 farms and ranches, injecting over $1.7 million into the rural economy through on-farm sales. In 2024, reported on-farm sales surpassed $300,000 for the first time.
RDAR’s PREP program provides up to $20,000 in funding for lamb producers wanting to evaluate whether a new technology, product, or production practice is feasible on-farm.
PREP is designed to support decision making with data that advances profitability, competitiveness, and sustainability.
To read more, click here, or visit RDAR.
This virtual 4-part webinar offers producers the information to gain simple, effective social media skills to elevate their operation in 2025. The series runs Thursdays, starting February 27 and is open to Alberta producers of all skill level.
This program is designed to introduce small ruminant producers in Alberta to the principles and practices of rotational grazing, focusing on improving pasture health, animal productivity, and long-term sustainability. Each session includes interactive presentations, Q&A opportunities, and actionable takeaways. For more information, see poster.
Dates: Feb. 11, 18, 25, March 4 & 11 at 7 pm MT
The intake for the 2025-2026 Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP), delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, will be opening soon. Applications will be accepted between January 27, 2025 and February 24, 2025. The Youth Employment and Skills Program helps support employers who hire youth (between the age of 15 and 30 inclusive) for agricultural related jobs by providing funding for 50% of wages to a maximum of $14,000 to employ one (1) employee.
For more information, click here, or visit the AAFC website at Youth Employment and Skills Program.
The Targeted Grazing Course is now accepting registrations! This online course includes information on grazing principles, grazing tame and native forages, stockmanship and animal welfare, and building a business plan. Delve into information on unique grazing opportunities such as cutblocks, urban areas, solar sites, forested areas and for weed management. The next course session starts January 29. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info.
For more information on course content, please view the Course Outline.
Producers - this is your chance to connect your veterinarian with an opportunity to expand their knowledge in your industry!
The Small Flock Sheep & Goat Course webinar series is intended for Canadian veterinarians and veterinary professionals and will assist the mixed animal veterinarian and veterinary staff in understanding the normal production cycles of sheep and goats, how to perform a clinical examination of individual animals as well as the flock and understand the common diseases and conditions that affect these species, their proper diagnosis, and control measures. Important and common zoonotic diseases and how to protect their clients will also be covered. Specific welfare issues, e.g., euthanasia, disbudding, tail-docking and castration, will be also included.
Click here for details and share the information with your veterianarian!
Page 1 of 2
