Are you a farmer or rancher in Alberta? If so, you are invited to complete an online survey! The University of Alberta is partnering with Agknow, the Alberta Farm Mental Health Network, to create a survey about farming stress, health and well-being, and the ways to cope with stress. The input from this study will be used to help inform new tools and resources to help Alberta farmers.  It's a short survey, and you can enter a draw for a $200 Amazon.ca gift card!

Here is the survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FarmStressCopingSurvey

The International Wool Textile Organisation is the global authority for standards in the wool textile industry. Since 1930, IWTO has represented the collected interests of the global wool trade. With 33 members in 22 countries, IWTO’s membership encompasses all stages of the wool textile pipeline. From farm to retail, through research, education, and knowledge sharing, IWTO ensures a sustainable future for wool.

IWTO Working Groups

IWTO’s Working Groups provide forums in which the industry can focus on key areas of importance. Through the Working Groups, research is facilitated and shared, strategies developed, and issues reviewed. All members are encouraged to actively participate in the working groups.

Product Wellness

Consumer demand for products related to health and wellbeing is a key and long-term trend – and one in which wool has a large part to play. Wool has many natural properties that are proven to be beneficial for health, wellness and comfort. The Product Wellness Working Group focuses on research, development and communication of wool's health and wellness benefits.

There are currently no Canadian members.

Sustainable Practices

IWTO and its Members are dedicated to making wool’s environmental qualities more understandable and quantifiable. The Sustainable Practices Working Group focuses on research, development and communication of wool's environmental credentials. Wool is an all-natural, renewable fibre, grown on sheep.

There are currently no Canadian members.

Wool Interiors

Naturally flame resistant and capable of filtering VOCs, wool lends itself readily to applications for home and other interiors. The Wool Interiors Working Group focuses on the research, development and communication of benefits pertaining to wool for interior textiles.

There are currently Canadian members.

Wool Trade Biosecurity

Ensuring positive animal health outcomes is of paramount concern for the global wool industry, including ensuring freedom from emergency animal diseases, such as Foot-and-Mouth disease. The Wool Trade Biosecurity Working Group is tasked with issues related to Wool Trade Biosecurity.

There are currently no Canadian members.

If you are interested in joining one of the Working Groups please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This month’s Spinning Yarns Speaker Series will feature a discussion of The Upholstery Plan to coincide with its release. The Canadian Wool Council’s Jane Underhill will speak about The Upholstery Plan and the opportunities that it presents.

The Upholstery Plan is the second in a series of feasibility studies from the Canadian Wool Council that assess the potential of Canadian wool in residential and commercial interior applications. The report examines the use of Canadian wool in the furniture and transportation industries, both of which could have a significant impact on its usage.

Similar to our first study, The Carpet Plan, the Upholstery Plan proposes three policies:

• Fairtrade pricing for wool at the farm gate.
• Dual manufacturing pathways in Canada and Europe to mitigate risk and encourage investment in a Canadian supply chain.
• Social giveback framework for the Canadian wool industry to bring it closer to financial autonomy, like many other wool-producing nations.

The Upholstery Plan will be released shortly before the event.

All are welcome, but registration is required.

https://spinning-yarns-speaker-series-the-upholstery-plan-discussion.eventbrite.com

It is important to note that this tag fee increase is solely coming from CCWG and is not associated with ALP check off, which has not been increased since January 1, 2008.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is pleased to provide our members, affiliates, corporate partners, and farmers across the country an amazing opportunity to assist you with your internet connectivity. Don't miss out on this incredible limited-time offer brought to you by the CFA and Starlink! Offer ends on July 23^rd, 2023.

We're thrilled to be working with Starlink to help farmers across Canada connect to high-speed internet, even in the most remote parts of Canada – Starlink is the world's leading satellite internet service provider, giving high-speed broadband internet right at your fingertips. Whether you're streaming, video calling, or working in the field, Starlink's cutting-edge technology ensures an unparalleled online experience. Licensed to operate in over 50 countries Starlink is revolutionizing internet access across the globe, and it works best in remote and rural locations!

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your farming operations with fast, reliable internet connectivity.

Referral Link - Take advantage of our special limited time offer by clicking the link below to sign up for Starlink and receive one month of free service:

Starlink | Canadian Federation of Agriculture Referral Link

What services are available for one month of free service?

The referral link will provide you with one month of free service for the Residential, Business or Roam packages from Starlink.

Residential package costs: $199 for hardware (discounted from $759 for rural customers). $140/month.

Business package costs: $3170 for hardware. $320/month.

Roam package costs: $759 for hardware. $170/month.

The Roam package may be of particular interest to our members, as it allows you to attach the hardware onto moving vehicles such as tractors, always allowing you internet access, even in the middle of a field.

CFA and Starlink are offering an exclusive pilot project in Canada, and you're invited! By using our special referral link, you'll gain access to a fantastic discount on Starlink services, available until July 23^rd.

Already, Starlink offers rural users an incredible 80% discount on the hardware required to establish their connection. And with our referral link, you can also enjoy one month of complimentary service from Starlink!

We understand the challenges faced by farmers in accessing reliable internet in rural areas. While the government aims to achieve nationwide coverage by 2030, remote and rural regions will likely be the last to receive it. But with Starlink, you don't have to wait for years to enjoy high-speed, dependable internet.

See our FAQ’s - Check below for some common questions regarding Starlink:

Is Starlink available to me?

Use the following link to determine whether Starlink service is available for your area: https://www.starlink.com/map

How difficult is it to set up?

Starlink provides all the equipment necessary, and set-up can be done in just a few minutes. For more details, check https://www.starlink.com/

How long is this being offered for?

This is a limited time offer and will only be available until July 23rd.

Click the following link to sign-up for Starlink and receive one month of service free: Starlink | Canadian Federation of Agriculture Referral Link

Who can I send this link to?

We urge you to distribute this link to your members and affiliates, especially those located in rural areas.

Any other questions?

Check out Starlink’s FAQ here: https://support.starlink.com/

Click below to view news articles on how Starlink is helping farmers:

“HOW STARLINK IS A RELIABLE INTERNET SERVICE FOR RURAL AMERICA” - https://www.agriculture.com/technology/computers/how-starlink-is-a-reliable-internet-service-for-rural-america

“Australian farmers use Starlink satellite internet kits to access agtech for grain sowing program” - https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2023-04-29/starlink-satellite-internet-grain-crop-sowing-elon-musk-tractors/102271368

“VIDEO: Starlink satellite internet trial helps Australian farmers sow their 2023 grain crop” - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-29/starlink-satellite-internet-trial-helps-farmers-sow-2023-crop/102278870

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact Laurie Karson, Director of Communications & Stakeholder Relations at the CFA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Matt Houston, Communications Manager at CFA – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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.