Find practical resources and downloadable guides to support key areas of flock management, including biosecurity, lambing, shearing, emergency preparedness, and more. These tools are designed to help you handle everyday tasks and challenges with confidence.
Cost of Production
The Busine$$ of Sheep is a management module that can help identify and measure costs.
The ALP Cost of Production Tool is a business tool that was first developed through the Alberta Lamb Traceability Pilot Project in 2012 to help sheep producers better understand their flock’s performance and costs of production. Flock Snapshot was updated in 2025 by the Alberta Lamb Producers and SWC Consulting based on producer feedback and to update benchmark prices. Updates include a new look, updated instructions, updated benchmarking costs, plus updates to the programming to automatically adjust year on year benchmarks based on inflation. Also added is a suite of new business worksheets to help with planning and creating a business plan.
The Precision Flock Management resources were developed to enable producers to address profit leaks in their businesses. For instance, ‘Flock Snapshot’ enables producers to input information into a simple spreadsheet to determine their cost of producing lambs.
The Ewe Planner is a spreadsheet-based tool used to make five-year annual projections for a new or existing ewe-lamb operation from the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board and the Government of Saskatchewan.
Financing Options
Scotiabank Yield More Financing™ Program
The Yield More Financing™ Program offers ALP members access to a line of credit to expand their flock by purchasing ewes. The new program is open to Alberta sheep farmers with at least two years of experience, with a simple application and approval process.
- For more information including frequently asked questions click here
- Contact ALP for an application at 403-948-8533 or info@ablamb.ca.
- Contact Scotiabank at yieldmorefinancing@scotiabank.com
Farm Credit Canada (FCC)
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) offers an assortment of different loans for beginning producers. They also offer a variety of workshops designed to sharpen your management practices and build personal and professional growth
Information can be found by visiting the Farm Credit Canada (FCC) or by calling 888-332-3301.
Feeder Associations of Alberta (FAA)
Loan Terms
- Specific to each individual feeder association
- Ewe Lambs and Yearling Ewes
- Click here for more information
Western Cash Advance Program
Government of Canada Implements New Regulations to Enhance the Advance Payment Program.
Please see the link for the official news release and quick facts.
News Release
Canadian farmers will be able to access increased loan limits through the Advance Payments Program (APP). Program administrators can apply for the new loan. Advances over $400,000 are also available.
The increased cash advance includes the following:
- Maximum loan limit increases from $400,000 to $1 million on all commodities
- Interest-free portion on canola advances increases from $100,000 to $500,000, and
- Interest-free portion on all other commodities remains at $100,000
WeCAP has been working closely with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to implement the new limits since the initial announcement of the APP loan limit increase made by Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on May 1, 2019.
Farmers looking to begin their application process or need more information are encouraged to call the WeCAP office at 1-844-333-3377 or email wecap@feederassoc.com.
The Advanced Payments Program (APP)
- $100,000 interest-free and up to $1,000,000 available to you!
- Low interest rates.
- Increase your profitability and the flexibility to sell your commodity when the market is in your favour.
- Up to a 2 year repayment period, depending on commodity advances (see application for details).
- Friendly staff willing to help you with all your questions and concerns.
- Production Insurance, AgriStability, WLPIP and/or GARS Options for Security.
This program is made available by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC)
For over 80 years, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation has provided Alberta farmers with crop insurance, livestock price insurance, farm loans, commercial loans and farm income disaster assistance.
Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA)
A financial loan guarantee program or the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) program can help give a producer access to credit. This program is open to beginning and existing farmers, farmers taking over the family farm and also to agricultural co-operatives.
The maximum loan granted for land and construction or renovation of buildings is $500,000. For all other purposes the maximum amount is $350,000.
For complete details about this program phone 1-888-346-2511.
Markets
Marketing Your Lambs (ALP Management Module): This module explores the full range of marketing options available to lamb producers, highlighting the opportunities, demands, and strategies for each.
Learn about market drivers, key selling tips, and additional considerations to help you make informed decisions. Resources from ALP and industry partners are also provided to support your success.
- Questions and Answers for Distributing Meat (ALP fact sheet)
Access our Lamb Market Reports for more marketing opportunities.