Funding comes as part of Canada’s Growing Forward 2 program
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester, Musquodoboit Valley and Nova Scotia Agriculture Minister Keith Cowell announced a financial injection to the province’s sheep industry.
The $29,700 investment, as part of Canada’s Growing Forward 2, will contribute to developing programs, fences, and handling equipment designed to control parasites and ensure safe transportation of the animals.
“Through a project supported by government, we were able to identify management options to improve health and welfare of the animals,” said Beth Densmore, President of the Sheep Producers Association of Nova Scotia. “Clean pastures are a must, especially for lambs. Rotational grazing helps keep animals healthy, and by supporting the handling equipment, shepherds as well as sheep are under less stress.”
“Our government remains committed to investing in innovative projects that improve animal health. Safe handling systems on sheep farms are good for the animals, good for our farmers and good for the industry,” said Armstrong.
Sheep producers in the province can apply for a share of the government grant.
“After meeting with the Sheep Producers Association of Nova Scotia, I challenged them to come up with a program that would meet the needs of the industry,” said Colwell. “This program builds on the research that has been completed and enables industry to maintain healthier flocks for producing top-quality products for Nova Scotians.”
As of July 1, 2014, Statistics Canada reported almost 30,000 sheep on the province.
A 2010 Statistics Canada report showed Canada exported over $1.1 million in sheep meat.