Regional discussion groups could help sheep producers troubleshoot, generate ideas and share results, says Merrell Dickie of Sunterra Meats.
The Alberta-based livestock procurement manager spoke at a Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board seminar in Saskatoon Dec. 1, sharing his observations on how such groups worked in New Zealand, where he lived for 20 years.
About a dozen farmers rotated meetings between members’ homes each month, he said.
“It was a great opportunity to discuss and swap ideas and a forum to use others as a sounding board,” he said.
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The network also provided someone to contact in times of crisis.
Meetings often led to on-farm trials of ear tags and discussions about feed rations and intake, buying opportunities and optimum animal conditions before mating.
Colleen Sawyer, manager of extension and marketing for the development board, said discussion groups are a good way for small and large producers to tackle mutual challenges.
She suggested producers butcher their own animals to obtain a clearer picture of results.
“It helps you know what you have,” she said. “It’s costly to put too much finish on a lamb.”
