RESOURCES
FBM
2018 Lamb Production Costs in Manitoba – A helpful tool for Farm Planning and Analysis
This form comes from MB Agriculture and MASC. This price reporting form is used for information that is used to determine current prices for predator competition program.
Learn more about Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and Canada's ambitious path forward.
PREDATION
WHEN LIVESTOCK ARE ATTACKED BY PREDATORS
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Read the ‘Quick Guide to Actions when livestock are attacked by predators’ document for information you need when your sheep have been attacked by a wildlife predator. Includes information about Risk Reduction, Predator Removal, Protection of Property, and more.
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AGRICULTURAL INTERACTIONS WITH WILDLIFE
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Learn more about Wildlife Smart farm practices that can be utilized to reduce the risk of wildlife damages to farm operations on the Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures section of the Government of Manitoba website. Includes information on Wildlife Damages to Crops, Predator Attacks on Livestock, and Invasive Swine.
PARASITES
PARASITES OF CONCERN FOR MANITOBA SHEEP PRODUCERS
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In Western Canada, including Manitoba, the most significant gastrointestinal parasite affecting sheep is Haemonchus contortus (Barber’s pole worm), followed by Teladorsagia circumcincta (brown stomach worm) and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. These findings come from long-term studies conducted by the University of Calgary and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, which also highlight that many farms display anthelmintic resistance, especially to ivermectin and benzimidazoles.
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The impact of heavy infection includes poor feed conversion, weight loss, reduced wool and lamb growth, and economic losses. An average fecal egg count (FEC) exceeding 500 eggs per gram in mature ewes is considered a red flag, although interpretation should include flock demographics, season, and body condition.
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Since conventional dewormers are often no longer fully effective, especially against H. contortus, producers are encouraged to implement integrated parasite control strategies. These include rotational grazing, targeted deworming based on diagnostics like the FEC reduction test, and selecting for genetic resistance where possible.
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Producers can find a comprehensive Parasite Control Guide developed for Canadian sheep farms online through the Ontario Sheep Farmers’ resource hub. This handbook complements professional veterinary advice and is a practical companion for long-term flock health planning.
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Visit ontariosheep.org or vet.ucalgary.ca to learn more.