2025 Sheep Day Presentations
Updates for the 2025 program will be made as information is available.
Raising Replacements
Presented by: Mark Bearinger
Mark Bearinger will talk about his program for raising quality replacement animals, and their focus on genetic improvement in their flock.
Mark and Betty Bearinger and family own and operate Fare Vewe Acres. Together they keep 600 ewes on an accelerated program, raising commercial crossbred rams and ewe lambs with a special focus on genetic improvement in their flock.
Presentation begins Saturday January 11th, 2025 at 10:00 am.
Sheep Farming in the UK, from a Farm and National Perspective.(Part 1)
Presented by: Peter Delbridge, Chairman, National Sheep Association, UK
Peter will describe their current system of sheep farming, comprising of 750 ewes, and how they have arrived at where they are. This will include of a brief history of their family, and farm and their sheep. Plus an explanation of the current breeding strategy.
Peter, is a 6th generation Exmoor Hill Farmer, and is currently farming with his wife Carol, and family, on the 400 acre family grassland farm, within the boundaries of the Exmoor National Park. He is the current Chair of the National Sheep Association, and also a N.E.D. of Mole Valley Farmers
Presentation begins Saturday January 11th, 2025 at 11:05 am.
When the drugs don't work: Strategies to reduce gastrointestinal parasites in sheep
Presented by: Dr. Talia Fletcher, Veterinarian, Markdale Veterinary Services
Struggling with internal parasites? You are not alone! Internal parasites are one the biggest challenges when we keep sheep on pasture in Ontario. In this session Dr. Talia Fletcher will review the life cycle of the main parasites and how that influences your pasture and management plans. She will also review some testing strategies and look to future tests on the horizon. Attendees can expect to also learn about genetic selection, pasture management, multi species grazing, and pasture plants. The goal of this session is to help you think of strategies that can help on your personal farm and what changes can have the biggest impact.
Dr. Talia Fletcher is a mixed animal veterinarian working in Grey and Bruce County who has a special interest in regenerative agriculture, small ruminants and pasture management. At Markdale Veterinary Services, Talia works with a large variety of animals and enjoys developing flock and herd management plans. Talia and her husband Simon practice intensive grazing with their sheep flock as they revitalize their no-longer-abandoned farm. Outgoing, enthusiastic and engaging, Talia is an experienced presenter who loves to share ideas with interested participants.
Presentation begins Saturday January 11th, 2025 at 1:15 pm.
Sheep Farming in the UK, from a Farm and National Perspective.(Part 2)
Presented by: Peter Delbridge, Chairman, National Sheep Association, UK
Peter will build on his first presentation, this time approaching sheep farming in the UK from a national perspective and sharing insight from his position as Chair of their National Sheep Association.
Peter, is a 6th generation Exmoor Hill Farmer, and is currently farming with his wife Carol, and family, on the 400 acre family grassland farm, within the boundaries of the Exmoor National Park. He is the current Chair of the National Sheep Association, and also a N.E.D. of Mole Valley Farmers
Presentation begins Saturday January 11th, 2025 at 2:20 pm.
Panel: Finishing Lambs for the Processor
This panel will discuss finishing lambs from a producer, grading, and processing perspective. Learn about what's desired in a finished product and how to get lambs to that point.
Panelist: Yaser Alqayem, President, Parkhill Meats
Yaser Alqayem is the President of Parkhill Meats and has been running the business for over 8 years.
Panelist: Bill McCutcheon, Producer
Bill McCutcheon Ontario Lamb Marketing, Grand Valley ON Bill runs a farm with 600 ewes, custom grazes cow-calf pairs, and manages Ontario Lamb Marketing Inc. A University of Guelph agriculture graduate, he worked at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture until 1996 before farming full-time. Raised in Mulmur Township, Bill received the Platinum Jubilee Pin in 2022 for community service and is active as Chair of the Dufferin Federation of Agriculture, a 4-H leader, and a curling enthusiast.
Panelist: Charlie Cunningham, Owner/Operator, Merry Meadows Farms
Charlie is a sheep farmer and shearer in Ontario. He operates a lamb feedlot and an approximately 300 ewe flock, while shearing 10-15,000 ewes per year, and is married with three daughters.
Presentation begins Saturday January 11th, 2025 at 3:20 pm.
And don't forget to take a look at the list of On-Demand presentations which you can watch throughout the conference and for the thirty days following! Use the button on the left to browse full details for those!
Check out the program for other conference days using the buttons below.
