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Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Sheep Provide Feedback in Award-Winning Study

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Who better to decide what a sheep likes to eat than a sheep? At least, that's the thinking behind University of Western Australia's new research project to determine sustainable forage materials.

A variety of 10 species of native shrubs have been planted in the experimental paddock, and it's up to the sheep to select the tastiest. Science Network Western Australia reports that Professor Phil Vercoe has great faith in their abilities: "They are so clever at what they do in terms of balancing their diet, in terms of self-medication."

Planting shrubs increases the profitability of marginal paddocks by providing extra feed for the sheep and giving farmers the chance to rest other pastures. The shrubs of the future must be able to survive harsh conditions while creating minimal gut parasites in the sheep and reducing methane emissions.
The project won the 2013 Eureka Prize for research and innovation. BF

Current Issue

August 2026

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

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Poultry producers may soon have access to a new tool designed to improve how they monitor and respond to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) threats. Alveo Technologies and AgriNerds have announced a partnership that will combine rapid on-farm molecular testing with real-time... Read this article online

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Monday, August 24, 2026

Grain markets ended the week on August 21, 2026, with a strong tone as traders assessed the latest Pro Farmer Crop Tour results, crop damage concerns across the U.S. Midwest, improving demand prospects and growing fund interest from speculative traders. During the August 21 Farms.com... Read this article online

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