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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

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May 2026

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Colouring a Safer Future for Farm Kids

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Teaching children about farm safety is an essential part of protecting the future of Canadian agriculture. With that goal in mind, the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) has launched the Kids FarmSafe Colouring Contest, a creative initiative designed to help young people learn... Read this article online

Ontario Plans New Law to Protect Farmland

Friday, April 24, 2026

Ontario is taking new steps to protect its farmland and strengthen the agri-food sector. The provincial government plans to introduce legislation that would limit the foreign acquisition of Ontario farmland. The goal is to keep farms in domestic hands and protect local food production for... Read this article online

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