Ontario Sheep Health Program

The program is comprised of 3 parts to be completed annually:

• Evaluation of Flock Health Management
• Evaluation of Biosecurity
• Evaluation of Productivity and Goal Setting

Previously Quality Assurance was a component of the program but it is now a part of the Canadian Food Safe Farm Practices Program.

Before You Begin

To qualify for official status with the Ontario Sheep Health program, you need to do the following annually:

1. Complete the enrollment form 
   • enrollment form in PDF
   • enrollment form in fillable PDF 
2. Contact your veterinarian to schedule a visit of approximately two hours in duration.
3. Complete OSHP forms with your veterinarian, using the OSHP instructions. The OSHP checklist identifies which forms are to be sent to the OSF office and which are to be retained by the producer and veterinarian.

Prior to the Visit

For First Time Applicants

As a minimum - fill out the required goals section of the Flock Productivity Calculation & Goal Setting Form. You are encouraged to also calculate productivity but it is not mandatory the first year. One copy is retained by you, one by your vet and one signed copy is sent to Ontario Sheep Farmers (mandatory).

For Those Previously in the Program

As a minimum - fill out the required productivity calculations and goal setting section (indicated with an "R") of the Flock Productivity Calculation & Goal Setting Form. Use the Flock Productivity Data Entry Form to make it easier to enter the information. Or if you wish, use the Calculation & Goal Setting Form Excel spreadsheet. You are encouraged to complete sections marked "O" (optional) as well as the forms divided by breeding group, if you have more than one breeding group on your farm.

During the Flock Visit With Your Flock Veterinarian

Flock Health Management Section

Work through the Flock Health Management Assessment Form and identify those areas that require improvement and set a strategy with your vet to achieve improvement. Keep a copy for yourself and one for your veterinarian. Have your vet complete the Flock Health Summary Report. One copy is kept by you for your records, one copy to your vet and one signed copy is sent to the Ontario Sheep Farmers (mandatory).

Learn More About Flock Health Management

Biosecurity Section

Work through the Biosecurity Assessment Form with your vet and discuss how to change your management to lower the risk of introduction of disease and disease transmission within your farm. Have your vet complete the Biosecurity Status Report. One copy is retained by you, one by your vet and one signed copy is sent to the Ontario Sheep Farmers (mandatory).

Learn More About Biosecurity

Productivity Section

Using either the Flock Productivity Calculation & Goal Setting Form or the Excel version, discuss with your vet how to reach the goals that you have set. This discussion may also be part of the flock health management section. One copy of either the form or the spreadsheet to be retained by you, one to your vet and one signed copy to the Ontario Sheep Farmers (mandatory).

Learn More About Productivity and Goal Setting

Summary Report

At the end of the visit, the veterinarian completes the OSHP Summary Report. Again, you retain a copy as does your vet and one signed copy (along with a signed copy each of the Flock Productivity Calculation & Goal Setting Form, Flock Health Summary Report and Biosecurity Summary Report) and is sent to to the Ontario Sheep Farmers (mandatory).

Delivery of Completed Forms

All forms are to be mailed to:

Ontario Sheep Health Program
C/O Ontario Sheep Farmers
130 Malcolm Rd., Guelph, ON N1K 1B1
Phone: 519-836-0043
Fax : 519-836-2531
Email: admin@ontariosheep.org