Sheep Day Presentations
Saturday January 10th, 2026
Keynote Presentation: Solar Grazing
Justin Woodward, Partner, Good Energy Partners
Agrivoltaics combines solar power generation with active farming, creating new opportunities for Ontario’s rural communities. This presentation explores how solar grazing under solar arrays can provide farmers with steady income, improve soil health, and preserve farmland for future generations. Drawing on successful projects in Ontario and the U.S., where solar grazing has expanded to over 100,000 acres, we’ll look at how this approach supports both renewable energy goals and agricultural productivity. The discussion will focus on practical design, grazing management, and policy pathways to make agrivoltaic grazing a viable and profitable option for Ontario farmers.
Justin is primarily responsible for leading development activity. Previously, he had been instrumental in establishing and expanding the international footprint of a globally recognized developer. Before expanding internationally , Justin founded and led the development, construction, and financing efforts for a solar development company in Canada. His entrepreneurial journey began with founding a rooftop solar development company in Ontario in 2007, following a career in private equity. Justin holds a BSc. from McGill University, specializing in Biology, Technological Entrepreneurship, and Biotechnology.
Presentation begins Saturday January 10th, 2026 at 9:45am.
Keynote Presentation: Training and Using Herding Dogs on Your Livestock Operation
Presented by: Steven Rosvold, Owner/Operator, Floating S Ranch and FSR Stock Dogs, Manitoba
This keynote presentation covers the fundamentals of training and working with herding dogs on livestock operations. It will also provide an opportunity for producers to ask questions and seek guidance on specific challenges they may be experiencing.
Steven Rosvold owns and operates Floating S Ranch and FSR Border Collies in Ethelbert, Manitoba. Raised in Bengough, Saskatchewan, his passion for horses, cattle and dogs drove him further west. It was in Lethbridge, Alberta where Steven’s love for working dogs began to flourish. From working with them in feedlots and co-op pastures, to trialing across Canada and the USA, Steven’s love for the discipline grew, along with his list of accomplishments. Steven has been training, trialing (on both sheep and cattle) and mentoring for 11 years. He prides his program on raising strong, gritty dogs. Dogs that you can use on the ranch for any job you need, as well as, be competitive on the trial field. Steven offers clinics to handlers of all abilities and is very supportive and encouraging throughout the process. He truly enjoys helping new people getting into stockdogs. In addition to this, he also starts and sells dogs, from puppies to finished dogs and does custom training. Steven’s kennel produces some of the top genetics in the working border collie world. Steven is an accomplished trainer, mentor and handler, he has competed and tested himself against some of the best handlers in both Canada and the USA.
Presentation begins Saturday January 10th, 2026 at 11:05 am.
Diversity in Sheep Farming: A Look at Different Feeding Systems and Key Variables that Make Each Farm Unique
Presented by: Courtney Vriens, Sheep Nutrition Specialist, Vriens Nutrition Consulting
Courtney Vriens owns and operates Vriens Nutrition Consulting where she specializes in dairy and meat sheep nutrition. Courtney has 10 years of experience working in ruminant nutrition, having worked in the field since graduating from the University of Guelph in 2015. She serves a large clientele across the world and has experience working with many different feeding systems and feed stuffs. Courtney resides close to Arthur, Ontario and together with her husband they have a flock of Rideau cross ewes.
Presentation begins Saturday January 10th, 2026 at 1:15pm.
Overview of Gastrointestinal Parasitism in Ontario Sheep Flocks (UpperLevel)
Presented by: Dr. Brad DeWolf, Veterinarian/Graduate Student, University of Guelph
Gastrointestinal parasitism is a common cause of disease on Canadian sheep farms and frequently contributes to profit losses each year. The aim of this presentation is to provide sheep producers with an overview of common gastrointestinal parasite infections in Ontario sheep, and review their control strategies. Attendees will gain an understanding of how gastrointestinal parasitism affects the health of their flocks, how to monitor for signs of parasitism, and methods to control parasites in a sustainable manner.
Brad DeWolf is a practicing veterinarian from southwestern Ontario focused on the health management of various livestock species. His research interests primarily revolve around the sustainable control of parasites in small ruminants.
Presentation begins Saturday January 10th, 2026 at 2:00pm.
From Fleece to Fabric (Lower Level)
Presented by: Jeanette Lourens, Owner, Red Maple Homestead
Discover how Red Maple Homestead transforms local fibre into unique textiles. Jeanette Lourens will share the story of her fibre mill, weaving workshops, and knitting machine, offering insight into both traditional and innovative approaches to small-scale fibre production. Also what fibre mills need from wool clips to create a quality product
Jeanette and her husband, Kobus, purchased their 10-acre property in the spring of 2015 to begin a homestead dream of self-sufficiency. They built a large raised-bed vegetable garden, installed perimeter fencing, and welcomed their first four pregnant sheep that fall. After shearing, Jeanette’s interest in making use of the wool led her to learn washing, carding, and spinning—first on a drop spindle and then on a wheel. As the flock grew, so did the supply of wool. What started as a small hobby soon expanded into a Minimill that now processes hundreds of pounds each year, both their own and for fellow farmers. Alongside the wool work, one loom became many as old looms discovered in barns and attics found a new home on the farm. Jeanette began offering weaving workshops so others could enjoy the craft without the complexity of loom setup. These workshops now bring people together in a warm, creative environment—where visitors often arrive as strangers but leave as friends, taking home heirloom keepsakes to cherish.
Presentation begins Saturday January 10th, 2026 at 2:00pm.
Panel: Grass & Pasture Management
This panel of producers will discuss their management systems for keeping flocks on pasture. Come prepared with your questions - their experience spans across various flock sizes, forage types and management systems, making an excellent opportunity for sharing of knowledge!
**Recognized as a Rotational Grazing KSE**
Panelist: Ben Bartley, Owner, Bartley Livestock Ltd
Ben Bartley is a first generation farmer with his wife and 10 kids. They farm sheep and pigs around Clifford, Ontario. They run 2000 ewes on an annual rotational pasture based system. They graze 250 acres of permanent pasture on four farms and 1000+ acres of cover crop on other cash croppers’ land. Their focus is a low input, low maintenance flock.
Panelist: Jay Lennox, Producer
Jay Lennox farms with his wife Laura by Ayton, On, on the farm where Jay was raised. Jay runs a large flock of Canadian Arcott and F1 ewes on an accelerated lambing program. Grazing has become a more and more important tool at Lennox Lambs as the flock has outgrown the current infrastructure. Producing stock that functions and performs both in barn and on grass is a current priority of the breeding program.
Panelist: Stephen Frankland, Partner, Wigmana Farms Ltd.
Stephen Frankland grew up on a mixed livestock farm in Yorkshire , England but now farms with his wife Dorothy and son Andrew at Wigmana farms near Dundalk in southern Grey County. They farm 100 dairy cows with also a flock of 150 breeding ewes . They have been rotational grazing livestock for 35+ years .
Facilitator: Jason Emke, FCC and Sheep Producer
Jason Emke, a 4th generation sheep farmer from Elmwood, Ontario, took over Oak Generation Farms in 2017. He’s contributed significantly to Ontario's sheep industry by exhibiting at events like the Royal Winter Fair and serving as a judge at various 4H and local shows. As OSF District 2 chair, Jason introduces innovative practices like grazing sheep under solar panels and has revamped the annual District 2 Lamb Banquet. A dedicated youth volunteer, Jason co-leads the Hanover 4H sheep club, organizes the Maple Hill Youth Market Lamb show, and supports the Roots of Bruce display. Known for his knowledge and innovation, Jason received the OSF Emerging Leader Award for his dedication to the sheep industry.
Presentation begins Saturday January 10th, 2026 at 3:05pm.
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.
