Nova Scotia Climate Change Adaptation Survey

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* 5. How do you market your cattle? (Select all that apply)

Sold as feeders

Backgrounded

Finished

Other (please specify)

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* 6. What type of fencing and pasture systems do you use on your farm? (Select all that apply)

Continuous Grazing (e.g., unrestricted access to entire pasture)

Rotational Grazing (e.g., animals moved between multiple pasture areas on a schedule, cell grazing)

Management Intensive Grazing (e.g., closely Managed, frequent pasture rotation)

Multispecies Grazing (e.g., various livestock species grazing together)

Silvo-pasture (e.g., 10% or more of pasture incorporates trees or shrubs)

Other (please specify)

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* 7. What systems do you have in place or method do you use to deliver water to pasture? (select all that apply)

Renewable Power (e.g., solar / wind)

Non-Powered (e.g., gravity / nose pump)

Electricity (e.g., pump)

Gasoline or Diesel Engine

Rainwater Collection

Covered Water Storage

Natural Water Source (e.g., river, creek, pond)

Wells (e.g., groundwater source)

Public Water (e.g., town Water)

Filtered / Purified Rainwater Collection (e.g., from roofs)

Other (please specify)

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* 8. If you have natural water sources in your pastures, do you limit or control access to your water sources to manage water use and help maintain water quality? (Select one or more)

Yes, we have set times when animals can drink to avoid overuse and erosion.

Yes, we don’t let them drink / bathe in directly from natural sources.

Yes, we use fences to keep animals away from sensitive water areas.

Yes, we move animals to different areas to give the water sources a break and prevent damage.

Yes, we keep some plants around the water to protect it and keep it clean.

No, we don't have any special rules for water access.

Other (please specify)

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* 9. What do you use for winter shelter in your operation? (Select all that apply)

Open Shelters or Three-Sided Sheds (e.g., Roofed structures with three open sides, or totally open)

Enclosed Barns (e.g., Barns with walls and a roof)

Portable Livestock Shelters (Movable, lightweight structures designed for rotational grazing systems)

Natural Shelter (e.g., Trees and bushes)

Other (please specify)

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* 10. What factors are most important to you when purchasing a new bull? (Rank all that apply. 1 being most important, 6 being the least)

Temperament (e.g., calm, ease of handling)

N/A

Genetic Traits (e.g., Expected Progeny Differences for growth, carcass quality)

N/A

Feed Efficiency (e.g., optimal conversion of feed to body weight)

N/A

Parasite / Disease Resistance (e.g., natural resistance to common health issues)

N/A

Cost (Affordability)

N/A

Breeding History (e.g., documented records of breeding performance)

N/A

Other:

N/A

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* 11. What factors are most important to you when purchasing a new ram? (Rank all that apply. 1 being most important, 6 being the least)

Temperament (e.g., calm, ease of handling)

N/A

Genetic Traits (e.g., Expected Progeny Differences for growth, carcass quality)

N/A

Feed Efficiency (e.g., optimal conversion of feed to body weight)

N/A

Parasite / Disease Resistance (e.g., natural resistance to common health issues)

N/A

Cost (Affordability)

N/A

Breeding History (e.g., documented records of breeding performance)

N/A

Other:

N/A

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* 12. What specific water-related challenges do you face because of climate change or unpredictable weather? (Select all that apply)

Changing Precipitation Pattens

Flooding

Drought

Water Quality Concewrns

Heat Stressed Animals (Excessive Drinking)

What measures have you taken to adapt to the challenges above?

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* 13. How often do you test forage quality?

Never, I do not conduct forage tests

Rarely (Less than once every two years)

Occasionally (Once every two years)

Regularly (Once per year)

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* 14. Do you lab test any of your feed for quality?

Yes, multiple times per year

Yes, at least once per year

Yes, but not annually

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* 15. Which pasture management methods do you use?

Lime

Fertilizer

Reseed

None

Other (please specify)

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* 16. Do you complete a soil test before making pasture management decisions?

Yes

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* 17. How interested are you in improving the feed efficiency of your cattle and sheep? (Select one)

Very Interested – I have used the test station before and work to improve feed efficiency

Interested – I see the value in feed efficiency and would like to explore it further

Somewhat Interested – I consider it, but I have limited resources or knowledge

Not Interested – I don’t prioritize feed efficiency

Not Sure – I need more information

Other (please specify)

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* 18. Let's elevate our recycling efforts! Are there substantial waste items on the farm that are being disposed of regularly? (i.e., silage wrap) If so, let us know.

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* 19. What additional sustainability and adaptation measures have been taken on your farm in the following topics? (Select all that apply):

Livestock Exclusion Fencing

Shelterbelts / Pollinator Strips

Diverse Forage Species

Irrigation

Sturdy Barns / Shelters

Renewable Energy

Natural Ventilation

Water Conservation

Weather Monitoring

Early Warning Systems

Evacuation Plans

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* 20. Where do you access resources and information to stay up to date with climate adaptation on your farm?

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* 21. What specific climate adaptation data or information would you like to see on your farm that you are currently not receiving? Please explain:

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* 22. Are you currently utilizing, or have you applied to industry funding, services, or subsidies for climate change adaptation or mitigation? (Select all that apply)

On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)

Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program (RALP)

Advancing Clean Technologies Program

Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program

Limestone Trucking Assistance Program

On-Farm Electrical Preparedness Program

Wildlife Damage Mitigation Program

Other (please specify)

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* 23. Rank the following climate adaptation topics, which are you the most familiar with and which the least?
(Rank them one through eight: 1 being the most familiar and 8 being the least familiar.)

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* 24. What do you believe is the most important thing for the public to learn about cattle/sheep production is concerned related to climate change/adaptation? Please Explain:

Nova Scotia Climate Change Adaptation Survey

Anonymous Climate Change Adaptation Survey for NS Cattle and Sheep Farmers

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* 1. How many acres on your farm are being used for beef or sheep production?

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* 2. What is the number of breeding ewes on your farm?

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* 3. How many lambs per ewe do you have (on average)?

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* 4. How many breeding cows do you have?

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* 5. How do you market your cattle? (Select all that apply)

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* 6. What type of fencing and pasture systems do you use on your farm? (Select all that apply)

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* 7. What systems do you have in place or method do you use to deliver water to pasture? (select all that apply)

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* 8. If you have natural water sources in your pastures, do you limit or control access to your water sources to manage water use and help maintain water quality? (Select one or more)

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* 9. What do you use for winter shelter in your operation? (Select all that apply)

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* 10. What factors are most important to you when purchasing a new bull? (Rank all that apply. 1 being most important, 6 being the least)

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* 11. What factors are most important to you when purchasing a new ram? (Rank all that apply. 1 being most important, 6 being the least)

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* 12. What specific water-related challenges do you face because of climate change or unpredictable weather? (Select all that apply)

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* 13. How often do you test forage quality?

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* 14. Do you lab test any of your feed for quality?

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* 15. Which pasture management methods do you use?

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* 16. Do you complete a soil test before making pasture management decisions?

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* 17. How interested are you in improving the feed efficiency of your cattle and sheep? (Select one)

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* 18. Let's elevate our recycling efforts! Are there substantial waste items on the farm that are being disposed of regularly? (i.e., silage wrap) If so, let us know.

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* 19. What additional sustainability and adaptation measures have been taken on your farm in the following topics? (Select all that apply):

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* 20. Where do you access resources and information to stay up to date with climate adaptation on your farm?

Question Title

* 21. What specific climate adaptation data or information would you like to see on your farm that you are currently not receiving? Please explain:

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* 22. Are you currently utilizing, or have you applied to industry funding, services, or subsidies for climate change adaptation or mitigation? (Select all that apply)

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* 23. Rank the following climate adaptation topics, which are you the most familiar with and which the least?(Rank them one through eight: 1 being the most familiar and 8 being the least familiar.)

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* 24. What do you believe is the most important thing for the public to learn about cattle/sheep production is concerned related to climate change/adaptation? Please Explain:

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* 25. Are you a part of the Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) or Canadian Verified Sheep Program (CVSP)? If not, why not? Please Explain:

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* 26. Do you have an Environmental Farm Plan? If not, why not? Please Explain:

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* 27. Do you have a nutrient management plan? If not, why not? Please Explain.

* 23. Rank the following climate adaptation topics, which are you the most familiar with and which the least?
(Rank them one through eight: 1 being the most familiar and 8 being the least familiar.)

* 25. Are you a part of the Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) or Canadian Verified Sheep Program (CVSP)?

If not, why not? Please Explain:

* 26. Do you have an Environmental Farm Plan?
If not, why not? Please Explain: