Specialization, attention to the whole-farm biome, and moving genetic advancements away from individual animals toward the herd as a whole — these are some of the transformations in the dairy industry envisioned by the keynote speaker at the recent Dairy At Guelph Research and Innovation Day. Veterinarian Dr. Jack H. Britt, professor emeritus in reproductive […] Read more
Looking ahead to dairy farming in 50 years
Genetic advancement, whole herd DNA management and new farm collaborations could be coming
Province given a year to revamp OSPCA powers
Court ruling says group’s animal welfare enforcement powers needs oversight
The Ontario government has been given a year to revamp legislation governing inspection of complaints and enforcement of orders related to animal welfare, following a ruling on Jan. 2 from Justice Timothy Minnema of the province’s Superior Court. Barring an appeal by the province’s Attorney General, the revamped legislation must create a framework of inspection […] Read more
Dairy Direct Genomic Value publication could be eliminated
Parent averages tied with genomic evaluations have proved to be a more accurate measure
The Canadian Dairy Network (CDN) board of directors is expected to decide soon whether or not to officially eliminate the publication of Direct Genomic Values (DGV) for bulls, cows and heifers. Analysis of genotyped animals over several years reveals that the plus-minus range solely based on DGVs is wider than the range when selection is […] Read more
Who will inspect livestock welfare complaints?
Restructuring at OSPCA casts doubt on future of livestock inspections. Here are some potential outcomes
OSPCA gets $5.75 million annually through the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, specifically for investigation services. This funding supports a call centre for complaints/concerns, officer training, and the operation of the officers in the field. There are about 75 officers across the province. Representatives from Ontario’s livestock commodity groups will meet in early […] Read more
Quality chicks, reducing antibiotics drive new hatchery
Trillium Hatchery has a capacity of 20 million chicks per year, with room to expand
Having dropped from their eggshells directly onto a clean floor with immediate access to feed and water, the first chicks from the brand new Trillium Hatchery made their way onto Ontario broiler farms during the first week of November. A Nov. 13 official ribbon-cutting at the 70,000 sq. foot Stratford facility marked the second opening […] Read more
Niche chicken program grows
The artisanal chicken program supplies local markets and allows farmers to diversify
Chicken Farmers of Ontario’s artisanal chicken program continues to grow, with 2018 participants close to double the first year of the program, launched in 2016. The program was created after calls for the CFO to be more responsive to demands for chicken produced locally, using methods alternative to conventional broiler barns. Why it matters: The […] Read more
A potential life-saving farm tool
These Ontario farms are joining a growing number of businesses with defibrillators for use in the event of a heart attack
Two midwestern Ontario farm businesses followed up on their most recent round of Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) training by installing on-site automated external defibrillators (AEDs). And both farmers agree it’s a trend that will likely grow. “We’ve known for a long time that beef farming isn’t for the faint of heart,” quipped Schaus […] Read more
How managing antibiotics will change December 1
The sector has had two years to get ready, but greater restrictions will come at a cost, and with some surprises for farmers
Livestock producers across most of Canada will have to get accustomed to securing veterinarians’ prescriptions for a range of commonly-used antibiotics, once new policy changes brought in by the federal health ministry come into effect December 1 (see ‘5 things to know’ at bottom). “The biggest thing for us will be not being able to […] Read more
The value in a timothy-soybean double-crop rotation
Pure timothy has some demand around the world, but a way to make it profitable had to be found
Proponents of double-cropping soybeans and pure timothy in Ontario have attracted additional interest this fall after they grew some successful plots this year. The Ontario Hay and Forage Co-operative reports that in one of its farmer’s trials, timothy planted after 2017 soybeans, yielded 5,500 pounds per acre. Soybeans planted after the timothy was harvested the […] Read more
Managing rapidly evolving swine diseases
A porcine respiratory disease is of particular concern because it can rapidly evolve
There are signs that a number of potentially damaging disorders of pigs are either developing immunity to common drug treatments or becoming much more common as a result of well-established protocols, attendees at the recent Shakespeare Swine Seminar were warned by a Minnesota veterinary practitioner. Why it matters: When treatment for swine diseases are no […] Read more
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