Consumer-driven trends related to climate change and animal welfare were underlying themes when attendees at the recent London Swine Conference heard about alternative and novel feed ingredients from nutrition specialist Martin Nyachoti. Using locally sourced feeds in swine diets, such as food processing byproducts or rejected crops, could save money and lower the carbon footprint […] Read more
Local feeds can help limit hog climate impact
Researchers work to figure out fibre, amino acid, fat profiles to expand hog feed options
Strategies for producing antibiotic-free pork
Management, genetics and feed reduce the risk of antibiotic treatment in pigs
Companies avoiding the use of antibiotics use management strategies to eliminate the use of the medications rather than rely on alternative feed ingredients. On-farm protocols used by two “no antibiotics ever” pork brands in the United States include genetics, extended pre-weaning days and unconventional feed schedules. Why it matters: There’s increasing pressure on livestock operations […] Read more
Dairy management changes may offer answers to butterfat equation
With feed additive, analyze the numbers to see if it pays
Enhancing ventilation may be one of the most cost-effective ways to increase butterfat content in a herd’s milk over the long term instead of using feed additives, according to two experts from Lactanet. Economist Simon Jetté-Nantel and director of innovation and development Débora Santschi spoke to dairy producers about butterfat, and what pays back, at […] Read more
Carrier status for two dairy defects available soon
Lactanet will publish evaluations for defects affecting Holstein and Brown Swiss
Lactanet says dairy producers will soon have access to genetic information on tested bulls and females that carry the defect for muscle weakness (Holsteins) and the BH14 haplotype (Brown Swiss). Why it matters: To prevent potential spread of the fatal defects, breeders must avoid mating two recessive carrier-status animals. Dr. Allyson Fleming, a geneticist with […] Read more
Lactanet partners with Angus group for beef-on-dairy genetics
U.S-.based organization also publishes sire data from Canada, Australia
Lactanet is working with a U.S.-based Angus association to share genotyping of Angus bulls from Canada, the U.S. and Australia, as it responds to calls from dairy sector stakeholders to assist in beef-on-dairy breeding decisions. Brian Van Doormaal, chief services officer for Lactanet, described the arrangement during the company’s Feb. 27 Open Industry Session webinar. […] Read more
Effects of wet corn growing season harm feed quantity, quality
Low starch and silage heating have both been observed
As dairy farmers in Ontario and Quebec work through winter stocks of corn silage, a number of weather-related factors from the summer and fall of 2023 have turned up as potential causes for concern. Wet and overcast weather – in some locations of the record-breaking variety – was persistent from late June through November across […] Read more
No simple solutions for SNF surplus
Effective solutions for dealing with the surplus of solids-not-fat (SNF) in the Canadian dairy processing sector will not be simple no matter how big or small the processors are, Université Laval assistant professor Dr. Julien Chamberland told attendees of the recent Southwestern Ontario Dairy Symposium. Chamberland, the university’s teaching leadership chair in cheese technology, explained […] Read more
Ontario company launches first-in-Canada biofertilizer made from cricket frass
SureSource Commodities debuted pelleted formulation at Guelph Organic Conference
SureSource Agronomy is rolling out a line of crop nutrient products derived from the excrement, exoskeletons and discarded feed materials of crickets.
Ontario company launches first-in-Canada biofertilizer made from cricket frass
SureSource Commodities debuted pelleted formulation at Guelph Organic Conference
SureSource Agronomy is rolling out a line of crop nutrient products derived from the excrement, exoskeletons and discarded feed materials of crickets. The insects are raised in the state-of-the-art Aspire insect-farming facility in London, and their byproduct is called frass. SureSource’s Rob Wallbridge provided information about it at the Guelph Organic Conference in January, and […] Read more
Better-adapted heritage wheat varieties crucial
Niche market buyers want to source more Ontario crops
Three buyers of ancient wheats say they would love to see better value chain infrastructure to connect them with Ontario growers. They were part of a panel discussion at the recent Guelph Organic Conference about growing heritage grains for quality flours. But the sole grower on the panel cautioned that, at least with some cultivars, […] Read more
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