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
Dairy — page 14
Carrier status for two dairy defects available soon
Lactanet will publish evaluations for defects affecting Holstein and Brown Swiss
Avian influenza detected in U.S. dairy cattle
Testing occurred after dairy cows in Kansas, Texas and New Mexico had symptoms of decreased milk production, low appetite
Chicago | Reuters— Samples of milk collected from sick cattle in Kansas and Texas tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, but the nation’s milk supply is safe, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Monday March 25. The USDA, along with the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are […] Read more
Avian influenza cause of U.S. dairy disease
Older, lactating cattle more likely to be severely impacted, effected farmers say
U.S. dairy producers are reporting high onset of and high morbidity from Texas Agalactiae Syndrome, with confirmed cases in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico. Lactating cows are considered particularly vulnerable.
AUDIO: AI for AI
Artificial intelligence can help dairy decision making, but make sure to check for accuracy
The use of artificial intelligence tools in farming is expected to grow quickly in the next five years, automating and enhancing decision making for farmers. At this point, however, most of the artificial intelligence (AI) uses are arriving around the edges of technologies farmers use, and are coming in the form of delivering answers to […] Read more
Three dairies, three approaches: Land and people are the priorities, say dairy farmers
Large dairy farms find numerous ways to fill labour needs and manage costs
Dairy farmers who want to expand must first get land and people in place. That was a common theme from a cross-country panel of leading dairy farmers at the recent Progressive Dairy Operators triennial conference in Toronto. Gert Schrijver farms in Stettler, Alta., milking about 300 cows on 1,700 acres. He plans to build a […] 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
VIDEO: Gordon dairy expands operation, and family participation
The Gordon family has brought four children into the operation with one new barn
Four family members were interested in continuing the dairy farm, so the Gordon family had a decision to make. Some dairy farm families work to establish each child with their own farm, and others, like the Gordons, decide to work together in one large facility. Why it matters: Farms continue to fine-tune the workings of […] 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
Dairy wages lag other farms
Survey shows that average labour time per cow continues to drop
Dairy farmers continue to increase wages paid to employees, but the rate isn’t keeping up with other agriculture sectors. A survey is conducted by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Progressive Dairy Operators (PDO) every three years on labour trends in the dairy sector. Why it matters: Labour costs have […] Read more
Batch milking combines parlour facility with automation of robots
The system can save labour and milk large numbers of cows
A new concept in dairy equipment management brings the automation and data of robotic milking to a milking parlour orientation. DeLaval has several installations around the world where cows are herded into a holding area from which they access a group of automated milkers. Why it matters: The company says VMS batch milking is designed […] Read more
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