The Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) will receive over $7.5 million from the federal AgriScience Program — Clusters Component. AgriScience — a federally funded program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (S-CAP) — will back DFC for research into “solutions to improve the environmental and economic sustainability, and resilience of the Canadian dairy industry,” Agriculture […] Read more
Dairy — page 19
Dairy industry gets sustainability funding
Monitoring dairy cows’ water use has benefits
Maximizing water use efficiency should be a priority, says AAFC researcher
Small changes can pay big dividends in water use on dairy farms, both financially and in preserving water quality and supply. Determining where to make those changes often takes careful monitoring and investigation. That was one of the messages delivered during the Southwestern Ontario Dairy Symposium earlier this year by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher […] Read more
Reducing dairy methane starts with feed
AAFC researcher reviews what farmers can do to mitigate methane
Feeding strategies can play an important role in helping dairy farmers in Canada achieve the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, a target set by the Dairy Farmers of Canada. In the life cycle of dairy farms, nearly 50 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions come from methane of enteric origin, mainly in the […] Read more
World Dairy Innovation Awards recognizes Dairy Farmers of Canada
“Net Zero by 2050 — We’re In” campaign wins two categories
Dairy Farmers of Canada’s (DFC) ‘Net Zero by 2050 — We’re In’ campaign is turning heads on a global scale. The campaign won in both the CSR/Sustainability Initiative and Marketing Campaign categories at the World Dairy Innovation Awards during the Global Dairy Congress in London, England. Why it matters: The World Dairy Innovation Awards celebrate […] Read more
Charting the return of silage hybrids
Many producers want a broader range of attributes for corn
When assessing value in a corn crop, producers’ needs vary according to end uses. For cash croppers, it is measured in yield and bushels, but livestock producers want greater digestibility and more efficient feed use. It’s been 25 years since genetically modified hybrids became the norm and some in the seed trade say dual hybrids […] Read more
Bottle-fed bulls can grow up to be mean
Hand-rearing dairy bull calves in isolation contributes significantly to their behaviour toward humans as adults
Glacier FarmMedia – Livestock producers inadvertently put themselves and others in harm’s way by failing to realize the dangers of bottle-fed bull calves when those calves grow into behemoths. Dr. Joe Stookey, professor emeritus at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, said he has seen the dangers many times in the past. Why […] Read more
U.S. researchers uncover emerging Holstein genetic defect
Affected recumbency calves unable to stand after birth
The North American dairy breeding sector is providing early-stage advice to protect herds against a newly discovered and potentially fatal genetic defect affecting Holstein calves. The first official word on the defect, currently referred to as calf recumbency, came through a joint news release on April 3 from the U.S.-based Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding […] Read more
New research will look at dairy welfare and technology
The use of artificial intelligence to help farmers improve dairy animal care will be studied on Ontario and Quebec farms
A new research collaboration at McGill University and the University of Quebec in Montreal will explore the role of artificial intelligence in promoting dairy cattle welfare. The project aims to create “a digital living lab to link animal welfare and dairy farms’ profitability.” Why it matters: An updated Code of Practice for the Care and […] Read more
Getting hay equipment ready for the season
Don’t ignore smaller, comparatively inexpensive parts – or safety equipment
Ontario’s first hay cut is looming so it’s a good time to inspect the harvest equipment to ensure safety and avoid in-season problems. The good news is that parts, should they be needed, are more accessible than in recent years, according to Jim Franceshetti, parts and service product marketing manager for harvesting, hay and forage […] Read more
Getting specific on soil health
Growers discussing their soil fertility needs are finding more layers to the subject
There’s a need for standardization of approaches to improving soil health, as farmers are hit with many different opinions and recommendations. It could be everything from acidity to nutrient solubility to microbial activity as the complexity of dealing with improving soil health is significant. Wayne Black has been making the case that producers are being […] Read more
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