Glacier FarmMedia – Calving problems have been greatly reduced over the years but there are still issues we can’t control. One of these is malpresentations of the fetus. Some cows can deliver a calf with a foot back, but these are rare and most cows require birthing assistance. Producers must maintain sharp observational skills to […] Read more
Dairy — page 20
Solutions available for common calving malpresentations
It requires sharp observational skills and a little know-how
Increasing veterinary capacity in Ontario to receive $15 million in funding
To help address veterinary shortages in rural and northern communities, the Ontario government is investing more than $15 million to establish anew Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program with the University of Guelph and Lakehead University. The government is also providing grants to new veterinary graduates as an incentive to work in underserviced areas in […] Read more
Canadian dairy carbon-neutral guidebook released
Kitchen table meetings may be the next step for the introduction of the guide to farmers
There are no financial incentives and the adoption of practices isn’t mandatory to continue shipping milk, but Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) insists there are strong reasons why the country’s milk producers should get on board with a just-published Best Management Practices Guide to Mitigate Emissions on Dairy Farms. The new document forms the cornerstone […] Read more
Updated Dairy Code of Practice released
The updated Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle is now available from the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) and the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC). It replaces its predecessor, developed in 2009, effective April 1, 2024 (unless indicated otherwise in Requirements with a later phase-in date). The 2009 dairy […] Read more
Every detail counts at Nieuwenhof farm
At Nieuwenhof farm, the attention is on the details. This is particularly the case for dry cows which are housed in small groups at the farm at Sainte-Agnès-de-Dundee, QC. And it pays off. The farm recently produced two kilograms of fat per cow per day for four consecutive months. How many groups of cows do […] Read more
PHOTOS: A virtual tour of Comestar Farm
The internationally renowned farm has a new barn, with a new focus on milk production
Of all the dairy farms in Quebec, Comestar Holstein in Victoriaville is the most recognized throughout the world. Today, with a new generation taking up the farm, a new chapter is beginning. And what better than the construction of a new barn to mark this new stage? May 20, 2003 marked a turning point in […] Read more
Use of robotic milkers continues to grow, but it’s not for everyone
Producers share lessons learned and why robot milkers work for them, or why they don’t
If growth continues in Canadian dairy farmers’ use of robotic milkers, robots will milk half of the national dairy herd by 2040, said Carolin Turner. Turner, with Holstein Canada’s classification field services, told Grey-Bruce Farmers’ Week dairy day participants that 130 Canadian dairy herds transitioned to or built a new robotic barn in 2021. Why […] Read more
Livestock producers must watch for zoonotic diseases
Several diseases can be easily passed from animals to humans
Cryptosporidia and giardia are two intestinal parasites that can cause diarrhea in people and calves. These parasites are single-celled organisms (and Cryptosporidium is a common cause of diarrhea in both beef and dairy calves under one month old. Young children, pregnant woman and immune-compromised adults who are infected can have severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. […] Read more
Ontario farm Canada’s third-best-managed dairy herd
Seven Ontario dairy farms in the top 10
[UPDATED: Feb. 24, 2023] Stewardson Dairy Inc. of Thedford, Ont., has been named Canada’s third best-managed dairy herd by Lactanet. Each year, Lactanet brings together dairy producers and industry stakeholders from across the country to pay tribute to top-performing herds and celebrate excellence in dairy herd management. Lactanet’s Herd Performance Index allows herds across the […] Read more
Salmonella Dublin poses serious risks in cattle and humans
Infection classed as “emerging disease” in Ontario
For cattle farmers who see a spike in calf mortality but not the typical diarrhea that accompanies common bacterial infections, Quebec-based veterinarian Dr. Frédéric Beaulac says Salmonella Dublin should be top of mind. And if there is an outbreak, it could be a long road to recovery for the farm. Why it matters: Salmonella Dublin […] Read more
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