Examining all calves before transport and following the same nutrition and care protocols for male and female newborns could improve health outcomes for dairy farm animals that eventually end up at veal facilities. University of Guelph PhD student Dr. Devon Wilson, now working in the Population Medicine lab of Dr. Dave Renaud, spoke about calf […] Read more
Dairy — page 21
Researcher calls for stronger focus on shipping healthy calves
Veterinarian says every animal should be examined for the four H’s
Semex to offer methane index for Elevate users this April
Semex is introducing a genetic solution that it says can reduce methane emissions 20 to 30 per cent by 2050. Dr. Michael Lohuis, Semex’s vice-president for research and innovation, said in a release Tuesday that the company has been working with industry scientists toward such a goal. For more than five years, he said Canada’s […] Read more
Silage growers urged to protect feed supply from Bt-resistant corn rootworm
Pest has caused significant yield loss in both Canada and the U.S.
Some livestock producers in the U.S. corn belt have had to make a difficult and costly decision. They’ve harvested their silage corn for grain to salvage some financial return. Now a provincial entomologist says Ontario producers may face the same decision if resistance to the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) trait in corn continues to grow. Bt-resistant […] Read more
Targeting improvements in calf health, welfare, antibiotic use
University of Guelph research shows Canadian dairy producers doing well but there is room for improvement
Calves can represent the future of the herd or provide an additional income stream for dairy farms, so it’s important that health challenges are kept to a minimum. Based on recent research at the University of Guelph, dairy farmers in Canada can take pride in the way they manage, house and care for replacement and […] Read more
Get the Vet: Solutions sought to ease farm animal veterinarian shortage
Telemedicine options and modernization of rules could help better service rural areas
Telemedicine technology could improve access to veterinary care in Ontario’s remote and underserviced areas. The shortage of veterinarians, particularly large animal specialists, is no secret. Tack on pandemic pressures, burnout and retirement, and the sector’s ability to meet demand is stressed further. “The current model of providing veterinary service to farms cannot keep up with […] Read more
Bulk tank testing confirms leukosis prevalence on Ontario dairy farms
Second round of sampling expected this fall
A project aims to provide producers with an accurate assessment of leukosis risk on their farm and provide assurance that the industry can respond quickly to a major disease outbreak. University of Guelph professor David Kelton provided an update on the ongoing program, which is funded by Dairy Farmers of Ontario. The $460,000 initiative, launched […] Read more
Transgenic corn touted for dairy feed efficiency
Originally developed for the U.S. ethanol industry, Syngenta’s Enogen could benefit dairy producers
A transgenic corn variety originally developed for the United States ethanol industry is being officially launched by Syngenta in Canada in 2023 for cattle feed. The Enogen line of hybrids contains a bacteria-derived transgene that produces alpha amylase, a naturally occurring enzyme that speeds the breakdown of starch. Since its introduction in the U.S. in […] Read more
Traceability, efficiencies and advanced animal welfare top tech development
Integration into existing systems and long-term viability affect adoption
The third annual World Dairy Expo Tech Spotlight showcased tools to improve on-farm efficiencies, traceability and monitoring. “We know the pivotal role (tech) has played to get us where we are today and there’s no denying it’s going to play an impactful role and part in where we go in profitability, animal health and sustainability,” […] Read more
Dairy industry makes strides in sustainability and GHG mitigation
Advances and adoption of new technologies show positive impact, according to new report
North American dairy production is reducing its impact on the climate while maximizing production through genetics, technology and data-driven decisions. That’s the conclusion of a recent report, ‘The Environmental Benefits of Modern Dairy, Hay, and Forage Production Technologies’, which was unveiled at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, during an industry expert panel discussion […] Read more
Livestock monitoring start-up targets Ontario market
OneCup AI moves from facial recognition to full-body ID
A western Canadian company specializing in livestock monitoring has increased its offering to farmers as the affordability and effectiveness of artificial intelligence has improved. At the recent Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) in Woodstock, OneCup AI announced its newest achievement: facial identification for poultry. CEO Mokah Shmigelsky used news of the poultry innovation to draw […] Read more
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