Is it better to invest in a parlour or robots? It’s a question many dairy farmers are facing as they consider their next expansion and make future plans. The answer depends on labour availability and personal preference, according to a team of national accountants who have recently developed financial benchmarks for both milking systems. The […] Read more
Parlour versus robot financials prove systems are surprisingly similar
BDO’s national benchmarking data compares dairy farm profitability
Modelling nitrous oxide emissions
Science Notes: Farmland expansion seen as the predominant driver of N2O increases
A recent ecosystem modelling study conducted by Iowa State University scientists shows how crop production in the United States has led to an increase in the emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, throughout the last century. Researchers drew on massive amounts of data, from weather patterns to soil conditions to land use […] Read more
Genomics have growing influence on dairy herd management
Identification of beneficial genes is leading to improved economic heifer traits
Dairy cow genetic performance has raced ahead since the advent of genomics, bringing dairy farmers more ways to select for higher profitability cows. More data gathering could create even more capacity for genomic improvement. Christine Baes, Canada research chair in Livestock Genomics at the University of Guelph, who is also a researcher and lecturer at […] Read more
Tracking animal performance with camera clicks
New technology to help farmers manage what they measure
Glacier FarmMedia – Imagine as a livestock producer, whether of beef, dairy or hogs, and being able to get a daily read on animal weights just by checking your cellphone or tablet. You could track whether animals are maintaining their body condition, the average daily gain of a pen of steers or how many pigs […] Read more
Soil testing complexity increasing
The future of soil testing includes better imaging, health indicators, and cost effectiveness
The days of single-sample field soil analysis are fading. What’s needed, say soil experts, are analysis tools that provide accurate representations of different management zones. Speaking at the recent Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario (IFAO) conference, Jonathan Zettler, agronomist and founder of Fieldwalker Agronomy Ltd., said soil testing tools should also be all-encompassing – that […] Read more
Scientists urged to help fight misinformation
Agricultural researchers say there is a risk extremists can take over the debate if they don’t participate in the public arena
Glacier FarmMedia – Chris Clark has told the story more than once. The associate dean at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon frequently spoke to the media in the early 2000s, when BSE was a national issue in Canada. One day, a reporter from B.C. called him, wanting to check facts about Canada’s […] Read more
Pilot project assesses digital tool for monitoring traffic on poultry farms
Industry hopes to improve biosecurity and better communication among farmers
A new poultry pilot project is putting biosecurity and disease mitigation measures in Ontario to the test. Farm Health Guardian and the Feather Board Command Centre (FBCC) have partnered to conduct the project in the Niagara region. “We are trying to assess whether digital biosecurity software is a useful tool in disease management,” says Dr. […] Read more
Comment: Funding won’t stop climate change
Glacier FarmMedia – On Canada’s Agriculture Day (Feb. 22), the federal government made a major funding announcement to help farmers fight climate change. Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the feds would provide $182.7 million in “direct support to farmers” to encourage the adoption of cover crops, rotational grazing and improving management of nitrogen. These farm practices, […] Read more
Grain growers share the best equipment changes they’ve made on-farm
Three farmers reveal top agronomic and efficiency improvements on their operations at IFAO conference
There’s always room for improvement when it comes to equipment design and setup, according to grain growers Warren Schneckenburger, Mark Burnham, and Chuck Baresich. Speaking during the 2022 Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario conference IFAO), each panelist detailed what large overhauls and small tweaks have made the most significant differences on their respective farms. Why […] Read more
Liberals’ rebate bill expected to win legislative carbon tax race
Conservative bill aims to exempt natural gas and propane instead
Glacier FarmMedia – A private member’s bill introduced Feb. 7 to exempt more farm fuels from the carbon tax likely won’t pass before a government bill that will provide rebates. Ben Lobb, Conservative MP for Huron-Bruce, introduced C-234, calling it “the fairness for farmers act.” It would eliminate the carbon tax on natural gas and […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
