The revolutionary ramifications of breeding beef genetics to dairy cows are remaking supply chains. That brings new opportunities and challenges. The University of Guelph’s Dr. Michael Steele got the attention of attendees at the recent Dairy Cattle Industry Forum when he showed a line of antibiotic treatments used at one farm that raises weaned dairy […] Read more
Tag Archives Dairy Cattle — page 10
Turning dairy into beef: Shaking up supply chains
Different approaches are needed to capitalize on the value of dairy-beef crossbreds
VIDEO: Improving immunity in dairy cows
Nitric oxide levels in cows have a significant impact on their immunity. Researchers have shown that two per cent of cows have serious health impacts due to their nitric oxide levels. Semex is working with the University of Guelph to integrate nitric oxide measurements into its immunity genetic index. In this video, Steven Larmer, Director […] Read more
VIDEO: Youth takes home honours at World Dairy Expo
John Greig talks to Nadia Uhr, who finished second in the senior category of the youth showmanship competition at World Dairy Expo. Uhr tells Farmtario about her first experience at the expo in Madison, Wisc. and why the judge said she placed so high in her category. Also, Young Ontarians cleaned up at the World […] Read more
Pain can be reduced during calf disbudding
Combining local anesthesia and NSAID analgesics helps reduce pain
To combat the pain associated with horn bud removal, University of Guelph researchers are examining methods that will make calves more comfortable. University of Guelph Professor Charlotte Winder and PhD candidate Cassandra Reedman, from the Department of Population Medicine, have found that administering local anesthesia with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) pain relievers is the most […] Read more
The next incarnation for dairy disease resistance
Immunity+ traits from Semex are now incorporated into genetic indices, with broad application across the herd
Dairy customers of Semex now have a more in-depth decision to make if they aim to increase the resistance of their herd to disease, thanks to an updated version of the Canadian bovine genetics provider’s Immunity+ program. Until now, Semex bulls have been listed as either having Immunity traits or not. In the company’s recently […] Read more
Heat stress a growing factor on dairy farms
New research is underway to select cattle with high milk production and resilience to heat
University of Guelph researchers are seeking ways to select cattle for greater heat tolerance. A research team from the Department of Animal Biosciences recently investigated the association of milk production traits with weather data to identify heat-tolerant cows. Why it matters: Projected climate changes will influence livestock production, an important issue for the dairy industry. […] Read more
Innovative tech solutions for livestock win at international competition
Automated feeding, drug administration are among the winning entries
Innovations focused on automation and artificial intelligence accounted for half of the double gold star winners at a leading international event for animal breeding this year. Organizers of SPACE, an annual livestock and poultry trade show held in France, have announced the winners of their Innov’SPACE innovation competition ahead of the three-day event’s opening day […] Read more
Dairy’s gap on the map to net-zero
The sector's net-zero plan banks on technology not yet available
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) has a goal to reach net zero on carbon emissions but admits the plan to get there doesn’t exist. Not yet, at least. “It kind of reminds me of JFK saying, ‘by 1969, we’ll have a man on the moon’ and they hadn’t invented rockets yet,” said DFC director Korb […] Read more
Giving feeder cattle an extra push on feed intake
Feed pusher common to dairy farms has potential for beef feedlot
A robotic technology common on Ontario dairy farms is showing promise for helping beef feedlot operators increase feed intake in their cows. A one-year trial using a feed pusher in a feedlot setting has just wrapped up in the province and results show that the technology could be valuable to producers, allowing them to reduce […] Read more
Supplementing probiotics to calves helps with a healthy start
Research shows protective benefits to calves that had also received colostrum
Glacier FarmMedia – A scientist has found that feeding a special probiotic supplement to newborn dairy calves gives them a head start by protecting their health during their vulnerable first weeks of life. “I guess my biggest thing is calves are the future of the farm,” said Maddison Degenshein, who conducted the research for her […] Read more
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