There have been more than 100,000 dairy cattle genotyped for the A2 beta casein in milk and that’s allowed geneticists to create new reports for farmers. “Beta casein is a protein that represents approximately 30 per cent of all milk proteins,” said Lactanet’s Chief Services Brian Van Doormal in an article about the release of […] Read more
Tag Archives Dairy Cattle — page 12
Lactanet releases new herd reports for A2 milk
Organization pleased with over 600 downloads in first week
Automated milk production can be optimized with tech and management
Research shows sand bedding and increased space lower lameness rates
Research into robotic dairy barns shows that improvements in nutrition, management, housing, and herd demographics benefit both cows and producers. Robert Matson, a Wallenstein Feed and Supply Ltd. ruminant nutritionist, shared findings from a 2018 study involving 197 automated milking systems (AMS), including 75 in Ontario, during Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week Dairy Day last month. […] Read more
Formula refined to breed for dairy cow longevity
Advent of genomics lessens impact of ‘indirect herd health’
Lactanet has updated its indirect herd life evaluation formula, after adding metabolic disease resistance and fertility disorders to its bull proofs in Holstein, Jersey and Ayrshire. Indirect herd life was described in a recent Lactanet newsletter as “an early predictor of daughter survival (which) is calculated based on a formula that combines genetic evaluations for […] Read more
GEA software upgrades boost milking system’s cost effectiveness
Box time reduced by up to 26 seconds in new R9500 model
An upgraded version of German technology manufacturer GEA’s automated milking system, newly available in North America, allows producers to run up to four milking robots from one supply unit for power and water and decrease time-per-cow in the robot by up to 26 seconds. “We’re excited to help push farm efficiency even further,” said GEA […] Read more
Canadian Dairy XPO cancelled
The 2022 Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX) has been cancelled, and will return in April 2023. The management and Steering Committee of CDX said in a release that the decision was “tough” and was made with the following factors in mind: International travel restrictions for out of country exhibitors Corporate policies restricting employee travel/participation in […] Read more
Forage management vital to achieve top-quality feed
Low-lignin alfalfa is a new tool that requires changes in harvest timing
Attendees at the recent 2021 Forage Focus webinars were reminded of knowledge gained from 1889 silage quality research and gained more contemporary insights from experts. Renato Schmidt discussed dry matter and quality losses during pre-ensiling and ensiling and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs specialist Anita Heeg delivered a talk about understanding feed […] Read more
Dairy farmers can adapt to climate change
Science Notes: Warming climate worsens nutrient pollution but lengthens growing season
Dairy farmers in the northeastern region of North America are facing a warming climate that exacerbates nutrient pollution but lengthens the growing season. However, they can reduce the environmental impact of their operations and maximize revenues by double cropping and injecting manure into the soil, rather than broadcasting it. That’s the conclusion of a team […] Read more
Pre-weaning calf health and immunity carries impacts into lactation years
Strong colostrum management and intranasal vaccination could improve calf immunity
The first two months of a heifer’s life are critical for laying the foundation for her long-term health and productivity. Recent research on epigenetics and perinatal programming of young dairy calves has solidified a connection between early health and long-term milk production impacts, Elad Ben-Ezra, DVM-MBA and Zoetis veterinary service manager (cattle) told attendees at […] Read more
Study finds no data to show change in butter consistency
Not enough data to link to palm supplement use, either
Updated, Jan. 24 — A panel tasked with reviewing complaints of changes in Canadian butter’s consistency has found there’s not enough data out there to support those complaints — nor to support the allegation that palm byproducts in cows’ rations were the cause. The Expert Working Group on Feed Supplementation, set up by Dairy Farmers […] Read more
Ontario OYFs win national competition
Jenny Butcher and Wes Kuntz, Little Brown Cow Dairy, of Brantford, Ont. were named the national winners of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer (OYF) program along with Raymond and Tracey Bredenhof, R&T Poultry and Bredenhof Hops, of Abbotsford, B.C. at the OYF national event held virtually and in Saskatoon Dec. 1-3, 2021. Butcher and Kuntz started the […] Read more
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