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Tag Archives milk production

Canadian Dairy Xpo: Consumer support for buying Canadian dairy rises
New Canadians also look to use dairy for nutrition and in cooking
The buy-Canada movement has helped boost support for Canadian dairy products, according to David Hudson of IMI International, speaking at the Canadian Dairy Xpo's Dairy Business Summit.

AUDIO: New thinking on health of transition cows
There’s now more concern about fresh cow blood calcium levels after day four post-calving
New research on transition cows shows that dairy farmers should adjust traditional ways to manage post-calving calcium levels and ketosis. More than half of dairy cows in high managed herds go through the transition period to milking with at least one health problem. Recent research shows those problems lower the cow’s chance of success throughout […] Read more

Lactanet to publish sexed semen fertility ratings
Farmers will now have access to information previously only sent to bull line-up owners
Canadian dairy farmers will soon have access to fertility ratings for sexed bull semen. Lactanet recently announced it plans to publicly release the ratings, previously provided to artificial insemination service providers only, in early 2024. Dr. Gerrit Kistemaker, the national organization’s manager of genetic evaluations, gave an update on the process during Lactanet’s Open Industry […] Read more

Many factors affect milk frothing problem
Lactation length, milking frequency, prechilling and filter replacement all contribute to higher free fatty acids
A frothy problem identified by Starbucks baristas in British Columbia does not have a simple solution. Elevated levels of free fatty acids in milk can result in cheese coagulation issues, milk with poor taste and shorter shelf life, and a lack of frothing ability, which is the big concern for coffee chains. Why it matters: […] Read more

Taking the human out of dairy cow classification
Canadian start-up eyes artificial intelligence-based dairy cow evaluation
A Canadian start-up company says results from its artificial intelligence-based classification of dairy cows come within two per cent of human results. Animal science specialist Ghader Manafiazar, one of three co-founders of iClassifier, says through the analysis of approximately 30,000 images collected from Canadian dairy farms, an accuracy rate of 98 per cent was achieved […] Read more

Dairy farmers challenged to make tough genomics choices
Heifers at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show displayed competing genomic priorities
At Rose Vega Farm near Cambridge, Luke and Kelly Donkers agree that emotion sometimes creeps its way into dairy breeding decisions. But at the recent Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS), Luke also agreed that when it comes to overall dairy farm profitability, genomics is a valuable tool. “There are probably more grey-haired cows on our […] Read more

Researchers work to develop Johne’s vaccine
Two Canadian universities are developing vaccines, with plans to see if they can be combined
Glacier FarmMedia – Researchers at the University of Calgary are one step closer to introducing a vaccine that will help dairy producers combat Johne’s disease in cattle. The ailment, closely related to tuberculosis, can be found in all ruminants but has particularly high incidence in dairy cattle. That is believed to be connected to herd […] Read more

Goat milk processor honoured by Lindsay Ag Society
Mariposa Dairy handed the Excellence in Agriculture Award
A family-owned milk processor that has grown from humble beginnings to become the second largest goat cheese manufacturer in North America was recognized recently through a prestigious award from the Lindsay Agricultural Society. Why it matters: The award serves as further recognition that the company’s success has played a significant role in the expansion of […] 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

Spilled milk sparks DFO policy and emergency strategy review
Impacted producers will be compensated via cost-recovery plan
Dairy Farmers of Ontario is reassessing some of its policies and emergency preparedness strategies following the mass milk dumping caused by the Christmas blizzard. Mark Hamel, Region 11 board member, didn’t hesitate to accept responsibility for poor communication throughout the storm when he spoke to attendees at the Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week Dairy Day Jan. […] Read more