Illness during the transition period has significant effects on cow success during the rest of her lactation.

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

Next year, Lactanet plans to publish fertility ratings for sexed bull semen.

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

Hannah Woodhouse recently won the top student poster award at the International Dairy Federation’s meeting in Chicago. Her work involves free fatty acids in milk.

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

Cows could be evaluated on numerous traits using a Canadian camera-based system that could replace the need for on-farm classification.

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


EastGen asked attendees to look over these heifers, assess their characteristics, and decide which two to keep in the milking herd and which two to sell. After choosing, attendees were shown genomic evaluations for comparison.

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

The ailment can be found in all ruminants but has particularly high incidence in dairy cattle.

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

Mariposa Dairy at the Kawartha Lakes Spotlight on Agriculture Gala.

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


A panel of three dairy farmers at Grey-Bruce Farmers Week noted diverse experiences with robotic milking.

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

Paul Vickers, a Meaford dairy farmer, shares his concerns about policy changes addressing the storm. He suggests the DFO maintained more credibility standing behind bad policy than by making changes to cater to singular complaints.

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