Dairy Distillery, producers of Vodkow vodka and cream liquors, says it has achieved carbon neutral production after four years in business. The Almonte-based company is dedicated to building a sustainable dairy value chain. “We’re proud to work in such an amazing industry that celebrates farmers, their animals and the future of agriculture,” says co-founder Neal […] Read more
Tag Archives milk production — page 2
Ontario distillery harnesses sustainability across business
Dairy Distillery achieves carbon neutral status
Researchers target robot-specific effects on health, milk quality
Automated milking systems focus of numerous University of Guelph studies
Researchers at the University of Guelph are focusing on milking robots as they dive into ongoing studies of milk quality and dairy cow health. Results of several studies on the effects of automated milking systems were presented at the Dairy at Guelph showcase held Nov. 2 at the university’s arboretum. Why it matters: As automated […] 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
Parlour versus robot financials prove systems are surprisingly similar
BDO’s national benchmarking data compares dairy farm profitability
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
New research effort to target dairy sustainability
Carbon footprint, feed efficiency, nutritional traits will all be studied
University of Guelph professor Dr. Gisèle LaPointe has secured $3.5 million in federal funding to lead a collaborative research effort into the future competitiveness and sustainability of Canada’s dairy sector. The project also leverages a $1 million commitment from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) marketing board. LaPointe’s Dairy Alliance proposal was among successful applicants for […] Read more
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
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
Modifying MUN testing in dairy cow milk
New calibration for milk can improve accuracy of milk urea nitrogen testin
Present in blood, urine, and milk, the chemical compound urea is the primary form of nitrogen excretion in mammals. Testing for urea levels in dairy cows helps scientists and farmers understand how effectively nitrogen from feed is used in cows’ bodies, with important economic implications for farmers in terms of feed costs, physiological effects for […] Read more
Milk fever prevention diet not recommended for first-lactation heifers
University of Guelph study indicates negative DCAD may affect first-lactation fertility
Taking the study of milk fever in dairy cattle from a research environment into commercial Ontario farms produced largely predictable findings for the University of Guelph’s Department of Population Medicine, but also one unexpected result. It found that reproductive performance of first-lactation heifers, in contrast to their older herd counterparts, was slightly impaired when eating […] Read more
Does your milker need a robot room or not?
An enclosed room around a milking robot is no longer a regulatory requirement
Ontario dairy producers are still constructing robot rooms around their automated milking equipment, even though it’s no longer a requirement. Revisions to the National Automatic Milking Systems Guidelines, put together by the Canadian government and dairy industry representatives in 2020, no longer necessitates milking equipment areas, such as stationary automated milking systems, to have positive […] Read more
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