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Tag Archives milk production — page 2

Ontario distillery harnesses sustainability across business
Livestock, News

Ontario distillery harnesses sustainability across business

Dairy Distillery achieves carbon neutral status

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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
cow at a milking machine
Livestock

Researchers target robot-specific effects on health, milk quality

Automated milking systems focus of numerous University of Guelph studies

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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
University of Guelph researchers are trying to identify dairy cows that are tolerant to heat while maintaining economically-important traits such as milk production.
Livestock

Heat stress a growing factor on dairy farms

New research is underway to select cattle with high milk production and resilience to heat

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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
Benchmarking data from BDO indicates that the profitability of robots compared to parlours is very similar. What system to choose comes down to preference and availability of labour.
Livestock

Parlour versus robot financials prove systems are surprisingly similar

BDO’s national benchmarking data compares dairy farm profitability

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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
The Dairy Alliance will research methods in how to increase in farm efficiency and sustainability, enhance animal health, care and welfare practices, as well as support the role of dairy in consumer diets.
Livestock

New research effort to target dairy sustainability

Carbon footprint, feed efficiency, nutritional traits will all be studied

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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
Research shows that for every five feed push-ups with an automatic system, a 0.35 kilogram increase in milk per cow can be achieved.
Livestock, News

Automated milk production can be optimized with tech and management

Research shows sand bedding and increased space lower lameness rates

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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
New features offered on the GEA R9500 robot include less per-cow box time, easier maintenance and a more accessible service drawer.
Livestock, News

GEA software upgrades boost milking system’s cost effectiveness

Box time reduced by up to 26 seconds in new R9500 model

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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
MUN testing of dairy cow milk can help monitor their health.
Livestock, News

Modifying MUN testing in dairy cow milk

New calibration for milk can improve accuracy of milk urea nitrogen testin

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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
Cows responded to a negative DCAD diet with less milk fever and fewer twisted stomachs.
Livestock

Milk fever prevention diet not recommended for first-lactation heifers

University of Guelph study indicates negative DCAD may affect first-lactation fertility

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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
Although no longer a requirement, producers are still finding benefits to incorporating a robot room within their dairy facilities.
Livestock

Does your milker need a robot room or not?

An enclosed room around a milking robot is no longer a regulatory requirement

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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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