André and Judith Hildbrand may view Lactanet’s Herd Performance Index (HPI) as just one tool in operating a successful dairy farm, but the results over the past two decades at their Rosenhill Farm is proof they’ve perfected the use of that tool. Why it matters: Recognizing top performing herds rewards producers and spreads awareness about […] Read more
Tag Archives milk production — page 3
Rosenhill achieves top spot on provincial herd list
St-Albert dairy maintained top-flight status through 2017 transition to robots
‘Dr. Tim’ to continue advocating for farm causes
Tim Henshaw is known for veterinary work over 40 years, but also his social media presence
Dr. Tim Henshaw worked his final day on the farm on New Year’s Eve, but the EastGen veterinarian will continue contributing to the dairy sector during semi-retirement. The veterinarian for the cattle genetics company says he has examined more than 1.1 million animals and met “a lot of new friends… and a few enemies” in […] Read more
Tips to maximize profitability in dairy
An improved feeding strategy is likely a better route than simply cutting costs
Given the speed of shifts in demand in the Canadian dairy industry this year, it’s hard to predict with any certainty of accuracy what the next five years might look like, and how the industry might evolve. Nevertheless, during Canada’s Digital Farm Show in September, Pioneer dairy specialist Ashley Knapton hosted a virtual round table […] Read more
Startups focus on dairy data and automation
Several Canadian companies among featured dairy startups
The World Dairy Expo is often the site for the release of numerous dairy technologies. The show was cancelled this year, but that didn’t stop the Expo from supporting a virtual dairy technology showcase, called the Global Dairy Tech Start-Up Spotlight which recently highlighted dairy technology in a virtual forum. Advanced Animal Diagnostics, Cainthus, EIO […] Read more
Dairy farmers press feds on compensation promises, again
Canada’s dairy farmers are again calling on the federal government to make good on its promise to compensate producers, after giving up market share of the supply-managed industry to more foreign competitors through trade pacts. The Liberal government, most recently in its Sept. 23 speech from the throne, has told Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) […] Read more
Can Canadian dairy outgrow trade deal effects?
At current rates of growth, yes, but it could take six years
Dairy farmers will continue to watch the effects of three trade deals roll out over the next six or more years and the future growth of the sector will depend on whether or not the sector continues its past growth pattern. The most recent is the Canada-U.S. Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) that replaced the NAFTA deal. […] Read more
Dairy weathers unexpected price drop, trade deal implications
There are signs that the dairy market is recovering and butter stocks are low which could support prices
Dairy farms in Canada are likely to return to profitability in 2021, after absorbing a hit to profits from the impact of COVID-19. Sebastien Pouliot, principal agricultural economist at Farm Credit Canada (FCC), says that COVID-19 hit what could have been a decent year for dairy farmers. Why it matters: Dairy farms are a large […] Read more
Canadian start-ups featured at Ag Innovation Showcase
The American event showcased Canadian companies with dairy, lighting, grain sampling and soil sensing products
A number of Canadian agriculture technology start-up companies were in the spotlight at the recent Ag Innovation Showcase. The Canadian government and Protein Industries Canada, one of the country’s five superclusters, were key sponsors of the event again this year. Why it matters: Technology is a key driver of innovation in the agri-food sector, but […] Read more
Heat stress during dry period affects milk production
Effects of heat on mammary system renewal show why cooling matters when cows are dry
Heat stress during dairy cows’ dry period impairs overall mammary gland turnover during that period and that results in lower milk production and productivity in the next lactation. Researchers from the University of Florida recently published the results of their study on the subject in the Journal of Dairy Science. It’s no secret that heat […] Read more
Neutrophil system plays big role in dry cow immunity
Extra bunk space is good buffer to reduce health risks and improve immune activity
It’s believed transition cows have suppressed immune systems, but Dr. Stephen LeBlanc of the University of Guelph says it’s not as simple as just blaming compromised immune systems for all transition dairy cattle problems. “Metabolically, yes cows have reduced aspects of immune function through the transition period and part of some of the reasons for […] Read more
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