Nearly 900 attendees convened in Red Deer, Alberta, for the 2026 Western Canadian Dairy Seminar on March 10-13. Sessions covered a variety of topics, such as milk components, heat stress, feeding trace minerals, calf management, biosecurity and more.

All producers aim to maintain the health of their herds. Because losses from sickness and death take a toll on cattle and producers alike, it can be helpful to periodically review farm biosecurity practices.

Many dairy operations are reexamining their maternity barns and calf holding areas. In this article, we will explore five benefits of modernizing these facilities and the positive outcome improvements can bring for both your calves and your entire dairy operation.

A hundred head of recently weaned calves wandered the downtown streets of Boise, Idaho, on the first cold morning of October. Steam rolled off their backs, a mass of tipped-over trash cans behind them. A tightly packed alley of wandering souls staring blankly into a haze of flashlights and headlights. A cacophony of chaos filled with the rumble of lowing calves rising into the crisp morning air.

When placed strategically and used consistently, boot wash stations help protect vulnerable animals, reduce cross-contamination and promote a culture of care and responsibility.

Disease outbreaks pose a real and growing threat to cattle operations of all sizes. Whether it’s a common concern, such as bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), or a foreign animal disease, such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), proactive biosecurity measures are key for disease prevention.

The July new products lineup includes items from Gallagher, Merck Animal Health and more.

Biosecurity must be seen as more than just a reactive measure – it’s the proactive backbone of a resilient beef operation. Integrating enhanced biosecurity practices into your daily routine not only protects against everyday animal health risks but also positions your operation to participate in the Secure Beef Supply (SBS) Plan during a significant disease outbreak, like foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).