Ahhh, a new year. A time to write a new chapter in our businesses and lives. A moment when the phrase “tomorrow is another day” takes on an extended meaning.

Western Canadian Dairy Seminar to celebrate 30 years For 30 years, the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar has been presenting some of the world’s leading experts to inform and challenge those in the dairy industry to take a leading role in the development of the industry through the adoption of the latest technologies and information and to discuss current issues challenging the dairy industry. Plans are underway to do that once again from March 6-9, 2012, at the Capri Hotel (soon to be Sheraton Red Deer) in Red Deer, Alberta. The 30th annual Western Canadian Dairy Seminar will kick-off with a pre-conference symposium, pre-conference tours and producer workshops.

Farmers love carrots, don’t you know? They dangle one for years in front of the next generation, so to keep the young folks guessing when they will become part-owners and have their dreams turn into reality. “The proverbial carrot that Dad is holding out is really getting me down,” says the young dairy farmer.

Widespread flooding across Manitoba wiped out the chance of a hay crop this year and is affecting forage supplies this winter. According to Glenn Friesen, business development specialist – forages with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, it is estimated a million acres of farmland were flooded this spring and summer.

Stem diseases in alfalfa typically cause loss of vigor and reduction in crop yield and quality. Disease pressure is increased by late, cold and wet spring seasons, and when the crop is kept moist by rainy weather or heavy dews. When nurse crops are present, alfalfa disease can be worse. Tall stubble after cutting and weeds growing around plants also contribute to disease pressure.

Wisconsin farmers have been growing biomass for generations, says Kevin Shinners. They just have a different name for it. "Biomass is really just poor-quality forage," says the UW-Madison agricultural engineer. "We allow it to get very mature and it's really high in fiber, so it doesn't make very good animal feed, but it makes great biomass."