Two busloads of dairy producers and industry representatives crisscrossed through southwestern Ontario on Sept. 16 to see improvements made on area dairies. Hosted by the Progressive Dairy Operators, this mini-bus tour was held in conjunction with Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, which took place earlier in the week in Woodstock, Ontario.

Many farm families are feeling a deep sense of guilt knowing they should be having business meetings, but they just don’t seem to get around to it. The key factor is understanding why you need to meet.

Recently, a University of Guelph-based graduate student working under the supervision of Professor Stephen LeBlanc completed a master’s research project that investigated the comparative results achieved between timed A.I. versus the use of activity monitors. The results are quite interesting and support the assertion that activity-based heat detection systems are the way of the future. Let’s start by acknowledging that timed A.I. (TAI) protocols can work very well when compliance levels are high.

Finding labour in Saskatchewan was becoming harder and harder for dairyman Wes Cairns. He decided to take matters into his own hands and control the labour needed for milking his 120 cows. Two years ago, Cairns purchased two robotic milkers and built a new barn to accommodate them.

A new synthetic zeolite feed additive that binds to calcium in dry cow feed and helps prevent milk fever is grabbing attention in Canada. The new product was introduced in 2009 and was originally marketed in Europe in 2008. Seven farms throughout the country are now using the new product.

“It’s designed to clear out every nook and cranny of your machine’s cooling system,” says Jerry Crum about his company’s new “Radiator Genie.” There’s a real need for a better radiator cleaning tool. Today’s tractors have high-efficiency cooling systems, downsized radiators and small cores and fins.

Y-TEX® Corporation is pleased to introduce the new Lone Star Feedlot Identification Tag. Lone Star Feedlot tags are an excellent choice for identification in feedlot and stocker operations.

AmeriAg, LLC has designed and released an exclusive new mineral feeder developed to address many of the issues encountered on today’s farms and ranches with traditional mineral feeders. The feeder is constructed of polyethylene in a cylindrical design; it is extremely durable, with a long service life.