Progressive Dairy

Minimize the effects of BRD in replacement heifer calves

January 31, 2013

Replacement heifers represent the future of your dairy herd.

They also account for a significant operating expense for the dairy, second only to the cost of feeding the milking herd.

Communicate when transferring the title to the home dairy

January 31, 2013

Elaine Froese

As a mediator, I’ve seen some pretty dumb agreements about the home yard. When you are deciding to move away or build a second home on the property, make sure you think things through with your lawyer and have some clear conversations with your successor.

Many dairy families have more than one home on the main yard, yet privacy is still an issue that you can design into your plans.

Do calves need to socialize?

January 31, 2013

Karen Lee

The common dairy practice is to separate a dairy calf from its dam at birth and place it in individual housing. This helps to protect the calf from pathogens and makes it easy for the calf raiser to monitor, but it limits social contact for the animal.

According to Margit Bak Jensen of Aarhus University in Denmark, early social contact to the dam or social contact to other calves during the milk feeding period has beneficial effects on behaviour and welfare; social contact to other calves also stimulates earlier and larger intakes of solid food.

‘Dairy Health is Dairy Wealth’ is the focal point for the 2013 Western Canadian Dairy Seminar

January 31, 2013

The 31st Western Canadian Dairy Seminar is a place to gather the latest information in dairy production and technology advances.

The seminar is designed for people who want to improve their knowledge and decision-making abilities in dairy production and management.

Holstein Canada announces 2012 Master Breeders

January 29, 2013

At the beginning of each year, Holstein Canada announces the new crop of Master Breeders who are recognized as distinguished breeders amongst their peers. This year, 21 Master Breeders will be honoured at the upcoming 2013 National Holstein Convention in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Winners of Holstein Canada’s 2012 Education Awards announced

January 10, 2013

Holstein Canada’s Young Adult Advisory Committee chose six winners from 31 applicants for the 2012 Education Awards. Each award winner will receive a $750 cheque. “Getting 31 applications from such highly deserving students is wonderful. We get to learn about keen young adults who are involved in the industry but it is difficult to narrow it down to select the six winners for the whole country,” comments Janet Walker, Young Adult Program coordinator.

Holstein Canada sets new record for registrations

January 9, 2013

Holstein Canada has achieved an all-time new record for animal registrations: 280,620 registrations were completed in 2012, representing a 3.3 per cent growth over 2011. Electronic registrations continue to grow and now represent 86 per cent of the total.

New for the New Year

December 31, 2012

Karen Lee

Back in 2009 when the U.S. was struggling with low milk prices, a camera crew from a local news station stopped by my family’s farm to talk to a dairy producer to see if times were really as tough as everyone said it was.

When the interview was over my dad walked the camera crew around the farm. He showed them the freestall barn and milking parlour. They went to see the baby calves and the heifer barn, and finally he took them past the dry cow barn.

Dairy Research for a Healthy World

December 31, 2012

Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is the national policy, lobbying and promotional organization representing Canada’s farmers. DFC works to support sustainable dairy production; facilitate solutions to provincial/national challenges; provide credible research of dairy products on a national basis; and create innovative ways to grow the market. Click here to download a pdf of the latest research. PD

Subclinical ketosis, BHB levels and B vitamins

December 31, 2012

Helene Leclerc

0113ca leclerc 1 The transition period is a challenging time for the dairy cow. Her metabolism needs to adapt rapidly from a non-lactating to a lactating stage, in preparation for the forthcoming calving.

In addition, the reproductive system is preparing ovulation for the next breeding period.

This sudden change increases the glucose demand from the mammary gland and the fetus, which cannot be met solely by the liver.