Progressive Dairy

Bakerview Eco Dairy digester launch

August 31, 2011

The first demonstration farm of its kind in Canada held a launch event on June 29 to heighten political interest in its on-site anaerobic digester system. The Bakerview Eco Dairy of Abbotsford, British Columbia, hosted upwards of 75 people on the rainy morning.

Make milk more valuable with components

August 31, 2011

Elliot Block

When producing more milk is not a viable option to generate greater income – a common occurrence in quota systems – dairy producers must find alternative ways to make each kilogram of milk produced more valuable.

Find cost savings with alternative feed ingredients

August 31, 2011

There are many issues to blame for the sky-high grain and protein prices: weather conditions, economic issues, global grain demands and more.

Silage preservation: Fitting the pieces together

August 31, 2011

Deanna Hiemstra

Each individual piece of the silage management puzzle plays a significant role in the outcome of the overall feed quality for the dairy herd.

Sept. 1, 2011 issue: New Products

August 31, 2011

Here are some of the new products or updates to previous products that have been announced as of August 29, 2011. Return to this section of the Progressive Dairyman website periodically to find out what new products will be impacting the dairy industry.

Effectively design your milk replacer feeding program

August 31, 2011

Kathleen Shore

Milk replacer is formulated to balance major nutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrates) with an optimal fortification of vitamins and minerals. When designing any nutrition program, the calf’s health, size and age must be considered. Historically, citations in scientific literature have documented trials where calves have been fed diets low in energy, depriving them of much-needed nutrition. Recent work has rightfully demonstrated that increased nutrition in the calf for optimized growth leads to many positive outcomes, including better milk output in the first lactation.

Sunny days ahead

July 1, 2011

Karen Lee

This morning I dressed my nearly 2-year-old daughter in a shirt that reads, “I love sunny days.” Yet, out my office window the sky is grey and sprinkles flicker by as I look to the tree bending toward the west with its over-turned leaves.

Up your colostrum game with thawing unit

July 1, 2011

Karen Lee

Studies have shown significant benefits of a proper colostrum-feeding protocol. These represent the need to rapidly thaw and feed four litres of high-quality colostrum within 30 minutes after a calf is born.

Some time in the West

April 21, 2011

Karen Lee

What a pleasure I had attending the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar in Red Deer, Alberta, this spring. While there was still plenty of snow and freezing temperatures, the great company and brewing coffee kept a soul warm.

Before the seminars started, I skated around a few dairy farms with other interested parties in our plastic biosecurity boots. During the preconference tours, we visited Chubanna Holsteins, Roneamer Farms Ltd. and Dykman Farms Ltd. Each farm was doing something unique.

Feed efficiency from a quota system perspective

April 21, 2011

Elliot Block

More milk and components from each kilogram of feed is the basis for the feed efficiency equation. In countries where production caps have not been set, this idea resonates well since maximized production most often translates to additional revenue for the dairy.