It’s uncertain what will happen in the next quarter or two, but we all want to see farms succeed. Dairy farms help feed the world, and by taking a closer look at your operations, expenses and the comfort of your cows, you can identify areas for improvement that will keep your business profitable.

Consider productivity, longevity and sustainability when considering a retrofit for automated milking.

It has now been more than a year since Canada’s new Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle was published. With only a few exceptions, the requirements of the new code came into effect on April 1, 2024. How can our industry live up to the new standards it has set for itself in this code?

Progressive Dairy asked the top herd owners from each province whether they focus on production or management benchmarks. Each dairy producer also gave us an indication of which of the six key performance index benchmarks they focused on in their herd.

Studies show the decrease in fertility can be strongly associated with transition cow health. Utilizing a Double Ovsynch program could increase fertility even in cows with health events during transition.

Participating in the 4-H dairy project is much more than exhibiting a heifer at Achievement Day. Many life skills are learned through the project that can lead to a love of the dairy industry.

Sustainability’s role in building a robust, modern Canadian dairy industry for the future was a prevailing theme at Dairy Farmers of Canada’s 2024 Annual Policy Conference. Many speakers celebrated the progress of farmers while helping explain what the dairy sector can expect in the years to come.

With 10% to 35% of cows experiencing mastitis each lactation, grappling with its cost is a reality of milking cows. A Canadian study showed mastitis costs dairy farmers roughly $660 per cow per year, making it the costliest disease of dairy cattle.