Progressive Dairy

Farm transition lessons from cowboys

Whether the cattle are beef or dairy, the questions surrounding farm transition are the same.

July 29, 2022

When I asked the group of cowboys in their black Stetsons what was the one thing they grasped after four hours of interaction, it was “importance of communication.” It is easy to say, but how do you put it into practice?

Manure pit safety: Know the dangers and implement risk prevention strategies

Manure gas can be lethal. Use extreme caution when working around and, only when necessary, inside a manure pit.

July 29, 2022

Cheryl DeCooman

Safe and secure manure storage is very important on your dairy. In order to maximize contents during the growing season, manure pits must be agitated and pumped out regularly

How the dairy industry is embracing regenerative agriculture

Regenerative agriculture can bring together cow health and soil health, making the practices beneficial for dairy farms as well as meet industry initiatives.

July 29, 2022

Sedley Benitz

Regenerative agriculture is a phrase growing in popularity within agriculture. Corporations are using the phrase to market their products and grow their businesses.

Two sides to the sustainability story

At this year’s Animal Nutrition Conference of Canada, two highly respected industry experts shared their divergent perspectives on the sustainability of the livestock sector.

July 29, 2022

Emma Ohirko

One of the biggest challenges in the fight to mitigate carbon emissions and address climate change is that every group and every player who participates in this collective mission has different goals.

Keeping cows cool: Summer additions to a natural ventilation system

Possible additions to consider for a natural ventilation system include high-speed panel fans, cyclone style circulating fans, high-volume low-speed fans and tunnel ventilation.

July 29, 2022

Rick McBay

With as little as 16 km/h (10-mph) winds, a properly designed natural ventilation system will provide more than adequate air exchange for your dairy during hot weather.

Should you be concerned about low iron status in your calves?

Iron deficiency in calves can negatively impact the calf’s health and ability to thrive. To prevent this, pre-weaned calves, especially those fed whole milk, should receive an iron supplement.

July 29, 2022

Amanda Kerr

Iron status is a classic study point to the importance of mineral and vitamin nutrition for young calves. It has been reported approximately 20% of neonatal calves experience iron deficiency anemia.

Maximizing your return on investment: Heifers

Knowing the herd’s MBW is important for meeting AFC goals, as it is a key component for building an effective heifer-rearing program that sets animals up for success at every stage.

July 19, 2022

Donna Benschop and Matt Groen

“I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22.” You might be wondering why an article on heifer raising is starting off with lyrics from a popular Taylor Swift song, but that line from her 2013 song describes a lot of themes around setting goals and optimizing heifer raising.

Immune challenges of the young calf

Born without antibodies, calves face challenges in the first months of life. A good foundation and careful disease prevention through measures such as quality colostrum management, dry cow management and vaccination protocols is essential for healthy calves.

July 19, 2022

Elad Ben-Ezra

The first two months of a calf’s life are a critically important period that lays the foundation for their future health and productivity.

‘You wouldn’t believe the stuff I’ve tried’: Ontario dairyman designs innovative barn after 18 years of experimentation

Dairyman and avid scientific journal reader designs and patents his own stall-free dairy barn after 18 years of trial and error in pursuit of supreme cow comfort.

July 19, 2022

Emma Ohirko

Have you ever felt like the solution to your problem would be achievable if only the right tool existed? Have you then wondered why such an obvious tool is not available?

Dairy Farmers of Canada: How proAction is helping the next generation of Canadian dairy farmers connect with today’s consumers

June 30, 2022

As the next generation of Canada’s dairy farmers prepare to take over the family business, they are operating in a vastly different market than generations before them.