The year 2026 will be marked by the revision of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) (or a renegotiation, who knows?) – a loud saga that will, among other things, focus on supply management. This situation requires a step back and even a deep breath: The process will be winding, bumpy and worrying. 

In 2014, Time magazine declared an end to “the war on fat.” After decades of demonizing cholesterol and the calories that come from animal products, the winds shifted: “Fat is good for you,” said the headline. Consumers – and farmers – took notice.

Death will come and taxes cannot be avoided (unless you’ve got money) and neither can the fact that your baby will spit up on you as you walk out the door.

Modern research clearly shows that metabolic dysregulation during the transition period, particularly involving protein supply and inflammatory tone, strongly influences early lactation performance, disease incidence, reproductive outcomes and overall herd profitability.

More than 120 producers and industry stakeholders sat in on Lactanet’s first open industry session of 2026 to learn of the organization’s directions relating to genetics and evaluations. Five presentations provided updates and research highlights geared to streamlining reporting processes and identifying quality- and trait-related trends within the industry.