Progressive Dairy

3 Open Minutes with recently retired Lactanet Chief Services Officer Brian Van Doormaal

January 13, 2026

Brian Van Doormaal has served the dairy industry for nearly 40 years. Following his retirement in December 2025, Progressive Dairy asked Van Doormaal a few questions about his career and future plans.

Research Review: Why not use lactose surplus from dairy processors to feed cows?

Initial results from the Milky Whey project, funded by the Dairy Research Cluster 4.

January 8, 2026

Julien Chamberland, Pauline Denis, and Rachel Gervais

In a circular economy context, identifying ways to valorize permeate on-farm could represent an interesting opportunity to increase milk production sustainability. But under what conditions is this practice advantageous? And what impact is this likely to have on animal productivity, and on milk composition and its suitability for processing?

Getting through winter on the farm

Getting through the winter months can be a challenge in rural settings. Having a positive mindset, making mundane tasks exciting and finding small things to look forward to can make a difference this winter season.

January 6, 2026

Katelyn Duban

Shorter days and quieter routines leave more space for isolation to creep in, making winter feel heavier than the wet snow on the end of your shovel. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned along the way that I think can help farmers get through the winter months.

January 1, 2026 Progressive Dairy-Canada digital magazine

January 1, 2026

The latest issue of Progressive Dairy-Canada magazine is available. To view, make sure you're logged into your agproud.com account. If you do not have access, click "Subscribe" in the top-right corner of agproud.com to add permission to view.

Dairy Farmers of Canada: Dairy consumption trends: What to expect in 2026?

January 1, 2026

To start the new year, Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC)’s Policy team examined trends from the Canadian dairy marketplace in 2025 to offer insights for the coming months.

The importance of language in safety training comprehension

When training employees, consider providing a trainer who speaks the employee’s native language or conducting online training that can be translated. Also, provide documentation in the employee’s language.

December 23, 2025

Cheryl DeCooman

If employees are not trained in a language they understand, it is unrealistic to expect them to fully comprehend the safety hazards and risks associated with their job.

Small calves, big gains: Maximizing average daily gain in replacement calves

Accurate average daily gain measurements and comparisons can provide you with the data needed to make management decisions.

December 23, 2025

Maxime Tarte

In an increasingly demanding dairy production environment, the performance of replacement heifers is a major factor for ensuring herd profitability and sustainability. A solid rearing program goes beyond genetics – it starts with measuring current growth results.

Research Review: From the Journal of Dairy Science: Lung ultrasonography in dairy calves and effect of VWP length on second-parity cows

December 18, 2025

Pedro Nogueira

This column brings you information regarding some of the research being done around the world and published in the Journal of Dairy Science. It discusses how lung ultrasonography is improving our understanding and management of respiratory disease in young calves, and the effect of voluntary waiting period length on milk yield, fertility and culling in high-yielding, second-parity cows.

Dairy milk testers’ strike continues in B.C.

December 17, 2025

Karen Lee

It’s been three weeks since dairy milk testers in British Columbia went on strike, and no progress has been made.

The business of agriculture: Does your team have a common language?

Canadian dairy producers need precise measurements to help them improve profitability. Higher production does not guarantee higher profits, so production and financial advisers need to find better metrics that connect production, efficiency and profit.

December 11, 2025

Chris Church

Each farm adviser uses a set of metrics from their area of expertise, but how do they all connect to your profitability? Are we even measuring the right things?