Many of the protein sources used in dairy rations are byproducts of the production of oil for food and industrial uses: soybean meal, sesame seed meal, linseed meal and canola meal, for example.

While weather is a constant uncertainty for dairy farmers, 2012 brought with it distinct challenges as alfalfa and grain suffered from drought, heat and destructive insects in Eastern Canada.

Three times in the last five years, soaring grain prices have forced dairy producers to scrutinize on-farm practices and crack down on inefficiencies, striving to recuperate profitability.

No one can argue that Canada knows extremes when it comes to weather; however, typically we would be talking about how to beat the cold.