The third annual Dairywomen’s Summit was held in March by West Coast Robotics, a Lely dealership in Agassiz, British Columbia. Around 125 women participated in the event this year, which is the largest turnout thus far.

At the annual Animal Nutrition Conference of Canada, conference speakers shared diverse perspectives on some of the most pressing issues facing the livestock feed industry, ranging from the emergence of lab-grown proteins to the quest for net zero and the role of trace mineral additives in sustainability.

Speaking to a different kind of leadership, the event’s second presenter, Mohit Rajhans – a media and digital marketing consultant – offered his thoughts on the potential for those working in agriculture to become experts in artificial intelligence (AI) in the agri-food context. His session spurred numerous questions from the audience, notably: “How can AI improve communication with foreign workers?”

Positive momentum will be key for the prosperity of the Canadian dairy industry, as it is approaching processing, innovation and policy challenges – compounded by the constant need to modernize facilities, systems and software – that will require integrated action from players across the industry.

Whether new research was presented or different management tactics were discussed, one question was consistent throughout the conference: How will this affect the longevity of a cow?

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.

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.

April will bring the excitement of the National Holstein Convention as well as the Ontario Spring Discovery Show. An active and dedicated group of volunteers have been hard at work as they strive to provide a week of farm tours, fine dining, social events and an elite show with several new competitions.