September 1, 2024

September 1, 2024 Progressive Dairy-Canada digital magazine

August 30, 2024

Research Review: From the Journal of Dairy Science: Influences on colostrum production and nutritional factors on milk production in automated milking systems

August 15, 2024

This article from researchers from Cornell University and Germany describes the individual, seasonal and herd-level variability of colostrum production and summarizes the association between animal individual factors – such as parity, sex of the calf, calf birthweight, as well as indicators of the cow’s metabolic status – and the yield and composition of colostrum.

Highlights from the 2024 Dairy Farmers of Canada annual general meeting in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

August 21, 2024

The 2024 Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) annual general meeting in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador featured two days of insightful speakers and engaged delegates. The topics included carbon markets, antimicrobial use and resistance, supply management’s place in a changing world, the power of the Blue Cow Logo and DFC’s value-chain relationship with the food service industry.

3 Open Minutes with Dr. Lisa McCrea: A firsthand account of the 2021 British Columbia flooding

23,000 cows were affected by the 2021 floods in southern British Columbia. Farmers were without water and power for days, milking cows on generators. Identifying possible flood zones on farms and creating a plan of action can prevent damage during future events.

August 20, 2024

Matti McBride

Dr. Lisa McCrea, dairy veterinarian and partner at AgWest Veterinary Group, spoke at the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar (WCDS) in March and reflected upon the flooding that occurred in British Columbia because of an atmospheric river in November 2021 and how it affected the dairy industry there.

The next evolution of data: What is in it for your farm?

By analyzing data patterns, artificial intelligence can help dairy owners and managers to improve the welfare, productivity and overall sustainability of dairy farms.

January 24, 2024

Joaquin Azocar

The dairy business is at an inflection point where technology is advancing at a such fast pace that the opportunities to move the industry forward seem limitless.

Setting the next generation up for success

An overview of how confidence and self-esteem can make someone a better leader on the farm and elsewhere, as well as the negative impacts of low self-esteem on a family business.

June 14, 2024

Andy (Caygeon) Junkin

Feeling good about yourself can help the family farm succeed by making you better at making decisions, dealing with problems, negotiating and leading.

10 ways to make your protocols work for you

Healthy protocol management can ensure operations run smoothly on your dairy farm.

August 6, 2024

Shari van de Pol

Protocols on a dairy farm are essential for a smooth, organized workflow, ensuring safety and efficiency for cows and farm staff. They maintain high health and well-being standards by supporting proper animal care and management.

Keeping kids safe on the farm

Topics to discuss with children to keep them safe around farm machinery and other hazards.

July 1, 2024

Emily Krekelberg

About one-third of all farm incidents involve children, and every three days a child in the U.S. dies in a farm-related incident. Prevent your child from becoming a statistic by being proactive about practicing safety on the farm.

How to have the conversation about prenups

Splitting up when there are farm assets involved can be tricky. Prenuptial agreements can help clarify what happens should a happily ever after turn into a divorce.

August 29, 2024

Elaine Froese

If you or someone in your farm family is getting married soon or considering marriage in the future, having the prenuptial conversation can be helpful in providing peace of mind and legal protection if the marriage does not go as planned later down the road.

Are your PTO safety protocols good enough?

Power takeoffs (PTOs) can be very dangerous. It’s important to inspect the PTO regularly and exercise caution when working around it.

August 27, 2024

Cheryl DeCooman

PTO shafts are a great way to transfer mechanical power between tractors and other farm equipment. However, PTO shafts are also the leading cause of entanglement fatalities, which accounts for 30% of agricultural fatalities in Canada. There were 14 deaths caused directly by PTO shafts from 1998-2008 in Canada.

Keep sand where you need it, not where you don’t

Sand bedding provides a healthy, comfortable environment for dairy cows. It also requires deliberate management in facilities and fields.

May 28, 2024

Renee Schrift

The benefits of sand bedding for dairy cows are many. However, sand is not always the easiest material to incorporate into manure management systems.

Breeding for the ideal milking robot cow

Understanding the interplay between data and dairy cattle genetics allows producers to make more informed and efficient decisions around their reproduction programs, leading to better outcomes both in yields and finance.

June 11, 2024

Dan Meihak

The purpose of this article is to identify the traits that make an ideal robot cow. I would like to shift it to a call out to industry: Let’s define the personality traits that impact feeding and milking behaviors in robot herds.

The basics of rumen feed efficiency

Feed efficiency involves optimizing nutrient conversion from feed into milk components, enhancing overall cow performance through careful management of carbohydrate fermentation, glycogen production, fat synthesis and protein intake in the rumen.

July 29, 2024

Emma Ohirko

As with all areas of dairy operations, increasing efficiency – in this case of feed in the rumen – deserves attention because when it is improved, gains can be seen beyond the area of focus, not to mention in sustainability (this includes economically) as well.

Importance of water quality for milk production

Maintaining high water quality in dairy farming is crucial for optimal milk production and feed efficiency by reducing pathogens while ensuring correct disinfectant dosages to protect beneficial rumen microbes.

July 9, 2024

Wayne Kemerink

Profitable livestock production requires many quality management skills that all impact the technical results.

Are ‘mid-lactation milk fevers' a misnomer?

Producers are encouraged to work with their management team to identify risk factors that may lead to this mid-lactation down cow syndrome.

June 3, 2024

Neil Michael and Rod Martin

Producers are encouraged to work with their management team to identify risk factors that may lead to this mid-lactation down cow syndrome.

The double challenge for dairy cows: Overcoming a hot transition

Cows that calve in the summer months generally have a tougher transition. Monitoring animals closely can ensure a smooth transition.

August 22, 2024

Bruna Mion

The discussion around heat stress and its consequences is not new, and many strategies can minimize these effects. However, our farm dynamics change around the summer and fall months because of the incentive days normally given in the fall.

Winning the pathogen challenge: A game plan devised by experts

While it might be one of the most common diseases, the cause of scours isn’t always easy to ascertain. Three experts share insight on devising a plan to help pinpoint the issue.

August 19, 2024

Dale Miller

I occasionally get calls from customers and other producers about product features or lab samples where the results come back without a clear solution to the challenge. Some wonder why they even saw a scours outbreak and sick calves because they were doing a great job managing the calf environment and being diligent with their prevention program. It’s understandably frustrating for them, and they want answers.

Why dairy farming’s future lies in solar power

Advances in solar power technology and grid integration have made energy independence a viable and economically enticing option for dairy farms across Canada.

August 9, 2024

Jeff McAloon

Across Canadian dairy farms, the adoption of solar energy is growing as a financially viable and strategically positive move. Farmers have been harnessing sunlight to grow food and raise livestock for thousands of years, so it’s no surprise solar panels are the next step in agriculture's evolution.

Feed additives: The next frontier of the dairy industry’s sustainability journey

Feed additives can have a major impact on methane emissions. It’s not easy to incorporate to ensure consistent reductions while maintaining cow health and production, but it’s worth the effort.

June 25, 2024

Conor McCabe

Feed additives have been highlighted as the best way to reduce enteric methane emissions in the short term due to their ease of applicability in a dairy farm. Typically, additives account for less than 1% of a dairy cow’s diet, but they have a drastic impact on enteric methane – up to 30% on commercial farms.

Is treating mastitis with antibiotics always necessary?

Identifying symptoms of subclinical mastitis is the best method to prevent clinical mastitis.

August 8, 2024

Carina Cooper

As dairy producers improve their management practices and the milk yield of their herds, mastitis will always be a threat to cows. Before jumping to antibiotic therapy, it is beneficial to provide an anti-inflammatory and pain relief.

Advantages of herd management software

Herd management software helps farmers set and achieve goals, stay organized and meet performance needs efficiently through easy data entry, practical analysis tools, a user-friendly interface and excellent support.

July 15, 2024

Emélie Bell

Why exactly is using software so advantageous for you and your herd? Ultimately, it comes down to your goals, wants and needs.

Vaccine-adverse reactions: How to minimize the lumps and bumps

Vaccinations are meant to help prevent and treat disease. However, adverse reactions can range in severity from mild temporary lumps and bumps to sudden systemic anaphylactic shock with fluid accumulation in the lungs and death.

May 10, 2024

Richard Linhart

Vaccine products that are administered to cattle are foreign to the animal’s body. The goal is for the body to recognize these foreign organisms and develop an immune response for protection in the event of a future disease challenge.

Alberta's Hofstra family turns heartbreak into a bright future

Careful planning and many conversations have led to a complete facility rebuild designed for cow comfort and efficiency.

August 28, 2024

Katie Coyne

While a barn fire is not something any dairy farm wants to go through, the Hofstra family has used their positive attitude and determination to build a barn for future generations.

Have an appreciation for depreciation

Understanding the methods of calculating depreciation can aid in making investment decisions.

August 13, 2024

John Molenhuis

When looking to buy new equipment or build new buildings, one of the key considerations is the cost of ownership or their fixed costs. The largest of the fixed costs is depreciation.

The power of a photo

September 1, 2024

Matti McBride

To stay connected, the two share photos from the week via text message each Sunday evening. I immediately sent this to my friend and asked if we could try it.

Faber's Food for Thought: Cow poop and little Dutch boys

July 19, 2024

Dwayne Faber

There is nothing more grounding than being covered with 24-hour-old, dairy-cow-processed total mixed ration (TMR).

The Milk House: Our love for the big and hairy

October 1, 2023

Ryan Dennis

I hope we never stop looking for Bigfoot. He’s earned his place in our lore. Even if the likelihood that he is somewhere out there in our woods is fairly small, we’re probably better for believing that it’s possible.

Just Dropping By: Turn the hearts of our children

April 1, 2024

Yevet Crandell Tenney

Parents love their children and children love their parents. Well, that is the way it was when I was growing up. I’m not sure that is the case today.

Our Publications

Progressive Dairy Canada

September 1, 2024

Digital edition

News & business

Management

Topic articles

Departments

FREE NEWSLETTERS

SUBSCRIBE to Leading Industry Magazines

I'm looking for ________