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

In a field outside Truro, Nova Scotia, a Holstein flicks her tail in the sunlight. The barn is quiet. The air smells of hay, damp earth and purpose. Above her, far above, three satellites glide invisibly across the sky. Together, they are measuring something that cannot be seen or smelled but is at the heart of the future of Canadian agriculture: methane.

At the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) 2025 Annual Dairy Policy Conference (ADPC) in February, farmers, industry stakeholders and a wide range of engaged delegates gathered in Ottawa around the theme “Dairy in Times of Change.” 

By combining satellite-based methane data with AI-driven insights, we empower producers to identify emission hotspots, implement best-fit solutions and verify their impact.

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.

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.

Instead of focusing on strengthening consumer trust, emphasis should be placed on consumer education in agricultural production practices.