Scheduled for Feb. 4 and 5 in Stratford, Ontario, this show continues to expand.
“There is a tenacious drive to keep the event fresh for attending dairy producers, and ultimately that’s what gets industry and producers alike excited for CDX each February,” states Brian O’Connor, general manager of EastGen, in a press release from CDX.
Attendees can expect more cows, more technology, more products, more species, more educational opportunities and more parking.
60 percent more cows
The Britespan Cow Coliseum will welcome almost 40 cows this year. There will be a live dairy crossbreed showcase, a component breed showcase, a 4-H heifer breed showcase and four dairy daughter genetic pens.
The dairy crossbreed showcase will feature two sets of crossbred heifers for dairy producers to get a first-hand look at hybrid vigour.
ABS Global will feature heifers with a Holstein-Jersey-Norwegian Red cross and Bullseye Genetics will highlight heifers with a Holstein-Fleckvieh cross. Each company will have four animals in their display.
Five national breed organizations have come together for the new component breed showcase. Developing heifers and fresh cows representing Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Jersey and Milking Shorthorn breeds will be on display. National breed representatives will also be on hand to discuss the key components and advantages of these breeds.
Once again, the 4-H heifer breed showcase is where tickets can be purchased to win an elite heifer that could be the next 4-H show ring grand champion. Ticket sale proceeds will directly benefit the 4-H program.
The genetics at work/dairy daughter showcase is expanding this year to include four live genetic displays of the finest working females in a freestall setting. The cows will feature genetics from Select Sires GenerVations, EastGen, Foundation Sires and Genex.
Innovative products
In the CDX press release, Jordon Underhill, CDX founder and general manager, states that 350 qualified dairy exhibitors will represent 29 countries.
These exhibitors will showcase dairy-specific products and services, as well as conduct on-site demonstrations.
Holstein Canada is planning a classification demonstration at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day in the Britespan Cow Coliseum.
At those same times, DeLaval will conduct large-herd innovation demonstrations, displaying its body condition scoring (BCS) camera and teat spray robot (TSR). The company also plans to share Herd Navigator data findings at the show. Now in full swing on 30 Canadian dairy farms, results will illustrate how this technology helps to improve individual farm profitability and efficiency.
DeLaval is also one of five companies to have their milking robots on-site. Other companies in the milking robot showcase include BouMatic, GEA Farm Technologies, Insentec BV and Lely.
Themed halls, such as TMR and Forage Superstore, and Hay and Forage Hall, allow visitors to see similar equipment side-by-side. Compare 12 brands of TMR mixers, the latest hay equipment, attachments, telehandlers, skid steers and much more. In the superstore, Jaylor plans to hold mini-mixer feeding demonstrations throughout the day.
Dairy goats welcome, too
A worldwide shortage of goat milk has the young industry in search of more producers. After two successful years with a booth at CDX, the Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative is expanding to a live demonstration with the help of key partners.
The display, which can be found in the TMR and Forage Superstore, will focus on the milking and feeding technology that exists for milking goats, as well as feature available genetics.
The daily demonstration, slated for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., will feature the milking of goats in a very advanced goat milking parlour, a representative from Jaylor explaining TMR options available and EastGen representatives highlighting genetic options for milking goat producers.
“We’re looking to promote to the traditional cowman that this is a growing sector,” Underhill says.
With quota in short supply, milking goats can be a viable option to welcome the next generation into a dairy farm.
“It is an opportunity for the next generation. It brings in a second milk cheque to the farm,” says Lynn Fischer with the Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative.
Dairy producers will find many similarities from milking cows to milking goats. In fact, many of their current suppliers are also involved with dairy goats.
“We found a lot of crossover within our existing [CDX trade show] exhibitors,” Underhill says. “From milking and feeding equipment to feed companies, most suppliers are already at the show.”
Learning experiences
The Maizex Dairy Classroom will again be open for both days of the show. This year it will have two producer panels; hold presentations on dairy crossbreeding, Jersey cow efficiency and ag commodity trading; and welcome back Dr. Joep Driessen, founder of CowSignals. View the full classroom schedule on page 24.
Learn who grows the best forage by checking out the winning entries in the Milk Maker Hay and Forage Competition. Hosted by the Ontario Forage Council and Canadian Forage and Grassland Association, this competition sought out the best dairy hay, grass hay, haylage, baleage and silage from forage producers across Canada.
Parking is a priority
The City of Stratford and CDX have heavily invested in parking improvements for 2015. Together they put forth $70,000 to triple the amount of space for parking – from 20 to 60 acres – and increase the amount of parking lot access points from one to four.
“Setting up parking areas and trails on unused property will enable us to park 3,000 more cars,” says Jim Bryson, community facilities manager for the City of Stratford.
Underhill adds the show will provide additional parking attendants to keep moving vehicles off the road and into the parking area. Along with more access points, this should greatly improve traffic flow in the area.
Once on-site, there will be sheltered waiting areas where attendees can wait to board one of eight continuous, heated shuttles that will pick up and drop off at each of the three entrances into CDX.
CDX guarantees these enhancements will improve parking at the show. Underhill states, “If we can’t park you on-site, your admission is free.”
Food and entertainment
Keeping with its traditions, CDX will offer a free pancake breakfast both mornings from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in the Maizex Dairy Classroom in Hall 1.
It will also keep the doors open late on Wednesday evening for CheeseFest. Starting at 4 p.m., the event will feature local cheese buffets, spirits, live entertainment, ice carving sculptures and 4-H fundraising.
This year, CDX is planning a special ceremony during CheeseFest to recognize its 10 founding partners. Long before the doors opened in 2013 for the first-ever CDX, these companies stepped forward and pledged a three-year commitment to the event.
“The founding partners helped make the first two years a success,” Underhill says. “They understood and believed in the vision from an idea to its materialization. Now, they are focused on harnessing the event to make sure it stays focused on dairy.”
Each of the founding partners has already made a new four-year commitment to the project – supporting CDX from 2016 to 2019.
The ceremony during CheeseFest will honour the founding partners and feature special guests, including Bram Prins, founder of the Global Dairy Farmers; Ann Louise Carson, CEO of Holstein Canada; and the federal and provincial ministers of agriculture (invited).
CDX will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, and Thursday, Feb. 5 at the Stratford Rotary Complex in Stratford, Ontario. Admission is $25 per adult ($20 with coupon) and children under 10 are free.
Visit the website for more information on the event.
Two full days planned for the Dairy Classroom
Once again, the Maizex Dairy Classroom is a must-stop spot in Hall 1 of the Canadian Dairy XPO to be held Feb. 4-5 in Stratford, Ontario.
With programming planned for each day of the event, this year’s line-up includes two producer panels – a group of pedigree-savvy producers and a panel of well-known and respected organic dairy producers – and educational sessions on crossbreeding, Jersey cow efficiency and ag commodity trading. CDX will also welcome back a popular and traditional favourite, Dr. Joep Driessen, founder of CowSignals.
As always, the classroom sessions are included in the price of admission.
Here is the full schedule as outlined on the CDX website:
Wednesday, Feb. 4
10 a.m. to 10:10 a.m.
Welcome & introduction
Andy Dellava, Hoard’s Dairyman dairy marketing manager and Maizex Dairy Classroom master of ceremonies
10:10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Robot/FeedingSignals Workshop
Joep Driessen, founder of CowSignals
CowSignals is an internationally recognized package of knowledge, tried-and-tested lectures and practical training course. Driessen has worked on several projects in the past including disease prevention, pharmaceutical research and cow fertility.
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Pedigree Producer Panel
Hear it direct from elite producers that have shown champions and marketed genetics on the world stage. The mediator will run through a profile of each producer’s dairy and some of their major achievements, which will be followed by a question-and-answer period with the audience in attendance. Panelists include:
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Marc Comtois, Comestar Holsteins, Victoriaville, Québec – Comestar Holsteins is a family farm. Known around the world for developing high-quality genetics, they have established a strong international market. The herd is approximately 700 head and the base of the herd stems from the Comestar Laurie Sheik VG-88 23* family.
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Glenn Barkey, Altona Lea Holsteins, Blackstock, Ontario – Barkey is part of the Leading Livestock Genetics (LLG) group that was formed in the east-central region of Ontario to help farmers market animals and embryos. Altona Lea Farms is a two-time Master Breeder herd.
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Jen Vander Meulen, Avonlea Genetics, Brighton, Ontario – Vander Meulen and her husband, Andrew, have a deep history in the Jersey breed. Avonlea Genetics Inc. is a third-generation purebred Jersey farm with many accolades, including two national grand champions and lifetime production awards. In recent years, an emphasis has been placed on their embryo program.
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John Crowley, Crovalley Holsteins, Hastings, Ontario – Crowley and his wife, Cynthia, have four children, Christina, Justin, Ryan and Vanessa. They farm Crovalley Holsteins, consisting of 1,400 acres with their sons, Justin and Ryan. The herd consists of 80 milking cows, with a total of 250 head. Herd classification is 42 Excellent, 62 Very Good, five Good Plus.
- Curtis McNeil, Heather Holme Holsteins, Goderich, Ontario – McNeil is a shareholder with his parents, Glen and Vanda McNeil, in Heather Holme Holsteins. Heather Holme Holsteins is a three-time Master Breeder, entirely homebred and the first CHAH Leucosis-free herd in Canada. The current herd classification is 18 Excellent (two at 94), 33 Very Good, three Good Plus. They domestically merchandize 60 to 80 embryos each year.
12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Building the Proud Canadian Brand
Mystery speaker
Discover how this Canadian brand builder rallied a multi-cultural nation around a Canadian brand. Learn how they continue to grow and sustain brand strength in a fast-paced marketplace. As a Canadian dairy industry, how do we parallel this momentum with the 100% Canadian Milk brand we all stand behind?
12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Ag Commodity Trading and Hedging Natural Gas
Bert Caputo, Kevin Simpson and Mike Tregunna of the Simpson/Caputo Group
The role of SCG is to develop the client’s hedging strategy, determine their hedge objectives, design a market strategy and integrate recommendations from past experience.
1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
CowSignals Workshop
Joep Driessen, founder of CowSignals
Driessen will lead a mini-CowSignals workshop with the assistance of Purina certified representatives. Driessen and his team train cattle farmers, feed consultants, breeding consultants, barn design consultants, vets and other cow enthusiasts throughout the world in the field of practical cattle management.
Thursday, Feb. 5
10 a.m. to 10:10 a.m.
Welcome & introduction
Andy Dellava, Hoard’s Dairyman dairy marketing manager and Maizex Dairy Classroom master of ceremonies
10:10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Robot/FeedingSignals Workshop
Joep Driessen, founder of CowSignals
CowSignals is an internationally recognized package of knowledge, tried-and-tested lectures and practical training course. Driessen has worked on several projects in the past including disease prevention, pharmaceutical research and cow fertility.
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Organic Producer Panel
Hear from some of the pioneers of the ever-expanding organic dairy category here in Canada. The mediator will run through a profile of each producer’s dairy and some of their major achievements and then it will go to straight question and answer with the audience. A wealth of knowledge transfer direct from producer-to-producer!
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Ted Minten, Minten Organic Dairy Farm, Watford, Ontario – Minten has been farming full-time in Lambton County with his parents, Ted and Mary Lou, for the past five years. The Minten family milks 65 organic Holstein cows in a freestall/parlour set-up. They work 800 organic acres and sell about 600 acres for cash crops. The first field on the Mintens’ farm was certified organic in 1998, followed by the dairy herd in 2002.
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Paul DeJong, Ventry Hill Farm, Dundalk, Ontario – DeJong milks 90 Holstein cows in Grey County, producing organic milk since 2006. Paul works 600 acres of hay, pasture, corn and small grains and is nearly self-sufficient in feeding his freestall/parlour-housed herd.
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Tom Boon, Boondale Farms, Burgessville, Ontario – Boon and his family milk 54 Holstein cows in Oxford County. Boondale Farm has been certified organic since 2009. Boon is currently working out of a tiestall barn. The Boon family works around 200 acres and is self-sufficient in supplying feed to the dairy herd.
- Julia Booijink, Jamink Farm, St. Andrew’s West, Ontario – Booijink farms with her husband, Thomas, in Stormont County. The couple milk 100 Holsteins and Jerseys in a step-up parlour/freestall set-up. Due to recent changes within their operation, they are currently shipping conventional milk yet maintain organic status on their 410 acres.
12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Three-way Cross Program Maximizing Hybrid Vigour
Dr. Gary Rogers, Global Technical Adviser, Geno Global Ltd.
Rogers is currently supporting and training for Geno and Geno partners, including ABS Global. From 2006 to 2010, Rogers served as editor-in-chief for the Journal of Dairy Science.
12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Economic Analysis of Dairy Breeds
Elliott Currie, Professor, University of Guelph
Since 1998, Currie has been teaching in the various areas and levels of accounting and financial management. The primary focus of Currie’s scholarly endeavours is in the areas of small business management, interdisciplinary and new product development.
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Exclusive women’s CowSignals workshop
Joep Driessen, founder of CowSignals
Driessen will lead an exclusive women’s mini-Cowsignals workshop with the assistance of female Purina-certified representatives. Complimentary childcare services are available.
New products and services to be found at CDX
The Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX) is a showcase for leading-edge dairy technologies. Progressive Dairyman reached out to this year’s exhibitors for a glimpse at what to expect. Here are some of the products and services making their first appearance at the CDX trade show.
BCS Camera
DeLaval Inc.
The body condition scoring (BCS) camera from DeLaval Inc. is the first system to automatically generate body condition scores of a walking cow. The 3-D overhead camera system can be used to monitor individual cows, groups and herds to adjust feed management. As an animal passes under the camera, it collects an image and analyzes it using the company’s proprietary algorithms to assign a score on the traditional 5-point BCS scale.
Broadcaster 1 Remote Engine Controller
SunovaWorX Inc.
The Broadcaster 1 remote engine controller provides environmental safety for pumping systems, maximizes labour, protects the operator from the elements and helps reduce operating costs. The controller easily retrofits to mechanical or electronic engines or VFD-driven motors.
It is equipped with a multiple inline engine control and digital 900mhz radio signal for real-time communication between the engine controller and remote. It controls engine RPM, hydraulic functions and more at the push of a button. The controller is available for dragline or tanker fill applications.
Dairy Insurance Protect
Absolute Insurance Brokers
This new insurance program rewards dairy farmers for running a great operation. Some factors taken into consideration include average BCA, somatic cell count, management scores and cow comfort.
The program was designed by a former dairy farmer to ensure that farmers not only get a “book” rate like everyone else but also a break on their insurance for caring for their cows. The idea is that farmers who take care of their cows will likely be taking care of everything else.
DairyProQ Automatic Rotary Parlour
GEA Farm Technologies
GEA Farm Technologies is bringing an automatic rotary parlour to the North American marketplace. The DairyProQ features individual, fully automatic, robotic milking stall modules. Each module is equipped with a robotic arm, which is capable of prepping, milking and post-dipping in one single attachment.
Teat prep (including pre-dipping), fore-stripping, stimulation, milk harvest and post-dipping are done in-liner. When finished, the unit is automatically removed and backflushed between milkings to sanitize the clusters between cows. Special-needs cows can be milked on a semi-automatic, or manual, basis if required.
Dion F41KP Forage Harvester
Dion Ag Inc.
The largest-capacity pull-type forage harvester available on the market has a capacity of up to 100 tonnes per hour. Its straight-through design mimics a self-propelled harvester.
The unit has 12 knives, is 24 inches wide all the way through and has a “4” paddle accelerator delivering forage to the back of a silage box. The new unit can also be equipped with the new retractable, hydraulic, horizontal spout kit and a four-row, 120-inch, rotary, row-independent corn head.
Dobermann EVO
EJ Equipment
The Dobermann EVO self-loading TMR mixer series, manufactured by Storti and imported by EJ Equipment, builds upon the best features of the popular Dobermann series. Its new cabin design offers greater visibility and comfort for the operator.
All models are optionally available with a GPS system, providing information to improve customer service, efficiency, productivity and accountability. The self-loading mixer is a cost-saving feeding solution, reducing dry matter loss, shrinkage loss, load error, labour costs, fuel costs, equipment and maintenance costs, etc.
FAN Press Screw Separator
Vanden Bussche Irrigation
The new press screw separator from FAN produces bedding material with dry matter content up to 38 percent solids from manure solids already on the farm, eliminating the need to buy additional bedding.
The separator, sold and serviced by Vanden Bussche Irrigation, can process up to 3 cubic yards of bedding material per hour with low-energy consumption. The press screw and screen basket are made of stainless steel, and the separator is equipped with automatic weight control.
Flexxaire Reversing Engine Cooling Fan
Novatrax International Inc.
This reversing engine cooling fan distributed by Novatrax International Inc. cleans the radiator and helps save fuel.
Available as two-position (auto-reverse) or infinite variable pitch (IVP), the fan integrates with the engine’s control system, monitoring real-time cooling fluid temperatures and adjusting the airflow to minimize fan power draw (HP) and maximize cooling system efficiency. The fan will reduce engine maintenance, downtime and emissions.
MOOV Feed Pusher
Dairy Lane Systems
The MOOV feed pusher, manufactured by JOZ and supplied and installed by Dairy Lane Systems, is a fully automated feed pushing robot. It has an unlimited amount of routes and a battery life that lasts 18 to 19 hours per day.
It transmits all operating data to the JOZ server where performance data can be monitored and reviewed through a user-friendly interface system. With this product, farmers will save time, decrease labour, and increase feed intake and milk production.
Raceway Agitator for Right-angle Reversible Drive
Spanjer Machines
Spanjer Machines plans to debut a new raceway manure agitator for right-angle reversible drive. This will allow the agitator to be anchored on the wall with the drive shaft going through the wall and the tractor or power source on the other side.
WGS
Triple P Consulting
WGS is a multi-vitamin, electrolyte and polyphenol extract supplement for gut regulation in calves. This product is made using natural ingredients that work with the calf’s immune system to battle scours. It can be used as a preventative tool or as a double dose for treatment on resistant scours. It can be mixed in milk, drenched or top-dressed. PD
- Karen Lee
- Editor
- Progressive Dairyman
