As some of you may know, I took some time off to complete my master’s degree and recently rejoined the editorial team at Progressive Dairy. Although I’ve only been back a few months, it is different from my first turn at this role from 2020 to 2022. Part of this is, of course, due to new experiences and learnings I have acquired, but also because we are on the other side of the pandemic, which means my job now takes me out of my house and even across the country.
Like now, as I write this, I am attending my first-ever Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX), a milestone event Progressive Dairy has been a part of since its inception in 2012. I traveled from Alberta to spend a few days meeting some of you, connecting with current contributors and others I hope you will hear from soon, and seeing you interact with the magazine in person.
Personally, this has been great, as it has pushed me out of my comfort zone into conversations and connections I would typically be too shy to initiate – albeit not without the help of my colleague, Progressive Dairy – en français editor Lora Bender, who created many of these opportunities. But beyond this, it was encouraging to see so many dairy industry professionals and producers turn out to support each other. I witnessed a lot of interest in knowledge transfer and sharing information that will elevate the work done on Canadian dairies, from improving shift scheduling to innovations in herd health and making space for the next generations of dairy producers.
These are the kind of strategies and tools I hope you find in every issue of Progressive Dairy, whether it be learning from producers about what is working on their farms or technical insights from industry experts sharing the latest advancements in vaccination or cow comfort. Canada’s dairy industry is as diverse as it is vast, and each month these pages offer a glimpse of that.
From coast to coast, farms are overcoming challenges and prospering, like Newfoundland’s Brophy’s Dairy Farm, who are determined to continue their dairy’s legacy in one of the more remote parts of the country. Or like Vancouver Island’s Coleman Meadows Farm, who operate a dairy that stands out from most with its unconventional herd members – here, water buffalo mingle with Jerseys in a shared parlour.
Amid these farm features are other local stories including an update on the key takeaways of this year’s Western Canadian Dairy Seminar (WCDS), 2023 farmland values report and an outlook on the ramifications of the updated Dairy Code of Practice.
However, Progressive Dairy is more than just a source of information – it's a platform for you, our readers. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping content that resonates with your interests and aspirations. If you have thoughts, suggestions or even criticisms to share, you are always welcome to send me an email.
Finally, for those of you who have had the opportunity to attend an event like CDX or WCDS recently, I hope you feel energized and excited for what lies ahead.
