Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) was on hand advocating for Canada’s farmers at the International Dairy Federation’s (IDF) World Dairy Summit in Paris, Oct. 15 -18. 

In Olds, Alberta, not far outside Calgary, Harvie Ranching stands as a testament to the lasting tradition of family farming. For over four decades, members of the Harvie family have dedicated themselves to the production of top-quality cattle.

Western Canadian Dairy Seminar selected “Empowered for the Future” as the theme for the March 2024 conference held in Red Deer, Alberta, and placed a heavy emphasis on sustainability throughout the event. Attendees heard from three experts on the pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental and social.

Since their father began dairy farming in 1974 with only four cows, the Brophy brothers have grown their herd to 200 milking cows, expanded their forage acreage sixfold, overcome a barn fire in 2002, which decimated their milking herd and main facility, and most recently, sprung back from a severe disease outbreak, which resulted in the death of 42 cows over nine days.

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?

Canadian dairy producers Ben Loewith and J.P. Brouwer share what they do to ensure their farms' sustainability goals are met, all while enhancing farm profitability. 

Three anaerobic digester operators discuss how their systems complement dairies operations and how they up the value of their farms. 

From adversity to innovation: The Mangin Bros Dairy rises stronger after a devastating fire, showcasing resilience, efficiency and cutting-edge technology in dairy farming. Read their inspiring journey of rebuilding and perseverance. 

“With a bit of hope, there will be a future for future generations and our businesses will be sustainable, as much for the soil and the waterways as for the planet." – Sébastien Brown

Historically, the relative value of traits to the commercial cow-calf sector has been stated as the “10-to-2-to-1 rule of thumb,” where fertility traits are 10 times more important than carcass traits and five times more important than growth traits.