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Progressive Dairy Canada

October 1, 2024

Edition: 10

Digital edition

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News & business

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Win-win opportunities for calf welfare: Enhancing nutrition and social housing for optimal health and productivity

September 18, 2024

Calf welfare has been a key focus area of Drs. Dan Weary and Marina (Nina) von Keyserlingk’s industry research chair in animal welfare at the University of British Columbia. In a recent episode of the Dairy Farmers of Canada’s research podcast series, Paths to On-Farm Excellence, Weary and von Keyserlingk discussed milk feeding and group housing – two key elements of their research surrounding calf welfare and management.


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Management

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Larmer named World Dairy Expo International Person of the Year

A decorated career in dairy cattle genetics culminates in the prestigious World Dairy Expo International Person of the Year Award for Paul Larmer as he reflects on his 40-year vocation.
September 9, 2024
Jenn Coyne

Sitting in his home office sipping a cup of coffee, Paul Larmer is seemingly common. Unbeknownst to the average person, his influence on the dairy cattle genetics sector of the industry is undeniable. It is for both his remarkable leadership and self-effacing attitude that Larmer is named this year’s World Dairy Expo International Person of the Year.



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How to start holding consistent, productive farm meetings with a purpose

Effective meetings can improve communication, provide clear direction, set or shift priorities, review production and financial records, and set strategies for improvement.
July 22, 2024
Joy Kirkpatrick

You never hear someone say they love farming because they love sitting in a meeting room talking about business. They will probably say they’d rather be doing anything else – with animals, crops, machinery, you name it – than sitting in meetings.


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Go beyond the handshake: Get farming contracts in writing

Understanding how farming contracts work can aid in protecting your business.
September 5, 2024
Robert Graham

Many farming arrangements rest on handshake deals, wherein two people essentially trust in one another’s word. When stakes are fairly low and flexibility is paramount, unwritten handshake deals can be a helpful tool. However, when farmers are investing money, time and other resources of considerable value in a farm operation, reliance on a handshake can sometimes prove to be a costly error.


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The business of agriculture: Who is on your team?

Canadian dairy producers rely on their advisers to help improve production and profitability. Formal advisory teams can help build communication and trust between advisers and improve farm outcomes.
September 24, 2024
Chris Church

If we consider your farm a hockey team, you are Conner McDavid. You are responsible for doing the heavy work of production. Relying on your advisers as a team will make your position as the CEO more successful. Scoring goals is great, but our ultimate aim is to win the Stanley Cup of long-term financial success.


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Farm parents: What do you really want in your next chapter of life?

To gain clarity, farm founders and successors should ask several questions of one another when making changes on the family farm.
September 12, 2024
Elaine Froese

It is time to stop guessing what everyone thinks, feels, wants and needs. Explore what stories your grandparents, parents and siblings are telling themselves about the future and transition of wealth on your farm. Ask Grandpa or Mom, “I’m just curious, what is the story you are telling yourself? Is this a scarcity mindset issue? How much is enough? Would you ask for the help of a financial planner to give you more financial security and certainty for your income streams as you age in place on this farm?”


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Low-stress cattle handling on the dairy farm

It is important to understand a cow’s flight zone and point of balance, along with other cattle-handling techniques to minimize stress to the animal and increase worker safety.
September 10, 2024
Cheryl DeCooman

Everyone that works with or around large animals must understand their behaviours, signs of aggressive or defensive behaviour, their herd mentality and the way their vision works, including their blind spots.


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Topic articles

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Butterfat 101: There’s more to it than nutrition

Several key nutrients to optimize maximum butterfat production and how your attitude can drive it.
April 3, 2024
Robert Krammes

All we have to do is balance the ration to maximize fat, right? Regarding the number of variables involved in ration formulation, few diets are ever truly balanced. Consider the word “optimized” instead. Let’s look at several key nutrients that must be optimized for maximum butterfat production.


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How to avoid ventilation pitfalls in the spring and fall

Explore the pitfalls associated with off-season ventilation and learn about actionable strategies to address these issues.
September 3, 2024
Dan Veeneman

While the necessity of maintaining adequate ventilation during the extremes of summer and winter is well recognized, the transitional seasons of spring and fall present unique challenges that often are overlooked. This article explores the pitfalls associated with off-season ventilation and offers actionable strategies for dairy producers to address these issues.


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Stay ahead of lameness: A practical checklist for early detection before it costs you money

Lame cows produce less milk than their healthy counterparts. Knowing how to identify a cow before she is chronically lame can aid in treatment and get her back on track before costing you money.
September 26, 2024
Amir Nejati

A streamlined method of visual scoring, which can be performed quickly, consistently and accurately by farm personnel, continues to play a crucial role in managing lameness in dairy herds.


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How to optimize automated reproduction tools in your herd

Understanding a cow's hormonal changes and timing insemination correctly are key to unlocking a high conception rate. Adopting automated monitoring technology and testing can point you in the right direction.
August 1, 2024
Nancy Charlton

Regardless of how a producer chooses to breed – either naturally or with synchronization protocols using fertility pharmaceuticals – their goals must involve an approach that maximizes cow health. 


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Optimizing dairy cattle genetics: Can we breed for cows with high milk yield and good fertility?

A recent study from the University of Guelph – Ridgetown Campus found selecting for daughter pregnancy rate can improve fertility without compromising milk yield.
September 11, 2024
Augusto M. L. Madureira

As global demand for dairy products continues to rise, the pressure to produce high-yielding cows has been increasing. However, this pursuit often brings with it a significant challenge: the historical trade-off between high milk production and reproductive efficiency.


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Which pregnancy test is right for your operation?

Discover how rethinking your herd health strategy, from ultrasound investments to blood testing, can dramatically boost your profitability and breeding success.
September 17, 2024
Rachel Budd

Most dairy farms follow a regular herd health schedule with a veterinarian, commonly using ultrasound every two weeks (or weekly, for the largest herds) to diagnose pregnant cows. However, with the introduction of more accessible, affordable and impactful options, it may be time to reconsider some common assumptions.


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Aletta Holsteins: Faith, family and the future

The Plett and Warkentine families work together on the family farm in Landmark, Manitoba, managing 1,350 Holsteins on two sites.
September 23, 2024
Matti McBride

Grounded in faith and family while investing in the future, Aletta Holsteins followed an articulate succession plan. The family now operates two dairies and has expanded to poultry and hogs as well.


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Elevated free fatty acids in milk impair quality

Dairy producers can manage individual cows, ration quality, milking frequency and milk filter changes to reduce levels of free fatty acids in milk.
September 19, 2024
Hannah Woodhouse

Producers are encouraged to monitor their test results and assess their farm’s free fatty acid risk factors. A discussion with their nutritionist, veterinarian and/or field service representative can also be helpful to target any free fatty acid concerns.


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Departments

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Baking soda biscuits

October 1, 2024
Matti McBride

There’s not much that equates to your own mother’s cooking, right? My mom is a great cook, but her specialty is biscuits. Warm, flaky, perfectly moist biscuits. It’s a household favourite when paired with her homemade raspberry jam. I took it upon myself to attempt baking said biscuits this week.


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