Milking with single-box automated milking systems (AMS) has revolutionized the way dairy producers manage their herds. Current estimates indicate that 10 percent of the Canadian dairy herd are now milked by automated systems, and it’s growing. Globally, nearly 30,000 farms employ robots, according to a 2014 survey. Much of the conversation around dairy robots focus… Read More
Lukáš Jurek’s father came to Canada from the Czech republic in 1996 to look at a new innovative technology – storing cattle feed silage in plastic bags. Jurek Sr. liked what he saw, bought the technology, adapted it to European conditions and, in 1998 Euro Bagging was born. The company has since established itself in… Read More
Masterfeeds, an Alltech company, has announced that Mark Bodenham will take on the role as general manager for Ontario. Peter Peacock, who has been with Masterfeeds since 2012, will retire from the role effective March 22, 2019. Bodenham joined Masterfeeds in 2013 after 26 years in monogastric sales and sales management. The company says he… Read More
In mid September, the federal government announced the list of prescribed regions eligible for drought-related livestock tax deferral. The break was welcomed, however ranchers and producer groups criticized the government’s approach, saying it left out too many drought-affected producers. Announced October 31st, the federal government says it is taking steps to answer some of that… Read More
Automated feed pushers save time and reduce workload. These robots can free dairy producers from the constant grind of pushing feed back within reach of their animals. It’s a win/win, as having feed within reach of the animals is just part of the recipe for higher feed intake and great milk production, too, notes Gravin… Read More
Looking to cut your hay close, clean, and quick while conditioning it for faster dry down and nutrient preservation? If that’s the plan, it may be time to take a closer look at New Hollands’s new Discbine 209 and 210 disc mower-conditioners. The side-pull mowers were rolled out at the recent Farm Progress Show at Boone, Iowa…. Read More
Can robots effectively milk cows on large U.S. dairy farms? That’s a question Plymouth, Indiana farmer Brian Houin is determined to answer at his family-owned Homestead Dairy operation. Canadian farmers have had tremendous success using robot milkers in smaller dairy operations, but Houin is putting the milking machines to the test on a whole new level. In… Read More
The Siloking eTruck gives dairy producers a clean, comfortable, and convenient way to feed cows with lots of traction for manoeuvring in narrow and low-height barn constructions. The 100 per cent electric-powered vertical mixer is imported from Tittmoning, Germany by Siloking Canada, which set up business in Putnam, ON, two years ago. RealAgriculture took a… Read More
The new Massey Ferguson RB Series silage baler is engineered for durability, reliability, and high throughput, according to AGCO. It’s the first silage-specific baler ever offered by Massey Ferguson, says Matt LeCroy, tactical marketing manager for hay and forage at AGCO. He says the RB Series is a tough, heavy-duty choice for producers who bale corn… Read More
Have you ever looked at a self-propelled lawn mower and said, “I wish my baler turned that sharp.” Well, Vermeer said, “We can do that!” RealAgriculture’s Kelvin Heppner got a chance to talk to Josh Vrieze, with Vermeer, at the Farm Progress Show at Boone, Iowa, about their new ZR5 self-propelled baler, that turns like… Read More
Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives (MBFI) has named Mary-Jane Orr as its new general manager. Orr will oversee all aspects of the three MBFI research and demonstration sites near Brandon at Brookdale Farm, First Street Pasture, and Johnson Farm, as well as the new MBFI Learning Centre. The field sites and MBFI Learning Center are… Read More
The new Roll-Belt round baler with a Kombi wrapper from New Holland allows producers to bale and wrap simultaneously, eliminating the need to make a second pass with a tractor and bale wrapper. New Holland says the baler-wrapper, which debuted at the recent Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, will also significantly reduce regrowth damage and the… Read More
John Deere’s new 9000 Series self-propelled forage harvesters claim to deliver both high-capacity harvesting and forage quality. The 9000 Series harvesters, which provide up to 400 tons of throughput per hour, debuted last week at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. In this video, Deere senior marketing representative Shaun Fritchey explains how the four new models… Read More
If you’re running low on forage, chances are you might already be starting to look for hay suppliers outside of your area. Terry Kowalchuk, forage specialist for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, says you have to be conscious of who you buy from, so that you do not get more than you bargained for. He… Read More
Keenan Alltech is going in a different direction with mixer wagons, literally. The company is gong horizontal rather than vertical with its mixer. Field editor Dale Leftwich was at Ag in Motion last month and got a chance to talk to Keenan’s western Canadian sales manager, Brayden Van Driesten, about what can happen when you… Read More