Often prescribed for curing thrush and other fungal infections of humans and a common ingredient in foot and hoof treatments for livestock, Health Canada has come out and said gentian violet increases the risk of cancer and is urging everyone — farmers included — to stop using any products that include the ingredient. Following a… Read More
U.S.-based Fair Oaks Farms dairy is under fire this week after an animal rights group circulated a video showing abuse of dairy calves at the dairy. Fair Oaks is a supplier of Coca-Cola’s Fairlife milk brand. Owner Dr. Mike McCloskey posted a video statement on the company’s web page. In it, McCloskey apologizes for the… Read More
The United States and Canada have found a truce on the steel and aluminum tariffs which, as promised, presents a window to ratify USMCA (NAFTA 2.0) before the fall. As export-related agricultural commodity organizations push for a Canadian ratification of the USMCA agreement, the Dairy Farmers of Canada is asking the Canadian government to tap… Read More
Earlier this year, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) announced it would no longer carry out enforcement of Ontario’s animal welfare laws. The announcement has spurred Ontario’s government to evaluate how animal welfare enforcement is handled in the province and will shape new animal welfare legislation. As part of that… Read More
The province of Manitoba and the federal government have announced more than $1.1 million will go to cheese producing company Bothwell Cheese. The New Bothwell-based facility will use the money to modernize its facility. “Our goal is to retain and grow our world-class food enterprises to meet the growing demand for protein-rich foods while fostering… Read More
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) is consolidating its six feed production facilities in the Prairies into three. The three that are on the chopping block are the plants located in Brandon, Man., Melfort, Sask., and Edmonton, Alta. “While we don’t make these decisions lightly, by consolidating manufacturing and taking measures to refocus our resources in the… Read More
For those who handle the grocery shopping in the household, you might be surprised to hear that recent run ups in grocery store prices are somewhat of an anomaly. As Kevin Grier, with KG Market Analysis and Consulting explains, price inflation of grocery items has actually been low to negative in the past few years,… Read More
Whether you’re spraying fungicides on corn, soybeans or cereals, the application can deliver a solid return on investment if it suppresses disease and builds and protects yield potential. The story is the same for alfalfa, says BASF business representative and agronomist Ken Currah. He says livestock farmers are looking for yield and protein to make… Read More
From the barn to the boardroom, agriculture is full of job opportunities and employers are looking for talent. But it’s not that easy to find qualified people to do the job. That’s Melissa Brinn’s take on the challenges agriculture employers face and the incredible opportunities job seekers have throughout the industry. “Every company, everywhere is… Read More
New technology and design modifications make the GEA R9500 dairy robot a smart option for producers looking at automated milking systems, the company says. The box-style robot from GEA Farm Technologies delivers real-time somatic cell count (SCC) monitoring, more precise and speedier teat cup attachments, as well as a redesigned frame to enhance cow flow,… Read More
Dairy giant Saputo has completed its transaction to purchase Dairy Crest, a United Kingdom-based dairy company. The final sale for £975 million (approximately $1.7 billion) was first announced on February 22, 2019, and finalized April 15, 2019. According to a news release, Dairy Crest manufactures and markets cheese, butters, spreads and oils, under leading British… Read More
The Canadian dairy industry has made great strides in cow comfort over the past 20 years. It’s a story EastGen genetics veterinarian Dr. Tim Henshaw feels all dairy farmers should be actively telling all friends, neighbours ,and consumers within earshot. From mats and bedding for cows to lie on, to adequate stall space and better… Read More
Temperature can tell you many things about an animal — if it’s beginning to fall ill, if it’s about to calve, or if it’s coming into heat. The technology to track temperature and movement of cattle comes in many forms, and a western Canadian company is offering a wireless communication rumen bolus that won’t get… Read More
Dairy producers will have a new resource to go to for all things dairy come the summer. CanWest DHI, Valacta, and the Canadian Dairy Network have come together to form a new organization that will be known as Lactanet Canada. “Today is a milestone for our industry,” says Lactanet chair, Barbara Paquet. “Lactanet is an… Read More
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