NEWS

Preventing, managing and treating mastitis is a priority area of research for dairy farmers; it’s one of the costliest dairy cattle health issues on a dairy farm. A study published in 2018 by the Mastitis Network estimated losses associated with mastitis at $665 million per year or $660 per cow per year.

In February, Lactalis Canada announced it will introduce DFC’s Blue Cow logo on its Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Cheestrings, aMOOza! and P’tit Québec cheeses made with Canadian milk. This means that by spring 2020, more than 8,000 dairy products will feature the Blue Cow logo.

“The dynamic behavior of feed efficiency in primiparous dairy cattle.”Journal of Dairy Science Vol.103 No. 2, 2020. The objective of this study, done by researchers from the University of Guelph, was to integrate data collected using modern high-throughput biometrics (things like in-line bodyweight scales and body condition score cameras) to evaluate changes of early lactation feed efficiency (FE) on a daily basis.

Millennials are now the largest cohort of Canadians and, as they age, progress in their careers and start families, their purchasing power continues to increase. Yet when it comes to food products, millennial consumers view things differently than previous generations.

Six different farms were showcased this winter on the BC Dairy Expo Farm Tours. The event took place on a rainy Jan. 29, but that didn’t stop many people from visiting each location.

Progressive Dairy Editor Karen Lee captured photos at several of the farms, including: Gordon Peterson’s farm, Agassiz; Holberg Farm, Agassiz; Mountain Shadow Acres, Rosedale; and Wenlay Dairy Farm, Chilliwack.

Additional stops included Jalyn Farms in Rosedale, as well as Cordine Farms in Agassiz where the visit focused on silage management with technical experts on hand to talk about best management practices.

Click on the slideshow below to see photos of each farm. Photos by Karen Lee.