MANAGEMENT

Dr. Phil Meadows describes stray voltage as a black box.

As a practicing veterinarian at Mitchell Veterinary Services in Mitchell, Ontario, he said, “When there are problems on dairy farms, there are a lot of boxes I can check off and questions to ask about this or that.

Winter brings cold temperatures and severe weather conditions that create hazards. Ice and snow are inevitable, but injuries are not, so be proactive with your winter safety plan.

The Canadian dairy sector is up against some headwinds. Farm debt is on the rise, rising 14% since 2015.

Making dry-cow management a priority sets cows up for a successful next lactation. Since mastitis is the most common clinical disease reported on dairy farms, and one of the top reasons cows are sold, it’s critical to maintain a high level of care throughout the dry period.

In today’s economy, most dairy families know that vague promises about transferring the farm to the next generation are simply inadequate.

Top producers in today’s dairy environment do an excellent job of monitoring profit and loss statements throughout the year. It allows them to be more prepared at year-end to estimate any potential tax liability while also having the necessary funds in place for either prepaid expenses or capital replacement items.