Culling cattle | Dairy experts say an emphasis on genetics has resulted in poor management and high death rates
RED DEER — Too many dairy cows are dying on farms, veterinarians said at the Western Dairy Seminar held in Red Deer earlier this spring. Disease has not been controlled as well as it should be because more emphasis has been placed on milk production. Genetic tests are emerging to breed a stronger cow, but […] Read moreTag Archives Dairy
Research focuses on Johne’s vaccine
Disease prevalent in Alberta | Researchers hope to develop oral vaccine for young calves
University of Calgary researchers are working on a new type of oral Johne’s disease vaccine for calves that may provide immunity. Oral doses are an improvement over an injection of killed vaccine because they can travel to the spot where the offending bacteria are found in the intestine. “We believe we need a vaccine that […] Read more
Commission gives dairy prices annual increase
It’s an annual rite of winter for critics of Canada’s dairy supply management system. Government support prices for butter and skim milk powder increase and send a signal to the rest of the dairy chain to increase prices. On Feb. 14, the Canadian Dairy Commission announced that support prices will increase slightly effective April 1, […] Read more
Canadian restaurant groupseeks two-tier pricing policy
MPs heard a familiar message several weeks ago when Canada’s restaurant industry staged a Parliament Hill lobby day — high dairy prices hurt their business. Canadian Dairy Commission leaders heard the same message in a face-to-face meeting. Last week, the CanadianRestaurant and Foodservices Association followed up with a concrete proposal. It sent a letter to […] Read more
Alta. dairy farmers vow pizza kit war
Supply management | The imported kits use cheese amounts that circumvent tariffs
Alberta dairy producers like pizza because of its generous use of cheese. But they aren’t fans of pizza made from “pizza kits” that contain imported cheese and are used by Canadian companies to make pies for retail sale. In September, Dairy Farmers of Canada launched a challenge through the Canadian International Trade Tribunal seeking a […] Read moreB.C. dairy program focuses on improving milk quality
Certificate provides benefits | Producers must be validated by Jan. 31 to be eligible for bonuses and incentives
Carla Soutar has visited three-quarters of British Columbia’s 526 dairy farms, logging thousands of kilometres on her vehicle in the process. She plans to stop in on the other 150 farms by Sept.1. As producer services co-ordinator for the B.C. Dairy Association, Soutar’s job is training dairy producers how to use the Canadian Quality Milk […] Read more
Robots ease dairy producers’ labour pains
Garth Hockley couldn’t help himself as he stood next to a robotic milking machine inside his barn: he had to grin as he admired the technology. “I never get tired of watching it,” said Hockley, who opened up his dairy farm to visitors for the National Holstein Convention held in Brandon last month. Hockley, who […] Read more
Woman on tour for dairy knowledge
Western Canadian Livestock Expo | Sarah Chant picked Canada because of positive observations of Canadians visiting her Australian homeland: “They seemed like nice people”
Sarah Chant found a soft spot on top of a bale of straw to read her paperback. With chores completed, she seemed at home amid the milking activity at the Western Canadian Livestock Expo in Saskatoon April 13. Chant’s actual home is more than 20,000 kilometres away in Colac, Australia, about a two-hour drive west […] Read more
Alberta groups keep eye on Johne’s disease
Prevention program | Alberta Milk wants producers to participate
RED DEER — About a quarter of Alberta dairy herds that were tested for Johne’s disease have the infection. “Very likely half the herds in Western Canada have infection,” said Herman Barkema of the University of Calgary’s veterinary school. Johne’s is an infectious, chronic inflammation of the gut caused by mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). […] Read moreCanada must prepare for more competition, warns European Union
BRUSSELS — Europe’s dairy processors dream of more product on Canadian grocery shelves after Canada-European Union free trade talks, but an industry leader says Canadian fears of the impact are exaggerated. “Canada should not be panicked because you think our free trade agreement will mean we export more tonnes and tonnes and tonnes,” said Bénédicte […] Read more
