Dairy Cattle & Production Tips

File photo of a Canadian Holstein dairy cow outdoors. (Diane Kuhl/iStock/Getty Images)

New U.S. ag trade chief demands Canada broaden dairy quota access

USTR's new ag rep's eyes also on Mexico GM corn ban

By GFM Network News February 11, 2023

Washington | Reuters — Canada must let U.S. processors of cheese, ice cream, yogurt, milk powder and other dairy products have access to its import quotas to resolve a second U.S. dairy trade challenge, Washington’s new agricultural trade boss told Reuters. Doug McKalip, chief agricultural trade negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, told Reuters […] Read more

(Saputo Cheese USA video screengrab via YouTube)

Dairy Cattle, Livestock, Markets

Saputo to consolidate U.S. cheesemaking, shut three plants

Plans include one new plant, one repurposed

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News February 9, 2023

The Canadian company ranked among the three biggest cheesemakers in the U.S. is preparing to consolidate five of its cheese plants in that country down to two. Montreal-based Saputo announced last Thursday it has construction underway on a new $240 million cut-and-wrap cheese plant in the Milwaukee suburb of Franklin, to be up and running […] Read more

A typical dairy cow needs about one per cent potassium in her daily diet to maintain a number of normal body functions, including good milk and milkfat production.

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, Livestock

Feed enough potassium in dairy lactation diets

Dairy Corner: There’s a balancing act between there being too much or not enough K

By Peter Vitti February 8, 2023

It’s widely accepted that excessive potassium (K) fed to a pre-fresh dairy cow may lead to a high incidence of milk fever at calving. However, many don’t realize that once they calve, high-milk-producing cows require lots of dietary potassium. Plenty of research since the 1960s has proven that high dietary levels of potassium promote good […] Read more

Dairy Cattle, Livestock, Markets, Reuters

U.S. seeks new dispute panel over Canadian dairy imports

Panel would be second on matter since CUSMA took effect

By GFM Network News January 31, 2023

Washington | Reuters — The United States on Tuesday said it was seeking a second trade dispute settlement panel over Canada’s dairy import quotas, charging that Canada was still not meeting obligations to open its market to U.S. producers. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office said it was challenging Canada’s revised tariff-rate quota (TRQ) allocations that […] Read more

If your dairy cows aren't doing enough cud chewing it could be a sign of several related problems such as low dietary fiber; reduced feed intakes, poor feed digestion, sub-clinical rumen acidosis (SARA), feet and leg problems, butterfat depression all that can result in poor milk production.

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Dairy cows need effective forage fibre

The Dairy Corner: Cud-chewing, or lack thereof, could be an indicator of several problems due to a low fibre diet

By Peter Vitti January 26, 2023

High-producing dairy cows always need a good level of effective forage fibre in a well-balanced lactation diet that not only supports good milk and milk fat production, but promotes good cow health and digestion. Anytime I walk into a dairy barn, I take a minute to watch the cows resting in their stalls. If most […] Read more

On a 325-cow dairy, these are some of the dry cows fed a two-stage feed ration as they recover from milking and also prepare to deliver a new calf. The faraway cows are fed a modest-energy, forage-based diet, while the close-ups receive similar forages mixed with a couple of pounds of corn silage and a few pounds of a palatable dry cow pellet.

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, Livestock

Consider a two-stage dry cow feeding program

Dairy Corner with Peter Vitti: Meeting all of the dry cow’s nutritional needs goes a long way toward success

By Peter Vitti January 20, 2023

Whether dairy producers provide a single or two-stage dry cow feeding program, it is important that it maintains or puts the right amount of body condition to prepare cows for a successful lactation. A closer review of any of these dry cow feeding programs (with proper management) will find certain similarities. Plus, they should dovetail […] Read more

Harvesting feed at higher moisture or adding water to the TMR can
increase feed intake prevent a lot of “sorting” by lactating dairy cows at
the feed bunk.

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Optimize moisture content of lactation dairy diets

Make sure it is properly measured to avoid being too dry or too wet

By Peter Vitti December 23, 2022

The concept of feeding TMR diets formulated with ensiled forage was introduced to dairies across Canada in the early 1990s. Until then, most dairy producers fed their cows dry hay, followed by a scoop or pull (parlour) of grain ration. I remember a visit to Eastern Canada at that time, and I saw newly made […] Read more

Dairy Cattle, Livestock, Markets

U.S. brings new Canadian dairy tariff rate quota complaint

'Additional aspects' of Canadian rules now at issue

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News December 21, 2022

U.S. federal trade officials plan a whole other challenge of Canada’s allocations of tariff rate quotas (TRQs) on U.S. dairy imports — on top of a challenge they’re already seeking — saying they’ve now found Canada’s revised policies are problematic in new and different ways. Canada in May published revisions of its TRQ allocation policies […] Read more

Dairy Cattle, Livestock, Weather

Quebec ag ministry, UPA organize to round up rogue dairy herd

Spooked cattle on run since July

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News November 30, 2022

Quebec’s provincial ag ministry and the Mauricie regional arm of the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) are asking for the public’s patience as they organize a new effort to capture a herd of dairy cattle on the loose since the summer. Quebec media quoting dairy farmer Pierre Lapointe, the animals’ owner, have said the cattle […] Read more

Dairy Cattle, Livestock, Poultry/Eggs

CUSMA compensation set for supply-managed sectors

Feds pledge over $1.7 billion in payments, programs

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News November 18, 2022

A final round of payments and programs for Canada’s supply-managed dairy and feather sectors — this time in compensation for the sequel deal to NAFTA — is now on deck for 2023 and beyond. Compensation to those sectors for domestic market concessions granted under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) was telegraphed in federal Finance Minister Chrystia […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Hog futures hit contract highs on shock herd decline

Alberta Crop Report: Harvest more than three-quarters finished

NFU says proposed plant breeders’ rights come at farmers’ expense

GFM Network News