Dairy Cattle & Production Tips

Canada violated CUSMA pact by reserving dairy quotas, panel finds

Canada 'will ensure compliance,' trade minister's rep says

By GFM Network News January 4, 2022

Washington | Reuters — Canada violated a trade accord with the U.S. and Mexico by reserving most of its preferential dairy tariff-rate quotas for Canadian processors, a dispute panel found, and Washington warned it could retaliate if Ottawa did not change course. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office claimed victory for Washington in the first dispute […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle

Vitti: Figure out proper rations for replacement dairy heifers

They need to keep growing, but you don’t want them too fat either

By Peter Vitti December 24, 2021

Many dairy heifer replacements come out of the calf barn in good shape. That’s because many were fed milk and calf-starter diets that supported exceptional growth. Ironically, some of these heifers are not fed well after weaning, and this nutrition gap makes them struggle throughout their first lactation. Such adverse nutrition can largely be avoided […] Read more

File photo of a dairy operation in B.C.’s Fraser Valley. (Modfos/iStock/Getty Images)

Dairy Cattle, Livestock, Weather

Some B.C. milk runs resume as roads reopen

Sumas Prairie remains under boil water advisory

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News November 24, 2021

Milk pickups are resuming for some southern British Columbia dairy farmers, days after flooding and landslides caused by a days-long rainstorm cut off vehicle traffic through the region. In the wake of the Nov. 14-16 storm, with trucks unable to reach farms, the B.C. Milk Marketing Board on Nov. 16 asked that affected dairy farmers […] Read more

Community members struggle to rescue stranded cattle from an Abbotsford, B.C.-area farm on Nov. 16, 2021 after rainstorms caused flooding and landslides in the region. (Photo: Reuters/Jesse Winter)

Dairy Cattle, Livestock, Reuters, Weather

Small navy of farmers rescues cattle in flood-hit B.C.

By GFM Network News November 17, 2021

Abbotsford | Reuters — A flotilla of motorboats, canoes, dinghies and jet-skis helmed by farmers raced to move dozens of trapped cows from frigid waters as floods hit British Columbia. After a month’s worth of rain in two days, the downpours triggered widespread flooding. Mudslides hit cities and towns across the province. Among the worst-affected […] Read more

Farmers and community members help to rescue stranded cattle from a farm at Abbotsford, B.C. on Nov. 16, 2021, after rainstorms caused flooding and landslides in the area. (Photo: Reuters/Jesse Winter)

Dairy Cattle, Livestock, Weather

Road closures mean disposal for B.C. milk

Dairy farmers in Kootenays can still move milk east to Alberta

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News November 17, 2021

Many of British Columbia’s dairy producers can expect to have to dump raw milk for the near future as highways and other roads are rendered impassable. The B.C. Milk Marketing Board on Tuesday said milk won’t be picked up until further notice in several areas where roads are closed and/or trucks can’t enter the Lower […] Read more

Dairy Cattle, Livestock, Reuters

British milk sours amid labour crisis

By GFM Network News October 6, 2021

London | Reuters — Some British dairy farmers have been forced to destroy tens of thousands of litres of milk due to rising costs, labour shortages and an acute deficit of truck drivers which has strained supply chains to breaking point, farmers said. A post-Brexit shortage of workers, exacerbated by the global strains of the […] Read more

Curled leaves on corn plants due to drought cause it look a bit like the spears of a pineapple crop, resulting in what some call pineapple corn.

Columns, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Balance “pineapple” corn silage into dairy diets

Corn with rolled leaves should definitely be tested for nitrates

By Peter Vitti October 1, 2021

I never noticed a “pineapple” cornfield until I ‘ve seen several of them in Manitoba this summer. As I have done, dairy producers should take them in stride as part of our ongoing drought. A pineapple cornfield is simply what happens to a corn plant after months of severe drought. (It is a term used […] Read more

Dairy Cattle, Livestock, The Dairy Corner

Udder edema puts dairy cows under pressure

Dairy Corner: If a chronic problem, a change in ration formulation may be needed

By Peter Vitti August 12, 2021

Udder edema is the swelling and visible accumulation of fluid in a cow’s udder at calving, or it may appear a couple of weeks ahead of time in the close-up pen. Fortunately, most distressed cows do not need any producer or vet intervention. That’s because most of these cases disappear on their own, usually after […] Read more

Calf heat stress recommendations are similar to those used to combat heat stress in a lactation barn.

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, Livestock

‘Extra’ water key to reducing heat stress in calves

Dairy Corner: Keeping them hydrated is part of proper management when temperatures rise

By Peter Vitti July 14, 2021

Heat stress starts to harm dairy calves even at about 22 C with a relative humidity of at least 60 per cent. At this humidex level, I have seen many calves become restless, reduce feed intake, and significantly increase water consumption. As temperatures rise (coupled with more humidity), most sooner or later breathe rapidly and […] Read more

Video screengrab of Michael Palin (l) and John Cleese in the Cheese Shop sketch on Monty Python’s Flying Circus in 1972.

Dairy Cattle, Livestock

Saputo to buy British cheesemaker Wensleydale

Canadian dairy firm expands U.K. assets

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News July 9, 2021

One of the world’s largest dairy processors is set to expand its reach further into the U.K. with a deal for the maker of Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese. Montreal-based Saputo announced Monday it has an all-cash deal in place to buy Wensleydale Dairy Products Ltd. for 23 million pounds (about C$39.7 million). Pending U.K. regulatory approvals, […] 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