dairy cattle Archives

Audrey Murray’s previous research work included examining how wetlands like this on Prince Edward Island potato farms helped to naturally filter water from field runoff before it entered nearby streams and rivers.

Taking dairy wastewater to the irrigation pivot, via wetlands

A new nature-based solution could help dairy farmers in Alberta against water shortages

By Mark Halsall August 11, 2025

Many Alberta dairy farms rely on irrigation water to grow feed crops to sustain their cattle herds, but drought and water shortages in recent years has made that more difficult. Federal ag researchers are seeking one of those dairy farms to help develop a possible new source.

Dairy Cattle, Livestock, News

Bird flu virus could be airborne: study

By Adam Peleshaty August 7, 2025

A research study from the United States suggests that bird flu could have spread amongst cattle through the air or contaminated wastewater at dairy farms.

Ian helps with the early morning chores and makes a new friend. Photo: Heather Eppich

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Seeds are in the ground and foals arrive

Eppich News: Springtime has been good on the ranch with cows and bulls in the pasture and healthy foals

By Heather Eppich July 24, 2025

Springtime has been good on the ranch for the Eppich family with cows and bulls in the pasture and healthy foals.

News, Reuters

U.S. FDA suspends milk quality tests amid workforce cuts

By Leah Douglas April 21, 2025

Washington | Reuters – The Food and Drug Administration is suspending a quality control program for testing of fluid milk and other dairy products due to reduced capacity in its food safety and nutrition division, according to an internal email seen by Reuters. The suspension is another disruption to the nation’s food safety programs after […] Read more

a handful of corn silage for dairy cattle

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Well-balanced starch and forage levels make milk

Dairy Corner: The amount of starch in corn and barley silage can vary greatly between harvests

By Peter Vitti April 17, 2025

Starch levels in corn and barley silage can vary widely between harvests, so they need to be balanced in a dairy ration, nutritionist Peter Vitti says.

It’s a good idea to keep walking your heifer pens and assessing their body conditions at all stages of development.

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Watch dairy heifers grow on well-balanced diets

The Dairy Corner: There are numerous ways to get a quality mix to a farm’s heifers

By Peter Vitti March 9, 2025

I have balanced many dairy heifer replacement diets in the last few months. It’s a pretty easy exercise once I put it down on a PDF spreadsheet and email it to the dairy producer. I am confident all heifer nutrient requirements are met, given how heifers consume it. Plus, I want to make these diets […] Read more

There’s more labour needed to manage artificial insemination, but it can improve the rate of genetic gain.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Columns

Increasing AI use has many advantages

Animal Health: There are improved technologies for breeding and synchronization, for which AI makes more sense

By Roy Lewis January 10, 2025

Over the last decade or so, artificial insemination (AI), not to be confused with the other AI (artificial intelligence), has seen an upsurge in the commercial cattle population. This has been happening for a lot longer in the purebred cattle industry and a lot of the reasons are the same. If one is considering AI […] Read more

Dairy Cattle, Features

Marcus and Paige Dueck

Outstanding Young Farmers 2024: Finding that work-life equilibrium involves some trade-offs — and new technology

November 8, 2024

With dairy cattle, cash crops and two young children, the days are still pretty busy for Manitoba farmers Marcus and Paige Dueck — but new technology introduced in recent years has helped them be more efficient and find balance in their lives. For the Duecks, who are the third generation on Four Oak Farms near […] Read more

Dairy Cattle, Livestock

Dairy farm milk price drops for 2025

By John Greig November 1, 2024

The Canadian Dairy Commission announced Nov. 1, 2024 that a decline in feed prices and the stabilization of other costs on dairy farms across the country means that the benchmark on-farm price for milk will decline by 0.0237 per cent starting in February 2025.

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Markets

Fed market reflects beginning signs of herd expansion

The Markets: Beef cow numbers are still expected to decline in 2024 and 2025

By Jerry Klassen October 29, 2024

Western Canadian feeder cattle prices have been trading near historical highs throughout the summer and early fall period. At the time of writing this article, larger-frame Angus steers off grass averaging 950 lbs. were trading around $320/cwt in central Alberta. Steers averaging 500 lbs. were quoted between $450/cwt and $500/cwt, depending on weaning stage and […] Read more

Australian crops to surpass 10-year averages

Pulse Weekly: Canadian pulse production to rise in 2025-26

Alberta Crop Report: Clear weather aids harvest

GFM Network News