dairy farming Archives - Page 3 of 3

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Beef cows get mastitis, too

Early treatment can save the udder, and plan to cull susceptible animals

By Roy Lewis April 25, 2016

Even though we think of mastitis as more of a dairy disease, beef producers still need to be vigilant for the condition in their herds. With higher milk production and cows being retained in herds longer, both these factors have a tendency to increase mastitis incidence. Mastitis cases can be smouldering during the long period […] Read more

Livestock, The Dairy Corner

Reviewing dairy records can point to somatic cell count fix

By Peter Vitti March 18, 2016

In the last year, I have reviewed in extensive detail the somatic cell count (SCC) records from dozens of DHI-monitored and robot barns. As a result, I re-educated myself as to the dynamics of reducing high SCC in any particular herd in order to achieve a lower incidence of mastitis and higher milk production. My […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, The Dairy Corner

Proper diet reduces risk of lame cows

A well-balanced ration and a clean barn are a great combination to keep dairy cows mobile

By Peter Vitti February 17, 2016

Recently, I conducted a barn walk in a 300-cow robot-milking dairy and within 10 minutes I spotted more than a half-dozen limping cows. I did not know what caused them to limp, but after I talked to the dairy manager, I discovered that lameness was a significant problem on his operation and several of these […] Read more

Questionable water quality is not usually life-threatening, but it can impact a healthy cow’s nutrition and compromise essential nutrients needed for good milk production.

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle

Beware of “things” in dairy cow water

Dairy Corner with Peter Vitti

By Peter Vitti January 20, 2016

A professor who once taught our nutrition class a long time ago (a long time ago) said the actual amount of water drunk by lactating dairy cows was important for milk production. However, she said it was the “things” that existed in their drinking water, which often limit their health and production during lactation. Even […] Read more

Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Hutch-reared calves need good diet and TLC

Keeping them dry, out of drafts and well fed leads to a healthier calf

By Peter Vitti January 6, 2016

Each year, I literarily see hundreds of preweaned dairy calves overwintered in outdoor calf hutches. Most perform well, but there are also more “poor doers” than I care to see. I find that each poor calf tells a similar story. Some of the mediocre calves are shivering, others are skinny, a few calves are coughing […] Read more

Quebec diary farming family Christian Bilodeau and Annie Sirois and their family Kellyann, 14, Louis-Alexis, 13, Charles-Antoine, 10 and Lily, eight.

Dairy Cattle, News

Quebec regional OYF finalists: Christian Bilodeau and Annie Sirois

This Quebec family runs a dairy herd, 360 acres, and an occasional maple syrup business

By Lee Hart November 16, 2015

New facilities for their top performing Ayrshire dairy herd are on the agenda as Christian Bilodeau and Annie Sirois look at the future improvements to their southern Quebec farm. Working with older facilities now, with the milking herd, calves and dry cows housed in separate barns, the Quebec couple, who farm at St-Odilon-de-Cranbourne, south of […] Read more

Altantic Canada OYF regional nominees, David and Sara Simmons with daughter Felicity.

Dairy Cattle, Livestock, News

Atlantic OYF finalists David and Sara Simmons

This Newfoundland couple enlist technology to improve dairy farm efficiency

By Lee Hart November 16, 2015

While there are some logistical issues involved being one of the further-most eastern dairy farms in Canada, David and Sara Simmons hasn’t let that stop them from developing a progressive and productive farming operation, and becoming a producer of high quality breeding stock. As the owners of Pure Holsteins dairy farm at Little Rapid, Newfoundland Labrador […] Read more

Alberta OYF nominees Patrick and Cherylynn Bos with their children, Amelia,12, Connor, 10, Justin, nine and Adelle, four.

Livestock, News, Sheep/Goats

Alberta regional OYF finalists: Cherylynn and Patrick Bos

As their goat milk and cheese business grew, this Alberta farm needed employees

By Angela Lovell November 16, 2015

After riding the lumps and bumps of the goat-milk industry over the past few years, Patrick and Cherylynn Bos have made significant changes to their farm operation leading to more stability, farm expansion and recognition as Alberta’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2015. Eight years ago the Boses added a milk processing plant to their farm […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Dairy Cattle, The Dairy Corner

Pay attention to post-weaning programs for dairy cattle

You want replacement heifers to grow at an optimum rate, but not too fast or too slow

By Peter Vitti September 28, 2015

Almost every time I visit a dairy barn, I make a point of looking at post-weaned replacement heifers as well. Raising young dairy heifers can be one of the greatest challenges even on the best-run dairies. I believe implementing a good post-weaning heifer program makes good sense and contributes to their future success as high-milk-producing dairy […] Read more

Farm Life

Pride and joy of the dairy farm

Ancestry of Holsteins dates back seven generations 

March 14, 2014

The Flamans talk about their cows as if they’re family. There’s Erin, Lila, Prestige, Mazing and Mary. And then there are the Donnas. The Donnas are the pride and joy of this dairy farm. With ancestors dating back seven generations, the “D-line” of purebred Holsteins includes great milk producers like Dolly, Daffodil and Desire. The […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. livestock: Feeder cattle hit contract highs on tight supply

U.S. grains: Soybeans tumble on doubts over U.S.-China trade progress

Alberta harvest wrapping up: report

Tag Archives dairy farming