Dirty Common housefly viewed from up high, Musca domestica, isolated on white.

Stable flies a vector for mastitis

Research shows flies can carry the bacteria behind the illness from their breeding sites in manure

Genetic analysis confirms stable flies can be the factor that lets bacteria causing mastitis to thrive in a cattle herd.


Grass-fed production versus the conventional feedlot value chain is among the sustainability schisms in the beef sector.

Grain versus grass-fed sparks beef sustainability debate

Panelist says carbon sequestration from pasture should give grass-fed the nod

Glacier FarmMedia – Comparing the climate impact of grass-fed versus grain-fed beef isn’t straightforward, according to panelists at the Guelph Organic Conference. A recent study claimed grain-fed beef has less of a carbon impact, but Ontario farmer Ted Zettel believes that research failed to account for the long-term capacity of pasture-based farming to sequester carbon

“We’ve never seen anything like this before — never, ever, ever.” – Shayan Sharif, University of Guelph.

Flu strain in U.S. dairy cattle may be a different beast

Strain infecting dairy cattle in U.S. behaves erratically, says bird flu specialist

Veterinarians and food safety officials have been scrambling for about a month to understand the origin and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in U.S. dairy herds across several states. Many potential vectors have been considered, from migratory birds, direct cow-to-cow transmission and milking equipment. A University of Guelph veterinary professor has one word to





Carrier identification coming for dairy genetic defects

Carrier identification coming for dairy genetic defects

GENETICS | Lactanet partners with Angus group to help producers optimize beef-on-dairy genetics

More dairy producers are interested in getting a slice of the beef pie these days. That’s led Lactanet to work with an U.S.-based Angus association to share genotyping of Angus bulls from Canada, the U.S. and Australia and improve breeding decisions for those hybrid farms. Brian Van Doormaal, chief services officer for Lactanet, described the

“…a plus or minus 10 per cent change in feed costs can lead to a plus or minus 40 per cent change in net profitability.” – J.P. Gervais, Farm Credit Canada.

Calmer dairy waters predicted for 2024

Stresses from borrowing and feed costs should ease: FCC

A recent outlook released by Farm Credit Canada says there’s room for optimism in the dairy sector. “It has been a volatile few years for dairy producers, but 2024 is shaping up to be calmer — a return to a more normal environment, if you will,” FCC senior economist Graeme Crosbie said in a Feb.


Insect frass, such as the cricket frass shown above, is derived from the excrement, exoskeletons and discarded feed materials of a crop of insects.

Biofertilizer made from insects comes to market

Cricket-based fertilizer, Kickin’ Frass, launched by Ontario company

Glacier FarmMedia – Ontario-based firm SureSource Agronomy is rolling out a line of crop nutrient products derived from the excrement, exoskeletons and discarded feed materials of crickets. The insects are raised in the firm’s Aspire insect farming facility in London, and their byproduct is called frass. The company announced Feb. 20 that it has received