Dairy cattle & Farming Articles - Manitoba Co-operator

David Fisher on his farm near Hamilton, New Zealand.

Is importing milk better for the environment?

Initial government numbers for market access prove to be lowballed after full text  of Trans-Pacific Partnership released

By Shannon VanRaes November 25, 2015

David Fisher isn’t shy about sharing his thoughts on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. “Take out the Canadians and it’s going to go well,” said the longtime dairy farmer, speaking to a group of international journalists on his farm near Hamilton, New Zealand. The frustration felt by producers like Fisher, as well as those involved in negotiating

Crops, Dairy cattle, Markets

U.S. grains: Wheat drops on improving crop conditions, big stocks

By GFM Network News, Karl Plume November 24, 2015

Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. wheat futures fell more than two per cent on Tuesday, giving up all the prior session’s gains, as a further improvement in the condition of the U.S. winter crop placed attention back on ample global supply of the staple cereal. Corn prices eased, following wheat lower and further pressured by

A media horde of unprecedented size descends on the farm of John Fisher, as part of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists annual congress.

Dairy cattle, News

New Zealand grass greener, but milk prices are sour

Many New Zealand dairy farmers are reducing inputs and lowering output as they adjust to what they hope will be a short-term slump in milk prices

By Shannon VanRaes November 12, 2015

Every day, John Fisher loses money. Surrounded by lush, green pastures, some of which have been established for more than half a century, the New Zealand dairy farmer says his cost of production is now above the international milk price and has been for some time. “You’ve got to take a long-term view of these things,”

Butter lovers are smiling because of better news about health, and 2014 consumption was almost six per cent higher than the previous five-year average.

Dairy cattle, News

Butter back in consumers’ good books

Once the bad boy of foods, butter is regaining its place  at the table as consumers look to richer tastes

By Shannon VanRaes November 6, 2015

Consumers are beginning to warm up to butter — again. After years of anti-fat admonishments, diets and fads, butter is regaining popularity, according to Dairy Farmers of Manitoba. “It’s an amazing story, because years ago the medical profession said butter was bad for you,” said Henry Holtman, the organization’s vice-chairman. “Now that whole opinion has

Saputo’s Canadian dairy division includes brands such as Dairyland, Neilson, Nutrilait, Baxter and Armstrong. (Dave Bedard photo)

Dairy cattle, Livestock, Markets

TPP deal to pressure Canadian dairy farmers, Saputo says

By GFM Network News, Rod Nickel November 6, 2015

Reuters — Canadian farmers will get squeezed between new trade deals that allow more dairy imports to enter the country and slow-growing domestic consumption, Saputo’s CEO said on Thursday. The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal is expected to open access for New Zealand, the U.S. and other countries to 3.5 per cent of the Canadian market,

Dairy cattle, Livestock

Agropur to consolidate B.C. milk processing

By GFM Network News, Manitoba Co-operator Staff November 6, 2015

Dairy co-operative Agropur plans to tighten up its fluid milk processing on British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, upgrading its milk plant at Burnaby and shutting its plant at Chilliwack. Quebec-based Agropur took over the Burnaby plant, along with facilities in Edmonton and Winnipeg, when it bought the former Canada Safeway milk processing plants from Sobeys last

Dairy cattle, News

TPP deal opens Canadian dairy market more than first reported

Milk protein isolates will enter tariff free, making it even more difficult for Canada to dispose of surplus skim milk

By Allan Dawson October 22, 2015

Canadian dairy farmers will give up more than 3.25 per cent of their domestic market if Canada ratifies the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, according to Al Mussell, an agricultural economist and research lead with Agri-Food Economic Systems in Guelph, Ont. But how much more isn’t clear since the text of the agreement hasn’t been

Dairy cattle, Opinion

Editorial: Positioning to thrive

By Laura Rance-Unger October 19, 2015

Canada’s dairy farmers are wise to tread carefully as they consider how to position their industry in the face of rising imports due to trade and technology. The oh-so-tempting reaction that comes immediately to mind would be to seek replacement of the sector’s protective tariff wall, which is gradually being eroded, with a non-tariff barrier

Dairy cattle, Livestock

Selling the Blue Cow logo to consumers

The dairy sector is debating whether focusing on rBST use in the U.S. is the best way  to quash consumer interest in imports

By Shannon VanRaes October 19, 2015

The prospect of more imported dairy products flooding into Canadian dairy markets has local dairy farmers debating a tricky conundrum. How do they position themselves to compete on the basis of quality without fearmongering over production practices south of the border? American producers use recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) to boost milk production, which has never

Dairy cattle, Livestock

VIDEO: Low milk prices means caution when investing in new dairy technology

Expensive improvements could make it hard for New Zealand's dairy producers to stay competitive

By Shannon VanRaes October 16, 2015

Manitoba Co-operator reporter Shannon VanRaes speaks with Jenny Jago, a manager at DairyNZ, on the farm of John Fisher. His operation recently expanded to add 4 robotic milkers on the 80 Hectare farm –located on New Zealand’s North Island, in the Waikato region – where 320 cows are milked each day. A recent and significant drop in

Daily Network News

Feed Grain Weekly: Seasonal gains expected this spring

Klassen: Stronger barley prices weigh on feeder cattle values

Russia stops ammonium nitrate exports for one month amid global supply crunch

Dairy cattle

Is importing milk better for the environment?

U.S. grains: Wheat drops on improving crop conditions, big stocks

New Zealand grass greener, but milk prices are sour

Butter back in consumers’ good books

TPP deal to pressure Canadian dairy farmers, Saputo says

Agropur to consolidate B.C. milk processing

TPP deal opens Canadian dairy market more than first reported

Editorial: Positioning to thrive

Selling the Blue Cow logo to consumers

VIDEO: Low milk prices means caution when investing in new dairy technology

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