Calving Dates Vary But Nutritional Needs Stay The Same

When discussing major changes in the beef cow operation, calving date and cow size quickly come to life. The easiest to change is calving date. Caution and considerable thought needs to be used because, once changed, an early calving date is not easy to get back. Through the years of looking at calving intervals, most

Mastitis — Not Just A Problem With Dairy Cows

Even though we think of mastitis as more of a dairy disease, producers still need to be vigilant in their beef herds. With higher milk production and cows being retained in our herds longer, both these factors have a tendency to increase mastitis incidence. Mastitis or inflammation of the mammary gland results in swelling in


Court Ruling Upholds Milk Board Authority

Arecent Nova Scotia court decision upholding the provincial milk board’s legal right to reduce the amount of producer-held quota is being hailed as a victory for supply management. Had the ruling gone the other way, it would have undermined the board’s ability to control milk production, one of the system’s essential pillars, said Brian Cameron,

New SCC Standard Announced For Dairy Farmers

Manitoba dairy farmers will see a sharp reduction in allowable somatic cell count limits for milk next year. The maximum allowable somatic cell count (SCC) will be lowered to 399,000 from the current 499,000, effective Aug. 1, 2012. The change shouldn’t affect most producers much, if at all. Manitoba’s current SCC average is 265,000, according


It’s Often A Puzzle When A Cow Goes Down

Downer cows have been a concern for farmers and veterinarians almost since the beginning of time. Typically, a downer cow surprises the farmer. Often a perfectly healthy cow with no presenting history is suddenly found down and unable to rise. Because cattle, especially mature ones, are such heavy beasts, several complications can ensue, even when

Pros And Cons Of Raw Milk Debated At NFU

Public health authorities would be wiser to find a way to accommodate the growing consumer demand for unpasteurized milk than pushing it underground, says an Ontario dairy farmer recently acquitted of charges related to distributing raw milk. Durham, Ont. dairy farmer Michael Schmidt said he agrees with public health officials that raw milk is risky


Lameness Causing Major Losses In Dairy Cattle

Asilent epidemic which has nothing to do with disease is injuring Canadian dairy cattle and costing milk producers millions of dollars annually. Chronic lameness is widespread in dairy herds throughout Canada and damage from it is far greater than realized, according to a British Columbia dairy scientist. “It’s a serious, serious problem,” Jeffrey Rushen told

National Milk Pool Urged To Soften Dairy Import Risk

Volatile fluid milk prices in the United States show the need for a national all-milk pool in Canada, Manitoba dairy farmers were told last week. A combination of low U.S. prices and a strong loonie could allow fluid milk to enter Canada despite high import tariffs, according to the head of the Canadian Dairy Commission.


Dairy Farmers Decide On New Digs

Manitoba milk producers are going to have a new home. Dairy Farmers of Manitoba has decided on a new 15,800-square-foot office building to replace the current 22-year-old one located in south Winnipeg. DFM’s annual meeting last week passed a resolution to construct a new $5-million facility to house the milk board’s office, warehouse and milk-testing

Flying For 79 Floors

Twice a week,New York Timescolumnist Thomas L. Friedman drives political and economic policy-makers into full rant on topics as opposite as global free trade (he loves it) and national industrial policy (he loves it, too). Kiss him or kick him, Friedman can turn a phrase. A current Friedmanism notes that “If you jump off the