Milk Producer April 2024

INNOVATION

Future-Proof Your Herd

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INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT HELPS CREATE MADE-IN-ONTARIO SOLUTIONS

By Adam Petherick, BOARD MEMBER, REGION 4, HASTINGS, LENNOX & ADDINGTON, NORTHUMBERLAND, AND PRINCE EDWARD, DAIRY FARMERS OF ONTARIO AND SERVES ON DFO’S GOVERNANCE, QUOTA, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, AND MARKETS & ALLOCATION COMMITTEES AND IS CHAIR OF THE ORGANIC PRODUCER ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE.

Innovation and research are at the heart of our industry and are what enable our farmers to succeed at what they do best—run efficient, productive and sustainable farm businesses.

In this issue of Milk Producer, we focus on how research and innovation are helping move the industry forward. Take, for instance, the recent launch of the Ontario Living Lab project, which brings together producers, researchers and industry representatives to generate and share ideas through co-development, testing and evaluation. This new resource is a far more advanced tool than what we’ve had available in the past to carry out such practical research on-farm. Now farmers and academia will be able to work together to test results directly on the farm, which will enable greater adoption of certain practices amongst farmers.

As the industry evolves and technology changes, producers are keen to see a return on their research dollars invested. They want to know we’re making incremental advances

in applied science, nutrition and sustainability, and looking to improve how we manage our farms through automation.

Some of these results can be seen through Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s (DFO) Research Program, funded by Ontario producers. From that fund, DFO invests in research projects under four main pillars: dairy farm efficiency, dairy farm sustainability, animal health and welfare, and milk composition, quality and safety. By focusing on these key areas, we can be more competitive and help create madein-Ontario solutions.

In speaking with farmers throughout the province, it is evident producers are constantly looking at ways to innovate and broaden their farm’s value. One such example is this month’s cover story on Mistyglen Creamery, in Belmont, Ont. The Pettit family is producing YOUgurt, a Fiti probiotic yogurt they distribute to vulnerable populations. Their main goal was to develop functional food to support gut and

overall health and nutrition And in my region of Hastings County, dairy farmer Eric Donnan, of Donnandale Farms, is currently installing a new manure technology system that removes water from the manure, allowing him to manage nutrients and create beneficial byproducts with manure separation and dewatering before spreading. This will provide significant cost savings over the long term, he says.

There is no shortage of stories of farmers innovating on the farm, and no limit to the research happening in labs and crop fields across the province. We have a vibrant and growing industry, and our continued investment in research and development will go a long way toward helping us sustain a healthier, safer and environmentally sustainable sector for generations to come.

Adam Petherick

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FUTURE-FOCUSED RESEARCH TO ON-FARM INSPIRATION

By Anna Hewat and Jill Davies

MORE MILK WITH A SMALLER CARBON FOOTPRINT: that’s the on-farm result of improvements in recent decades in dairy herd management, cow comfort, genetics and feed efficiency.

And such innovations continue through today’s Ontario Dairy Research Centre (ODRC) in Elora. Here, researchers are studying animal health, genomics, nutrition, reproduction and sustainability to develop practical on-farm solutions.

The ODRC is owned by the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) and supported by the Government of Ontario, the University of Guelph and the Ontario dairy industry. A critical partner for delivering tested, future-focused research, the centre is a working farm that provides a testing ground for new technologies and practices that return value to the Ontario dairy sector and beyond.

“I’m immensely proud that the ARIO provides the places and spaces for the agri-food industry to conduct highly impactful and transformational research, especially at the Ontario Dairy Research Centre,” says Lorne Hepworth, chair of the ARIO.

ADVANCING DAIRY RESEARCH

At the ODRC, researchers conduct in-depth, innovative studies that benefit dairy farmers.

“Without the Ontario Dairy Research Centre, many projects that are helping Ontario’s producers would not be possible,” explains Dr. Stephen LeBlanc, a researcher in U of G’s Ontario Veterinary College and director of Dairy at Guelph. “Partnering with commercial farms is critical for research; however, the infrastructure of the ODRC allows us to pursue innovative solutions with studies that would be too disruptive or aren’t ready to test on a commercial operation.”

For example, High Immune Response (HIR) technology—a genetic test used to identify cattle with naturally high, average or low immunity to disease —was developed using research conducted at the centre and later commercialized by Semex as Immunity+®. Semex notes breeding with Immunity+® genetics saves producers $100 per cow in the first two years of life thanks to healthier animals and less antibiotic use.

The ODRC also hosted the development and testing of the two-part pain management approach using local anesthetic and inflammatory that is now the standard of care for disbudding.

Long-standing ODRC studies of methane emissions of two-year-old cows are intended to yield climate-friendly dairy cattle. Based on the Resilient Dairy Genome Project, Canadian dairy farmers now have the world’s first-ever tool to help breed cattle that burp out less of the greenhouse gas.

DATA COLLECTION TECHNOLOGY ENABLES CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH

Part of what makes the ODRC a fertile study ground is its ability to collect and centralize data. For example, 124 automated feeding bins at the centre record how much and how often each cow eats every day. The technology also tracks each cow’s feeding behaviour from before calving until the end of lactation.

New feeding bins increased the centre’s research capacity for dry cows by 50 per cent. Funded by ARIO, this investment enables additional nutrition research and demonstrates an ongoing commitment to maintaining a technologically advanced research centre, says Hepworth.

“We’re continually upgrading essential infrastructure at the ODRC, including the recent replacement of older feed intake monitoring units. The updated models with their advanced features will offer researchers a way to deliver new findings on studies that can directly benefit dairy farmers and producers across the province.”

“The ODRC is in high demand from researchers,” says LeBlanc. “The new automated feeding bins allow us to increase the number and speed of projects. This capacity is world leading, and supports research on nutrition, health, fertility, behaviour and genetics.”

Dr. Eduardo Ribeiro, researcher in the Department of Animal Biosciences at U of G, relies on precision feeding technology to conduct research that would not be possible on a commercial farm.

In one study, Ribeiro’s research group used the automated feeding bins to study the effects of trace mineral supplements on cows’ immunity, health and performance. They compared animals fed preand post-partum diets containing organic sources of dietary trace minerals rather than the inorganic sources commonly used on dairy farms.

Organic trace minerals changed rumen function and enhanced feed intake and neutrophil function during the transition period. Cows suffered fewer lameness and metabolic problems, and embryo development improved. Although first-lactation cows on organic supplements yielded less milk, cows that have given birth more than once and fed these sources showed no reduction in milk production.

ONGOING INVESTMENT DELIVERS PRODUCER-FOCUSED RESULTS

To further enhance dairy research and drive innovation, the ODRC has developed a custom-built data ecosystem. Dr. Lucas Alcantara, manager of research centre data, spent the past few years building, testing and deploying the innovative system, which extracts data from over a dozen sources and stores them in a centralized database, which is easily accessible to researchers through a portal.

“The ODRC boasts an impressive infrastructure for research data collection,” says Alcantara. “Researchers collect and analyze research data across dairy health and welfare, genetics and

“The new automated feeding bins allow us to increase the number and speed of projects. This capacity is world leading, and supports research on nutrition, health, fertility, behaviour and genetics.”

Dr. Stephen LeBlanc, a researcher in U of G’s Ontario Veterinary College and director of Dairy at Guelph

JEMBROOK WELDING INC.

Nutrition that Maximizes

Over the past 50 years, we have developed healthier dairy cows that produce more milk using fewer resources. Where will the next research innovation take us? The answer may be in the data.

genomics, animal nutrition, management and technology, and product development.”

With support from Agri-food Data Canada, the portal empowers researchers to access data not only from ongoing trials but also from historical sources.

“Genetic research takes years of data collection when selecting for or against specific traits,” says Dr. Michelle Edwards, director of agri-food data strategy at U of G. “With the Ontario Dairy Research Centre data portal, researchers can now access data as far back as 2005 and continue to access this vital information well into the future.”

Given the volume and complexity of data generated at the research centre, the system requires quality assurance for reliable research results farmers can use in making decisions. Access to data that follows “FAIR” principles—findable, accessible, interoperable and reuseable—can save researchers years’ worth of valuable time and ensure a system that pays dividends in the future.

SETTING THE GROUNDWORK FOR INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS

Data capabilities at the ODRC empower researchers to move data off the spreadsheet and into an accessible system where the information can support dairy innovation.

“Now that we have all the raw data flowing to the central database, we can explore future possibilities,” says Alcantara. “The next steps include setting up a system to constantly validate the raw data, thus creating powerful tools to ensure accurate data collection and drive insights for better management.”

The ODRC is laying the groundwork for data solutions that may be replicated elsewhere in the industry. Imagine the ability to share and analyze data from across Ontario’s dairy farms for making more informed decisions.

Over the past 50 years, we have developed healthier dairy cows that produce more milk using fewer resources. Where will the next research innovation take us? The answer may be in the data.

The Ontario Dairy Research Centre is owned by the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario and managed by U of G through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Government of Ontario and the University of Guelph.

Anna Hewat and Jill Davies are communications managers in the Office of Research, University of Guelph.

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HOW YOUR RESEARCH DOLLARS HELP ADVANCE THE INDUSTRY

By Robert Matson, Production Research Manager, Dairy Farmers of Ontario

FIVE CENTS PER HL FROM EACH MILK PICKUP IN ONTARIO goes into the DFO Research Program. From that fund, Dairy Farmers of Ontario invests in research projects under the four Pillars:

(1) DAIRY FARM EFFICIENCY

DFO research focused on improving dairy farm efficiency encompasses advancements in dairy cattle genetics, reproduction, nutrition, forage management, big data analysis, biosecurity, and economic performance.

(2) DAIRY FARM SUSTAINABILITY

DFO research focused on improving dairy farm sustainability focuses on reducing environmental footprint, improving soil health, and understanding how to leverage biodiversity for better farm management.

(3) ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

DFO research in this area addresses infectious diseases, lameness, transition period health, pain management, sustainable barn design, calf and cow well-being, and understanding societal perspectives around animal welfare practices.

(4) MILK COMPOSITION, QUALITY AND SAFETY

DFO research in this area focuses on the impact of chemical and biological hazards on milk quality and how we can create value from milk composition and promote alternatives to antimicrobials.

The core pillars guide the research funded by DFO, but a solid knowledge transfer and translation program is at the heart of all of the research that we now support. The remainder of this article will outline the different components of the research program and tie the work of DFO back to the priorities.

DFC RESEARCH

Additionally, DFO invests in the Canadian Dairy Research Council along with other provincial marketing boards from across the country. This program focuses on a fifth research area in addition to the four outlined above:

(5) MILK PRODUCTS AND THEIR COMPONENTS IN HUMAN NUTRITION AND HEALTH

DFC administers an annual call for proposals and manages the Dairy Research Cluster with several articles from that research program outlined in this issue.

DFO RESEARCH CHAIRS

Historically, DFO has relied on the scientific excellence of several researchers at the University of Guelph to navigate hot topics related to milk quality and animal health. These researchers were funded in part by DFO and were designated as DFO Research Chairs. This relationship between DFO and our Research Chairs still exists today but has shifted towards collaborative projects with other stakeholders.

Dr. Gisèle LaPointe, leads the Dairy Alliance at the University of Guelph which is a collaborative research program involving a $3.5 million contribution from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and a total of $2.6 million in funding and in-kind support from Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO), Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC), Novalait Inc., Lactalis Canada and Lallemand Inc. Research as a part of this program focuses on four main themes:

1. Animal Nutrition Targeting Feed Efficiency (Pillar 1)

2. Animal Health and Welfare through improving silage quality and improving the environment and bedding for dairy farms (Pillar 1 and 3)

3. Milk Quality and Safety (Pillar 4)

4. Milk and its role in the gut microbiota (Pillar 4 and 5)

The second DFO Research Chair is a collaboration between three professors at the University of Guelph: Dr. Stephen LeBlanc, Dr. David Kelton and Dr. David Renaud. The research program involves a $2.6 million contribution from NSERC and a total of $1.3 million in funding and in-kind support from DFO, DFC, Lactanet, and Veal Farmers of Ontario. Additionally, this Research Chair also receives additional contributions from the Ontario Research Excellence Fund. With the help of all research partners and researchers, the DFO Research program focuses on three main themes:

1. Sustainable Milk Production through reproduction and animal health (Pillar 1, 3 and 4)

2. Infectious Disease and Biosecurity with a strong focus on animal health (Pillar 3)

3. Antimicrobial Resistance and reducing antimicrobial use sustainably (Pillar 3 and 4)

Together, both DFO Research Chairs aim to address industry priorities while contributing to the overall scientific work that can be used by dairy producers.

GRANTS-IN-AID

DFO sees the importance of providing summer students with opportunities to explore novel areas of research. As a part of the grants-in-aid program, DFO receives applications and evaluates proposals from the University of Guelph and Ridgetown College. Over the years, DFO has received numerous proposals focusing on several research areas. Of those projects funded, here is a breakdown of the research priorities covered by year:

DFO RESEARCH PROJECTS

Outside of the DFO Research Chair and Grants-in-Aid programs, DFO also invests in projects that are relevant to producers in Ontario and complement the work being done by DFC and other provincial organizations. Many of these projects have been covered in this issue and previous issues of Milk Producer magazine and the goal of DFO's research program is to find new ways to share research with the dairy community.

Related Stories

Dairy Research Cluster 3: Results are now available! (Page 26)

What’s the cost of Johne’s? It could be more than you think! (Page 30)

How Slag Filters Can Be Effective, Low-Maintenance Systems to Reduce Nutrient Pollution from Bunker Silo Run-Off (Page 32)

LIVING LAB ONTARIO COLLABORATION

Producers, researchers and industry representatives will work together to generate practical outcomes through co-development, testing and evaluation

By Robert Matson; Production Research Manager; Dairy Farmers of Ontario

THERE ARE STRONG TIES BETWEEN THE CROPS AND LIVESTOCK

SECTORS in Ontario and new research and innovation activities are aiming to see how we can improve the sustainability of the agricultural sector through those connections. Launched in 2021, Agricultural Climate Solutions—Living Labs (ACS-LL) is a $185-million program that will allow Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to build and strengthen a nationwide network of living labs over 10 years. This living lab program differs from a traditional research project and has three core principles: to address the needs of the producer and involve them throughout the process, to involve broad diverse partnerships, and to test solutions on working farms under real-life conditions.

PARTNERSHIP

As a part of that larger program funded by Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA), Beef Farmers of Ontario, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Grain Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Pork, Ontario Sheep Farmers and several other partners have embarked on a collaboration for an Ontario-based living lab. The Living Lab-Ontario will use these principles to accelerate the innovation and adoption of practices that sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on Ontario farms.

The Ontario Living Lab will use these principles to accelerate the innovation and adoption of practices that sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on Ontario farms.

THE LIVING LAB INNOVATION CYCLE

The living labs approach has producers at the heart of its innovation cycle. Researchers, industry representatives and producers work together to identify needs and outcomes and then generate and share ideas (“co-development”); conduct experiments, acquire new data and explore new knowledge (“test”) and then examine the results including all types of data and user experience (“Evaluate”). Through this process of co-development, testing and evaluation, the innovations developed, the living lab can be adapted and changed to fit the needs of the producer with changes made based on what practices are feasible practically and economically on the farm. The novel nature of the living labs approach is exciting for all the commodity groups involved in this project.

THE FIRST CO-DEVELOPMENT PHASE

As a part of the initial co-development phase of the project, researchers, producers and representatives from each of the partner organizations came together in Guelph at the end of February to engage in the first round of co-development. Producers had the chance to network with researchers engaged in each of these practices that they will be testing on their farms, exchanging perspectives and innovation ideas.Next steps involve implementing, monitoring, and further refining these practices on their farms.

Although this is just the start of the collaboration between the partners involved, the results from this collaborative research project will further enhance our industry's commitment to sustainability.

• Whole farm greenhouse gas (GHG)

• Nitrogen management infield crops.

• Scaling up manure storage best management practices (BMP) to develop practical solutions to reduce GHG emissions.

• Carbon sequestration potential in croplands, pasture lands and field boundary areas.

• Net GHGs and carbon footprint analysis: making the invisible, visible.

• Economic and financial analysis of BMP adoption.

Kris and Tom Pettit, along with their two daughters, Maddie and Kadie operate Mistyglen Creamery

YOUgurtCommunity-minded

By Jeanine Moyer

INNOVATION

KRIS PETTIT STARTS EVERY DAY WITH THE INTENTION OF MAKING HER COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE. And it starts with her cows and producing exceptional, nutritious dairy products at Mistyglen Creamery.

Located in Belmont, Ont., Mistyglen Creamery is an on-farm processing and store front that opened in 2022, selling dairy products including milk, cheese curds and yogurt. While serving her neighbours and customers throughout southwestern Ontario with farm fresh products was the initial idea behind the creamery, Pettit has since collaborated with like-minded partners to support local vulnerable populations with an innovative and highly nutritious probiotic yogurt using Fiti cultures.

Mistyglen has partnered with Western Heads East, a non-profit organization operated by Western University and that promotes health and sustainable development through probiotic foods in East Africa and London, Ont., and Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), a non-profit organization helping youth in London and Middlesex county reach their full potential. The result is the production of YOUgurt, a Fiti probiotic yogurt that is distributed to local Elgin and Middlesex communities.

“YOUgurt has been three years in the making and we’re proud to have partnered with groups that share the same communityminded agenda,” says Pettit. “Together we are creating exceptional dairy products with health benefits that can support and reach those who need them the most.”

POWERED BY PROBIOTICS

First developed by a Western University physician more than 20 years ago to support the health of HIV populations in East Africa with probiotics, the production of Fiti yogurt has expanded throughout communities in Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda and is being introduced to southwestern Ontario.

Fiti probiotic yogurt has been shown to have tremendous health benefits. In fact, consuming 125g of Fiti can build immune response, reduce respiratory illness, improve reproductive organs, remove toxins from the body and improve general health and nutrition.

Using the knowledge and probiotic cultures provided by Western University and Western Heads East team, Mistyglen creamery produces the Fiti YOUgurt to serve and distribute to vulnerable populations, including seniors and youth.

The first YOUgurt batch of 200 jars was just produced in March 2024 and was a resounding success. Another program partner, the Lawson Health Research Institute of London Health Sciences Centre, tested the yogurt for bacteria counts, confirming the product contains a high dose of beneficial probiotics and will continue testing to evaluate how long the bacteria will hold throughout the product's shelf life.

INSPIRING COMMUNITIES

Kris and her husband Tom operate Mistyglen Creamery along with their two daughters, Maddie and Kadie, and Tom’s sister Sue. They milk 50-60 cows, mostly Holsteins and a handful of Jerseys with a robotic milker and crop 260 acres.

Pettit says they had considered opening an on-farm processing facility more than a decade ago to focus on fluid milk production

“YOUgurt has been three years in the making and we’re proud to have partnered with groups that share the same community-minded agenda. Together we are creating exceptional dairy products with health benefits that can support and reach those who need them the most.”

Kris Pettit

Tom is shown with their 1,000-litre combo cheese vat.

The first YOUgurt batch of 200 jars was just produced in March 2024 and was a resounding success.

“We work a lot of long hours together, but this venture has been a learning opportunity for everyone, and it is fuelled by a meaningful and purposeful goal of sharing nutritious dairy products with those who may not be able to access it otherwise.”

Kris Pettit

but shelved the idea. The family revisited the plan in 2020 with a new direction focused on developing functional foods like yogurt to support gut and overall health and nutrition. As a registered nurse with a 20-year career, Pettit was eager to combine her passion for farming and food production with her health, and more specifically geriatric care experience.

The journey from building a creamery to producing Fiti yogurt began with a simple phone call. “I reached out to Fanshawe College with questions about how to make yogurt with premium probiotic cultures and was connected with the Western Heads East program,” explains Pettit. From there, the connections and partnerships naturally expanded. “In a way, we’re mimicking similar collaborations that created the food nutrition program in East Africa in our own community here in Ontario.”

Everyone on the farm supports the initiative, working together to produce the quality milk that goes into YOUgurt along with the other dairy products produced and sold by Mistyglen Creamery. As the business grows, Pettit remains adamant the family farm stays true to their values of being an integral part of their community, providing a positive impact with healthy dairy products and giving back.

Like most dairy farms, everyone in the Pettit family wears many hats. From managing herd health and producing quality milk to cashing out customers at the on-farm store and packaging the cheese curds every Friday. “We work a lot of long hours together, but this venture has been a learning opportunity for everyone, and it is fuelled by a meaningful and purposeful goal of sharing nutritious dairy products with those who may not be able to access it otherwise,” says Pettit.

INNOVATION WITH ACTION

Now that Mistyglen has successfully produced the first batch of YOUgurt, the work begins for the London-based YOU program. YOU operates as a youth employment skills training social enterprise and is now responsible for marketing and distributing the yogurt. So far, the Fiti yogurt is available to vulnerable populations including seniors and youth who are served through YOU Made it Café’s daily meals and catering, including the Meals on Wheels program.

The probiotic yogurt also provides a public health education opportunity that is being led by the Western Heads East program. Western University students, faculty, and staff will be engaged, along with youth social enterprise participants and YOU staff in the retail sales and marketing of the Fiti probiotic yogurt and public health education in London. Pettit says she’s hopeful the yogurt will make its way into long-term care facilities, hospitals and other food outreach programs to extend the benefits this functional food provides.

The opportunities are endless for Fiti probiotic yogurt and the unique collaboration that has developed YOUgurt. “We have the chance to make a difference every day. That’s why I wanted to build and be part of a project that makes an impact,” says Pettit. “We know that every bottle of milk and jar of yogurt that we sell has a positive effect in our community,” says Pettit.

As the business grows, Pettit remains adamant the family farm stays true to their values of being an integral part of their community, providing a positive impact with healthy dairy products and giving back.

DAIRY AT RIDGETOWN

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, dairy research at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus has been carried out by Dr. Tracy Burnett, Dr. Paul Luimes and Dr. Augusto Madureira a unique blend of expertise in dairy reproduction and nutrition. Recently the team has been focusing on two main areas: heat stress and novel methods for illness and estrus detection.

Heat stress is known to affect productive and reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows, and although often overlooked in Ontario, is a large hindrance to the efficacy of many farms. Holstein cattle are inefficient at dissipating heat and create a lot of metabolic heat from fermentation of feeds in the rumen, making them a breed that is quite sensitive to ambient temperature and humidity. In Ontario, the combination of temperature and humidity creates climates where cows can be under heat stress from anywhere from three to five months of the year, depending on location. Cows under heat stress use most of their energy to dissipate heat, have reduced intake and increase feed sorting, which can lead to reduced milk production and alter milk composition. Feeding management can minimize reductions of milk production and composition related to increased ambient temperature and humidity during warmer months. One novel solution we have been interested in is developing feeding strategies that aim to temper dramatic increases of heat produced in the rumen after meals.

Different technologies have been used in the dairy industry to continuously monitor cattle body temperature. Although monitoring body temperature is an indicator of heat stress in dairy cows, the use

Heat stress is known to affect productive and reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows, and although often overlooked in Ontario, is a large hindrance to the efficacy of many farms.

of this parameter to evaluate changes in feed intake is still little used as a tool for modifying management practices. If we can naturally improve production efficiency by adding best management practice to minimize the effect of heat stress, we can help producers better manage the efficiency and environmental sustainability of their farms.

A recent study from our group aimed to determine the effect of feed delivery frequency on the reduction of physiological changes associated with body temperature in the winter and summer months.

Holstein cows from the Dairy Education Centre at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown campus, were used within these projects. The main trial was carried out in the summertime with the following treatments: 1. Control (CS)– twice a day feed delivery and 2. Treatment (TS)– increased feed delivery frequency to three times daily where three equal-sized meals were delivered to the cows. This design was chosen so we could determine what would occur to body temperature if cows were limited at being able to slug feed their food (i.e. consume very large meals).

Cows were enrolled into an adaptation phase of 16 days and data was collected and recorded during a five-day collection period. Cows in each group were balanced according to their body condition and total 305 milk equivalent in the previous lactation. Individual feed intake and feed sorting behaviour was evaluated and recorded daily during the adaptation and collection phases. Total milk production was recorded daily and milk samples for fat, protein, and SCC were collected. Body temperature was recorded during the collection phase

using an internal vaginal temperature logger which recorded data every 10 minutes. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded during the entire period of the study using a wireless thermometer.

From this study we found that modifying the feeding behaviour of lactating dairy cows was associated with lower average body temperature, as well as lower minimum body temperature suggesting cows eating smaller meals may not accumulate as much heat and be able to dissipate more heat during cooler times of the day. These cows had increased rumination, performed less sorting behaviour and were less restless. That being said, we did not find an increase in fat production, which was contrary to our hypotheses. We will carry out further research to determine if these benefits in decreased body temperature can be translated to better production efficiency.

ILLNESS AND ESTRUS DETECTION

Another area of interest for our team is

Mounting patches are tools commonly used for estrus detection in dairy cattle. These patches are applied to the cow’s back and are designed to be rubbed off by mounting activity (the same idea as lottery ticket), indicating the cow is in heat.

to develop novel methods for illness and estrus detection in dairy cattle. Detecting estrus in dairy cattle is crucial for successful reproduction management since timely breeding significantly impacts herd productivity and profitability. Traditional methods, such as visual observation, have their limitations (i.e., time consuming and more likely to have human errors), particularly in a tie-stall system where the cow’s movement is restricted. We explored new approaches of estrus detection on tie

stall herds, for example, mounting patches (MP) for cows that have outdoor access and monitoring individual drinking behaviour, which may eventually be used on freestallhoused cattle as new technologies are developed.

Increased physical activity and decreased feed intake are physiological changes that have been demonstrated in dairy cattle that occur at estrus (heat). Pedometers and accelerometers have been developed to detect animals in heat, which rely on increased physical activity, a common behaviour of cows in heat. Drinking behavior is a vital physiological process that can be influenced by various factors, which could include when the animals are in heat.

Monitoring drinking behaviour could serve as a continuous method for estrus detection.

MOUNTING PATCHES ANOTHER TOOL

Mounting patches are tools commonly used for estrus detection in dairy cattle. These patches are applied to the cow’s back and

Bump

MAX PACK SILAGE COMPACTION ROLLERS

are designed to be rubbed off by mounting activity (the same idea as lottery ticket), indicating the cow is in heat. However, this system has not been used in tie stall systems since the animals do not have the same freedom of movement. The new Canadian Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle recommends producers allow cows to have free exercise for approximately 50 hours within any given four-week period, weather permitting. With the new recommendations, there is a possibility of using these patches for estrus detection.

A recent study from our group aimed to determine if drinking behaviour is altered at the time of estrus, and in addition, to investigate the use of mount patches for estrus detection in tie stall cows allowed daily exercise. Understanding these aspects is essential for improving estrus detection accuracy and reproductive management.

This study demonstrated mount patches can be an effective and cheap tool on farms which allow their cows daily exercise. Of the estrus events in this study, 73 per cent of events were alerted using the mount patches, with 75 per cent of ovulated events being alerted. This provides further support for the new Canadian Code of Practice, which requires lactating cows in a tie stall system to have daily exercise.

Further, the study showed cows in estrus had both reduced maximum and average daily water intakes and these changes were exacerbated by the intensity of their estrus. Previous research has shown the intensity of estrus is linked to both conception and pregnancy losses in dairy cattle. Cows with a higher intensity of estrus were found to decrease their water intake by approximately 10 per cent, suggesting this behaviour has potential to help tie stall producers detect cows in estrus. As noted, with the development of future technologies, this behaviour has the potential to detect of estrus of free stall housed cows. Currently, we are also collecting information on transition cow health events (e.g. ketosis, metritis and hypocalcaemia), and will be exploring the potential for using water intake behaviour for alerting illness events.

ADAPTING PRODUCTION SIGNALS TO ADDRESS MARKET CHANGES

By Constantin Urtilescu • MANAGER, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Due to a continued higher than usual market demand at the beginning of 2024, the P5 Boards announce one incentive day for the month of April, for conventional producers.

The P5 provincial boards’ primary objective is to continuously monitor the milk market situation and meet demand in the most optimal way and will continue to adapt production signals to address market changes, as required.

“P5 Boards are sending a production signal for the short-term but are also keeping their eyes on the long-term, which means by the end of this calendar year” says Patrice Dubé, Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s chief economics and policy development officer.

“ While the demand has been relatively strong since the beginning of the calendar year, the industry could be facing higher than normal butter stocks by the end of this calendar year if the production and market forecasts are right. In the meantime, P5 boards are hoping that

demand will catch up to production and that butter stocks will stabilize at a lower level in the coming months.”

In February 2024, butter stocks reached 32,853 tonnes, up from January by 1,513 tonnes. February butter stock levels are higher by 7,000 tonnes in comparison to February 2023.

Cheese stock levels for the month of February 2024 were at 98,430 tonnes, down 590 tonnes from January and the lowest they have been for the same month in at least five years.

For the 52-weeks ending February 3, 2024, sales for fluid milk, fluid cream, yogurt, ice cream, cheese and butter increased/decreased by -0.7, -1.4, 3.2, 2.0, 2.7 and -0.2 per cent, respectively, compared with February 4, 2023.

A monthly recap of markets and production trends in Canada and Ontario

CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS AND PRODUCTION

Canadian butterfat requirements in kilograms and actual butterfat production across the P10.

NATIONAL RETAIL SALES

Average increase in retail sales for dairy products sold in Ontario and the dairy product’s share of the total market sales, including at hotels, restaurants and institutions.

As of March 26, 2022

* Source: AC Nielsen & StatsCan NOTE: There is a two-month lag in

12-month production (in millions of kilograms)

12-month requirements (in millions of kilograms)

425.6

Canadian production has increased by 2.7 per cent over the previous 12 months, and requirements have increased by 2.3 per cent over the previous 12 months.

This graph shows Ontario’s SNF-BF ratio for the last 12 months.

409.8 February 2024: 2.1414

MARCH HIGHLIGHTS

• Due to a continued higher than usual market demand at the beginning of 2024, the P5 Boards announce one incentive day for the month of April, for conventional producers.

• In February 2024, butter stocks reached 32,853 tonnes, up from January by 1,513 tonnes. February butter stock levels are higher by 7,000 tonnes in comparison to February 2023.

• Cheese stock levels for the month of February 2024 were at 98,430 tonnes, down 590 tonnes from January and the lowest they have been for the same month in at least five years.

ONTARIO UTILIZATION

202402

Percentage of the total milk produced in Ontario that was used to produce dairy products.

February 2024

P10 UTILIZATION BY CLASS

For February 2024 (kg of butterfat/kg of solids non-fat)

*There is a two-month lag reporting these figures

Class 1a1 (includes Classes 1a2, 1a3, 1c and 1d for confidentiality reasons) Fluid milk and beverages

Class 1b Fluid creams Class 2a Yogurt, yogurt beverages, kefir and lassi

Class 2b4 (includes Classes 2b1, 2b2 and 2b3 for confidentiality reasons) Fresh dairy desserts, sour cream, milkshakes and sports nutrition drinks

Class 2b5 Ice cream and frozen yogurt

Class 3a1 Specialty cheese

Class 3a2 Cheese curds and fresh cheeses

Class 3b2 (includes Class 3b1 for confidentiality reasons) Cheddar cheese and aged cheddar

Class 3c1 Feta

Class 3c2 Asiago, Gouda, Havarti, Parmesan and Swiss

Class 3c4 (includes Classes 3c3 and 3c5 for confidentiality reasons) Brick, Colby, farmer’s, jack, Monterey jack, muenster, pizza cheese, pizza mozzarella and mozzarella other than what falls within 3d

Class 3c6 Paneer

Class 3d Mozzarella used strictly on fresh pizzas by establishments registered with the Canadian Dairy Commission

Class 4a Butter and powders

Class 4d (includes Classes 4b1, 4b2, 4c and 4m for confidentiality reasons) Concentrated milk for retail, losses and animal feed

Class 5a Cheese for further processing

Class 5b Non-cheese products for further processing

Class 5c Confectionery products

ONTARIO MONTHLY PRODUCER AVERAGE GROSS BLEND PRICE

A total 3,193 producers sold milk to DFO in February compared with 3,252 a year earlier.

ONTARIO DEDUCTIONS, PER HL For February 2024

* These figures are based on Ontario’s average composition for February 2024 of 4.3256 kg butterfat, 3.3107 kg protein and 5.9521 kg other solids, rounded to the nearest cent.

P5 AND WESTERN MILK POOL BLEND PRICES *

The graph below shows the 12-month blend price for the P5 provinces and Western Milk Pool (WMP).

*There is a two-month lag reporting these figures

U.S. CLASS PRICES

The March 2024 Class III Price, US$16.34 per hundredweight, is equivalent to C$50.34 per hectolitre. This equivalent is based on the exchange rate US$1 = C$ 1.35701 the exchange rate when the USDA announced the Class III Price.

The Class III Price is in $ US per hundredweight at 3.5 per cent butterfat. One hundredweight equals 0.44 hectolitres. Canadian Class 5a and Class 5b prices track U.S. prices set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Source: USDA

Co-ordinated by Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s communications and economics divisions. Questions? Please email questions@milk.org.

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DAIRY RESEARCH CLUSTER 3: RESULTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

By Annik L’Espérance and Émie Désilets, Dairy Farmers of Canada; Agricultural Communications and Epidemiological Research (ACER) Consulting

WHAT IS THE DAIRY RESEARCH CLUSTER 3?

THE DAIRY RESEARCH CLUSTER 3 (DRC3) is a joint industry and government commitment to dairy research, which builds on the success of the previous Dairy Research Clusters 1 and 2 (20102018). Spanning from 2018 through 2023, the aim of the DRC3 was to stimulate productivity, sustainability and profitability on Canadian dairy farms, as well as improve knowledge of the health benefits of milk and dairy products. Over the past five years, the DRC3 commitment totaled $16 million, which included commitments from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Program, Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC), Lactanet and Novalait, and contributions from several other dairy sector partners. Across Canada, more than 120 scientists worked on 15 research projects in collaboration with 1,500 dairy farms and more than 120 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows were trained through these research projects.

WHAT WERE THE DRC3 PROJECTS AND INVESTMENTS?

Projects were organized into four research themes. The themes, their percentage of allocated DRC3 research funds, and topics are:

1. Dairy Farm Efficiency and Sustainability: Forty per cent of the research dollars under the DRC3 were allocated to the Farm Efficiency and Sustainability pillar. This theme included research projects related to forage breeding and management, reducing the dairy water footprint, dairy cattle nutrition, reproduction and genetic improvement.

2. Cow Health and Welfare: Projects within this pillar covered calf management, infectious disease mitigation, dairy cow locomotion, sustainable barn design, transition period and barriers to adopting best management practices. Seventeen per cent of the research dollars were allocated to this theme.

3. Milk Quality: The Milk Quality theme represented 29 per cent of invested research funds and included projects that focused on microbiology and quality of milk, antimicrobial use and investigating alternatives for antimicrobials.

4. Dairy and Cardiometabolic Health: This pillar included projects related to the effect of dairy products on cardiometabolic health and accounted for 14 per cent of invested research funds.

Summaries of the research projects are available on DFC's website at: on the DFC website at https://dairyfarmersofcanada.ca/en/dairyresearch/ and on the Novalait website at novalait.ca.

WHAT RESOURCES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED TO COMMUNICATE RESEARCH FINDINGS?

The DRC3 program came to a close in 2023, and DFC, Lactanet and Novalait are committed to ensuring that the results of this funded research are shared in ways that are accessible and meaningful for farmers, on-farm advisors, processors, health professionals, decisionmakers and stakeholders.

Over the past two years, DFC worked closely with research teams and their communications partner (ACER Consulting) to develop a new suite of educational resources from DRC3 research findings, including:

• 13 project research summaries;

• 14 educational infographics;

• A 22-episode podcast series;

• 10 animated and live action videos;

• 12 recorded webinars, presented by researchers;

• Numerous trade articles;

• A research highlights magazine showcasing DRC3 findings.

These resources are now available on a new section of DFC’s website “DAIRY RESEARCH – RESOURCES BY TOPIC” and on the Novalait website.

Through the fall 2022 and winter 2023, seven in-person farmeroriented events were held to share the research results:

• November 2023: In-person meetings held in Lethbridge, Lacombe and Leduc, Alta.

• January 2023: On-farm dairy event held in Abbotsford, B.C.

• January 2023: In-person meeting held in Moncton, N.B.

• February 2023: On-farm dairy event held in La Présentation, Que.

• February 2023: Researcher presentations at the Southwestern Ontario Dairy Symposium

WHAT’S NEXT FOR CANADIAN DAIRY RESEARCH?

While the DRC3 has now come to a close, industry stakeholders and researchers can look forward to additional research projects through the Dairy Research Cluster 4. Dairy Research Cluster 4: For a Sustainable Dairy Sector has officially been announced in July 2023 and will run from April 2023 through March 2028. This five-year, $13 million initiative is a joint industry and government commitment, which includes $7.5 million from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership AgriScience Program, $3.24 million from DFC, $1 million from DairyGen partners (DFC, Semex Alliance, Holstein Canada and Lactanet), $795,000 from Novalait, and in-kind contributions from dairy sector partners. Thirteen research projects will be funded on topics relating to greenhouse gas reduction and carbon sequestration, antimicrobial resistance and stewardship, genetic improvement, dairy processing innovation, impact of dairy products on human health, and more. This next phase of dairy research will play an integral role in contributing to the dairy industry’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and targeting the 2022-2027 National Dairy Research Strategy priorities.

Stay tuned for more information on upcoming projects under Dairy Research Cluster 4.

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MAKING COMPOST BEDDED PACKS WORK

By Angela Wilson, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar; Department of Animal Biosciences; University of Guelph

A COMPOST-BEDDED PACK (CBP) is an alternative housing system for dairy cows with great potential for improved productivity, health and welfare. When well-managed, the dry and soft resting area improves cow comfort, reduces cow injuries, and promotes cow cleanliness and udder health. Taken together, these factors can lead to greater cow comfort, longevity and productivity, and can improve farm profitability. However, unlike the goal of other types of organic bedding, compost is a living environment which must be carefully monitored and managed to achieve desired outcomes.

A traditional bedded pack, such as a straw pack, relies on anaerobic fermentation and bedding must be added each day to maintain a clean resting surface. In contrast, CBPs involve active management (usually twice daily aeration via tilling or cultivating) and utilize aerobic decomposition. CBPs require a greater area per cow than traditional bedded packs and free-stalls. Unlike free-stalls and tie-stalls, the aim of compost-bedded packs is not to keep cattle manure separate from the resting area. Instead, the manure is worked into the pack to facilitate composting.

COMPOST BASICS

The living system works through a balance of moisture and C to N, and along with the incorporation of air and oxygen, keeps the pack heating and working. Microorganisms break down organic matter,

A traditional bedded pack, such as a straw pack, relies on anaerobic fermentation and bedding must be added each day to maintain the absence of oxygen.

like manure and bedding, under controlled conditions. Oxygen is required by the microorganisms and in CBPs, and this is provided by regular aeration of the pack using equipment such as a rototiller or cultivator. A balance of carbon to nitrogen is required, with the optimum ratio of carbon to nitrogen between 25:1 (25 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen) and 30:1. Carbon is an energy source for the microbes and is supplied from the bedding; kiln-dried hardwood sawdust is recommended. Manure is high in nitrogen. A low ratio (<20:1 or 20 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen) means there is not enough carbon in the system. A moisture content of between 40% and 65% is recommended for optimal composting. Water is needed to support the microbes, but too much water will limit the oxygen, and not enough water will limit microbial activity. During the composting process, microbial activity releases heat and carbon dioxide.

EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED

Over the past seven years, OMAFRA specialists and researchers from the University of Guelph have learned that many different factors are interconnected. While CBPs require more square footage (at least 120 square feet per cow), you should also be aware of the way that cows can access a pack. Barns that have more continuous access to the pack (less concrete dividers or gates) tend to have less high-traffic areas that can become wet.

The study followed 25 commercial CBP farms from Ontario and visited these farms 6 times every 2 months between April 2022 and April 2023

Additionally, as moisture is one of the key factors that CBP producers must be aware of, they should ensure that no excess water ends up on the pack. For example, it is recommended to allow access to water troughs from the alley side only and surround them with concrete to minimize water leaking into the pack. On the same topic of moisture, ventilation plays an important role in promoting moisture evaporation from the pack and out of the barn. The amount of water evaporating from the pack will depend on the air movement, air temperature, and relative humidity. Therefore, proper ventilation is integral to promoting the desired conditions of the living CBP.

FOCUS ON RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Through a collaborative project between researchers from the University of Guelph, University of Windsor, and Dalhousie University and with funding from the Government of Ontario, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Les Producteurs de lait du Québec and the University of Windsor, researchers have investigated how compost-bedded packs are best managed and what conditions result in good milk quality with cows that are clean and healthy.

The study followed 25 commercial CBP farms from Ontario and visited these farms six times every two months between April 2022 and April 2023 to capture seasonal variation. Producers completed an initial survey on management practices, and researchers followed up on each visit to find out what had changed.

In general, they observed a wide variation in how producers manage their CBPS and noted that weather, stocking density, and equipment used affected the amount and frequency of bedding addition. The addition of bedding is essential not only to provide enough carbon to feed the microbes but also to control the level of moisture within the pack. Packs must not be too dry or too wet as this impacts the microbial growth required for composting and causes potential issues for the animals as wetter packs tend to stick to the teats and hides of animals, increasing the risk of mastitis. Optimal composting conditions are recommended to be between 40-65% moisture and the average pack moisture in this research project was found to be 64%, ranging from above 40% to 74%. Unsurprisingly, researchers observed packs were drier in the summer and wettest in the winter and spring, pointing to the need to manage packs differently based on the season. In addition to cold, the rain and fluctuations in weather conditions can be challenging.

Pack temperature is one indicator producers can use on-farm to assess whether the pack is composting properly, with recommended temperatures greater than 43◦C to ensure optimal composting. A lower temperature can indicate a slower activity rate, while higher temperatures can indicate a faster composting rate. Although the average temperature was lower on this trial than the recommendation, there were still quite a few farms on the project that had temperatures meeting this threshold, suggesting that it is possible to achieve these recommended temperatures.

Additionally, the C:N ratio of pack samples was analyzed, and overall, it was below the recommended range. Together with higher moisture content and lower pack temperatures, this suggests that not enough

bedding is added to support composting and absorb moisture. However, the researchers recognize the role of economic limitations in adding sufficient bedding to achieve optimal composting. It should be noted that farms were using enough bedding to ensure cow cleanliness.

One of the benefits of a compost-bedded pack is that you can have a variety of breeds and animal sizes within a single herd, as the resting area is not restricted by stall size. Additionally, this benefit also seems to extend to cow health factors as herds with properly managed herds had positive gait, hock and knee scores. Overall, 93% of cows scored were classified as non-lame, and 99% had acceptable hock and knee scores. On average, the 25 CBP farms in the study had good milk quality, with the yearly SCC falling below the Ontario average during that time.

PRODUCER INSIGHTS

In a webinar hosted by OMAFRA along with researchers from the University of Guelph, findings were shared with stakeholders across the dairy community. Two producers who are actively using CBP also took part in a panel discussion on their own experiences with the system.

Pat Rooyakkers of Maple Leaf Farm was one of these producers and milks 50 cows with a GEA robot outside of Arthur. They chose the system based on cow comfort and the fact that it presented the option to reduce stabling in the barn.

When asked about bedding material, Pat noted the importance of the source and has found that sawdust fines tend to work the best. Pat has experimented with chopped straw in the past but has found that the material does not break down as well as sawdust.

Pat also noted that he uses about double the amount of bedding in winter than in the summer. This tends to agree with the research in this area that notes higher pack moisture levels in the winter despite the higher inclusion of the bedding during these months.

While some farmers using the system are located close to their source of bedding materials, Pat highlights a concern: although sawdust works very well, there is still a need to find alternative carbon sources for use in the CBP system that are more sustainable and can be sourced locally for those not in these positions.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The study supports that CBPs promote cow comfort and that good milk quality is attainable in these systems. Additionally, maintaining moisture is critical to making these systems work. CBP producers involved in this study noted the importance of using a proactive approach to adding bedding to their pack based on the weather conditions. Additionally, logistics were also discussed by producers to ensure a reliable supply of bedding material and to allow for storage and delivery of the product. Finally, producers stressed the need to talk with other farmers using CBPs to learn about the system before exploring it in their operations. Overall, a well-managed CBP can provide cows with a clean and comfortable resting area.

WHAT’S THE COST OF JOHNE’S? IT COULD BE MORE THAN YOU THINK

By Agricultural Communications and Epidemiological Research (ACER) Consulting, Herman W. Barkema, Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary

JOHNE’S DISEASE OCCURS when cows are infected with Mycobacterium avium spp. Paratuberculosis (MAP). An estimated 42 per cent of herds in Canada have at least one infected cow. Studies show in herds with at least one positive cow, roughly 10 per cent of cows are infected.

How does a MAP infection occur and what does an infection do?

Calves are the most susceptible to infection and usually become infected by swallowing manure from older infected animals in the calving environment. Calves can also become infected in the uterus or by swallowing MAP that is passed through milk or colostrum.

Although calves are infected with MAP in early life, it can take years before clinical signs appear. During this time, cows will progress through the following stages:

Stage 1: Infected and may shed low levels of MAP into the environment. Typically calves, heifers and animals under two years of age.

Stage 2: Subclinical stage. Animals appear healthy but shed a low to moderate amount of MAP.

Stage 3: Begin to show clinical signs, such as intermittent diarrhea and weight loss. Shedding low, moderate and high levels of MAP.

Stage 4: Terminal stage. Often occurs in older animals (five to nine years of age). Clinical signs include severe emaciation, diarrhea and swelling of the jaw. There is a high level of shedding of MAP.

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF JOHNE’S DISEASE?

Many studies have shown Johne’s disease has significant impacts on cattle, even when signs of the disease aren’t present.

Figure 1. Losses ($CAD) per cow per year on herds infected with Johne’s disease by province.

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WHAT’S THE ECONOMIC COST?

Drs. Herman Barkema, Phil Rasmussen, and David Hall conducted a study to investigate the economic cost of Johne’s disease for Canadian producers. They estimated annual losses of $47 CAD per cow in an infected herd, which is approximately a 1 per cent loss of milk revenue. Losses were due to a reduction in the milk production of infected cattle (68 per cent), premature culling (22 per cent), and reduced slaughter value (10 per cent). These numbers varied by province (Figure 1). Cumulatively, this would cost Canadian dairy farms CDN $23 million every single year.

HOW DO YOU

REDUCE ECONOMIC LOSSES WITH JOHNE’S?

This study identified the greatest impact on the per cow cost of Johne’s was altering the number of infected cows in the herd (e.g., decreasing the proportion of infected cows from 15 per cent to five per cent reduced the cost per cow by CDN $34.)

In order to reduce the number of infected cows, it is important to minimize the risk of young calves coming into contact with MAP.

Drs. Herman Barkema, Phil Rasmussen, and David Hall conducted a study to investigate the economic cost of Johne’s disease for Canadian producers.

They estimated annual losses of CDN $47 per cow in an infected herd, which is approximately a 1 per cent loss of milk revenue.

Infection in youngstock can be reduced by having separate maternity pens for Johne’s positive and negative cows, not feeding colostrum from positive cows, feeding milk replacer and minimizing contact with adult feces. For adult cattle, using a test and culling method can help to reduce the prevalence and spread of Johne’s. It is important to work with your veterinarian to develop a strategy that is specific to your herd to reduce the impact of Johne's disease.

The study was conducted as part of the NSERC Industrial Research in Infectious Diseases of Dairy Cattle funded by NSERC, Alberta Milk, BC Dairy Association, Dairy Farmers of Canada, Dairy Farmers of Manitoba, Lactanet, SaskMilk, Merck Animal Health, and Westgen Endowment Fund.

SLAG FILTERS CAN HELP REDUCE NUTRIENT POLLUTION FROM RUNOFF

By Authors: Carlee Wright, Steve Roche, Julia Saraceni, ACER Consulting, Andrew VanderZaag, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Merrin Macrae; University of Waterloo

The Challenge with Bunker Silo Run-Off

BUNKER SILOS ARE A POPULAR OPTION for storing large volumes of silage for animal feed; however, due to their large surface area and exposure of contents to precipitation, these structures present a unique challenge for effluent management due to infrequent flows with high nutrient concentrations, high biological oxygen demand, and low pH. While research on this topic is limited, some studies suggest nutrient loads from bunker silo runoff, including phosphorus, are significant. New research, led by Dr. Merrin Macrae (University of Waterloo) and supported by Dairy Farmers of Canada and AAFC under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership AgriScience Program, has found slag filters may be an effective solution for collecting and treating nutrient-rich run-off from bunker silos.

What Did the Research Team Do?

In the study, conducted in 2019, Dr. Macrae’s research team partnered with Hoenhorst Farms, a commercial dairy farm in southwestern Ontario using a novel system

to capture run off. In this system, runoff is collected in a vegetated collection area, which acts as a buffer to slow the runoff (e.g., during storms). Over a period of days, the water then flows slowly through a porous slag filter, composed of iron slag mixed with gravel that traps phosphorus. Finally, after the filter, the water flows through a grassed area where it gradually infiltrates into the soil, leaving no discharge (Figure 1). The system was built in 2014 as a collaboration between the farm and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), and uses a nonproprietary design (i.e., not patented).

Researchers analyzed samples collected (1) before the filter, (2) after the filter, and (3) in the grassed infiltration area to examine concentrations of phosphorus and nitrates at each stage of the system. Baseflow and stormflow samples were taken to assess impacts related to run-off inflow concentration and filter residence time. Controlled lab experiments were conducted to assess the impacts of freezethaw cycles on filter longevity.

“The phosphorus filter bed is easy to maintain and delivers the results we want. We appreciate the collaboration with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and the University of Waterloo research team to monitor and ensure the system keeps working well.”

Dr. Merrin Macrae, University of Waterloo

What Did They Find?

The study found there was considerable build-up of phosphorus in the wetlands soil above the slag filter and that the soils immediately beneath the bunker silo were saturated in terms of sorption capacity (i.e., the ability to capture phosphorus). While elevated levels of phosphorus were found in the samples above the slag filter, little remained in the soil after the filter, indicating it was very effective in removing phosphorus from water. Tests also revealed even after five years of use, the slag filter and wetland soils had ample sorption potential left, suggesting the system has high longevity, with a potential lifespan of a decade or more.

Why is This Important?

Based on this research, slag filters were proven to be a low maintenance, effective, and long-lasting system to capture phosphorus from bunker silo run-off. Slag filters may be a particularly suitable option for farmers with adequate land space to implement this system. A member from Hoenhorst Farms commented on their experience with this project, saying “The phosphorus filter bed is easy to maintain and delivers the results we want. We appreciate the collaboration with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and the University of Waterloo research team to monitor and ensure the system keeps working well.”

These findings will help to inform expectations for nutrient removal in current run-off management practices, as well as inform best practices specifically for bunker silo effluent management. When asked about this initiative, a representative

of UTRCA noted “This was the first project UTRCA completed that utilized slag as a way to reduce nutrient losses. Hoenhorst Farms took a proactive approach to mitigate a water quality concern from their operation. It was created as both an experiment and

demonstration, which is why it has remained a site of interest to researchers.” Importantly, this work serves as an example to farmers of the potential for continuous improvement in strategies to reduce the environmental impact of dairy farming moving forward.

“This was the first project UTRCA completed that utilized slag as a way to reduce nutrient losses. Hoenhorst Farms took a proactive approach to mitigate a water quality concern from their operation. It was created as both an experiment and demonstration, which is why it has remained a site of interest to researchers.”

Dr. Merrin Macrae, University of Waterloo

Figure 1. The research team taking soil samples at the bunker silo slag filter site in Ontario, Canada (2019)

GLOBAL LEADERS GATHER TO TAKE ACTION ON SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

By Lilian Schaer for Livestock Research Innovation Corporation

LIVESTOCK ARE SEEN AS BOTH A SOURCE OF GREENHOUSE

GAS EMISSIONS and a solution to climate change. To help bring balance, dialogue and understanding to an often-contentious issue, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations last fall hosted the first-ever Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Production.

The event brought together hundreds of participants from around the world, representing FAO members, producer organizations, academic institutions, development agencies, civil society and private sector bodies that were all keenly interested in ways to continue producing animal-based foods with a reduced environmental footprint. Approximately 50 to 75 global youth representatives were also there.

BALANCING THE NARRATIVE

The event was a long overdue, important opportunity for the livestock sector to evaluate what the real role of livestock is in issues like climate, biodiversity and more, says livestock economist Ernesto Reyes, who attended the event.

Reyes is a member of the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock, an FAO initiative, and the Dairy Development Lead with the Global Dairy Platform.

“It is important for the livestock sector to begin setting up a common global vision and narrative on the issue of sustainable livestock,” Reyes explains. “Most comments that are brought forward are based on elements that get attention in the media, so the narrative has been unbalanced. We have given our voice to specific groups that are championing the topics of consumers, and we need to take action to be part of the solution.”

TRANSITION OF AN INDUSTRY

According to Reyes, conference discussions focused on defining how the world can make transitions to sustainable livestock production systems in different regions of the globe, what is needed to do so and what can be learned from successful examples already in place. Also important is how the industry can promote access to resources for smaller scale producers and increase market access and opportunities.

“We need to agree on how we can make these transitions,” he says, adding changes are also needed to globally minimize antimicrobial resistance. “The relationship between animal and human health is really important.”

Supporting sustainable land use and preserving the biodiversity of livestock genetics is also a focus. This could include restoring some land currently used for livestock production in some parts of the world into its more natural state terms. Again, he emphasizes, regional approaches to global issues will be needed for success, particularly to address the need for better production efficiency and responsible resource use for future resilience.

“Globally, we need to improve efficiency of production. There is a huge gap between natural resource use and natural resource efficiency and best management practices need to be applied in many regions,” he notes. “There are strategies to improve animal production that will help the global livestock industry overall make that transition to sustainable production.”

Reyes himself, having spent decades working in the global livestock sector, believes sustainable production priorities should focus in particular on the regions where most of the production and demand will take place in the coming decades. Approximately three quarters of that growth will be in Asia and Africa, for example.

HOW CAN INNOVATION HELP?

So how can the livestock sector innovate to meet these challenges and opportunities in a global context? A monitoring system is needed to establish benchmarks and measure progress against them, along with goals of where the industry wants to end up.

“Sustainability is a journey and not an end, so it’s most important to implement monitoring systems,” Reyes says. “That’s where the work of

the Global Dairy Platform and other sustainability frameworks is very important. The question will be how to implement monitoring at the farm level and who will pay for it.”

“We need to be responsible and demonstrate that we are making real change, and if we can’t demonstrate that, we will lose our social license to produce. We are seeing this already in the mining sector, for example,” he adds.

NEXT STEPS

As a result of the conference, the FAO has created four “betters” –better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life – and identified specific actions under each category. As all elements are different in different countries and regions, the FAO has also created regional chapters that will each explore, analyze and discuss the issues in-depth through regional dialogue.

“We need to discover the science-based evidence and recognize that we can make things better than before,” Reyes says.

Reyes’s colleague at Global Dairy Platform, Brian Lindsay, is a member of LRIC’s International Advisory Committee to help bring global perspectives to Ontario’s livestock industry.

LRIC has also been promoting the concept of a balanced score card to evaluate the role of livestock not just in terms of its environmental footprint but also in global food protein security, regenerative agriculture, and carbon sequestration.

LRIC is funded in part by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincialterritorial initiative. This article is provided by LRIC as part of its ongoing efforts to report on research, innovation, and issues affecting the Canadian livestock industry.

SIZE MATTERS: RESEARCH SHOWS BODY WEIGHT AT ARRIVAL CAN PREDICT CALF HEALTH OUTCOMES

By Veal Farmers of Ontario

IN OUR PREVIOUS ARTICLE, we discussed the important role dairy farmers play in the veal cattle supply chain. This month, we’re taking a deeper dive into what we learned from our recent University of Guelph research project about why what calves weigh when they arrive at a veal farm matters, and what it can tell us about their future health.

Dr. Dave Renaud, assistant professor at the University of Guelph, undertook the study to help answer questions veal farmers had about the criteria and technologies that can be used to identify high-risk and low-risk calves when they arrive so they can be managed differently.

Studies show the first 21 days following arrival is the time of greatest mortality –which means as the veal sector strives for responsible antimicrobial stewardship, it’s the time when introducing strategies to identify high-risk calves and improve decision-making may be the most effective.

Some of the key results of this project showed calves arriving at veal farms with an inflamed navel, rectal temperature greater than 40°C, dehydration, body weight less

Studies show the first 21 days following arrival is the time of greatest mortality – which means as the veal sector strives for responsible antimicrobial stewardship, it’s the time when introducing strategies to identify high-risk calves and improve decision-making may be the most effective.

Whether you’re selling privately or through the sale barn, there are simple steps dairy farmers can follow to help calves arrive at the veal farm in the best possible condition.

than 47 kg (103.6 lbs), diarrhea, or sunken flank had a higher risk of mortality in the following 21 days.

By now you’re wondering why we’re focusing on body weight. Of all the parameters evaluated in the study, body weight at arrival to the veal facility is the one that most accurately and consistently predicted mortality. You have probably also noticed it’s one of the criteria many calf buyers will use when purchasing calves – when they put minimum age and/or weight for pick-up in place, for example.

Whether you’re selling privately or through the sale barn, there are simple steps dairy farmers can follow to help calves arrive at the veal farm in the best possible condition.

According to Dr. Renaud, body weight at arrival is mostly impacted by the age that calves leave the dairy farm but also how long calves are in transit. He recommends shipping calves that are nine days of age or older and transporting them for less than six to 12 hours from the time they leave your farm until they arrive at the veal farm.

Research shows ensuring calves are greater than 47 kg (103.6 lbs.) when they leave the dairy farm will reduce mortality and disease, and also improve growth. Better understanding the challenges young male dairy calves arriving to veal facilities experience can help dairy and veal producers work together to mitigate their effects and improve antimicrobial stewardship.

HAVE YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEMS KEPT UP WITH INNOVATION?

“WE USED TO MILK COWS WITH A THREE-LEGGED STOOL AND A PAIL. Now, we have sophisticated automated systems,” says Ryan Dick, Health and Safety Consultant with WSPS. “The health and safety concerns related to the processes we use today are quite different from when we were using a three-legged stool.”

Research and innovation has spearheaded significant changes to dairy farm operations over the years, giving us more efficiency, precision, and volume. Unfortunately, our health and safety systems haven’t always kept up. “When it comes to training, most of us were taught by our parents or farm owners, who were taught by their parents,” says Ryan. “And then we teach our kids and the people we hire.” Obviously, some very important generational and institutional knowledge is passed along this way. However, considering how quickly new

equipment and methods are adopted these days, there are bound to be gaps when you rely on this type of informal training.

NEW METHODS MEAN NEW RISKS

There is no doubt that research and new technologies have changed dairy farming. “For example, so much of what we used to do was administrative tracking and monitoring to ensure herd health. The robotic milking systems we use now track everything related to milk production and we have the information at our fingertips, which is great” says Ryan. Systems that predict mastitis so you can deal with it proactively and limit contaminated milk are examples of the positive impact innovation has had on the industry. “Obviously, these are hugely beneficial advancements, but they bring risks we didn’t have before and they need to be controlled.”

When you have an automated machine, you need to provide proper training to all employees who will use it or work near it—and instruction should be given in the employees’ first language to ensure understanding. You need to consider hazards related to getting caught or entrapped in the equipment, hazards related to getting hit or crushed by the equipment, and hazards related the electrical energy used by the equipment. Depending on the machine, noise may be a hazard from which you need to protect yourself and your workers.

“When you have robotic systems on your farm, things like lockout procedures, safeguarding, and maintenance plans need to be part of your health and safety program,” says Ryan. “And this may not be information that was passed on to you from others, so it must come from different sources.” He explains this is where up-to-date health and safety research and training comes in.

REVIEW AND UPDATE REGULARLY

Research and innovation has led to significant improvements in health and safety management, just as they have improved herd management. Ryan offers these tips to help ensure your health and safety systems keep pace with the changes to your farming operation.

1. Standardize health and safety training for new hires. Don’t rely on your memory to go over safe work practices. Document

procedures and use them for health and safety training and orientation when new employees come on board.

2. Update procedures each time a new tool or piece of equipment is introduced. When new equipment is introduced, complete a risk assessment to identify related hazards. Then, develop an operating procedure that includes hazard controls.

3. Consider specialized training for your JHSC. If your farm is large enough to have a Joint Health and Safety Committee, provide them with training that will help them proactively recognize and control hazards (e.g., JHSC certification, machine and robot safety, risk assessment)

4. Bring in a consultant. A fresh look at how you are doing things can go a long way. WSPS consultants can help identify the gaps in your health and safety program, work with you to develop procedures, and facilitate training. Visit wsps.ca for more information.

There will always be knowledge and information specific to the farm that can only come from those who have spent years living and working on it. But, when it comes to health and safety training and procedures, take advantage of expert research and resources to ensure everyone makes it safely to bed each night.

AGRICULTURE WELLNESS ONTARIO PROVIDES FARM-SPECIFIC MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY

AS WE TRANSITION INTO THE BUSTLING SEASON OF SPRING and the demands of farm life intensify, it’s critical to prioritize wellbeing. Between juggling various responsibilities, enduring lengthy days in the fields, and dealing with the unpredictable forces of mother nature, stress can easily build up.

Agriculture Wellness Ontario serves as a well-being hub for the agricultural community in Ontario. Its goal is to provide support, access to resources, and opportunities for learning that are tailored to address the distinctive stressors, requirements and lifestyle found in agriculture.

May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month by many Canadian organizations, and the first full week of May (6-12) is also the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)’s Mental Health Week. These campaigns offer an important reminder for Canadians to start or continue conversations around mental health and addictions and eliminate the stigma frequently associated with admitting a mental health concern or acknowledging help is needed.

It’s well-established that one of the most effective ways to overcome a mental health concern is to talk about it, yet some reservations about doing so remain in agriculture circles. According to the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph research, 40 per cent of Canadian producers surveyed said they’d feel uneasy about seeking help due to what people may think. This figure is even more concerning when you consider 76 per cent of farmers experience moderate or high perceived stress (per the Journal of Agromedicine), 49 per cent meet the classifications for anxiety, and 35 per cent meet the classifications for depression (per the Ontario Veterinary College/ University of Guelph).

Further, another challenge that seems ever-present in agriculture is many mental health professionals may not fully appreciate or understand the mental toll farm work can take during the hard times.

Thankfully, for those in Ontario’s agriculture sector, there are now ag-specific programs available through CMHA Ontario where farmers, farm workers and their families can find support, educational opportunities, and a community of mental health advocates. This group of programs is known as Agriculture Wellness Ontario, or AgWO for short.

AGRICULTURE WELLNESS ONTARIO

AgWO is a suite of three, free programs that focus on mental health and well-being, support and education for the Ontario agriculture community. Managed by CMHA Ontario, AgWO is made possible in partnership with other stakeholders in the agricultural community and

is funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

In addition to many constant demands, pressures and time constraints that come with farming, living in a rural area and social stigma can make receiving treatment and accessing services even more challenging.

Now, with programming that includes the Farmer Wellness Initiative, the Guardian Network and In the Know, all partners are working to ensure the ongoing well-being of Ontario’s farming community with a variety of accessible programs and resources.

All AgWO programs are staffed by mental health professionals with either a farming background or who have been specifically trained to understand the agricultural experience.

More information on AgWO programming follows, but you can also learn more by visiting www.AgricultureWellnessOntario.ca.

FARMER WELLNESS INITIATIVE

The Farmer Wellness Initiative provides members of Ontario’s farming community with mental health support by offering free unlimited counselling that is specific to the unique challenges they face. This service is for farmers (owners or operators of farms); farm families (relatives of farmers living on or off farm); farm employees/workers (anyone who works on a farm); and spouses and dependents of all farm employees.

There is no cost for this service, and the number of counselling sessions are unlimited. You can call 1-866-267-6255, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Support is available in both English and French. All information received through counselling sessions is confidential and in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (2004). Learn more at www.FarmerWellnessInitiative.ca.

GUARDIAN NETWORK

The Guardian Network is a volunteer, peer-driven community of mental health advocates that supports Ontario’s farming community. Guardians are individuals in regular contact with farmers through their work, volunteer activities or their place in their community. This may include individuals who interact directly with farm owners, operators, or workers, such as veterinarians, breeders, livestock dealers, seed or feed salespeople, financial advisors, accountants, milk truck drivers, field service representatives or other community members. It also includes farmers and farm workers themselves who are in regular contact with other members of the farming community.

Through a one-day training, Guardians are equipped with strategies and tools to identify the signs of mental distress, react to farmers atrisk, and connect individuals with appropriate mental health and crisis resources. Individuals interested in becoming a Guardian to support their local community on their terms can learn more or sign up at www.GuardianNetwork.ca.

40 per cent of Canadian producers surveyed said they’d feel uneasy about seeking help due to what people may think.

76 per cent of farmers experience moderate or high perceived stress.

49 per cent meet the classifications for anxiety, and

35 per cent meet the classifications for depression.

*Journal of Agromedicine and Ontario Veterinary College/ University of Guelph

IN THE KNOW

In the Know is a mental health workshop designed specifically for farmers, their families and those who are involved in or support the agriculture sector. It’s a free, three-hour workshop using real-life examples from the farm. Participants cover topics of stress, depression, anxiety, substance use and suicide, and learn how to start conversations around mental well-being. Sign up for a monthly session or book a workshop for your group at www.IntheKnowOntario.ca.

MANAGING YOUR WELL-BEING ON THE FARM

If you or someone you know is looking for help managing stress or a mental health concern, but not ready to sign up for an AgWO program, here are a few quick tips to practice wellness and self-care within your daily routine.

• Stay nourished: Eat balanced meals throughout the day that fuel your body and mind

• Sleep hygiene: Getting enough sleep is key to feeling energized and alert

• Stay active: Incorporate movement into your day

• Make time for your hobbies, interests and fun: This might include woodworking, gardening, outdoor activities, crafts, playing games or sports

• Talk about your challenges: Lean on your friends and family and engage with supportive communities, such as commodity organizations, service organizations or faith groups

ABOUT CMHA MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

This year’s theme for Mental Health Week is healing through compassion. We all have the capacity to be compassionate, and we know that doing so can make an enormous difference. Join CMHA this Mental Health Week to explore how compassion connects us all. To learn more, visit www.cmha.ca/mental-health-week.

BUILDING A NEW BARN:

FINDING A SYNERGY BETWEEN ECONOMICS AND WELFARE

By Simon Jetté-Nantel, PhD, Economist, Lactanet and Tom Wright, PhD, Dairy Cattle Specialist, OMAFRA

BUILDING A NEW BARN IS A MAJOR INVESTMENT with a significant impact on animal comfort and productivity, as well as long-term farm profitability. Cow comfort and welfare can be a great benefit from modern barns, but there have been repeated reports of cost overruns in construction projects leading to precarious financial situations. In this context, Lactanet carried out a project to gather information on sixty recent barn construction projects (2017-2022) to gain a better understanding of the issues and challenges at the heart of these investment decisions. Each structure was surveyed to gather detailed information on the building, its equipment, the construction project process, construction costs, as well as animal welfare and productivity information.

ESTIMATED COSTS OF BUILDING STRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT (FALL 2023)

Building costs:

The costs of the building itself, excluding equipment, are split between excavation, concrete work, the structure (mostly wood and/or steel), electrical work, plumbing work and labour. The data were collected for barns erected between 2017 and 2022 and was indexed using construction costs indices available from Statistics Canada. It is worth noting most of the inflation took place between the summer of 2020 and 2022. In 2023, construction costs have been more stable and even declined slightly at the end of the year in some areas.

Table 1 provides the breakdown of dairy barn building costs per square foot, with the estimated costs as of October 2023.

The total cost for a dairy barn building is estimated at $62 per square foot for insulated barns. That estimate can vary by plus or minus $10 mostly based on the variability of excavation and electrical work, and the contribution of the producer to the project. Excavation work varies largely depending on the type of ground and slopes at the construction site, and electrical work can vary based on the existing systems in place and requirements of the equipment that will be installed (e.g. electrical panels for feeding or manure processing systems). Non-insulated barns are less expensive, especially when considering dome or fabric structures.

Equipment costs:

Equipment costs per head vary based on two key factors, a) barn size and b) level of automation. Table 2 provides cost estimates for smaller and larger barns with either milking parlors or robotic milking equipment. In general, equipment cost per head is significantly lower for larger barns, especially among robotic milking barns. It is worth noting that the difference between barns with robotic milking and parlors is not just due to the milking equipment, since robotic barns often also include equipment that automates other tasks, such as feeding, manure handling or bedding management.

Table 2. Total equipment cost in $/cow

a) Labour is included in each item. Non-listed costs include professional fees and other uncategorized costs.

Overall costs:

When considering the cost of the building and equipment, we find costs ranging from $17,000 to $23,000 per cow depending on the barn size, and some choices that can affect both, the amount of square feet per cow and the type and amount of equipment included. The area per cow can be lower for larger barns since service areas (e.g. milking or feeding areas) are spread over a greater number of cows. But in some cases, the area per cow also reflects choices in terms of alley width or crossover alleys that can affect cow comfort.

IMPACT OF LYING SURFACE ON COSTS AND ANIMAL WELFARE

The Lactanet project differentiates between three surface types: mats, deep bedded area, and bedded packs. In terms of investment costs, the main difference between mats and deep bedded area is the cost of the mats themselves, which can hover around $500 per stall. In many cases that cost can be recovered over time by lower bedding costs (see Table 3).

As for bedded packs or composted packs, the main difference in investment costs is from the larger area per cow (between 50 and 60 sq. ft. more). The larger building envelope required presents a higher upfront cost, but whether they end up costing more than freestall barn depends on whether you are required to pour concrete under the pack, or not and there is a savings from not needing to buy the steel stabling required for freestalls. If you do not require a concrete floor under the pack, there are potential savings of up to $10/sq.ft., which can partially offset the cost of additional 50 or 60 sq. ft per cow. In addition, those barns may reduce the need to invest in manure handling equipment and normally require smaller liquid manure storage structures.

Bedding costs are known to be high in compost bedding pack barns, as shown by the result of the Lactanet project presented in Table 3. But the costs are highly variable depending on many factors. Type of material used can range from kiln-dried, fine hardwood sawdust sourced from a distant mill to more local sources, and many farmers source and use products like medium density fibreboard (MDF) and other sawdust material from other recycled wood products. Price at the farm varies by shipping

distances and may be affected by fuel surcharges. Commonly, purchases are made on a 53-foot trailer load volume basis, but farmers using more locally sourced materials may make purchases in smaller and more frequent quantities. As a result, cost of bedding is highly variable, but it would not be unusual for an average size compost barn to spend $30,000 or more per year on sawdust.

Table 3 also suggest milk quality issues may arise from bedded packs. However, information specifically on compost barn is available from an ongoing project at the University of Guelph. Under the supervision of Dr. Renée Bergeron, Dr. Angie Wilson and her team studied compost bedded pack barns in Ontario with 25 participating farms averaging over 80 milking cows with an average of about 120 square feet of pack space per cow. Their preliminary data on milk quality suggest SCC in these barns is lower than the Ontario provincial SCC average, at approximately 150,000, and is fairly consistent year-round.

In terms of cow comfort and animal welfare, as Table 3 and Table 4 show, each of these lying surfaces offer good performance. ProAction indicators for each of them are largely above the 95 per cent mark

Table 3: Lying surface impact on animal health and bedding costs.

Table 4: Impact of lying area surface on animal welfare (average ProAction scores %).

(green) on average. The one exception being hock injuries where deep bedded stalls and bedded packs outperformed mats.

The cow comfort benefits in compost bedded barns is a major motivator for owners of these types of barns. In the Guelph study, cows were scored for hocks, knees and gait, with overall scores for more than 99 per cent as acceptable, which would translate into green scores using the ProAction system. A lower lameness rate is considered to be a hidden savings in compost barns since lameness for cows in other barns is normally higher and the costs for lost milk and hoof treatments can be $300 per case or more.

The Lactanet project was funded by the sectorial development program supported by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership between the Canadian and Quebec governments.

The University of Guelph project was funded by OMAFRA, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, les Producteurs de Lait du Québec, and the University of Windsor.

Reporting traceability events on time helps with a successful proAction® audit and it’s necessary for traceback in an animal health emergency.

Chris McLaren, Larenwood Farms, stays on top of it:

I think the most important thing with traceability is that you enter the events as they happen. Don’t leave yourself a list of things that you did all week and then try and remember what you did and when you did it.

”

Ben Loewith, Summitholm Holsteins (Joe Loewith and Sons Ltd.), uses software to make traceability easy:

With DairyComp it’s quick, easy and convenient for us to record traceability data within minutes of the event taking place and it’s all sent through automatically.

”

Dylan Stewardson, Stewardson Dairy, delegates this responsibility:

I do all my DairyTrace reports through DairyComp. They talk to one another and I can do it seamlessly without any extra effort in my day.

”

-Teegan Towers, Herd Manager

Jennifer Peart, Erieview Farms Ltd., has peace of mind knowing her records are up to date:

I ear tag the calves on the day they’re born and record the information immediately and everything is up to date - it feels good to stay on track.

”

How do you track traceability

Meet dairy producers across Canada in our video series as they share why and how they implement traceability on their farm.

Updates and information for Canadian dairy farmers on HPAI

The incidence of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the U.S. is a good reminder about the importance of biosecurity measures on farms. As we are following the progression of the disease, this is a good opportunity to remind ourselves of those requirements detailed in the proAction® Biosecurity module. At time of print, there have been no confirmed cases of HPAI in Canada. Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is continuing to monitor and work with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and other experts on specific recommendations for heightened vigilance and biosecurity on Canadian farms.

HPAI is primarily spread by wild birds to animals. It can be spread on farms by people carrying matter from infected birds — such as dust, dander, and bird droppings — on their clothing, gloves, soles of their shoes, vehicle tires, animal trailers and other equipment, in addition to contaminated water. If you find a dead bird on your property, do not handle it. Contact the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative immediately.

Clinical signs of HPAI include:

• Decreased herd level milk production;

• Acute sudden drop in production with some severely impacted cows experiencing thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk;

• A decrease in feed consumption with a simultaneous drop in rumen motility;

• Abnormal tacky or loose feces, and some fever;

• Producers with impacted herds have reported older cows in midlactation may be more likely to be severely impacted than younger cows and fresh cows or heifers.

It is important to remember that pasteurization kills harmful bacteria and viruses without affecting nutritional properties. Farmers can protect cattle by heat-treating milk given to calves or any animals on farm and continuing to follow biosecurity measures. If you notice your animals presenting symptoms, isolate them and contact your herd veterinarian immediately. U Updates can be found on the CFIA's website as the situation evolves

DFC IN ACTION

Annual General Meeting

When:

July 21 to July 24, 2024

Where:

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador Delta Hotel St. John’s Conference Centre

Registration and Agenda to come

The 2023 proAction and Sustainability Progress Report is now available

2023 marked the full completion of the proAction® program’s 10-year implementation plan. You can find all the highlights from its roll out, as well as advances related to sustainability and our commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in the newly released 2023 proAction and Sustainability Progress Report

One of the principles behind all proAction modules – from milk quality, food safety and animal care, to traceability, biosecurity and the environment – is continuous improvement. In the 2023 Progress Report, you can read more about how these modules evolved over the last decade to incorporate new practices reflecting the latest research and technological advancements, as well as updates and highlights from the past year.

proAction remains one of DFC’s most important assets for building trust with Canadians, underpinning everything behind our Blue Cow logo. The transparency, quality assurance, and merit this trusted symbol creates in the eyes of consumers and partners alike helps move the industry forward and ensures dairy farming in Canada continues to thrive.

Download the 2023 proAction Progress Report at https://dairyfarmersofcanada.ca/en/farmer-resources

For the past decade, Immunity+® has been at the heart of Semex’s solutions. For herds that selected for it intensively, the results have been an economic game changer!

Contact your EastGen representative to learn more about our Immunity+ sire line-up.

Immunity+ - IT WORKS!

“We’re improving the immunity of our herd every day by breeding them with Immunity+ sires. Since we began breeding our whole herd to Immunity+ bulls, our overall herd health has continued to improve. We believe in the numbers. It’s all about the numbers in our game. That’s how we do it. The science is good and we use the science.”

John Schenkels

Schenkels Farms, Miramichi, NB

• Milking 200 Holsteins in a parlour/ freestall setup

• Farming 1,000 acres

• Used 100% Immunity+® sires on herd since its introduction, now 80%+ of matings are to Immunity+® sires.

• Genomic testing all females with Elevate®.

Mike McNaughton

Comrie Farms Ltd., London, ON

• Milking 50 Holsteins in a robot/freestall setup

• Farming 600 acres

• A 100% A2A2 herd, using Immunity+® sires since its introduction.

• Genomic testing all females with Elevate®.

“A problem-free cow is our ideal thing. We’ve been using Immunity+ since it came out and we just keep moving forward. Last year we had some scours go through, and most of the calves did get some sort of sickness, but the Immunity+ calves handled it a lot better. That tells me Immunity+ was doing what it was supposed to do.”

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