NOVEMBER 2023
PREPARING CALVES FOR WINTER
Plus, hiring contract workers
THE VOICE OF ONTARIO DAIRY PRODUCERS
THE NEXT
GENERATION Young producers like Danielle deVos bring new skills, ideas and energy to Ontario dairy farms
40063866 .Publications Mail Sales Agreement No
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November 2023 | Vol. 99 No. 7
PUBLISHED BY DAIRY FARMERS OF ONTARIO 6780 Campobello Road Mississauga, ON L5N 2L8 EDITOR Theresa Rogers theresa.rogers@milk.org
CONTENTS
ADVERTISING Pat Logan pat.logan@milk.org 519-788-1559 GRAPHIC DESIGN Katrina Teimo
ON T HE C OV E R
MANAGER, COMMUNICATIONS Sharon Laidlaw sharon.laidlaw@milk.org CONTRIBUTORS Treena Hein, Kendra Keels, Jana Manolakos Chris McCullough, Jeanine Moyer Marlene Paibomesai, Katherine Perry Robert Price, Lilian Schaer
17
The next generation: today’s young producers are bringing new skills, ideas and energy to Ontario dairy farms.
Canada Post Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No.40063866. Return postage guaranteed. Circulation: 8,000. ISSN 0030-3038. Printed in Canada. SUBSCRIPTIONS For subscription changes or to unsubscribe, contact: MILK PRODUCER 6780 Campobello Road Mississauga, ON L5N 2L8
Y OUNG PR ODUCE R S
Phone: (905) 821-8970 Fax: (905) 821-3160 Email: milkproducer@milk.org
8 DFO Scholarship Winners 34 Veterinary Medicine
Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and/or editor and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or policies of Dairy Farmers of Ontario. Publication of advertisements does not constitute endorsement or approval by Milk Producer or Dairy Farmers of Ontario of products or services advertised. Milk Producer welcomes letters to the editor about magazine content. *All marks owned by Dairy Farmers of Ontario. WEBSITES & SOCIAL MEDIA www.milkproducer.ca www.milk.org Facebook: /OntarioDairy Twitter: @OntarioDairy Instagram: @OntarioDairy LinkedIn: dairy-farmers-of-ontario
RE SE A R CH 10 Farm Management: Hiring Contract Workers
36 Calf Care: Winter Calf Care 37 Dairy Research: Calf Barn Air Quality
39 Farm Management: Cyber Security
WORL D DA IR Y 42 Mixing New Tech with Nostalgia
42 DE PA R T ME N T S 4 Board Editorial 6 Ask an FSR 13 Dairynomics 44 Ad Index 46 Back40 W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • 3
B OA R D E DI T O R I A L
CHAMPIONING OUR FUTURE
By John Wynands, BOARD MEMBER REGION 3 – FRONTENAC, GRENVILLE, LANARK, LEEDS, AND RENFREW, DAIRY FARMERS OF ONTARIO In this month’s Milk Producer, we’re focusing on young producers. On our farm, as on many of yours, it is the next generation that often drives change and efficiency. As an industry, we need to support producers and build capacity for our future. As demographics change and women fill more roles in agriculture, our industry becomes stronger. To ensure our sector can meet tomorrow’s demands, we need to champion increasing opportunities for all, including identifying and supporting future board members. One way in which we’re building support is through our training and development subcommittee, which identifies and creates training and development opportunities for producers aimed at strengthening industry leadership, engagement and succession. The subcommittee created a producer development fund, launched earlier this year.
DFO is offering the funds to help licensed Ontario dairy producers or persons actively involved in a milk-producing enterprise in the province develop their leadership skills. The funds have been earmarked as part of an ongoing investment in skills and leadership development in dairy and agriculture. Participants enrolled in a course or program that benefits the dairy industry or community can receive 25 per cent of eligible program course fees (to a maximum of $1,500 per applicant, per year) by submitting a completed application form to DFO’s training and development subcommittee for consideration. Lastly, I’d like to highlight two other programs, one of which is the Future Leaders Development Program that provides young dairy producers an opportunity to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of being a director prior to seeking election or appointment to a dairy industry board. It is offered and funded by dairy industry partners and co-ordinated by the Rural Ontario
Farms for Sale MANITOBA
John Wynands Institute. The other is through Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC), which previously allowed young delegates to join their respective provincial marketing board at its policy conference in Ottawa, Ont. This has been a great opportunity for young delegates to learn more about the workings of the Canadian dairy industry. I encourage you to talk to your board member about any of these programs or discuss your interest in serving in our industry. We would like to hear from you on what has value for young producers and how best we can help you meet your long-term goals.
Sheldon Froese • 204.371.5131 sheldonfroese@royallepage.ca
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4 • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A
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ASK AN FSR
& QA
DAIRY FARMERS OF ONTARIO’S (DFO) FIELD SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES (FSRS) are not only milk inspectors, they are also your source of support for everything from milk quality troubleshooting to quota questions and paperwork, questions about policies and regulation, and anything else related to DFO and how it applies to your farm. Our team of 13 field staff have seen and heard a lot. This column was created to use our collective expertise by sharing answers to some of the most commonly asked questions we receive. We are here to help you.
QU E S T ION
WHY DOES THE MILK TRUCK PICKUP TIME FLUCTUATE AT MY FARM?
A NS W E R
There are several factors that can affect the time the milk truck arrives at your farm, including route changes, wait times at plants and plant location. Route changes. With milk volumes fluctuating, transporters frequently adjust routes, reacting to the changing volumes so trucks are full upon arrival at processing plants. Factors that affect milk volume on-farm and therefore transporter routes, include producers coming on or off daily shipping, producers relocating/entering/exiting the dairy industry, producers changing from conventional to niche markets (organic, kosher, grass-fed), producers switching to three
times a day milking (or off), and producers going into temporary shared facility agreements. Transporters making changes in equipment (such as using larger trailers) will also cause a change in the route. One change can have a ripple effect on multiple routes. The goal is to keep trucks full but minimize kilometres travelled. Wait times at plants. Breakdowns at plants can result in trucks being delayed significantly, which in turn can delay milk pickups later in the day. Plant location. Plant location can also impact a route’s pickup order. Depending on the transporter depot and plant location, it might make sense to reverse the order of pickups to minimize kilometres driven. Traffic, weather and truck breakdowns also affect the time the milk truck arrives at your farm.
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6 • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A
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CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. “ This robot is more cow friendly. It’s wide open rather than being boxed in, and you can see when the cow comes in, she is more relaxed. Attachment times are smooth and fast, and I like that it is capable of draining individual quarters with any cow with high SCC. It does a great job prepping and cleaning the teat, as well as the coverage on the post dip. I also like that as soon as the exit gate opens, it closes the feed manger and out goes the cow without her waiting around eating feed. It’s an AMAZING machine! ” Scott Colony transitioned from 5 competitor milking robots to 5 GEA DairyRobot R9500. George Wurz - Scott Colony, SK
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Pacific Dairy Centre Ltd. Chilliwack — 604 852-9020
Dairy Lane Systems Saskatchewan Warman — 306 242-5850 Emerald Park — 306 721-6844
Conestogo Agri Systems Inc. Alma — 519 638-3022
McCann Farm Automation Ltd. Seeley’s Bay — 613 382-7411
MANITOBA
Dairy Lane Systems Komoka — 519 666-1404
Performance Dairy Centre Inc. Embro — 519 423-9119
Lawrence’s Dairy Supply Inc. Moose Creek — 613 538-2559
Wood’s Dairy Source Keene — 705 295-3247
ALBERTA Dairy Lane Systems Alberta Leduc — 780 986-5600 Nobleford – 587-335-9742 Lethbridge Dairy Mart Ltd. Lethbridge — 888 329-6202
Tytech Grand Pointe — 204 770-4898
Contact your local GEA dealer to learn more about GEA Automated Milking Systems
ATLANTIC PROVINCES Atlantic Dairy Tech, Inc. AMS Sub-dealer for Sheehy Entreprises Ltd. Charlottetown, PE — 902 368-1719 Sheehy Entreprises Ltd. Shubenacadie, NS — 902 758-2002 Lower Queensbury, NB — 506 478-4878
E N T R A N C E S C HO L A R S H I P P RO G R A M
DFO SELECTS 2023 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Record number of applications received
DAIRY FARMERS OF ONTARIO (DFO) is proud to continue its tradition of supporting youth committed to the dairy industry through the annual DFO Entrance Scholarship program. The high quality of applications received again demonstrates a bright future for the Ontario dairy industry. Each scholarship winner will receive $3,000 to support their educational pursuits in a first-year diploma or degree program in agriculture. DFO wishes all the applicants continued success in their first year of post-secondary studies and looks forward to seeing what the future holds for these young minds.
“This year, we were privileged to receive applications from an exceptional group of students who exceeded all expectations. The 2023 scholarship winners demonstrate their commitment to their community, drive for academic excellence and selflessness through their volunteerism.” —Adam Petherick Board Member for Region 4 Chair, Research and Development Committee
2023 Entrance Scholarship Winners “Winning this scholarship has brought me great pride and appreciation toward the dairy farming community. As a student at Dalhousie University’s Agricultural Campus, currently studying animal science, I hope to become a veterinarian one day and still take part of our family-run dairy farm.” Braeden Hay Dalhousie University Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
“From my education I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the environment and agriculture. This will aid me in achieving my career goal of becoming a regenerative agriculture consultant, where I will help farmers sequester more carbon, reduce emissions, and minimize chemical runoff and soil erosion. Thanks to Dairy Farmers of Ontario, this scholarship will give me the opportunity to spend my free time attending conferences, taking internship positions and possibly spend a semester abroad to expand my knowledge even more.” Reegan Charlton University of Saskatchewan Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
8 • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A
“In the next two years of my education, I look forward to the handson learning I will get to experience and lifelong connections I will make in the dairy industry. This scholarship truly means a lot to me since it will help with my education and the costs of moving between Ontario and Alberta. I would like to send a big thank you to the industry that supports my family.” Katelyn Jackson Lakeland College Animal Science Technology – Dairy Major
“I hope to gain knowledge and grow my passion for the dairy and agriculture industry through my learning. With this education, I hope to be able to grow my family dairy herd in Smiths Falls, Ont. This scholarship makes it possible for me to attend school and continue my education further into the agricultural field.” Maryn Hunter University of Guelph Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
“I am excited to learn more about animals, the environment, crops and the business of farming as I work toward being part of the dairy industry following university. I would like to thank the Dairy Farmers of Ontario for their continued support of youth scholarships and programs as they provide amazing experiences and the opportunity to connect with young people who are passionate about agriculture.” Cheyanne Leifso University of Guelph Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
“Thank you to Dairy Farmers of Ontario for this amazing opportunity and for selecting me to receive a DFO Entrance Scholarship. This scholarship will be used to help fund my current Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and potentially a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Through my schooling, I am aspiring to become either a large animal veterinarian or pathologist, or work in the agricultural sector in general.” Mary Brander University of Guelph Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
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FA R M M A NAG E M E N T
Tips for Hiring Farm Workers Through Agencies and Recruiters
FILLING THE LABOUR GAP
Some farm employers use temporary help agencies or recruiters to help fill labour gaps. Whether it’s a regular source for hiring workers or supporting seasonal needs, farmers should understand the rights and obligations that apply to agencies, recruiters and contract workers.
New rules governing hiring temporary and foreign workers come into effect in January By Jeanine Moyer THE CHALLENGE OF FINDING RELIABLE FARM EMPLOYEES has many Ontario dairy farmers turning to temporary foreign workers. Philip Koskamp and his brother, Theo, have overseen human resources on their family’s dairy and water buffalo farm in Stratford, Ont., for nearly two years, hiring the farm’s first two employees through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program in June 2022. Philip says they turned to foreign workers because it had become increasingly difficult to find quality employees willing to work early mornings and during the winter storm season. In November, Koskamp Family Farm Ltd. welcomed its fifth full-time employee through the TFW program. “We have been blessed with amazing local employees over the years, but our goal is to hire team players and since we have started hiring foreign workers from Belize and Mexico, this goal has become easier to achieve,” says Philip. One of the greatest changes the brothers have made in their hiring process is to hire foreign employees who are no more than five years older than themselves. The brothers are in their early 20s and have found managing and working alongside this younger group works well for their farm.
PRO G R A M R EQU I R E M E N T S
Through the TFW program, farm employers can hire foreign workers when Canadians and permanent residents are not available. To qualify, employers must apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) that will determine if there are no other Canadians available to fill the positions. The Koskamp family turned to Joanne Fallis, a licensed immigration consultant with J Fallis Immigration Consulting for assistance with the LMIA application and support throughout the hiring and ongoing program requirements.
New guidelines from the Ontario government, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, state that as of Jan. 1, 2024, agri-food businesses using temporary help agencies or recruiters will be expected to use ones that are licensed.
Raised on a Monkton, Ont., area dairy farm, Fallis managed 10 foreign workers and the TFW program requirements on her family’s farm for eight years before starting her own immigration consulting business. Today she’s a go-to source for information about the program, helping farmers who are struggling to find reliable labour weigh the pros and cons of hiring foreign workers. She says as an employer through the TFW, farmers are required to provide employees with their flight to Canada, transportation from the airport to the farm, housing and a return flight home. Foreign workers must also be covered by WSIB and have health insurance. “The TFW program can work really well for some farmers but can also be overwhelming. Many come to me with questions about obligations, paperwork and questioning if this 1 0 • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A
Read the fine print Read and fully understand contracts. A contract with a temporary help agency or recruiter should clearly set out all expectations of services provided, including number of contract workers, payment, etc. Get to know your workers Like any employee, familiarizing yourself with their work experience, especially their experience level working with livestock or with machinery, is important. Request the agency or recruiter provide a list of names and contact information for each worker and sign off that all contract workers have the appropriate paperwork related to provincial and federal laws (such as a SIN card, photo identification or work permits). Work with a registered and reputable company Anyone hiring farm workers through temporary help or recruitment agencies should be aware of new regulations governing agencies and recruiters. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, agencies and recruiters must hold a license. That means any agri-food business using workers from an agency or engaging the services of a recruiter must use licensed professionals. Under this new regulation, recruiters hiring through the TWF program are also required to be licensed. Farm employers sourcing workers through a recruiter (located in Canada or outside of Canada) should ensure the recruiter is licensed and meets licensing obligations. The licensing status of recruitment and temporary help agencies can be found online at Ontario.ca. In addition to proper registration, the agency or recruiter must be registered with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Farm employers can request a copy of the WSIB clearance certificate for verification. Farm employers are responsible for ensuring the agency is reputable. Do your research before engaging an agency or recruiter by visiting the company website, office and talking to previous clients for more information. Keep a paper trail of all transactions and fees paid to the agency or recruiter and request payroll information if necessary to ensure contract workers are being compensated appropriately.
WOR K I N G T O G E T H E R
The greatest advantage the Koskamp family has realized has been reflected in their herd. “Cows like consistency and working every day with the same people who stick to the same routine in the parlour has been a great benefit,” explains Philip.
The Koskamp family recently welcomed its fifth full-time employee through the Temporary Foreign Worker program. is a good fit for their farm. I always recommend they start by talking to other farmers involved in the program to learn more about their experiences,” explains Fallis, noting that when it comes to hiring foreign workers, word of mouth is often the best approach. She says building a local sense of community among foreign workers, including those working on your own and neighbouring farmers, can go a long way for employee morale and well-being. “If you’re investing in the program, talk to someone else hiring through the TFW program for employee connections in their home countries,” recommends Fallis.
One of the most daunting hurdles of hiring foreign workers can be the language barrier. Philip admits training can be challenging and has found that taking the time to explain why tasks are performed in a certain way and how they support the farm’s standard operating procedures (SOP) is most effective. The farm also uses Udderly Safe, a health and safety training program designed for dairy farms. Philip’s employee training approach addresses and incorporates various learning styles and starts with the farm’s SOP. He trains over three shifts, starting with working through the steps himself while having an employee read the SOP and tell him what to do. During the second shift, the employee reads the SOP and performs the steps with supervision. The third shift sees the employee complete the tasks independently while Philip verifies the steps with the SOP. He says this approach covers more learning styles, reduces training time and helps employees gain confidence. “Our team of foreign workers are awesome. Everyone has the required skills, and we work to find the best roles that fit each of them.”
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W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • 1 1
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NOVEMBER 2023
INCENTIVE DAY NOVEMBER – CONVENTIONAL By Constantin Urtilescu • SENIOR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SPECIALIST Due to production not being as strong as anticipated and stronger than expected market demand, the P5 boards announced one incentive day for the month of November 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. “The P5 quota committee’s recent recommendation focused mainly on the short-term or fall period leading to the holiday period and the committee will look at the rest of the dairy year and a
The following table summarizes the incentive days: October 2023 November 2023 December 2023
Conventional 1 1
Organic 0 0 0
revised CDC forecast model at the end of November,” says Patrice Dubé, Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s chief economics and policy development officer. “From this information, we will be able to make a recommendation on alignment for the remainder of the dairy year, including a production signal adjustment if required.” In September 2023, butter stocks reached 27,303 tonnes, down from August by
6,235 tonnes. September butter stock levels are still higher than where they were in September 2022 but did drop substantially due to a stronger than expected demand and weaker than expected production. Cheese stock levels for September 2023 were at 98,808 tonnes, down 2,518 tonnes from August but higher than where they were in September 2022 (94,224). For the 52-weeks ending September 30, 2023, sales for fluid milk, fluid cream, yogurt, ice cream, cheese and butter increased/decreased by -1.7, -2.6, 3.0, 1.8, 0 and -4.1 per cent, respectively, compared with Sept. 30, 2022.
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • M O N T H LY R E T A I L M A R K E T S A N D P R O D U C T I O N R E P O R T • A
DA I RY N O M I C S – M A R K E T U P DAT E
A monthly recap of markets and production trends in Canada and Ontario C A NA DI A N R EQU I R E M E N T S A N D PRODUC T ION Canadian butterfat requirements in kilograms and actual butterfat production across the P10. 1,250,000
Butterfat (Daily kgs)
1,200,000 1,150,000 1,100,000
12-month production (in millions of kilograms)
406.4
12-month requirements (in millions of kilograms)
421.0
1,050,000 1,000,000 950,000 Sep 2022
Oct 2022
Nov 2022
Dec 2022
Jan 2023
Feb 2023
March 2023
Requirements
April 2023
May 2023
June 2023
July 2023
Aug. 2023
Sept. 2023
Canadian production has increased by 3.0 per cent over the previous 12 months, and requirements have increased by 1.4 per cent over the previous 12 months.
Production
S OL I D S NON-FAT T O BU T T E R FAT (S N F-B F ) R AT IO 2.35
This graph shows Ontario’s SNF-BF ratio for the last 12 months in relation to Ontario’s target SNF-BF ratio of 2.2840.
SNF:BF Ratio
2.30 2.25 2.20 2.15
September 2023: 2.1938
2.10 Oct 2022
Nov 2022
Dec 2022
Jan 2023
Feb 2023
March 2023
April 2023
Ontario SNF:BF ratio
May 2023
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.
12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
RETAIL SHARE OF TOTAL MARKET
Fluid milk
-1.70%
81.50%
Cream
-2.50%
40.90%
Cheese
0.00%
54.40%
Butter
-4.20%
57.60%
Ice cream
1.00%
70.70%
Yogurt As of March 26 , 202 23.00%
94.40%
B • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • M O N T H LY R E T A I L M A R K E T S A N D P R O D U C T I O N R E P O R T
July 2023
Aug 2023
Sept 2023
Target
NAT IONA L R E TA I L S A L E S
* Source: AC Nielsen & StatsCan NOTE: There is a two-month lag in the national retail sales data.
June 2023
OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS • The P5 quota committee’s recent recommendation focused mainly on the short-term or fall period leading to the holiday period and the committee will look at the rest of the dairy year and a revised CDC forecast model at the end of November; • From this information, we will be able to make a recommendation on alignment for the remainder of the dairy year, including a production signal adjustment if required; • September butter stock levels are still higher than where they were in September 2022 but did drop substantially due to a stronger than expected demand and weaker than expected production.
DAIRYNOMICS – UTILIZATION UPDATE
202309
ON TA R IO U T I L I Z AT ION
Percentage of the total milk produced in Ontario that was used to produce dairy products. Fluid Milk & Cream Yogurt and Ice Cream Butter & Powders
AUGUST 2023
SEPTEMBER 2023
12-MONTH AVERAGE
Fluid milk & cream
28.5%
30.7%
29.2%
Yogurt & ice cream
8.5%
7.1%
7.0%
Cheese
29.4%
29.2%
28.5%
Butter & powders
31.7%
32.4%
31.9%
Skimming
1.9%
0.6%
3.4%
Cheese
Skim Milk Disposal September 2023 Fluid milk & cream
1% 31%
32%
Yogurt & ice cream Cheese
7%
Butter & powders Skimming
29%
P 10 U T I L I Z AT ION BY C L A S S For September 2023 (kg of butterfat/kg of solids non-fat) *There is a two-month lag reporting these figures
% Revenue
Class 1a1 (includes Classes 1a2, 1a3, 1c and 1d for confidentiality reasons) Fluid milk and beverages
1a1
26.54%
Class 1b Fluid creams Class 2a Yogurt, yogurt beverages, kefir and lassi
1b
9.85%
2a
5.19%
2b4
2.24%
Class 2b4 (includes Classes 2b1, 2b2 and 2b3 for confidentiality reasons) Fresh dairy desserts, sour cream, milkshakes and sports nutrition drinks
2b5
1.13%
3a1
0.86%
3a2
5.15%
Class 3b2 (includes Class 3b1 for confidentiality reasons) Cheddar cheese and aged cheddar
3b2
14.37%
Class 3c1 Feta
3c1
0.97%
Class 3c2 Asiago, Gouda, Havarti, Parmesan and Swiss
3c2
2.37%
3c4
7.72%
3c6
0.52%
3d
3.84%
4a
10.93%
4d
2.59%
Class 4a Butter and powders
5a
1.69%
5b
3.33%
Class 4d (includes Classes 4b1, 4b2, 4c and 4m for confidentiality reasons) Concentrated milk for retail, losses and animal feed
5c
0.71%
% Butterfat
-5%
0%
% Solids non-fat
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Class 2b5 Ice cream and frozen yogurt Class 3a1 Specialty cheese Class 3a2 Cheese curds and fresh cheeses
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 5a Cheese for further processing Class 5b Non-cheese products for further processing 35%Class 5c Confectionery products
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • M O N T H LY R E T A I L M A R K E T S A N D P R O D U C T I O N R E P O R T • C
DA I RY N O M I C S – P R I C E S U P DAT E
ONTARIO MONTHLY PRODUCER AVERAGE GROSS BLEND PRICE
ONTARIO DEDUCTIONS, PER HL
A total 3,213 producers sold milk to DFO in September compared with 3,281 a year earlier.
For September 2023
Within quota
$100 $95 $90
September 2023: $92.84
$85 $80 $75
Nov 2022
Dec 2022
Jan 2023
Feb 2023
March 2023
April 2023
May 2023
June 2023
July 2023
Aug 2023
$0.675
$0.675
$0.050
$0.050
$0.060
$0.060
$3.840
$3.840
$1.400
$1.400
$6.025
$6.025
$86.134
-$6.025
* These figures are based on Ontario’s average composition for September 2023 of 4.1651 kg butterfat, 3.2115 kg protein and 5.9257 kg other solids, rounded to the nearest cent.
$70 Oct 2022
DFO administration DFO research CanWest DHI Transportation Market expansion Total deductions Average total net
Overquota
Sept 2023
P5 A N D W E S T E R N M I L K P O OL B L E N D PR IC E S *
U. S . C L A S S PR IC E S
The graph below shows the 12-month blend price for the P5 provinces and Western Milk Pool (WMP).
The October 2023 Class III Price, US$16.84 per hundredweight, is equivalent to C$52.95 per hectolitre. This equivalent is based on the exchange rate US$1 = C$1.3852 the exchange rate when the USDA announced the Class III Price.
*There is a two-month lag reporting these figures $92
Blend price in $/hL
$90 $88 $86
WMP: $88.11
$84 $82
P5: $89.65
$80 $78 $76 Oct 2022
Nov 2022
Dec 2022
Jan 2023
Feb 2023
March 2023
WMP blend price
April 2023
May 2023
June 2023
July 2023
Aug 2023
Sept 2023
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
P5 blend price
MON T H LY QUO TA PR IC E S ($/ KG) PROVINCE
OCTOBER PRICES
Alberta
PRICE/KG
AMOUNT WANTED/KG
AMOUNT FOR SALE/KG
AMOUNT PURCHASED/
$ 50,250
264.36
202.67
127.32
No Clearing Price Established for October 2023
30.00
134.30
0
Manitoba
$ 40,800
239.43
219.36
32.00
British Columbia
$ 36,250
90.5
267.56
90.5
Ontario
$ 24,000
21,750.42
376.24
376.26
Quebec
$ 24,000
16,588.21
1,063.98
1,064.59
New Brunswick
$ 24,000
410.8
2.5
2.5
Saskatchewan
PEI Nova Scotia
No Clearing Price Established $ 24,000
NA
0
0
* Newfoundland does not operate a monthly quota exchange. Quota is traded between producers. ** Quota cap price of $24,000 in effect in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec.
D • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • M O N T H LY R E T A I L M A R K E T S A N D P R O D U C T I O N R E P O R T
Co-ordinated by Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s communications and economics divisions. Questions? Please email questions@milk.org. STAY UP TO DATE! Weekly Update email newsletter every Friday for Ontario dairy producers. Milk Producer magazine is the voice of Ontario dairy producers. Subscribe for free or read online at www.milkproducer.ca. Dairy Farmer Update provides updates with the monthly milk cheque. Producer Dashboard, a secure platform behind your password on MMS that contains important news, updates and forms. www.milk.org Facebook: /OntarioDairy Twitter: @OntarioDairy Instagram: @OntarioDairy LinkedIn: /company/Dairy-Farmers-of-Ontario
YOUNG PRODUCERS
YOU N G P RODUC E R S : R E G IO N ON E
THOMAS KUIPERS Glengarry
THE LIFELONG LEARNER By Jeanine Moyer
THOMAS KUIPERS IS ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR NEW IDEAS, methods and ways to improve his dairy herd. From listening to podcasts, reading, researching, or his favourite way to pick up ideas, visiting other farms, he’s constantly learning. His desire to learn from other farms and apply new concepts to his family farm started when he was away at school. In 2013, Thomas enrolled in the farm management and technology program at McGill University. A three-year diploma course that incorporated a farm internship, Thomas quickly realized the value of experiential learning and what a difference bringing home new ideas can make. He conducted his farm internship in Holland where he says he was inspired to rethink all aspects of his family’s dairy farm. As a result, he started working with his parents to implement changes as soon as he graduated and returned home. “You have to see another farm doing something differently to know what potential you have at home,” says Thomas. “I’m grateful my parents allowed me to be part of the farm right away and were open to new ideas.” Thomas comes from a family already open to adopting new methods and technology. In 2005, his parents installed one of the first robotic milkers in their area and when Thomas decided he was “in it for the long game” and returned to the farm, they worked together to implement changes and ideas to make the farm work for both generations. Today, the family milks 100 cows with two robotic milkers and crops 600 acres. A willingness to adopt new ideas has since led to a new barn build, expanded bunker silos and feed storage, and a new reproduction program and genetic theory for the family farm. Thomas says he’s very detail-oriented and methodical about making changes and implementing new technologies and programs, conducting thorough research, asking questions and consulting experts in their field. His long-term goals are to improve efficiency, cow comfort and farm profitability. With so many recent changes on the farm, Thomas is now focused on making incremental improvements, such as modifying genetics and improving farmland one field at a time. He says, “every little change adds up to a bigger picture” and every time he picks up a
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“I’ve made changes to the big things on the farm; now I’m focused on implementing changes to our land and cropping practices to improve stewardship and animal nutrition." — Thomas Kuipers
new concept, he’s eager to learn how it can be applied to enhance his herd and family farm. “So far, I’ve made changes to the big things on the farm; now I’m focused on implementing changes to our land and cropping practices to improve stewardship and animal nutrition,” says Thomas. “By becoming more efficient and producing more milk with less feed and pressure on the land, we are improving our farm’s sustainability and setting ourselves up for future success.” Not only is the family realizing new rewards from their efforts, including increased milk production, healthier animals, increased feed efficiencies and land improvements, they recently navigated their family farm succession. The summer of 2023 saw Thomas become an equal owner of the farm. He says he’s proud to be building a legacy for his daughter alongside his wife and parents. W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • 1 7
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YOUNG PRODUCERS
YOU N G P RO DUC E R S : R E G IO N T WO
ADAM CRITES Stormont
THE LIMIT-PUSHER By Jeanine Moyer
“We’ve learned so much about what our cows can do since transitioning to the new barn and upgrading milking technology." — Adam Crites
A FOURTH-GENERATION DAIRY FARMER, Adam Crites can’t wait to try something new every day. Since building a new barn and installing two robotic milkers in 2018, Adam has had the opportunity to take his family’s milking herd to next-level performance and he’s not finished yet. “We’ve learned so much about what our cows can do since transitioning to the new barn and upgrading milking technology,” he says. “The potential these animals have to produce milk when provided with good feed, comfort and genetics amazes me, and I get to do this job every day.” Adam started helping with chores in the barn when he was eight, and after graduating from the University of Guelph’s Kemptville College with a diploma in agriculture in 2014, returned home to farm alongside his dad and uncles. Today, Adam farms in partnership with his dad, milking 95 cows and cropping 700 acres in Ingleside, Ont., along the St. Lawrence River. He says building the new barn was a steep learning curve but the upgrades in technology, feeding and milking equipment were the right move and best decision for their family farm. “The new barn is a complete 180-degree shift for us. It’s kept us progressive and growing, increased efficiencies and flexibility, while ultimately reducing labour that has allowed dad and I to run the farm together.” Continuing to nurture growth, productivity and progression are the future goals for Adam and his dad. They hope to maximize their new barn and their farm’s potential by growing their dairy herd, building larger feed storage facilities and increasing acres if the opportunity arises. The process and success of enhancing his family’s farm and dairy herd potential was even more meaningful to Adam because it meant working alongside his dad. “Sharing a dream with someone else makes everything so much more rewarding,” he says, explaining he’s grateful he had the opportunity to return to the family farm and for the opportunity to buy shares throughout the succession process to feel like he was always a part of the business. Today, Adam is now a full partner in the farm with his dad, thanks to the family’s proactive succession planning.
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In his spare time, Adam is active in his local Stormont County Dairy Producers Committee and recently attended his first policy meeting. He says these industry opportunities are great for networking, connecting with fellow producers, learning new ideas and expanding his horizon. A local advocate for the dairy industry, agriculture careers and technology, Adam also hosts local high school classes, touring the farm and sharing information about careers in the dairy industry. More recently, the family hosted their local MP and MPP, touring them around the farm and talking business, challenges and opportunities facing farmers and the dairy industry. “I love answering questions about our farm, herd and the Canadian dairy industry. We should all be proud of our progress, potential and, most importantly, that we feed people, every day.”
YOUNG PRODUCERS
YOU N G P RODUC E R S : R E G IO N T H R E E
ASHLEY CONNELL Leeds and Grenville
THE ROLE MODEL By Jeanine Moyer IT’S BEEN SIX YEARS WORKING ALONGSIDE HER FAMILY and managing the farm, and while their roles are still evolving, it’s clear Ashley Connell is leading the Locus Lane Farm team. With Ashley at the helm, the family has transitioned from a “this is the way we’ve always done it” mentality to a “let’s try a new approach.” Results are being realized throughout the farm. Milking 110 cows in a tiestall facility with her dad, uncle, brother and two parttime employees, Ashley is managing their herd and farm business and embracing innovation while cultivating a space for women to work in a respected environment. Graduating from the University of Guelph Food, Agricultural & Resource Economics program in 2017, Ashley returned home at the same time as her brother, Jeff. Together, they faced two older generations of family who weren’t keen on change. Ashley quickly assumed the role of bookkeeper and farm lead. Leveraging new ideas from her university experience and her love for dairy cows, she was able to implement new processes and innovations that had been delaying the farm's progress for years. “I’m focused on prioritizing change and helping all our animals reach their full potential,” says Ashley. “I’m grateful for my family’s trust and respect as we work together.” Often asking themselves, “why didn’t we do this sooner?," the family has accomplished a lot in the six years Ashley has been home on the farm. Together, Continued on page 20
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W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • 1 9
YOUNG PRODUCERS
Continued from page 19
the Connells have been busy, reclaiming and tilling fields, building a new barn to accommodate all their heifers in one facility, revamping herd nutrition and enhancing their approach to herd genetics. All these approaches have resulted in record milk production for their farm, realizing new efficiencies and a new appreciation for working with family.
“Sure, it’s hard being a young woman managing a farm,” admits Ashley. “New salespeople don’t give me a second look, but our regular sales and farm advisory team trust in my competency. At the end of the day, I love farming, cows and working with my family, and I’m grateful for their support.” Along with implementing new ideas and enhancing the farm facilities, like recently building a manure and reception pit to manage and improve manure nutrient quality, Ashley continues to develop her leadership and farm management skills. She’s brought the farm’s administration online, formalized the farm’s business approach from previous “handshake” deals into written agreements and has implemented new herd management processes that are all resulting in improved health and better outcomes. Ashley takes her role as a female farm manager, role model and industry leader in stride. While her family describes her as humble and hardworking, she’s quick to point out it’s her love for dairy and agriculture, and passion for innovating, that drives her.
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“It’s hard being a young woman managing a farm. New salespeople don’t give me a second look but our regular sales and farm advisory team trust in my competency." — Ashley Connell
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YOUNG PRODUCERS
YOU N G P RODUC E R S : R E G IO N F OU R
CHARLIE STUART Northumberland
THE PIONEER By Robert Price
CHARLIE STUART IS SOMETHING OF A PIONEER. Unlike many producers who grow up in dairy farming, Charlie came to it after working outside the industry. After graduating with an agricultural degree from Guelph in 2006, he worked in feed sales and later for an artificial insemination (A.I.) company. He always had the goal of dairy farming but getting into the business wasn’t easy. Several banks who told him it was impossible to start up a farm unless he had family financial support or a farm to inherit. Charlie wanted to prove the doubters wrong. “We didn’t have a family farm to take over. We didn’t have quota from a parent to top us up. It was, ‘If you’re going to do it, you’re doing it on your own,’” he says.
Charlie feels his relative newness to farming gives him a different perspective on the business than third-generation farmers. The difference starts with mindset, seeing the farm in a new way. He runs his business differently, too. He keeps equipment inventory low and relies on custom operators.
Ten years ago, he made the break and purchased his first farm.
This doesn’t mean he’s working the farm alone. Though he can’t call up family for help, he can call his neighbours when he has a question. “Any success we’ve had is partly due to the good agricultural community that surrounds us in Northumberland,” he says.
The change in lifestyle and career hasn’t been easy. He worked 80-hour weeks all the time. When everybody else was going to the cottage on the long weekend, he worked.
A decade in, Charlie’s still farming. Recently, he hired a foreign worker. The extra hand gives Charlie more time to spend with his four children. “More time with doing schoolwork,” he jokes.
“That’s just a reality of a first-generation farmer, I think,” he says.
He plans to continue expanding the farm and buying more land and quota. “I think you just have to do that if you’re going to stay a viable business,” he says.
Now Charlie works the land at Gores Landing in Northumberland County. He milks 90 Jersey cows in a freestall, sandbedded, double-A parlour and crops about 170 acres worth of forages and corn.
Charlie adds that his wife, Kim, a registered nurse at Peterborough Regional Health Centre, helps create his dream career. “I definitely
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“We didn’t have a family farm to take over. We didn’t have quota from a parent to top us up. It was, ‘If you’re going to do it, you’re doing it on your own.'” — Charlie Stuart
would not be able to live out my dairy farming dream without her love, support and understanding,” says Charlie adding the agricultural industry is getting better at recognizing the contribution of women to farming. “In all honesty,” he says, “they are often the glue that holds a farm together. Our farm is no exception.” How will he and Kim celebrate their 10-year anniversary as dairy farmers? “Probably by milking cows,” he laughs.
W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • 2 1
YOUNG PRODUCERS
YOU N G P RO DUC E R S : R E G IO N F I V E
DANIELLE DEVOS Kawartha Lakes
THE NURTURER By Jana Manolakos
FORMER QUARRY MACHINE OPERATOR Danielle deVos didn’t need to dig deep to find true love on the farm.
“It gives us the opportunity to make a Gouda style and other styles. We could even make a ricotta if we wanted, but we’re going to stick with the Gouda style since we’re Dutch.” The couple is now working on a style of Edam and has branched into others, including a novel jalapeno Gouda. “I want to get people to try new things and explore different flavours,” deVos adds. She hopes demand for local products will grow as consumers increasingly seek locally sourced food. A study from Dalhousie University found four in five Canadians are willing to pay extra for it – especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains. For now, the newly established Vosbrae Dairy sits in prime consumer territory, at the ready to make the most of an emerging market.
The Kawartha Lakes resident married into the dairy community when she wed milk producer Izaak deVos four years ago. They met through mutual friends, drawn together by their love of family and an intrepid attitude that led to a new on-farm business: cheesemaking at Vosbrae Dairy. The farm milks 180 cows and houses approximately 300 in the main barn. It is operated by her father-in-law, John deVos, a secondgeneration farmer whose parents brought a love of cheesemaking with them when they arrived from Holland in the 1950s. She runs the processing facility, which includes a 650-litre vat, cheese press and four-kilogram cheese molds. “Our cheese is sold at a couple of retail locations, as well as farmgate sales,” deVos explains. She grew up in Kawartha Lakes, a city of 80,000 people, but unlike most of her friends and neighbours, deVos is not from a family of farmers. A few years after high school, she was hired by a local quarry to run a rock truck and then worked in the scale house at a mine, but the long hours and distant commute made it difficult to raise her three young children and help on her husband’s farm. Her in-laws encouraged her to consider cheesemaking, which they had long hoped to add to their operations. “I’m eager and like to jump into things and if it’s something I’m passionate about, then I’ll take the time to learn about it,” says deVos. With help from a family friend and a local expert, the young couple launched Vosbrae Dairy in November 2021. It was a slow start. They didn’t qualify for a provincial innovation program because their Gouda-style cheese was not considered new to Ontario or Canada. Then the Ontario Artisan Cheese program, which had not received applications in some time, redirected them to the 3A class. Finally, with help from Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) and Don Gordon, a DFO Board member, as well as her father-in-law, they received licensing under the 3A class, more than a year later.
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“I’m eager and like to jump into things and if it’s something I’m passionate about, then I’ll take the time to learn about it.” — Danielle DeVos
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DFC
IN ACTION Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is proud to be the national, united voice of Canadian dairy farmers. We strive to defend and promote the hard work that goes into creating some of the best milk in the world, and we are pleased to celebrate these shared wins with you this fall.
CUSMA compensation: Dairy Innovation and Investment Fund & Dairy Direct Payment Program now open
Growing demand for butterfat products such as cream and butter has created a surplus of solids non-fat (SNF) in the dairy value chain, outpacing the industry’s processing capacity. That’s why DFC advocated and requested the Dairy Innovation and Investment Fund as part of compensation for the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The Federal government acquiesced to this request, promising up to $333 million over 10 years to help medium to large-scale projects modernize, replace, and/or increase processing capacity. The Canadian Dairy Commission will deliver the funding on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; the two-step process is now open. The fifth payment under the Dairy Direct Payment Program to account for the impacts of CUSMA is also now open. Eligible dairy producers will receive payments based on their milk quota. Letters have been sent to eligible producers with instructions on how to register. The deadline to register is March 31, 2024.
DFC appears before Standing Committee to speak in favour of biosecurity bill On October 5th, DFC President David Wiens and VicePresident Daniel Gobeil appeared before the Standing Committee for Agriculture and Agri-Food to speak in favour of Bill C-275, An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms). The bill addresses trespassing, and seeks to strengthen provisions around visitors entering enclosed spaces where animals are kept to protect animals from exposure to disease or toxic substances. The committee discussed the risks of pathogens being introduced on farms, their consequences, as well as the impacts intrusions have on farmers’ health. The bill was amended to further protect the private property of farmers and sent back to the House of Commons. We will continue to support the bill which seeks to protect farmers against unlawful trespassing.
Big win for DFC marketing campaign at the World Dairy Summit DFC was recently honoured at the International Dairy Federation (IDF) Dairy Innovation Awards as part of the World Dairy Summit in Chicago, Illinois. Our “Net Zero by 2050 – We’re In” campaign won in IDF’s Innovation in Marketing & Communication Initiative Building Dairy category. As well, DFC’s new digital “cow influencer,” Daisy and her Mini-Games was also a finalist in the same category. The two campaigns recognized at the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards center on how Canada’s dairy farmers are committed to sustainability. Through the “We’re In” campaign, DFC highlighted new, innovative practices that showed Canadians some of the ways our industry is dedicated to a greener future. Congratulations also go to Lactanet and Semex, who won in the Innovation in Climate Action category for developing the world’s first official genetic evaluation to decrease methane emissions in dairy cattle – a project which received funding from DFC.
DFC’s latest ad campaign shines light on biodiversity DFC’s new fall ad campaign shows how dairy producers are proudly enhancing and caring for all aspect of the environment, including biodiversity. Launched October 23, the campaign aims to help Canadians understand how dairy farmers protect biodiversity. Alongside a televised campaign, DFC has leveraged digital ads featuring two young dairy farmers passing a polygraph test related to their on-farm work towards DFC’s net-zero objective. Both will continue building meaning into the Blue Cow Quality Milk logo and confidence in Canadian dairy.
Save the date for DFC’s 2024 Annual Policy Conference Mark your calendars: DFC’s Annual Policy Conference is scheduled for February 5-8, 2024. The theme is Building a Robust and Modern Canadian Dairy Industry for the Future. In-person events will take place at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa; livestreaming will be available online for those unable to attend. Registration opens soon - visit dairfarmersofcanada.ca for updates!
YOUNG PRODUCERS
YOU N G P RO DUC E R S : R E G IO N S I X
MARK OVERGAAUW Dufferin
THE DISCIPLINED FARMER By Robert Price MARK OVERGAAUW SAYS FARMING KEEPS HIM OUT OF TROUBLE. The discipline of the daily routine keeps him on the straight and narrow. Each day he rises and fuelled by coffee, spends hours completing his morning chores. “Lots of coffee, lately,” he says. Chores continue into the afternoon and then come the other important things that need attention. “We have a lot of big jobs that take a lot of people here, so everybody has to be available at the same time,” he explains.
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“We get a lot of pretty tough days, a lot of times where you struggle to get through. But, by the end of it, we seem to always keep on going.” — Mark Overgaauw
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YOUNG PRODUCERS One among many of these big jobs is moving heifers. It’s a full-day effort that puts everybody involved behind on all the other chores. “It takes a lot of time, a lot of energy and a lot of effort,” he says, “but you know it has to get done.” Mark farms with his brothers Dave and Kevin, as well as his parents, who came from Holland in 1993. The family farm began as a single site and grew along with the family. In 2018, the family built on a second location and now they’re milking on three locations. This change came about for the future, looking ahead to when the senior Overgaauws finally retire. This attention to succession planning and forward-thinking distinguishes the family, Mark says. Each son wants to continue farming but they also want some independence. Nobody likes talking about succession planning, Mark says, “but it’s one of those things that has to get done.” After five years of waiting for assistance, Mark was accepted into Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s New Entrant Quota Assistance
Program (NEQAP). Two years later, the 25-year-old producer is putting his quota to good use and building a future for himself in an industry he likes. Mark says he encounters people who work in other industries, some days telling himself, “Am I ever happy to be a farmer and not doing some nine-to-five job for somebody else.” This isn’t to say generational farming doesn’t come with risks and costs. Rising interest rates and skyrocketing costs of land and equipment make the job all the more challenging lately, Mark says. “You know, we get a lot of pretty tough days, a lot of times where you struggle to get through. But, by the end of it, we seem to always keep on going.” The independence, the discipline and the work drive him. “It’s a good way to live,” Mark says. “You know what work you have to do, and you just have to go out and do it. There’s no way around it.”
Producer Development Fund
IN V E S T I NG I N TO M O RRO W’ S DAI RY L E A D ERS , TO DAY.
As part of an ongoing investment in skills and leadership excellence and continued professional development, DFO has earmarked $50,000 for producers interested in enrolling in a course or program that benefits the dairy farmer organization or community.
Get 25%* back on eligible leadership and development courses with Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s Producer Development Fund.
A PPLY N O W !
S C A N T H E QR C OD E TO L E A R N MORE A N D G E T T H E P RO CE S S S TA RT E D *to a maximum of $1,500 per applicant
W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • 2 5
YOUNG PRODUCERS
YOU N G P RO DUC E R S : R E G IO N S E V E N
CHRIS STUART Brant
THE REALIST By Robert Price
A THIRD-GENERATION FARMER, Chris Stuart farms alongside his cousin, uncle and father. Together, they milk around 70 cows in a newly built, freestall barn and farm 200 acres at Stuartmere Farms in Brant County. Before joining the farm full-time in 2015 when he was 25 years old, Chris worked off-farm for a few years at an ag retailer, making a good income. Circumstances led him to his decision to put himself into the family business full-time. All but one of Chris’s cousins said they were not interested in working their grandfather’s farm. His siblings were out as well. To help keep the farm going, Chris stepped up to help. Now, he lives around the corner on a second farm the family owns. Not many farms can say they’ve got two cousins working together. The family makes the business work with each farmer focusing on his own tasks and keeping the work evenly distributed. It’s work that satisfies, says Chris. “I just like being my own boss and making decisions for myself. I’m a boots-on-the-ground kind of guy.” Farming has always been a tough business. But today, the cost of doing business to remain competitive is as tough as it’s ever been. Chris says farmers aren’t just competing against urbanization, they’re paying more for rent and more for inputs. “You’re trying to stretch every dollar,” says Chris. Chris says his grandfather was “big into ploughing.” Today, the farm does mostly vertical tillage and bought a no-till drill last fall. “We’re working more with cover crops and trying to get double cropping if we can.”
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“I like being my own boss and making decisions for myself. I’m a boots-onthe-ground kind of guy.” — Chris Stuart
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Stuartmere Farms currently milk in a parlour. “We enjoy it,” Chris says. “We like milking cows.” But, he adds, a robot can save a lot of time and save a lot of muscle for the other jobs that need tending. The family looked into adding automated milkers but decided the herd wasn’t big enough to justify the investment. As the herd grows, a robot helper might give the farmers a reprieve. “No one’s getting any younger,” he says. The fresh air, the physical labour, the beauty of the landscape, the independence and space – it’s easy to romanticize the allure of country living. Chris says he’s fallen into that romance himself. But, he says, the realities of the business always wake him up. “You’ve got to be profitable,” he says. “You’ve got to give your head a shake from time to time and think about what makes the most sense fiscally.” Chris adds, the joy of learning something new isn’t a romantic trap; it’s key to surviving on a farm. He advises new farmers to “keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to try new things or learn new things.” “You can always learn from your peers,” he says.
YOUNG PRODUCERS
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YOU N G P RODUC E R S : R E G ION E I G H T
CHAD VELDMAN Oxford
THE AUTOMATION OVERHAULER THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY HOURS IN A DAY and Chad Veldman is determined to make the most of each one. A common term among many producers is "maximizing efficiency," and Chad has taken that on in more than one way. In 2019, the Veldman family finished construction of a new robotic milking barn. The dairy quota was split equally, with Chad milking 80 cows and brother Chris, who stayed on the home farm, the other 80. They added two Lely A5 robotic milkers to the operation plus a Lely Vector automatic feeder. Chad notes the single, self-contained robot provides every ingredient needed for the cows’ feed.
“Automating uses electricity and that can be produced on-farm, so we made the barn solar-ready.” —Chad Veldman
“I didn’t want to hire more help so I knew we had to automate as much as possible,” says Chad, who farms north of Embro, Ont., working 900 acres with Chris and his parents, Steve and Carol. “Automating uses electricity and that can be produced on-farm, so we made the barn solar-ready.” They’ve also added a GEA XPress roller press for manure separation and green bedding, which he believes may be one of two found in Ontario. He can make bedding on demand without having a shed full of straw bales, and he’s found it’s inexpensive to produce. Chad says if there was a drawback to automation, it was that there was still too much work to do in the barn. It’s one thing to have his parents and brother to help grow silage corn, grain corn, soybeans and winter wheat, along with peas for canning, sweet corn, alfalfa, oats and different winter cereals for forage. But Chad found he was trying to do much of the barn work on his own, making it nearly impossible to be able to leave. That prompted him to finally hire a full-time employee. “I needed someone around on a daily basis to stay up-to-date on how to handle things, how to fix things, and for me to be comfortable enough to leave,” says Chad, who values his spare time to spend with wife Jaclyn Turpin and their son, Callum. “I also found it better with an employee because the chores are getting done consistently and I’m able to deal with those extras that come up in the day.” He has had to learn to do some of the more general repairs to the machinery, yet for more complex issues, Chad’s found his local dealership a tremendous help.
“I deal with Avonbank for my Lely equipment and they are amazing at talking through things over the phone and trying to help me fix equipment before they have to come out,” he adds. “My brother and dad are more mechanically inclined – they’re more the ‘fix-it’ types than I am.” Chad says he is always excited about new practices and moving forward. “I look at things and wonder, ‘How can I make this more efficient and change them to make them better?’”
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YOUNG PRODUCERS
YOU N G P RO DUC E R S : R E G IO N N I N E
DENNIS & ASHLEY HOOGERBRUGGE Middlesex
THE RED AND WHITE BREEDERS By Theresa Rogers
DENNIS HOOGERBRUGGE LOVES HIS RED AND WHITE HOLSTEINS, a legacy from his family’s dairy farming life in Holland. The Hoogerbrugges came to Canada in 2000 wanting to make a name for themselves as producers. “It’s tough to make a name for yourself starting from scratch so the one way you can do it is through a niche, like the red and whites,” Dennis says. “Dad’s always had the passion for the red and whites so when you grow up with it you feed off that as well. Between the three herds, we are proud to say we are 100 per cent red and white Holsteins.” The Hoogerbrugges now have three farms on the same road, with Dennis’s parents, Adrian and Jolanda, and brother, Frank, running Highbridge Holsteins and Haskett Dairy. Dennis and his wife, Ashley, own the other farm, milking 70 cows. Together, the three farms milk 175 cows year-round, filling 300 kilograms. “We all work closely together but we all have our own place to call the shots too,” he says. Creating the farms took years of foresight and planning. “The planning has been in the works for years,” says Dennis. “In 2012, I went off to the University of Guelph to study ag business and I also signed up for the New Producer Program because you’re a name on a list and you had to be 18 to sign up but that plan was actually in place for a couple years beforehand. I’ve known since grade four I wanted to go to Guelph and end up on a dairy farm.” Dennis graduated, taking on his own farm in 2017 with 35 kilograms to start and then topping up to 75 kilograms from the home farm. His cows came from the home farm via a well-planned breeding strategy of using only red carrier bulls and flushing to grow the number of red and whites. The top and bottom 20 per cent of cows stayed at the home farm with Dennis taking fresh two and three-year-olds. Milking is done in a used double eight parlour. Earlier this year, a 2 8 • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A
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“It’s tough to make a name for yourself starting from scratch so the one way you can do it is through a niche, like the red and whites.” — Dennis Hoogerbrugge
barn addition was completed allowing all the young stock to be brought over, making Hoogerbrugge Dairy self-sufficient. Robots are something to look forward to when it makes sense, Dennis adds. “We love numbers and we’re big on running things efficiently. The barn is not fancy, it’s efficient. We don’t like to get too caught up in that kind of stuff. Let us focus on the cows and improve the genetics and keep gaining that way.” Dennis credits his parents for maintaining open communication and having a clear plan throughout the succession planning process. “I think it’s underrated how much can be done at a kitchen table with a coffee in hand,” he says. “Being able to talk through things – not just the succession planning but the day-to-day jobs – before blindly going in, is underrated.” The family’s philosophy is centred on the cows, with Dennis taking care of the cows and Ashley managing the calves. Their young children, Emma and Logan, join them for chores. “Chores take a little longer when they’re there but we go out to scrape stalls and the kids have a little scraper and they follow us around,” Dennis says. “There’s almost no better place than growing up on a farm and that’s what we want to do for the kids, too.”
Best practices with traceability For Jennifer Peart, traceability is important to build public trust and ensure that our industry can thrive by providing protection, prosperity, and peace of mind. What does traceability mean to you?
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Traceability has improved my herd management, now I ear tag the calves on the day they’re born and record the information immediately, everything is up to date and it feels good to stay on track. Jennifer Peart, Erieview Farms Ltd. Milking 100 cows in Jerseyville, Ontario
Meet dairy producers across Canada in our video series as they share why and how they implement traceability on their farm.
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DairyTrace.ca • 1-866-55-TRACE (1-866-558-7223) • info@DairyTrace.ca
YOUNG PRODUCERS
YOU N G P RO DUC E R S : R E G IO N T E N
TRAVIS RIDDELL Perth
THE NUMBERS PERSON THE PAST EIGHT YEARS have represented a transition for Travis Riddell and his wife, Jaclyn. In October 2015, the couple purchased a dairy farm near Atwood, Ont., and began modernizing it. Today, they milk 80 Holsteins using two DeLaval V310 robotic milkers they installed last January after removing the original double-seven parallel parlour. They own 150 acres and rent an additional 30, on which they grow corn and alfalfa. Both come from farming backgrounds – Travis grew up on a dairy operation near Milverton and Jaclyn was raised on a chicken, cash crop and hog farm near Princeton – yet both worked in agricultural lending after graduating from university. With their own dairy operation, they’ve moved to robotic milkers, utilizing data and increasing their operating efficiency. At the same time, they’ve learned there are no “quick-fix” options in agriculture, only incremental changes leading in the right direction. “I’m a numbers person, and this has been the base of our farming time together,” says Travis, who also works with his parents in the field. “Jaclyn and I like to see how the numbers look on paper before jumping into anything. Most of the time, the numbers will be better on paper than in real life, but we like diving into the data. The robots give us a lot of info to dig into things where we want or with something we’re trying to improve.” The couple also likes to pursue different programs to help boost efficiency in all aspects of their operation, which is why they’re installing solar panels to offset their hydro bills.
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“I’m a numbers person, and this has been the base of our farming time together.” — Travis Riddell
Efforts in maximizing reproduction attracted the attention of their veterinarian, Dr. Kristen Edwards, who nominated the Riddell farm for the 2022 Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council’s Excellence in Dairy Reproduction Awards program. They earned a platinum award and were one of only two Canadian operations among 24 award recipients.
Producer Committee (DPC). “We have meetings approximately every month and part of the time is spent with community involvement, like parades, sponsorships and special events.” He is keen to speak with those who aren’t familiar with agriculture and provides input on where their food comes from.
The robotic milking system has provided the Riddells with added time, which is important when raising their two young children, Vera and Winston.
Travis enjoys being on the DPC, “learning more about Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) – how it operates, what items are top-of-mind and providing feedback,” he says.
“It has provided us more flexibility to attend sporting events, for example,” says Travis, who also sits on the Perth county Dairy
“After joining the DPC, I have a greater appreciation for everyone at DFO and what they do.”
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YOUNG PRODUCERS SIMON PENNINGS Grey
THE STAPH HUNTER By Treena Hein
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YOU N G P RODUC E R S : R E G ION E L E V E N
“Hopefully, this will be the year when I eliminate staph. Once it’s gone, I’m looking forward to moving on to the next goal, which is eliminating bovine leukosis." — Simon Pennings
SIMON PENNINGS IS GRATEFUL TO BE A DAIRY FARMER like his father, who immigrated from Holland in 1980. He is also grateful his father has allowed him to pursue his own goals. “My dad had 25 cows he milked here in an old bank barn and we’re very proud the herd we have today comes from 10 of those cows,” says Simon. “After he married my mother, he built one of the first drive-through feed alley barns in Ontario and built additions in 2000 and again in 2014. He always did most of the milking because he was the only one who knew all the cows and that continued up to 2018. He knew all 150 of them off the top of his head but that year we installed Lely robots and I took the reins. My dad still feeds the calves and does other tasks but I really admire the way he has let go of the decision-making. I can see how that’s such a difficult thing.” After installing the robots and attending a conference presentation a few years ago, Simon made it his mission to eliminate staph (Staphylococcus aureus) infections. “I heard a U.S. farmer say he’d gotten rid of staph in his herd and that he wished he had done it 10 years before,” Simon remembers. “His herd health and profitability went up so much. After doing some research, I’ve been pretty dedicated to doing the same.” It hasn’t been an easy road. At times of setback, Simon has felt he might never get there. “The testing isn’t always accurate in that if the cow isn’t shedding the bacteria, the test comes back as a false negative but then you’ll get a positive test with that cow during a flare-up,” he explains. “But the results guide your culling strategy and I’ve seen herd health increase significantly.” General immunity is stronger, foot rot is almost gone and proAction assessments are nearly perfect. Simon also has the robots do an extra rinse every time a positive cow is milked. He’s considered the staph vaccine but the withdrawal period and three vaccinations per year have deterred him. Simon uses chopped straw bedding (slatted barn floor) and limes his stalls, which he says may have helped with staph prevention. He’s now switching to water beds to maximize cow comfort.
As of late October, there were no cows in the herd testing positive for staph. “Hopefully, this will be the year when I eliminate staph,” Simon says. “Once it’s gone, I’m looking forward to moving on to the next goal, which is eliminating bovine leukosis.” Aside from hunting down staph, Simon has invested in forage quality and farm efficiency. He’s excited his brother Richard has returned to the farm to take on the cropping. “This has reduced pressure on me and is beneficial in many other ways. I’m excited to see how my herd will perform in the future, seeing the great benefits in longevity and health that I’m seeing already.”
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YOUNG PRODUCERS
YOU N G P RO DUC E R S : R E G IO N T W E LV E
DUSTIN KUNKEL Parry Sound
THE BEDDING MASTER By Treena Hein
WHEN DUSTIN KUNKEL RETURNED HOME FROM NIPISSING UNIVERSITY and a few years in the environmental management field to take over the dairy portion of his family farm full-time, he was keen to look at changes to the feed strategy but most excited about how the whole dairy operation might be eventually transformed with a new barn build. After looking at the farm’s feed strategy, Dustin determined it is still working well. His father, Mark, has been feeding his dairy cows grass and alfalfa for the last 30 years. “When I came back about five years ago, we bought more quota and decided to start milking some of the Simmentals in our beef herd to fill the void,” he says. “I expected them to do OK, but they were great.” Two years later, the need was pressing to construct a new barn to replace the ancient stanchion structure where it took Dustin, Mark and his brother Peter, three hours, twice a day to do the milking. “The stalls were small, and my dad had brought in Jerseys to keep the cow size smaller. The building was also causing cow welfare and milk quality issues,” Dustin explains, “so we built a new barn with a Lely robot to improve all that. This would also let my dad and uncle focus on crops.” Dustin was in strong favour of an open-concept pack barn design with composted bedding. “I really hate cows being confined,” he says. “Without stalls, the cows don’t rub their hocks, they go wherever they want and they’re really happy. I visited six of these barns and I noticed some were better with the composted bedding than others. Those that were doing it right were getting a lot of other benefits.” Well-managed, biologically active, dry bedding can wipe out the bacteria that can cause mastitis. “I’m pretty careful with it and our cows are so comfortable,” says Dustin. “They have zero injuries or mastitis, and we have no staph and extremely low bacteria counts.”
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“The cows are so happy and we have outstanding health and production. The composted bedding takes time, but I would never go back.” — Dustin Kunkel
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In all, the composted bedding and robot data have cut herd health costs 20 per cent. Milk production is up 40 per cent from these two same factors, but also due to improved breeding. “With the new barn, we could start breeding larger Holsteins,” Dustin says. “The Simmentals will stay because they’re fantastic at converting grass to milk. Some of them beat out a lot of our Holsteins.” At the same time, feed quality must be high. To speed up harvest and keep grain costs down, the Kunkels have switched from round bales to a self-loading chopped silage forage wagon. “I’m really happy the new barn is working so well,” says Dustin. “The cows are so happy and we have outstanding health and production. The composted bedding takes time, but I would never go back.”
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Conestogo Agri Systems Inc. Drayton — 519 638-3022 1 800 461-3022
SASKATCHEWAN Dairy Lane Systems Warman — 306 242-5850 Emerald Park — 306 721-6844
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Keith Siemon Farm Systems Ltd. Walton — 519 345-2734 Lamers Silos Ltd. Ingersoll — 519 485-4578 Lawrence’s Dairy Supply Inc. Moose Creek — 613 538-2559 McCann Farm Automation Ltd. Seeley’s Bay — 613 382-7411 Brockville — 613 926-2220 McLaren Systems Cobden — 613 646-2062 Melbourne Farm Automation Melbourne — 519 289-5256 Aylmer — 519 773-2740 Watford — 519-876-2420 Silver-Tech Systems Inc. Dunnville — 905 981-2350
ATLANTIC PROVINCES Atlantic Dairy Tech. Charlottetown, PE — 902 368-1719 Mactaquac Farm Equip. Ltd. Mactaquac, NB — 506 363-2340 Sheehy Enterprises Ltd. Shubenacadie, NS — 902 758-2002 Sussex Farm Supplies Sussex, NB — 506 433-1699
YOU N G V E T E R I NA R I A N S
DR. CHARLOTTE WINDER WORKS TO IMPROVE DAIRY CALF CARE, MANAGEMENT AND WELFARE By Katherine Perry
"Producers view their veterinarian as an excellent source of information about best practices with regard to pain control.” —Dr. Charlotte Winder
IN SEPTEMBER, DR. CHARLOTTE WINDER was named the recipient of the 2023 Metacam 20 Bovine Welfare Award for her outstanding contributions to the welfare of animals in Canada. The award was presented at the Canadian Association of Bovine Veterinarians (CABV) annual general meeting in Milwaukee for her commitment to cattle health and welfare, and for her contributions to improving the well-being of dairy cattle. Derek Groff, Business Unit Director (Livestock) with Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada, says the award recognizes and encourages those who research and work to advance animal welfare and well-being.
“As a bovine practitioner, cattle researcher and faculty member at the Ontario Veterinary College, Dr. Winder has made significant contributions to the advancement of bovine welfare in Canada and abroad.” — Derek Groff, Business Unit Director (Livestock), Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada
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Dr. Charlotte Winder visits a dairy farm via Ontario Veterinary College’s Ruminant Field Service (RFS), a program that delivers health management programs in reproductive performance, replacement management, udder health and infectious disease control. Photo Credit: Katherine Perry
“As a bovine practitioner, cattle researcher and faculty member at the Ontario Veterinary College, Dr. Winder has made significant contributions to the advancement of bovine welfare in Canada and abroad,” Groff says. “We congratulate Dr. Winder for her accomplishments and express our gratitude for her incredible
passion toward animal welfare that has resulted in tremendous benefits to the cattle industry.” Dr. Winder is an assistant professor at University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) in the Department of Population Medicine, where she teaches
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students and works as a clinician within the ruminant ambulatory practice. Graduating from the DVM program in 2008, she worked in private practice for six years before returning to OVC for a Doctor of Veterinary Science (DVSc) in 2017. Winder joined the OVC faculty in 2018. Her research focuses on improving the health and performance of ruminant species – primarily dairy cattle and small ruminants. Winder’s research areas include pain management, health management and performance of youngstock, knowledge translation and transfer, and knowledge synthesis.
E X PLOR I N G R E S E A RC H ON US E OF PA I N C ON T ROL FOR DI S BU DDI N G C A LV E S
Winder’s research on pain management in ruminants includes a recent project exploring pain control for disbudding calves. Most calves are born with two tiny horn buds filled with developing cells, which will eventually grow to become full-sized horns. Removing horns helps prevent injury to other animals in the herd, producers and veterinarians.
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Through proAction, Canadian dairy producers follow pain control methods that require a combination of local anesthetic and an analgesic (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, NSAID) prior to disbudding. The study indicates producers believe their veterinarian is the most influential when it comes to pain management and education. “This means producers view their veterinarian as an excellent source of information about best practices with regard to pain control,” Winder explains. “This makes sense [since] we have education and training in this area,” she says, adding it is great to know producers value this knowledge. “The herd veterinarian plays an important role in understanding the individual producer and calf caretaker on the farm,” Winder says. “They can tailor their approach to education and training to suit their needs which, I think, is more likely to create a situation where actual buy-in for these best management practices is achieved.” Katherine Perry is currently a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student at University of Guelph.
The herd veterinarian plays an important role in understanding the individual producer and calf caretaker on the farm.
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CALF CARE
UNDERSTANDING THE INTRICACIES OF WINTER CALF CARE By Kendra Keels AS WINTER APPROACHES, the focus on calf well-being becomes even more critical. There are a few essential aspects of ensuring proper care for calves during colder months, and important considerations and practical recommendations to assure the welfare of calves this winter season.
B E DDI N G
The easiest and most logical place to start is bedding. The resting place for calves must be clean, dry and provide warmth. Straw is insulating and a great solution for cold winter days. “A producer guide to evaluating nesting scores,” a downloadable resource developed by Veal Farmers of Ontario, offers practical tips for farmers to maximize bedding. Straw with a depth of eight centimetres is ideal. Following this simple guideline can make the difference between healthy and sick calves during the cold, damp months.
T H E R MON E U T R A L Z ON E
The thermoneutral zone is the temperature range where calves do not need any additional energy to maintain body temperature. From birth until four weeks of age, this range is between 10 C and 25 C, while from four weeks to weaning, it is 0 C to 25 C. If temperatures are below these ranges, calves are cold-stressed and require extra nutrition to keep warm, grow and remain healthy.
M I L K F E E DI N G
During cold weather, calves require more energy to maintain their body temperature and support their growth. A good rule of thumb is to increase the amount of milk/milk replacer by two per cent for every degree the temperature falls below 5 C to provide sufficient nutrition. The requirement for feeding calves from the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle (2023) states: Newborn calves must be offered a minimum total daily intake of 15 per cent birth weight (six litres for Holsteins) and from seven to 28 days of age must be offered a minimum total daily intake of 20 per cent birth weight (eight litres for Holsteins) in milk/milk replacer. The quantity of milk/milk replacer offered to calves at risk of cold stress must be increased. Milk/milk replacer should always be fed at body temperature (38 C to 39 C); this means milk will need to be hotter than that at the time of mixing when taking it outside to feed. Using a thermometer to
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In winter, the quantity of milk/milk replacer offered to calves at risk of cold stress must be increased. periodically check the milk temperature when it goes in the bucket to ensure it is at body temperature will help calves conserve valuable energy in the winter months.
C A L F JAC K E T S
Another useful tool for maintaining calf warmth is calf jackets. Calf jackets help calves conserve energy. The jacket provides an extra layer of insulation to prevent cold stress. Wash the jackets between calves and check regularly to ensure the jacket is fitting correctly.
WAT E R
Water should be available year-round to calves. In the winter, water should be offered at body temperature like milk/milk replacer. This will conserve the calf’s energy from using valuable energy to heat the water up throughout the body and improve digestion. Providing water to calves outdoors during the winter can be a challenging task; however, restricting water access will limit calves’ solid feed intake and could lead to poor development of the rumen. Following these simple guidelines can make the difference between healthy and sick calves during the cold, damp winter months. Understanding the intricacies of calf care during the winter season is the key to success. Kendra Keels is Industry Development Director, Veal Farmers of Ontario. Learn more and find downloadable resources at calfcare.ca.
DA I RY R E S E A RC H
CLEARING THE AIR Understanding and improving calf barn air quality By Marlene Paibomesai
WITH DEVELOPING IMMUNE SYSTEMS, calves are more susceptible to poor air quality than older cows, and at a higher risk of contracting respiratory infection. Air quality is essential, especially in winter, and having the right tools to assess what is happening in the barn throughout the year can make it easier to monitor and control.
Did You Know Lung Consolidation: Occurs when the air-filled areas of the lung are filled with fluid, infection or another substance. Lavage Sampling: A sample taken of the mucus lining and secretions in the lungs.
W I N T E R A I R QUA L I T Y
Calf barn air quality is particularly challenging to control during the winter months. When housing calves in barns in the winter, maintain a consistent temperature to keep calves within the thermoneutral zone and keep waterlines from freezing. What can occur is reduced air turnover to keep the heat in, which would fall short of the recommended four air changes per hour. Reduced air turnover in the barn can trap moisture and gases, impacting air quality. In 2020, Belgium researchers assessed air quality parameters and the impact on lung consolidation risk measured through ultrasound imaging, lavage sampling and clinical examination. In this study, the researchers assessed 428 group-housed calves on 60 farms over four months. Approximately 40 per cent of calves had lung consolidation
Air Quality Targets Relative Humidity (RH%): Average readings below 75% over 24 hours Ammonia (NH3): Less than 10 ppm for calves; less than 5 ppm for newborns Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Less than 1500 ppm
MEASUREMENT TIPS • Take measurements at the microclimate level of the calf over time. Microclimates, caused by obstructions and air movement in the barn, can change the readings. • Take measurements at various areas in the barn to get a sense of which areas may have reduced ventilation.
Assessing air quality in calf barns can help determine whether ventilation needs improvement.
• Log measurements throughout the day and night to determine how the barn environment changes. Although this is the preferred way to assess air quality, not all sensors have logging capabilities. If taking spot readings or one-point-in-time readings, vary the time of day the readings are taken to get a better picture of the conditions.
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greater than 1 cm, and 16 per cent had lung consolidation greater than 6 cm. The research group concluded ammonia above 4 parts per million (ppm), calf pen temperature, and drafts (0.8 metres per second) increased the risk for lung consolidation.
A I R QUA L I T Y M E A S U R E M E N T S
Defining what "good" air is can be difficult as multiple quality measures can be used to assess the barn environment. Some standard measures of the barn environment include relative humidity, ammonia, carbon dioxide and particulate matter. • Relative Humidity (RH%): The amount of moisture in the air; colourless and can cause condensation in the barn. Outdoor RH% can vary depending on weather conditions.
Sensor readings of carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity.
• Ammonia (NH3): Ammonia is a toxic gas, colourless and has a sharp odour. Outdoor air concentration is 0 ppm. • Carbon Dioxide: Asphyxiant at high concentrations, colourless and odourless. Outdoor air concentration is 400 to 450 ppm. • Particulate Matter (PM): A mixture of particles (solid or liquid) in air, not visible, can be measured as PM less than 1.0 micron (PM1.0), 2.5 microns (PM2.5), and 10 (PM10) microns. Outdoor conditions can vary. Suggested targets are still being researched.
Although not new, air quality is the next frontier in calf management. New sensor technology is making it affordable to monitor air quality. Assessing calf barn air quality throughout the winter can help producers determine whether to evaluate the calf barn ventilation for sufficient air turnover. Marlene Paibomesai, PhD, is Dairy Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
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FARMS VULNERABLE TO CYBER SECURITY THREATS, RESEARCH SHOWS How to protect your farm By Lilian Schaer
AS CANADA’S FARMS BECOME MORE CONNECTED AND MORE DIGITAL, there is a consensus among experts that it’s a matter of when and not if a farm business will experience a cyber security incident. Incidents can result in disruptions of farm operations, financial losses, unauthorized access to sensitive information and, on a larger scale, challenges to Canadian food security if the problem impacts the broader supply chain. Agriculture is a particularly vulnerable sector because it is made up of many independent businesses and cyber attackers, by nature, go after the most vulnerable targets. “The biggest risk right now is the level of maturity and capacity related to cyber security in the ag sector,” says Dr. Janos Botschner, lead researcher behind the Cyber Security Capacity in Canadian Agriculture project. It’s a multi-year research project funded by the federal government to help get a better sense of cyber security readiness across the agriculture sector and includes a literature review of digital systems in agriculture, interviews and focus groups with the ag sector, a producer survey and resources created specifically for farmers. According to Botschner, most other economic sectors, from finance and health to energy, have fairly sophisticated cyber security frameworks in place, but agriculture has lagged at least in part because of a relatively low perception of risk.
Botschner’s research reveals a key barrier to cyber security action on the farm is a lack of knowledge of where or how to start. In fact, 52 per cent of respondents to his team’s producer survey didn’t see cyber security as a priority, 47 per cent didn’t know where to find help, and 25 per cent said they didn’t have the resources to act.
52%
of respondents to a producer survey don’t see cyber security as a priority
47% 25%
don’t know where to find help
don't have the resources to act
“If you’re looking at tight margins already, it might be difficult to see yourself paying for some additional services you don’t necessarily see the value of,” he says.
Stay Alert
Most farms, the research shows, are family operations that manage their own networks and often run them off a residential system. Except for very large operations, most family farm businesses do not have a family or staff member with cyber security expertise, and while there are some cyber security practices in place, they are uneven and not as strong as they could be.
• Don’t click on unverified links in emails or text messages. • Don’t overshare information about operations and vacation plans. • Never reveal sensitive business or personal information to unsolicited callers. Always check back with a caller who says they are from a financial services provider.
Most cyber attacks rely on human error or manipulation.
W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • 3 9
To help farmers get started, Botschner and his team developed a list of practical steps a farm business can take to reduce cyber security risk:
• Ensure hardware and software is kept up to date, and basic physical and electronic safeguards, such as locked server cabinets and strong passwords, are in place. • Consider what kind and how much information is shared about your family and your farm business in social media posts. • When away from the farm, never use public Wi-Fi to check onAGRI-TRAC Milled our dairy barn floors in August farm systems. If you have to monitor public AGRI-TRAC givesoperations the cows thefrom Traction they need milk production of• Increase 2000. 22 Years later we just had AGRI-TRAC Milled our dairy barn floors in August places, purchase and use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or also without being too aggressive on their feet. We AGRI-TRAC gives the cows the Traction they need • Increase heat detection to do them again. It lasted 22 Years! We chose rs later we just had AGRI-TRAC back howusing the floor easy to scrape andyour clean. without being too aggressive on their feet. We alsolike connect to monitoring apps theiscellular data on mobile Providing both times of grooving like how the floor is easy m again. It lasted 22 Years! We chose • AGRI-TRAC Reduce hoof and leginstead injuries to scrape and clean. device. Permanent Traction James Walker Walkerbrae Farms Providing because it works and lasts. We have experience, both times instead of grooving •Walker Tfarmers ake time to understand what information is critical to the farm ON • Reduce cull rates for Guelph, Permanent Traction James Walkerbrae Farms ks and lasts. We have experience, grooving does NOT work! Thank you AGRI-TRAC. that lasts decades! business, where it sits and how it moves, and what would happen for farmers Guelph, ON NOT work! Thank you AGRI-TRAC. Mario Vriens Friendly Farms that lasts decades! Over 25 Years Providing Permanent Traction if it were corrupted or not available. Think about what would 877-966-3546 Arthur, ON Mario Vriens Friendly Farms www.agritraction.com happen if you lost access to herd data, fertilizer or pesticide forON farmerswww.agritraction.com that877-966-3546 lasts decades! Arthur, application records or other information needed for on-farm food AGRI-TRAC gives the cows the AGRI-TRAC milled our dairy barn safety and other audits and certifications. traction they need without being floors in August of 2000. 22 years • Consider how to get things up and running again following a too aggressive on their feet. We later we just had AGRI-TRAC back disruption: who can help and what items are a priority. also like how the floor is easy to to do them again. It lasted 22 Years! • Back up the most important information regularly and store it in a scrape and clean. We chose AGRI-TRAC both times safe place. James Walker, Walkerbrae Farms instead of grooving because it works Guelph, ON and lasts. Thank you AGRI-TRAC. • Make a sketch of the devices, sensors, computers, servers, mobile Mario Vriens, Friendly Farms, devices, automated equipment, environmental control systems, Arthur, ON financial systems and other hardware that are connected in the on-farm networks. This will help you understand just how many www.agritraction.com things are connected and identify potential vulnerabilities. Use this to have an informed conversation with an IT provider or cybersecurity consultant. • List all the suppliers whose services involve points of electronic contact with on-farm systems. • Question suppliers about their information or cyber security safeguards. • Reach out to IT service providers and sector associations to get technical help and to stay informed about new threats and how to manage them. There are many free resources available. • Conduct periodic cyber “fire drills” so you know what to do and who to call in the event of an incident.
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Cyber security could be integrated into a farm’s existing business risk management strategies, but Botschner believes farmers shouldn’t have to bear the burden alone. His team has developed a framework called Cyber Barn Raising that focuses on the system as a whole and identifies industry stakeholders and opportunities to strengthen cyber resilience. “Over 90 per cent of cyber attacks leverage human error or psychology, so make sure your family and your team understand how to identify suspicious emails, change your passwords regularly and remove digital access to your systems from any employees who have left your business,” Botschner says. This article is provided by Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) as part of its ongoing efforts to report on research developments and outcomes affecting the Canadian livestock industry. LRIC is funded in part by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federalprovincial-territorial initiative.
WO R L D DA I RY
YOUNG COUPLE MIXES NEW TECHNOLOGY WITH NOSTALGIA Chestnutt family capitalizes on location with milk vending machine sales By Chris McCullough
Left: In 2019, William and Alison began selling their milk through a vending machine on the farm. Middle: In the Milk Hut, one machine dispenses glass bottles while another dispenses the milk. Right: Reusable glass bottles are popular with customers looking for sustainability and nostalgia. WHEN A YOUNG NORTHERN IRELAND COUPLE WANTED TO ADD VALUE to their dairy herd’s milk sales, they knew their location was a huge bonus for attracting customers. William Chestnutt’s farm lies on the main road to the town of Portrush on Northern Ireland’s north coast, a popular destination for holiday stays, golfing tournaments and restaurants. The town has a huge catchment area for both residents and tourists, which sees a lot of potential customers go past the Chestnutt farm daily. This gave the family the idea to sell their milk via vending machines and the decision has proved very rewarding.
“Our daily sales vary widely depending on the day of the week, but the weekends are always busy. We live on the main road into Portrush and attract a lot of customers who have houses or caravans in the area and spend more time up here on weekends, holidays and summertime,” he says. Before setting up the Milk Hut, William and Alison travelled to England to a vending machine distributor and visited several farms that were already selling milk directly to the public. They liked the nostalgic and sustainable appeal of using glass bottles, similar to those used by milkmen in the past.
Chestnutt farms 360 acres with his father James and wife Alison, and has been working there since 2010, following three years at university and a year working in New Zealand.
“Single-use plastic has been in the media over the last number of years for all the wrong reasons and we wanted to be able to offer our customers an alternative,” Chestnutt says.
In 2019, the young couple decided to diversify and sell some of their cows’ milk via a vending machine in a shelter they dubbed the Milk Hut.
A pasteurization room, located close to the milking parlour, allows the milk to be directly pumped from the cow to the pasteurizer.
“We always strive to increase our sustainability and liked the idea of selling milk in reusable glass bottles,” Chestnutt says of the fresh, unhomogenized, batch-pasteurized milk he sells. 4 2 • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A
The machine is capable of pasteurizing 150 litres of milk at a time, with a fresh batch prepared daily. It takes 30 minutes for the milk to reach the optimum temperature of 63.5 C where it is held for another 30 minutes to ensure all harmful bacteria is removed. The milk is then
chilled to below 10 C through a separate cooling system. Once cooled, the milk is transported on a trolley across the yard to the Milk Hut, which houses two vending machines. One machine dispenses the glass bottles while another dispenses the milk. Bottles can be purchased in one-litre or 250-ml sizes. Since opening the Milk Hut, the couple has ventured into yogurt production. “We are currently milking 255 cows with 80 replacements and 100 heifer calves,” he says. “Normally, we rear 20- to 40 dairy-bred beef cattle and sell these as stores. The rest are sold between two and four weeks old.” Chestnutt has milked his cows twice per day in a 20/40 DeLaval parlour since 2001. The herd’s current 12-month rolling production average is 8,900 L at 4.12 per cent butterfat and 3.46 per cent protein. The herd is predominantly autumn calving with more than 200 cows
“We always strive to increase our sustainability and liked the idea of selling milk in reusable glass bottles.” —William Chesnutt
calving between the second week of September and the end of November. Using three breeds – Holstein, Montbeliarde and Viking Red – on a rotational basis, Chestnutt uses the ProCROSS system of crossbreeding to develop the cow he wants that suits his farming system. Although he has seen good results in terms of production, fertility and cow efficiency, his main goal is to increase longevity, and only time will tell if he achieves that. “During the first year, I used a majority of Viking Red on the Holstein, but I now prefer to go with Montbeliarde onto the Holstein first and then Viking Red,” Chestnutt explains. The three breeds have their place and purpose, he adds. Holstein brings yield and good udders, Montbeliarde adds strength, longevity and good solids, particularly protein. Viking Red adds good health traits, maintains good yields and solids, and can bring the stature down to breed smaller, more efficient cows. “So far, I am very pleased with how the crossbreeds are performing in the herd. However, as increased longevity is one of the key goals and biggest benefits, in my opinion, it will be a few years yet before I can tell just how much better crossbreeding is.”
W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • 4 3
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AD INDEX Agri Plastics .......................................38
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B AC K4 0 : A L O O K B AC K I N M I L K P RO DUC E R M AG A Z I N E H I S T ORY
Canadian farms paint a portrait of an aging population, a stark contrast to Canada’s population as a whole. Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) now make up less than one-quarter (24.9 per cent) of Canda’s population, though in 2021, 60.5 per cent of farmers were aged 55 and older. In fact, there are twice as many farmers aged 55 and up (60.5 per cent), than there are those aged 35-54 (30.9 per cent). This story from 1988 celebrates the efforts of one young producer who started his farm from scratch, acquiring cows over several years and renting a barn from a friend. In fact, Gary Reynolds started with nothing except a love of livestock, borne of years helping his grandfather raise sheep. Gary’s story of hard work and determination – like all the stories in this issue – is one that is shared by all farmers, young and old.
4 6 • N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • W W W. M I L K P R O D U C E R . C A
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