Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Attention dairy farmers - have you completed the research survey on calf feeding?

Researchers at the University of Guelph want to find out more about the way dairy farmers feed and manage young dairy calves. In particular, they are interested in the use of automated milk feeders in Canada. Dairy farmers across Canada are encouraged to fill out an online survey at http://fluidsurveys.com/s/milkfeedingdairycalves/

You may have already seen or heard about this survey through CanWest DHI, Valacta or the Milk Producer magazine's February 2015 issue. 

 

The survey will gather information about your experiences feeding and managing young dairy calves and help researchers identify reasons why some producers have switched to automated feeding and why others have kept on using manual feeding methods. The survey also will help identify the perceived advantages and challenges both groups of farmers face with these two feeding systems and document some of the key management practices that characterize both types of systems.

The information you provide will help researchers identify specific areas where more research is needed to help strike a balance between the use of available technology and the implementation of good management practices to improve calf welfare and performance. Future on-farm research with automated milk feeders will help identify and refine best management practices to facilitate successful integration of this equipment on-farm.

Everyone who completes the survey and provides an email address will also be entered into a draw to win 1 of 2 $250 cash prizes.

The project “Innovative feeding and best management practices for the very young dairy calf to improve calf performance, welfare, and future productivity” is funded under the Dairy Research Cluster Program, Dairy Farmers of Canada.

Follow the Ontario Veterinary College @OntVetCollege

Views: 167

Comments are closed for this blog post

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Farming Forward in Watford scheduled for Dec. 1

The event will provide farmers with information about farm transition and funding opportunities

Canada and China extend Preliminary Joint Agreement until 2028

The extension means continued tariff-free access for canola meal

Manitoba Dealer AgWest Seeks Lifeline

One of Manitoba's largest equipment dealership networks has been given a temporary lifeline to stay in business while it seeks new financing, pursues a sale or develops a restructuring plan, as the Manitoba Court of King's Bench granted protection from creditors. AgWest Ltd. could be heading toward liquidation as the company was unable to meet payroll obligations in the middle of harvest season, according to a document filed by the company's bank, the Bank of Montreal. AgWest serves farmers at six dealerships in Manitoba at Elie, Morden, Brandon, Neepawa, Russell and Benito, as well as two locations in Saskatchewan at Weyburn and Yorkton. AgWest Ltd. has defaulted on more than $34 million in loans, according to an opening brief in a restructuring proceeding under Canada's Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. "Since 2026, the AgWest entities have experienced significant financial difficulties, including liquidity challenges and a general inability to meet their obligations as they

Deere Plans 2 Iowa Plant Closures

John Deere announced plans to close two Iowa manufacturing plants in the next few years and move production to other cities, in a news release from the company on Wednesday. Deere said it will be closing its plant in Ottumwa, Iowa, after moving windrower and round-baler production to Des Moines. In addition, the company said it will end manufacturing at its Hagie plant in Clarion, Iowa, after moving STS sprayer production to Louisiana. Windrower production plans to move to Des Moines by the end of 2027 and round balers would follow by the end of 2028, according to Deere, followed by the closure of the plant in Ottumwa. Hagie STS sprayer production is slated to move to Thibodaux, Louisiana, beginning in 2028 with manufacturing ending in Clarion, Iowa, by the end of 2029. John Deere did not provide employment numbers or say how many jobs would be affected, although other media outlets on Wednesday reported the company has about 700 workers at the Ottumwa plant. The number of employee

Diesel Fuel Waivers Bring Engine Compatibility Concerns and Tax Rule Questions

Responding to the surge in diesel fuel prices, federal and state lawmakers introduced temporary measures intended to provide economic relief. These actions raise questions about fuel use requirements and fuel taxation. “Temporary relief measures may help reduce operating costs, but diesel users should not assume that all diesel fuels are interchangeable,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Engine Technology Forum. “Understanding which fuel is appropriate for a particular engine and complying with tax and regulatory requirements can help avoid equipment damage, unnecessary maintenance costs, warranty concerns, and compliance issues.” Texas and Alaska get ULSD exemptions Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is the standard diesel fuel used for both on-highway and off-highway applications throughout the United States, and it is regulated to a maximum sulfur content of 15 parts per million (ppm). On Oct 5, Texas was granted a waiver to supply diesel fuel with up to 500 ppm of sul

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service