February promises to be a month of dairy innovation and learning as we present three outstanding events. Join us at the Eastern Ontario Dairy Days on February 13th and 14th, where keynote speaker Dr. Marina vonKeyserlingk leads discussions on sustainable dairy practices, followed by the South Western Ontario Dairy Symposium on February 22nd, headlined by [...]
Category: News
Employee Management and Labour Efficiency Survey Now Open
Working with Progressive Dairy Operators, the OMAFRA Dairy Team wants to hear from you on current wages, compensation, and labour needs on your dairy farm. The survey has been designed to determine labour efficiency per cow and per hectoliter of milk produced, position (e.g. milker, calf feeder, herd manager) wages, and other compensation provided. Since 2004, [...]
Summer Job Opportunity: Dairy Summer Research Assistant
We're #hiring. Livestock summer positions have been posted for Summer 2024! We have an outstanding 3 Dairy Summer Research Assistant positions in the Agriculture Development Branch at OMAFRA. You will get to work with Tom Wright and Marlene Paibomesai on projects in the dairy cattle and dairy goat industries. There are other livestock-focused positions available with [...]
We’re Hiring! Summer Research Assistant – Grazing
OMAFRA Summer Research Assistant – Grazing Number of Positions: One (1) Location: Lindsay, ON Contract Length: 6 – 18 weeks, starting May 1, 2024 (start date negotiable) Salary: $17.40/hour (Level 2), based on a 36.25-hour work week Job Description: Are you interested in grazing ruminants (beef, sheep and/or organic/grass-fed dairy) and are looking to develop transferable skills, support your career [...]
Frost Injury in Sorghum Species
Caution! Members of the sorghum family – sorghum, sudangrass, and hybrid sorghum-sudangrass – contain dhurrin, a glucoside that breaks down to release hydrocyanic acid, also known as prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide, HCN). A sudden disruption of growth such as frost, drought or cutting, causes prussic acid to be released inside the plant at a more [...]
NEW! Publication 30: Guide to Forage Production
Publication 30: Guide to Forage Production is a comprehensive guide to forage agronomy. It has information on establishment, fertility, weed management and weather stress for many species grown as forage in Ontario. It also covers harvest and storage of forage crops and understanding a laboratory forage analysis. To download a free PDF version or order a [...]
Caution! Silo gas and nitrate poisoning
Rain events across the province have interrupted a dry spring. While the water is welcome, the 5-7 days after a rain that ends a severe dry period increases the risk of nitrates in forage crops! Nitrates are of concern because they can increase silo gas production and cause nitrate poisoning in livestock. Silo Gas Silo gas (nitrogen [...]
On-off Grazing
On-off grazing is a management technique to minimize damage while grazing wet pastures. It is an alternative to using a sacrifice paddock. Livestock do the least amount of pugging damage to a field when they are actively grazing. It is other activities, such as visiting the water trough or mineral source, lying down, or socializing [...]
Webinar: Beef on Dairy Crosses – A Discussion on Production Management
Ontario Corn Fed Beef - “The News feed live” webinar. You can access the webinar recording at https://ontariocornfedbeef.com/newsfeed-live-webinar-series-videos/ Beef on Dairy Crosses - A Discussion on Production Management Ontario cattle feeders and invited experts share their keys to success for an effective finishing program for beef on dairy crosses. This webinar was hosted on March [...]
Best Management Practices Website Launched
Just released, the virtual library of Best Management Practices (BMP) books, booklets, Soil Health infosheets and Environmental Farm Plan infosheets. This website contains all the BMP titles and is designed to make it easy to find the information you seek. The award-winning BMP series helps Ontario farmers and rural landowners find the best options for managing soil, water [...]
Dairy and Beef Cattle Production 