{"id":12153,"date":"2025-05-23T17:34:20","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T21:34:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uniag.coop\/?p=12153"},"modified":"2025-05-30T14:25:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T18:25:40","slug":"discovery-tour-animal-production-advisors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uniag.coop\/en\/animal-production\/discovery-tour-animal-production-advisors\/","title":{"rendered":"Field Training at Top Ontario Dairy Farms"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12149,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_wds_title":"","_wds_metadesc":"","_wds_focus-keywords":"","_wds_meta-robots-adv":"","_wds_meta-robots-noindex":false,"_wds_meta-robots-nofollow":false,"_wds_meta-robots-index":false,"_wds_meta-robots-follow":false,"_wds_autolinks-exclude":false,"_wds_canonical":"","_wds_opengraph":[],"_wds_twitter":[],"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46,47],"class_list":["post-12153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-animal-production","category-articles-en"],"acf":[],"cp_meta_data":{"_wds_readability":["a:4:{s:5:\"score\";i:64;s:9:\"raw_score\";i:64;s:11:\"is_readable\";b:1;s:5:\"error\";b:0;}"],"_edit_lock":["1748629677:2"],"_edit_last":["2"],"_wpml_media_duplicate":["1"],"_wpml_media_featured":["1"],"_thumbnail_id":["12149"],"_last_translation_edit_mode":["native-editor"],"_wpml_word_count":["7"],"_encloseme":["1"],"featured_post":["0"],"_featured_post":["field_5f9b2156861ac"],"short_description":["Discover best practices in dairy production from Ontario\u2019s top-performing dairy farms. Our expert advisors share key takeaways and how to boost your herd\u2019s performance."],"_short_description":["field_5f9b2156861f8"],"author":[""],"_author":["field_5f9b21568623f"],"cta_footer_title":[""],"_cta_footer_title":["field_5f9b21569952c"],"cta_footer_description":[""],"_cta_footer_description":["field_5f9b215699587"],"cta_footer_image":[""],"_cta_footer_image":["field_5f9b2156995dc"],"cta_footer_button":[""],"_cta_footer_button":["field_5f9b215699624"],"cta_footer":[""],"_cta_footer":["field_5f9b215686285"],"flexible_article":["a:2:{i:0;s:10:\"title_text\";i:1;s:13:\"image_gallery\";}"],"_flexible_article":["field_5f9b20e56f948"],"flexible_0_title":["<strong>Discovery Tour \u2013 Animal Production Advisors in Western Ontario, May 5\u20137, 2025<\/strong>"],"flexible_0_text":["In early May, Uniag Cooperative\u2019s team of animal production advisors traveled to Western Ontario for a field training tour. The goal? To draw inspiration from top-performing dairy farms and foster peer learning. This type of experience strengthens our team\u2019s field expertise while providing practical insights to better support our producers.\r\n\r\n<strong>Exceptional farms as learning environments:<\/strong>\r\nThe tour included four dairy farms in the counties of Waterloo and Wellington, all recognized for their disciplined management and consistent performance. These farms stood out for:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Quotas ranging from 330 to 800 kg;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Robotic milking systems or 3x milking;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A ranking among Lactanet\u2019s Top Best Managed Dairy Herds in Canada;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A production level of 2 kg of butterfat per cow per day.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Key takeaways from the field:<\/strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li><strong> Consistency is the cornerstone of success<\/strong>\r\nProtocols are clearly defined and rigorously applied:<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Set feeding times;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Systematic calving and dry-off routines;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Animal movements scheduled on fixed days.\r\nNothing is left to chance\u2014or for tomorrow.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ol start=\"2\">\r\n \t<li><strong> Forage quality and ration precision<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Systematic use of homofermentative silage inoculants;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Harvesting at optimal maturity, impeccable bunk silos, and perfect compaction;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>In two cases, 100% of fieldwork outsourced to contractors for consistency;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Premixes made with self-feeding mixers;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Daily measurement of refusals and regular dry matter checks.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Abundant inventories, nothing gets fed without 3 months minimum of fermentation<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ol start=\"3\">\r\n \t<li><strong> An empowered and engaged team<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Key people lead each department and make decisions;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Employees are involved and committed to results;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Local workforce is stable and motivated.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ol start=\"4\">\r\n \t<li><strong> Strategic heifer rearing<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Over 100% of heifers raised to allow rigorous selection at 10 months or calving;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Genomics, conformation, and treatment history are used as selection criteria;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Even with high calf prices, priority remains on long-term herd quality and longevity.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<ol start=\"5\">\r\n \t<li><strong> Animal comfort is non-negotiable<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Clean, spacious, and well-ventilated pre-calving pens;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Close monitoring of locomotion, with rapid response to issues;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A shared belief across farms: when cows are comfortable, they perform better.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThis field trip proved to be a valuable source of inspiration for our team of advisors. They return better equipped and more motivated than ever to support our region\u2019s dairy producers in overcoming their daily challenges.\r\n\r\n<strong>Want to learn more about best practices in animal production?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nFeel free to reach out to our team of expert advisors\u2014we\u2019re here to help you move your business forward, one step at a time."],"flexible_0_id_lien":[""],"_flexible_0_id_lien":["field_5f9b219edc48c"],"flexible_0_background_trigger_trigger":["0"],"_flexible_0_background_trigger_trigger":["field_5f9b219ee2615"],"flexible_0_background_trigger_site_color":["0"],"_flexible_0_background_trigger_site_color":["field_5f9b219ee2665"],"flexible_0_background_trigger":[""],"_flexible_0_background_trigger":["field_5f9b219edf766"],"flexible_1_gallery":["a:3:{i:0;s:5:\"12151\";i:1;s:5:\"12149\";i:2;s:5:\"12147\";}"],"_flexible_1_gallery":["field_5f9b219ea521d"],"flexible":["a:2:{i:0;s:10:\"title_text\";i:1;s:14:\"images-gallery\";}"],"_wds_primary_term_category":["false"],"_wds_save_primary_category_nonce":["e4a03d4b53"],"_wds_trimmed_excerpt":[""],"flexible_article_0_title":["<strong>Field Training in Dairy Production: Best Practices for Ontario Dairy Farms<\/strong>"],"_flexible_article_0_title":["field_5f9b20e609542"],"flexible_article_0_text":["In early May, <strong data-start=\"386\" data-end=\"436\">Uniag Cooperative\u2019s animal production advisors<\/strong> traveled to <strong data-start=\"449\" data-end=\"468\">Western Ontario<\/strong> for a <strong data-start=\"475\" data-end=\"507\">hands-on field training tour<\/strong>. The goal? To <strong data-start=\"522\" data-end=\"563\">learn from top-performing dairy farms<\/strong> and foster peer learning. This experience strengthened our team\u2019s <strong data-start=\"630\" data-end=\"651\">on-farm expertise<\/strong> while providing valuable insights to better support <strong data-start=\"704\" data-end=\"734\">dairy producers in Ontario and Quebec<\/strong>.\r\n<h3><strong>Exceptional farms as learning environments<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThe tour included <strong data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"835\">four exceptional dairy farms<\/strong> located in the counties of <strong data-start=\"863\" data-end=\"875\">Waterloo<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"880\" data-end=\"894\">Wellington<\/strong>, each recognized for their disciplined management and high performance. These farms are known for:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"995\" data-end=\"1035\">\r\n<p data-start=\"997\" data-end=\"1035\"><strong data-start=\"997\" data-end=\"1007\">Quotas<\/strong> ranging from 330 to 800 kg.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"995\" data-end=\"1035\">\r\n<p data-start=\"997\" data-end=\"1035\">Use of <strong data-start=\"1045\" data-end=\"1072\">robotic milking systems<\/strong> or <strong data-start=\"1076\" data-end=\"1090\">3x milking<\/strong> routines.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"1101\" data-end=\"1166\">\r\n<p data-start=\"1103\" data-end=\"1166\">Ranking among <strong data-start=\"1117\" data-end=\"1165\">Lactanet\u2019s Top Managed Dairy Herds in Canada<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"1167\" data-end=\"1234\">\r\n<p data-start=\"1169\" data-end=\"1234\"><strong data-start=\"1169\" data-end=\"1183\">Production<\/strong> levels reaching 2 kg of butterfat per cow per day.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3 data-start=\"1169\" data-end=\"1234\"><strong>Key Takeaways and Best Practices<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p data-start=\"1279\" data-end=\"1357\">\u2705 <strong data-start=\"1281\" data-end=\"1311\">Consistency and Discipline<\/strong><br data-start=\"1311\" data-end=\"1314\" \/>Success starts with unwavering consistency:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul data-start=\"1358\" data-end=\"1486\">\r\n \t<li data-start=\"1358\" data-end=\"1429\">\r\n<p data-start=\"1360\" data-end=\"1429\"><strong data-start=\"1360\" data-end=\"1379\">Clear protocols<\/strong> for feeding times, calving, and dry-off routines.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"1430\" data-end=\"1486\">\r\n<p data-start=\"1432\" data-end=\"1486\">Scheduled animal movements, leaving nothing to chance.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p data-start=\"1488\" data-end=\"1531\">\u2705 <strong data-start=\"1490\" data-end=\"1529\">Forage Quality and Ration Precision<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul data-start=\"1532\" data-end=\"1961\">\r\n \t<li data-start=\"1532\" data-end=\"1605\">\r\n<p data-start=\"1534\" data-end=\"1605\">Use of <strong data-start=\"1541\" data-end=\"1579\">homofermentative silage inoculants<\/strong> for optimal fermentation.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"1606\" data-end=\"1689\">\r\n<p data-start=\"1608\" data-end=\"1689\">Harvesting at the best maturity stage, with <strong data-start=\"1652\" data-end=\"1674\">perfect compaction<\/strong> in bunk silos.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"1690\" data-end=\"1777\">\r\n<p data-start=\"1692\" data-end=\"1777\">In two cases, <strong data-start=\"1706\" data-end=\"1753\">100% of fieldwork outsourced to contractors<\/strong> for consistent results.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"1778\" data-end=\"1828\">\r\n<p data-start=\"1780\" data-end=\"1828\">Premixes prepared using <strong data-start=\"1804\" data-end=\"1827\">self-feeding mixers<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"1829\" data-end=\"1899\">\r\n<p data-start=\"1831\" data-end=\"1899\">Daily refusal measurement and regular <strong data-start=\"1869\" data-end=\"1898\">dry matter content checks<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"1900\" data-end=\"1961\">\r\n<p data-start=\"1902\" data-end=\"1961\">No forage fed before <strong data-start=\"1923\" data-end=\"1960\">at least 3 months of fermentation<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p data-start=\"1963\" data-end=\"1986\">\u2705 <strong data-start=\"1965\" data-end=\"1984\">An Engaged Team<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul data-start=\"1987\" data-end=\"2100\">\r\n \t<li data-start=\"1987\" data-end=\"2029\">\r\n<p data-start=\"1989\" data-end=\"2029\">Clear leadership within each department.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"2030\" data-end=\"2100\">\r\n<p data-start=\"2032\" data-end=\"2100\">Employees <strong data-start=\"2042\" data-end=\"2077\">actively involved and motivated<\/strong> to achieve farm goals.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p data-start=\"2102\" data-end=\"2137\">\u2705 <strong data-start=\"2104\" data-end=\"2135\">Strategic Heifer Management<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul data-start=\"2138\" data-end=\"2389\">\r\n \t<li data-start=\"2138\" data-end=\"2229\">\r\n<p data-start=\"2140\" data-end=\"2229\">Over 100% of heifers raised, allowing for <strong data-start=\"2182\" data-end=\"2204\">rigorous selection<\/strong> at 10 months or calving.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"2230\" data-end=\"2316\">\r\n<p data-start=\"2232\" data-end=\"2316\"><strong data-start=\"2232\" data-end=\"2251\">Genomic testing<\/strong>, conformation, and treatment history used as selection criteria.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"2317\" data-end=\"2389\">\r\n<p data-start=\"2319\" data-end=\"2389\">Despite high calf prices, focus remains on <strong data-start=\"2362\" data-end=\"2388\">long-term herd quality<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p data-start=\"2391\" data-end=\"2425\">\u2705 <strong data-start=\"2393\" data-end=\"2423\">Animal Comfort and Welfare<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul data-start=\"2426\" data-end=\"2601\">\r\n \t<li data-start=\"2426\" data-end=\"2478\">\r\n<p data-start=\"2428\" data-end=\"2478\">Clean, spacious, well-ventilated pre-calving pens.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"2479\" data-end=\"2545\">\r\n<p data-start=\"2481\" data-end=\"2545\">Proactive <strong data-start=\"2491\" data-end=\"2516\">locomotion monitoring<\/strong> and prompt issue resolution.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li data-start=\"2546\" data-end=\"2601\">\r\n<p data-start=\"2548\" data-end=\"2601\">A shared belief: <strong data-start=\"2565\" data-end=\"2600\">comfortable cows perform better<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p data-start=\"2608\" data-end=\"2648\"><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 data-start=\"2608\" data-end=\"2648\"><strong data-start=\"2608\" data-end=\"2648\">Supporting Dairy Producers<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p data-start=\"2650\" data-end=\"2889\">This <strong data-start=\"2655\" data-end=\"2684\">dairy farm field training<\/strong> proved to be an <strong data-start=\"2701\" data-end=\"2737\">invaluable source of inspiration<\/strong> for our advisors. They return better equipped and more motivated than ever to support<strong data-start=\"2824\" data-end=\"2851\">\u00a0dairy producers<\/strong> in overcoming their daily challenges.<\/p>\r\n<p data-start=\"2891\" data-end=\"3036\"><strong data-start=\"2891\" data-end=\"2941\">Want to improve your dairy herd\u2019s performance?<\/strong><br data-start=\"2941\" data-end=\"2944\" \/>Contact our <strong data-start=\"2956\" data-end=\"2994\">team of animal production advisors<\/strong>\u2014we\u2019re here to help your business succeed!<\/p>"],"_flexible_article_0_text":["field_5f9b20e60ccae"],"flexible_article_0_id_lien":[""],"_flexible_article_0_id_lien":["field_5f9b20e610eb3"],"flexible_article_0_background_trigger_trigger":["0"],"_flexible_article_0_background_trigger_trigger":["field_5f9b20e619f60"],"flexible_article_0_background_trigger_site_color":["0"],"_flexible_article_0_background_trigger_site_color":["field_5f9b20e619fbc"],"flexible_article_0_background_trigger":[""],"_flexible_article_0_background_trigger":["field_5f9b20e615576"],"flexible_article_1_images_0_single_image":["12151"],"_flexible_article_1_images_0_single_image":["field_5f9b20e6aa744"],"flexible_article_1_images_0_link":[""],"_flexible_article_1_images_0_link":["field_5f9b20e6aa794"],"flexible_article_1_images_1_single_image":["12149"],"_flexible_article_1_images_1_single_image":["field_5f9b20e6aa744"],"flexible_article_1_images_1_link":[""],"_flexible_article_1_images_1_link":["field_5f9b20e6aa794"],"flexible_article_1_images_2_single_image":["12147"],"_flexible_article_1_images_2_single_image":["field_5f9b20e6aa744"],"flexible_article_1_images_2_link":[""],"_flexible_article_1_images_2_link":["field_5f9b20e6aa794"],"flexible_article_1_images":["3"],"_flexible_article_1_images":["field_5f9b20e6a77fd"],"flexible_article_1_id_lien":[""],"_flexible_article_1_id_lien":["field_5f9b20e6b32b6"],"_flexible_0_title":["field_5d837dfae1a9f"],"_flexible":["field_5d837ce5e1a9c"],"_flexible_0_text":["field_5d837e18e1aa1"],"_wds_focus-keywords":[""]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniag.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniag.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniag.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniag.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniag.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12153"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/uniag.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12153\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniag.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniag.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniag.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}