News archive
Past news and articles
November 17, 2011
Quality silage is more valuable than ever Part 1
Most feed prices are nearly double their historical averages. And there’s plenty of debate about whether these prices will ever return to those levels and when, if not, we can expect any reduction at all and how much this reduction is likely to be.
more >>
November 17, 2011
Quality silage is more valuable than ever Part 2
There are several sources of dry-matter loss in silage. The most obvious is silage that has spoiled and is not fed. This is typically found at the end or top of piles.
more >>
November 3, 2011
Introduction to Floor Tube Scraper Systems
There is tremendous interest in “floor-tube” alley scraper systems. In these systems the wet, sloppy manure that normally accumulates in front of a scraper blade falls through a 2” wide slot and into a sub-floor tube running under the center of each alley.
more >>
October 6, 2011
Animal comfort begins with ventilation part 2
When it comes to natural ventilation, the importance should be placed on the size of the lateral opening. The main rule should be a ratio of 1: 10. For a building that is 10m wide, there should be a 1m opening.
more >>
October 6, 2011
Animal comfort begins with ventilation part 1
Technological developments in recent years have developed new tendencies when it comes to animal comfort. Even in the mechanical and electronic fields, it continues to grow.
more >>
September 22, 2011
Livestock manure-handling dangers
An article published in the Journal of Agromedicine provides a summary of the frequency and characteristics of death related to on-farm manure storage and handling facilities for the period 1975-2004. Sources included published government reports, national and local media, online searches, published farm fatality reports and prior litigation.
more >>
September 8, 2011
What really happens when we reuse separated dairy solids?
Using separated dairy solids for bedding can prove economically advantageous and offer a comfortable surface for your cows. So if some farmers in North America are using them, why can’t we?
more >>
August 25, 2011
Valdo Farm: A Filtering Swamp for Dairy Waste Water
Donald Vallée, from the Valdo Farm in St-Thuribe, in the Portneuf area of Quebec, will be participating in a filtering-swamp pilot project to deal with dairy waste water. This will have an environmental bonus, helping with the revitalization of the Niagarette River.
more >>
August 11, 2011
Improve Silage Quality With Inoculants
Escalating commodity prices are increasing overall feed costs for dairies. In addition, the increase in competition for cropland is driving up the cost of silage
more >>
July 19, 2011
Sampling Liquid Manure Systems
What happens to the nutrient content of liquid manure in outdoor storage when you get 10 – 20 inches of rain over the summer? That’s a question that producers with liquid manure storage systems might want to evaluate during the year.
more >>
July 12, 2011
In a barn, long and narrow like a greenhouse, tunnel ventilation brings comfort and handles the milk production of the cows during the hot summer, if the speed of the wind is adequate.
more >>
July 5, 2011
Preventing deaths in manure pits
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requests assistance in preventing deaths of farm workers in manure pits. An urgent need exists to inform farm owners and workers about the dangers of enter such pits, where oxygen-deficient, toxic and/or explosive atmospheres often result from fermentation of the wastes in confined areas.
more >>
June 27, 2011
America faces a serious challenge due to its dependence on oil- and petroleum-based energy sources. Billions of dollars go out of the country and the economy suffers as energy costs keep going up, with no end in sight. Fortunately, communities with large animal farm-based businesses have an enormous untapped resource to help solve the energy problem in a collective manner.
more >>
June 27, 2011
A small El Paso startup company has a plan that could upend the dairy industry, making it one of the most green businesses on the planet.
more >>
June 23, 2011
Bedding material for dairy cattle
Manure is not only a valuable resource in its liquid form- Innovative dairy farmers are now reclaiming some of the best bedding material available from the undigested fibers in the manure produced by their own animals.
more >>
June 22, 2011
Are you getting the most from your manure?
Not all manures are created equal. Knowing their differences and when to use them can help you get more value out of your applications.
more >>
June 22, 2011
You have liquid manure and you would like to get the most nutrient bang for your buck. Injecting the manure directly into the ground is an approach that may have a significant impact on the amount of nitrogen available for next years corn crop.
more >>
June 22, 2011
New opportunities for carbon revenue from manure digesters
For more than a decade, it has been possible for livestock operations to generate carbon offsets for methane reduction when they replace their open manure lagoon systems.
more >>
June 22, 2011
Adequate lunging space: better for freestall-housed cows
When a cow rises from a resting position, she lunges forward. In a pasture, the animal naturally has a lot of space. In a freestall barn, a cow should have the same ability to lunge, but because of small space, she has more difficulty getting to her feet.
more >>
June 22, 2011
Building a $2.5 million dairy barn the local way
For the Howes of Vankleek Hill, Ontario, using local contractors was the key to a successful barn construction project. And the many visitors that came to see it were also impressed.
more >>
June 21, 2011
Manure injection study measures ammonia emissions
When applying your manure, ammonia can escape from the soil. A study conducted by the USDA shows that injecting manure in the soil can help with ammonia emissions.
more >>
June 21, 2011
Dig for profits with Manure Injector Systems
Technology is advancing and the value of manure is getting higher. Manure Injector Systems can help transform your manure into profits.
more >>
June 21, 2011
A Top 10 List: Preparing For Fall Manure Application
Applying manure is not always an easy task! Here is a Top 10 list of things to do to prepare yourself to do a Fall Manure Application from the condition of your manure to the neighbors.
more >>
March 31, 2011
Reduce ammonia emissions in barns.
Simple changes can greatly reduce odor and pollution while improving the cow environment and preserving the nutrient value of manure.
more >>
January 28, 2011
Feeding the soil while respecting the environment
Spreading manure is a cost effective and efficient way for producers to remove manure from corrals and pens and to fertilize crops at the same time. Manure handling practices, water quality and livestock concentrations vary across regions. If not handled properly, manure may cause water quality problems and contaminate local drinking water wells.
more >>