5th Annual Conference on Organic Dairying and Dairy Research

The Fifth Annual Conference on Organic Dairying and Dairy research was held on April 2nd and 3rd,2009 at University of Guelph-Alfred Campus. This conference is a fully bilingual event with simultaneous translation. This year's edition was a little bit different from previous years in the sense that the second day was exclusively devoted to farm visits. A number of exhibitors were present to provide information and answer questions about their products and services. The food was great and the networking opportunities abound.

About 80 people attended the event. Eight speakers made presentation on topics such as: parasite and fly control; behavioural changes around calving time; milk quality; grazing research; on farm cheese production and, economic aspect of transition to organic.

The second day was devoted to farm visits in Prescott County in Eastern Ontario. The first farm visited was Pinehehedge Farm in St-Eugène, owned by the Heinzel Family. The bio digester for the production of methane used on the farm as a source of energy was one of the highlights of this visit as well as the Organic kefir and yogurts produced.

The second farm visited was Dameya Holstein in Glen Robertson, owned by the Schneider Family. This certified organic farm is home to a high producing, top genetic purebred Holstein herd. The quality of the animals was outstanding and obviously, these conscientious breeders pay attention to detail. A lunch was offered to the people visiting while the owners were more than happy to share their knowledge and discuss various aspects of their operation with visitors.

Several take home messages could be drawn for this event, here are a few:

• The ability to identify the first signs of problems in a dairy herd could lead to prompt intervention and consequently disease prevention. Monitoring feeding behaviours and dry matter intake, particularly during the week before calving, can help identify cows at risk for post partum metritis.
• If flies are a problem in the barn, think clean and dry. Wood shavings used as bedding reduces the number of flies when compared to straw. Adequate ventilation and air movement help tremendously as well. Some essential oils seem to offer some potential as natural repellents, but more research is required.
• When you combine a top notch environment with quality genetics, and sound nutrition, this sets the stage for impressive milk production levels and the general well-being of cows.
• Prevention is the key in organic farming, particularly when it comes to animals.
• Parasitic infection prevention includes many aspects, depending on where the infection takes place.
  • In the barn, cleanliness is the key. Avoid overcrowding animals and group animals according to age. It is also important to keep cows away from cat or dog excrement.
  • On pasture, rotating pasture or using band grazing and moving animals weekly can greatly reduce the chance of infection. Animals should not return to previously grazed fields before 4 to 6 weeks in order to let the parasitic population decline. The faster the cow dung disappears form the pasture the better. Good soil life and adequate organic matter level will promote rapid degradation of dung and makes them unsuitable for parasitic survival.

This conference was a success and is a 'must attend' event if you are interested in organic dairy production, and research associated with this sector.

Proceedings are available online at these addresses:

In English at http://www.alfredc.uoguelph.ca/recherche/index-en.php?id=69

In French at http://www.alfredc.uoguelph.ca/recherche/index.php?id=69