What's New on the Web for Livestock

business - dairy - swine - horses - timely resources and new publications

Business

Just updated for 2012. Publication 60 2012 Field Crop Budgets

Programs and Services for Ontario Farmers is a summary of programs and services currently available to Ontario farmers that are funded by the Ontario and/or Canadian governments. Check with your commodity organizations for additional commodity-specific programs that may be available through your associations.

11-053: Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) This Factsheet is intended to provide general information about the HST on the sale or transfer of farmland.

Dairy

Lower cost testing can give you a real advantage when it comes to advancing your herd's genetic progress more quickly. Read more in Genotyping Adds Up

Dairy Cows Need to Allocate Time discusses cow behaviour and how they
need to allocate time to do what they do naturally for optimum health, well being and milk production.

You may be comfortable when the air temperature hovers around 22 degrees Celsius and the relative humidity sits at just 50 per cent. Your dairy herd, however, is starting to feel the effects of heat stress. Read More in Heat Stress in Dairy Cows

Trace minerals - Tiny but vital looks at the role trace minerals play in keeping a dairy cow's immune system functioning for better health.

Straw is much more than than just a bedding material, straw has proven its worth as a valuable fibre source in lactating and dry cow feeds. Find out more in Straw - Golden Opportunity

Check out the upcoming Dairy Days in Maxville and Kemptville, February 15 and 16, 2012.

Swine

Try our new swine on-line budgeting tools.

There are hazards in any job and employers and workers need to be aware and take precautions. Farming is no different. Liquid manure and grain storage bins are two sources of potential risk at this time of year because of the activities taking place on the farm. Learn more in Hazards on Farm - Be Informed and Work Safe

Mycotoxins and Swine
This year we are seeing some signs of mycotoxin contamination in the Ontario corn crop. The degree of severity is too soon to determine (at time of writing) however swine producers, especially those that perform on-farm mixing, should watch for signs of mycotoxin contamination in the herd.

The OMAFRA Swine Budget provides a guide and format to estimate the cost of production for a swine enterprise. Click here to access October, November and December budgets.

Check out our newest Swine Podcasts post. Pressure on Conventional Agriculture - Issues surrounding animal welfare and consumer pressure on conventional agriculture. What should we be prepared for? Suzanne Millman, Iowa State University was a presenter at the 2011 London Swine Conference.

Horses

Anatomy, Physiology and Reproduction in the Stallion Order No. 11-003 Horses have the potential for high reproductive performance. With an understanding of basic reproductive science, breeders can be better positioned to achieve their goals. This Factsheet presents information on basic anatomy, physiology and management techniques that can help improve reproductive performance in the stallion.

Also available Anatomy, Physiology and Reproduction in the Mare Order No. 10-099.

Timely Resources

Updated Field Pocket GuidePublication 820 (2012)

11-049: Hydrogen Sulphide in Agricultural Biogas Systems

Visit our website for weather and crop disease information.

To order publiations on line go to ServiceOntario Publications.