On The Cover:
INNOVATION & INTEGRATION
LAURIE STANTON PUTS A LOT OF ENERGY INTO INNOVATION. In October, Stanton Bros. farm became Ontario’s first agriculture-based renewable natural gas (RNG) supplier, to connect with the Enbridge Gas distribution network. “It’s a complex process that has taken us years of learning experience through other biodigester projects to get here, but we’re committed to being good neighbours, reducing our impact on the climate and closing the environmental loop by turning waste into energy,” says Stanton. “We’re proud of how far we’ve come.” The Stanton family has spent more than 30 years improving their Ilderton, ON, farm’s environmental footprint through innovation.
More from this issue
New Products and Trends In and Out of the Dairy Case
The COVID-19 pandemic upended life across the globe, from how we work to how we socialize and how we shop.
According to Numerator, which tracks consumer behaviours, nine of 10 consumers say their weekly shopping behaviours have been impacted. Consumers are more interested in eating for better health, cooking at home, and are seeking functional and indulgent foods that can benefit their overall well-being.
Your Dollars at Work - Everybody Milk
“Everybody Milk” is is Ontario’s new, integrated marketing campaign inviting everyone to celebrate their love for milk. The campaign leverages high-impact creative to break through and gain consumer attention.
“’Everybody Milk’ is aimed at uncovering consumers’ emotional connection to milk and celebrating that love in a fun and meaningful way with the goal of increasing consumption,” says Rosa Checchia, Chief Marketing Officer, Dairy Farmers of Ontario.
Digital Innovation in Vet Care
Digital technology and smartphones are positively impacting preventative medicine, fuelling progress in the Canadian dairy industry. It’s all about facilitating data, connections and rapid communications.
Smartphones help veterinarians access real-time data from wearable sensors and view rapid test results for infectious diseases. They enable instant conversations between mentors and mentees and facilitate consultations between producers and their veterinarians. The possibilities continue to grow as the technology evolves.
Packaging
Agropur’s OKA line of cheese has been awarded a Packaging distinction for its new box.
The box, now 100 per cent recyclable, uses 43 per cent less cardboard than its predecessor, a feature consumers are demanding. Side openings allow the cheese to age through the box and continue to develop flavour.
Rising Dairy Stars Shine in Grocery and CPG
Three young leaders in dairy processing were recently recognized with Generation Next Awards from Canadian Grocer. The awards were presented in November at GroceryConnex, an event for Canadian grocery executives.
The awards, now in their 12th year, go to suppliers and retailers under 40 who demonstrate leadership, a commitment to working in grocery, and involvement in the industry or their community. Dairy received three of 22 awards.
On-farm Pregnancy Tests Offers Farmers More Options
Home pregnancy test kits are a modern innovation, having only been available to women for the last 40 years. Now, a similar test will offer farmers an alternative to in-person pregnancy diagnosis by the veterinarian.
IDEXX Laboratories’ Alertys OnFarm Pregnancy Test can be used cowside to determine pregnancy as early as 28 days post-breeding and 70 days post-calving. Results are available in five to 20 minutes.
Dairy Tradeshows Highlight New Innovations
Europe’s major biennial livestock husbandry show, EuroTier, quenched the thirst of dairy producers seeking the latest technology and innovations for their farms.
Held in Hanover, Germany, the show, organized by the DLG (German Farmers Association), hosted 1,700 exhibitors from November 15 to 18.
This is the first time EuroTier has been held since 2018 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers say more than 106,000 visitors from 141 countries attended.
In the build-up to the big event DLG presented four gold medal awards and 14 silver medal awards for new products, many of which pertain to dairy.
Technology - Big Data in Dairy
When farmers adopt new digital technologies, it affects far more than just their bottom lines: It can impact a web of relationships – including between farmers and workers, banks, insurance companies, veterinarians, nutritionists, and cheese and yogurt companies.
New Tech Increases Livestock Feed Efficiency and Reduces Carbon Footprint
Consumer pressure is mounting on farmers to produce food more efficiently and with less greenhouse gases while ensuring animal welfare stays at the top of the agenda.
And down the supply chain, food processors and retailers are all looking for ways to improve or change some processes while maintaining profitability on this efficiency drive.