Cattle emission confusion Sunday, November 7, 2010 by PATRICIA GROTENHUISDairy farmers considering using estimates to reduce methane production in their herd may want to hold off for a bit.Results of a study conducted jointly by researchers from the University of Guelph, the United States and the Netherlands indicate current prediction methods are inadequate.“We point to the need to move towards better estimation methods so that the models can be used to make better estimations to farmers,” says Jennifer Ellis, one of the University of Guelph researchers who worked on the study.The researchers have been evaluating methane output prediction methods for dairy cattle and comparing results with observed values since 2008. They reviewed nine estimation models, all of which took into consideration management factors such as feeding systems, manure, impact of animals and crops.In each case the estimated values differed from the actual outputs on the farm. Some methods were more accurate than others, but all had room for improvement, says Ellis.The study “will have impact for governments and government agencies attempting to estimate greenhouse gas emissions. We encourage the use of more detailed/complex prediction equations being used to stimulate methane emissions, or the use of mechanistic models,” says Ellis. Brian Terpstra, a dairy farmer from Donegal in Perth County, says if more accurate estimation methods can be found, “some farmers will watch closely and make adjustments.” Especially if “carbon credits amount to being something.”But any changes farmers make would depend on whether cow health and production can be maintained, he says.Methane gas is 25 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, according to a University of Guelph release. That means reducing one unit of methane would equate to 25 carbon credits.Shelley Crabtree, assistant director of sustainable development with the Dairy Farmers of Canada, says operating efficiency improvements in Canadian dairy farms reduced the farms’ carbon emissions by 25 per cent between 1981 and 2006.“Dairy Farmers of Canada is building on this base and investing in further research to find ways to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms, including looking at feed,” says Crabtree. One reason offered for the discrepancies was variations caused by dry matter intake and type of diet. The team’s research showed that fat, starch and sugar content affect methane emissions. Overall amount of intake also appears to affect total emissions. BF Sold! Buyer picks up Maple Leaf's Burlington plant for $20 million Programs alleviate farm risk
New board members for Ontario Pork Friday, April 25, 2025 Ontario Pork, an association representing the 1,898 pork farms that market 5.9 million hogs in the province, has announced its new board lineup for 2025. As a Guelph, Ontario-headquartered organization, Ontario Pork is engaged in the areas of research, government representation,... Read this article online
A Chicken’s Dream: The Perfect Home for Our Feathery Friends! Friday, April 25, 2025 BY: Zahra Sadiq Do you raise chickens on your farm for personal, friends and family use? Don’t you think your feathery friends deserve to live in style? If so, look no further, Roost & Root have plenty of chicken coop models to choose from that you and your chickens will... Read this article online
Sheep farmers win Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers Thursday, April 24, 2025 Sheep farmers and wool producers from Wallenstein, Ont. are Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2025. “It’s great to be recognized by your peers in the industry with an award like that,” Ryan Schill told Farms.com. “When we started the sheep farm, there were people questioning us... Read this article online
Ontario ag connections in the NHL playoffs Tuesday, April 22, 2025 The 2025 NHL playoffs are underway, and some of hockey’s biggest names got their start on an Ontario farm or have invested in agriculture since becoming professional athletes. Farms.com went through each of the 16 playoff team rosters to uncover which players have a connection to... Read this article online
New Alcohol Trade Freedom in Ontario Thursday, April 17, 2025 The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has welcomed Ontario’s bold step in eliminating trade barriers and allowing direct alcohol sales to consumers. This new legislation aims to ease internal trade across provinces and support small businesses. One of the key changes... Read this article online