 NUTRITIONAL CHALLENGES FOR COWS AND CALVES . . . RAW MILK PRODUCERS AIM TO REGULATE THEMSELVES . . . STAYING COMPETITIVE IN DOMESTIC MARKETS . . . FARM EQUIPMENT RENTAL PROGRAM RECEIVES FUNDING . . . OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

NUTRITIONAL CHALLENGES FOR COWS AND CALVES
Source: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
When it comes to cow conception, pregnancy, and lactation, providing the correct amount of feed with the proper nutrient content or quality is a balancing act between available resources and cost. “There is roughly a $0.50 per head per day cost advantage when feeding a pregnant cow in late pregnancy compared to a cow in early lactation,” says Barry Yaremcio, beef and forage specialist, Alberta Ag-Info Centre, Stettler. “Winter feed costs contribute 45 percent of the total annual cost of raising a calf. Winter feed costs contribute 70 percent of the cost of feeding a cow for a year. Changes to management practices to increase the number of days animals are not fed stored forage will dramatically reduce costs.” (read more)

RAW MILK PRODUCERS AIM TO REGULATE THEMSELVES
Source: NPR
A growing number of Americans are buying raw milk. That's milk that has not been pasteurized to kill bacteria. As we’ve reported, the legal treatment of raw milk varies state by state. In some places like California, it’s sold in stores. In other states, it’s outlawed entirely — although folks get around regulations by buying a “stake” in a cow so they’re drinking what amounts to their own milk, or selling it as a pet food. (read more)

STAYING COMPETITIVE IN DOMESTIC MARKETS
Source: FCC
Canadian population is aging, immigration is increasing. FCC Chief Ag Economist J.P. Gervais explains the opportunities and challenges facing the food manufacturing sector. (read more)

FARM EQUIPMENT RENTAL PROGRAM RECEIVES FUNDING
Source: Atlantic Farm Focus
The Inverness/Victoria Federation of Agriculture has received $298,934 in federal funding that will be used to expand its farm equipment rental program. New equipment will be purchased and made available to farmers in both Inverness and Victoria Counties on an as-needed rental basis. (read more)