To make one of the top robotic dairy farms in Québec in terms of kilograms of fat produced per day, you’ll need a ton of hard work, a generous helping of support and just a dash of thinking outside the box. That’s exactly the recipe for success at Ferme Rewill in Alma, Québec, where the farmers have been supported for over 10 years by Mélanie Dufour, Agri-advisor, Ruminants and Crops at Nutrinor Coopérative .

The Sollio Agriculture website is a reliable source of information that gives farmers in all sectors access to a treasure trove of tips, trends and expert advice. While you wait for new content, don’t miss our top 5 articles of 2023!

Ferme Gasser, located in Pike River, Quebec, has 470 kilos of quota in three barns—two of which are equipped with robotic milkers. It was one of Sollio Agriculture’s first clients to use the technology over 20 years ago. Today, the farm is supported by Sollio & Agiska Cooperative Agriculture ruminant agri-advisor Noémie L’Étoile, who ensures its continued excellent performance.

The most complicated forage element to replace isn’t protein or energy, but fibre. This is apparent when precipitation is less frequent and the volumes of forage available to feed specific herds are limited. To have an effective diet, it’s important to understand the concepts of digestible and indigestible fibre effectiveness.

On a farm, an animal’s well-being is largely reflected in its production. Whether it’s a dairy cow, a chicken, a calf or a pig, a healthy animal will be much more productive.

Feed costs are a major expense on a dairy farm, so it’s normal to monitor them closely. However, due to the limitations of certain indicators, care must be taken in their interpretation if feed costs are to be properly measured.

Cash flow on a dairy farm is affected by a number of factors. Grain and milk prices come to mind as having a direct impact, but there are other, often overlooked factors that can give you a different view of your business. Here are three factors that positively and negatively influence cash flow and are documented in Lactascan.
 

When it comes to robotic milking, the key to success lies in the choice of feed ingredients and how they are distributed to cows according to their needs.

“It’s all about the balance between the partial mixed ration (PMR) given to all animals and the individual ration distributed by the robot," says Philippe Couture, agr., an advisor in agribusiness strategy for Sollio Agriculture’s dairy sector.

According to statistics from the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec, the fat content of milk decreases every summer. And in recent years, heat stress episodes have increased. Although the extent of this decline varies from herd to herd, there are strategies to minimize the impact of heat on milk production.

1. Good ventilation and fresh water

Proper ventilation, increased in summer, remains a priority to minimize the impact of heat on milk and milk component production, as does access to fresh, high-quality water and comfortable stalls.

Feeding calves with a milk replacer optimizes their growth from the first weeks of life and allows them to reach their full genetic potential.

Different protein to fat ratios allow you to adjust the desired growth type, whether you have a tall heifer or a calf ready to be weaned.

Sollio Agriculture milk replacers are formulated with skim milk powder and contain sources of fast-releasing (carbohydrates) and slow-releasing energy (oils and fats).