“The new Livestock Research and Innovation Centre is an excellent example of how industry, government and academia can work together to ensure Ontario’s livestock sector remains innovative, competitive and a leader in the agri-food sector. Ontario’s dairy farmers and stakeholders, with the support of the Ontario government, are committed to leading research in animal husbandry, environmental sustainability and best management practices to ensure the highest quality dairy products for Ontarians.” Jeff Leal Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
DeLaval Canada is enhancing milking research efforts with the installation of milking, cooling, cleaning and herd management products at the University of Guelph, Ontario. An open house of the Livestock Research and Innovation Centre – Elora Dairy Facility was held for May 28.
The installation of integrated equipment includes:
• 24-stall Herringbone Rotary (HBR) internal rotary parlor
• DeLaval MOS (Milking Overview Screen)
• DeLaval VMS™ milking robot
• DelPro™ herd management automation with auto ID software
• DeLaval automated calf feeding CF1000
• Herd Navigator™ automated on-farm lab, which alerts farmers when cows likely are in heat, pregnant or ketotic and can detect early signs of mastitis
• DeLaval Sort Gate DSG10
• DeLaval DelPro™ Milking units (MU486), Harmony™ milking units and carrier rail system in metabolic barn
• C125 pipeline washer
To support clinical studies, DeLaval will install a new 3D overhead camera system to automate collection of dairy cow body condition scores. The camera will be mounted near the robotic milking system later this year.
Through the installation, DeLaval hopes to encourage students with hands-on learning opportunities to support sustainable food production. The University of Guelph will provide third-party validation of products and work with researchers and students to develop best practices for the equipment.
A collaborative effort
The new $25-million Livestock Research and Innovation Centre Dairy Facility is a unique multi-discipline research center. The facility is a joint initiative between the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario, the University of Guelph, and the Ontario dairy industry, represented by Dairy Farmers of Ontario. It will replace the aging dairy research facilities at the Elora Research Station, which was built in 1969.
The Province of Ontario committed $20 million to the new world-class dairy research facility through the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
“The new Livestock Research and Innovation Centre is an excellent example of how industry, government and academia can work together to ensure Ontario’s livestock sector remains innovative, competitive and a leader in the agri-food sector,” said Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Ontario’s dairy farmers and stakeholders, with the support of the Ontario government, are committed to leading research in animal husbandry, environmental sustainability and best management practices to ensure the highest quality dairy products for Ontarians.”
The dairy industry is the second largest sector in Ontario agriculture. Ontario’s 4,000 dairy farms produce 2.5 billion litres of milk annually, worth $1.8 billion per year.
“The Dairy Farmers of Ontario, on behalf of industry, are proud partners in this world-class dairy research and innovation facility at Elora,” explained Ralph Dietrich, chair of the Dairy Farmers of Ontario. “It represents a firm commitment to collaborative research with our industry, government and university partners. Together we can build a strong foundation for future generations and for a strong and viable dairy industry in Ontario.”
Dairy-related research projects include:
• Enhancing livestock health through the use of advanced technologies
• Improving the quality of milk and meat through genetics and nutrition research
• Supporting best practices in livestock management, operational efficiencies and innovative technologies to improve competitiveness of Ontario’s dairy farmers.
Supporting growth and innovation in the province’s agri-food industry is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
DeLaval is associated with numerous post-secondary educational institutions located across North America. DeLaval also has seven R&D units globally, including its own research farm, Hamra Farm, in Sweden. For more information, visit http://www.delaval.ca.
