By Patricia Grotenhuis
A love for cows can lead someone to many different jobs and places. For Abbie Medwell, it led to a career of travelling around Canada going from one dairy farm to another.
How does this cow measure up against her herd mates? A classifier could tell you.
Medwell works for Holstein Canada as a “classifier”. She has had the job for 10 years now, and loves the opportunities it gives her. She also appreciates being able to see cows from all different breeding programs and genetics.
Read All »
Posted by Farm and Food Care on May 2nd, 2012 :: Filed under
Canada,
careers,
Dairy cattle,
milkTags ::
careers,
dairy cattle,
Farmers,
milk
By Kristen Kelderman, Farm Animal Care Coordinator
As the spring breeze starts to warm and winter wheat fields showcase a lavish bright green hue across the countryside, I begin to notice myself missing the farm more and more. Summer is my absolute favourite time of the year to work and visit my home farm; it’s a whole different world… with an endless to do list. While it is not every day that I get to enjoy this anymore, I had the pleasure of accompanying hoof trimmer Vic Daniel to a family dairy farm in Ontario, recently.
Hoof trimmer Vic gives a dairy cow's feet some close attention and care
Vic invited me to tag along to a farm with him, after we met at Eastern Ontario Dairy Days, where he presented a wealth of knowledge on dairy cow lameness. On average, a dairy farmer will ensure their cows” hooves are trimmed twice a year. Proper foot care is an important component of a farmer’s herd health program.
Read All »
Posted by Farm and Food Care on April 12th, 2012 :: Filed under
Animal care,
animal handling,
careers,
Dairy cattle,
Farm life,
Research,
UncategorizedTags ::
animal care,
animal handling,
animal welfare,
careers,
dairy cattle,
Research,
technology
by Kristen Kelderman, Farm Animal Care Coordinator, Farm & Food Care Ontario
Deciding on your career path fresh out of high school at the ripe young age of 18 is a difficult decision for many young adults. The options are endless and the stakes are high. Four years ago, my heart was set on becoming a physiotherapist; I was fascinated with anatomy and wanted to help people through the recovery process. But on my first visit to the University of Guelph campus I felt an instant connection and came to the realization that my true calling was agriculture. I have never looked back since and have no regrets.
Read All »
Posted by Farm and Food Care on February 16th, 2012 :: Filed under
Agriculture Education,
careers,
Education and public awareness,
Future of Farming,
Speaking outTags ::
agriculture,
careers,
education,
misconceptions
