Lactalis president to address Southwestern Ontario Dairy Symposium in February

Jan 31, 2024

WOODSTOCK — Lactalis Canada President and CEO Mark Taylor has been tapped as keynote speaker for the 39th annual Southwestern Ontario Dairy Symposium, Feb. 22 at the Woodstock fairgrounds.

The yearly gathering is a popular networking and knowledge-sharing opportunity for milk producers and other enthusiasts. Several expert presenters and over 100 exhibitors are set to take part at this year’s symposium, which runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Presentations begin at 10:20 a.m.

Taylor, as head of one of the country’s biggest milk processors, will deliver his sector’s perspective on a changing industry.

The University of Guelph’s Dr. Eduardo Ribeiro will talk about transition cow management.

Lactanet’s Dr. Débora Santschi and Dr. Simon Jetée-Nantel will delve into on-farm strategies for managing Solids-Not-Fat (SNF) ratio, while the University of Laval’s Dr. Julien Chamberland will offer his insights on how processors handle the resulting milk components.

An open mic bullpit session is scheduled at 1:30 p.m.

Attendees will also enjoy a selection of local dairy products during the included lunch. Admission is $25 at the door.

Source : Farmersforum

Video: From Conventional to Regenerative: Will Groeneveld’s Journey Back to the Land

"You realize you've got a pretty finite number of years to do this. If you ever want to try something new, you better do it."

That mindset helped Will Groeneveld take a bold turn on his Alberta grain farm. A lifelong farmer, Will had never heard of regenerative agriculture until 2018, when he attended a seminar by Kevin Elmy that shifted his worldview. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a deep exploration of how biology—not just chemistry—shapes the health of our soils, crops and ecosystems.

In this video, Will candidly reflects on his family’s farming history, how the operation evolved from a traditional mixed farm to grain-only, and how the desire to improve the land pushed him to invite livestock back into the rotation—without owning a single cow.

Today, through creative partnerships and a commitment to the five principles of regenerative agriculture, Will is reintroducing diversity, building soil health and extending living roots in the ground for as much of the year as possible. Whether it’s through intercropping, zero tillage (which he’s practiced since the 1980s) or managing forage for visiting cattle, Will’s approach is a testament to continuous learning and a willingness to challenge old norms.

Will is a participant in the Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL), a social innovation process bringing together producers, researchers, retailers and others to co-create a resilient regenerative agriculture system in Alberta. His story highlights both the potential and humility required to farm with nature, not against it.