Cover crops are often discussed in terms of soil health — preventing erosion, capturing nutrients and building soil quality. But on a dairy farm, there’s another question worth asking: Can that cover crop also help feed the cows?

Growing a crop in a window when a field might otherwise sit empty can provide an opportunity to produce additional forage while also protecting the soil.

But making that work takes some planning. The crop you choose, when you plant it, when you harvest it, and how you manage it afterward can all affect its value as feed.

In this episode, we explore how cover crops can fit into a dairy cropping system, not just as a soil-management tool, but potentially as another source of useful forage.

In this episode, we examine the latest developments in the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and Canada and what they could mean for Canada's dairy sector.

In July, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a major escalation in trade measures by proposing a 50% tariff increase on targeted Canadian imports under Section 338 of the U.S. Tariff Act of 1930. According to the White House, the move is intended to address what the administration describes as longstanding trade imbalances and to increase pressure on Canada during ongoing trade negotiations.

If implemented after the 30-day consultation period, the proposed tariffs would bypass key exemptions under the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and target several major Canadian export sectors, including automotive products, alcoholic beverages, and dairy. Such measures would mark a significant shift in the Canada–U.S. trading relationship, with potentially far-reaching consequences for Canadian industries, cross-border supply chains, and the dairy sector.

Joining us to discuss the implications of these proposed tariffs is David Wiens, President of Dairy Farmers of Canada. He shares his perspective on the announcement, its potential impact on dairy producers, and the practical steps people can take as the trade situation continues to evolve.

DFC has finalized new requirements for the housing of calves, dry cattle, and lactating cattle in the proAction Animal Care module.

The new requirements align with recent updates to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle, and will be part of on-farm validations starting in April 2027.

Learn more about the new requirements on the Canadian Podcow.