In this episode of the Canadian Podcow, Sarah Sache and Andrew Campbell break down the forces shaping today’s dairy market. From global demand shifts to rising input costs and production pressures, they explore why the outlook feels so different depending on whether you’re a farmer, processor, or policymaker.

With special guest Maxime Collette, Lead, Policy analysis at Dairy Farmers of Canada, they dig into price trends, supply drivers, and international trade dynamics—and what all of this means for producers facing tight margins and ongoing uncertainty. The goal: cut through the noise and highlight the key signals to watch in the months ahead.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, and with the United Nations declaring 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer, global attention is turning to the essential role women play across agrifood systems—from production to trade. Women farmers are central to food security, nutrition, and economic resilience. In this episode, we do our part by featuring Annie AcMoody, a leading figure helping shape the future of Canadian dairy.

In this episode, we unpack some of the biggest trade questions shaping 2026. With our guest Steve Verheul, one of Canada's top trade negotiator, we explore the evolving dynamics of Canada’s relationship with the United States, including the upcoming review of the Canada‑U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), and what this moment means for all three countries.

Tariffs, security concerns, domestic politics, supply‑chain pressures, and questions of sovereignty all intersect. Do early signals actually determine how things end?

Join us as we map the landscape ahead: what has changed since the last round of negotiations, what familiar patterns are re‑emerging, and where the real pressures and opportunities may lie for Canada in the year ahead.

CowSignals is a practical, preventative approach that helps dairy farmers observe and interpret cows’ behavior and physical cues to better understand their health and comfort. By paying attention to everyday signals related to feeding, lying, rumination, posture, and stress, farmers can identify management or environmental issues early, before they turn into disease or lost productivity.

The goal is to improve animal welfare, support healthier, longer-living cows, and enhance overall farm efficiency and profitability. Healthy cows have better feed efficiency and longer lives, which is good for the cow and the farmer.

In this episode, we discuss the method with a certified CowSignals Master trainer Amélie Mainville,

The new Carney government is expecting to table its budget on November 4th, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is back in the House of Commons after losing his seat in the Ottawa-area, the NDP has launched its leadership race.

Meanwhile, the trade war with the United States continues. People are worried about the economy and the trade war is having an impact. What should we expect from this government and from this parliament and what it does it mean for the dairy sector, as the CUSMA renegotiations are looming.

In this episode, we dig into grazing and pasture management with an expert who’s seen it all—and knows exactly how to turn grass into profits.

From practical tips and common pitfalls to smart strategies that boost both productivity and profitability, you’ll hear how letting the cows do what they do best can transform your farm.

Whether you’re a seasoned grazer or just curious about getting started, this conversation will leave you inspired to make every blade count.

Many Canadian dairy farmers want to measure their carbon footprints to learn how they can take practical, individual action towards making their farms more sustainable businesses. To this end, DFC and the provincial dairy associations are guiding the implementation of a pilot project to test an on-farm GHG emissions calculator, called the Cool Farm Tool. It is designed to help measure a farm’s carbon footprint, provide farmers with data, and help them customize environmental plans and increase efficiencies. The goal is to provide accurate measurements within the Canadian dairy landscape and to paint an accurate picture of the dairy sector’s sustainability, and assess its ease of use.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza has not been detected in dairy cattle or other cattle in Canada and is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act.. It has been present in the United States for over a year.

Dairy cows in the US have tested positive for the first time to the new D1.1 strain of the H5N1 avian flu. Canadian authorities are following the evolution of the situation very closely.

Our guest is a veterinarian and the National Manager of Ruminant and Swine Programs at the Animal Health Branch of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Dr. Geneviève Toupin.

Together, we look at what Canadian dairy farmers can do to prepare and be ready for the HPAI.