On Demand: Benchmarking Dry Cow Body Condition Score in Ontario

Marlene Paibomesai is a Dairy Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. In this role Marlene covers production systems for dairy cattle, sheep and goats. Marlene has a PhD from the University of Guelph and BSc from McMaster University.

Dr. Tom Wright has 16 year’s experience working for OMAFRA in the Agriculture Development Branch as a dairy cattle specialist. In that capacity he works across the dairy industry, leading and collaborating on projects with Ontario dairy producers, the feed industry, university researchers and scientists at Agriculture Canada, among others. Tom earned his PhD from the University of Guelph in dairy cattle nutrition and metabolism, with a focus on the nutritional effects on milk composition. Tom has served as an advisor to the Progressive Dairy Operators, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the education of dairy farmers in Ontario, particularly focused on efficient dairy production, management, and technology adoption. Dr. Wright is also certified in knowledge mobilization and has considerable experience facilitating the implementation of research findings into practice.

Anita Heeg is the Feed Ingredient and By Products Specialist out of the Woodstock office. Anita’s career started with a University of Guelph degree in Animal Biology, followed by an occupation in the feed additive sector for a number of years before joining OMAFRA. She and her husband, and their three boys live on a dairy farm.