The Team met with the PMO on June 3rd, 2009 to discuss our intentions to implement the Dairy BMP Pilot farm in the county level. They were enthusiastic to assist us and were an asset in the development and success of this project. The County-level partners were contacted on our behalf by the PMO to communicate with, and inform them of our intentions for the Project.

We returned to the farm on June 9th, 2009 to develop an overview and plan for the identification and correction of dairy management concerns in order to implement BMP on the pilot farm. Each area of concern as outlined by the above three topics were observed, such as the observation of milking procedures, drug disposal, on-farm biosecurity policies and current herd health protocols. Discussion was also held with the farm manager, his family and minority labour to develop a thorough understanding of the farm practices. This also allowed us to identify key persons responsible for the implementation of major on-farm BMP changes. The areas of concern were also documented with pictures.

The following day, June 10th, the Team returned to the farm to meet with four MTOT members who have a particular interest in dairy management. Tyler O’Neill and Prof Zhang gave an overview presentation about Dairy BMPs with many examples coming from the pilot farm. Discussion was encouraged throughout the presentation period in order for the team to determine what was well understood by the MTOT team through past LHESP trainings or experiences, as well as areas of confusion or educational deficiencies required for future training. The MTOT team was then allowed to explore the practices currently on-going on the farm through visual observation and discussion with the farm manager and labourers. They were assigned a task to complete overnight: develop 3-5 areas of concern, the solution for the problem, the priority of such a change and who would be responsible for implementing this change.

The following day the group re-assembled at the farm to discuss their task findings. A group discussion was held with the LHESP team, the MTOT team and the farm manager and his family. This was done to demonstrate the importance of identifying problems and coming up with realistic solutions that was mutually acceptable with both the veterinarian and the farm. The assigned task was written on large pieces of paper and discussed. The LHESP team then presented their findings for comparison. The MTOT team was responsible for creating a dialogue with the farmer regarding the realistic implementation of suggested changes for BMP that would occur immediately or in the future. As well, deadlines were established for accomplishing the implemented changes that was acceptable to the farmer and responsible MTOT veterinarian. The farm manager was very satisfied with the method of discussion and his inclusion in the decision making process. Together, we were able to create the foundation for the Dairy BMP Pilot Farm through the participation of all parties.

The LHESP provided minor equipment to the farm in order to help implement the BMP. A brief overview on how to use the provided tools was given by Tyler O’Neill. Although many pointed out that such changes are costly, the principles of small and realistic changes on all dairies in the area were the methods being taught. Thus, slow change will surmount major areas of concern in Chinese dairies and issues surrounding milk quality.

The next steps in implementing the Dairy BMP Farm will be to ensure that the farm is carrying out the proposed changes. This will be the responsibility of both the MTOT team as well as the LHESP. Deadlines were established for the implementation of certain changes and we need to ensure that these are being met. Future activities will also be focused on areas of BMP that are not well understood in order to continue implementing changes and improvements on the Pilot Farm:

• Herd Health Management
  a. Issues at Pre/Post-Parturition and Neonatal Calf Health
  b. Successful On-Farm Breeding Management
  c. Record Keeping and Analysis

• Environmental Management and Biosecurity
  a. Drug Disposal and Management

• Milking Management and Food Safety
  a. Mastitis Prevention, Control and Treatment
  b. Milking Procedures and Protocols

Further training in these areas will greatly improve the dairies in Xinjiang as well as the Pilot Dairy Farm.

China-Canada LHESP, the PMO and Yanqi County Animal Husbandry Bureau made a great contribution in successfully completing this activity. Worthy of mentioning is the contribution of Yanqi County Animal Husbandry Bureau. They gave a great deal of attention to this training and did the preparatory work well. Participants brought a positive attitude to the training sessions because they understand how important and useful this training is to their future work. This training greatly improved the participant’s knowledge of Dairy BMP which have an impact on the production efficiency, food safety, the farmer’s income and animal and environmental health.
 

LHESP team discussing the BMP with the farmer	Tyler O’Neill exploring the farm to find out Key management issues	Tyler O’Neill is giving his presentation titled “On-Farm Dairy Best Management Practices”

the MTOT team exploring the farm to find out the key management issues (1)	the MTOT team exploring the farm to find out the key management issues (2)	the MTOT team exploring the farm to find out the key management issues (3)