Industry News

September 1, 2010

Steen’s Dairy and Organic Meadow partner to dairy facility

Steen’s Dairy Ltd. and Organic Meadow Co-operative have teamed to open Ontario’s first new independent dairy in 20 years. The state-of-the-art facility can process more than 20 million litres of conventional and organic milk.

The new dairy in a retrofitted building in the south end of Guelph officially opened for business mid-August. Representatives from both companies were joined by Ontario Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell and more than 100 Organic Meadow farmers during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“This partnership is all about family,” says Tom Steen, Steen’s Dairy owner. “We’ve remained a family business for three generations and have been associated with Organic Meadow since it started 21 years ago. So our new venture is simply a continuation of a long-standing mutually successful relationship.”

Steen’s previous 1,200-square-foot plant, established more than 66 years ago in the village of Erin, could not expand any further.

Steen’s 19 employees will relocate to the new 20,000-square-foot facility. Its full line of dairy products will be processed at the new plant, as well as some of Organic Meadow’s milk. Along with increased storage and cooler space, the new facility, houses larger shipping and receiving areas and accommodates greater packaging flexibility, such as Organic Meadow’s two-litre milk carton.

Organic Meadow was formed to provide organic farmers in Ontario a means to collectively store, process and market organically grown products. It represents more than 100 family farms that produce milk, eggs, grains and oilseeds. The co-op marked its 20th anniversary in 2009.

Steen’s has been serving the Erin community for more than 66 years. Established by Fred Steen in 1944, it is now one of Ontario’s leading independent dairies. Producing only 5,000 litres per month when it began, today Steen’s yearly production exceeds 10 million litres.

August 26, 2010

Chocolate milk important in schools

A new study has found that removing chocolate milk from schools hurts consumption and the nutrition of school children. When flavored milk was not available, many children chose not to drink milk and missed out on the essential nutrients that milk provides.

Click here for more information.

August 10, 2010

Energy-efficient fans keeping cows cool

The summer edition of the Ontario Power Authority's (OPA) Electricity Conservation on Ontario Farms, highlights two Ontario dairy farm operations that installed energy-efficient fans in their barns. Incentives under the OPA's Electricity Retrofit Incentive Program encouraged the farmers to install the high-efficiency fans.

Click here to read the Summer 2010 edition of the newsletter.

For more information on the Electricity Conservation on Ontario farms initiative and to access previous editions of the newsletter, visit the OPA's website at www.powerauthority.on.ca.

August 6, 2010

Health Canada warns of risks with drinking raw milk

Health Canada has issued an information update, reminding Canadians that unpasteurized milk can contain bacteria that can make you seriously ill.

Because of these health concerns, the Food and Drug Regulations require that all milk available for sale in Canada be pasteurized. Pasteurization kills the organisms that cause disease while keeping the nutritional properties of milk intact, says the information update. Raw milk has not been treated to make it safe. It also is not fortified with Vitamin D.

Click here to read the information update.

August 4, 2010

Milk pasteurization has saved countless lives

The subject of raw milk just makes people irrational, writes Deborah Blum in this National Post column. "There's an element of wishful thinking to many food mythologies, but -- unlike the haloed status of raw milk -- most don't lead directly to risky behavior or public health concerns or physicians complaining that increased consumption of "nature's perfect food" has led to a recent doubling in the number of milk-borne disease outbreaks."

Click here to read the article

August 3, 2010

California farmers still struggling despite higher milk prices

Most California dairy farmers are not profitable despite a sharp rise in farmgate milk prices this month. The State Department of Food and Agriculture have set the price at an overall average of about 14.43¢/lb (32.8¢/litre) for June. Rob Vandenheuval, Executive Director of the Milk Producers Council of California, said the price increases would result in moderate profits for producers of Class 1 (fluid) milk which, however, accounts for only about 15 per cent of milk in the state. Prices for Class 1 milk in Southern California will be set to 17.42¢/lb (just under 40¢/litre) in July compared with 12.15¢ last year. Vandenheuval said prices were not likely to increase to a range that was profitable for most dairy farmers this year. Class 4 milk, which is used in the production of cheese, was not projected to get above 15¢/lb (34¢/litre) during the year, he said. The average price of milk in May was 13.7¢/lb. (31.1¢/litre) compared with 10.6¢ last year.
(Dairy Industry Newsletter, June 29, 2010)

July 27, 2010

Dairy Farmers of Ontario update

There are a number of updates regarding quota and programs to provide to dairy farmers, including the 1% quota increase effective August 1.

Information has been mailed to all Ontario milk producers.

View a copy of the update here English | French

July 23, 2010

Shared facilities policy is changing

Dairy Farmers of Ontario�s policies governing how quality and farm inspection penalties are applied when you are sharing another producer�s facility are changing. The Board is modifying the policy to ensure that Regulation 761 is applied to all producers on a consistent basis.

Milk quality and farm inspection penalties are currently applied to the host farm milk production only, with the milk associated with the non-host farm not being assessed a penalty. Under the new policy, effective August 1, 2010, milk quality and inspection penalties will be applied to all milk produced and marketed on the host farm, with all financial penalties being deducted from the host farm milk statement. Ontario�s 19 existing shared-facility farms will receive a letter explaining the policy change.

July 19, 2010

August 1 Quota Increase of 1 per cent

The DFO Board has approved a 1.0% quota increase effective August 1, 2010. The increase will be non-saleable quota. The same increase was also approved in Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. These decisions are based on a recommendation coming from the P4E Quota Committee. The increase is being put in place at this time to reflect current market conditions and forecasts for the coming months.

Producers are also reminded that two additional incentive credit days are also available per month for August, September, October and November. These days are non-cumulative, that is, if they are unused one month they can not be carried forward to the next month.

July 14, 2010

Newly-installed bulk tanks require minimum outlet

At its end-of-June meeting, the DFO Board approved changes to minimum tank outlet and valve sizes on newly-installed bulk tanks. The change becomes effective September 1, 2010.

Effective September 1, 2010, all newly-installed tanks less than 1,000 US gallons must have, as a minimum, a 2-inch internal diameter outlet and valve. All newly-installed tanks of 1,000 US gallons or greater must have, as a minimum, a 3-inch internal diameter outlet and valve.

As well, all newly-installed tanks regardless of capacity must have only processor-type butterfly valves and a tri-clamp or acme nut and thread connecting the valve to the tank.

A newly-installed tank means new to that producer and applies to the installation of previously used farm bulk tanks. The increase in outlet size, valve size and type, as well as the use of good quality clamps will increase pumping speed and result in cost savings.

In the future, any farm not in compliance with the new bulk tank valve and outlet policy would have the necessary changes prescribed in writing by the DFO Field Services Representative. Producers who do not complete the requirements by the date specified in writing will not have their milk picked up until all of the requirements are completed.

For more information click here

July 13, 2010

Canadian Smoothie sets Guinness Record

Dairy Farmers of Canada set a new Guinness Record for the world's largest smoothie at a celebration held July 8 on Toronto's waterfront.

The 1,000-litre All-Canadian Blueberry Smoothie was made up of 550 litres of 100% Canadian milk, 300 kg of frozen Canadian blueberries, 150 litres of Canadian vanilla yogurt and 35 litres of Canadian honey. The massive mixture was blended together in a giant 1,200-litre stainless steel tank.

Click here for more details.

June 22, 2010

Go online to easily donate powdered milk to food banks across Ontario

Anyone can now donate milk to Ontario Food Banks with the new Powdered Milk Donation Program.

The new program is in addition to the program for dairy farmers to donate fluid milk through DFO’s Food Bank Donation Program that handles more than 800,000 litres annually and is in its 14th year.

The general public, staff at DFO, and other industry stakeholders can now join dairy farmers to donate skim milk powder to Food Banks under the program.

The money will purchase milk powder at ingredient cost. Tax receipts will be issued.

Skim milk powder will form a valuable addition to Food Banks that may lack refrigeration capacity. The powder can also be used in cooking at their facilities.

Click here to donate directly on to the Ontario Association of Food Banks site.

June 21, 2010

Focus Farms – from plans to action on Johne’s

Getting the right solutions to management problems is a major thrust of the Johne’s program.

Dairy Farmers of Ontario, on behalf of the Ontario Johne’s Industry Working Group, under Growing Forward Biosecurity programming has received support for an innovative educational project to help producers bring their management plans to action.

The Ontario Johne’s Focus Farms project runs from August 1, 2010 to Sept 1, 2012. Described as a combination of the management club approach with producer-selected demonstrations, the project will work with small groups of dairy farmers. Nine host farms, called “Focus Farms”, each supporting a learning group of 10 to 15 dairy farmers, will be established across Ontario.

If you would like to know more about becoming involved in the Focus Farm experience as a dairy farmer participant, a host, a group sponsor or a trained facilitator please get in touch with us before July 15. (No commitment is required immediately, although we hope to have the main positions filled by late-August.)

Click here for more information, as well as contact information.

June 16, 2010

Helping farmers harvest the sun

University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus is delivering information sessions across Ontario in the coming weeks to answer important questions about solar energy systems, including how you can get the most out of your system and how you get connected.

The sessions will provide information about proper construction, efficient long-term operation, and awareness of processes, regulations and timing.

Those attending will also hear from Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs engineers and from a representative of Hydro One. There will be a discussion of FIT and microFIT programs, updates on rural solar systems and information about connecting to the grid.

Click here to see the brochure or go online at www.ridgetownc.com/solar.

June 9, 2010

Chocolate milk a natural for post exercise, says research

June 1, 2010

June 1 changes to Raw Milk Testing, Payment and Penalties

Effective June 1, Dairy Farmers of Ontario has implemented changes to raw milk testing, payment and penalties.

Click here for more information on these changes. An updated Raw Milk Policies book will be distributed with The Milk Producer’s July issue. As well, a pdf of the Raw Milk Policies book will be posted on the DFO website under Publications.

May 20, 2010

Wisconsin Governor Vetoes Raw Milk Bill

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle vetoed Senate Bill 434 in its entirety, to protect the health of Wisconsin citizens and the state’s dairy industry.

Governor Doyle issued the following statement regarding his action on the raw milk bill: Click here

May 19, 2010

Ontario food celebrated at Queen's Park event

DFO participated on the lawn of the Ontario Legislature on Monday May 17th, as the fourth annual “Pick Ontario Freshness” event attracted a crowd of hundreds to taste Ontario products from two dozen provincial farm commodity groups, processors and retailers.

At the DFO booth, 250 cartons of chocolate and white milk, donated by Gay Lea Foods, were handed out, while the most popular item was the more than 750 cones of three flavors of ice cream scooped and donated by representatives of Kawartha Dairy.

The event was sponsored and co-ordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Minister Carol Mitchell lent a hand to Liz Heurkens.

May 14, 2010

Video clip tells truth about Canadian Milk

Check out this YouTube video that dispells urban myths and tells the facts about Canadian milk.

As it says, "Not only do we dominate the most important sport on the planet," but Canadian milk is produced without growth hormones and the only things that can be added are Vitamins A and D.

In Canada, if it is labelled Milk, then it is 100% pure, locally produced, rigorously tested, world-class quality, Canadian Milk!

Click here to view the video produced jointly by the B.C. Milk Producers Association, B.C. Dairy Foundation and Dairy Farmers of Canada.

May 10, 2010

EU dairy processors get large subsidies

Sugar and dairy processing companies were among the largest recipients of European farm subsidies in 2009, reports Britain’s Guardian newspaper.

In France and Spain, sugar companies received the largest payments under the Common Agricultural Policy.

Multimillion euro payments were also made to some of the largest dairy companies in Europe which process milk into powder and concentrated fats for food manufacturing, the paper reports.

The EU reintroduced export subsidies in the dairy sector last year to bail out the sector during the tough economic downturn. The subsidies enable EU processors to benefit from high prices in the EU and dump excess production on the world market.

To read the news item, click here.

Apr. 28, 2010

Deadline for requests under previous quota policies

Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) has established a policy for producers who planned to conduct transactions under the August 1, 2009 quota policies and whose plans were interrupted by the introduction of the February 24, 2010 quota policy revisions.

Producers have until July 31, 2010 to request permission to conduct a quota transaction under quota policies that DFO could have approved, had they been conducted on or before January 14, 2010. These requests must be received or sent by registered mail on or before July 31, 2010.

Information has been mailed in a letter to all Ontario milk producers.

View a copy of the letter English | French

Apr. 22, 2010

Dairy cows are not environmental villains

Dairy cows are responsible for only 2.7 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, a new report from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization has found. This figure includes emissions related to milk production, processing and transport.

The report, Greenhouse Gas Emissions From the Dairy Sector, was commissioned in response to calls from the dairy industry for more information after a 2006 report that claimed 18 per cent of all greenhouse emissions were caused by the livestock sector. That figure is used widely by environmental campaigners, but disputed by the livestock industry.

The International Dairy Federation welcomed the new FAO report as a significant step to quantify greenhouse gas emissions from the dairy sector and provide an informed basis to further mitigate emissions within the supply chain.

To see the news item click here

Apr. 16, 2010

Dairy processors support government actions to ban raw milk sales

Dairy processors support government actions that maintain prohibitions on the sale of raw milk anywhere in Canada.
Recent incidents in Ontario and B.C. have forced provincial and local health authorities to take legal steps to protect the public. According to the Dairy Processors of Canada / Association des Transformateurs Laitiers du Canada (DPAC/ATLC) human consumption of raw milk was one of the major sources of food-borne illnesses and a cause of infant mortality before pasteurization became widely utilized.

DPAC/ATLC welcomes the actions taken by the Ontario Government to appeal a January Court of Justice ruling and last month the Fraser Valley Health Authority's permanent injunction to stop the selling of raw milk in British Columbia. The case in Ontario involves a farmer's distribution of raw milk and cheese products. In Chilliwack, B.C. authorities acted to stop Home on the Range from selling its unpasteurized milk, claiming the small dairy is "willingly causing a health hazard."

For the complete news item, click here

Apr. 14, 2010

We should drink pasteurized milk because it's safer

People shouldn’t drink pasteurized milk just because the government says so. They should drink it because it’s safer, says this Guelph Mercury column.

To read it, click here.

Apr. 13, 2010

U.S. dairy farmers push supply management plan

Dairy farmers continue to press the U.S. Congress for action to help the dairy sector.

Representatives from the grassroots group, the Progressive Agriculture Organization (PRO AG), will be in Washington to promote a wide-ranging bill which includes a supply management component.

Click here for more information.

Apr. 6, 2010

Meat and dairy diet not tied to global warming

Cows have been getting a bum rap in regard to the environment, according to a report from an air quality expert at the University of California at Davis.

Lowering consumption of meat and dairy products will not have a major impact on combating global warming, he says. Producing less meat and milk will only mean more hunger in poor countries.

Claims that livestock are to blame for global warming are scientifically inaccurate, he adds.

For more information click here.

Apr. 1, 2010

Rising illnesses from raw milk in the U.S. : FDA vs. advocates

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are stepping up their efforts to warn consumers about the risks associated with raw milk and are urging states to strengthen their regulations to minimize the hazards of raw milk. The warning comes amid new reports in the U.S. of rising illnesses linked to raw milk.

Click here for a Wall Street Journal article on the issue.

Mar. 26, 2010

New Ontario school policy is positive for milk

Did you see this item in the March 2010 Milk Bulletin? click here

Dairy Farmers of Canada says there are positive impacts coming from the Ontario Ministry of Education’s new school food and beverage policy.

The mandatory policy stipulates the healthiest foods, including flavoured and plain yogurt, milk and chocolate milk and lower fat cheese, be sold most.

Sport drinks and pop have been banned from elementary schools, while the only pop high schools can sell is low-calorie. The policy, which comes into full effect September 2011, does not apply to special food days, free food programs or foods sold in staff rooms or at off-site fundraisers.

Nutrition education is an important element in any teacher’s toolbox. However, students make most food choices outside the school. About 80 per cent of elementary children bring their lunch to school and many high school students eat off-campus. As such, teachers are being encouraged to help steer their students toward healthy food choices while at school.

Mar. 24, 2010

U.S. fear $20B losses if dairy trade expanded with N.Z.

A number of U.S. senators are warning against including dairy in trade talks with New Zealand.

Talks are underway to expand the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement between New Zealand, Brunei, Chile and Singapore to include the U.S., Australia, Peru and Vietnam.

A group of 30 U.S. senators has accused New Zealand’s dairy industry of anticompetitive practices and has warned U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk against expansion of U.S.-New Zealand dairy trade. They fear U.S. dairy producers could face losses up to $20 billion in the first 10 years of the agreement if tariff and other restrictions are fully phased out in the partnership.

Click here for more information.

Mar. 23, 2010

Province helps local cheese processors

Pine River Cheese and Butter Co-op is the latest recipient of provincial funds to help expand its business through the Rural Economic Development Program.

The province is providing $100,000 to Pine River to help it develop healthy snack and specialty cheese items. The funds will help the company purchase new state-of-the-art equipment to process the trims and ends produced from shaping larger pieces of cheese into smaller blocks.

Also receiving funds through this program are: Black River Cheese, $264,000; Ivanhoe Cheese, $377,000; and Empire Cheese and Butter Co-op, $187,000; to help make environmental upgrades at their facilities to exceed current standards and improve their wastewater management process.

Previously Kawartha Dairy, received $620,000 from the Rural Economic Development Program to help refurbish its ice cream manufacturing with new technology.

For more information on all these announcements, click here.

Mar. 19, 2010

Join us at the Toronto Wine & Cheese Show

Seven of Ontario's top cheesemakers are featuring their best products at the Dairy Farmers of Ontario booth at the Toronto Wine & Cheese Show. The booth lets consumers meet the people who actually produce the cheese as they sample numerous varieties on display.

DFO also presents The Great Ontario Wine and Cheese Paring with award winning sommelier Zoltan Szabo. The event matches delicious cheese offerings with the finest Ontario wines. The show runs March 19 to 21 at the International Centre on Airport Road.

Mar. 19, 2010

Upper Canada Cheese dishes out March break program

Upper Canada Cheese Company has opened its doors for March break, giving children a chance to get a taste of the cheese-making process.

A 40-minute presentation takes viewers step-by-step through the process from the cow to the cheese-making. Samples of Upper Canada’s Comfort Cream cheese and Niagara Gold wind up the process.

Upper Canada Cheese Company was launched in 2005 and makes cheese using milk from a specific herd of Guernsey cows in the Niagara Region.

For more information click here

Mar. 12, 2010

U.S. dairy organization again looks at supply management

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has announced proposals to reform the dairy sector in the U.S. Foundation for the Future includes three major changes to the current system. The organization hopes to have the proposals finalized by June and the measures ready for the 2012 Farm Bill.

The three main areas include: reform to the Federal Orders used to determine price; a new Dairy Producer Income Protection Program to replace the Dairy Price Support and Milk Income Loss Contract programs; and modifications to the herd retirement and export assistance programs that make up Co-operatives Working Together. NMPF is looking for ways to increase participation in this program, which is currently voluntary.

Meanwhile, the Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) Subcommittee that is part of the overall NMPF Strategic Planning effort has been expanded to include a thorough review of supply-demand approaches, as well as examining ways to expand CWT’s programs. Because of this change, the name of the CWT Subcommittee has been changed to Production Management Subcommittee.

For more information on the NMPF website, click here and here

Mar. 2, 2010

DFO announces quota policy revisions

DFO's Board recently completed a review of quota policies announced in January and has released a number of quota policy revisions made as a result of that process. Details have been mailed in a letter to all Ontario milk producers.

View a copy of the letter: English | French

Feb. 19, 2010

Attorney General appealing 19 errors in raw milk ruling

Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) supports the strong action by the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario to protect public health by appealing a lower court ruling that acquitted Michael Schmidt on 19 charges relating to the unlicenced processing, sale and distribution of unpasteurized milk and dairy products.

The Notice of Appeal filed by the Attorney General identifies 19 specific legal errors, failures, misapplications or misinterpretations in the January 21, 2010 decision rendered by a Justice of the Peace.

The Appeal states that the Justice of the Peace misapplied evidence and didn't make determinations on key elements of the case. The Appeal also states that the Justice of the Peace did not determine whether the defendant operated a plant, whether Schmidt in fact was a distributor of the milk and whether on all the dates in question, milk was "sold" or "distributed."

The Appeal by the Crown also states that the decision was based on misinterpretation of legislation and acts, including the Milk Act, and the incorrect application of the word "marketing".

DFO is also encouraged by recent statements made by Premier Dalton McGuinty concerning raw milk.

According a Canadian Press article published on February 16th, the Premier said that the province is right to appeal a verdict in favour of raw milk purveyor Michael Schmidt because of ongoing public health concerns.

"My understanding is that there's still an overwhelming consensus among medical experts that raw milk presents a real risk to public health and we feel a responsibility to take this to a higher court and give the judge there an opportunity to speak to this," McGuinty said to the Canadian Press.

"There are valid scientific and medical reasons why we have been pasteurizing milk for over seventy years." said Dairy Farmers of Ontario General Manager, Peter Gould. "Drinking unpasteurized milk is patently unsafe."

There are already "cease and desist" orders in place against Mr. Schmidt and DFO believes these must be enforced to protect public health. Mr. Schmidt has already been fined by the courts for being in contempt for contravening these orders, yet he continues to flagrantly violate provincial law.

Provincial and national laws requiring milk pasteurization are vital to preventing the spread of communicable diseases.

At a time when all other public health developments are focusing on the critical task of continuing to improve food safety and public health, actions that put public health at increased risk are not in the public interest.

Feb. 17, 2010

February 12 was Food Freedom Day!

On February 12, 2010, the average Canadian had earned enough income to pay his or her individual grocery bill for the entire year, making it Food Freedom Day!

Food Freedom Day occurred on the same day it did last year, due largely to the fact that Canada’s food costs have risen by less than one per cent over the past year. This is very low, especially when compared to the United States and the European Union where food prices have gone up by four per cent and in some cases over five per cent. Despite the low rise in food prices for Canadian consumers, the Farmers' Share, a recent study commissioned by prairie members of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), showed that, on average, only 27 per cent of the cost of an entire week's worth of groceries for a family of four goes back to the farms where the food is produced.

To ensure that consumers are able to identify Canadian food products and support our agriculture sector, Dairy Farmers of Canada supports the position of the CFA that they will continue to advocate for effective ingredient-based 'Product of Canada' guidelines that are both informative to the consumer and practical to the agri-food sector. Additionally, consumers know they can continue to support Canadian dairy farmers by looking for the 100% Canadian Milk logo on dairy products. Products with this logo ensure that consumers are buying high-quality, safe and delicious products made with Canadian milk ingredients.

This information comes from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. For more information visit www.cfa-fca.ca.

Feb. 10, 2010

Answers for Farm Electricity Questions

The University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus is offering some 1-day courses titled "Does it Pay? - Tools to Answer your own Farm Electricity Questions". These are 1-day courses targeted at farmers to assist them in making informed, optimized electricity decisions that will genuinely conserve power and at the same time conserve their money.

Click here for a pdf with details about the courses in Woodstock, Clinton and Vineland Station.

Feb. 5, 2010

Canadian Government Invests in Dairy Innovation

The Canadian government is driving innovation to help Canadian dairy producers make their herds more productive, products more nutritious, and their on-farm food safety systems stronger. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced on February 4 that Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) will receive up to $10 million from the Canadian government to fund these important initiatives.

The Canadian government will deliver more than $8.7 million and partner with industry and universities to create a cluster of scientific and technical expertise to study the health benefits of dairy products and ways to improve animal productivity through health and breeding.

The government is also investing up to $995,000 in DFC’s Canadian Quality Milk (CQM) food safety system, which helps producers proactively strengthen on-farm food systems. This funding will help the DFC develop a national database (National Electronic Administration System – NEAS) to track on-farm audits and manage the validation and registration processes for this system.

For more information click here

Jan. 29, 2010

Two Fall Incentive Quota Days Approved

The recommendation from the P3E (P3 East – Ontario, Quebec & Nova Scotia) Quota Committee on fall incentive days for 2010 was approved by the DFO Board. As a result, two quota incentive days will be made available on a non-cumulative basis, for the months of Aug, Sep, Oct and Nov. This policy will also be implemented in Quebec and Nova Scotia, the current partners in the harmonized quota policy.

Jan. 22, 2010

Raw Milk Acquittal Means Increased Public Health Risks

Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) is extremely concerned about the increased public health risks connected with the January 21, 2010 decision by Justice of the Peace Kowarsky to acquit Michael Schmidt on 19 charges of violation of Ontario’s public health laws.

DFO has expressed concern over the decision to the Ontario Attorney General's office, the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture.

At this point, DFO expects the Ontario government will appeal the decision to a higher court, defend the legislation and take all steps necessary to protect the public by ensuring the safety of the food supply.

Provincial and national laws requiring milk pasteurization are vital to preventing the spread of communicable diseases.

At a time when all other public health developments are focusing on the critical task of continuing to improve food safety and public health, actions that put public health at increased risk are not in the public interest.

Jan. 20, 2010

Quota Transfer and Donation Policies To Be Reviewed

Effective January 14, 2010, until the relevant quota policies and administrative procedures are reviewed, DFO will not approve applications to donate or transfer quota other than transactions conducted over the quota exchange. Applications postmarked or received on January 14, 2010 or earlier will be processed under currently published policies.

This issue has been communicated in a letter to all producers - ENGLISH | FRENCH

Jan. 15, 2010

DFO Board Elects Executive

Bill Emmott was elected chair of Dairy Farmers of Ontario, David Murray was elected 1st Vice-Chair and Ian Harrop was elected 2nd Vice-Chair at a DFO board meeting on January 14.

Bill Emmott served as chair in 2009 and prior to that was vice-chair from January 2005 to January 2009. He has been on the board since 1999. He represents dairy farmers in Brant, Haldimand, Halton, Niagara, Norfolk and Wentworth counties.

David Murray has served as board member representing dairy farmers in Huron and Perth counties since 2006.

Ian Harrop has served as board member representing dairy farmers in Dufferin, Peel, Simcoe and Wellington counties since 2006.

Jan. 14, 2010

2010 Annual Meeting Presentations Now Available

Click here to view the presentations

Jan. 8, 2010

January Quota Exchange Volume Carried Forward to February Quota Exchange

Due to there being insufficient volume of quota being offered for sale this month, there was no quota issued to buyers other than 3 new entrants. DFO will hold 48.25 kg of quota and offer this for sale on the February 2010 quota exchange.

_______________________________________________________________________________

View 2009 Ticker Items

View 2008 Annual General Meeting Presentations

View 2007 and 2008 Ticker Items...