Industry News - Archive

December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas!

We will be maintaining key services for dairy farmers, transporters and processors during the holiday period. Staff will be available, or on call, as needed. The Mississauga office will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s, reopening January 2, 2009. Producers requiring DFO services over the holiday period are to contact their local Field Services Representative.

December 12, 2008

WTO abandons hope for December talks

News services reported December 12 that World Trade Organization (WTO) chief Pascal Lamy had abandoned attempts to restart the world trade talks.

Mr Lamy told negotiating representatives gathering in Geneva that there was not enough consensus among major economies to call new ministerial talks on a possible trade deal.

The news came after the WTO was reported to have held intensive consultations with US, India, China, Brazil and the European Union.

The WTO was hoping to convene a meeting in December to try again to revive the stalled Doha trade round.

The failure to make enough progress to draw the Ministers together came as no surprise to most WTO observers. Canada and many of the other WTO participants called the most recent WTO texts unacceptable. The new texts on agriculture and non-agricultural market access released by the World Trade Organization (WTO) December 6 drew widespread rejection and it became obvious that there would be no quick consensus among members.

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz issued a statement Dec. 7 in response to the release of the revised draft WTO text on agriculture, calling it unacceptable.

“Canada has very serious concerns about some elements of a revised text released yesterday that would negatively affect our supply managed industries,” Ritz said. “We remain opposed to these provisions.”

While most news reports feature the problems with the agriculture negotiations, the reality is that there are many unresolved issues in all the negotiating groups including services, non-agricultural, intellectual property rights, rules and dispute settlement.

December 9, 2008

Minister Ritz adamant in calling WTO text unacceptable

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz issued the following statement Dec. 7 in response to the release of a revised draft modalities text on agriculture by Crawford Falconer, Chair of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agriculture negotiations. Click here for the complete statement.

December 5, 2008

Ag Day in Canada on January 28th 2009

Communities across Canada are recognizing the people who live and breathe agriculture and make it one of the country's most vital and vibrant industries. View presentations that feature industry specialists assessing some of the latest advances in ag innovation and technology. Take this time to appreciate and celebrate Canadian agriculture and all it means to this country - you deserve it.

More information: French | English

November 11, 2008

Board Member Election Results

Ballots for the two elections that were held this year were counted today.

Paul Vis has been elected as DFO Board Member for Region 9 representing the counties of Elgin, Essex, Kent, Lambton and Middlesex.

In Region 5, Jim Millson has been elected to represent dairy farmers in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Durham, Peterborough and York.

October 17, 2008

Dairy Farmers of Ontario plans to make good governance better

Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s long record of good governance will be even stronger in the future as the organization follows up on the results of an independent governance review conducted by Deloitte, one of the world’s largest consulting firms.

Click here for more details

October 14, 2008

DFO's Annual Fall Policy Conference

Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s Annual Fall Policy Conference is being held this week at the Nottawasaga Inn in Alliston. Key topics being discussed include a Governance Study Report and a P5 Quota Harmonization Policy Proposal.

Following the conference a number of the presentations will be posted on this website.

October 6, 2008

Lambton County Region Board Member Candidates meeting

Three candidates are nominated to run in the election for Board Member in Region 9. They are Tommy Faulkner, Henk Pastoor and Paul Vis.

The meeting will be held Tuesday October 7th at 8:00 p.m, at the Watford Mutual Building in Watford.

October 2, 2008

Quota Exchange Bidding Extended

Producers were not able to enter bids or offers on Milkline last evening between the hours of 9:59 p.m. and midnight due to a problem with phone lines external to DFO.

If you had difficulty entering a bid or offer on October 1, 2008 from 9:59 p.m. to midnight and you still want to place a bid or offer, please contact Angela Maningas at head office during DFO business hours, before 4:00 p.m. tomorrow, October 3rd.

August 27, 2008

Fall Incentive Days Increased

The DFO Board decided today to increase the fall incentive days by adding one day per month for each of the months of September, October, November and December. This means that two incentive days will be available for September through November and one incentive day will be available for December. It is also the Board’s intention to completely withdraw the incentive days in January to ensure that production levels are maintained reasonably in line with quota holdings going forward.

The reasons for increasing the incentive days are as follows:

1) At the provincial level, Ontario has an obligation to fill at least 97 per cent of its quota in the first six months of the dairy year. The addition of fall incentive days is needed to ensure that Ontario meets or exceeds the 97 per cent obligation as a province. As a province, any production below 97 per cent is available for other provinces to fill during the second six months of the dairy year. It is a temporary adjustment with a province’s full quota available at the beginning of the next dairy year.

2) Market demands for milk tend to be fairly even throughout the year. Historically, Ontario does not fill its quota in the fall months. That is true again this year. We need to encourage more fall production to meet our customers’ requirements.

3) Production trends, in most other provinces, including Quebec, are also indicating that filling their quota will be a challenge throughout the country.

In general, incentive days permit producers who have the ability to market more milk in the short-term to do so. They should not be regarded as a signal to gear up production for the longer term.

The Board appreciates that it is not easy at the farm level to turn supplies on and off on short notice. However, from a provincial perspective, we do need to take steps to fill as much of our provincial quota as possible. The increase in incentive days is viewed as a step to help ensure we meet that goal. Note again that there will be no incentive days after December 31, 2008. Producers should always target to produce 100 per cent of their daily quota.

August 21, 2008

Canadian Outdoor Farm Show

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show will take place on September 9, 10 and 11, 2008 in Woodstock.

To contact Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, phone 1-800-563-5441 or e-mail them at:

info@outdoorfarmshow.com

August 8, 2008

Quota Increase of 1.5 per cent for September 1

Dairy Farmers of Ontario decided today to increase quota levels by one and a half per cent for Ontario producers effective September 1, 2008.

The 1.5% increase includes the 893 kilograms available for redistribution from the transfer assessment which equals 0.33% of the provincial quota.

This increase will help counteract several factors indicating weak milk production trends forecast for this fall and in recognition of the need to ensure that milk is available to fill growing market opportunities.

A key factor behind the move is the unusually wet conditions this summer and the related reduction in both feed quality and quantity that will be a negative factor in provincial milk production for most of the 2008-09 dairy year.

The CDC also continues to project modest increases in market requirements during the coming year based on continued positive growth trends at the retail level.

DFO will continue to closely monitor the milk supply and demand situation and make adjustments in quota levels as needed.

July 29, 2008

Trade talks collapse today in Geneva

Government sources have confirmed the collapse of the World Trade Organization (WTO) talks in Geneva.

The Canadian Government has recorded its disappointment in an official statement available here.

Government ministers from selected countries have spent the last 10 days in talks to salvage a new global trade deal. The seven-year-long talks are reported to have failed after the United States, China and India could not agree to a compromise on farm product trade rules.

Negotiators were hoping for a deal this week on a wide variety of unresolved issues on farm and industrial trade, so that crisis-ridden WTO talks could be saved.

Reports indicate the U.S. dispute with China and India over farm import safeguards had effectively ended any hope of a breakthrough.

June 18, 2008

May blend price increases $7.75/hl

The blend price that dairy farmers receive increased to $75.36 per hectolitre in May from $67.61 per hectolitre in April.

This was due mainly to an increase in processor revenues of $3.16/hl due to the reduction of class 4m and class 5d utilization in May and a positive contribution of $4.38/hl from the CDC pooling calculation.

The CDC contribution is due to the recovery of a portion of Ontario's lower special class processor revenues from last month and a reduction in Ontario's over quota position in April.

June 17, 2008

Milk marketings heading closer to quota

Milk marketing trends now indicate Ontario should end up at close to 100 per cent of its quota. Prior to the move to limit credit day use to one day in each of June and July, trends showed the province headed towards 101.5 per cent of provincial quota levels.

A letter to each producer on June 3 provided information to help ship within quota, and use no more than one credit day, for June and July.

The daily production needed to fill your quota for June 2008 is shown on the right-hand side of this month’s statement directly below the “June 2008” heading. The calculations on the milk statement use the current month’s weighted-average test and your annual average to show that volume requirements go up or down as your butterfat test changes.

The maximum litres of milk you can ship above your monthly quota are equivalent to one quota credit day, if you have one full credit day available. This is only an estimate since the actual result will depend on your fat tests in June and July. If you have questions, contact your Field Services Representative

Remember to not dump milk the last scheduled pickup in a month since this means quota days will be two less in the month you dump milk and two more in the next month.

May 23, 2008

April blend price decreases

The blend price that dairy farmers receive decreased to $67.61 per hectolitre in April from $74.92 per hectolitre in March.

This was due principally to an increase in the utilization of class 5d products in Ontario, which lowered revenues from processors by $4.68 per hectolitre, and an increase in Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) pooling costs of $2.33 per hectolitre due mainly to Ontario being in an over-quota position in March.

Depending on the national pool class 5d utilization in April, Ontario may recover some of the lower processor revenues through the CDC pooling calculation next month.

May 7, 2008

Quota credit use limited to one day per month in June and July (revised from May 1st)

Dairy Farmers of Ontario decided at its April 29/30 board meeting that utilization of both under and over-production credits will be limited to one day per month for each of June and July. (PLEASE NOTE: If you are under producing your quota, you can still pay back or accumulate credit days).

This was done because current trends indicate that Ontario could end up more than 1.5 per cent over quota this dairy year if no action was taken to manage the supply situation. That result would reduce all Ontario quotas by that same amount in the next dairy year.

DFO will continue to closely monitor the milk supply and demand situation and make adjustments as needed.

A mailing to all producers will provide more details. View a PDF copy of this letter here.

April 17, 2008

New TV and Web campaign speaks to consumers about importance of Ontario farms

Everyone has a stake in the future of agriculture. That’s the message of a new TV advertising and web campaign launched today by leaders of Ontario’s major agricultural organizations.

The campaign, “Farming Grows Ontario’s Future”, encourages all consumers to look at farming differently and consider how they can contribute to the industry’s sustainability.

The TV campaign and website are the result of a three-year effort by Ontario’s farm groups to identify the issues and opportunities that are central to agriculture’s future in Ontario and the role that consumers play.

Consumers are also invited to visit www.growourfarms.ca. The website provides a greater level of information about the role that agriculture plays in Ontario.

March 25, 2008

Ontario Cheese Society meeting focuses on artisan markets

The Ontario Cheese Society will focus on Artisan Cheese - Culturing New Traditions during their fourth annual conference and general meeting on April 28. The conference takes place at Hart House at the University of Toronto.

The conference will include sessions on cheese merchandising, ethnic markets, locovor markets, and managed grasslands. The day-long conference is followed by a public Ontario Artisan Cheese Tasting Marketplace in the evening. More details are available here.

March 14, 2008

Alfred hosting 4th Annual Organic Dairy Conference

The 4th Annual Conference on Organic Dairying and Dairy Research will be held on April 7th and 8th, 2008 at the Alfred Campus, University of Guelph.

Check out the web site or call 613-679-2218 ext. 504 for details.

The two-day program features speakers from the Netherlands, the U.S. and Canada. Topics will include: the transition to organic farming; health care strategies and organic principles and practices.

The registration fee is $145 and includes attendance at the conference, lunches and a wine and cheese reception.

March 3, 2008

Artisan Dairy Processing Seminars in April

Dairy Farmers of Ontario is sponsoring two artisan dairy processing seminars in April. This will provide an opportunity to learn more about artisan dairy processing opportunities, including what artisan means, how to get started and who to talk to for more information.

There is no fee to attend, however, registration is limited and pre-registration is required for each seminar. Registrations must be received by April 1, 2008.

More information about the seminars and how to register is available here.

February 8, 2008

Minister Ritz responds with concerns to next draft WTO text

The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, today issued the following statement in response to the release of a revised draft modalities text on agriculture by Crawford Falconer, Chair of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agriculture negotiations. See full text of release here

He said in part, "Canada continues to have very significant concerns with the ideas in the text on sensitive products. The ideas outlined in this paper are not consistent with Canada’s firm position on this issue. I have written to Mr. Falconer in support of his latest efforts to advance the negotiations. At the same time, I have strongly re-stated this Government’s unwavering support for supply management. Canada maintains its firm opposition to any tariff cuts or tariff quota expansion for sensitive products. This represents a fundamental element of Canada’s negotiating position.

February 7, 2008

Fall incentive set at one day for August to November

The Fall Incentive Program for 2008 was approved at the end-of-January board meeting as
one credit day per month for the four-month period August through November.

As before, these incentive credits are non-cumulative. Learn more...

January 11, 2008

DFO board re-elects chair and vice-chair

Bruce Saunders was re-elected chair of Dairy Farmers of Ontario and Bill Emmott was re-elected vice-chair at a DFO board meeting on January 11.

Saunders has served as chair since January 2005 and as board member representing dairy producers in Bruce and Grey counties since 1987.

Emmott has served as vice-chair since January 2005 and on the board since 1999. He represents milk producers in Brant, Haldimand, Halton, Niagara, Norfolk and Wentworth counties.

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2007

December 21, 2007

DFO services during holiday period

DFO will be maintaining key services for dairy farmers, transporters and processors during the upcoming holiday period. Staff will be available, or on call, as needed. The Mississauga office will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s, reopening January 2.

Producers requiring DFO services over the holiday period are to contact their local Field Services Representative.

December 20, 2007

One credit day announced for February

Dairy Farmers of Ontario has decided to extend one credit day for February.
This is being done in response to a combination of factors including strong dairy markets
and the need to build butter stocks.

The one credit day is equivalent to about three per cent additional quota for the month.
As before, credit days are non-cumulative.

The situation will continue to be monitored and reviewed in relation to market requirements and the milk production trend.

December 12, 2007

2008 Annual General Meeting preliminary agenda now available

Click here for a copy of the 2008 Annual General Meeting preliminary agenda

**Platinum sponsor for the 2008 AGM is Parmalat Canada.

November 16, 2007

2008 Milk Calendar available on November 17th

The 2008 Milk Calendar is almost here! The calendar will be available free in 40 daily newspapers across Ontario on Saturday, November 17.

The 2008 edition contains 21 new and nutritious family-friendly recipes including several classic dishes that have been updated to reflect Canadians' push for healthier eating. Look for modern twists on recipes such as the "Up-to-date Carrot Cake" and the "Apple Cinnamon Rice Pudding".

This year's calendar also includes recipes that cut down on kitchen clean-up, such as March's "One-Pot Tomato Parmesan Rotini" and August's "Chicken and Fresh Spinach Tortellini".

Don't forget to visit www.MyMilkCalendar.ca and access the online version of the Milk Calendar. The online version acts just like the printed calendar--see all the new recipes and keep track of household schedules, appointments, important dates and enter shopping lists.

If you miss the calendar in the November 17 papers, check this link for ordering instructions.

October 30, 2007

Two credit days each month for December and January

Dairy Farmers of Ontario has decided to extend two credit days each month for December and January.

This is being done to continue to encourage milk production in response to a combination of factors including strong dairy markets and the need to build butter stocks.

The two days per month is equivalent to about 6 per cent additional quota for each month.

As before, these credits are non-cumulative.

The situation will continue to be monitored and reviewed in relation to market requirements and the milk production trend.

October 29, 2007

Farmers invited to provide input on farm stray voltage

After years of struggling with the impacts of stray voltage on farms in Ontario, farmers now have a forum to officially present their experiences on the issue. The Ontario Energy Board has established a working group to collect data to be used in the development of a report to be issued for written comment by the end of this year.

Meetings will be held across the province from October 29th to November 9th.
For information from the Ontario Energy Board, call 1-877-632-2727.

Here is a direct link to this information

http://www.oeb.gov.on.ca/html/en/industryrelations/ongoingprojects_farm_stray_voltage.htm

October 23, 2007

New TV Milk campaign targets teens

Capturing the attention of your typical teenager requires a lot of creativity and ingenuity. That is why Dairy Farmers of Canada has launched a set of fun, punchy five-second television commercials geared towards teens.

The ads should appeal to the short attention span of younger, multi-tasking consumers. The ads are aimed at promoting milk consumption among teens aged 12 to 17. Research has shown they prefer quick messages with lots of creative variety, hence the short, quip format.

As a result, teens will be able to view 25 to 30 different commercials over an eight-week period this fall. The commercials started airing in Ontario and the Maritimes in early September. DFC has also launched a Web site that lets teens create a five-second ad and enter a contest to win a grand prize.

The campaign includes advertising on bus shelters, buses and subways, and in shopping malls. There will also be advertising in select Cineplex and Empire Theatre cinemas in Ontario and the Maritimes.

October 2, 2007

Look for a water quality meeting near you

There's still time to sign up for one of four water quality meetings being held across the province
in late October.

The meetings, organized by DFO, feature experts on various aspects of water quality. Topics include water testing, well maintenance, surface water challenges and overall best management practices.

Water used to wash milking equipment must meet the standard of zero coliforms and zero E. coli under the Canadian quality milk program.

Download the registration forms: ENGLISH | FRENCH

Need a map? View maps to all 4 locations

September 26, 2007

Quota Increase of 1 per cent for October 1

Dairy Farmers of Ontario decided at its September 25/26 board meeting to increase quota levels by one per cent for producers in Ontario effective October 1, 2007.

This was done in recognition of the need to ensure that milk is available to fill growing market opportunities. Strengthening market conditions are being observed in ongoing monitoring of sales trends and inventory levels.

The Board acted to have the quota increase in place before the fall incentive credit days are removed at the end of November.

DFO will continue to closely monitor the milk supply and demand situation and make adjustments in quota levels as needed.

September 14, 2007

USDA announces border reopens for live animals

The US government announced today that the BSE-related border closure with Canada has finally been lifted.This means the border is open to both dairy and beef animals over 30 months (but born after March 99).

The final rule is scheduled for publication in the Sept. 18, 2007 Federal Register and becomes effective Nov. 19, 2007.

This move is consistent with international obligations: World Animal Health Organization has classified Canada and the US in the same category for BSE risk: controlled risk.

Tthe US could not ignore all the measures taken by Canada to track BSE cases and reduce BSE incidence in Canadian cattle through a strict feed ban, removing specified risk material from food, the animal feed chain and even from use in fertilizer.

For more details see the USDA release.

September 14, 2007

National agreement confirms quota added Aug. 1

The members of the Canadian Milk Supply Management Committee have confirmed the increase in growth allowance that had already prompted the previously announced Aug. 1 quota increase in Ontario.

The one per cent quota increase on August 1 in Ontario was in recognition of the need to ensure that milk is available to fill market opportunities over the coming months.

Producers are reminded that the fall incentive will drop back to two quota credit days for the months August through November.

The Board will continue to closely monitor the milk supply and demand situation and make adjustments as needed.

July 31, 2007

Canada states concerns about draft WTO text

Canada has joined the multitude of countries officially stating concerns about details in the recent draft text released by the chairman of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The Canadian Government's response to the draft text says the move to designate sensitive products on the basis of dutiable tariff lines is "fundamentally inequitable".

Canada would have 40 per cent fewer tariff lines as sensitive, a far higher price than other countries would have to pay. Canada is asking for a move to a more equitable basis for selection of sensitive products.

Canada's formal position statement says,"At six per cent of dutiable lines, the EU could have 60 per cent more sensitive lines than Canada would have. This kind of a result can't be justified."

July 20, 2007

Canada must reject direction of trade talks

Canada must reject the first draft text at the World Trade Organization (WTO), as the text threatens the future of Canadian dairy, poultry and egg industries. See the press release from Dairy Farmers of Canada and the national poultry agencies.

The text is not an agreement but it is the latest step to restart the floundering six-year-long Doha round of WTO negotiations.

The draft text is drawing strong criticism from Japan, the EU and other countries lining up in opposition to what appears to be an approach that pleases no one except the United States.

The direction proposed by author of the draft, Crawford Falconer WTO Agriculture chair, would force Canadian farmers to cut back production in favour of products from other countries, at a time when consumers increasingly want locally-produced food. It threatens the ability of a country to decide where they want their food to come from. The Canadian Government must stand firm next week in Geneva and clearly tell its trading partners that it cannot accept this text.

July 4, 2007

Quick resolution to WTO talks remains unlikely

The WTO negotiations have been making headlines again recently and uncertainty continues to surround the timeline and outcome of the process.

Negotiations of the G-4 countries (U.S., E.U., Brazil and India) broke down in late June. Progress by the G-4 was seen as key to significant progress in the wider negotiations but technical discussions are continuing with a goal of releasing a draft text by the end of July.

Canada's chief trade negotiator is taking part in these July talks. Farm leaders from Canada's dairy and poultry sectors have made it clear that Canada's negotiating team needs to be fully engaged in the talks to ensure that the best deal possible is achieved for all of Canadian agriculture including no negative economic impact on the supply-managed sectors.

There is no WTO Ministerial planned for July but if a draft text can be completed then such a meeting could be scheduled for September.

The success in incorporating Canada's needs in the wording of the draft text is important since that wording would likely form the basis for continuing negotiations.

June 28, 2007

Quota Increase of 1 per cent for August 1

The Board decided at its June 26/27 board meeting to increase quota levels by one per cent for producers in Ontario effective August 1, 2007.

This was done in recognition of the need to ensure that milk is available to fill market opportunities over the coming months.

Producers are reminded however, that the fall incentive will drop back to two quota credit days for the months August through November.

The Board will continue to closely monitor the milk supply and demand situation and make adjustments in quota levels and/or credit days as needed.

April 24, 2007

Another credit day added beginning May 1

Quota incentive days were increased by one day effective May 1, resulting in three days for May, June and July and then two days for August, September, October and November.

This is being done in response to projections that the province will fill 99 per cent of its quota this dairy year and to encourage increased production into the fall. The supply situation remains tight and there is a need to build butter stock levels.

The three days per month is equivalent to about 10 per cent additional quota for each month.

As before, these credits are non-cumulative.

Milk supplies will be monitored and the credit could be changed in response to market needs.

For more information about the incentive program, click here

March 30, 2007

Quota increase of 1.2 per cent April 1

Ontario milk quotas increased 1.2 per cent April 1.

The increase comes from three sources.

• An increase of about 0.4 % in response to market growth
  
  
• the re-introduction of a market sleeve of 0.64% to encourage rebuilding of butter stocks
  
  
• 0.14% from the distribution of quota accumulated through the transfer assessment on the February, March and April quota exchanges.

March 29, 2007

Another credit day added beginning April 1

There will be two credit days per month starting in April. The second temporary credit day per month has been added effective April 1, 2007, the Board decided at its end-of-March meeting. The added credit day is intended to be in place until the end of July when the Fall Incentive program begins.

This is being done in response to projections that the province will fill 99 per cent of its quota this dairy year. The supply situation remains tight and there is a need to build butter stock levels.

The two days per month is equivalent to about six per cent additional quota for each month.

As before, these credits are non-cumulative.

Milk supplies will be monitored and the credit could be changed in response to market needs.

March 23, 2007

Local effort to save Hershey plant

Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox & Addington MP Scott Reid is spearheading a campaign to save the Hershey plant in Smiths Falls. Click here to learn more

March 9, 2007

Don't change TTR time when clocks spring ahead on March 11

Please don't attempt to change the time on your Time Temperature Recorder (TTR) when Daylight Savings Time kicks in on March 11.

The TTRs are programmed to make the time change three weeks later. This is because the programming was completed before Canada announced it would follow the U.S. lead to move to the earlier date for Daylight Savings Time.

The TTR's internal time will be off by one hour for three weeks but this will not affect TTR operation and will be accounted for in DFO's records.

March 1, 2007

Credit day added beginning March 1

One temporary credit day per month has been added effective March 1, 2007, the Board decided at its end-of-February meeting. The added credit day is intended to be in place until the end of July when the Fall Incentive program begins.

This is equivalent to about three per cent additional quota for each month.

As before, these credits are non-cumulative.

Milk supplies will be monitored and the credit could be changed in response to market needs.

February 16, 2007

Now easier to calculate milk component yields

Billing and payment changes effective February 1 will make it easier for Ontario dairy farmers to calculate component yields for quota and solids not-fat [SNF] ratio calculations.

Click here for pdf document with more details.

February 8, 2007

DFO pleased government will address foreign protein imports

Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) is very pleased with the announcement made by Canada¹s Agriculture Minister to address the problems of foreign milk protein concentrate imports and threats to Canadian cheese quality.

View press release

February 7, 2007

Minister Strahl Announces Plan to Address Protein Imports

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Chuck Strahl announced today a plan to address the protein import issue facing the dairy industry in Canada. He indicated that Canada will be initiating negotiations under Article 28 of the GATT to restrict imports of milk protein concentrates.

On another issue, he also announced that that he would be asking the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to launch a regulatory process related to compositional standards for cheese.

For a copy of the Minister’s press release click here.

February 5, 2007

What to do with your milk if roads are closed

This is a reminder of what dairy farmers should do if roads are closed for winter storms or any other reason.

If your milk is not picked up on your normal pick-up day, you can continue to add one more day of milk to your tank if you have enough capacity. If you do not have the tank capacity, you should dump that milk. Producers with milk more than three days old in the tank and still not being picked up should dump that milk.

Milk transporters are urged to follow police directions in all circumstances.

Bulk tank milk graders are advised that they shouldn¹t pick up a tank having more than 1.5 times the normal two-day amount of milk without first discussing it with a local marketing officer.

DFO does not pay producers for milk that has to be dumped as a result of road closures.

February 1, 2007

Milk quotas increasing 0.7 per cent Feb. 1

The DFO Board decided this week that Ontario milk quotas will be increased by 0.7 % effective Feb 1, 2007.

This is a combination of 0.65 per cent increase in response to improved market requirements and lower butter stock levels and 0.05 per cent from quota accumulated through the transfer assessment.

The last change in quota levels was a one per cent increase six months ago on August 1, 2006.

February 1, 2007

Fall incentive set at one day for Aug. to Nov.

The Fall Incentive Program for 2007 was approved at the end-of-January board meeting as one credit day per month for the four-month period August through November.

This is equivalent to about three per cent additional quota for each month. As before, these incentive credits are non-cumulative.

January 23, 2007

Farm milk prices increasing February 1

The price that dairy farmers are paid for milk will increase 1.5 cents per litre or about two per cent on February 1. This is the net effect of different levels of increases for fluid and the various industrial milk classes.

Fluid milk prices paid to farmers are increasing by about 4.5 per cent based on a new formula that includes the consumer price index, personal disposable income index and farm cash costs.

The increase includes a one-time increase of 0.6 per cent in Ontario to bring prices in line with the other four provinces in the eastern Canadian milk price pool.

Industrial milk prices paid to farmers will increase by about one per cent.

The butter price remains unchanged for the second consecutive year.

These changes are for the regulated prices that processors pay to farmers. The retail prices of dairy products are determined by the marketplace and are not regulated in Ontario.

January 16, 2007

Annual Meeting Presentations

Here are some of the Annual Meeting presentations that we are able to make available to you.

2007 Annual Meeting Presentations

January 12, 2007

DFO board re-elects chair and vice-chair

Bruce Saunders was re-elected chair of Dairy Farmers of Ontario and Bill Emmott was re-elected vice-chair at a DFO board meeting on January 12.

Saunders has served as chair since January 2005 and as board member representing dairy producers in Bruce and Grey counties since 1987.

Emmott has served as vice-chair since January 2005 and on the board since 1999. He represents milk producers in Brant, Haldimand, Halton, Niagara, Norfolk and Wentworth counties.

January 10, 2007

World-leading milk quality and school milk program highlight DFO Annual Meeting

Successful enhancements to Ontario's world-leading milk quality programs, commitment to enhance the school milk program and progress on national solutions to several dairy marketing concerns were among the highlights for dairy farmers in the last year, says Bruce Saunders, chair of Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO).

In his address to the more than 600 people attending DFO's 41st annual meeting, Saunders discussed these issues and a number of others the industry had faced during 2006.

Click here for the full release.

January 2, 2007

DFO 41st Annual Meeting January 9-11, 2007

DFO's Annual Meeting is open to all milk producers in Ontario. As well, industry and government personnel are welcome to attend. You can pre-register by contacting ssenchyn@milk.org

For a copy of the agenda please click here.