Dairy producers debate quota cap Wednesday, October 20, 2010 by SUSAN MANNA motion to put a cap on the amount of dairy quota each Ontario licence holder can have was defeated at the Dairy Farmers of Ontario fall policy conference in Alliston last week.Proposed by the Renfrew Dairy Producer Committee, the resolution initially called for the cap to be 250 kilograms per licence holder.Bill Mitchell, Dairy Farmers assistant communications director, says the motion was amended to remove the number. The motion delegates defeated was that Dairy Farmers consider incorporating a cap.There are 4,218 Ontario licences holding 268,478 kgs of quota. From 2004 to 2009 the number of licences holding more than 250 kgs increased to 2.2 per cent from 1.2 per cent. The group holding more than 250 kgs each of quota produced 13.2 per cent of the Ontario quota. “If this continues over the next five years, 4.4 per cent of the licences could produce 26.4 per cent of the quota,” it says in the conference papers.Currently there are several farmers with more than 1,000 kgs. At that level “we would only need 268 licences in Ontario,” it says in the papers.But the Renfrew Committee is concerned the industry is jeopardizing the support it gets from government by letting large producers continue to produce such a big portion of the province’s milk.Mitchell says delegates in favour of the cap said it would maintain more farms. On the other side were delegates who said farmers need to have the option to choose the farm size that allows them to be efficient.There isn’t a cap on the maximum amount of quota producers can hold. But they are required to get approval from Dairy Farmers before they exceed 150 kgs and again before exceeding each subsequent 100 kg level. The minimum amount of quota producers are required to hold is 10 kgs. Farmers in the New Entrant Quota Assistance program must hold at least 12 kgs of their own quota at all times to be eligible to continue in that program. BF Trucker obstructed livestock inspector, court rules Dairy licence fees to be raised
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online