Dairy Farmers of Ontario kicked off its 60th anniversary year at the organization’s annual general meeting, held January 14 to 16 in Toronto. DFO said in a release its annual meeting “brings together a community united by a shared passion for milk and the value it brings to Ontario and Canada.” Discussions focused on both the achievements of 2024 and the conditions, […] Read more
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Dairy Farmers of Ontario marks 60 years
Dairy Farmers of Ontario appoints three new board members
Three members were appointed to the Dairy Farmers of Ontario board of directors by acclamation at the organization’s regular board meeting on Sept. 25, 2024. The following members were elected: 1. Bart Rijke, board member for region 1;2. Don Gordon, board member for region 5;3. Vicky Morrison, board member for region 9. Each will serve […] Read more
Hamel new leader of Dairy Farmers of Ontario
Murray Sherk retires as chair after 12 years on the board of directors
Mark Hamel has been elected the new chair of the board for Dairy Farmers of Ontario. The Bruce County dairy farmer and representative of Region 11 moved up from first vice-president when Murray Sherk stepped down at the Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) annual general meeting this week. Sherk, who farms near Plattsville, had been […] Read more
More dairy drying capacity needed
Michael Barrett sees it as investment for future of dairy processing
Additional drying capacity should be a top priority for Ontario’s dairy sector, according to recently retired Gay Lea Foods CEO Michael Barrett. “If we had another dryer, I would not be afraid to say we could sell everything that we put through that facility,” Barrett told attendees during his Feb. 22 keynote presentation at the […] Read more
DFO acknowledges Christmas milk pickup communication errors at annual meeting
Organization optimistic for future and focused on growing consumption amongst younger generation
It was “quite a year” for Ontario dairy farmers, Dairy Farmers of Ontario chair Murray Sherk said Jan. 18 in his address to delegates at the organizations’ annual meeting in Toronto. As the industry emerges from the pandemic, supply chains remain challenged and the war in Ukraine and global instability have caused higher fuel and […] Read more
Spilled milk sparks DFO policy and emergency strategy review
Impacted producers will be compensated via cost-recovery plan
Dairy Farmers of Ontario is reassessing some of its policies and emergency preparedness strategies following the mass milk dumping caused by the Christmas blizzard. Mark Hamel, Region 11 board member, didn’t hesitate to accept responsibility for poor communication throughout the storm when he spoke to attendees at the Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week Dairy Day Jan. […] Read more
Ontario dairy producers, industry leaders recognized
The Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s (DFO) board recognized producer commitment to high-quality milk production and industry leadership at its inaugural DFO Recognition Dinner Jan. 18. Five Ontario dairy producers with the best quality scores were recognized for their outstanding commitment to quality, and the first-ever DFO Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Glen McNeil (Heather Holme Holsteins, Goderich). The […] Read more
Bulk tank testing confirms leukosis prevalence on Ontario dairy farms
Second round of sampling expected this fall
A project aims to provide producers with an accurate assessment of leukosis risk on their farm and provide assurance that the industry can respond quickly to a major disease outbreak. University of Guelph professor David Kelton provided an update on the ongoing program, which is funded by Dairy Farmers of Ontario. The $460,000 initiative, launched […] Read more
Researchers target robot-specific effects on health, milk quality
Automated milking systems focus of numerous University of Guelph studies
Researchers at the University of Guelph are focusing on milking robots as they dive into ongoing studies of milk quality and dairy cow health. Results of several studies on the effects of automated milking systems were presented at the Dairy at Guelph showcase held Nov. 2 at the university’s arboretum. Why it matters: As automated […] Read more
Ambitious plan aims to add 300 biodigesters
DFO vice-chair hopes to see Danish model for renewable natural gas adopted across Canada on dairy farms
A co-operative-style company founded by Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) vice-chair Nick Thurler has taken its first step toward a goal of gaining access to 80 per cent of the country’s dairy manure for conversion into renewable natural gas (RNG). Thurler officially launched GET Corp,– and the sustainable agriculture program that forms its centrepiece, through […] Read more
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