Restaurant industry rallies consumers against rising dairy prices Canadians believe they’re getting milked when it comes to the high cost of dairy in this country, with 73 percent reporting that the cost of the staple food is increasing.
In fact, nearly two-thirds of Canadians (58 percent) would support a reduction in the price of milk, cheese and other dairy products, and 70 percent agree keeping the cost of milk and dairy products down is important, according to a survey by Innovative Research Group commissioned by the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA).
“When it comes to the cost of milk, Canadians deserve to know where they stand,” says Garth Whyte, CRFA’s president and CEO. “The current system is making Canadian milk and cheese less attractive – and less affordable – for everyone.”
As Canada continues to struggle from the recent recession and the threat of more economic stress, many families are still finding it hard to make ends meet – especially at the grocery store.
Despite the fact that milk remains a nutritious option for families, Statistics Canada reports that Canadians are consuming 18 percent less milk than they did 20 years ago.
And according to the survey, 62 percent of Canadians agree that having a system that charges higher prices than necessary for a basic healthy food like milk isn’t fair.
Under Canada’s complex dairy system, milk is priced differently depending on its end use. Since 1994 the price of milk used to make cheese and yogurt has climbed by 58.5 percent while the consumer price index has risen by only 34.2 percent.
Based on figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), today Canadians pay roughly double the world average for milk and 63 percent more than Americans. As a result, Canada’s dairy supply management system is costing Canadians approximately $2.4 billion every year.
CRFA believes it’s time to address the inflated price of dairy products in Canada. That’s why CRFA is launching FreeYourMilk.ca, a website aimed at giving Canadians a space to voice their concerns about the cost of dairy.
Consumers can learn more about this issue and sign a petition asking the government to re-examine the 40-year-old policies that govern how milk is priced in Canada. In addition, consumers are encouraged to join social media efforts.
—From CRFA news release
New Eastern and Western Canada representatives tapped for Young Adult Advisory Committee
Holstein Canada’s Young Adult Advisory Committee (YAAC) announced the arrival of two new Committee members representing Eastern Canada and Western Canada.
Tom Mufford of Hague, Saskatchewan, and Jon Raymond Dykstra of Havelock, New Brunswick, join the four-person committee.
Mufford, who hails from the Rivercrest prefix, has participated in the Young Adult convention in previous years.
He is the general manager of Rivercrest Land and Cattle – a family farm operated with his father and brother.
They milk 260 cows with a mix of both high genetic animals and commercial animals. Mufford will bring a well-rounded mindset and many great ideas to the table.
Dykstra, of Butternut-Hill Holsteins, brings an extensive network and keen interest in youth programs as an asset to his new role as the Eastern Canada representative.
Dykstra is very involved in his agricultural community at home where he serves as the New Brunswick Holstein branch vice president, and acts as a 4-H leader in addition to his involvement with the Atlantic Young Breeders School.
This 2007 Holstein Canada Education award winner comes from a 50-cow herd with a keen interest for genetics and showing. Dykstra’s bilingualism and communication skills will be valued as a new committee member.
These two new members now add to the dynamic committee rounded out by William Judge of Caledon East, Ontario, and Melissa Marcoux of St. Ferdinand, Quebec.
The YAAC advises and provides assistance to Holstein Canada staff in the development and implementation of their Young Adult Program. Key goals of this program include: leadership development, education and hands-on participation.
—From Holstein Canada news release
Alberta cow reigns supreme champion at World Dairy Expo
The grand champion Holstein, Eastside Lewisdale Gold Missy, paraded across the coloured shavings to win supreme champion honours at the 2011 World Dairy Expo.
Missy is owned by Morsan, Van Ruinen Dairy, M Butz and G Andreasen. The cow is sired by Braedale Goldwyn. Supreme champion cow is awarded the Gregory Blaska Memorial Trophy.
The supreme champion receives a $1,500 cash award from BouMatic, a royal blanket courtesy of Agpro, Inc., Paris, Texas and a director’s chair sponsored by Royal Brand Embroidery, Ellsworth, Wisconsin.
The reserve champion title was earned by the grand champion Jersey, Pine Haven SSM Marmie, owned by Nic, Jeni, Ben and Andy Sauder of Tremont, Illinois.
Marmie is sired by Select-Scott Minister-ET and is a 4-year-old cow. The reserve champion was awarded $1,000 from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., Saint Joseph, Missouri; a royal blanket courtesy of NuPulse, McFarland, Wisconsin and a director’s chair courtesy of Royal Brand Embroidery.
—From World Dairy Expo news release
Sun powers energy-efficient fans at the Canada Agriculture Museum
A coalition of private sector companies have donated and installed a system of solar panels powering energy-efficient fans in the horse and cattle barn at the Canada Agriculture Museum in Ottawa, Ontario.
This installation was made possible through the generous support of Big Ass Fans Co., Arntjen North America, and iSolara.
They responded to a call from the Canada Agriculture Museum to partner with companies to implement and showcase leading-edge energy-efficient practices in daily farm operations.
“The installation of these panels and fans allows for better air circulation with very low energy consumption and noise for the visitors and animals in the barn,” says Kerry-Leigh Burchill, director general at the Canada Agriculture Museum.
“As we launch the new exhibition Energy Park: Nature at Work, the museum is pleased to be able to showcase renewable energy and contemporary technology to the public.”
Museum visitors can see the four solar panels on the roof of the barn, and learn more about renewable energy in the nearby exhibition Energy Park: Nature at Work or at the other Let’s Talk Energy exhibitions at the Canada Science and Technology Museum or the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.
—From Big Ass Fans news release
Holstein Canada offers education awards
Holstein Canada is pleased to continue the tradition of providing six education awards of $750 each to students across Canada who have completed at least one year of university or college and are returning within the calendar year. The criteria for eligibility and the application process are located at www.holstein.ca under the Young Adults > Awards section. The deadline for application is Nov. 30. PD
—From Holstein Canada news release
