Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Dairy prices rise

Thursday, August 7, 2008

by SUSAN MANN

The P5 decided in mid-July to raise the fluid milk by $1.45 a hectolitre effective Sept. 1. This is the same amount the Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) approved as the increase for industrial milk, which is used to make cheese, butter, yogurt, and skim milk powder. It approved the industrial milk price increase in early July in response to a request from Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) for an emergency increase. Normally the CDC reviews costs of production data in the fall and announces any price changes in December for implementation the following February.

But this year DFC put in a special request for an immediate increase. DFC says dairy farmers need the increase to cover rapidly rising costs this past 12 months for items, such as feed (up 19 per cent), fuel and oil (up 42 per cent), and fertilizer and herbicides (up 46 per cent). “We’ve informed the processors that we would be seeking the same increase (for fluid milk price) as the CDC took on industrial,” says Bruce Saunders, chair of Dairy Farmers of Ontario.

The need for an emergency increase in the fluid milk price is the same as it was for the industrial hike. “The entire industry, both producers and processors, are experiencing these high costs, which is causing some hardship,” Saunders explains, adding normally the fluid milk price only goes up once a year on Feb. 1.

Will the price increase affect demand? It’s up to retailers and processors to determine what happens in the marketplace, Saunders says.

“I’m sure that there will be some reaction from the consuming public over it,” says Tom Kane, president of the Ontario Dairy Council, which represents processors. But the decision has been made “so it’s a done deal at this point in time.”

An agreement between processors and producers requires farmers to give 45-days notice to processors of any price increases. That 45-day notice requirement was met, Kane says. BF

Current Issue

June/July 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

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

Cattle Stress Tool May Boost Fertility

Friday, June 27, 2025

Kansas State University researchers have developed a cool tool that may help reduce cattle stress and improve artificial insemination (AI) results. The idea came from animal science experts Nicholas Wege Dias and Sandy Johnson, who observed that cattle accustomed to their environment... Read this article online

Ontario pasture lands get $5M boost

Friday, June 27, 2025

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $5 million to strengthen shared community grazing pastures. This funding supports the province’s plan to protect Ontario’s agriculture sector and help cattle farmers improve pasture quality, ensuring long-term sustainability and... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top