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.


Ontario dairy producers accept marketing fee increase

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

by SUSAN MANN

Ontario’s dairy farmers along with all milk producers across Canada will pay 10 cents a hectolitre more for their Dairy Farmers of Canada marketing fee starting Aug. 1.

The fee in Ontario increases to $1.40 a hectoltire from $1.30 per hl and then goes to $1.50 per hl on Aug. 1, 2013. The Dairy Farmers of Ontario board approved the two-stage increase at its April board meeting.

Ian MacDonald, Dairy Farmers of Canada national director of marketing and nutrition, says each province has approved the two-stage increase of 10 cents a hectoltire this year and 10 cents next year exactly as Ontario has.

Dairy Farmers of Canada’s current budget for marketing is $60.3 million. The fee increase will generate an additional $7.3 million over a 12-month period.

“The new total for the next 12-month cycle will be $67.6 million,” he says.

MacDonald says there hasn’t been a marketing fee increase since 2006. During the past six years, the visibility and presence the dairy farmer dollar has had in the market has declined “by virtue of inflation in the media sector. They’ve seen their programs being eroded by cost inflation.”

The fee increase recovers what has been lost over the past six years, he explains, noting the eroded presence means dairy products lose ground to other products.

Milk’s main competitors are sport drinks and fruit juices with vitamins and minerals added. Cheese is recognized as a protein and calcium source so its competitors are other protein and calcium-containing foods.

The money will be allocated for marketing activities into three major categories within the DFC budget: nutrition communications, milk and cheese. It will pay for advertising in different types of media, such as television, magazines, newspapers, radio, and the Internet along with events and sponsorships, market research, online advertising, and retail, grocery and foodservice promotions. In the nutrition category, DFC’s work includes consumer advertising, communications with health professionals, programs in schools and universities and helping to develop health and food policy with government authorities. 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

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