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.


The amount of milk quota for sale takes a giant leap on Ontario's dairy exchange

Friday, October 23, 2015

by SUSAN MANN

Uncertainty around trade agreements and new policy changes are among the factors at play in a recent flood of milk quota on Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s monthly exchange.

A report released during the organization’s regional meetings earlier this month indicates dairy farmers looking to buy quota on the monthly exchange in August saw an increase of 135 per cent in the kilograms available for sale, an increase to 900 kilograms compared to the 383 kg available in August 2014. In September, there was 1,250 kg available for sale — 285 per cent more than was offered in September 2014.

George MacNaughton, production and regulatory compliance director, says Dairy Farmers had introduced policy changes in August to increase the amount of quota on the exchange but didn’t have a goal in mind for how much more it wanted to be available. “We just wanted to remove any barriers” to producers offering their quota for sale on the exchange, he says.

“We’re pleased with this outcome,” he adds. However, he acknowledges that there are several more issues at play than policy change.

Some of the quota available came from farmers exiting the industry and putting their entire quota up for sale. Planned retirements, health and labour, the uncertainty of recent trade agreements’ effects on supply management, and financial matters — specifically the declining blend price — are among the factors precipitating decisions to bow out, MacNaughton says.

He notes there was an almost 12 per cent decrease in quota demand from August to October this year compared to the same months in 2014. Some of the reasons for that include increased quota in the system, the incentive days and uncertainty around the trade agreements.

Dairy Farmers introduced several quota policy changes after doing an extensive review of its policies with farmers in Ontario and officials in the other Eastern Canadian provinces participating in the milk pooling agreement. They are Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The five provinces share revenues from fluid and industrial milk markets and work co-operatively on other matters.

The changes included converting all non-saleable quota to saleable, dropping the capped quota price to 24,000 per kilogram from 25,000 per kilogram, requiring farmers selling on-going dairy operations to put 10 per cent of their quota on the exchange for sale there and enabling farmers to establish linked facilities. BF

Current Issue

June/July 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Ontario crops face mixed spring conditions

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

According to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Field Crop News, variable spring weather has created mixed crop conditions across the province. Rain, wind, and cool nighttime temperatures have delayed planting, slowed growth, and limited spraying windows for corn, soybeans, and... Read this article online

Health Canada sets rules for drone spraying

Monday, June 16, 2025

Health Canada has approved the use of drones, also called Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), for pesticide application under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Drones are considered aircraft by Transport Canada, but Health Canada treats them differently due to their unique... Read this article online

Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week veterinary prize awarded

Saturday, June 14, 2025

has been a mainstay for the agricultural industry in Grey and Bruce Counties since 1966. While things have evolved over the years, the mandate to provide information to producers and agribusiness has remained firm. Seventeen years ago, the event committee created an annual $1,000 ... Read this article online

Canada Grows Hope Abroad

Friday, June 13, 2025

Toronto-based indoor farming company transforms food access in Moldova with first-of-its-kind humanitarian hydroponic project A new Canadian-led indoor farming project is changing lives in Moldova. Built by Just Vertical in partnership with GlobalMedic, the hydroponic farm is the first... 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