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.


Butter and skim milk support prices to increase April 1

Thursday, February 14, 2013

by SUSAN MANN

The Canadian Dairy Commission says it is increasing butter and skim milk support prices because of farmers’ rising input costs, especially for feed.

As of April 1, butter support prices rise to $7.3379 per kilogram from $7.2810 per kg while skim milk powder goes to $6.4170 per kg from $6.3673 a kg. The commission announced the price increases today.

The commission uses the support prices to buy and sell butter and skim milk powder to balance seasonal changes in demand on the domestic market. Support prices are also used as a reference by provincial marketing boards to price industrial milk used to make products, such as yogurt, cheese, butter and skim milk powder.

Even through commission chair Randy Williamson says in a press release the increase is considerably lower than the rate of inflation for food, which is currently at 2.4 per cent, the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association says in its Feb. 14 press release it is disappointed dairy prices are still going up.

Association president and CEO Garth Whyte says the 0.9 per cent price increase effective April 1 is the second lowest in 15 years but it will still cost the restaurant industry $23 million.

The association has long argued for lower dairy prices and a special class of cheese pricing for the restaurant industry. Currently restaurants pay 30 per cent more than frozen pizza makers for cheese, which creates an uneven playing field.

The commission says in its release it delayed the decision on support prices so it could hold further consultations with industry stakeholders and “to take into account the many changes occurring in the industry.” Usually the commission announces changes in support prices in December and they’re effective the following Feb. 1.

The commission is a federal crown corporation created in 1966 and is a key facilitator with the Canadian dairy sector. BF

Current Issue

September 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program

Thursday, September 11, 2025

A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online

Corn and Soybean Diseases Spread This Season

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, as well as in previous articles by Farms.com, the 2025 growing season is nearing its end with corn and soybean farmers in Ontario and the U.S. Corn Belt facing disease challenges that reflect changing weather conditions. For corn, two... Read this article online

Wheat Output Decline Projected for 2025

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Statistics Canada’s latest modelled estimates suggest that wheat production in Canada will decline slightly in 2025, driven primarily by weaker yields across several regions. National output is expected to edge down 1.1% to 35.5 million tonnes, with yields forecast to fall 1.2% to 49.6... Read this article online

Research Projects and Companies Supported Through OAFRI

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced an investment of up to $4.77 million to strengthen the province’s agri-food sector. This funding, delivered through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable... 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