7 minute read
OHA partnership
from Late Winter 2022
by MilkProducer
DFO PARTNERS WITH ONTARIO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-BASED SPORTS
Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) is continuing to support communitybased sports through a two-year sponsorship agreement with the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA).
This exclusive partnership will see DFO’s involvement in a number of areas across all four leagues the OHA oversees, which includes the Ontario Junior Hockey League, Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, Provincial Junior Hockey League and the Senior AAA – Allan Cup Hockey.
Part of the partnership is the creation of the OHA Bursary Program, presented by DFO. In each year of the partnership, eight OHA members will receive a bursary of $6,000 each.
In addition, DFO will support key programming throughout the calendar year with activations and product distribution, as well as having branding on-site in OHA member-team arenas.
“We are proud of our sponsorship agreement with OHA and to provide a chance for youth to achieve their educational goals through sports,” says Cheryl Smith, DFO’s chief executive officer. “The MilkUP program provides a strong and long-lasting effect on youth sports while highlighting the benefits of milk in a healthy and active lifestyle. Winners of the bursary program will demonstrate MilkUPs values of perseverance, originality and heart through their contribution to the sport and to their communities.”
“The Ontario Hockey Association is extremely excited for the opportunity to partner with Dairy Farmers of Ontario, and we look forward to building a strong bond between our players and DFO over time,” says OHA executive director David Leger. “The partnership will have a positive impact on the experience of our members in the footprint of the OHA within Ontario.”
The agreement begins with the 2021-22 season and runs through the end of the 202223 season. For more information about the OHA, visit OHAHockey.ca.
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CFGA’S 12TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON SUSTAINABILITY
The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) holds its conference annually to provide networking and educational opportunities for all Canadians who produce hay and forage products and for those whose production is dependent upon forage and grassland production.
Its three-day conference called Forage Landscape Synergie focused on sustainability and ways to enrich the contribution of Canadian grasslands to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Farmers play an important role in the fight against climate change,” says CFGA executive director Cedric MacLeod. “Our annual conference dives into this each year, showcasing the latest knowledge in an engaging learning environment for all impacted by the forage and grassland industry in Canada.”
The conference, which took place in December, included many sessions of value to dairy producers, including best practices in dairy sector data management to inform and improve forage management systems, planning for forage needs in milk production and modern forage, and nutrition management of dairy herds. Sessions were recorded and will be available for a fee. Visit www. canadianfga.ca for more information.
LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNER
A highlight of the event included awarding Germain Lefebvre with the 2021 CFGA Leadership Award. Established in 2012, the award recognizes individuals, groups or organizations who exemplify or enhance the goals of the CFGA and whose leadership has impact of national and-or international significance.
This year marks Lefebvre’s 50th year as a professional agronomist. He has worked in the forage sector since 1985 and was instrumental in the formation of the Conseil québécois des plantes fourragères (CQPF). He is also a producer of field crops and commercial hay, the author of several reports on forages and a public speaker on the topic.
Over the span of his career, Lefebvre established many contacts with the hay trade outside of Quebec, including Ontario, providing hay solutions to farmers. He believes forag-
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Ray Robertson, manager of the Ontario Forage Council and past chair of the CFGA, says Lefebvre is well-deserving of the CFGA Leadership Award. “He is totally committed to the forage industry for all sectors,” he says.
To nominate someone for the 2022 CFGA Leadership Award, email info@canadianfga.ca for more information. The CFGA conference is funded through the Program Innov'Action agroalimentaire, under the Canadian Partnership for Agriculture, an agreement between the governments of Canada and Quebec and the generous support of CFGA’s conference sponsors and annual partners. The virtual event was hosted in conjunction with the CQPF. DFO ADDRESSES MISINFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
An article printed in December’s edition of Eastern Farmer’s Forum and Western Farmer’s Forum contained some misinformation regarding proAction environmental farm plan (EFP). There is currently no option available and no possibility for producers to hire a consultant to complete an EFP or an electronic EFP on their behalf.
Legally, producers must validate their authority within the farm business once they start the EFP process. Then, an Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) workshop leader ensures the participant attending is the farmer themselves (or otherwise directly affiliated with the farm business), and EFP reviewers also conduct follow up calls to the registered farmer who submitted the EFP action plan to ensure they are the right point of contact.
SICK KIDS FOUNDATION THANKS DFO FOR HOLIDAY DONATION
The SickKids Foundation created a special thank you video to Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) for its continuous contribution and support.
This year, DFO ran its cookies and milk campaign, which focused on the importance of giving back and supporting SickKids Foundation and other Ontario children’s hospitals in London, Hamilton and Ottawa by sending a text message of support. As a result of the campaign, DFO reached its $500,000 donation goal. You can view the thank you video at https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=XMSCHKb5nlU.
DAIRY DIRECT PAYMENT PROGRAM REGISTRATION BEGINS IN JANUARY
Producer letters for the Dairy Direct Payment Program (DDPP) for 2021-22 were mailed on Dec. 17, 2021. Producers can register the moment they receive their letter. The Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) will start issuing payments at the beginning of January 2022.
Keep in mind:
• Producers eligible to the program this year are those who held quota on Oct. 31, 2021; • The CDC must receive registrations by March 31, 2022; • Producers eligible to the program must register each year, even if they have received payment in previous years.
DID YOU KNOW? You can still submit your comments to the draft dairy code of practice online at https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q5J965Q. Ontario producers are encouraged to review the document and submit thoughtful and constructive comments. The proAction module is based on the dairy code of practice. Once published, proAction will be updated to ensure it follows the new set of guidelines. It’s important for all producers to be actively involved in the process so their voices are heard, and the code reflects farm realities.
NEW DFO BOARD MEMBER ELECTED IN REGION 6
The ballot count for the second 2021 election for board member in Region 6 was held in accordance with the procedures detailed in Ontario Regulation 760, as amended, made under the Milk Act, on Dec. 14, 2021.
The candidate receiving the largest number of votes in the election in Region 6 was George Van Kampen.
Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s (DFO) board passed a motion on Dec. 14, 2021, following the ballot count declaring George Van Kampen elected to serve as board member for Region 6, for a four-year term commencing immediately following the adjournment of DFO’s annual general meeting on Jan. 19, 2022.
The South Western Ontario Dairy Symposium committee has decided to cancel the dairy symposium that was to take place in February 2022 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The event is held annually in Woodstock, Ont. The committee hopes to resume the symposium in February 2023 for an in-person event with an updated program for dairy producers and exhibitors.
Committee members thank past participants for their support. For more information, visit www.dairysymposium.com.
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