QUALITY COUNTS DOWN TO THE LAST DROP

By Steve Runnalls, BOARD MEMBER FOR REGION 12, DISTRICTS OF NORTHERN ONTARIO AND HALIBURTON, DAIRY FARMERS OF ONTARIO AND CHAIR OF DFO’S QUALITY ASSURANCE COMMITTEE

As dairy producers, we take milk quality seriously. High-quality milk is a reflection of our work and our livestock, and it impacts the end product for the consumer. Producing high-quality milk means on-farm practices meet all quality specifications and regulations.

Ontario maintains high milk quality by enforcing standards at the farm level across the province. The national proAction program helps producers achieve and maintain exceptional quality standards. For example, it provides requirements for monitoring the cleanliness of milking equipment and ensures wash systems are functioning properly, and requires diligent record keeping. These things, together with raw milk testing requirements and animal welfare standards required by Ontario’s own Milk Act, are the foundation for milk quality in Ontario.

All of these steps ensure food safety, long shelf-life and great taste. We know the trust in our products is paramount for our processor customers and consumers, and with this in mind, quality is always a high priority for the DFO board and staff. A dedicated team working under the Director of Regulatory Compliance ensures all milk in the province meets our high quality standards and the regulations set out above. In addition, the Quality Assurance Committee, of which I am a member, is comprised of DFO staff and four other board members. Its mandate is to monitor and make recommendations for the improvement of the quality and safety of the raw milk supply and sustainability of milk practices in Ontario.

Our producers do incredible work across the province every day in support of producing milk that meets some of the highest quality standards in the world, and every year, Ontario producers are recognized for these efforts. “While every licensed producer in Ontario must meet stringent

Steve Runnalls

quality standards, last year 45 per cent of our producers received certificates for exceptional quality.”

This year, at the first-ever DFO Recognition Dinner, the DFO board honoured the five Ontario dairy producers with the best overall quality scores. Presenting these awards in front of an audience of producers, elected officials and industry representatives was – and will be – an important part of publicly acknowledging the best of the best. You can read all about this year’s winners and the inaugural DFO Recognition Dinner beginning on page 10.

Congratulations to these producers. May their success serve as inspiration to all producers striving for the highest quality milk possible and secure public trust in the work we all do.