Editorial

COMMUNICATIONS LEADERSHIP

By Murray Sherk • CHAIR, DAIRY FARMERS OF ONTARIO

While our mission at DFO is to provide leadership and excellence in the production and marketing of Canadian milk, communicating all that we are doing is an ever-changing dynamic. The ways in which we connect and speak to issues has evolved over time as technology and needs have advanced. Your Board and staff are continually evaluating how best to keep you informed. We are now communicating directly with most producers each week though the Dairy Farmer Update and the newly launched monthly Dairynomics market report. We have also been evolving the role of the Milk Producer magazine, as other forms of communication have been brought into the mix. We are glad to present a new format with this edition. Editor, Theresa Rogers, is providing leadership to this endeavour, and she articulates below some of her vision for the publication in the days ahead. I hope that you will enjoy this fresh approach and find value in the content of each publication.

Murray Sherk Theresa Rogers

YOU’RE CONNECTED, BECAUSE WE’RE CONNECTED

By Theresea Rogers • EDITOR

WELCOME TO THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE “NEW” MILK PRODUCER!

We’ve been working since the Fall to bring this evolution of the publication to life. Not only do we have a fresh, new look, we’re approaching our editorial content in a new way as well. In this issue, we delve into the politics of dairy with a mix of grassroots stories you can look to for inspiration, as well as interviews with some of the major players shaping Ontario agriculture. For the first time ever, we connect you with both the provincial and federal ministers of agriculture, Minister Thompson and Minister Bibeau, who appear in these pages. I love taking a subject and connecting the dots. Whether it’s the story of DFO and what we do, or the stories of our producer farms and families, the real heart of every magazine are these dairy moments and the expertise that we share in our pages. We weave together the words and photos and package it for all of you to enjoy and learn from. Without you, we can’t be who we are.

This is a major milestone in Milk Producer’s history. We’ve undertaken some bold changes and I’m confident you’re going to like them. It’s refreshing to work for an organization that is both creative and progressive while still holding dear its history and traditions. In fact, the mission of serving the milk producer has not changed since the very first issue was published in June of 1925. The magazine’s “earnest desire is that every milk producer in Ontario should feel that this is [their] own publication, standing behind [them], advocating improvement, suggesting new lines of action... and advancing [their] best interests,” states the message on the cover. In this issue, we hope to do the same by giving you simple, actionable items in advance of the provincial election in June. If you don’t have any political inclination, however, you can rest assured that you are already connected because we’re connected. Connect with me any time. Send your feedback, questions or ideas to theresa.rogers@milk.org

GEA DairyRobot R9500

VAN STEE HOLSTEINS, MOOREFIELD, ON

Niek and Sonya Van Stee are the second generation after Nico and Marianne Van Stee. They milk around 220 cows with 6 GEA R9500 robots. We purchased the R9500 because it attaches really quick and does not look a second time for teats after washing because they are already attached. The arm is very compact and fits nice and neatly in the box. „

GEA_Van Stee Holsteins_AMS_MilkProd_2022 AMS is just better for the cows; they get milked more often. It’s better for their udders and better for their overall health. We’re seeing an increase in milk production more than we ever expected.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Pacific Dairy Centre Ltd. Chilliwack — 604 852-9020

ALBERTA

Dairy Lane Systems Leduc — 780 986-5600 Lethbridge Dairy Mart Ltd. Lethbridge — 888 329-6202

SASKATCHEWAN

Dairy Lane Systems Osler — 306 242-5850 Emerald Park — 306 721-6844

ONTARIO

Conestogo Agri Systems Inc. Alma — 519 638-3022 Dairy Lane Systems Komoka — 519 666-1404 Lawrence’s Dairy Supply Inc. Moose Creek — 613 538-2559 McCann Farm Automation Ltd. Seeley’s Bay — 613 382-7411 SCAN to learn their story!

Performance Dairy Centre Inc. Embro — 519 423-9119 Wood’s Dairy Source Keene — 705 295-3247

NOVA-SCOTIA

Sheehy Entreprises Ltd. Shubenacadie — 902 758-2002