Kawartha Lakes Economic Development

www.kawarthalakes.ca

International Milk Producers visit Kawartha Lakes Dairy News Motor Rally Comes to the City of Kawartha Lakes

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or five days in July, 50 international dairy farmers and processors came to Canada on a mission to discover what makes our dairy industry so successful. For the first time in six years, The Dairy News Motor Rally event crossed borders, giving farmers a first-hand opportunity to learn about quality genetics, feeding systems, farm management, equipment, technology, and entrepreneurial processes from Canadian dairy farmers. The 1,200 KM journey included stops in Montreal, Ottawa, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Guelph, and finally, Niagara Falls.

Highlights from Kawartha Holsteins Hosted in part by Leading Livestock Genetics Breeders’ Association and the City of Kawartha Lakes, the tour offered foreign guests an opportunity to visit some of the top managed dairy herds in the country. Kawartha Holsteins offered visitors a glimpse into the world of elite genetics.

Owned and operated by the McMorrow family, this featured location is known for their exceptional cattle and as a result, high quality milk. Here, visitors were educated on the importance of taking care of cattle through feed and silage in order to yield a high-quality product.

The Role of Agriculture in Kawartha Lakes In the City of Kawartha Lakes, the agriculture sector plays an extremely pivotal role, improving the quality of life of its residents and the economy as a whole. The City benefits from a strong and reliable farm service network and dairy manufacturers, where partners and potential can be sourced in abundance. For instance, decreasing consumption for fluid milk has posed a unique problem for Canadian dairy farmers.

However, altering marketing philosophies and increasing co-operation with processors and retailers, have helped grow the market for dairy related products by 20% in the last four years.

“A strong sector in Kawartha Lakes supports a full spectrum of agri-businesses in the supply, service, processing, marketing and distribution value-chain for agriculture and food”, says Kelly Maloney, agriculture development officer for the City of Kawartha Lakes.

The community is also strengthened through employ­ment, in addition to the buying and selling of goods and services.

Therefore, as the main source of economic activity, agriculture has become the City’s leading business development resource

Canadian Farmers Take Pride in Successful Motor Rally For the duration of The Dairy News Motor Rally event, Canadian farmers shared their valuable knowledge and experience with international farmers looking to make dairy sector improvements in their own countries.

Maloney sums it up best, “As a result of the tour, we have opened the door to understanding and trust between the dairy farmers, processors and industry suppliers with counterparts around the world.” and also serves as one of the biggest links connecting communities across Canada.

According to Maloney, economically savvy farmers can anticipate and plan for inevitable improvements in relation to the operation of their farm, “and that can be seen and felt as their spending ripples through our community.”

Where Business & Lifestyle flow Together

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nique villages wrapped in the scale of a city. The City of Kawartha Lakes is comprised of many unique villages, each with a distinct personality and culture. It’s the best of both worlds. Farm owners and their families can take advantage of fresh water lifestyles and country-side living – the scale and diversity of our municipality ensures the efficient delivery of services you expect (health care, education, family activities, community services).

Farm living, big city scale, village charm; right next door to the largest market for food in Canada.

The City of Kawartha Lakes is a perfect match for the needs of a new generation of farm families and food processors.

There are 1,265 farms inside our city limits.

That alone makes Kawartha Lakes distinct. Our farm families are trending younger, 1/3 of our agri-operators are women and over 16% of our growers sell local food directly to consumers.

What’s happening here in agriculture is a successful example of the transition in food production just starting in pockets elsewhere across Ontario.

We have a rich heritage in creating new ideas as Mariposa’s world class goat and sheep dairy processing operation demonstrates. Our agriequipment dealers serve the entire region and saw sales increase by almost 30% in 2016.

Home to livestock and crop farming and related food processing and distribution, The City of Kawartha Lakes is one of East-Central Ontario’s leading agri-hubs. Equally important, the farm culture here is supportive and receptive to new ideas.You’ll find no shortage of mentors, partners and potential in the City of Kawartha Lakes agriculture and food community.

www.kawarthalakes.ca 705-324-9411

The lakes, rivers and waterways that connect us to neighbouring farms and quaint villages result in a unique lifestyle and business environment that naturally flow together. No city in Canada is like it – no rural community can match its diversity. Our strength in advanced and tailored manufacturing, engineered products, agriculture/food, tourism and the arts and culture sectors means the skills, experience and talent you need to start or expand a business are close by. Even better, our major highway access to Canada’s largest market and the largest centres in North America means your food and agriculture products are only an hour commute to unlimited opportunity.

Take the next step. Imagine your business and preferred lifestyle flowing as one in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Please contact Kelly Maloney, Agriculture Development Officer, 180 Kent Street West, Lindsay, Ontario Canada K9V 2Y6 kmaloney@kawarthalakes.ca

CATTLE—GOATS—SHEEP

ELITE

GENETICS – HOUSING FEED-MANAGEMENT

79%

Growth in new business compared to only 40% growth across Ontario on average (Source: CKL Situation Analysis 2017)

Market value of livestock in the City of Kawartha Lakes

86

$

MILLION

149.5

$

MILLION

Gross Farm Receipts

www.kawarthalakes.ca

What Makes Kawartha Lakes Unique?

With 1,265 farms inside city limits, Kawartha Lakes is one of East-Central Ontario’s leading agri-hubs.

Physical characteristics of the land make it an ideal place for livestock and other food related processes to thrive. The City is home to: • Kawartha Dairy Limited – Specializes in cow milk and cow milk ice cream products • Mariposa Dairy Limited – Specializes in goat milk cheeses and artisanal hard goat and sheep milk cheeses • DLF Pickseed – A world-class grass and forage seed production facility

• A regional centre for farm marketing with a livestock sale barn and large commercial grain elevators • A regional centre for farm supply with all major farm machinery dealers present, dairy supply company, etc.

• A diverse agricultural landscape well suited for grain and forage production, as well as horticultural crops and tree nurseries.

• The biggest community pasture in Ontario

Economic Development City of Kawartha Lakes 180 Kent Street West, Lindsay, ON Canada K9V 2Y6 Toll free: 1-888-822-2225 extension 1208 Tel: 705-324-9411 extension 1208 Kawarthalakes.ca/ecdev