Milk Producer - March 2010 - (Page 4)

EDITOR’SNOTES By Bill Dimmick Hedging your bets Even if you’re skeptical about climate change warnings, going greener saves you money ltruism, the unselfish regard for the welfare of others, often motivates us to act. Witness the outpouring of aid for Haiti from around the world as proof. A similar motivation has prompted many farmers to embrace more environmentally friendly methods to produce food, brought on by their concern for our planet and future generations. A large, credible group of scientists has been warning us for several years about climate change due to humanity’s greenhouse gas emissions. However, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has recently come under attack. The publicity given to so-called climate-change deniers may have prompted some doubt in your mind about this issue. You may have wondered about the need to reduce carbon footprints to stave off global warming. However, you don’t have to be altruistic to consider ideas that will make your farm, or virtually any other activity, more environmentally friendly. Another motivator could be saving money—hugging trees can actually benefit your bottom line. If you’ve been considering ways to do something that reduces your environmental impact and is also financially rewarding, you’re far from alone. Results of a recent Farm Credit Canada survey show 59 per cent of Canadian farmers and agribusinesses are pondering action on several such ideas. The cross-country survey got responses from 1,172 farmers and agribusinesses. Of those looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact, results show, 70 per cent of producers are considering stewardship, while 50 per cent of agribusinesses are looking at it. Both groups, at 62 per cent, are considering environmentally friendly management practices. More specific responses indicate more than half of those considering action are looking at conservation of resources to achieve a reduced environmental impact. Another 37 per cent have an eye on alternative energy resources, while 34 per cent are figuring out ways to reduce or reuse byproducts or waste materials. The subject of this month’s cover story could fit into the latter category. Heat is a byproduct of modern milk production. As our story starting on page 28 explains, you can use water to collect, store and transport this heat, and pipe it into your house. It saves money, but also reduces energy use and strain on the planet. During the last few years, we have detailed several ways you can reduce greenhouse gas emissions on your farm. They generally result in reduced production costs, not added financial burdens. Even if climate-change deniers eventually prove to be correct, you’ll lose nothing by implementing these practices. Instead, you’ll have significantly more nickels in your pocket. THE MILK PRODUCER is published monthly by Dairy Farmers of Ontario 6780 Campobello Road, Mississauga, Ontario, L5N 2L8 EDITOR: Bill Dimmick ASSISTANT EDITOR: Sharon Laidlaw Co-ordinated by Communications and Planning Division, Bill Mitchell, Assistant Director. Change of address notices should be sent to: THE MILK PRODUCER 6780 Campobello Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2L8. Subscription rates: $25.20 for one year, $46.20 for two years and $63.00 for three years in Canada (includes GST), $36 per year in the U.S., $36 per year overseas. Single copy: $2.50. Make cheques payable to Dairy Farmers of Ontario. Canada Post Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40063866. Return postage guaranteed. Circulation: 10,000. ISSN 0030-3038. Printed in Canada. NATIONAL MARKETING MANAGER James Fitzgerald, 154 Jean Street, RR 5, Stratford Ontario N5A 6S6 Toll-free advertisers only: 1-888-460-6212 Phone (519) 393-5292 /Fax (519) 393-5293 E-mail: milkjim47@quadro.net Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and/or editor and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or policies of Dairy Farmers of Ontario. Publication of advertisements does not constitute endorsement or approval by The Milk Producer or Dairy Farmers of Ontario of products or services advertised. The Milk Producer welcomes letters to the editor about magazine content. Phone: (905) 821-8970 Fax: (905) 821-3160 bdimmick@milk.org slaidlaw@milk.org Website: Go to publications at www.milk.org E-mail: 4 | March 2010 | MilkPRODUCER http://www.milk.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Milk Producer - March 2010

Milk Producer - March 2010
Contents
Editor's Notes
DFO Chair's Message
Provincial Perspectives
Dairy Update
DFC Policy
Farm Finance
DFC Promotion
Heating With Cow Power
Processor Spotlight
Issues Update
Research
Applied Science
Ruminations
Markets
New 'N' Noted
Back Forty

Milk Producer - March 2010