The Milk Producer - April 2011 - (Page 8)

DAIRYUPDATE Grassroots views sought G Ontario producer committee members asked whether quality program should include bonus payments rassroots Ontario dairy producers have been asked for their views on milk quality issues, and whether the industry needs quality-related financial incentives, stiffer penalties or even quality-linked access to quota. Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) sought dairy producer committee member opinions on these issues during annual spring regional meetings. A discussion paper circulated to committee members included a detailed questionnaire. It posed questions about setting milk quality goals and achieving them. The paper stressed DFO was not seeking specific details about any new milk quality programs. It will consider views expressed during the meetings to develop potential policy options. DFO’s long-standing quality goal has been to deliver high-quality milk to processors. It is intended to assure consumers about the quality of milk and dairy products. Questions asked whether this should be the goal, or whether milk quality should be defined more precisely. For example, DFO could strive for an average somatic cell count (SCC) below 200,000 for all milk shipped, or set its sites on no inhibitor violations. Ways to achieve defined goals could include financial incentives, the discussion paper noted. On the SCC issue, a producer with a 300,000 average count could be satisfied with it, although his milk could approach the 500,000 regulatory limit some months. “There would be economic benefits to reducing the herd SCC as milk production per cow would increase and Policy options could include linking quota access to milk quality. the cost to treat clinical mastitis cases would decrease,” the paper stated. However, some producers may view these benefits as theoretical and find little motivation for improving farm management. A financial quality incentive could change that attitude. DFO asked committee members whether they believe the organization should consider bonus quality payments as a way to motivate producers at mid-range SCC levels to improve on-farm management. Bonuses could also provide incentive to producers who already ship top quality milk to maintain their high standards, the paper stated. DFO is not considering the source of funds for quality incentives just yet. It was asking only how committee members view the idea. Structuring quality programs could be easier if DFO has clearly defined goals, such as average SCC below 200,000, the paper stated. It would also have to set goals for other quality issues, including inhibitors, bacteria levels and abnormal freezing point. When it comes to inhibitors, the goal could be zero violations. A good message to consumers, this goal would require an attitude shift among producers, the paper suggested. It also raised the idea of linking access to quota with milk quality as a future policy consideration. Eligibility for the fall production incentive, which offers within-quota prices for milk produced above individual quota levels, could require meeting certain quality criteria, the discussion paper stated. As a deterrent to subpar quality, DFO could deny access to the quota exchange to producers not meeting regulatory requirements. 8 | April 2011 | MilkPRODUCER

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Milk Producer - April 2011

The Milk Producer - April 2011
Contents
Editor's Notes
DFO Chair's Message
Dairy Update
Industry Roundup
DFC Promotion
Cover Story
Producer Profile
Research
Applied Science
Ruminations
Calf Rearing
Markets
New 'N' Noted
Back Forty

The Milk Producer - April 2011