The Milk Producer - September 2011 - (Page 24)

FARMPROFILE By Troy Patterson Thinking Ahead New DFO board member Ralph Dietrich looks confidently to industry’s future Ralph and Jayne have embraced new technology to minimize labour inputs on their family farm. T hird-generation dairy farmer Ralph Dietrich sees a strong future for the Canadian industry. Co-operation, increased efficiencies and fostering of a new generation of up-and-coming “young, bright minds” in agriculture will contribute to meeting the challenges ahead, he says. The newest member of the Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) board, Ralph has a 140-head herd on a 240-acre farm that he operates with his wife, Jayne, south of Mildmay in Bruce County. He brings a variety of 24 | September 2011 | MilkPRODUCER dairy industry experience to the DFO board table. He honed leadership skills through his work with 4-H, Junior Farmers, the Bruce County Dairy Producer Committee, Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program Class 7 and, most recently, chairing Gay Lea Foods’ board of directors. After finishing his tenure as chair of Gay Lea, a producer-owned dairy co-operative, a new challenge presented itself when Bruce Saunders, long-time DFO board member for Grey and Bruce Counties stepped down. “I thought it was a good opportunity to contribute my knowledge to DFO, with my experience in the dairy producing and processing sectors,” he says of his decision to run for election last year. “As well as what you know, the world is about who you know and the contacts you make. I enjoy working with people, my family is very supportive and I enjoy working with those in the milk industry, their representatives and the producers.” Ralph has made life-long friends through his time in dairy politics. These relationships make dealing

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

The Milk Producer - September 2011
Contents
Editor’s Notes
DFO Chair’s Message
Dairy Update
Johne’s Update
DFC Promotion
Producer Profile
Cover Story
Research
Applied Science
Ruminations
Alternative Energy
Markets
New 'N' Noted
Back Forty

The Milk Producer - September 2011