Chairman's Message March 2022
- Details
Fellow Farmers,
I will try to give you periodic updates after major events, or when warranted.
DFNB had their requested policy session this week in Fredericton. We had approximately 40 delegates who attended the two-day meeting March 17 & 18th.
A lot of positive feedback was received regarding the whole atmosphere of the meeting. It was described as less formal than our AGM and delegates felt more relaxed.
A big thank you goes out to Fundy Agricultural Services and Grant’s Feed Mill/Custom work for hosting a hospitality suite at room 717.
Hanna Conroy and Mike Bouma were introduced as this year's DFNB leader participants.
Lots of discussion took place over a variety of topics. We had several presentations informing the delegates of the latest market info and other relevant information.
We also included a thought-provoking questionnaire of some topics that the board is not currently looking at but might potentially come down the pipeline.
Some of the topics discussed, however, were topics that initiated this policy session in the first place.
Delegates had the questionnaire emailed to them so they could vote during the evening of the first day, at their convenience without outside pressures.
There were a few small IT hiccups that happened with the questionnaire. Some delegates were not able to receive the email with the survey information. Once we were made aware of these IT issues, we set up a secure computer so that those who hadn’t yet completed the questionnaire could do so over breakfast on the morning of the second day. Despite these issues, I believe this way of voting was well received.
In a short board meeting following the policy session the board review the feedback received from producers and took the following actions:
Quota Exchange: The April 2022 quota exchange, and subsequent exchanges, will be done with full Iteration.
Credit Exchange: After Aug 2022: When you want to sell credits, you need to be below zero days, if you want to buy credits, you need to be above zero days and you cannot buy or sell yourself lower than zero. The max of 8 days trading (25%) will not change. There will be no black out days.
Sleeve Modification: DFNB will do it's very best to ensure that all producers are aware of the change of the sleeve from -30 to minus 15 day by Aug 1, 2022. You have 4 CE left to sell your credits if you're lower than -15 days. If you are lower than minus 15 days on July 31, 2022, your days will reset to -15 on Aug 1, 2022. Those lower days will be gone.
DFNB will not entertain any producer requests asking for an exemption when it comes to selling more credits, more than the maximum eight days, or extending the timeline past Aug 1, 2022.
Mileage Compensation: A motion was made and carried, to adopt the annual CRA mileage recommendation starting April 1, 2022. For this year, this will mean an increase based on that recommendation from $0.45, to $0.58/km.
Promotion: DFNB approved its NB Promotion budget for calendar year 2022, as part of this budget DFNB will be sending each local milk committee the sum of $10,000. Locals can use these funds to support events in their community that they believe will increase the recognition of the dairy industry as well as the consumption of Canadian dairy products.
Spring Area meetings: Virtual. Hope we can meet as a group in our respective areas, have a nice lunch and lots of conversation.
Fall area meetings: We will do in person, with DFNB staff and some DFNB exec present, just like we used to do it years past.
As of right now, our AGM will be the same format as years past, but it's subject to change.
One more thing that was brought up at the post DFNB board meeting: Some producers have difficulty accessing the secure DFNB portal, and/or having difficulty reading their milk statement, and might not be sure where they are in their credit day situation.
You need the portal to partake in the CE or look at your milk statement.
Again, staff at DFNB office is there to help you. Phone: 506-432-4330. It's all very confidential. Luke, Delaney, Ashley, any of them can answer your questions, or will find the answers for you.
Sincerely,
Wietze Dykstra
Chairman, Dairy Farmers of New Brunswick
Mobile: 506-325-8192
Email: wietze.dykstra@nbmilk.org
Excellent Milk Quality Award Winners 2020-2021
- Details
The following farms have achieved excellent milk quality during the 2020-2021 dairy year.
All the awards winners will receive their certificate and award by mail in the coming weeks. The top 10 award winners have been offered 2 complimentary tickets and accommodations for the DFNB banquet scheduled for December 1, 2021 at the Delta Hotel in Fredericton.
Congratulations to all the producers appearing on this list, we certainly appreciate your efforts to produce quality milk and hope that other producers will be encouraged to follow your example.
Quota Exchange Change April 1, 2022
- Details
Effective on the April 2022 Quota exchange DFNB will distribute sold quota on the quota exchange by 100% iteration.
Producers were first made aware of this change during the fall of 2021. At the 2021 DFNB AGM producer delegates passed a resolution to delay the implementation of the change from January 1, 2022 until April 1, 2022 to provide for additional time for producers to review, discuss and understand the implications of the policy change. At the March DFNB Policy Session delegates were given this opportunity and the feedback provided following this discussion showed a level of comfort with the policy change.
The DFNB Board of Directors made the decision to switch the distribution of sold quota on the exchange from 50% proration and 50% iteration to 100% iteration as the lack of quota available through the quota exchange raised concerns of equity between producers bidding on the exchange. With 50% of the quota being distributed through proration producers may feel the need to inflate their bids to ensure they receive the largest portion possible through proration. Distributing by 100% iteration removes this incentive to show a true depiction of the demand of quota in the province.
P5 Quota – No change to Incentive Days in November 2021
- Details
The P5 Quota Committee met on October 20th to assess the current market and production situation and it was determined that there is no need to make any adjustments to the current 2 incentive days in November.
The P5 board’s primary objective is to continuously monitor the milk market situation and meet milk market demand in the most optimal way. Given these uncertain times we will continue to adapt production signals to address market changes, as required.
Code of Practice - Dairy Review
- Details
As you are aware the Dairy Cattle Code of Practice is currently being revised and the comment period is open until January 27th.
It is very important that all dairy producers review the changes to the code of practice and provide feedback to have your say in the future of Dairy Farming in Canada. At this time there have only been 2 comments submitted from all Atlantic Canada.
Dairy Farmers of Canada will be hosting a final information session to brief producers on the proposed changes on January 12th at 1pm Eastern.
Session Link:
https://tryglobal.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuc-ygrTssG9GE1CXn222t6QPCKnVJopzW
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting
Attached to this email you will also find information on how to have your say on the future of dairy farming in Canada.
A complete summary of the changes can be found at http://www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/dairy-cattle. The Canadian Podcow have also released podcast where they did an excellent job disucssing the proposed changes https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-canadian-podcow/id1588405763?i=1000545644045
New Entrant Applications
- Details
Interested individuals must submit their 5-year business plan and their non-refundable $100 application fee to Dairy Farmers of New Brunswick after January 1 but no later than January 20, 2022.
The Business Plan must include the following: Pro-forma income statements, cash flow statements and balance sheets for two years; sufficient detail on the ownership structure and governance of the business; a description of the proposed dairy enterprise; the education achieved by the applicant(s); and the applicant's agricultural experience.
Applicants are also required to provide a signed letter from all their lenders indicating they have seen and reviewed the business plan and agree to provide financing that is stipulated in the plan
Dairy Leadership Program
- Details
Dairy farmers are asked to submit their names if they are interested in participating in DFNB’s dairy leadership mentorship program. There is no age limit on those who participate in the program. Those interested are asked to submit their names and a short biography to Dairy Farmers of New Brunswick’s office via email (stevem@nbmilk.org) or fax 432-4333 on or before January 31st 2022.
The individuals selected will attend various virtual and in person (if permitted) meetings including 2 DFNB board meeting, DFC winter policy conference and DFC AGM.
Increase in Health Insurance Rates December 1
- Details
To all Producers regarding your Medical plan.
Due to the ever increasing cost of medications and dental care the Co-operators had no choice but to increase our rates.
I have gone back to them to get the best possible rate.
The single rate plan will increase by approximately $13.00 per month and the family rate by approximately $34.00 per month. I have checked with other companies and they were all higher. Where we have been with the Co-operators for several years if we hit a really bad year we have enough creditably built up with them to help us out..
Please call me with any questions or concerns.
Emily 506-850-1643 or David at 506-458-1220.
Thanks again for your continued support..
Reduction of October Incentive Days
- Details
P5 Message: Due to less than expected growth in market requirements, the P5 Boards have agreed to reduce the incentive days for the month of October by two days, for a total of 1 day.
A slowdown in retail markets and a slower than expected recovery in the food service sector, mainly explains this change.
At this time no change is being made to the incentive days for November as the situation will be reassessed according to the change in demand.
Note, the over quota penalty of $20/hl remains in effect.
The P5 board’s primary objective is to continuously monitor the milk market situation and meet milk market demand in the most optimal way. Given these uncertain times we will continue to adapt production signals to address market changes, as required.
The table below provides a summary:
