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

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

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..

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.

September Production Statistics

DFNB’s board of directors set its 2021-22 operational budget at its June board meeting.   As a result, the producer administration levy will drop from $0.0635 to $0.057 per kgs of total solids effective August 1, 2021. 

The main factors contributing to the reduction are because total solids produced are forecast to increase by 5% compared to the 2020-21 budget and operating expenses are forecast to reduce by about 5% as well. 

Operating expenses are expected to remain lower than prior years as a number of provincial and national meetings will continue to be held virtually until restrictions are fully lifted.   

Lab fees charged to producers are set to increase from $0.0067 per kg of total solids to $0.0100 per kg of total solids effective August 1, 2021 in order to offset the costs of IBC/Bactoscan tests.  The remaining levies including Research and Promotion are anticipated to remain the same.  

The transportation levy is also expected to remain similar to last year but is influenced by time and fuel.    Reduced promotion activities has resulted in the accumulation of funds which are being set aside in a promotion reserve and will be reviewed by the board over the coming months. 

The Board has also implemented a policy that will cause it to consider whether its retained earnings are in excess of its needs.  The retained earnings target that the board has set is 50% of budgeted operational expenses.   Upon completion of the audited financials the board will determine what amount, if any, should be returned to producers with the objective of reducing retained earnings to that stated target.

Starting September 1st, 2021 we are validating the Environment module and Traceability Reporting. For Traceability, validators will be requesting to review your reports into the National Traceability Database (DairyTrace), with the expectation that all dairy farmers have activated their accounts and have been reporting since (at least) September 1st, 2021. 

To activate your DairyTrace account or if you have any questions on using your DairyTrace account, contact DairyTrace customer service at: 1-866-558-7223 or info@dairytrace.ca

DFNB’s board of directors set its 2021-22 operational budget at its June board meeting.   As a result, the producer administration levy will drop from $0.0635 to $0.057 per kgs of total solids effective August 1, 2021. 

The main factors contributing to the reduction are because total solids produced are forecast to increase by 5% compared to the 2020-21 budget and operating expenses are forecast to reduce by about 5% as well. 

Operating expenses are expected to remain lower than prior years as a number of provincial and national meetings will continue to be held virtually until restrictions are fully lifted.   

Lab fees charged to producers are set to increase from $0.0067 per kg of total solids to $0.0100 per kg of total solids effective August 1, 2021 in order to offset the costs of IBC/Bactoscan tests.  The remaining levies including Research and Promotion are anticipated to remain the same.  

The transportation levy is also expected to remain similar to last year but is influenced by time and fuel.    Reduced promotion activities has resulted in the accumulation of funds which are being set aside in a promotion reserve and will be reviewed by the board over the coming months. 

The Board has also implemented a policy that will cause it to consider whether its retained earnings are in excess of its needs.  The retained earnings target that the board has set is 50% of budgeted operational expenses.   Upon completion of the audited financials the board will determine what amount, if any, should be returned to producers with the objective of reducing retained earnings to that stated target.

DFNB AGM – November 30 (afternoon), Dec 1 (all day), Dec 2 (morning)

DFNB’s board of directors are planning to hold a face to face Annual Meeting at the Delta Fredericton.  Work is underway to create an online registration process for delegates and guests.  The agenda will be similar to previous Annual Meetings but could be adjusted as a result of ongoing or future restrictions.    As in previous years Local Milk Committees will be asked to select delegates and submit resolutions for consideration.

More details on the agenda and speakers will follow in the coming months.

DFNB will say goodbye to Milk Matters Monthly Newsletter

The July 2021 issue of the monthly Milk Matters newsletter will be its final publication. DFNB will be adding a news bulletin to its website where producers will be able to access industry updates as they occur.

More details will be shared as they become available.

DFNB started a trial in June 2021 with Lactanet to provide a weekly IBC (Individual Bacteria Count) result to each NB producer. These IBC results are for information purposes only and will not result in any milk quality infractions or penalties. Samples must be delivered within 48 hours of milk pickup and be stored between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius to qualify for IBC testing.

Samples that meet the above criteria will first be tested for IBC and then proceed to be tested for components, SCC and MUN. Those that don’t will only be tested for components, SCC and MUN as long as they meet the component test criteria. IBC results will be published in the Test Result report available in the DFNB portal’s document section and on the monthly producer statement.

Lactanet's milk quality advisors suggest the following thresholds:
Results of 20,000 IBC/ml and less are excellent.
Results between 20,000 and 50,000 IBC/ml or less are adequate.
Results between 50,000 and 121,000 IBC/ml are acceptable. However a count of bacteria in this interval may indicate that a quality problem is developing. The producer is invited to take action and check his washing and cooling system as a first step. A result of this order of magnitude makes the producer vulnerable to having an unacceptable result in the future. 

Results greater than 121,000 IBC/ml are considered unacceptable and indicate that there is a problem that needs to be corrected. The intervention of a professional who will carry out an inspection of the washing and cooling systems is highly recommended. Milk containing a high bacterial concentration has a reduced shelf life and is more complex to process.

Statistics for July