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The Huron Expositor, 1995-03-15, Page 65Plans in the works to produce organic milk by Scott Hil endorff The Organic Milk Producers Group hopes to have organic milk available to customers this fall. "We have a lot of plans but they're not put into action yet," said Ted Zettel, an organic farmer from Chepstow. He and six farmers between Kin- cardine, Chepstow, Stratford and Durham are part of the, as yet, unofficial group. These six have been certified by the Organic Crop Improvement Association, an internationally known agency that is responsible for certifying organic products, processors and farmers. Another six are going through the certification process. "We'd like to have whole milk which would be unhomogenized," Zettel said. He said they are looking into the possibility of having the milk sold in returnable glass bottles. The Milk Marketing Board has recently given approval for the six fanners' milk to be segregated from the rest of the milk pool. It is currently being used by the Pine River Cheese and Butter Co- operative near Kincardine in the production of organic cheese. Organic milk comes from cows fed 100 per cent organic feed. They are raised on farms which have been managed through long- range practices used to make the farm into a sustainable unit. Zettel said this is done through a wide range of practices covering all aspects of farming. It includes soil management, crop rotation and weed control. "It's all managed in a way that is preventative, not through treat- ment," He said organic farming attempts to prevent problems before they occur. "You don't need a pesticide un- less you've got a pest." Synthetic fertilizers and insec- ticides are not used. The cattle are taken care of in the same way. "Every measure is taken in the prevention of disease rather than the treatment." One of the most common diseases for cows is Mastitis, an inflam- mation of the mammary glands. "It's really a preventable disease. It's due to environmental factors." He said the cows are not pushed too hard in milk production. They are given clean, dry housing and high quality feed. "These cows have a high immune system. The disease becomes rare in these herds." Zettel said the organic milk has been produced for a long time and marketing it is the next, logical step. "A growing number of consumers are concemed about how agriculture functions. They want to know how their food is grown." Zettel said these health conscious consumers will find organic milk appealing. He said their own health is being protected through organic farming. "The logical idea is that the health of the person is related to the health of the soil, plants and animals." Until now, Zettel said there has been no availability of organic dairy products. The cheese marks the first. The dairy group is looking for somewhere to have the milk processed. • "The dairy group is looking at handling this on their own as a co- operative and custom hiring the processor." The six certified producers produce about 8,000 litres of milk every two days. When the other six are added, the group will have the potential of producing 16,000 litres every two days. Plan to launch rural child safety program A campaign to increase awareness of the many hazards faced by rural children in the agricultural and rural community was introduced during Farm Safety Week (March 7 - 13) in Ontario. In the last five years, the Farm Safety Association has recorded 20 accidental deaths involving children under the age of 15, while work was in progress. The campaign which will involve posters, printed materials and safety workshops was launched at the Farm Safety Association's 22nd Annual Con- ference. Funding for the campaign has been made possible by over 50 partners from government, agri- business and the agri-food in- dustry. The launch came at the end of National Farm Safety Week. This year, the dates for Farm Safety Week were moved from July to March to allow safety promotion across the country prior to farmers getting on the land. It will also allow promotion while students are still in school. This year the Farm Safety Week Theme was "Take the Challenge". In Ontario, the chal- lenge will be to make farms as safe as possible for children and to prevent needless tragedies. JAMES SYMES PAVING & MATERIALS COMPLETE Paving of Driveways Roads, Parking Lots & Tennis Courts FOUNDATION SPRAYING REGISTERED & BONDED Free Estimates 528-3047 P.O. Box 54 Lucknow Farm ProW.as '95'-P g• it C TREE SERVICES ES "Need to get rld of ugly Tree Stumps?" Complete Tree Removal ✓ Branches ✓ Stump Cutting U. DAVE TAYLOR 519-238-5451 PLETCH ELECTRIC LIMrl`ED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Motor Sales, Rewinds & Service Pole Sales, Installation & Trenching 446 Josephine St. WINGHAM, ONT, NOG 2W0 Phone 519.357.1583 _Cr