The Rural Voice, 1979-09, Page 50The directors say:
Editor's note: Directors of any farm commodity group who'd like
to write an occasional letter to their members are invited to use
this space monthly in Rural Voice, free of charge, on a first come,
first served basis. This month we have a letter from the chairman
of the Huron County Milk Committee.
MEL KNOX
CHAIRMAN, HURON COUNTY MILK
COMMITTEE
What is the Huron County Milk Commit-
tee? Who is on it? What can they do for
me?
These are valid questions. As chairman
of the Huron County Milk Committee, and
on behalf of its members, I appreciate
being asked to clarify the purpose of the
committee and also to present some
current recommendations to dairy farmers.
Hopefully the urban dweller may also
glean a better understanding of the
industry that provides so many of the daily
food requirements of life.
The main reason for the establishment of
the Milk Committee is that it provides a
sounding board for the Ontario Milk
Marketing Board. Policy changes handed
down to the dairy producer cause a
multitude of reactions. These reactions are
relayed back to the O.M.M.B. via the
County Milk Committee. We are also in a
position to plead the case of an individual
producer or producers who have problems
with some part of their dairy operation
involving the O.M.M.B. Because the
committee consists of members who are
actual milk producers themselves in the
county, therefore we have a good under-
standing of the problems which occur in
our own chosen industry. If we are to
function as intended, the keynote is
communication with the milk producers of
the county.
An important facet of the dairy industry
is milk quality. It is a part which most
producers take very seriously, judging by
the number of producers who earned
quality awards in the past dairy year. With
fewer than 2000 strictly industrial
producers in Ontario, it is more important
than ever for every producer to do the best
job possible to produce a top quality
product, because we are not far from a
single pool quota system for Ontario Milk.
In regard to quotas, we embark on a
touchy subject. After serveral years of
upheaval in the industry with quota cuts,
metric conversion, and the changing of the
quota year to August 1 - July 31 (This is not
the dairy year, which remains April 1 -
March 31). we should now have a handle
on production in our herds. It is imperative
that we as producers sit down and see how
PG. 48 THE RURAL VOICE/SEPTEMBER
our production compares with last year's.
We should be able to decide on an
individual basis where our production
should be. Now is the time to decide if you
need more milk or more quota, not in April
or May as the quota year draws to a close.
Every producer can figure out his quota
needs on a monthly basis. It is not that
difficult to do, and it is easier to make
changes if you have planned for them and
know your route of action. Those of us
producing milk must know where we stand
in order to utilize our quotas and strive to
produce between 90 and 100% of our
allotted share because if we do not produce
enough of our share, then the province as a
whole is down in production. The con-
sequences are that not only will the
individual producer lose a certain percent-
age of the quota that he has failed to
produce, but also, when provincial adjust-
ment is made on the quotas, Ontario could
lose some of it's share. On the contrary, it
is not advisable to over -produce your
quota, as anyone who has had over -quota
levies imposed will testify. Do not plan to
over -produce your quota unless you know
for certain where you can buy more.
Another important part of any County
Milk Committee is the promotion of the
dairy industry. One of the best ways to do
this is by means of a Dairy Princess. In the
county of Huron our elected representative
is Jean Siertsema. She was elected last
November, and her term ends this fall
when another county dairy princess com-
petition will be held. The county dairy
princess is available to speak to any group
that is interested in the dairy industry and
milk production. Jean has been very active
on our behalf and we certainly wish to
thank her.
In closing, I would like to encourage any
milk producer to contact his elected
committee member if there is something in
regard to dairy policy that you do not
understand, or if there is something which
you feel strongly about. We need your
input to be able to make good re-
presentation to the O.M.M.B.
19 -iv