The producer group formerly known as the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association is now officially Beef Farmers of Ontario.

The name change, made official Tuesday, was first proposed as an amendment to the group’s constitution at its annual general meeting in February in Toronto, where it was approved by a majority of delegates.

The change, the Guelph-based association said on its new website, is meant “to address the changing industry environment and to not only build on but to also enhance (BFO’s) visibility and strength with valued stakeholders.”

“We strongly believe the change in name is a natural evolution and a name that our membership can be proud of and stand behind with confidence for years to come,” BFO president Dan Darling, a cow-calf producer at Cramahe, Ont., said Tuesday in a release.

BFO formed in 1962 as the Ontario Beef Improvement Association (OBIA) and was renamed the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association in 1976, with the goal of becoming “a stronger lobby organization with government and to align its name with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.”

The rebranding is seen also “as an opportunity to not only build on, but to also enhance our visibility and strength with our valued stakeholders,” BFO executive director Dave Stewart said in the same release.

The change, he said, “will also align our organizational name with our fellow commodity organizations in the province.” — AGCanada.com Network