Reading Time: 3 minutes It seemed like a win-win — until a new milk category caught the attention of U.S. President Donald Trump and unexpectedly became one of the key sticking points in NAFTA negotiations. It’s called Class 7, which is milk protein isolates (dried milk powders high in protein). It was introduced in 2016 in response to diafiltered […] Read more
The milk in the middle of the high-stakes NAFTA drama
A new milk category thrust dairy farmers into a political firestorm — so what is Class 7 all about?
There were real cows too!
Reading Time: < 1 minute The first Breakfast on the Dairy Farm event of the season drew more than 700 people to the Van der Gun Dairy on June 23. In addition to a free breakfast, there was a bouncy house, face painting, a petting zoo, and barn tours. There are two more Breakfast on the Dairy Farm events this […] Read more
Skim milk blues — Alberta producing more than can be used
Butterfat is where it’s at in the dairy business and investment in plants to process skim milk has lagged
Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta dairy farmers are watching their product — and their profits — circle the drain. “Some of our skim milk does not have a commercial value, and that compromises our prices,” said Tom Kootstra, Alberta Milk chair. “We do our best to find a use for this skim milk that has no place in the […] Read more
Breakfast on the Dairy Farm an award-winning idea
Over 3,400 people have attended the annual summer event
Reading Time: < 1 minute A group of Olds-area dairy farmers who developed an innovative consumer outreach program are this year’s winner of Award of Distinction for Communication from Alberta Farm Animal Care. “Six years ago the East Olds Dairy Farmers group, which is made up of several dairy farm families, developed the idea to host a breakfast for their […] Read more
Want to become a dairy farmer?
Application deadline for new entrants is March 31
Reading Time: < 1 minute Applications are now being accepted for Alberta Milk’s New Entrant Assistance Program, which offers a quota loan at no cost to successful applicants. The program provides two kilograms of loaned quota for every kilogram bought (previously this was 1:1), up to a maximum of 25 kg/day. The 25-kilogram loan is enough quota to milk 18 […] Read more
Alberta dairy producers concerned but calm over threats, says farm leader
Alberta Milk takes attacks from U.S. president seriously but its members aren’t panicking, says group’s chair
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta dairy producers take President Donald Trump’s threats against Canadian dairy seriously, but they aren’t in a panic, says the chair of Alberta Milk. “I think we need to take this threat seriously because what we’re seeing from the U.S. administration is an administration that is unpredictable,” said Tom Kootstra, who farms near Ponoka. The […] Read more
Alberta Milk supports lunch and snack programs
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Milk is donating $60,000 for lunch and snack programs for Alberta children. “We are farmers, but we are families first. Most of us have children and know that if they get the proper nutrition they need, they have the best chance at learning,” Tom Kootstra, Alberta Milk chair and farms in central Alberta, said […] Read more
Want to be a dairy farmer?
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Milk is accepting applications to its New Entrant Assistance Program until March 31. The program matches the quota purchased by the new entrant with a loan of quota from Alberta Milk up to 25 kilograms per day (about 20 to 25 cows) at no cost. New entrants can expand up to 70 kg/day of […] Read more
New leaders at Alberta Barley, Alberta Milk, and Grain Growers of Canada
New Year brings new faces on the boards and executives of farm groups
Reading Time: 2 minutes With a new year dawning, a host of producers are assuming farm leadership roles or taking on new ones. At Alberta Barley, Jason Lenz has stepped up to chair (from vice-chair) after Sylvan Lake producer and past chair Mike Ammeter “termed out” after serving on the board of directors for the last six years. “It’s […] Read more
Restaurants call foul as dairy farmers get a second pay hike this year
World dairy prices are crashing but Alberta Milk chair says the latest increase is modest and won’t hurt restaurant chains
Reading Time: 3 minutes Even though world dairy prices are at historic lows, Canadian dairy farmers will be getting a boost of 2.76 per cent for industrial milk — used to make butter, ice cream, yogurt, and cheese — starting Sept. 1. It comes on the heels of a 2.2 per cent price hike in February. “The industrial price […] Read more
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