Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) celebrated 50 years at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair on Nov. 12, by highlighting the organization’s achievements and successes during the last five decades.
DFO is the marketing group for the largest sector of Ontario agriculture and are proudly owned and operated by Ontario’s Dairy Farmers.
“Ontario is home to almost 4,000 dairy farms, each family owned and operated. We have a commitment to all Ontario dairy farmers and a mandate to provide leadership and excellence in the production and marketing of Canadian milk,” said Bill Emmott, chair of Dairy Farmers of Ontario. “We have a solid 50 year track record of doing just that.”
“We are proud of the fact that we contribute more than $5 billion dollars to Ontario’s economy, providing some of the safest and highest quality milk in the world.”
DFO has participated in the royal for 50 years, and each year it embarks on unique, compelling and innovative campaigns that raise the profile for a dynamic, profitable and growing Canadian dairy industry.
“This year, we have a wide range of activities planned, including the special Ontario launch of our popular Milk calendar, cheese competitions, and a quilting contest, to name a few,” said Laural Adams, communications manager, Dairy Farmers of Ontario.
“One of our highlights is this year’s milk-off contest. We hosted a unique milk-off contest with a local media celebrity and the Verburg family, who has been farming since 1960 in the Township of Athens. Four generations of the family work on the farm to this day, taking care of 85 holsteins.”
The milk-off contest pinned the Verburg family against local television broadcaster, City News, on Wednesday at the royal. The Verburg family won the contest, however all contestants received $1,000 to a charity of their choice. The charities selected were the Daily Bread and WorldRenew’s Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
The royal takes place every November in Toronto. The royal is the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world.
“For a few days each year, people join us from around the globe to discover what Canadian agriculture has to offer,” said Emmott. “That is what the royal delivers every year and the Dairy Farmers of Ontario are honoured to be a part of that tradition.”
Dairy Farmers of Ontario, a not-for-profit organization, is proudly owned and operated by Ontario dairy farmers. It is the marketing group for the largest sector of Ontario agriculture.
