FAQs
General Questions
How efficient are dairy farmers?
Canadian dairy producers constantly invest to improve the efficiency of their operations and produce high quality milk. Canadian dairy cows are sought after worldwide for their robustness and increasing capacity to produce high quality milk (prior to May 2003). Since 1971, the average herd size has increased from about 17 cows to 65 cows. Canadian farmers invest in their barns to ensure cows are clean and comfortable, have clean air and have access to water and nutritious feed.
Canadian dairy producers constantly invest to improve the efficiency of their operations and produce high quality milk. Canadian dairy cows are sought after worldwide for their robustness and increasing capacity to produce high quality milk (prior to May 2003). Since 1971, the average herd size has increased from about 17 cows to 65 cows. Canadian farmers invest in their barns to ensure cows are clean and comfortable, have clean air and have access to water and nutritious feed.
What is the trend in the consumption of dairy products?
Canada ranks among the top 10 countries in the world for per capita consumption of milk, yogourt, butter and cheese. Since 1980, per capita consumption of cheese has increased by 33%, yogurt by 290% and cream by 99% in Canada. Consumers throughout Canada and the U.S. are drinking less milk and have switched from whole milk to lower-fat milk. The Canadian dairy industry offers a selection of close to 200 Canadian cheeses and a dozen types of milk on the market. When we add the various yogurts, butter and new products like kefir or Omega-3 milk, there is a wide variety of dairy products to satisfy everyone's appetite! Events like the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix have significantly increased demand for featured cheeses. For example, Grand Prix winners like Natural Pastures Cheese, La Maison d?affinage Maurice Dufour and La fromagerie Fritz Kaiser, have expanded their production facilities to meet increased demand for their prized cheeses.
Canada ranks among the top 10 countries in the world for per capita consumption of milk, yogourt, butter and cheese. Since 1980, per capita consumption of cheese has increased by 33%, yogurt by 290% and cream by 99% in Canada. Consumers throughout Canada and the U.S. are drinking less milk and have switched from whole milk to lower-fat milk. The Canadian dairy industry offers a selection of close to 200 Canadian cheeses and a dozen types of milk on the market. When we add the various yogurts, butter and new products like kefir or Omega-3 milk, there is a wide variety of dairy products to satisfy everyone's appetite! Events like the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix have significantly increased demand for featured cheeses. For example, Grand Prix winners like Natural Pastures Cheese, La Maison d?affinage Maurice Dufour and La fromagerie Fritz Kaiser, have expanded their production facilities to meet increased demand for their prized cheeses.
When did the BC Milk Producers Association change its name?
BC Milk Producers used to be known as the BC Federation of Dairymen's Association. The name was changed in 1995.
BC Milk Producers used to be known as the BC Federation of Dairymen's Association. The name was changed in 1995.
Why is milk sometimes cheaper in the U.S?
There are two factors that go into the calculation of milk. The CPI (consumer price index) and the COP (cost of production).
Changes at the consumer level occur as a result of price changes at either (or both) processing or retail levels. If the cost of production for either of these levels goes up (processing costs, retail costs etc.), then it is reflected in the prices they charge for all products, including milk. Generally speaking, milk prices do not increase as often as other commodities that are tied to the Consumer Price index.
The farmers’ share of milk sold is low. For example, on a glass of milk sold at a restaurant, (i.e. for $2.00), the farmers' cut of that is a mere 21 cents and for the cheese on a restaurant pizza sold for $18.50, the farmers’ cut of that is just 69 cents. That includes the care and welfare of a herd of cows, and a job that is 365 days per year.
Canadians spend 10% of their disposable income on food, one of the lowest in the world, of which 1.5% is on dairy products.
Consumers in other countries, like the U.S. and E.U., pay twice for their dairy products; once at the checkout and again at tax time whereas Canadian dairy farmers receive their income entirely from the marketplace.
This occurs because in the U.S., public tax dollars are paid to U.S. dairy farmers, through government subsidies, and this is estimated to provide 30% of U.S. farmers' income. This does not occur in the Canadian dairy industry. In other countries where prices paid to farmers are unregulated, consumers rarely benefit at the checkout. In New Zealand, which has some of the world’s lowest dairy production costs and milk is based on world prices, consumers pay about the same for a litre of milk as they do in Canada.
In addition, some countries allow the use of hormones like rBST (recombinant Bovine Somatotropin Hormone), which is not allowed in Canada. Canadian milk is one of the highest qualities in the world
There are two factors that go into the calculation of milk. The CPI (consumer price index) and the COP (cost of production).
Changes at the consumer level occur as a result of price changes at either (or both) processing or retail levels. If the cost of production for either of these levels goes up (processing costs, retail costs etc.), then it is reflected in the prices they charge for all products, including milk. Generally speaking, milk prices do not increase as often as other commodities that are tied to the Consumer Price index.
The farmers’ share of milk sold is low. For example, on a glass of milk sold at a restaurant, (i.e. for $2.00), the farmers' cut of that is a mere 21 cents and for the cheese on a restaurant pizza sold for $18.50, the farmers’ cut of that is just 69 cents. That includes the care and welfare of a herd of cows, and a job that is 365 days per year.
Canadians spend 10% of their disposable income on food, one of the lowest in the world, of which 1.5% is on dairy products.
Consumers in other countries, like the U.S. and E.U., pay twice for their dairy products; once at the checkout and again at tax time whereas Canadian dairy farmers receive their income entirely from the marketplace.
This occurs because in the U.S., public tax dollars are paid to U.S. dairy farmers, through government subsidies, and this is estimated to provide 30% of U.S. farmers' income. This does not occur in the Canadian dairy industry. In other countries where prices paid to farmers are unregulated, consumers rarely benefit at the checkout. In New Zealand, which has some of the world’s lowest dairy production costs and milk is based on world prices, consumers pay about the same for a litre of milk as they do in Canada.
In addition, some countries allow the use of hormones like rBST (recombinant Bovine Somatotropin Hormone), which is not allowed in Canada. Canadian milk is one of the highest qualities in the world