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This annual update comes to you on an
extremely positive
note. Many Directors and producers have spent long
hours developing and revising our industry’s version of
the On-Farm Food Safety Program. Producers are realizing
the importance of a complete Farm-to-Fork continuum of
documented food safety assurances. With these program
revisions we are achieving an increase in critical mass that
will allow for improved market share access, both
domestically
and internationally.
One Ontario-specific initiative which is encouraging
uptake in this province is the Market Access Program
(MAP). This is a $1,675,000 Canada-Ontario Research and
Development IV (CORD IV)-funded project through the
Agricultural Adaptation Council. On the marketing side,
we are increasing the saleability of our product by giving
our present and potential customers what they have been
asking for: age-verified and process-verified beef.
On the producer side, credits on tag costs are accumulated
by age-verifying the calves, commitment to our course
(VBP-QSH) and veterinarian signature vaccination protocols.
Interest in workshops is high as producers realize the
benefits of participation and move forward with this credit
initiative assisting them through the beginning phase of
age verification and process verification.
In addition to increased market access, our program also
qualifies the producer for Cost-Share funding. This may
take the form of on-farm coaching to assist you in either
Value Chain/Branded Program qualifications or preparation
for upcoming Canadian Food Inspection Agency
surveillance. Numerous Ontario producers have applied for
Cost-Share for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
readers, scale devices for medicated feed, software for
tracking withdrawal periods and neck extensions for head
gates. There is up to $750, available on a 50% Cost-Share
basis, for these program features.
These specific examples of program benefits are meant to
reinforce the multiple reasons why program participation
is an advantage to your operation. With the increased
producer base, in 2006, OCA doubled VBP-QSH staffing
with the hiring of Ron Wooddisse, who will facilitate the
program west of Toronto. Ron’s depth of knowledge in
the Ontario cattle industry should prove to be a valuable
asset to program delivery. |
