This year, our Annual General Meeting (AGM) theme is Progress Starts with Partnership - which has great significance for the cattle industry at this time. Not only does it refer to the need for cooperation among sectors, it also speaks to the importance of collaborating with Ontario consumers to hear their needs – and meet them.

As you will read in the Executive Director’s report, the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA), and Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association (OCFA) met last year and decided that OCFA would concentrate its efforts on the marketing of Ontario Corn-Fed Beef. OCA, on the other hand will be the one voice for beef farmers in Ontario with respect to policy planning and government relations.

To make this work well for Ontario cattle feeders, it is crucial that the OCA Feedlot Committee becomes more active. This committee should be working on research and policy issues relevant to the cattle feeding sector in Ontario, and pushing these issues up to the OCA Board. Our Board welcomes and supports members of the OCFA who wish to run for positions on our Feedlot Committee, or the Board itself.

Another initiative which I am proud of is the Ontario Beef Value Chain Roundtable (OBVCR). I Co-Chair this forum, which has been needed for a long time. It provides all participants, from primary producer through retail and food service, the chance to express their ideas and issues with our industry. The only way we will fix this industry is through dialogue and action.

I believe there is opportunity to grow this industry in Ontario, but the challenge is to develop a value chain strategy that identifies the priority issues that, when addressed, will help make all sectors profitable and sustainable. The OBVCR has hired consultants to develop an action plan for our industry. This will be a much different document than previous plans and will be a concise list of actions to improve the industry with specific direction on implementation of these actions.

I would like to talk briefly about marketing Ontario beef in Ontario. Participation in the Ontario Corn-Fed Beef program gives producers the chance to have some control over their future in our beef business. I have been a “corn-fed” producer since its inception and I am a strong believer in the program. During my term as President, OCA has supported other marketing initiatives as well. We have supported individual producers and groups in regions of Ontario through the Market Development Partnership Program. We have also worked to support local abattoirs. OCA, in partnership with OMAFRA has helped foster the establishment of two abattoirs in the remote communities of Rainy River and Manitoulin. These new abattoirs will give farmers in these areas additional options for marketing their beef.

Last year, OCA signed a licence agreement with Foodland Ontario so that beef raised in Ontario can participate in this program, and benefit from government support in terms of promotional dollars for local, Ontario food. I am extremely hopeful that at our AGM you will hear more details about plans to promote Ontario beef. I believe passionately that our future security will come from forging a strong partnership with the Ontario consumer, our best customer.

In closing, this will be my last message as President of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association. During my tenure, I have had the opportunity to meet many people on your behalf, from Premiers and Ministers to other leaders in our industry and Ontario consumers.

I became involved in our association because I felt there were things that I could help change, to make our industry better. It is now time to pass the torch, and I am truly heartened to see so many potential leaders ready to take up the challenge. I am glad that I became active in my industry and fully encourage you to do likewise, and reap the rewards of service.

Finally, I would like to thank the OCA Directors for their efforts in 2009, and to recognize the hard work and professionalism provided by OCA’s Executive Director, Dave Stewart, and his skilled and dedicated staff. I would also like to recognize the contribution made by OCA’s 49 Advisory Councillors, whose ideas and suggestions throughout the year provided useful input into the Board’s decision-making process.

Thank you. It has been a pleasure serving as your President.

Gord Hardy President Ontario Cattlemen’s Association