More Money for Milk

Jun 22, 2022 | 5:00 AM

The Canadian Dairy Commission has approved a rare second milk price increase for this year. The Crown corporation, which oversees Canada’s dairy supply management system, says farm gate milk prices will go up about two cents per litre, or 2.5 per cent, on Sept. 1.

The increase comes after milk prices rose six cents per litre, or roughly 8.4 per cent, on Feb. 1.

The decision follows a request by Dairy Farmers of Canada in May for a mid-year milk price hike due to high inflation.

The industry lobby group said farmers are facing never-before-seen price increases on goods and services they need to produce milk.

“Grain costs have gone up by 30 per cent over two-years, fuel costs are way up, everything is increasing,” Kamloops Okanagan Dairy Association President Henry Bremer told Vernon Matters. “It doesn’t fully cover the cost but it does go a good way to helping.”

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The commission says when it reviews prices again as usual this fall, the mid-year price increase approved for Sept. 1 will be deducted from any adjustment for next February. Prices are usually reviewed once a year.

“Going back a few years the price was reviewed up to four times a year, when inflation hits it is a big jump if it is only once a year,” Bremer added.

The Bremer family operates Cliffview Dairy near Enderby, where they have 350 head of cattle on 400 acres, ten of which are currently under water.

“Fires and floods, washed out roads, supply chain issues my goodness, I really appreciate the people that have put in the work to get our highways back going again and keep on trucking stuff,” Bremer said.

One litre of milk is currently selling in B.C. for $3.19 while a 4-litre jug retails for around $7.20.

(With files from the Canadian Press)

by Kevin Rothwell

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