Communication | Update
March 2015
Volume 20 No.8 for the February 2015 Production Month
Bulk Tank Milk Volume after Missing a Pick-Up
BTMGs are trained to check milk volumes of every shipment.
If milk is rejected on-farm, suspended or a pick-up cancelled by
the producer for any reason, producers should be aware that an
increase in the milk volume on the first shipment after missing
a pickup(s) may result in the milk getting rejected again.
If a producer has a valid reason that their volume on the
subsequent pick up following a missing pick-up will be higher
than usual, they need to provide the rationale to the BCMMB
prior to the scheduled milk pick up time for consideration.
Failing to do so will result in another milk rejection.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact: Kelly
Harris 604.854.4479 kharris@milk-bc.com
GEP and animal welfare policy consultations end
April 2, 2015
The Board is currently completing its consultation on both
GEP and animal welfare policy at Spring Producer Meetings.
However, in addition to the producer meetings, you may
continue to provide your input via e-mail to Vicki Crites at
vcrites@milk-bc.com until April 2, 2015.
Reminder: Organic Producers
All organic producers should be aware that they are required
to have a current organic certificate on file with the BCMMB
office. Please ensure that you provide an updated organic
certificate prior to the expiry of your current certificate.
BC Continuous Quota
Position as of
January 2015 = -1.21%
February 2015 *forecasted -1.08%
New on the BCMMB website
The Board is currently completing its consultation on animal
welfare policy via Spring Producer Meetings being held around
the province in March. Updates and key background documents,
such as the Animal Welfare Industry Program Discussion
Document are now posted on a new page on the BCMMB
website. From the Home page, click on “Governance” on the top
menu, and then click on “Animal Welfare: Code of Practice” to
get to the webpage, or simply click the link below:
http://milk-bc.com/governance/animal-welfare-code-of-practice
Coming Soon to your Inbox: 2015 Dairy Industry Survey
As in past years, the Council of Marketing Boards (COMB) will be sending out a dairy industry survey via email on behalf of the BC
Milk Marketing Board. The Board encourages you to take a few minutes to complete the survey, since the information you provide
will assist the Board in updating its policies, improving communications and enhancing its strategic planning.
A reminder about responsibilities and potential liability for milk quality
The Responsibility of the Producer
Producers have regulatory as well as common law responsibilities (eg. negligence) to a broad range of third parties that may
foreseeably be affected by any quality issues with their milk. Please note that responsibilities and potential liability do not vanish
after the milk leaves the farm.
The Role of the BC Milk Marketing Board (BCMMB)
The BCMMB’s relationship with processors and producers is purely regulatory in nature as prescribed under the Natural Products
Marketing (BC) Act. The BCMMB does not purchase milk, nor does it profit commercially from the sale of milk. The BCMMB acts as a
facilitating intermediary between producers and processors but does not take responsibility for the milk. The BCMMB does not make
liability judgments; it makes regulatory decisions.
If you have any questions, please contact Woody Siemens at wsiemens@milk-bc.com
200-32160 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC V2T 1W5 | T. 604.556.3444 | F.604.556.7717 www.milk-bc.com
Communication | Update March 2015
Volume 20 No.8 | Page 2
Provincial Freight
The producer freight rate calculations for the months of January
and February are summarized below:
Freight Rates ($/hl)
Zone Transportation Costs
Less: Vendor Billings
Gross Provincial Freight Rate
Add: Train/Volume Discounts
Less: Stop/Extra Pick-Up Charges
Transportation Department Costs
Adjustments from Prior Period
Net Provincial Freight Rate
January
3.05
(0.08)
2.97
0.31
(0.14)
0.00
0.00
3.14
February
3.01
0.08
3.09
0.30
(0.14)
0.00
0.00
3.25
Continuous Quota
Cumulative Over/Under Production (with limits) as of:
January 2015
Kg of BF
%*
NL
-62,867
-3.20%
P5
-2,331,839
-0.96%
WMP
-943,138
-1.23%
P10
-3,337,844
-1.04%
BC
-328,506
-1.21%
*Cumulative Over/Under Production (with limits) expressed
as a % of the most recent 12 months total quota.
Milk Quality Report
The provincial averages and quality bonus data based on the official
milk quality tests for January and February are:
Milk Quality Data
January
February
Individual Bacteria Count
19,431
16,260
Somatic Cell Count
166,346
170,433
Quality Bonus Qualifiers (%)
77.56%
76.55%
Producer Component Prices and Standard Blend
The producer component prices for the month of February
are as follows: BF= $9.9777, PR= $8.6900, OS= $1.8309 or
an equivalent return of $74.4198 per standard hectolitre.
This return compares to $76.3125 in January 2015, with a
difference of $1.8927/std.hL. The P10/WMP equalization
transfer for the month of February was $2,941,909.45.
Notice to Producers
Notice to Producers
For all recent Notices to Producers
Please visit www.milk-bc.com
Quota Management-Credit Transfer Reminders
1. Please contact Pam in our Quota Management
Department at pgregory@milk-bc.com or 604.854.4474
for all inquiries with respect to Credit Transfer
Applications. Pam can provide information about
deadlines and the remaining number of credits available
for transfer within your limit, assistance with estimating
your month end position in order to determine the need
to Buy or Sell credits, or to check on an application form
already submitted.
Producer Payments
2. A quick and efficient method of submitting your
Buy/Sell Credits application is to scan and email your
completed form to Pam prior to the deadline. You will
then receive a return email confirming successful receipt
of your application by the BCMMB office.
Credit Transfer Average Prices
3. Due to the volume and administrative time in
processing of credit transfers, the BCMMB cannot
guarantee that all applications submitted will be verified
prior to the deadline. It is the producer’s responsibility to
ensure that they have credits available to transfer, prior to
completing and signing an application form.
Participants in the February | March | April Pools
will receive their payments as follows:
Month of Production:
Advance Payment
Final Payment
February
Mar 2
Mar 18
March
Apr 1
Apr 21
April
May 1
May 20
Effective February 1st
Conventional | Organic
Average Price
$10.32
$6.00
A Summary of Credit Transfer Statistics can be found at
www.milk-bc.com with other credit transfer documents.
4. Only the registered quota holder can sign Credit
Transfer applications. Any other person signing must have
a valid authorization form on file with the BCMMB prior to
submitting the application form.
Quota Management: Important Dates
Application Deadlines
Date & Time
Effective Date(s)
Quota Exchange
Apr 1 @ 1:00pm
May 1
CDQ Buy/Sell of Credits
Mar 25 @ 1:00pm
Mar 1
Apr 1
If you have any questions please contact:
Kathy Wallis 604.854.4471 kwallis@milk-bc.com
Pam Gregory 604.854.4474 pgregory@milk-bc.com
www.milk-bc.com
200-32160 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC V2T 1W5 | T. 604.556.3444 | F.604.556.7717 www.milk-bc.com