Dairy Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador has approximately 40 dairy producers in four geographic regions of the province. At an average of 140 cows per farm, this province has the largest average farm size in the country. However at the same time we have the highest operating costs in Canada, mostly due to the lack of developed forage land which leads to higher costs. The industry employs over 1,200 People and is valued at over $125 Million.

In the late 1990’s Newfoundland became self-sufficient in Fluid milk production and shipped small amounts of un-processed milk to Nova Scotia. Growth in the amount of un-processed milk being shipped out of the province created pressure from other provinces for Newfoundland to join the National Milk Marketing Plan.

Since joining the NMMP in 2001, milk production has grown from 34 million litres to over 52 million litres in 2007, bringing us over half-way to achieving our goal of producing an additional 31 million litres by 2015. The industry has invested almost $100 million in consolidation and expansion since signing onto the NMMP.

Newfoundland and Labrador dairy farming faces considerable challenges if we are going to take full advantage of our opportunities. These include inadequate forage production and land development, high transportation costs, lack of secondary processing, human resource issues, and research and development.

Links:

Dairy Farmers of Canada

Canadian Dairy Commission

The Natural Products Marketing Act

The Milk Marketing Scheme

Contact Information

27 Sagona Avenue
Donovans Industrial Park
Mount Pearl, Newfoundland A1N 4P8
Manager: Harry Burden
Ph: 709-364-6634
Fx: 709-364-8364
milk@dfnl.nf.net

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