In this issue - Gay Lea Foods Co

Spring 2013
Published in the interest of members and employees of Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Limited.
In this issue:

AGM Update

Gay Lea Foods Delegates Tour Florida

GLF Dairy Heritage Museum Update

Spring Farm Shows

The GLF Directors & Delegates in Your Neighbourhood
New Director
Elected at Zone 2
AGM in Fergus!
Full story on page 4
Return undeliverable Gazettes to:
Gay Lea Foods Co-operative
21 Speedvale Avenue West
Guelph, ON N1H 1J5
1
PRESIDENT’S REPORT — RAPPORT DU PRÉSIDENT
President’s Report
“Sales have
been
generally
strong with
gains in each
of the retail,
foodservice,
co-pack and
industrial
sectors.”
As we approach spring we also near the midpoint of
our fiscal year, and although we only have results for
the first five months, they are a good indicator of our
progress.
Much of our training and continuous improvement
efforts, combined with more timely, more accurate
information from our new ERP system, have begun
to show results.
Sales have been generally strong with gains in each
of the retail, foodservice, co-pack and industrial sectors. Of particular note is the continued strength of
yogurt, dry ingredients and cheese.
Phase II of ERP is underway and will peak in terms
of effort and activity over the next several months.
Having witnessed the value of good information we
are excited about the impact the second phase will
have and note that it will require continued diligence
and full engagement of the departments involved.
We expect much of this momentum to continue with
the exception of milk protein concentrates (dry ingredients). We have had some limited success in
securing domestic customers for these ingredients
but the main volume continues to be export blends
that depend on competitive export permits issued by
the Canadian Dairy Commission. Such permits have
been limited. We expect that this sector will struggle
over the next several months but we are comfortable
that it will be offset with continued gains in other
areas.
Cheese has been a notable success in the first five
months. Although it represents a small percent of
our total sales, it continues to strengthen in the
foodservice and ingredient channels. To date cheese
sales are up well over 10% and continuing to grow.
Beyond the sales line we have seen similar strengthening of our gross profits driven to a great degree by
improved volumes, manufacturing efficiencies and a
relentless pursuit of process improvement. We are
encouraged by these early results and it is an indicator of our need for continued effort in this area.
Around the plants the most visible activity is in
Teeswater as we proceed with several major projects, including the new evaporator and new bulk
filler. These initiatives reflect our commitment to
invest in our people and assets as we commit to continue to grow.
It is much too early to predict our year-end results,
but we are encouraged by the progress. Strong sales
and improved efficiencies have been key to our success to date.
There are many challenges that lie ahead, including
the risks associated with extremely high butter inventories and the uncertainties surrounding our
ingredient business – but with continued focus on
our key drivers, we remain confident in the 2013
plan.
Andrew MacGillivray
President and CEO
Rapport du Président
Nous arrivons au printemps et presque au milieu de
notre exercice financier. Et même si nous n’avons
encore que les résultats des cinq premiers mois, ils
donnent une bonne idée de nos progrès.
Les ventes ont été généralement bonnes, avec des
avances dans chacun de nos secteurs, le commerce
de détail, les services alimentaires, les services d’emballage à forfait et le secteur industriel. Nous remarquons particulièrement la solidité continue du yogourt, des ingrédients secs et du fromage.
Nous nous attendons à ce que cet élan conserve une
bonne partie de son énergie, sauf dans le cas des
concentrés de protéines de lait (ingrédients secs).
Nous avons connu un succès limité dans notre recherche de clients canadiens pour ces ingrédients,
mais la plus grande partie du volume des ventes se
rapporte encore aux mélanges pour exportation, qui
2
sont affectés par la concurrence pour l’obtention des
permis d’exportation accordés par la Commission
canadienne du lait. Le nombre de ces permis a été
limité. Nous prévoyons que ces difficultés vont continuer pendant encore plusieurs mois, mais nous
avons confiance qu’elles seront contrebalancées par
des avances continuelles dans les autres secteurs.
Le fromage a connu un succès remarquable au cours
des cinq premiers mois. Même s’il ne s’agit que d’un
petit pourcentage du total de nos ventes, il continue
à occuper de plus en plus de place dans les secteurs
des services alimentaires et des ingrédients. Jusqu’ici, l’augmentation des ventes de fromage a beaucoup dépassé 10 %, et elle continue.
En plus des ventes, nous avons constaté une augmentation semblable de nos profits bruts, grâce en
grande partie au volume accru des ventes, à la meil-
NEWS
“Les ventes ont été
généralement
bonnes, avec des
avances dans
chacun de nos
secteurs, le
commerce de détail,
les services
alimentaires, les
services
d’emballage à
forfait et le secteur
industriel.”
leure efficacité de notre fabrication et à une poursuite
constante de l’amélioration des processus. Nous
sommes encouragés par ces premiers résultats, qui
confirment la nécessité de poursuivre nos efforts en
cette matière. Une bonne partie de nos activités de
formation et d’amélioration continue, combinées à
une information plus exacte et à jour provenant de
notre nouveau système PRO, commencent à donner
des résultats.
La deuxième étape du système PRO est en cours et
doit atteindre un sommet d’efforts et d’activité au
cours des prochains mois. Nous avons observé directement la valeur d’une bonne information, et nous
sommes très enthousiastes devant l’incidence prévue
de la deuxième étape, sans oublier toutefois qu’elle
exigera une diligence continue et un engagement total de la part des services concernés.
jets importants, y compris le nouvel évaporateur et le
nouveau système de remplissage en vrac. Ces travaux
illustrent l’importance que nous accordons aux investissements dans nos gens et nos actifs pour appuyer
la croissance de notre entreprise.
Il est beaucoup trop tôt pour prédire nos résultats de
fin d’exercice, mais nous sommes encouragés par les
progrès réalisés jusqu’ici. Des ventes solides et des
améliorations d’efficacité ont été la clé de notre succès actuel.
Il reste de nombreux défis devant nous, notamment
le risque que présente notre stock de beurre extrêmement élevé et l’incertitude entourant notre commerce
d’ingrédients. Mais en maintenant notre attention sur
les principaux moteurs opérationnels, nous restons
confiants de pouvoir réaliser le plan de 2013.
Quant aux usines, c’est à Teeswater qu’on constate le
plus d’activité, alors que nous réalisons plusieurs pro-
Andrew MacGillivray
Président et chef de la direction
Report from the Chair
As the winter months fade away and
days become brighter, our outlook too
is more optimistic. The same positive
attitude is evident at Gay Lea Foods.
From our members to our delegates,
Directors and management, to employees and senior staff, the future is bright.
There is considerable behind the scenes
work underway. Focusing on our 2013
strategic plan is your Board of Director’s and managements major objective.
We have set the goals of meeting or exceeding 528 million in sales
and 21 million in profit this year. Goals we fully intend to achieve.
Half way through fiscal 2013 financial results are above projected
budgets in almost all categories. Continually searching for solutions to grow our business and bottom line profit will be the challenge. While some dairy co-operatives in Eastern Canada merged
or entered into joint ventures as a means to improve performance,
Gay Lea also believes acquisitions are another viable option. We
undertake extensive investigation on any possible opportunities
that exist to determine relevance and impact to the co-operative.
In the years ahead this strategy will undoubtedly surface.
However, there are alternative strategies that provide greater ownership, control, and return. I am referring to investment in our
own plants, processing equipment and people. Increasing capacity
and striving for efficiency will have an immediate positive effect.
The investments planned for this year, and beyond, are unprecedented for Gay Lea in scale and impact, providing sustainability to
the Canadian dairy sector and security to Gay Lea members. As
members we should all be very proud of this investment in processing sector.
The first Advanced Training and Development Program for delegates are now complete. I would sincerely like to congratulate the
participants for their dedication and commitment to selfimprovement. For your personal development, but even more for
the benefit to our co-operative and related agriculture organizations or community groups, today and in the years ahead. We
thank you.
This spring and summer, take pride in your occupation, the heritage of our co-operative, the true value we return to our communities and country. From the farm level to the consumers table, we
are ―better together‖.
Chairman of the Board
Mark Hamel
Gay Lea Welcomes the Following New Members:




Allan & Sharon McDonald - Teeswater
Chad Veldman - Embro
Christina Ispas - Woodbridge
Christopher Veldman - Embro
 Corbin Reid - Moorefield
 Deanne Reilly - Guelph
 Emlane Farms Ltd. - Port Perry
 Kanta Mistry - Mount Albert
 Megan Ruetz - Mildmay
 Pierre & Johanna Gougeon - L’Orignal
3
NEWS & EVENTS
In Memoriam: Peter McLinden
Retired GLF President & CEO
Who is it?
It is with great sadness we
advise our Gay Lea community of the loss of Peter
McLinden who passed away
February 28, 2013 at the age
of 78. Peter was an employee of Gay Lea Foods from
1962 through 1994, and retired as President and CEO.
Peter passed away peacefully
surrounded by the love of his
family, at the Grey Bruce
Health Services in Owen
Sound. He was the dearly
loved husband of Dorothy
McLinden for 52 years. He
was the loving father of David (Nancy), John (Stephanie), Larry (Vicky) and Tim (Michelle)
and proud grandfather of Jared, Alicia, Abigail, Avery, Amber,
Shane, Spencer, Kaidan and Courtney and great-grandfather of
Felix. Peter was also the brother of Pat Armstrong (Tom), Joan
McLinden and Cathy Watson (Kyle). He was predeceased by his
parents, Alex and Dorothy McLinden.
Hint:
This person is closely linked with the Gay Lea Dairy Heritage
Museum.
Answer and explanation found on page 11 in the “News From the Museum”
section.
CLP Group at the 2012 Gay Lea Foods AGM
By CLP Participants DAVID GRIEVE & ROLAND WEBER
On the evening of January 21st, the Co-operative Leadership Program group met in Guelph to attend a reception with Gay Lea delegates. We were all eager to see each other again, as well as meeting other members of the Gay Lea family. Congratulations were
made to Sandy Terpstra, one of our own, on her recent election as
a delegate!
The next morning we were invited to a breakfast meeting with the
official Board. Our minds had to be sharp, as Board members
challenged us with questions regarding our views of the dairy industry and of Gay Lea, both now and in the future. We discussed
the program and made suggestions as to how we saw the program
in years to come.
After a brief closed member meeting, it was time for the AGM.
Mark Hamel opened with a review of the year. Highlights included: 2012 being the International Year of co-ops. Lead by the
Phoenix team, $400 000 in funds were raised for Ag development
in Rwanda helping over 22 000 families. Gay Lea sent 7 members
to a conference in Québec where they met with other co-op members. It was realized that the co-op model is the way of the future.
CEO, Andy MacGillivray addressed the crowd. Mr. MacGillivray
spoke of the meaning of ―Better Together‖, Gay Lea’s new slogan.
Andy outlined some of the business aspects of the year which included profits from the dairy ingredients sector at 16% growth.
Gay Lea exceeded goals set in 2011, but cautioned the ongoing
―market squeeze‖ and how there is strong competition on store
shelves. Andy spoke on the yogurt category explosion and how we
are seeing new flavours monthly.
Mr. John Ellison was recognized, by Mark Hamel, for his contri4
butions to Gay Lea as a Board member as he was retiring.
We all came away from the AGM inspired and looking forward to
the year ahead.
After the AGM, the CLP was able to join the Directors and delegates in one of their training sessions for the Leadership in Governance Foundation program. The theme for this training session
was all about risk governance. It was led by Mary Lynn McPherson, a member of STRIVE!, a company that helps maximize the
effectiveness of people and organizations through leadership. Bill
Dobson from UFA co-operative in Alberta was also on hand and
shared his experiences with risk governance as he was instrumental in imbedding a formalized risk management structure into that
co-operative.
For some of the CLP group this was the second of such training
sessions that they were able to partake in and found them very
useful. Not only did it give us a chance to work with the Directors
and delegates, but it also exposed us to topics and situations that
they normally wouldn't encounter.
Once the training session finished up the CLP group was able to
tour both of the Guelph plants. It was very interesting to see the
old butter churn, one of Gay-Lea's oldest pieces of equipment,
followed by the Delta dryer facility, one of the most advanced milk
processing plants in all of North America.
Just like the two previous sessions, we all went home with lots to
think about, but we wouldn't have to wait long until we'd meet
again at the next session at the end of February where we'll be
meeting with the Agropur group again, because it doesn't matter
in what we do, we're always better together!
NEWS & EVENTS
Gay Lea Delegates and Directors Visit Florida
By Member Services Reps. WENDY HASSON & PAM EMMOTT
On February
17,
2013,
eighty Gay Lea
Foods Delegates, Directors
and
spouses were
happy to leave
the
minus
sixteen degree
temperatures
behind,
to
board a plane
The Florida Sugar Cane Co-op - refined sugar hills in behind to take them
on a study
tour to the state of Florida. This week long trip was offered to
enhance the knowledge of our Delegates and Directors about other Co-operatives in other areas, as well as to include dairy farm
visits and other agricultural farming visits, specific to the state.
The group visited
the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Florida’s
Natural Citrus Juice
Co-operative
and
the Florida Sugar
Cane Growers Cooperative. The Sugar
Ca ne
Co operative tour was
a
highlight
for
many of the tour
participants as the
group was able to
Boggy Creek Airboat ride in the everglades
see a complete field
burn-off, tour the huge unloading area and see a massive sugar
storage area. Most of the participants were unfamiliar with the
methods of harvesting and processing sugar cane, so this stop was
very educational for the group.
Although the state of Florida only has 153 dairy farms, we visited
3 of the best that the state had to offer. The first dairy farm visit
was to North Florida Holsteins where they milk 4000 cows in a
tunnel
ventilated
barn.
The tunnel
barns were very similar to a free stall
barn here in Canada
with the main difference being that their
barns are constructed to keep the animals comfortable in
the hot summer
months rather than
during the cold winter months.
This
Visiting J.M. Larsen Dairy
farm was so large
that we drove through this dairy on busses in order to see it all.
The second dairy farm stop was to South Point Dairy. This was a
2000 cow grazing farm where they milked crossbred Holstein,
Jersey and Norwegian Red cows in a New Zealand style milking
parlour. These cattle were not the most attractive cows to look at,
but the cross-breeding increases the cow’s ability to cope with the
harsh climates that can occur in Florida. Very warm temperatures during the summer month and potential hurricanes are just
two of the reasons why hybrid vigor is very important when making breeding decisions at this operation. All animals are housed
outdoors in the grazing pastures underneath the irrigation reels.
The third farm visit was to JM Larson Farms where they have
amalgamated 37 dairies to 10,000 acres and 3 dairy operations
milking 6000 cows. This farm was in a more Southern region of
the state which our tour participants soon found receives much
higher temperatures than the Northern part that we visited earlier. Despite the extremely warm afternoon the tour was very educational and participants found it interesting that the cows
seemed very calm and comfortable despite the heat. Mr. Tom
Pittman from Premier Milk Co-operative also gave a presentation
at a breakfast meeting on how Premier Milk operates in the state
of Florida as a broker co-operative only.
The trip would not be complete without some time spent at Disney World and a visit to the Boggy Creek Alligator and Airboat
rides to see the wildlife of the everglades. The hospitality shown
to us in Florida was terrific and we learned a great deal while enjoying the warmth and sun of the sunshine state.
5
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Getting To Know Gay Lea Foods’ Newest Director, Marie McNabb
By Member Services Rep. WENDY HASSON
A bit about Marie’s history and where she came from.
Marie McNabb was raised on a dairy farm north of Woodstock
until the age of 6. Marie’s dad had some health issues which
forced them to switch to a beef feedlot operation. In 1975, the
farm was sold and her father passed away the following year, at
the age of 49. Marie was an active member in Oxford 4-H, participating in the 4-H Dairy Club and various homemaking clubs as
well as a member of the Junior Farmers Association.
Marie is a graduate of the University of Guelph with a BSC in Agriculture in 1982. Her first job was with OMAFRA in downtown
Toronto, where she worked for 13 months with their financial programs. In 1984 she took on the role as an OMAFRA Assistant Ag
Rep in Dufferin County. As time progressed, Marie took the opportunity to move to the counties of Halton and Peel. She worked
for OMAFRA for a total of 14 years.
Marie’s family, hobbies and special interests.
Marie met her husband Ken through a county milk committee
meeting in Halton. They were married in 1991 and Marie moved
into the McNabb family farm house in Georgetown, Ontario and
joined Ken to partner in Callumlea Guernseys. In 1993, they began their family with the birth of oldest son Colin, followed by
Alec in 1994 and then Liam joined the family in 1996. The
McNabbs are a 4-H family with all three boys participating in the
program in Waterloo County. Ken and Marie are both long time 4H volunteers, and their son Colin is following in their footsteps co
-leading the paintball club this year. Marie is the current treasurer with the Waterloo 4-H Association as well as the Waterloo
County Milk Committee.
The McNabb farming operation.
Callumlea originated in Halton County. At the farm located on
Trafalgar Road, 30 cows (predominately Guernsey) were milked
in a tie stall barn, situated
on 87 acres with an additional 150 acres of rented
land. The McNabb’s enjoyed showing cattle and
had some National success. They exhibited the
Grand Champion Guernsey at the Royal Winter
Fair for 3 years and
brought home numerous Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor
banners from this prestigious show. They also participated in the
Canadian National Exhibition and exhibited the last Grand Champion at the CNE before they moved away from livestock shows at
this fair. In 2005, the family faced the difficult decision of relocating the family dairy farm. With urban development taking place,
the greenbelt coming in and the traffic increasing by the farm gate
to the tune of 12,000 to 15,000 cars per day, they felt it was time
to move to a larger land base in an area where they could expand
their operation. Searching for the perfect place to relocate to, they
travelled and visited farms extensively in southern Ontario. When
the real 6estate agent drove over the hill near New Hamburg and
they saw the beautiful maple tree lined driveway with the magnifi-
cent view, they just knew in their hearts that they had found their
new home. The land base was 193 acres and the first year after
purchase, they acquired an additional 52 acres on an adjoining
property to give them a total land base of 245 acres.
The freestall barn is set-up with 87 stalls and they milk 46 cows in
a double 6 Herringbone parlour. 25 to 30 dry cows and bred heifers occupy the other stalls.
A TMR ration is fed and they grow their own hay, wheat, corn and
soybeans. A discbine is owned by Ken and Marie and cooperatively shared with dairy farming neighbours (also fellow Gay Lea
Foods Co-op members) Murray Sherk and Frances and James
Johnston. Murray owns the chopper and and they work together
with this equipment to get the hay and corn crops off. The
McNabb’s have predominately Holsteins now as they encountered
the dreaded Johne’s disease after purchasing a Guernsey cow at a
sale. They tested and changed management practices over a period of 10 years and have won. They use A.I. and are currently
flushing their first E.T. donor cow at the time of this publication.
Good dairy management is a focus for Marie and Ken and they
were awarded with 3rd highest management score in the province
in 2010. They have placed in the top 5 dairy management herds
in Waterloo County since they purchased the new farm in 2005.
Why she chose to become a Director for Gay Lea Foods.
Once membership re-opened in 2009
(after the 2 year moratorium), they
became new producer Gay Lea Foods
Co-op members. Frances Johnston
was instrumental in nominating Marie
to first sit as a delegate within the cooperative. Marie found that being a
delegate was so interesting and enjoyed learning how the co-operative
functions that when she learned that a
Director’s position was going to become available, she made the decision to throw her hat in the ring. Chair Mark Hamel presenting Marie with
The support of existing Directors GLF Director’s pin at the AGM in January
and delegates encouraged her to run and with her growing family
away at post-secondary education, she would have more time to
devote to the role.
What Marie hopes to bring to the Board table.
Marie’s previous career in finance and OMAFRA programs has
gained her a very broad skill set which is needed to be a productive Board member. Working alongside her husband and sons in a
progressive dairy operation also equips her with a skill set as a
dairy producer to drive the co-op forward. Marie embraces the
opportunity that the role of a Director provides.
Where she sees Gay Lea Foods in the future.
Marie feels it is exciting to see that Gay Lea Foods has had such
success thus far ―our small co-operative earning over a half a billion dollars in the past fiscal year is so impressive‖. It is an exciting time to build the business and Marie would like to see the
business portfolio grow to one billion dollars. She sees this happening through corporate growth with acquisitions, mergers and
new product partnerships within the industry.
EN VEDETTE
Faisons la connaissance de Marie McNabb, la plus récente directrice de Gay Lea Foods
Par Rep. des services aux membres WENDY HASSON
Les origines
Marie McNabb a grandi sur une ferme laitière au nord de Woodstock jusqu’à l’âge de 6 ans. À cause de l’état de santé de son père,
sa famille a été obligée de transformer l’exploitation en parc d’engraissement, puis la ferme a été vendue en 1975. Son père est
décédé l’année suivante, à 49 ans seulement. Marie a joué un rôle
actif dans le club 4-H d’Oxford, a fait partie du Club laitier 4-H et
de divers cercles d’éducation ménagère et a été membre de la Junior Farmers Association.
Marie est diplômée de l’Université de Guelph, où elle a obtenu en
1982 un baccalauréat en sciences agricoles. Elle a trouvé son premier emploi dans les bureaux du ministère ontarien de l'Agriculture, de l'Alimentation et des Affaires rurales (OMAFRA) au
centre-ville de Toronto, où elle a occupé pendant 13 mois un poste
dans les programmes financiers. En 1984, elle a assumé les tâches
de représentante agricole adjointe du ministère dans le comté de
Dufferin. Plus tard elle a eu l’occasion de s’installer dans les comtés de Halton et de Peel. En tout, elle a travaillé pour OMAFRA
pendant 14 ans.
Famille, activités de loisirs et intérêts spéciaux
Marie a rencontré Ken, son mari, à une assemblée de comité laitier à Halton. Ils se sont mariés en 1991 et Marie est venue s’installer dans la maison de ferme de la famille McNabb à Georgetown, Ontario. Elle s’est associée à Ken pour l’exploitation de Callumlea Guernseys. Ils ont commencé leur famille en 1993, au moment de la naissance de leur fils aîné Colin, puis Alec est arrivé en
1994 et Liam en 1996. Les trois garçons ont participé au programme 4-H du comté de Waterloo. Ken et Marie sont tous les
deux bénévoles de longue date auprès des 4-H, et leur fils Colin
suit leur exemple en étant co-responsable cette année du club de
jeu de guerre aux balles de peinture.
Marie est en ce moment trésorière de Waterloo 4-H Association et
du Waterloo County Milk Committee.
L’exploitation agricole McNabb
Callumlea a commencé dans le
comté de Halton. À la ferme, située sur le chemin Trafalgar, 30
vaches (surtout Guernsey) étaient
logées dans une étable à stabulation entravée, construite sur une
terre de 87 acres avec en plus 150
acres de terres louées. Les
McNabb aimaient participer à des
expositions de bétail et ont connu un certain succès au niveau
national. Ils ont présenté pendant trois ans la vache Guernsey
grande championne à la Royal Winter Fair et gagné plusieurs bannières témoignant de premières places à titre d’éleveurs et d’exposants au cours de cette exposition prestigieuse. Ils ont également
participé à l’Exposition nationale canadienne et présenté la dernière grande championne à l’ENC avant que cette exposition cesse
de présenter du bétail.
En 2005, la famille a dû prendre la décision difficile de déménager la ferme familiale. L’expansion urbaine, la ceinture de verdure
et l’augmentation de la circulation automobile, qui passait devant
la ferme à un rythme pouvant atteindre jusqu’à 12 000 à 15 000
véhicules par jour, les ont amenés à penser qu’il était temps de se
rendre sur un territoire plus vaste leur permettant d’agrandir leur
exploitation. À la recherche du lieu idéal, ils ont beaucoup voyagé
dans le sud de l’Ontario et visité un grand nombre de fermes. En
arrivant avec l’agent immobilier au haut de la colline près de New
Hamburg, ils ont aperçu une belle allée bordée d’érables, avec un
point de vue magnifique, et ils ont su tout de suite qu’ils avaient
trouvé leur nouvelle maison familiale. La terre comportait 193
acres, et au cours de l’année suivante, ils ont acheté 52 acres d’une
terre voisine, pour arriver à un total de 245 acres.
L’étable à stabulation libre comporte 87 stalles, et ils font la traite
de 46 vaches dans une salle de traite en épi double de 6 stalles.
Les autres stalles sont occupées par 25 à 30 vaches taries et génisses portantes.
Ils nourrissent les vaches au moyen d’une ration RTM et cultivent
leur propre foin, blé, maïs et soja. Ken et Marie possèdent une
faucheuse conditionneuse Discbine qu’ils utilisent en collaboration avec des fermes laitières voisines (également membres de la
coopérative Gay Lea), celles de Murray Sherk et de Frances et
James Johnston. Murray possède une hacheuse-ansileuse et ils
travaillent ensemble avec ce matériel pour récolter le foin et le
maïs.
Les McNabb possèdent maintenant surtout des Holsteins, parce
qu’ils ont dû faire face à la terrible maladie de Johne après l’achat
d’une vache Guernsey . Ils ont fait des essais et modifié leurs pratiques de gestion au cours d’une période de dix ans, et ils ont réussi. Ils utilisent l’insémination artificielle et au moment de la rédaction du présent article, ils procédaient pour la première fois à
la collecte d’embryons par lavage de leur première vache donneuse d’embryons. Marie et Ken accordent beaucoup d’importance à la bonne gestion laitière, et ils ont obtenu en 2010 la troisième note la plus élevée de la province en matière de gestion.
Depuis qu’ils ont acheté la nouvelle ferme en 2005, leur troupeau
s’est placé parmi les 5 troupeaux laitiers les mieux gérés du comté
de Waterloo.
Pourquoi elle est devenue directrice de Gay Lea Foods
Quand on a recommencé à accepter
des
membres en 2009
(après un moratoirede deux ans),
Marie et Ken se
sont joints à la
Coopérative Gay
Lea Foods à titre
de membres producteurs. Frances
Johnston a contribué à la mise en
candidature
de
Collin, Ken, Alec, Marie & Liam
Marie, pour commencer à titre de déléguée au sein de la coopérative. Marie a trouvé tellement intéressant d’être déléguée et d’apprendre à connaître le fonctionnement d’une coopérative, que, dès qu’il s’est
libéré un poste de directeur, elle a décidé de se présenter. Elle fut
encouragée par des directeurs et délégués existants, et comme ses
enfants étaient partis faire leurs études post-secondaires, elle était
en mesure de consacrer plus de temps à cette tâche.
Ce qu’elle espère apporter au conseil d’administration
La carrière antérieure de Marie à OMAFRA dans le domaine des
finances et des programmes lui avait apporté un très vaste éventail de compétences utiles pour jouer un rôle productif au sein du
Conseil. De même, en travaillant avec son mari et ses fils à une
exploitation laitière progressive, elle avait acquis des compétences
susceptibles de l’aider à faire avancer la Coopérative. Marie
aborde avec enthousiasme l’occasion que lui offre le rôle de directrice.
L’avenir qu’elle perçoit pour Gay Lea Foods
Marie trouve très excitant le fait que Gay Lea Foods aie connu
tellement de succès jusqu’ici. Elle dit : « Il est très impressionnant
que notre petite coopérative aie gagné plus d’un demi-milliard de
dollars au cours du dernier exercice financier. » Marie aimerait
voir les affaires augmenter pour atteindre un milliard de dollars,
7
grâce à une croissance générale fondée sur des acquisitions, des
fusions et de nouveaux partenariats au sein de l’industrie.
NEWS & EVENTS
Agropur meets Gay Lea Foods in Guelph - CLP group session # 4
By CLP Participants JOHN AHRENS & GORDON ALBLAS
"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign to them tasks and work, but
rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of
the sea." - Antoine de Saint Exupéry
Back Row: Stephanie Little, Alex Turcotte-Lauzier, Simon Robert, Roland Weber, David
Grieve, Gordon Alblas, Justin Williams, Délisca Lampron, Ryan Martin. Middle Row: John
Ahrens, Alexandre Veilleux, Guillaume Carrière, Isabelle Blais, Sandy Terpstra, Yves Beauchesne, Maxime Laroche, Frédéric Lequien, Terry Heinzle. Front Row: Shannon Kavanagh,
Sylvie Bilodeau, Josh Ireland, Niels VanBeek
After the morning discussion concluded, the group
hit the road to visit a pair of dairy farms in the area,
both featuring very modern and clean facilities.
The first stop was at Grootendorst Farms, where
Henk Grootendorst provided a guided tour of the
600 cow operation near Breslau. The farm featured a new calf barn with in floor heating. We
then continued to Heritage Hill Farms near New
Dundee. Owned and operated by the Johnston
family, Heritage Hill Farms has hosted international visitors from almost every part of the world.
Some of the highlights from this operation include
8
New Delegates
On February 26-28, the Gay Lea Co-operative Leadership Program participants met once again at the Delta Hotel in Guelph,
enjoying the company of their Agropur counterparts. The conference consisted of some entertaining ice breaking sessions, engaging workshops that featured experienced and energetic speakers,
and the opportunity to tour some local dairy operations owned by
fellow Gay Lea members.
During our first evening, we welcomed the Agropur delegates to
Ontario and participated in some ice breaking activities in the
spirit of getting to know each other. The following morning, the
participants from both groups took part in an engaging discussion
on situational leadership. The workshop was led by
Kerr Smith of the Ontario Co-operative Association. The workshop began with each group creating
a ―group mascot‖ and Kerr was quick to point out
that although each group was given the same materials to work with, they produced very different
mascots. This supported his point that everyone
thinks differently in similar situations. The participants were then introduced to different styles of
leadership, and took part in some case studies that
demonstrated when using a different leadership
style is most appropriate.
the flush system used to wash the holding area of their newly constructed milking parlor, as well as their composting system that
provides the herd’s bedding requirements. Upon returning to
Guelph, the Gay Lea and Agropur delegates were treated to some
fine dining at the Other Brothers restaurant downtown, and returned to the hotel to eagerly await the outcome of the Toronto
Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens game.
The final morning of the conference consisted of a workshop on
corporate governance and the role it plays in balancing company
resources with company needs. The discussion was led by David
Brown, a renowned speaker on corporate governance. After the
morning session was complete, the Agropur delegates said their
farewells as they returned to Quebec, and then the remaining Gay
Lea delegates
had lunch together before
going
their
separate ways.
The
conference sent us
home
with
some new perspectives
on
leadership and
business management, and
Visiting Grootendorst Farm
taught us to
embrace different ways of thinking. We thank the member relations team for
their work in organizing yet another great opportunity to network
with like-minded people and to learn how to strengthen the future
of our dairy industry. We also thank our guest speakers for sharing their knowledge and experiences, and the Grootendorst and
Johnston families for opening their doors to us.
Newly elected delegates during Winter 2012 Zone meetings from left to right;
Mark Ireland-Zone 3, Albert Fledderus-Zone 2, Bart Rijke-Zone 4, Chair of the Board
Mark Hamel, Sandy Terpstra-Zone 1, Norm Bedard-Zone 1
NEWS & EVENTS
Meet Your Directors & Board Committees for 2013
CHAIR - Mark Hamel, Elmwood
Executive & Acquisitions
Training & Development
Governance Committee
DGAC - Delegate Governance Advisory Committee
Charitable Foundation- Chair
DIRECTOR– Rob Goodwill, Owen Sound
Training & Development
VICE CHAIR - Paul Vickers, Meaford
Executive & Acquisitions
Audit Committee - Chair
Charitable Foundation
DIRECTOR– Steve Dolson, Atwood
Governance Committee - Chair
DGAC
DIRECTOR– Roger Harrop, Fergus
Executive & Acquisitions
Governance Committee
DIRECTOR– Rowena Wallace, Egmondville
Governance Committee
DGAC
DIRECTOR– Alan Fisher, Owen Sound
Training & Development - Chair
Charitable Board
DIRECTOR– Dick Straathof, Arnprior
Audit Committee
DIRECTOR– Barton MacLean, Napanee
Training & Development
DIRECTOR– Marie McNabb, New Hamburg
Newly Elected
Audit Committee
Meet Your Local Delegates & Committee Members for 2013
Zone 1 Delegates
Zone 2 Delegates
Zone 3 Delegates
Norm Bedard, Monkton (New)
Paul Buchner, Brownsville
Larry Bertens, Mitchell
Albert Fledderus, Lowbanks (New )
Warren Becker, Ayton
Steve deKroon, Lansdowne
Roger Boersen, Gadshill
David Good, Grand Valley
Chancy Burgess, Mildmay
Arlene Dorland, Brighton
Dennis Bryson (Z1 Chair), Watford
Cees Haanstra, St. Marys
Murray Caswell, Meaford
Laura Glover, Warkworth
Steve Hallahan, Blyth
David Hawthorne, Shelburne
Jim Christie (Z3 Chair), Tara
Hugh Graham, Picton
Steven Hern, Woodham
Frances Johnston, Brampton
Pauline Diemert, Mildmay
Gerald Johnson, Thorndale
Marlies Kaehli, Grand Valley
Ron Diemert, Ayton
Bruce Hill, Nepean
Gerald Schipper, Aylmer
Jack Kuipers, Harriston
Don Dietrich, Desboro
Chris Johnson (Z4 Chair), Chesterville
-DGAC
Tim Shute, St. Marys
Leroy Skinner, Mitchell
-DGAC
Jeff Stewardson, Thedford
Sandy Terpstra, Brussels (New)
Eddy Van Engelen, Thedford
John Van Winden, Atwood
Joe Vink, Kirkton
-Audit Committee
-Training & Development Committee
-DGAC - Vice Chair
Louise Ahrens, Walkerton
Zone 4 Delegates
-Audit Committee
-DGAC
-Governance Committee
Willyan de Jong, Chesterville
Andrew Henderson, Spencerville
-DGAC
-DGAC
Wayne Gayman, Mildmay
Kelvin Kerr, Addison
Joe Oosterhof, Grand Valley
Mark Ireland, Teeswater (New)
Neil Modler, Gananoque
Bill Reid (Z2 Chair), Caledon
Matt Jacobs, Ayton
Philip Morrison, Frankville
Ralph Martin, Elmira
-Charitable Board
-DGAC
Janet Ringelberg, Troy
-DGAC
Bill Van Andel, Moorefield
-Governance Committee
-DGAC
Larry Parkin, Owen Sound
Steve Ruetz, Mildmay
-Charitable Board
Paul Sachs, Dobbinton
Steven Veldman, Embro
Carman Weppler, Clifford
1 vacant position
Jennifer Woodhouse, Clarksburg
-DGAC
Bart Rijke, Hammond (New)
Josée Séguin, Noelville
-Training & Development Committee
John Wynands, Cardinal
9
NEWS & EVENTS
Western Fair Farm Show - A Real Crowd Pleaser
Ottawa Farm Show - 2nd year in New Venue
By Member Services Rep. WENDY HASSON
By Member Services Rep. SHANNON KAVANAGH
2013 marked a special milestone as the Western Fair Farm Show
celebrated their 75th Anniversary. Over 19,000 people attended the
show which ran from March 6 to 8, 2013. Attendees had a much
larger show to see this year with exhibits spanning over 264,000 sq.
ft. of the Western Fair
property.
A special
tribute to Women in
Agriculture was held
during the show.
Gay Lea Foods Cooperative Ltd. participated in this show this
year with a booth in
the Progress Building.
The Ottawa Valley Farm Show was
a success once again this year. A
little rain, and a bit of snow didn’t
stop visitors from attending the
2013 season of the farm show, being its second year at the new Ernst
& Young Centre (Formerly the CE
Centre) they welcomed over 300
exhibitors, including Gay Lea
Foods.
The show which has been sponsored by the Ottawa Seed Growers
association for the past 86 years
Delegates Philip Morrison & Neil Modler
had several new additions:
First, this year they were helping
to celebrate 4-H Canada’s 100th anniversary, one of the country's
longest-running and most respected youth organizations, 4-H
allows Canadian youth to explore, learn and discover, while expanding their horizons.
Second, they will be promoting FCC’s ―Agriculture more than
ever‖ program. The AMTE program is a multi-year initiative to
change perceptions about agriculture. It’s designed to close the
gap in perceptions between producers and the public.
Overall the show was a success with approximately 1,200 visitors
over the 3 day period. Winners of the Butter Draw are:
Day 1 - Monica Kagi –Finch
Day 2 - Michael Krol - Williamstown
Day 3 - Kevin Boekhoff - Glen Robertson
Delegates, Directors
and MR Staff were
kept busy answering
questions about existDirector Rowena Wallace & Delegate Gerald Johnson ing membership and
also saw much interest
in prospective new Gay Lea Members.
Chocolate and white milk was also sold in the booth in order to support CDF and the 4-H Foundation.
We would like to thank the Directors and Delegates for donating
their time to assist us in staffing this farm show.
Inflatable Fun for the Family!
By Member Services Rep. WENDY HASSON
Gay Lea Foods is pleased to offer you the opportunity to reserve
an inflatable bouncy cow to be used at your next dairy social
event. This bouncer is available to you, free of charge, compliments of Gay Lea Foods. This inflatable cow is 30 feet long x 20
feet deep x 12 feet high. It comes with its own blower to inflate the
bouncer and it takes approximately 10 minutes to completely inflate.
The Cow Bouncers will be available for pick-up at our Guelph
Plant location on 21 Speedvale Avenue West in Guelph. The committee that books the bouncer is responsible to pick up the bouncer at our Guelph Plant and return it to us at the completion of
your event. We require at least two weeks’ notice in order to reserve a bouncer for your event and it is available on a first come
first serve basis. A refundable damage deposit is required before
the bouncer can be picked up.
Due to insurance coverage and liability issues, this cow bouncer is
restricted for use at dairy events, twilight meetings and industry
functions only and the event must also be held on private property. Gay Lea Foods will not grant permission for the bouncer to be
used at any fall fairs or large community events. We will also not
entertain requests for the bouncer to be utilized at any event
10
where there will be
a midway of rides
set-up.
The
bouncer is not
available for any
personal use i.e.
birthday
parties,
community picnics,
family
reunions,
etc. Gay Lea Foods
reserves the right
to decline any application submitted
and all decisions
are final.
At Gay Lea Foods, we appreciate the support of our members and
providing this dairy cow bouncer is a token of our appreciation to
your commitment to Gay Lea Foods. We hope that all the children at your next dairy event can have hours of ―bouncy‖ fun!
To book the bouncer or for more information contact the following Gay Lea Foods staff members:
Wendy Hasson at [email protected] or 1-877-940-5813
OR Deanne Reilly at [email protected] or 1-519-822-5530
ext.2268.
NEWS & EVENTS
News From the Museum
www.dairyheritagemuseum.ca
Tel: 1-888-773-2955
Email: [email protected]
4805 Jamestown Line, RR # 2
Aylmer, ON, N5H 2R2
Monday—Saturday: 9 am—5 pm
May 12, 2013 until Labour Day 2013
BY Museum Coordinator KIM TEUSCHER
Take part in bird watching or enjoy an outdoors scavenger hunt.
Gay Lea Dairy Heritage Museum will soon begin with it’s summer
hours, opening with exciting new displays.
Our hours are: Sunday, May 12, 2013 to Labour Day
Monday to Saturday:
9am to 5pm (cash only)
The museum is five minutes from Lake Erie where there is a beach
and swimming in the summer and a snack bar and picnic tables
there too!
Admission: Adults $5 and children under 12 $3
Free parking. Group and family rates available.
www.dairyheritagemuseum.ca
FOR THE FIRST TIME WE WILL BE OPEN
Saturdays, Sundays & Mondays OF HOLIDAY
WEEKENDS!
Victoria Day Weekend:
Saturday, May 18 -Monday, May 20: OPEN
Canada Day Weekend:
Saturday, June 29 -Monday, July 1.st: OPEN
Civic Holiday Weekend:
Saturday, August 3 -Monday, Aug.5:
OPEN
Past Events. We hosted another successful Christmas Open
House this past December making donations to the local food
bank. Many of our artifacts were on exhibition
at Woodstock Dairy Days
and our Curator, Kim
Teuscher, assisted the
Woodstock
Museum
Education Officer, Kerrie
Gill, educating local
school children about
how we used to get our
milk from the cow to the
table.
Labour Day Weekend:
Saturday, Aug.31 -Monday, Sept.2: OPEN
September to Thanksgiving:
Saturdays:
9am to 5pm
Off hours: by appointment only. Call: 1-888-773-2955
Mother’s Day - Sunday, May 12, 2013
MAY WILDFLOWER WALK INVITATION
All are welcome to tour the grounds and the museum as a celebration of motherhood. Enjoy the
outdoors during our spring event.
Gift Shop:
We hope to have our gift shop up and running so
come out and see what we have to offer.
New Exhibits:
We have exciting new exhibits including artifacts from Gay Lea
Foods, a display celebrating 100 years of 4-H in Canada, information and artifacts about Dairies in Aylmer, and a children’s area
& pioneer butter making section. Many new items will be highlighted.
Day Tripping:
Make a day of it! We have lovely grounds to
stroll upon and picnic tables are available. Enjoy our Mothers’
Day May Wildflower Walk. Our trilliums are amazing and are
usually in bloom in May. Our tulip trees normally bloom in June.
Who is it ? ANSWER:
This is a photograph of Andy Van Kasteren’s father, (Andy is
the founder of the Gay Lea Dairy Heritage Museum) Chris,
taken in 1925 on his first day of delivering milk; starting his
own dairy business at the age of 21 in the Netherlands. Andy
followed in his grandfather and father’s footsteps and continued in dairying in the old country and in Canada. It is thanks
to the foresight of the Van Kasteren’s & Gay Lea Foods Cooperative that our museum continues to exist today.
The Laughing Stock—lol !
Q&A
Q: What do cows get when they do all their chores? A: Mooney
Q: What happened to the lost cattle? A: Nobody’s herd!
Did you know that Moscow makes as much milk as Pa’s cow.
11
Member Relations
member
Please re
e new
to use th
rm for
order fo
r
t membe
your nex
order!
product
Classifieds
Plan a trip to the
GLF Dairy Heritage
Museum!
www.gayleafoodsmembers.com
Check the next issue of the
Gazette for the Directors
Scholarship awards application
details!
The Classifieds deadline for the next issue is June 14, 2013
SERVICES:
Bruce Square Baling. For your large square baling —3 ft x 3 ft and 3 ft
x 4 ft contact Jim Batte (519) 392-8282 or Gary Whytock (519) 3928158
Do you want to live your life to the fullest on all levels: body, mind and
spirit? I provide the following services: Life Activation, Energetic Balancing, Full Spirit Activation and Emotional Cord Cutting. For more information call Dennis Dietz at (519) 327-8522.
FOR SALE:
Ove Hansen
Director of Member Relations &
Corporate Secretary
45 Sparberry Street, R.R. #2
Mount Forest, ON N0G 2L0
Office:
(519) 323-9613
Fax:
(519) 323-1955
[email protected]
Sandra Alton
Supervisor, Member Relations
Currently on maternity leave
Returning January 2014
We at Evergreen Hill Farm offer a horse drawn funeral hearse pulled by
two beautiful Belgian draft horses. A nice tribute to the farmer who grew New Suspended Tie Stalls, headrail from 38” to 50” high, four
up walking behind horses. Call Scott at (519) 426-2155 or email ever- models to choose from. Also, full line of livestock confinement equipment plus ventilation. Call (519) 925-4317.
[email protected].
Hay and Forage Supplies. Bale wrap, Net wrap, Poly Baler twine,
Bunker covers, Forage inoculants, Hay preservative and Grass seeds.
Serving all of Western Ontario. Riacrest Agri-Products.
Looking for a website to promote your Farm? (519) 533-8947. [email protected].
Add some humour to your next event.
Contact Paul Mussell Farmer/Comedian. (613) 826-2959
We sell vinyl fences for farms and residences, and around pools and
We know graphics; Visit our website at Digital- backyards. Also available are vinyl decks, porch railing (3 styles) and
FarmDesign.com, or call Heather at 519-630-1993. Ask us posts in Colonial Style. Bobmur Fence Co., Robert and Muriel Hawabout our Express pricing today!
thorne, RR #1, Listowel (519) 291-1968.
WATER: Specialized in non-electric water softeners / iron filters / UV 28 ft R&R Land Roller - $8,000.00 and a 24 ft JD Cultivator - $1,500.00
disinfection / sulphur removal, etc. Your Kinetico rep is Tom Also, an assortment of forage blower pipes, clamps and elbows - make
Diemand (519) 577-0187.
an offer. In the Exeter area: 519-872-6749 (Cell)
Steen Cheq Time Temperature Recorders.
Buy, Sell, Install & Repair
Call Jim Steenbergen (519) 343-3467
Plastic lick-wheel protein tub — in excellent condition.
International single axle dump truck in excellent condition - $3,500.00
John Deere-3130 with cab-3185 hrs– 2 controls - $12,000.00
78ft. Lucknow snowblower - single auger cylinder - like new - $1,500.00
Haugholm Books, Classic Tractor, Car & Gas Engine Books. Decal
20ft. Pipe elevator with 3/4 HP motor like new - $300.00
sets for older tractors & gas engines. Please contact Allan Haugh, RR
200 gal water tank, on rubber with head - $300.00
#1, Brucefield, ON N0M 1J0 (519) 522-0248
Call Bob at (519) 364-6930 or cell: (519) 901-0787
2nd cut alfalfa hay (4x5 round bales) and sweet corn silage for sale,
Registered Black Morgan at stud, horse boarding, new facilities with 40
acres of trail rides. Robmarann Farm—Cathy & Bob McNeil
RR #3, Grey Road 28, Hanover, ON N4N 3B9
Westfield Grain Auger, W70-46 for sale.
Phone: (519) 364-6930 Fax: (519) 364-0889
For more information please call 519-523-4494 or 519-523-9330
Gay Lea Foods neither represents nor endorses the accuracy or reliability or any advertisements in this publication.
We strongly urge you to do your own due diligence before responding to any offers.
2013 CYL registration now open
On Monday February 18, online
registration opened for the 2013
sessions of Co-operative Young
Leaders (CYL) camp.
Each year, Gay Lea not only
sponsors a week of camp, we
also send counsellors to mentor
the kids and facilitate the program.
The camp offers week-long programs to students 14-18.
This year, the programs run on the following dates:
Pam Emmott
Member Services Rep
South Western & Central Ontario
15 McQueen Drive
Paris, ON N3L 0A6
Offfice:
(519) 442-2350
Toll Free:
(877) 342-3636
Fax:
(519) 442-4051
Toll Free Fax:
(877) 842-9339
[email protected]
Wendy Hasson
Member Services Rep
South Western & Central Ontario
351355 17th Line East Garafraxa
RR #2, Orangeville, ON L9W 2Y9
Office:
(519) 940-5813
Toll Free:
(877) 940-5813
Fax:
(519) 940-5815
Toll Free Fax: (877) 940-5815
Shannon Kavanagh
Member Services Rep
Eastern & Northern Ontario
3262 Rollin Rd
St-Pascal-Baylon, ON K0A 3N0
Office:
(613) 618-9039
Toll Free:
(855) 845-9039
Fax:
(613) 691-1137
Toll Free Fax: (866) 571-1137
[email protected]
Stephanie Little
Administrative Coordinator
Member Relations
21 Speedvale Avenue West
Guelph, ON N1H 1J5
Office:
(519) 822-5530 x 2267
Fax:
(519) 821-2668
[email protected]
The camp is held at the Lake St. George Field Centre in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
For more information, please go to: www.ontario.coop/cyl
To register your student, please contact Anna Causi at [email protected]
Deanne Reilly
JUNIOR A: July 6- 13
Administrative Assistant
Member Relations
JUNIOR B: July 13–20
INTERMEDIATE A: July 20–27 INTERMEDIATE B: July 27 – August 3
12
SENIOR A: August 3–10
SENIOR B: August 10–17
The Gazette Contacts:
Stephanie Little or Deanne Reilly
21 Speedvale Avenue West
Guelph, ON N1H 1J5
Office:
(519) 822-5530 x 2268
Fax:
(519) 821-2668
[email protected]