Canadian dairy farmers have long recognized the need and value of research investments to advance the sector, identify innovative solutions to on-farm challenges and develop high-quality, nutritious dairy products for Canadians.

Governance: The Canadian Dairy Research Council

The Canadian Dairy Research Council (CDRC) is a new committee with representation from all provinces and members of the DFC board of directors. The CDRC reports to the DFC board.

It guides the overall development, implementation and delivery of research activities for dairy production, and human nutrition and health research.

The CDRC completed its first mandate in June 2016 and developed DFC’s National Strategy for Dairy Research to better coordinate dairy farmers’ research investments at the national and provincial levels. DFC’s board of directors approved the National Strategy for Dairy Research in June 2016.

Visit Canadian Dairy Research Portal to view the strategy.

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The CDRC is also responsible to develop and implement an action plan to meet the objectives of the national strategy and to oversee, evaluate and recommend research investments required to achieve the research outcomes identified in the national strategy.

Financing

DFC’s annual research budget totals approximately $2 million. The value of research investments leveraged from DFC funding in 2015-2016 to drive innovation in the Canadian dairy sector was $6.6 million.

This funding is directed annually to address farmers’ priorities for research in milk production and human nutrition and health.

Partners

DFC leverages farmers’ research investments to match funding with four main partners:

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
  • Canadian Dairy Network (CDN)
  • Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC)

Provincial and sector partners

DFC also finances research initiatives that deliver national benefits in collaboration with its provincial members and other sector partners.

They include, among others, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Les Producteurs de lait du Québec, Alberta Milk, BC Dairy Association, Dairy Farmers of Manitoba, Novalait Inc., Valacta and CanWest DHI.

For more information

Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is the national policy, lobbying and promotional organization representing Canada’s farmers. DFC works to support sustainable dairy production; facilitate solutions to provincial/national challenges; provide credible research of dairy products on a national basis; and create innovative ways to grow the market.

PHOTO: Photo provided by Dairy Farmers of Canada.