Ontario Forage Council

May 6, 2011

Press Release

The Ontario Forage Council (OFC) developed and launched the Ontario Hay Marketing Forum in October 2009.   The purpose of the Hay Marketing Forum was to provide a forum to exchange information and promote the Ontario hay industry, with a major focus on International market opportunities.

The OFC has been actively working with other regions across Canada on the development of a National Forage Association, with one of the objectives to pursue and encourage export marketing opportunities for the Canadian hay industry, of which Ontario has major potential.

A fact finding mission to the Middle East in early 2010 was quite successful and certainly provided some valuable insight into the potential markets in that area and some of the challenges we face as we move forward in that direction. China is also another major market area that is requiring significant supplies for their rapidly expanding dairy industry. Both of these markets are being further explored and CFGA is actively working through some of the regulatory and logistical requirements and will keep all members in the loop, as we progress through those stages.  

On a shorter term vision, the Ontario Forage Council’s Hay Marketing Forum in conjunction with the CFGA has focused on the Central and Southern Florida market..  A hay retailer from Florida came to Ontario in early March to get a better understanding of the hay quality in this region. Being very impressed with what he saw, he invited a delegation to do a Fact Finding Mission to Florida, to better understand how the hay was being handled there and precisely what the market required. Six members from Ontario and Quebec participated in that Mission and found it most interesting and advantageous for the Canadian producers. The Mission also created an excellent awareness for the Florida horse industry and hay retailers in that area.

The OFC has organized a number of update sessions for members of the Ontario Hay Marketing Forum and Canadian Forage & Grasslands Association (CFGA) during the past year to seek pertinent advice and information as well as updating the members on information learned on the Fact Finding Missions.  Participants have always expressed very positive comments on the meetings and these information sessions will continue as one way to share information as it becomes available and further enhance the hay marketing opportunities for Canadian producer members. At the most recent Hay Marketing Forum Meeting, a “Working Group” was appointed to investigate and develop a draft recommendation for consideration by the larger group, in moving forward with the Hay Export opportunities. 

Since the type and variety of hay being requested is changing, Canada certainly has much to offer to the various markets. Agriculture Canada has also expressed keen interest in supporting CFGA and is beginning to recognize the tremendous potential of the forage industry. The OFC is committed to promoting the forage industry and appreciates the support from Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, OMAFRA and other agencies.

Ontario hay producers and marketers are invited to become a member of the Ontario Hay Marketing Forum and take advantage of the two-year introductory membership opportunity to keep abreast of the most up to date market information. To date we have had extremely positive feedback, and we fully recognize this is an excellent opportunity to promote your business, and be kept in the loop for the latest in export opportunities.  

To access an application form or obtain more information, go to the OFC website – www.ontarioforagecouncil.com or please feel free to contact Ray Robertson at the OFC office 1-877-892-8663 or 519-986-1484

“Function & Disclosure”

The Ontario Forage Council (OFC) is striving to develop the Ontario Hay Marketing Forum and assist in generating a  high level of integrity within the forage industry.

The Ontario Hay Marketing Forum will serve as an information source and will act as in information link between the provincial, national and International hay marketing industry. Ontario Forage Council will not enter into contractual agreements between buyers and sellers and will not assume any financial liabilities.

For the overall benefit of the Hay Marketing Industry in Ontario, across Canada and Internationally, OFC reserves the right to refuse membership in the Ontario Hay Marketing Forum. Further be it known - if a member is found to have committed unethical acts, or failed to comply with generally accepted business principles, OFC reserves the right to remove the subject name from public exposure on the Ontario Hay Marketing Forum and any membership fee paid will be non-refundable.