English - Dairy Farmers of Ontario

Back to Table of ContentsSection BFarm Yards and Lanes1. IntroductionThe accompanying provisions for farm yards and lanes were established by a joint committee of the OntarioMinistry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), the Ontario Milk Transport Association (OMTA) andDairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO).The Farm Yards and Lanes Policy defines minimal conditions from the point where the milk truck leaves thetravelled portion of the road to, but not including, the area on which the truck is parked while pumping on milkat the milkhouse.The purpose of these standards is to ensure greater farm safety. Dairy Farmers of Ontario, as well asindividual milk producers, are responsible for ensuring that a safe and practical access to the milkhouse isprovided for the milk transporter.2. ImplementationThe Farm Yards and Lanes Policy is divided into two distinct sections, Section B and Section C. SectionB identifies those farm yard and lane requirements for which all milk producers must be in compliance.Section C identifies standards and guidelines that producers may be required to comply with depending oncircumstances.Producers who are asked to comply with a particular aspect under Section C will be given a specified timeperiod to comply.3. Administration of the Farm Yards and Lanes PolicyThe following are procedures that will be followed in administering the Farm Yards and Lanes Policy.(a) Any farm yard or lane problem which is brought to DFO’s attention will be investigated by a DFO FieldServices Representative (FSR). A Farm Yard and Lane Report will be completed after the FSR hasdiscussed the matter with the producer. The report will indicate the necessary corrective action and arequired completion date.(b) A follow-up visit will be carried out by the FSR shortly after the required completion date. The FSR willrecord, on their copy of the original Farm Yard and Lane Report, the action that has been taken by theproducer.(c) Failure to complete the required changes may result in the producer’s milk not being picked up and/ortheir being asked to appear before the DFO Board.(d) Regardless of what type of milk truck will be collecting a producer’s milk, all new licenses must complywith the policy requirements as set out in Sections B and C of the Farm Yards and Lanes policy.Rev. Mar. 2, 20114. Cross-ContaminationFarm yards and lanes must be kept free of an accumulation of manure. Livestock is not permitted in the truckloading area.Livestock may be driven across, but must not have unlimited access to, that portion of the yard and lanetravelled by the milk transporter. Manure that accumulates in yards and lanes must be removed prior to thearrival of the milk truck.Manure accumulations on farm yards or lanes is considered to be a potential source of contamination asmanure can adhere to the underside of bulk milk tank trucks and truck tires and be transferred from farm tofarm and from farms to processing plants.Quota and Milk Transportation Policies 33 July 1, 2010