ProAction, a Dairy Farmers of Canada initiative
ProAction is a national mandatory certification program focused on several aspects of milk production. The goal of this program is to promote Canadian milk to consumers as one of the world’s best products that meets the highest standards. ProAction is also an opportunity for milk producers to improve and thus reap the benefits of their on-farm practices.
Milk quality
Every day, producers make sure that the milk they produce meets various quality criteria (bacteria, smell and taste, temperature, sediments, etc.). Milk samples are taken and tests are carried out every other day to assure its quality and its butterfat, protein and lactose content.
Food safety
Milk producers apply best management practices and keep records to monitor many critical control points, including dairy facilities, management of nutrients and pesticides, animal feed, milking management, as well as cleaning the premises and equipment.
Animal care
This module covers the care given to dairy cattle and the measures used to assess their welfare. Recommended practices concern the living conditions, nutrition, health care and transportation of animals. Treating animals properly and providing them with excellent care are necessary in the dairy industry.
Traceability
Instituted in 2002, Quebec’s traceability system is based on site and animal identification, as well as animal movement recording and reporting. Dairy cattle wear identification tags on their ears (electronic tag and visual tag) with a unique number in Canada.
Biosecurity
Biosecurity practices are designed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, both inside and outside the farm. In collaboration with their veterinarians, producers are setting up new ways of managing herd health, introducing new animals, managing facilities and their sanitation.
Environment
This module of the program is more specifically aimed at reducing environmental risks linked to manure storage and management, silage storage, and management of water and chemical inputs (fertilizers and fuel).
Meeting consumer needs
Thanks to the proAction program, milk producers can be sure that they meet the needs of buyers and avoid multiple programs and various on-farm audits. ProAction certifies that producers apply best practices on their farms in the areas of milk quality, animal care, food safety, biosecurity, traceability and environmental protection.
This registration program is an ideal way to demonstrate to buyers and to consumers all the efforts that milk producers make to meet their demands and remind them that all milk produced in Canada is subject to strict standards.
This continuous improvement process is recognizable through the “Quality Milk” blue cow logo, which indicates that a great deal of work has been done to comply with these high milk production and quality standards. The image reminds consumers that milk producers are doing their part to ensure a healthy and sustainable future and calls for their solidarity in encouraging local milk producers.