Funding Structure

The OVA is funded by three distinctly separate sources. Each of theses sources contribute funds which are used to support the various projects of the OVA. The OVA reports to its membership at the Annual General Meeting the financial status of the organization. These sources are:

1. Under the Beef Cattle Marketing Act, a compulsory licence fee of $2.25 is collected on all cattle sold, including veal calves, by the Ontario Cattlemen's Association (OCA). In order to address the needs and concerns of Ontario's veal producers, the OCA created the Veal Committee, one of the standing committees of the OCA. The OCA appoints the Directors of the Ontario Veal Association to sit on this committee. Revenue generated from veal checkoff represents approximately 12% of the overall revenue collected by the OCA. This revenue is assigned to the OVA/Veal Committee to use as its annual operating budget.

2. The Toronto Stockyards Land Development Board has been charged with the responsibility of developing the land from the former location of the Toronto Stockyards. The various livestock commodities (beef, veal, dairy, pork, sheep, and goats) that used these facilities now share in the proceeds from the development of this property. These funds are to be used for industry development, research and education. In 1999 the OVA received the first of annual installments of the veal sector's share.

3. The OVA collects annual memberships from both voting and associate members of the organization. At one time, this was the sole source of income for the OVA. The purpose of the membership today is to be able to identify who is producing veal in Ontario, as the OVA currently has no means to be able to identify the province's veal producers. Included with your membership is a subscription to the Ontario Veal News magazine. The fees collected are $20 for one year or $50 for three years. For more information regarding membership please contact the OVA.

What are the Programs of the OVA?

The OVA is responsible for a wide range of programs and projects. Essentially, the OVA develops programs and conducts projects on everything from the producer to the consumer and all else in between! Here are some of the programs and projects that the OVA is currently working on:

Consumer Programs:

• Veal sampling at various food and trade shows

• Development of new veal recipes and recipe card distribution

• Retail promotions of Ontario veal

• Developing educational materials for school children

• Distributing cooking tips and nutritional information

• Working with foodservice industry to promote veal in restaurants

• Producing the veal foodservice newsletter The Cut Above

• Developing educational programs at shows like the Royal Winter Fair

Producer Programs

• Organizing the Annual General Meeting and Tradeshow
• Developing and promoting the Ontario Veal Quality Assurance Program
• Producing and distributing the quarterly publication Ontario Veal News
• Developing and administering research projects that benefit the producer (eg. corn trials, nutrient analysis of veal)
• Liaisoning with various levels of government on the veal producer's behalf
• Hosting and organizing producer workshops and symposiums
• Attending various trade shows (eg. Outdoor Farm Show, IPM)
• Working with other organizations on common issues (eg. nutrient management, environment, animal welfare)