Two B.C. dairy farmers found guilty of selling raw milk

Jun 07, 2013

Two B.C. dairy farmers found guilty of selling raw milk

Two Chilliwack, B.C. dairy operators have been found guilty for ignoring a court order to stop distributing raw milk.

Raw milk advocate Michael Schmidt and Gordon Watson - joint operators of the dairy, were told by a B.C. Supreme Court that if they continue to distribute raw milk they will be sent to jail for three months.

The dairy cooperative produces unpasteurized (raw) milk for people who own shares in the dairy cows. While it is legal in B.C for farmers to drink their own raw milk, it is illegal for Canadian farmers to sell raw milk to the public. Watson argues that since the people own shares in the herd, they can legally use their own raw milk products.

Canadian law requires all milk sold in Canada to be pasteurized, as raw milk can contain harmful bacteria including salmonella, E. coli and Listeria. Raw milk opponents claim that pasteurization kills on the health benefits of milk.

Michael Schmidt has been charged with similar acts in Ontario.

Video: How Swine Nutrition Can Revolutionize Biogas Production - Dr. Felipe Hickmann

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Felipe Hickmann from Laval University explores how nutritional strategies and manure management impact biogas production in pig farming. He breaks down the science behind anaerobic digestion at low temperatures and explains how dietary adjustments affect methane production and environmental sustainability. Learn how producers can reduce emissions and improve resource efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Lowering crude protein can reduce nitrogen in manure, but only if animal intake doesn’t compensate by increasing feed consumption."

Meet the guest: Dr. Felipe Hickmann / felipe-hickmann-963853a6 is a PhD research assistant at Laval University, specializing in swine and poultry sustainability. With extensive experience in manure management, nutritional strategies, and precision livestock technologies, he contributes to improving environmental outcomes in animal agriculture.