Minnesota’s dairy industry will now have a new committee to advise the state’s department of agriculture. State Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson announced the committee to provide recommendations for boosting the profitability and competitiveness of Minnesota’s dairy industry.
“Minnesota’s dairy sector faces strong competition, and one of the ways our agency can help our farmers compete is to work with them to improve profitability and efficiency,” Commissioner Hugoson said. “This new committee will have members from across the spectrum of the state’s dairy community, and that broad perspective will help maximize the impact of our dairy profitability efforts.”
The new Dairy Profitability Advisory Committee will advise the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) on ways to strengthen the state’s dairy industry. Specific responsibilities will include reviewing and providing guidance and recommendations for MDA’s dairy profitability and dairy business planning grant programs. In conducting this review, the committee will seek input from profitability team coordinators. In addition, the group will review other MDA resources such as MDA’s existing Rural Finance Authority (RFA) programs that serve dairy producers.
The advisory committee will also be asked to examine the merits of creating a non-profit dairy foundation similar to the Northeast Iowa Community-Based Dairy Foundation. The foundation potentially could help leverage private resources to provide grants and training opportunities for dairy farmers.
Commissioner Hugoson will appoint the committee, which will begin meeting in early 2007 to set goals and priorities for the dairy profitability program. The advisory committee will be chaired by MDA Livestock Development Specialist Curt Zimmerman, and is expected to include the following representation:
* 2 members of statewide farm organizations;
* 2 members representing Minnesota dairy processors;
* 2 members representing dairy input suppliers (feed, pharmaceutical, veterinarian, nutritionist, etc.);
* 2 members representing Minnesota dairy producer organizations;
* 2 members representing agricultural lenders;
* 1 member who is an organic dairy producer;
* 1 member representing the University of Minnesota; and
* 1 member representing the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
Committee applicants must fill out the “Open Appointments” form available on the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/oa_application.pdf. Forms are also available by calling MDA at 651-201-6610. Applications will be accepted through the close of business on Tuesday, December 26, 2006.