Posted: March 12, 2010 at 11:00 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
Easing regulatory hurdles that are impeding exports to Cuba could contribute to recovery in the dairy industry.
That was the main point of testimony presented Thursday before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee of Agriculture by John Wilson, senior vice president of marketing and industry affairs for Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA).
Speaking in support of the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act (H.R. 4645), Wilson, who also serves on the board of directors for National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), emphasized that facilitating greater U.S. dairy exports to Cuba could be a step in the right direction toward helping the dairy industry regain ground lost during the 2009 dairy crisis.
“U.S. participation in the global dairy market is essential to putting the U.S. dairy industry on firmer footing going forward,” Wilson said. “It is critical that we work to expand opportunities for our dairy exports to allow our dairy producers, as well as their dairy manufacturing partners, to grow and prosper.”
H.R. 4645 seeks to address the most significant issues hindering trade to Cuba under the 2000 Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSREEA). The bill calls for a clarification on the “cash in advance” requirement that – since being redefined by the Office of Foreign Asset Control in 2005 – has added complexity and expense for potential buyers. The bill also calls for the elimination of TSREEA’s “direct banking” provision, which similarly inflates costs and complicates transactions.
“Cuba is a market where we should be a natural preferred seller due to our strong proximity advantages,” Wilson said. “Yet it is clear that we are now among the least-preferred of suppliers given these technical and regulatory impediments to U.S. agricultural sales to Cuba.”
The bill – which was introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and is co-sponsored by more than 30 members of Congress – also aims to eliminate restrictions on Americans’ rights to travel to Cuba. Allowing Americans to travel to Cuba would help stimulate demand for and sales of dairy products in that country.
A June 2009 International Trade Commission Updated Study on U.S. Agricultural Sales to Cuba found that fully eliminating financing and travel restrictions on U.S. exports to Cuba would have boosted 2008 dairy sales to Cuba from $13 million to between $39 and $87 million.
Read Wilson’s opening statement to the committee here.
Posted: March 1, 2010 at 6:52 pm
By News Editor
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a final decision to amend the producer-handler definition in all federal milk marketing orders.
These amendments were considered in a recommended decision published Oct. 21, 2009.
This decision amends the producer-handler definition of all federal milk marketing orders to limit exemption from pooling and pricing provisions of the orders to those producer-handlers with total route disposition and sales of packaged fluid milk products to other plants of 3 million pounds or less per month.
These amendments are subject to producer approval before they can be implemented on a permanent basis. The final decision amends all federal milk marketing orders. Each amended federal order must be approved either by two-thirds of producers supplying milk to the federal order or by producers who supply two-thirds of the milk to that order. If approved, USDA will issue a final rule.
Source: USDA
Posted: February 23, 2010 at 7:17 pm
By News Editor
Several livestock and poultry groups took time today to meet informally with members of Capitol Hill to educate legislators about responsible animal care practices.
The informational sessions were co-hosted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association through beef checkoff funding, the National Chicken Council, National Pork Producers Council, National Milk Producers Federation, National Turkey Federation, American Meat Institute and National Meat Association. Today’s briefings were held in cooperation with U.S. Reps. David Scott (D-GA), Randy Neugebauer (R-TX), Zack Space (D-OH) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) and by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA). Top livestock and poultry health experts from across the country presented information to attendees.
“Prompt and judicious use of efficacious antibiotics is critical for the successful treatment and, at times, control of specific bacterial diseases in cattle. Certain FDA-approved antibiotics also enable us to significantly improve the efficiency of beef production,” said Dr. Guy Loneragan, an epidemiologist and associate professor at West Texas A&M University, and presenter at today’s briefings. “Maintaining access to FDA-approved safe and effective technologies, including animal health products, helps ensure both the health and resource efficiency of U.S. herds and flocks.”
In addition to stringent federal regulations, responsible-use programs have been developed specific to feed, livestock and poultry organizations to give feed companies and producers specific guidelines and assistance on the safe and proper use of antibiotics in health management systems.
“We use antibiotics judiciously and responsibly to protect the health of our herds and to produce safe pork,” said Craig Rowles, DVM. “We know that a ban on antibiotics, like the one in Denmark, will have adverse affects on our pigs, will raise the cost of production and will not provide a benefit to public health.”
Despite the unsubstantiated allegations by activist groups, there is no conclusive scientific evidence that shows the use of antibiotics on farms contributes significantly to an increase in antibiotic resistance in humans. In fact, a growing body of evidence shows just the opposite; namely, the responsible, professional use of these products keeps animals healthy and enhances animal welfare while not contributing to resistance.
“Taking FDA-approved animal drugs off the market would leave farmers and veterinarians with very limited options for preventing and controlling disease in livestock and poultry, which would have serious repercussions for animal health and preventing foodborne disease, with the strong likelihood that there would be no improvement in human health,” said Dr. Timothy Cummings, clinical poultry professor for the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine at Mississippi State University. “It’s absolutely vital that any decisions about the care of animals and the safety of our food be based on sound science rather than unsubstantiated concerns.”
According to Dr. Leon Weaver, a veterinarian and dairy farmer from Montpelier, Ohio: “The U.S. dairy industry conducts more than 3.3 million tests each year on all milk entering dairy plants to ensure that antibiotics are kept out of the milk supply. According to the most recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) data, less than one tanker in 3,800 tests positive for any animal drug residues, including antibiotics. In those rare cases, any milk that tests positive is disposed of immediately and does not get into the food supply.
Posted: February 17, 2010 at 4:56 pm
By News Editor
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced details of the final regulation regarding access to pasture for organic livestock operations. This rule amends the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations to clarify the use of pasture in raising organic ruminants.
“Clear and enforceable standards are essential to the health and success of the market for organic agriculture,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The final rule published today will give consumers confidence that organic milk or cheese comes from cows raised on pasture, and organic family farmers the assurance that there is one, consistent pasture standard that applies to dairy products.”
The final rule provides certainty to consumers that organic livestock production is a pasture based system in which animals are actively grazing pasture during the grazing season. The majority of organic dairy and ruminant livestock producers are already grazing animals and maintaining pastures that meet the requirements of this rule. These standards contain clear requirements that will provide greater assurance that all producers are being held to the same standards.
This final rule is the culmination of a process that was initiated in 2005 when the National Organic Standards Board recommended that ruminants obtain a minimum 30 percent dry matter intake for at least 120 days. The proposed rule, published on Oct. 28, 2008, received over 26,000 comments from producers, retailers, handlers, certifying agents, consumers, trade associations, organic associations, animal welfare organizations, consumer groups, state and local government entities and various industry groups.
The main components of the rule include:
* Animals must graze pasture during the grazing season, which must be at least 120 days per year;
* Animals must obtain a minimum of 30 percent dry matter intake from grazing pasture during the grazing season;
* Producers must have a pasture management plan and manage pasture as a crop to meet the feed requirements for the grazing animals and to protect soil and water quality; and,
* Livestock are exempt from the 30 percent dry matter intake requirements during the finish feeding period, not to exceed 120 days. Livestock must have access to pasture during the finishing phase.
The final rule becomes effective 120 days after publication, June 17, 2010. Operations which are already certified organic will have one year to implement the provisions. Operations which obtain organic certification after the effective date will be expected to demonstrate full compliance.
Source: USDA
Posted: February 16, 2010 at 8:09 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Dave Jelinski for being named the new Government Affairs Director for the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association.
The Dairy Business Association (DBA) is an association of progressive dairy farmers, cheese processors and allied industry partners who together produce one of Wisconsin’s most valuable commodities and provide over $60 billion dollars into our economy each year. Jelinski is a skilled professional with in-depth knowledge and decades of experience in the regulation of animal agriculture in Wisconsin.
Mr. Jelinski comes to DBA with a degree in Agricultural Engineering and over 25 years of hands-on experience working for Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection. He recently announced his retirement from the agency where he served in many capacities, the most recent being the Director of Land and Water Resources, a position where he was responsible for a variety of programs related to soil and water conservation and farmland preservation.
Wisconsin’s dairy farmers accept their responsibility to protect the land, air and water we all cherish. How manure is managed and used is more meaningful to environmental performance than the quantity produced. Dave will help legislators and regulatory agencies understand why agriculture has changed significantly in recent decades and why some farms will need to grow in order to remain competitive with other states and other countries.
“This position is vital to secure job growth in the State of Wisconsin. Our rural communities are heavily dependent on a healthy agriculture economy to ensure a quality, rural way of life. They are also dependent on knowing their hard-working farm families are doing everything possible to protect and enhance Wisconsin’s environmental resources. The Dairy Business Association and our new Government Affairs Director are fundamentally committed to fostering this type of responsible growth of Wisconsin dairies,” said Laurie Fischer. “Dave is well-known and highly regarded by agency staff and members of the Wisconsin Legislature. We are certain that Dave will do an outstanding job as our liaison with the State Legislature and State Agencies.”
Source: The Dairy Business Association
Posted: February 16, 2010 at 8:02 pm
By News Editor
The following information was released by the International Dairy Foods Association:
The International Dairy Foods Association has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to promote increased energy efficiency in U.S. dairy processing facilities. Through the agency’s ENERGY STAR® program, IDFA and EPA will work together to provide valuable management tools to help dairy processors measure and control energy in their manufacturing facilities and document energy savings achieved.
IDFA and EPA believe that manufacturers seeking to manage energy more effectively may benefit from resources that EPA can leverage and develop with the industry. Under this MOU, IDFA and EPA will reach a greater number of processors, help them progress toward greater energy efficiency and establish systems capable of delivering and sustaining energy savings in the long-term.
EPA introduced the ENERGY STAR program in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products, new homes and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved about $19 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 29 million vehicles.
According to the MOU, IDFA plans to:
* Encourage U.S. dairy processors to participate in the ENERGY STAR program, in ENERGY STAR’s Focus on Energy Efficiency in dairy processing and in the use of ENERGY STAR’s energy management tools and resources;
* Provide the opportunity for forums where industry, IDFA and EPA may interact on the use and development of energy tools; and
* Assist EPA in evaluating the performance of the initiative.
EPA, through ENERGY STAR, has tools, expertise and services oriented toward corporate energy management, including:
* Energy management program development guidance and management tools;
* Listings of energy service and product providers;
* End-user networks;
* Web- and teleconference-based trainings;
* Formal recognition of energy performance achievements of dairy processors; and
* An ENERGY STAR Industrial Focus on Energy Efficiency in Dairy Processing, including a national plant energy-performance indicator (EPI) to evaluate the energy efficiency of select types of dairy processing plants in the United States.
Source: International Dairy Foods Federation
Posted: February 1, 2010 at 8:22 pm
By News Editor
Elisabeth Hagen, a physician, has been nominated as Undersecretary of Agriculture for Food Safety by President Obama
Hagen, 40, is a physician with four years’ experience in food safety. A spokesman at the USDA said Hagen is declining interview requests as she awaits confirmation by the Senate. Her nomination does not appear to face strong opposition.
The meat industry applauded the selection. “Hagen brings the background, skills and vision to lead USDA’s efforts to make sure that Americans have access to a safe and healthy food supply,” said Patrick J. Boyle, president of the American Meat Institute.
It is difficult to assess Hagen’s positions on policy or the politics of food safety; she hasn’t published any papers, articles or books on the topic. Most of her career has been spent teaching and practicing medicine as an infectious disease specialist. She left medicine in 2006 and went to the USDA, where she was quickly promoted through the ranks of the department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to become the chief medical officer last year.
If confirmed as undersecretary of agriculture for food safety, Hagen will face complex challenges. She would oversee the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service, which is responsible for safe meat, poultry and eggs, which make up 20 percent of the food supply. It employs 7,300 inspectors who perform daily and continuous checks inside 6,200 food processing facilities.
Source: The Washington Post
Posted: January 22, 2010 at 7:33 pm
By News Editor
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has announced a call for nominations for the upcoming Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) director elections.
Each year, dairy producers elect a portion of the 25-member WMMB to a three-year term. Board nominees consist of producers who are actively engaged in the production and sale of milk within the district of nomination. Producers interested in representing their district should visit www.wmmb.com/elections to learn more, or contact Noel Favia at (608) 224-5140 or Noel.Favia@wisconsin.gov with questions.
Encouraging nominees to “Shape the Future,” DATCP says becoming a WMMB director allows producers to 1) join in the leadership that promotes Wisconsin dairy, and 2) have a voice in how milk check-off dollars are spent. In 2010, the following districts are up for election (see table). Producers in these areas should soon receive a postcard from DATCP, calling for nominations.
District: 3 Counties: Lincoln, Oneida, Price, Taylor; District:6 Counties: Chippewa, Eau Claire; District: 9 Counties: Menominee, Shawano, Waupaca; District: 12 Counties: Portage, Waushara, Wood; District: 15 Counties: Adams, Juneau, Monroe; District: 18 Counties: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington, Waukesha; District: 21 Counties: Crawford, Vernon; and District: 24 Counties: Dane, Jefferson.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Posted: January 21, 2010 at 6:51 pm
By News Editor
From the USDA’s January 2010 “Livestock, Dairy & Poultry Outlook,” a report from the Economic Research Service (ERS).
USDA projects 2009/10 corn and soybean meal prices at $3.40 to $3.85 a bushel and $265 to $315 per ton, respectively. The moderation in forecast feed prices compared with the last 2 years helps boost the milk/feed price ratio and the profit outlook for U.S. dairy producers in the near future. The U.S. dairy herd continues a moderate contraction that is likely to continue throughout 2010. Herd size is forecast to average just below 9 million head this year, down from 9.2 million in 2009. Lower expected feed prices should help boost production per cow that is expected to increase by a relatively robust 1.9 percent this year. The milk-feed price ratio is not expected to reach 2.5, a range that typically signals a steady state in dairy cow numbers, until the end of 2010. While the worst of the economic contraction is over, many producers are not in a financial position to consider herd expansion at this time. After a year of culling, the lower average age of the dairy herd should also help boost output per cow, since it is younger, more productive cows that will remain. USDA projects 2010 milk production at 188.4 billion pounds, which would represent a further decline from the 2009 lower production.
Cheese prices are expected to strengthen throughout 2010 as economic recovery proceeds and milk supplies tighten. Cheese prices are expected to average $1.570 to $1.650 per pound in 2010, a rise from the $1.2966 per pound average posted for 2009. (…more)
Posted: January 19, 2010 at 1:42 pm
By Amanda Nolz
Be sure to get your applications in for the Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment Program through USDA. The deadline is today to get the applications in, so if you were planning on applying, don’t miss your chance. Here is a bit of information on the program from Julie Sherwood, staff writer
of the Messenger Post.
The application deadline is today for the new Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment Program announced in December by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Dairy producers who have production records at their USDA Farm Service Agency county office because they participated in another FSA dairy program do not need to apply for the program. FSA will use existing production records for February through July 2009 to calculate and issue their payment, according to U. S. Department of Agriculture.
On average, the price dairy producers received for milk marketed in the summer of 2009 was about half what it cost them to produce the milk, according to USDA. About $290 million in emergency aid was approved for dairy farmers nationwide.
Posted: January 6, 2010 at 7:08 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to all of the dairy leaders named to the new federal Dairy Industry Advisory Committee. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of 17 members today.
Over the next two years, the committee will review the issues of farm milk price volatility, dairy farmer profitability and consolidation, and offer suggestions on ways USDA can best address the needs of a struggling dairy industry. Representatives will include: producers and producer organizations, processors and processor organizations, handlers, consumers, academia, retailers, and state agencies involved in organic and non-organic dairy at the local, regional, national, and international levels.
Producer members appointed to the committee are: Erick Coolidge (Pa.), Timothy den Dulk (Mich.), Debora Erb (N.H.), James Goodman (Wis.), James Krahn, (Ore.), Edward Maltby (Mass.), Manuel Souza (Calif.), Ed Welch (Minn.), and James Williams (Ga.).
Representatives from the processing industry include: Jay Bryant (Va.), Patricia Stroup (Calif.), Sue Taylor (Colo.), and Robert Wills. (Wis.).
Members representing state government, retail, academia, and consumers are: Rodney Nilsestuen (Wis.), Robert Schupper (Pa.), Andrew Novakovic (N.Y.), and Paul Bourbeau (Vt.).
All members will serve two-year terms, beginning in January 2010, and expiring Jan. 1, 2012. The committee was expanded this year from 15 members to 17 and will hold its first meeting in early 2010. The meeting will be open to the public and USDA encourages public participation.
Source: USDA
Posted: December 21, 2009 at 8:31 pm
By News Editor
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that approximately $60 million in cheese and cheese products will be purchased by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for use in domestic feeding programs through USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service.
USDA is expediting this cheese purchase to help provide much-needed support for low-income families struggling to put nutritious food on their tables, and to deliver timely assistance to dairy farmers who have been challenged by high feed costs and low dairy prices.
“This purchase will provide food to people in need, while helping dairy producers who are facing economic challenges by increasing demand for dairy products,” said Secretary Vilsack. “The Obama Administration continues to lend assistance in any way we can to support struggling agricultural industries.”
Along with providing market benefits for U.S. dairy producers, commodity purchases such as the $60 million announced today provide much-needed food aid – in the form of high-protein cheese – to food banks across our nation. The purchase continues USDA’s long history of delivering nutritional assistance through domestic and international feeding programs, including 15 domestic nutrition programs that touch the lives of one in every five people in America each day.
This aid comes at a time when demand on the nation’s food banks has reached an all-time high.
The 2010 Agricultural Appropriations Act authorized $60 million for the purchase of cheese and cheese products. This cheese purchase marks the second of two steps announced this week by USDA to utilize a total of $350 million authorized under the Act. Yesterday, Vilsack announced the Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment Program, which provides $290 million for one-time payments to eligible dairy producers.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Posted: December 21, 2009 at 8:19 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Russell C. Redding on being confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate as the state’s 24th secretary of agriculture. Governor Edward G. Rendell nominated Redding on Sept. 12. Since then, he has served as acting secretary.
“Russell is the right person to lead our state’s agriculture industry,” said Governor Rendell. “His commitment to this state and the agriculture industry is unrivaled, and his proven leadership at the local, state and federal levels will serve the commonwealth well. Russell is an outstanding advocate for Pennsylvania agriculture and I thank the Senate for confirming him as secretary.”
As secretary, Redding oversees the department responsible for encouraging, promoting and protecting the state’s leading economic industry, agriculture, and its related industries. The department also has regulatory authority over food safety, animal health and the state’s dog law, as well as inspection of weight and measurement devices and amusement rides.
“For the past 15 years I have had the pleasure of working each day with some of the best public servants, both elected and appointed, this state has known,” said Redding. “My experiences during this period have confirmed for me that the achievements of the Pennsylvania agriculture industry are a reflection of the great work done by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture staff, as well as the more than 63,000 farms and thousands of related agricultural businesses that we serve.
Redding said that he will focus on ensuring that the department is open and accessible to preserve strong relationships with consumers and businesses; enhancing food safety in Pennsylvania by meeting the statutory mandate and through collaborative efforts such as the Governor’s Food Safety Council; expanding environmental stewardship efforts through continued leadership on farmland preservation; making full use of the authority from the Farm Bill for conservation by balancing the needs of farmers and the public with the need for clean water in the Chesapeake Bay; supporting Pennsylvanians who are at-risk for hunger; redoubling efforts of existing programs and initiatives to benefit future generations of producers and consumers; and strengthening the department’s connection to its sister agencies and related state and local partners.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Posted: December 9, 2009 at 7:41 am
By Amanda Nolz
Here is some information about a group of dairy farmers from across the country who traveled recently to Washington D.C. to lobby for a competitive milk pricing system in the future, an effort to save more dairy farms from closing their doors. As told by Farm and Dairy in their article, Dairy Farmers Make One Request: Competitive Milk Pricing System, here is some information about their trip to discuss the dairy crisis with Congress.
More than 100 dairy farmers from New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee traveled to Washington, D.C., Dec. 2 to meet with congressional representatives and other officials to present solutions that would end the worst dairy crisis since the Great Depression.
Dairy farmers met with members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, the Senate Judiciary Committee, the House Education and Labor Committee and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to urge immediate action to restore fairness in the dairy pricing system, enforce anti-trust laws and ensure that dairy farmers receive a fair price for their product. Dairy farmers also called on the USDA to quickly distribute emergency assistance aid that was authorized by Congress and President Obama under the 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill in October.
Posted: December 7, 2009 at 7:50 pm
By News Editor
From the USDA’s October 2009 “Livestock, Dairy & Poultry Outlook,” a report from the Economic Research Service (ERS).
Dairy cow numbers are expected to continue to decline throughout 2010. The U.S. dairy cow herd is expected to average about 2 percent smaller in 2010 than 2009; this contraction comes on the heels of an expected 3-percent herd reduction in 2009 compared with 2008. Year-over-year milk per cow is expected to move toward trend level increases as a result of a gradually improving milk-feed price ratio. Corn prices fell in 2008/09 to average $4.06 a bushel and are expected to moderate further to average $3.25-$3.85 a bushel in 2009/10. Soybean meal prices averaged $331 a ton in 2008/09, but are forecast to decline this year to average $250-$310 a ton. Alfalfa prices are expected to decline in 2009 from 2008 and will likely remain moderate next year. The decline in feed prices combined with higher milk prices will improve the milk-feed profitability ratio, but not to a level that signals expansion. The improving returns outlook show support for rising yields per cow over the course of 2010, raising production per cow to 20,950 next year after increasing to a projected 20,570 in 2009. On balance, however, there will be less milk next year as production is forecast at 187.7 billion pounds, an 0.8-percent slide from the expected 189.1 billion pound production in 2009. Production in 2009 is forecast to decline from 2008 and will be the first decline since 2001.
Rebounding global demand is contributing to the improved price outlook. World demand, especially for butter and powder products, is improving the export outlook
on both a fats and skims-solids basis. (…more)
Posted: November 24, 2009 at 7:26 pm
By Amanda Nolz
What do you think about this recent bill introduced to assist dairy producers and help eliminate milk hauling fees? This bill was introduced by Congressman Chris Carney, who supported a House measure earlier this year to secure $350 million in assistance for the dairy industry, legislation that was signed into law by the president on October 21, 2009. As reported by PoconoNews.net, here are the details about this new bill…
Congressman Chris Carney is an original co-sponsor of a bill introduced this week that would eliminate all hauling costs for milk producers in efforts to protect dairy farmers from paying unfair fees to milk processors. The legislation was introduced by Congressman Michael Arcuri (D-NY) and Congressman Chris Lee (R-NY) to offer immediate relief to family dairy farmers that have suffered tremendous losses over the past year due to low milk prices.
“I am committed to doing everything I can to assist our dairy farmers, who have been hard hit by a combination of factors outside of their control,” said Carney. “This legislation will help dairy farmers keep down costs by eliminating burdensome hauling fees, stop fees and fuel surcharges. It is a crucial step toward ensuring that our local dairy farmers can recoup their costs of production and stay on the farm. Our family farms are the economic engines of our small towns and rural communities and this legislation will help reduce some of the high production costs that prohibit their profitability.”
Source: PoconoNews.net
Posted: November 17, 2009 at 4:13 pm
By News Editor
A joint press release from National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) addresses the need for the regulation of raw milk production facilities.
Although unpasteurized, or raw, milk products pose a significant food safety hazard, facilities producing these products are not covered by any of the food safety regulations proposed so far this year by Congress. These facilities also remain exempt from existing regulations enforced by all states, which are know as the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), that set the standard for maintaining the safety of the nation’s milk and milk product supply. Cheeses made from unpasteurized milk that have been aged to eliminate the risk of food borne illnesses are not considered raw milk products.
IDFA and NMPF have asked senators planning to mark up key food safety legislation next week to rectify this omission. In a letter to Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and Michael Enzi (R-WY), the committee’s ranking member, the dairy groups called for requiring all facilities producing raw or unpasteurized milk products for direct human consumption to register with FDA and adhere to the tried-and-true food safety requirements that are followed by all other facilities producing milk products.
IDFA and NMPF support the proposed “FDA Food Safety Modernization Act” and urge the senators to expand the regulations to include facilities producing raw milk products for direct human consumption. In addition, the dairy groups would like the bill to recognize that state inspections of dairy facilities under the PMO already meets necessary food safety requirements and no duplicate functions are warranted.
Source: National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF)
Posted: November 4, 2009 at 9:01 pm
By News Editor
From the USDA’s October 2009 “Livestock, Dairy & Poultry Outlook,” a report from the Economic Research Service.
Dairy: Contraction in the U.S. dairy herd leads to the second year of lower forecast milk production. Lower production, combined with stronger than-expected export prospects, will lead to higher milk and dairy product prices next year.
The September Milk Production report shows slight milk production declines in both July and August. The number of cows in the national herd has shown a month-over-month decline since January, and the year-over-year decline in cow numbers more than offset the incrementally rising output per cow in the second half of the year. The prospects for the rest of 2009 and 2010 are for cow numbers to continue to decline and for production per animal to continue increasing. In 2010, the U.S. dairy herd is expected to average below 9 million for the year. The production increase per cow per day is expected to be about 1 percent in 2009, well below the 5-year-average rise. In 2010, production per cow is expected to rise by 1.8 percent during the year, above the 5-year average.
Export prospects are improving. Economic recovery has exceeded expectations in several countries in recent months with the result that demand for dairy products has improved. (…more)
Posted: November 3, 2009 at 5:32 am
By Amanda Nolz
Here is an update on the Dairy COOL Act, which would add labeling on milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream and butter as reported by Heather Thorstensen, an Agri News staff writer. Without a doubt, dairy producers will be keeping a close eye on this act. I’m curious to know your thoughts on COOL and how it might impact the dairy industry. Read on for more details…
Bob Lefebvre, Minnesota Milk Producers Association’s executive director, said his organization is closely watching a bill U.S. Senator Al Franken helped introduce to the Senate Oct. 14 that would expand country of origin labeling to dairy products.
He’s confident Franken (D-Minn.) wants to help dairy producers. He agrees consumers should know where their milk comes from, as long as the legislation doesn’t inhibit exports. The challenge will be potential ramifications if other countries perceive the legislation negatively.
“I’m sure that Senator Franken is aware of that potential, too. It’s just one thing we always have to be aware of,” Lefebvre said.
Franken’s Dairy COOL Act, S. 1783, was co-sponsored by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). Currently, the COOL law requires some retailers, such as full-line grocery stores, to label the source of muscle cuts and ground meat of beef, veal, pork, lamb, goat, and chicken; fish and shell-fish; produce; certain nuts and ginseng.
Posted: November 2, 2009 at 8:15 pm
By News Editor
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan has announced more than $19 million in grants have been awarded to universities across the country to solve critical organic agriculture issues through the integration of research, education and extension projects.
Merrigan announced the funding in Portland, Maine, and was joined by representatives from the University of Maine, the local grant recipient which is conducting research that will increase farmers’ capacity to produce high quality organic bread wheat. The announcement was made at Borealis Breads bakery where proprietor, Jim Amaral, benefits from the USDA funded research by using the locally produced organic bread wheat that meets the higher quality standards necessary for bread production. Supplying this expanding market for organic bread wheat represents a significant economic opportunity for this region’s farmers.
Launched in September 2009, the ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ initiative emphasizes the need for a fundamental and critical reconnection between producers and consumers. ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ includes such major agricultural topics as supporting local farmers and community food groups; strengthening rural communities; enhancing direct marketing and farmers’ promotion programs; promoting healthy eating; protecting natural resources; and helping schools connect with locally grown foods.
Since the late 1990’s, U.S. organic production has more than doubled, but the consumer market has grown even faster. Organic food sales have more than quintupled, increasing from $3.6 billion in 1997 to $24.6 billion in 2008. More than two-thirds of U.S. consumers buy organic products at least occasionally, and 28 percent buy organic products weekly.
The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative, administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), funds projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who already have adopted organic standards to grow and market high-quality organic agricultural products. Meanwhile, the Integrated Organic and Water Quality Program funds projects that demonstrate benefits to soil and water availability posed by implementing certified organic practices. Projects combine physical measurements of soil and surface and/or groundwater conditions at the field or farm scale with modeling information generated at the same spatial and temporal scale.
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