Rising demand has caused a record number of dairies to transition to organic milk production, according to a new report from CoBank. Organic milk generates the highest sales of any certified organic commodity, and this steady demand growth has the potential to lift organic fluid milk market share and further stimulate product innovation with the organic dairy industry. “The substantial … Read More
USDA Announces $1.4 Million Organic Dairy Grant
In an effort to support research needed to evaluate methodologies that help maintain and improve cow health while conforming to organic regulations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded a $1.4 million grant to a team co-led by \Dr. Pablo Pinedo, a D.V.M. who is an assistant professor in the Department of Animal Sciences … Read More
Livestock Groups Respond to Organic Marketing Rule
Several livestock industry groups have responded to a last minute regulation issued by the Obama administration this week that adds animal welfare standards to the nation’s organic food production law. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) amendment to the Organic Food Production Act of 1990 will increase regulations for organic producers raising livestock and poultry, including new indoor and outdoor … Read More
Senators Address Organic Livestock, Poultry Concerns
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, led a bipartisan group of 13 Senators in sending a second letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), requesting additional information regarding expressed concerns with the Agency’s proposed rule on revised organic livestock and poultry production standards. “The proposed rule raises significant concerns regarding … Read More
NCC Recommends Changes to Organic Rule
The National Chicken Council (NCC) released a statement recommending revision or clarification of several key aspects of the latest proposed rule from the National Organic Program (NOP) that intends to enhance bird health, protect food safety, and maintain a viable organic program. “NCC is concerned that the proposed rule imposes unreasonable costs and requirements of doubtful benefit on organic farmers, … Read More
NCBA Comments on Proposed Organic Marketing Rule
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recently submitted comments on the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service’s (AMS) National Organic Program; Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices proposed rule, with NCBA President Tracy Brunner stating that voluntary agency marketing programs are not the place to codify animal production practices. “Organic programs are marketing programs and therefore not the place to prescribe animal welfare … Read More
NPPC Opposes Proposed Welfare Policy Changes
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has released statements in response to two recently proposed policy changes related to animal welfare, and has called upon producers to take action against them, and in defense of the American farmers that could be seriously affected by the legislation. NPPC is encouraging pork producers to weigh in on the new organic animal welfare … Read More
Heat Stress Prevention Tips from Alltech
Stress also has major implications on the overall health of production animals, with negative implications for both producer and consumer, and the approaching summer heat is always cause for pork producers to worry about the additional challenges their animals may face due to heat stress. “Respiratory rates begin to increase around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and with high humidity, it becomes … Read More
#FoodD Dietician Talks Consumer Disconnect
The 2016 Dairy Strong Conference was able to serve as a host for the United States Farmers and Ranchers Alliance’s (USFRA) latest installment of Food Dialogues, a comprehensive discourse on food production between a panel of food industry experts. This group of panelists was asked to focus discussion around the controversial topic of sustainability. One panelist was Lauren Linsley, RDN, … Read More
Study Calls for Less Concentrated Feed in Animal Production
A new study led by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), which was published in the scientific journal of the Royal Society Interface, shows that reducing concentrate feed can be a feasible alternative for ensuring food security in a climate-friendly way. Calculations using a model show that, should the predictions of the FAO become a reality, agriculture’s negative impact … Read More