New York dairy farmers, dairy industry professionals and concerned consumers will have the opportunity to meet with Christine A. Varney, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Antitrust Division and U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y. regarding the dairy market situation on Wednesday, March 29 at the Genesee Community College in Batavia, N.Y. Varney will meet … Read More
DFA Testifies at Cuba Hearing
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 … Read More
USDA Releases Final Ruling on Producer-Handlers
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 … Read More
Organizations Educate Legislators
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 … Read More
USDA Issues Final Rule on Organic
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 … Read More
Jelinski Accepts Position with Wis. DBA
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 … Read More
IDFA Signs Memorandum of Understanding
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 … Read More
Hagen Nominated as Undersecretary
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 … Read More
Time Again for Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board Elections
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 … Read More
USDA has Issued its Monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook
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 … Read More