The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) expressed optimism towards the proposed USDA Farm Bill. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns mentioned the value of maintaining the dairy price support program Wednesday as he unveiled the USDA’s list of items it will ask Congress to consider adopting. NMPF also supports continuing the general framework of the price support program in the next Farm … Read More
Wisconsin Speaks Out on NMPF Proposal
Wisconsin dairy producers have their state’s congressional delegation reaching out to the USDA on their behalf. Three members of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation are calling on U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to reject changes to the federal milk marketing orders being considered by the USDA that could hurt the prices that Wisconsin dairy farmers receive. Congressman Dave Obey, along with Senators … Read More
NMPF Addresses Rising Ethanol
National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), along with American Meat Institute, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Chicken Council, the National Pork Producers Council and the National Turkey Federation have asked the USDA to form a working group to study the impact of increased ethanol use on milk and meat producers. Because of concerns about the economic health of dairy … Read More
Farm Bill Talks Begin
More news on the upcoming Farm Bill. This is likely to be a big part of agricultural news the next few months. As the U.S. Congress works to write a five-year farm subsidy law, the Democratic chairmen of the House and Senate Agriculture committees said they intend to meet weekly to reduce any discrepancies between their respective legislation. The House … Read More
Northeast Produces Visit DC
The immigration debate is likely to heat up once again, especially with the new Farm Bill on the docket this year. Producers in the Northeast made their opinions known during a recent visit to DC. Northeast producers went to Washington last week to campaign for a new Senate bill that would create a guest worker program to grant as many … Read More
FDA-Possible Dairy Link to E.Coli
The Wisconsin Ag Connection reported on this story. I’ll update our readers when there is a final statement from the FDA. The Food and Drug Administration is getting closer to identifying the source of the E. coli outbreak linked to Taco John’s restaurants, the federal agency announced on Friday. The DAN fingerprint of the strain of E coli bacteria associated … Read More
Pyramid in Stores
The new food pyramid is heading for your grocery stores. A campaign to encourage shoppers to buy foods based on the pyramid recommendations was announced last week. The campaign will include point-of-sale information, such as shelf cards at the dairy case that remind consumers milk is a recommend part of a healthy diet. The triangle-shaped guide for healthy eating will … Read More
FDA Concludes Cloned Meat and Milk Safe
This announcement from the FDA has been awaited all week. I’ve listed portions from the actual FDA press release, plus two links to media stories. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued three documents on the safety of animal cloning — a draft risk assessment; a proposed risk management plan; and a draft guidance for industry. The draft … Read More
Wisconsin Producers Renew
If you farm in Wisconsin, you are required to renew your premises registrations. Click here to renew online. As part of the Wisconsin Premises Registration Act, livestock producers in the state must renew their premises registration annually with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Xlick on the premises registration box and log onto your account. The site … Read More
Dairy Advisory Committee in Minnesota
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.