Here is a brief look at the news affecting dairy producers during the first full week of November 2023:

Natzke dave
Dave Natzke
Editor / Progressive Dairy

Digest highlights

Ohio, Oregon youths earn FFA proficiency awards in dairy

National Future Farmers of America (FFA) 2023 Agricultural Proficiency Award recipients were named during the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo, Nov. 1-4, in Indianapolis. Agricultural proficiency awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. There are 45 proficiency award categories. Recipients in two dairy-related categories were:

  • Dairy Production – Entrepreneurship: Clancey Krahn, of the Scio FFA Chapter in Oregon, has a herd of 41 purebred registered Jersey and Brown Swiss dairy cattle. In 2018, her family built a farmstead creamery and began processing milk on-site in a vertically integrated system. She utilizes a vat pasteurization, non-homogenization system for processing her milk, which is bottled in recyclable glass bottles and sold to 50 retail stores and coffee shops in Oregon. Krahn is supported by her parents, Amy and Ben, and her FFA adviser, Krysta Sprague.
  • Dairy Production – Placement: Lauren Homan, of the New Bremen FFA Chapter in Ohio, is an assistant herdswoman at her family’s dairy farm, an operation raising 480 Holstein cows and 400 heifers. Her work started with feeding calves and has grown to taking care of calves, heifers and dairy cows. Homan works with the manure press system to make dry bedding for the cows. She is supported by her parents, Tanya and Gregory, and her FFA adviser, Maria Homan.

One-year farm bill extension sought

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Rep. David Scott (D-Georgia) has called for a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, citing the unlikelihood the House will be able to authorize a new farm bill anytime soon. He said infighting within the House Republican Conference hobbled legislative efforts.

“A one-year extension is the responsible thing to do,” Scott said. “It allows our farmers, ranchers and foresters to operate with an element of certainty while we continue working on a bipartisan five-year farm bill.”

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Previously, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), elected house speaker in late October, had proposed a schedule that included House passage of the 2023 Farm Bill in December.

Organic rule published

Announced on Oct. 25, the USDA’s Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) final rule was published in the Federal Register on Nov. 2, initiating a 60-day period leading to the start of implementation. With the exception of some poultry operations, all organic operations must comply with the requirements of the rule by Jan. 2, 2025.

The rule (AMS-NOP-21-0073) adds detailed regulations related to animal health care, indoor and outdoor space standards, manure management, temporary confinement of livestock, access to the outdoors, transportation conditions, and humane euthanasia and slaughter.

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will host an informational webinar, Nov. 16, 1 p.m. (Eastern time), to provide an overview of the rule and how they may impact organic farms and businesses.

To access the webinar, link to the Federal Register, or download the final rule and related fact sheet, visit the OLPS website.

LIP, ELAP livestock loss claim deadlines changed

Livestock loss claim filing deadlines for two USDA programs have been changed, extending timelines for some livestock owners suffering animal and financial losses to apply for financial assistance. In notices sent to the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county and state offices on Nov. 1, the changes include:

  • The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides benefits to eligible livestock owners or contract growers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality rates caused by adverse weather, eligible disease or by attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government. LIP payments are equal to 75% of the average fair market value of the livestock.

Previously, eligible producers were required to report losses because of an eligible adverse weather condition or loss event within 30 calendar days from when the loss first became apparent. With the change, the new deadline for filing a notice of loss under LIP will be 60 calendar days after the calendar year in which the eligible loss condition occurred. The change is effective for 2023 and subsequent program years. For example, for the 2023 program year, the LIP application deadline is now Feb. 29, 2024.

  • The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP) provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish that have losses because of disease, adverse weather or other conditions, including losses because of blizzards and wildfires. ELAP covers losses that are not covered under other disaster assistance programs such as the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and LIP.

Previously, eligible producers have been required to report losses within 30 calendar days for livestock (30 days for fish and 15 days for honeybees) from when the loss first became apparent. With the change, the new deadline for filing a notice of loss under ELAP is 30 calendar days following the program year of which the loss occurred. The change is effective for 2023 and subsequent program years. For example, claims for losses in 2023 must be filed by Jan. 30, 2024.

FSA staff are also being asked to reevaluate reports for producers who were denied LIP or ELAP claims in 2023 because they were filed late under the previous deadlines for possible approval. Contact your county or regional FSA office for further information.

Members named to dairy checkoff boards

The USDA appointed members to both the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board and the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board.

National Dairy Promotion and Research Board

The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) is composed of 36 dairy farmer members who represent 12 geographic regions within the U.S. and one importer member who represents dairy importers. Of 16 members named to serve on the NDB, 13 will serve three-year terms, effective immediately through Oct. 31, 2026. The remaining three appointees will serve the remaining one-year terms of vacant positions, expiring Oct. 31, 2024.

Newly appointed members to full terms were: Nora Doelman, Washington; Angela Meyer, Oklahoma; Shelly Grosenick, Wisconsin; Joyce Racicky, Nebraska; Dr. Jennifer Glover, Georgia; and importer Kenneth Meyers, New Jersey.

Newly appointed to partial terms were: Warren Chamberlain, Oregon; Pauline Tjaarda, California; and Paxton Robinson, Idaho.

Reappointed to full terms were: Timothy Bernhardt, Colorado; Robert Brouwer, New Mexico; Marvin Post, South Dakota; George Crave, Wisconsin; Don Gaalswyk, Idaho; Lois Douglass, Ohio; and Kathryn Fogler, Maine.

National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board

The National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board is composed of 15 fluid milk processors from 15 geographic regions and five at-large members. Of seven members named to the that, six will serve three-year terms, effective immediately through June 30, 2026. The other appointee will serve the remaining two-year term of a vacant position, expiring June 30, 2025.

Newly appointed members to full terms were: Kristen Coady, Kansas; Kristi Kangas, Washington; LaDonna Hale, Idaho; and Miriam Erickson Brown, Des Moines, Iowa.

Newly appointed to a partial term was Chris Hackman, Illinois.

Reappointed to full terms were: Doug Harris, Florida, and Matt McClelland, Illinois.