Dairy farmers may not consider greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions a key issue, but federal and state governments, the dairy industry, and perhaps more importantly, consumers of dairy products, do.

Given its size, scope and geography, there are a range of issues facing the California dairy community. With attention spread across near-term financial challenges to longer-term environmental regulations, the state’s dairy producers are apprehensive at the start of 2023.

• 2023 DMC enrollment period closes Dec. 9
• Continue using current Form I-9
• USDA extends comment period for organic livestock handling rules
• Proposal blocks SEC GHG emission disclosure requirements for farms

Impacts of higher processing costs could drive the spread between all-milk and mailbox prices wider.

Digest highlights
• FARM Program seeks comments for Animal Care Version 5 revisions
• ‘Dairy’ major recipient in first round of USDA ‘climate-smart’ project funding
• Darigold building $600 million dairy protein, butter facility
• Checkoff competition focuses on calming benefits