At the NODPA Field Days in September, one workshop focused on feeding strategies organic producers could utilize when grain and input costs are high.

Digest highlights

• USDA announces second round of PMVAP payments
• $100 million Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program announced
• WOTUS lawsuit filed
• IDFA adds economist, policy support
• USDA updates organic enforcement rule
• 2025-30 Dietary Guideline Advisory Committee named
• USDA seeks comment on proposed animal disease traceability regulations
• Animal welfare group wants increased regulation of ‘custom-exempt’ slaughter operations
• Other news, briefly

The numbers of forage growers producing and marketing organic dry hay and other forages declined between 2019 and 2021, according to latest national survey data from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Digest highlights

• USTR to press for Canadian USMCA dairy compliance
• Canadian dairy farmers to receive fourth DDPP payment
• Fed raises interest rates
• GDT index falls
• 2022 Census of Agriculture response deadline is Feb. 6, 2023
• Other news, briefly

Digest highlights

• August-September DMC payments near $85 million
• WCMA endorses FMMO improvement provisions
• Western organic dairies seek financial assistance

The potential to collect a premium on milk has been an underlying factor for those just starting out in dairy, or for conventional dairy farmers seeking to transition to certified organic production. Even some skeptical of organic methods have been swayed to transition by the economic bottom line.

• NMPF endorses FMMO modernization provisions
• November 2022 Class I base price rebounds
• USDA expands SNAP Dairy Incentive Program 
• Vitaliano: Production growth evident
• Dairy cull cow marketing down in September
• USDA establishing regional networks for organic transition
• September DMC numbers coming next Monday