This Dairy Regional Recap includes information on a lawsuit involving livestock in the Point Reyes National Seashore, a legal fight over a proposed “right to farm” amendment in Oklahoma, and a Wisconsin cow starring in a movie about the Green Bay Packers. This and other U.S. region-by-region dairy news can be found here.
To find news in your region, click on its link below.
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NORTHWEST
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MIDWEST
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SOUTHWEST
Lawsuit seeks to cut cattle numbers on Point Reyes National Seashore
Three California environmental advocacy organizations have filed a lawsuit seeking to limit the number of beef and dairy cattle allowed within the 71,000-acre Point Reyes National Seashore national park area.
Resource Renewal Institute, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Western Watershed Project filed the lawsuit (Case 3:16-cv-00688) in in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California.
Named in the suit are the National Park Service and Cicely Muldoon, superintendent of the Point Reyes National Seashore.
According to court documents, Congress passed enabling legislation creating the national park area in 1962. It established the Point Reyes National Seashore a decade later, and received federal funds to acquire land and waterways.
Although it purchased the land, Congress allowed owners of agricultural property to reserve the right of use and occupancy for 25 years or the life of the owner or spouse as a condition of the park’s acquisition. While nearly all those agreements have lapsed, park officials continue to renew leases with family heirs.
The lawsuit charges the National Park Service with failing to preserve the Point Reyes National Seashore under a General Management Plan. It alleges grazing cattle grazing and dairy farming practices have resulted in a degradation of wildlife and fish habitats, impede recreational activities, and that milk trucks, increase road maintenance issues.
Read the court document at the Scribd website.
Oklahoma ‘Right to Farm’ amendment faces legal challenge
Oklahoma voters will consider a state Constitutional amendment creating “Right to Farm” protections, according to Texas Agriculture Law. Introduced by Rep. Scott Biggs (R-Chickasha), State Question (SQ) 777 is scheduled to appear on the state ballot, Nov. 8, 2016.
SQ 777 is an attempt to prevent bills seeking to limit or prohibit certain agricultural production activities. The language is as follows: “The legislature shall pass no law that abridges the right of farmers and ranchers to employ agricultural technology and livestock production and ranching practices without a compelling state interest.”
The proposed amendment is already facing legal challenges, according to the Tahlequah Daily Press. Save the Illinois River Inc., state Rep. Jason Dunnington (D-Oklahoma City) and others filed a lawsuit filed in the District Court for Oklahoma County challenging the constitutionality of the amendment.
Read more from the Tahlequah Daily Press.
California dairyman Don Moreda dies
Longtime California dairyman Don Moreda died, March 7. He was 83.
Moreda bought his first cow at age 14. He purchased Moreda Laguna Dairy from his father, Antone, in 1960. His grandfather founded the Chileno Valley ranch in 1915.
He served in leadership positions on the boards of the Sonoma County Fair, Dairy Farmers of America and the California Cooperative Creamery and its successor, the Petaluma Creamery.
Moreda was married to the former Linda Bianchi for 60 years.
Read a profile in The Press Democrat.
NORTHWEST
Colorado State adds dairy faculty member
With dairy growing in the state, Colorado State University’s Department of Animal Sciences added Dr. Pablo Pinedo as a new dairy education faculty member. In his role, he will focus on dairy cow health and well-being.
Pinedo’s experience includes using genomics and precision dairy technologies to help improve fertility, monitor animal health and help catch diseases early. His genomic research is focused on non-traditional traits, exploring the potential for health and fertility improvements through genetic analysis.
Colorado dairy cow and heifer numbers have increased 23 percent in the past four years, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The areas around Fort Collins, including Weld, Morgan, Larimer and Adams counties, are home to 90 percent of Colorado’s milk production.
EAST
Sebright to serve as interim executive director of Pennsylvania’s CDE
Jayne Sebright will serve as interim executive director of Pensylvania’s Center for Dairy Excellence (CDE), effective April 1. She succeeds John Frey, CDE executive director over the past nine years, who resigned to pursue other career opportunities.
Sebright joined CDE more than a decade ago. In addition to strategic planning and program development, she has served as communications and marketing director.
CDE is currently exploring restructuring and transition plans after Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s budget proposal eliminated all state funding for the program. The state provided about half of CDE’s funding, with the remainder coming through private sources, including the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation.
In an open letter to the Pennsylvania dairy industry, Feb. 1, Frey announced suspension of some CDE programs, and several employees were furloughed.
In a letter to the dairy industry on March 18, CDE board chairman Don Risser said program and leadership assessment continues.
MIDWEST
PDPW re-elects three to board
Members of the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW) re-elected three board directors during the organization’s annual meeting, March 17. Mitch Breunig, Sauk City; Brian Forrest, Stratford; and Marty Hallock, Mondovi, were chosen to serve three-year terms.
Ebert Enterprises cow appearing in movie
Reaction, a three-year-old Holstein owned by Ebert Enterprises, Algoma, Wis., has a cameo role in “Sixty Yard Line,” a movie featuring Green Bay Packer fans. Ryan Churchill is executive producer, writer and lead actor in the movie, scheduled to be released in late 2016.
Ebert Dairy Enterprises LLC, owned by Randy and Renee Ebert and their children Jordan, Whitney and Britney of Algoma, will host the 2017 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days show.
Read the Green Bay Press-Gazette article.
Midwest Dairy Board leadership elected
Jerry Messer, a dairy farmer from Richardton, N.D., will continue to lead Midwest Dairy Association (MDA) in the coming year. Messer was re-elected chairman during the group’s annual meeting, March 8-9.
Allen Merrill, Parker, S.D., and Bill Siebenborn, Trenton, Mo., were re-elected vice chairman and first vice chairman, respectively. Ken Herbranson of Clitherall, Minn., secretary, and Dan Grunhovd of Gary, Minn., treasurer, were also re-elected.
New members elected to the corporate board were Debi Clasemann, Long Prairie, Minn.; and Robert Horst, Bristow, Iowa.
State/regional divisions also elected officers. Division chairman include:
- Illinois – Bill Deutsch, Sycamore, Ill.
- Iowa – Dan Hotvedt, Mabel, Minn.
- Mo-Kan – Byron Lehman, Newton, Kan.
- Minnesota – Ken Herbranson, Clitherall, Minn.
- Minnesota Dairy Promotion Council – Kathleen Skiba, North Branch, Minn.
- Nebraska – Lowell Mueller, Hooper, Neb.
- North Dakota – Jerry Messer, Richardton, N.D.
- Ozarks – Nathan Roth, Mountain Grove, Mo.
- South Dakota – Jim Neugebauer, Dimock, S.D. PD
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