In this week's news, the Senate Republicans announce their farm bill priorities, ag-related legislation is introduced, Wisconsin sets influenza A testing requirements for exhibition and more.

Lee karen
Karen Lee
Managing Editor / Progressive Dairy
Devaney kimmi
Kimmi Devaney
Editor and Podcast Host / Progressive Dairy

Senate Republicans unveil farm bill framework

U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R-Arkansas), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, unveiled the Senate Republican-drafted framework of the 2024 Farm Bill on June 11.

In his statement, Boozman said producers have been calling on senators to “put more farm in the farm bill.”

“Following the House Committee on Agriculture’s bipartisan passage of farmer-focused farm bill, we are putting forth a framework that exhibits a shared common ground with our Democrat counterparts on several key priorities and offers a path forward in the places we differ,” he said in the statement. “Our framework builds on the momentum from committee passage in the House and Chairwoman Stabenow’s release of Senate Democrats’ priorities. I am eager to follow the House’s lead and draft a bill that will garner support on both sides of the aisle.”

Here is an overview of dairy programs and priorities included in the Senate Republicans framework.

Advertisement
  • Bolsters the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, including updates to production history and maintaining the premium discount for dairy operations that lock in coverage for the life of the farm bill
  • Makes the Dairy Forward Pricing Program permanent
  • Requires biennial cost surveys by dairy processing plants to ensure Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) milk pricing formulas reflect the cost of manufacturing dairy products
  • Directs the secretary of agriculture to modify the Class I mover to improve pricing formulas under FMMOs
  • Improves the dairy incentives pilots by allowing additional milk, yogurt and cheese to be eligible and establishes the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program
  • Provides additional options for students by allowing nonfat, reduced fat and full-fat milk in school meals
  • Creates a new pathway at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the approval of new and innovative feed additive products that improve efficiency in meat and dairy production
  • Increases the authorization of funding for Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives that support the development, production, marketing and distribution of dairy products.

Next, the Senate Agriculture Committee will draft their version of the farm bill that must be reviewed and approved by the committee before it can advance to the Senate floor for consideration.

Bill introduced to enforce livestock transport regulations

On June 11, Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nevada) introduced the Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act (H.R. 8699) to develop a process to enforce the Twenty-Eight Hour Law, which stipulates that animals traveling at least 28 hours be offloaded for food, water and rest. This legislation also would prohibit interstate transport of livestock considered unfit for travel.

“Not only do lax federal regulations on farm animal transportation create inhumane and cruel conditions, but these inefficiencies in the law are also causing many animals to succumb to disease and injury during these long journeys, which can be passed on to humans,” Titus said. “By raising fit-for-travel standards in addition to creating mechanisms to actively enforce the Twenty-Eight Hour Law, we can tackle this persistent issue in our food chain while protecting the lives of these animals.”

This bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which will consider it before sending it to the House floor for consideration.

Bill addressing enteric methane emissions introduced in House

Reps. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) and Marc Molinaro (R-New York) introduced the Enteric Methane Innovation Tools for Lower Emissions and Sustainable Stock (EMIT LESS) Act (H.R. 8676) on June 11.

The bill aims to mitigate the environmental impact of enteric methane emissions from American dairy and beef cattle operations by expanding the USDA’s research and incentivizing the adoption of emissions-reducing practices on farms.

The bill complements the Senate version, S. 4056, introduced in March.

“The bill is an essential proposal to empower farmers and ranchers to address methane emissions from livestock. It builds on bipartisan momentum that advances climate-smart livestock farming,” said Andrew Lentz, director of federal affairs for agriculture policy at Environmental Defense Fund.

Influenza A testing and quarantine regulations introduced for Wisconsin, Pennsylvania exhibitions

Effective June 19, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is requiring influenza A testing prior to movement of lactating dairy cattle to fairs or exhibitions.

This is an effort to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) (H5N1) in dairy cattle, following the detection of the disease in 12 states, including Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota.

In order to move lactating dairy cattle to fairs or exhibitions within the state, producers must receive a negative test for the influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory with samples collected no more than seven days prior to movement to the fair or exhibition. This testing is available to producers at no cost through the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) at NAHLN laboratories. Producers may also apply for reimbursement of shipping and veterinary fees for collection of samples.

This intrastate order will remain in effect until 60 days after the last detection of H5N1 in cattle herds in the U.S.

In Pennsylvania, a quarantine order has been issued for dairy cattle exhibition. Both lactating and non-lactating dairy cattle that either show clinical signs of infection or have been on a premises where HPAI has been confirmed in cattle or domestic birds are prohibited from entering an exhibition.

Additionally, all dairy cattle over 18 months old must be tested within seven days before they arrive on animal exhibition grounds. This quarantine order is currently in effect and will remain so until rescinded or modified by a later order.

USDA reminds producers to file crop acreage reports

Agricultural producers should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to complete crop acreage reports before the applicable deadline after planting is complete. July 15 is a major deadline for most crops, but acreage reporting deadlines vary by county and by crop.

“By filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage, producers can avoid the loss of important safety net, disaster assistance, conservation and crop insurance program benefits,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.

Producers should also report crop acreage they intended to plant but were unable to because of a natural disaster, including drought. Prevented planted acreage must be reported on form CCC-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date as established by the FSA and USDA’s Risk Management Agency.

Agricultural producers with perennial forage crops have the option to report their acreage once, without having to report that acreage in subsequent years, as long as there are no applicable changes on the farm. Interested producers can select the continuous certification option after FSA certifies their acreage report.

For questions, producers should contact their FSA county office.

New dairy research facility breaks ground in Wisconsin

The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and University of Wisconsin (UW) – Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony recently in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, for the construction of a dairy research facility that will expand the two organizations’ long-standing partnership to tackle key issues affecting dairy farms across the country.

Scheduled for completion in 2027 and administered by ARS’ U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center in partnership with UW – Madison CALS, the new facility and its associated buildings will house robotic milking systems, chambers for measuring greenhouse gas emissions, an advanced animal nutrition unit and state-of-the-art laboratories for agronomy and dairy science, as well as offices and a visitor center.

Located on a 42-acre site about a 45-minute drive from the city of Madison, the new facility will broaden both laboratory and field research aimed to improve soil health, forage production, forage quality, dairy nutrition, nutrient-use efficiency, ecosystem services, milk production and resiliency in the face of climate change.

National Mastitis Council seeks scholar applicants

The National Mastitis Council (NMC) Scholars program offers at least four travel scholarships for full-time graduate students interested in controlling mastitis, promoting udder health and improving milk quality. Successful applicants earn an expense-paid trip to attend the NMC 64th Annual Meeting, Jan. 29-Feb. 1, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

To apply for the NMC Scholars program, applicants must complete the application form, submit an interest statement that details the applicant’s interest in controlling mastitis and improving milk quality, career goals and research project(s), and provide a letter of recommendation. Applicants may also share additional information, such as awards, honors and scholarships received.

The application deadline is July 31. Applicants will be notified by Aug. 31, regarding the selection committee’s decision. To learn more about the program and to apply, go to the National Mastitis Council website.

Organic Valley announced plans to welcome 100 new farms in 2024

Organic Valley, an organic farmer-owned cooperative, has welcomed more than 50 new family farms into its fold in the first four months of 2024 and expects to bring in over 60 more by the end of the year. The cooperative has been steadily growing its membership and expanding its supply chain across multiple regions, while staying true to its mission of saving and safeguarding small organic family farms.

Organic Valley’s newest farmer-owners are from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New York, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Missouri and Iowa. Many of these organic dairy farming families are choosing to go to Organic Valley due to being dropped by businesses, switching to more pasture-based organic farming or to create a solid future for the next generation.

The co-op also welcomed more than 80 farmers in 2023.

New board members, officers named

  • At the National Milk Producers Federation board of directors meeting, the board elected three new members: Dave Peterson of Minnesota, representing Associated Milk Producers Inc.; Alex Peterson of Missouri, representing Dairy Farmers of America; and Mike Schoneveld of Washington, representing Darigold.
  • Foremost Farms USA, a dairy cooperative and major dairy food manufacturer, welcomed Joel Eigenbrood, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, as its new chairman of the board, effective April 30, 2024. Other board officers are First Vice Chairman Kyle Olson, Shioctin, Wisconsin; Second Vice Chairman Roger Hibschman, Syracuse, Indiana; Secretary Steve Trescher, Cashton, Wisconsin; and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Jeremy Bratz, Franksville, Wisconsin. Outgoing board members are Chairman of the Board Rick Burkhamer and John Machuzick, independent director.
  • The American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) announced its newly elected leaders for the 2024-25 term. They include: David Everett, Ph.D., a principal investigator with Riddet Institute and adjunct professor at Massey University, who was elected vice president for a one-year term; Michelle (Shelly) Rhoads, Ph.D., an associate professor in the school of animal sciences at Virginia Tech, who was elected production division director for a three-year term; and Laura Colby, a principal scientist in dairy foods at Land O’Lakes Inc., who was elected dairy foods division director for a three-year term.
  • Trudy Wastweet has been named the chief strategy officer for Midwest Dairy, a 10-state dairy checkoff organization.