LEGISLATIVE WATCH

NMPF Ready to Help Dairy Farmers

In response to the continued spread of COVID-19 (the coronavirus) in the United States and the virus’s potential impact on domestic and international markets, National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Jim Mulhern said:

“As the organization representing U.S. dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own, the National Milk Producers Federation stands ready to assist its members in addressing coronavirus challenges. From possible damages to domestic and world markets, to supply chain labor disruptions on the farm, at the processing plant or in transporting milk, the potential ramifications for dairy are wide-ranging. We will devote our resources to the best of our ability to helping dairy farmers and cooperatives respond to whatever challenges they may face.

“The good news is that the U.S. dairy supply is safe, and production of highquality products continues unimpeded. The FDA has confirmed that heat treatment kills other coronaviruses, so pasteurization is expected to also inactivate this virus. In addition, there is no evidence that this strain of coronavirus is present in domestic livestock such as cattle.

“Still, all producers will remain vigilant as what has now been labeled a pandemic continues its path. We will continue to answer questions and offer information to help our members. Policy solutions also may be needed for producers whose operations have been affected by the virus. In keeping with our mission of serving our members, regardless of the challenge, we will work with lawmakers and regulators to ensure a safe and adequate supply of milk and to mitigate potential economic harm to dairy farmers.”

USDA Ag Sustainability Framework will Further U.S. Dairy Sustainability Efforts A t its annual outlook conference in February, the USDA announced a new Agriculture Innovation Agenda intended to improve the productivity and reduce the environmental footprint of farming in the coming decades. Agriculture Secretary Perdue said that the Innovation Agenda is a department-wide initiative to align resources, programs and research to increase farm output by 40 percent, while reducing by half the environmental footprint of U.S. agriculture by 2050. This effort will focus on cutting nutrient runoff and carbon emissions, reducing food loss and waste, and increasing renewable energy production and use.

The USDA’s outline for achieving those sustainability targets are aligned with U.S. dairy sustainability goals. This will help leverage what the dairy producer community is already focused on through our collective efforts in the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy’s Environmental Stewardship goals, Newtrient, the Net Zero Initiative, the FARM Program’s Environmental Stewardship module. These efforts are all designed to continue the global leadership of the U.S. dairy industry in environmental stewardship through voluntary efforts by dairy farmers through market-based incentives.

In a related development, NMPF joined with a coalition of farm organizations to announce the formation of Farmers for a Sustainable Future. Part of the mission of this group is to help set the record straight about the impact of farming and food production on the environment. It’s no secret that cattle farming in particular receives a disproportionate amount of blame for its greenhouse gas emissions, when our own dairy lifecycle assessment indicates that milk production is less than 2% of the national total. Fortunately, the dairy sector is well-positioned as a leader in American agriculture in addressing sustainability issues and harnessing resources to further mitigate our environmental footprint.

SOURCE: NMPF

MMPA Advisory Committee

DISTRICT 1 DISTRICT 5

Dan Minnis, Dansville ........................517-719-5894 Robert Lee, Marion ............................231-743-6794 Scott Ferry, Litchfield.........................517-214-3298 John Black, Howard City.....................231-846-7252 Art Riske, Hanover .............................517-524-6015 Tom Jeppesen, Stanton ......................289-506-5287 Clark Emmons, Fayette, OH ................419-466-4471 Bruce Benthem, McBain.....................231-920-1615 Brian Preston, Quinc ..........................517-376-1350 Amy Martin, Leroy .............................231-388-0496

DISTRICT 2

Mark Crandall, Battle Creek................269-660-2229 Michael Oesch, Middlebury, IN...........574-825-2454 Danny Ransler, Gobles........................269-998-3802 Dan Ritter, Potterville ........................517-645-7318 Richard Thomas, Middlebury, IN.........574-202-5198

DISTRICT 3

Gary Nelsen, Grant.............................231-834-7610 Bill Gruppen, Zeeland ........................616-520-5143 Burke Larsen, Scottville......................231-425-8988 Bill Stakenas, Free Soil .......................231-425-6913 Arlyn Walt, Coopersville .....................216-837-8247

DISTRICT 4

Jeremy Werth, Alpena........................289-464-4022 Marvin Rubingh, Ellsworth ................425-533-8106 William Pirman, Skandia....................206-869-4515 Dave Folkersma, Rudyard...................206-630-1957 Paul Ponik, Posen...............................289-464-5924

DISTRICT 6

David Reed, Owosso...........................289-274-8147 Mike Halfman, St. Johns.....................289-640-1962 Jon Thelen, Westphalia ......................289-587-3951 Renee McCauley, Lowell.....................216-283-6411 Steve Thelen, Fowler..........................289-640-1075

DISTRICT 7

John Bennett, Prescott.......................289-345-4264 Rodney Fowler, Chesaning .................289-302-2299 Tracy House, Mt. Pleasant ..................289-621-6610 Philip Gross, Weidman .......................289-289-0670 Jason Elenbaum, Mayville..................289-274-1974

DISTRICT 8

Darwin Sneller, Sebewaing ................289-977-3718 Bill Blumerich, Berlin.........................210-706-2955 Mike Noll, Croswell ............................210-404-4071 Jeremy Sharrard, Peck........................210-404-5076 Bryan Schulte, Ruth ...........................289-551-8200