Recent Industry News

RECENT NEWS & OPINION FROM NODPA

Comment on access to pasture and origin of livestock
A letter from NODPA to the NOP addresses publication of the access to pasture rule and the publication of an origin of livestock rule. MORE >

DC Update, May 23, 2008
Farm Bill Updates, and NOP dairy update. MORE >

The Price of Feed
Added May 21, 2008. The latest organic grain and hay prices in the East and Midwest, plus a pay price/retail price comparison chart for organic milk. MORE >

DC Update, May 16, 2008
The Farm Bill is final on the President's desk, awaiting a veto and then a certain override of that veto. Here are some of highlights related to organic and sustainable agriculture. MORE >

Realistic Expectations: What Are They?
Let's ALL get real about our expecations of price & profit, says Darlene Coehoorn, MODPA President. MORE >

Reading the NOP Leaves
What does the recent reorganization at the National Organic Program mean for organic farmers? Samuel Fromartz speculates. MORE >

DC Update as of May 9
Is the Farm Bill battle over? Learn more >

The Price of Feed
Added May 9, 2008. The latest organic grain and hay prices in the East and Midwest, plus a pay price/retail price comparison chart for organic milk. MORE >

Press Release: April 30, 2008
HP Hood LLC refuses to address increase in costs of production for their organic family farms
Also demands money back for a one month overpayment of 17 cents a gallon. MORE >

A Quick Update from DC re Pasture Rule
April 25, 2008: The access to pasture rule is moving up the review hierarchy in Washington. Click here to learn more about the details.

Interviews with Ed Maltby and Gary Hirschberg On Boston's WBZ Radio
April 22, 2008: WBZ 1030 in Boston ran two interviews on organic dairy. NODPA director Ed Maltby provided the farmer perspective on high fuel costs and their impact on farmer profits, while Stoneyfield's Gary Hirschberg spoke to the impact of these costs on organic businesses.

Click here to listen to Ed's interview.
Click here to listen to Gary's interview.

Why Organic Dairy Farmers Should Learn To Love High Organic Grain Prices
Kevin Engelbert argues that, instead of condemning organic crop producers for finally getting parity price, we should all celebrate. Added April 4, 2008.

ACTION ALERT: Posted March 28, 2008
Stop the Attack on Public Health and the Environment in the Farm Bill
Proposed Farm Bill language would restrict USDA’s ability to prohibit the use of pesticides in certain conservation programs. MORE >

Profitability for Organic Dairy Farms for 2006
Added March 28, 2008. The organic dairy sector has become a haven for smaller family operated farms, but they have not escaped the situation where rising feed, fuel, and other expenses continue to chip away at their profitability. Click here for more on this detailed analysis by Bob Parsons.

NODPA Press Release Inspires Spirited Dialogue On Production Costs and Pay Price
March 14, 2008. On March 7, the NODPA board and members of the FOOD Farmers organizing committee published a press release on the Gristmill web site calling attention to rising production costs for organic farmers--and the limited response to this crisis from processors. The press release brought a response from Gary Hirschberg of Stoneyfield Farm, and a final response from NODPA Executive Director Ed Maltby. To learn more about the issue, and to browse the back-and-forth responses, click here.

Pennsylvania Pasture Lab Update
March 14, 2008. The deadline for budget requests to the House Ag Appropriations sub-committee--which decides the future of the pasture lab--is next week. Revisit our article on this topic and send in your letters of support! MORE >

RECENT NATIONAL NEWS ITEMS

May 29, 2008
German dairy farmers dump milk in protest
The New York Times
German dairy farmers are pouring their milk down the drain as part of an effort to raise prices, which have declined by almost one-third even while food prices have sky-rocketed. The Federation of German Dairy Farmers said as much as 60% of the country's milk production in one day was wasted or diverted in protest of falling prices and the European Union's decision to raise production quotas.
 
May 30, 2008
NZ: Fonterra farmers set for income boost
Source: just-food.com  
 
May 27, 2008
Organic milk is cream of the crop
Newcastle University, UK
 
May 26, 2007
Iowa dairy specializes in local organic market
High Plains Journal
Francis Thicke and his wife, Susan, own Radiance Dairy, an organic dairy located near Fairfield. They milk about 80 Jersey cows now, but the dairy started in 1980 when several families mutually purchased two Jersey cows for their own private raw milk supply.

May 24, 2008
Columbus-area creamery part of growing trend: processor, packager ...
Portage Daily Register
They looked like — well, like a Wisconsin dairy herd. What sets the cows apart, however, is what becomes of their milk. The same farmers who milk the cows also bottle it and sell it.

May 20, 2008
Acura reaches out to farmers
Oneonta Daily Star
Oneonta, NY, USA
Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, made a local visit to discuss the farm bill legislation and what is still needed by area farmers. The meeting took place in the kitchen of Hartwick dairy farmer Clifford Brunner ...

May 21, 2008
Alexandre EcoDairy Farms
Daily Triplicate
Crescent City, CA, USA
Profile of a 10-year-9ld organic dairy where, on the main farm alone, they milk 1400 cows. In all, the company produces 12000 gallons of certified organic milk a day, which they mainly sell to Humboldt ...

May 16, 2008
Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary
Grist Magazine
Consumer food prices are rising across the board, but have reached particularly elevated levels for organic dairy; meanwhile, the price dairy farmers get for their milk changed little, while their cost of doing business has jumped.

May 13
Organic Milk: Are You Getting What You Pay For?
Consumer Affairs
Organic milk is one of the biggest areas of growth in the dairy industry, making up three percent of all US milk sales and growing at a ...

May 10
Franciscan Order cites high cost of feed in decision to terminate organic dairy
Santa Rosa Press Democrat - Santa Rosa, CA
The Franciscan Order's Saint Anthony Farm produces some of the region's best-selling organic milk and butter. By next March, the rehabilitation center owned and operated by the Franciscan ...

April 20
Small creamery has fresh attitude
Wisconsin State Journal
Springbrook Organic Dairy, about 12 miles west of Hayward in northwestern Wisconsin, operates a dairy that bottles 280 to 350 gallons of whole milk a week with 25 cows.

April 2008 Issue
Global barriers to organic field crop production
Brief overview of national and global issues that are holding back further growth in organic field crop production written by Lynn Clarkson, appears in the current newsletter of the Organic Trade Association.

April 18
Sticker Shock in the Organic Aisles
In some parts of the country, a loaf of organic bread can cost $4.50, a pound of pasta has hit $3, and organic milk is closing in on $7 a gallon. ...
New York Times

April 11
Bill would help organic farmers
Legislation introduced by an Oley Township Democrat would give financial support during a grower’s three-year transition from traditional agriculture.
Reading Eagle, PA

April 9
The Food Chain:  As Prices Rise, Farmers Spurn Conservation
New York Times

April 9
What Grocers Teach Us About The US Economy
Forbes, USA

April 9
Resistance to Ohio milk labeling restrictions grows
FoodNavigator-USA - Montpellier, France