Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance

Featured Farm: California Organic Dairy Farming: Grazing Green at Cahill Dairy, Ferndale, California Owned and operated by the Cahill Family

By Tamara Scully, NODPA News contributing writer

“It’s a fine line between working with nature and trying to be profitable,” said Zach Cahill, a second generation dairy farmer who co-owns and manages Cahill Dairy, Inc. with his father, Chris. “We monitor every day, to be stewards of the land, and manage employees and animals and keep them healthy and do our best for the environment.”

posted to Featured Farms on Mon, May 15, 2023

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IS SOIL-BASED: A Fundamental Principle Underlying Organic Crop Certification

The USDA organic regulations define organic production in 7 CFR 205.2 as: “A production system that is managed in accordance with the Organic Food Production Act (OFPA) and regulations in this part to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.”

posted to Industry News on Mon, May 15, 2023

Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program

Here is the full NOFA for ODMAP with the $1.10/cwt marketing costs and 75 percent payment to be made to producer and other details. https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-11030.pdf. When you go to the FSA offices to apply for the ODMAP grants they will ask for the following documentation:

posted to Industry News on Mon, May 15, 2023

The 23rd NODPA Field Days, Evangelical Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall 200 E. Logan Street, Reedsville, PA 17084 September 28 & 29, 2023

Farming with Financial Clarity, Confidence and Optimism (Without Digging the Hole Any Deeper)

All producers want to feel confident and optimistic about their farming operations but they don’t always, given their current challenges. The 23rd Annual NODPA Field Days, titled Farming with Financial Clarity, Confidence and Optimism (Without Digging the Hole Any Deeper), is all about acknowledging those challenges and offering strategies to realistically plan for your future.

posted to Field Days on Mon, May 15, 2023

Climate-Smart Commodities: Organic Milk Processors’ Grants

By Tamara Scully, NODPA News contributing writer

The USDA’s recent grant funding program - Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities - has announced recipients from its December funding pool, which was inclusive of projects seeking funds ranging from $250,000 to under $5 million. These recent recipients join previous recipients - announced in September 2022.

posted to Industry News on Mon, May 15, 2023

Vaughn Sherman, 1948-2023

Vaughn Sherman, 75, of Dryden, passed away on April 27, 2023 at the Roswell Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY. Vaughn and his family are long-term members and supporters of NODPA and the organic dairy industry.

posted to Industry News on Mon, May 15, 2023

Ask the Vet, May, 2023: How do you prevent cross suckling?

By Dayna Locitzer, DVM

Cross suckling sucks. It can lead to blind quarters and mastitis when nursed-on heifers freshen. I’ve seen fresh heifers come into a herd and start cross suckling on their lactating herdmates. One first calf heifer nursed on herself. That cow was quickly shipped. Managing cross suckling can feel like playing whack-a-mole. It certainly makes individual housing an attractive option. While individual housing is a viable option to raise calves, the industry is favoring group housing more and more –so it is best to tackle the problem rather than avoid it. It is important to understand natural behaviors and use them to your benefit to help prevent cross suckling.

posted to Organic Production on Mon, May 15, 2023