NODPA is the largest grass roots organization of organic dairy producers and has remained true to its original goal of advocating on behalf of producers, regardless of who they sell their milk to, for a sustainable pay price, plus protect the integrity of the USDA Organic Regulations.
By Tamara Scully, NODPA News contributing writer
Russell, NY: George and Linda Wright may have retired from dairy farming, but they certainly aren’t retired. They have been able to directly assist new dairy farming families launch their small farm dreams. The innovative succession plan they implemented is one which has led to new opportunities for the Wrights, for the farmers who succeeded them, and for their community.
Read More...posted to Featured Farms on Sun, Nov 03, 2024
By Guy Jodarski, DVM, Holistic Veterinarian
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently warned veterinarians and farmers to stop using aspirin to treat fever and pain in lactating dairy cattle. In a "Dear Veterinarian" letter* published October 11, 2024, FDA (in part) stated, "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration understands that veterinarians and dairy farmers may be treating lactating dairy cattle for pyrexia and pain with aspirin and wants to clarify that there are no FDA-approved aspirin products for use in cattle. The extralabel use of unapproved drugs in food-producing species is prohibited."
Read More...posted to Organic Production on Sun, Nov 03, 2024
By Ed Maltby, NODPA Executive Director
Meloxicam: This article builds on the article in the September NODPA News which laid out the process the NOSB Livestock Subcommittee took in presenting a recommendation for voting by the full NOSB Board. Approving the addition of Meloxicam to the National List for use of all organic livestock was an issue that drew many farmer, veterinarian and industry commentators, all of whom believed that the drug would be a useful addition to existing drugs to relieve pain. In virtual and in-person comments, the major difference commenters had was the process that the Livestock subcommittee had followed in reaching a decision that the drug could be used on all livestock.
Read More...posted to Policy in the News on Sun, Nov 03, 2024
By Ed Maltby, NODPA Executive Director
Producers report that there is continued movement to different buyers, mostly under Grass Fed certification. Maple Hill reports that they continue to increase the signing of producers in Pennsylvania and New York, with their unique incentive plan, as they expand their supply in that region. They project that they will have over 21 new farms signed on in 2024.
Read More...posted to Industry News on Sun, Nov 03, 2024
By Mary Kate MacKenzie, Farm Business Management Specialist PRO-DAIRY, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University
Financial benchmarking provides a valuable tool for farm managers to assess business performance and identify strengths and weaknesses. Yet information about the financial performance of organic dairies in New York can be difficult to find. The Dairy Farm Business Summary and Analysis Program (DFBS), housed at Cornell University, dates to the 1950’s and is arguably the most robust and longstanding dairy benchmarking program in the country.
Read More...posted to Economics of Organic Dairy Production on Sun, Nov 03, 2024
By Dayna Locitzer, DVM, Columbia Veterinary Services, Hudson, NY
I like to say that it is important to treat your heifer calves like they are princesses because they will become queens. They will become the heart of your farm and the principal drivers of farm income. While it can be complicated to hone in your systems for raising healthy heifers, there are key concepts to guide each stage of heifer development from birth to weaning. The stages that are important to differentiate are: the first 24 hours of life, under two weeks old, two weeks to pre-weaning, and weaning. Each of these periods have unique characteristics that require special attention that, if you are aware of, you can tailor your infrastructure to accommodate.
Read More...posted to Organic Production on Sun, Nov 03, 2024
By Kirk Arnold, NODPA Co-President
I hope this fall finds everyone doing well. For one of the first times in memory, I can't complain, nor have I heard any other local farmers complain, about the weather this year. We have had an overall good growing season, with lots of grass that kept growing most of the summer and only really slowed down this fall, as it has been getting quite dry as we head into the later part of the year.
Read More...posted to Industry News on Sun, Nov 03, 2024
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