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By Tamara Scully, NODPA News contributing writer
The financial aspect of making money in the Canadian milk market differs from that in the United States. And the Canadian government’s requirements for organic certification and rules governing organic production differ from those in the United States, too. But cows are cows and crops are crops, and the basics of successful organic dairy production don’t change much across the Canadian border. Here’s a look at one former conventional family Canadian dairy farm that transitioned to organic in 2015, providing insight into the dynamics of milking cows - conventionally and organically - across our northern border.
Read More...posted to Featured Farms on Sat, Sep 07, 2024
Nichols Volunteer Fire Department Hall, 106 W. River Rd, Nichols, NY 13812
The 24th Annual NODPA Field Days returns to Nichols, NY, the site of the 5th Annual NODPA Field Days. A lot has changed since 2005. The meeting site was the closed Creamery, which has been transformed into the Engelbert’s Farm Store, managed by Lisa Engelbert, and the Engelbert’s farm is now managed by Lisa and Kevin’s sons, Joe and John. Come to the NODPA Field Days and see all these positive changes yourself. This location is particularly appropriate because the educational program is all about transitions, especially about farm transitions and transfers. Whether you are anticipating retiring, looking to take on the family farm, or seeking creative ideas about transferring your farm outside of the family, there will be important information and resources for you. Best of all, there will be farm families that will be sharing their first-hand experiences and offering solid advice. There’s still time to register, so please visit /p/132/2024-NODPA-Field-Days or click on the QR code for more information and to register. See you in Nichols! Click here for complete NODPA Field Days information and to register.
posted to Field Days on Sat, Sep 07, 2024
By Dayna Locitzer, DVM
It is a very exciting prospect that meloxicam might soon be allowed for use in organic dairy! This is an important pain medication that will expand the medical toolbox we have for treating organic cows. Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used in a variety of different ways on conventional dairies to improve animal welfare by helping to manage pain. Currently, the only other NSAID allowed for use in organic dairy is flunixin meglumine (more commonly known as Banamine), but because of slight differences in chemical composition they have different uses. Approving meloxicam will provide more options and, I think, better care for our dairy cows.
Read More...posted to Organic Production on Sat, Sep 07, 2024
By Ed Maltby, NODPA Executive Director
On February 6th, 2024, four employees of organic dairy buyers/brands/manufacturers petitioned the NOP to add Meloxicam (a non-steroidal pain reliever) to the National List, as a synthetic substance allowed for use in organic livestock production. This drug would be listed under the Organic Foods Production Act, (OFPA) category Livestock parasiticides and medicines. In the petition, the use of Meloxicam was centered on dehorning of calves and the need to improve the products available to minimize and relieve the pain of the animal during the process. This petition started the NOP process of consideration that is given to every request to be added to the National List. NOP states that this process will usually take at least a year; it usually takes longer. The subject of many media stories, and questions from the media to NODPA, about whether organic products are free of chemicals, is the questioning of the many chemical additives allowed in certified organic production and the transparency of the process that permits those drugs. The integrity of the Organic Seal is tied to the transparency of its process, especially in rule making and use of products in production.
Read More...posted to Industry News on Sat, Sep 07, 2024
By George Kimbrell, Co-Executive Director & Legal Director, Center for Food Safety Blog article, 8/12/24, reprinted with permission
The Supreme Court's current conservative supermajority is not shy about overturning long-established settled law using extremist approaches to constitutional interpretation. This Court has upended substantial societal interests, endangering civil liberties and public protections. You're probably aware of some of the more seismic changes in recent years: Overturning Roe v Wade, eliminating a half a century of legal precedent and the constitutional protection of women's bodily autonomy; repeatedly gutting protections for voting rights and preventing election gerrymandering; radically expanding gun rights; weaponizing the First Amendment to discriminate against same-sex couples and LGBTQ+ protections; upending equal protection law to end affirmative action in college admissions; and making it harder for the government to address climate change and protect wetlands, to name a few. Most recently, creating sweeping new presidential immunity from criminal prosecution.
Read More...posted to Policy in the News on Sat, Sep 07, 2024
By Roman Stoltzfoos
How do you get ready for a farm transfer? How do you motivate the next generation? How do you let go? All these and more questions will be discussed at the NODPA Field Days in September. Hopefully you will come away with some real good ideas on how to begin the process of thinking about passing on what we stewarded so long.
Read More...posted to Industry News on Sat, Sep 07, 2024
Vote No on Measure J
The ballot question named Measure J is: “Sonoma County prohibition on concentrated animal feeding operations. Should the County Code be amended to prohibit, outside of the Coastal Zone, farms and other animal production operations that meet the definition of ‘Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations’ (CAFOs), as defined by federal regulations, require phase out of existing CAFOs over three years, authorize daily financial penalties for violations and require, among other things, the Agricultural Commissioner to create a job retraining program for CAFO workers?”
Read More...posted to Industry News on Sat, Sep 07, 2024
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.
NODPA depends on the memberships of farmers, consumers, and businesses for support of all its efforts — regionally and in Washington — on behalf of the organic dairy farmers.
If you're an organic dairy farmer, consider one of the following: a milk check-off membership or an annual newsletter membership or choose your own level of annual dues to support NODPA. Learn more >>
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If you're an interested consumer or educator, look into our associate membership.
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