By Tamara Scully, NODPA News contributing writer
Madison County, NY: If organic certification or certified grass-fed milk ceased to exist in the consumer marketplace, things would stay the same at Rocky Top Acres, LLC, located in Hubbardsville, New York. The 100 head of dairy cows, heifers and calves would still be fed exclusively with forages grown on the farm, and the animals would still be out on pasture, managed in an intensive management grazing system. And they’d never use any pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or any other ‘cide’ on the land. “We just believe in doing what we’re doing,” Chuck Blood said. “There are organic farmers who believe in what they’re doing and have a passion for it and have a deep commitment to the land and the animals.”
Read More...posted to Featured Farms on Sat, Nov 15, 2025
By Ed Maltby, NODPA Executive Director
The harsh reality of the effects of the drought are hitting home for organic dairy producers, especially those in New England and western and northeastern New York. Milk buyers need to step up with an increase in Pay Price for those most affected. While a regional Market Adjustment Premium (MAP) for 6 months is not feasible because of the variation in climate and growing conditions, even within the northeast, milk buyers are the only source of support for producers, some of whom are paying $600 a ton for hay and transport after feeding their winter supply during the summer.
Read More...posted to Industry News on Sat, Nov 15, 2025
By Ed Maltby, NODPA Executive Director
Organic dairy farming is not for the faint hearted. Just when the shortage of supply has increased competition and brought Pay Price up to a level which can be profitable, we have a regional drought that has decimated the region, with browned out fields and producers chasing supplies of hay. Hopefully this does not set producers back two years as they strive to make up for the losses of the past 5 years.
Read More...posted to Industry News on Sat, Nov 15, 2025
By Sarah Flack, Sara Ziegler, Avery Anderson, and Heather Darby
The Northeast Grass-Fed Dairy Project has been doing research, outreach and education to help support success for the growing number of grass-fed dairy farms. Current research includes high-energy forages, soil fertility and nutrient cycling on grass-fed farms, sensory and nutritional quality of grass-fed milk, youngstock rearing and development, farm economics and cost of production and we have conducted several national surveys on production practices and farmer perceptions. Information on how to find results and details from this project is included at the end of this article.
Read More...posted to Organic Production on Sat, Nov 15, 2025
By Ed Maltby, NODPA Executive Director and Lia Sieler, WODPA Executive Director
The Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA) is the largest grassroots 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. The Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (WODPA) strives to preserve, protect and ensure the sustainability and integrity of organic dairy farming, representing organic dairy farms in the western United States. WODPA is committed to advocating for organic dairies, their livelihoods and issues impacting the sustainability of the organic dairy industry. 
posted to Industry News on Sat, Nov 15, 2025
By Dayna Locitzer, DVM
Hoof health is one of the most important aspects of dairy cow health, especially organic dairy cows. The longevity of a cow on an organic dairy farm is dependent on her long term hoof health. Cows rely on their feet to get them to and from pasture, walk to their food, get to water, stand during milking. A lame cow has lasting consequences. She will not be able to do her daily tasks, leading to decreased food and water intake. She will likely not show heats and if you have a bull, she certainly won’t stand for him. This in turn leads to decreased milk production and decreased fertility. Making sure you attend to the hoof health on your farm is integral to animal welfare as well as efficient production of milk.
Read More...posted to Organic Production on Sat, Nov 15, 2025
By Ed Maltby, NODPA Executive Director
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Market Information Branch published estimated national organic fluid milk product sales for July and August 2025, compiled with data from the Federal Milk Marketing Order. Total US sales of organic fluid milk products were estimated at 242 million pounds in July 2025, with organic Whole Milk sales at 132 million pounds, and sales of organic Fat Reduced Milk at 110 million pounds. In August 2025, total sales of organic packaged milk were 236 million pounds, with sales of organic packaged Whole Milk at 129 million pounds, and sales of organic Fat Reduced Milk at 107 million pounds.
Read More...posted to Organic Pay, Feed & Grain Prices on Sat, Nov 15, 2025
By Robert Goodling, Horizon Farm Credit
Beef prices — for both livestock producers and consumers — have been on the rise for the past six years. While dairy producers have historically had limited involvement in the beef industry, today’s strong prices make it increasingly important to maximize returns from both calves and cows leaving the farm. Fifteen years ago, the value gap between dairy calves and beef-on-dairy calves was minimal, with prices typically under $200 per calf. As shown in Figure 1, prices for both dairy and beef-on-dairy calves have climbed steadily since then, but the value of beef-on-dairy calves has consistently outpaced their dairy counterparts.
Read More...posted to Industry News on Sat, Nov 15, 2025
| Name | Date and Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Welfare on Organic Farms | Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM | Webinar |
| December 4 Webinar: Animal Welfare on Organic Farms | Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM | Webinar |
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:
