Latest NODPA News
By Amy Anselm, NODPA Contributing Writer, of Tioga Family Farm, Truxton, NY
Nelson Martin is the only son of dairy farmers with nine children of his own – and that family dynamic has long been the driver of Country Sunrise Creamery’s generational evolution and continued growth. The farm began as a traditional dairy, over time has dabbled in conventional confinement operations, and more recently has invested in silvopasture and regenerative agriculture practices to arrive at their current system: not-quite-100% grass-fed, not-quite-organic, but perfectly balanced for their family’s goals and values. Today the farm sells raw milk from a milking herd of 35 cows, operates a farm stand, and recently launched a commercial-scale poultry production facility, all on a total of 120 acres.
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posted
to Featured Farms
on Sat, Jul 04, 2026
By: Lia Sieler, Executive Director, Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (WODPA)
The Western organic dairy sector enters the second half of 2026 from a position of market strength, supported by favorable milk prices and continued consumer demand. However, producers continue to navigate significant operational challenges, including persistent drought conditions, tightening water supplies, escalating feed costs, and input shortages. The emergence of New World Screwworm in the Southwest has added another layer of uncertainty, underscoring the importance of proactive monitoring and coordinated industry response efforts. As these issues continue to evolve, WODPA remains actively engaged with industry partners, regulators, and policymakers to ensure the interests of organic dairy producers are represented. Continued advocacy, collaboration, and access to timely information will be critical to maintaining the resilience and long-term viability of organic dairy operations throughout the Western United States.
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posted
to Industry News
on Sat, Jul 04, 2026
By Nora Owens, NODPA Field Days Coordinator
When NODPA Field Days were last held in Pennsylvania, in Reedsville in 2023, we had a great crowd of farm families attend, so this year, when we return to Berks County, just northeast of Lancaster County, we look forward to an excellent meeting and a great turnout. No one wants to repeat the climate and feed challenges that many farmers faced in 2025 so we’ve designed a program that focuses on strategies to make the most of what you have, whether it’s better pasture management, cow health management, and renewable energy strategies to lower energy expenses, or rethinking profit, reinvestment and retirement. Visit the webpage for more information and to register.
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posted
to Field Days
on Sat, Jul 04, 2026
By Dayna Locitzer, DVM
Unfortunately there is a new tick in town, the Asian Longhorned Tick (ALT). Originally from east Asia, ALT was first identified in the United States in 2017 but likely has been here since 2010. It can now be found in over 22 states with the highest prevalence in Virginia and surrounding areas. In the northeast, it has been found mainly in eastern and southern New York, but also reported in isolated locations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine. But, its geographic reach is likely to expand due to a number of factors including climate and habitat change as well as the movement of animals. ALT carries the disease called Theileriosis, caused by the blood-borne protozoal parasite Theileria orientalis. Organic dairy cows have a high level of tick exposure due to the time they spend on pasture and the lack of insecticides used, making it important to be aware of ALT and Theileriosis.
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posted
to Organic Production
on Sat, Jul 04, 2026
By Ted LeBow, CEO, and Lindsey McDonnell, Business Consultant — Good Roots
Succession planning is one of the most consequential decisions a farm family will ever make — and also one of the most avoided. At Good Roots, we work with farmers and food entrepreneurs every day who are sitting on millions of dollars in land and equipment, dreaming about retirement, and quietly hoping it all works out. It doesn’t always. We decided to sit down together and talk candidly about what we’ve learned: what goes wrong, what goes right, and why waiting too long can cost a family everything they worked to build. The conversation got honest pretty fast. That’s kind of our dynamic.
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posted
to Field Days
on Sat, Jul 04, 2026
Dr. Robert Van Saun, DVM, Penn State Extension Veterinarian
Trace minerals and vitamins comprise a very small portion of an animal’s diet (< 1% of dry matter), yet they can have a tremendous impact on animal health and performance. When it comes to essential nutrients to support the dairy animal, cobalt, copper, iron, iodine, manganese, selenium, and zinc comprise the required trace minerals. These mineral elements are only required at a level of milligrams (mg; one one-thousandth of a gram) or micrograms (µg; one one-thousandth of a milligram) per day. It is difficult to appreciate how nutrients required in such small amounts can have a significant impact on animal health and performance. Similarly, fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E are also required in moderate amounts (mg/day). Collectively, these essential nutrients can impact most aspects of metabolism, antioxidant status, and, most importantly, immune function.
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posted
to Organic Production
on Sat, Jul 04, 2026
By James Lawhead, DVM and Leoni F. Martins, PhD., The Pennsylvania State University
Numerous factors influence decisions in grazing systems. Cattle number, land availability, soil types, weather conditions, and animal productivity are some of the key variables directly affecting pasture management for dairy cows. In grazing systems, the decision of when to graze and how much to harvest often considers the economic trade-offs between maximizing milk production per animal and per acre. For instance, increasing the stocking density (number of cows/area) and the grazing intensity may contribute to maximizing the total amount of forage harvested; however, it could also limit the productivity of individual cows due to decreased forage quality.
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posted
to Organic Production
on Sat, Jul 04, 2026
By Ed Maltby, NODPA Executive Director
Total estimated sales of organic packaged fluid milk for March 2026 show an increase of 5.6% over March 2025 sales, as conventional fluid milk sales in the same month shows an increase of 2.3% over March 2025. April 2026 is not so good, with organic estimated sales at 4% lower than April 2025 and a 0.6% increase in conventional sales over April 2025.The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Market Information Branch published estimated national organic fluid milk product sales for March and April 2026, compiled with data from the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO).
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posted
to Organic Pay, Feed & Grain Prices
on Sat, Jul 04, 2026
By Kate Creutzinger, UVM
A collaborative project between the University of Vermont and Penn State Extension is currently recruiting dairy producers in the Northeastern United States who rear calves with nurse cows (also known as foster cows ). The goals of this project are to evaluate cow and calf health in nurse cow systems and better understand the needs, challenges, and priorities of producers using these systems. Participation involves a one-time farm visit, during which our research team will conduct health assessments of cows and calves and administer a short questionnaire about your experiences. Participating producers will receive $50 and have the opportunity to connect with other dairy farmers rearing calves with cows. If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact Kate Creutzinger at 513-218-2721 or Kate.creutzinger@uvm.edu.
posted
to Organic Production
on Sat, Jul 04, 2026
