Frequently Asked Questions: Organic vs. Conventional Milk

Questions are often asked about the difference between organic milk products and milk products that are traditionally produced. These frequently asked questions can provide insight on the subject.

NMPF Rejects Proposed NOP Regulations for Access to Pasture

In a December 23, 2008 letter to USDA about the National Organic Program (NOP)'s proposed "Access to Pasture" rule, NMPF stated that it would not support the proposed NOP regulations for access to pasture because the proposed rule is neither size nor geographically neutral. Since the proposed rules were arbitrary and not based on any scientific animal health or dairy product safety rationale, the rules could make it difficult for additional dairy producers to enter organic dairy production or cause some organic dairy producers to leave organic dairy production. The full letter is available here.

Included with the letter was the Freeze Free Period Map, 90% probability from the National Climatic Data Center at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The map demonstrated how many regions of dairy production might not be able to meet the proposed NOP requirements because their "growing seasons" are less than 120 days. The map is available here.