Tag: dairy climate

Conservation Roundtable with Ag Policy Leaders Features NMPF Co-Op Farmer

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

Pennsylvania dairy farmer Clint Burkholder, owner of Burk-Lea Farms in Chambersburg, PA, and a part of NMPF member co-op the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, hosted several members of Congress along with other area dairy farmers for a farm tour and roundtable discussion on July 15 on the importance of agricultural conservation.

Clint and his wife, Kara, are the third generation to farm on Burk-Lea Farms, milking 850 Holsteins and raising roughly 700 heifers. The Burkholders strongly prioritize both animal care and environmental conservation, housing their cows in freestall barns with sand bedding and using cover crops and no-till on their cropland to benefit soil and water quality. The farm also has a manure separation system and a water recirculating system to recycle water.

“We are grateful to the Burkholders for their leadership in this crucial discussion about the importance of voluntary, producer-led conservation and sustainability,” said Jim Mulhern, NMPF president and CEO. “Clint and Kara have a fantastic story to tell, and we’re glad members of Congress will have the opportunity to see their farm and hear their perspective.”

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Ranking Member Garret Graves (R-LA) led a delegation to the farm, visiting Burk-Lea Farms as part of a series of roundtables to receive stakeholder input and discuss policy opportunities on environmental and energy policy.

The roundtable also featured representatives of key dairy partner organizations, including Jayne Sebright, Executive Director of the Center for Dairy Excellence, and Jenna Beckett, Pennsylvania State Director and Agriculture Program Director at the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, which partners with Maryland & Virginia on the Turkey Hill Clean Water Partnership.

NMPF’s Galen Discusses Climate Legislation and Congress’ Infant Formula Boost

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF Senior Vice President of Membership Services and Strategic Initiatives Chris Galen discusses the latest climate legislation updates and what Congress is doing to address the infant formula shortage on Dairy Radio Now.

 

NMPF’s Bjerga on Dairy’s Commitment to Conservation

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

 

NMPF Senior Vice President of Communications Alan Bjerga discusses on RFD-TV how a meeting with key lawmakers in Pennsylvania highlighted dairy’s conservation stewardship as Farm Bill discussions begin. Clint Burkholder, owner of Burk-Lea Farms in Chambersburg, PA, and a member of the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, last Friday hosted several members of Congress, including Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-PA and top Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, as well as other area dairy farmers for a farm tour and roundtable discussion on the importance of agricultural conservation.

Given Dairy’s Progress, NMPF Voices Concern with Proposed SEC Climate Rule

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposed rule mandating extensive climate disclosures from publicly traded companies could undermine the dairy industry’s progress toward its sustainability goals and create far-reaching technical and financial challenges for American dairy farmers and their cooperatives, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) said in comments submitted today.

“Dairy farmers are on the frontlines confronting the many challenges associated with climate change and remain committed to making progress to reduce the industry’s environmental impact,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “The SEC rule, as written, could hamper our ability to make progress through the industry’s robust, voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) assessment program, and jeopardize our goal of reaching GHG neutrality by 2050.”

U.S. dairy farmers have been leading environmental stewards for decades, tending their animals, land and water with great care. Thanks to improvements in productivity, new technologies and evolving best management practices, the environmental impact of producing a gallon of milk requires less water, less land and has a smaller carbon footprint than ever before. Still, the industry remains committed to its continued progress, devoting resources to programs, research and services that advance its 2050 goals to achieve industrywide neutral or better greenhouse gas emissions, optimize water usage and improve water quality.

To track progress and reach these important environmental goals, the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program in 2017 launched the Environmental Stewardship (ES) platform. The program provides a comprehensive estimate of GHG emissions and energy use on dairy farms with a suite of tools and resources for farmers to measure and improve their environmental footprint. FARM ES is the dairy community’s platform for a consistent, unified approach to GHG measurement that is free and accessible to all dairy farmers. Currently, over 80 percent of U.S. milk is handled by cooperatives and processors participating in FARM ES.

SEC’s proposed rule, “The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate Related Disclosures for Investors”, would require public companies to disclose GHG emissions, including emissions from upstream and downstream activities in its value chain, known as Scope 3. NMPF cautioned SEC that the inclusion of Scope 3 emissions disclosure within the rule is premature, and risks undermining the extensive efforts the dairy industry has made toward developing trust and buy-in for its voluntary GHG assessment program.

NMPF also emphasized the significant financial burden the proposed rule would have on dairy farmers and their cooperatives related to the collection and aggregation of on-farm GHG data.

NMPF’s Jonker Discusses Net Zero Goals

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

This week is Earth Week, and the U.S. dairy industry is celebrating by highlighting the sustainability efforts of dairy farmers. Jamie Jonker, National Milk Producers Federation Chief Science Officer and Vice President of Sustainability and Scientific Affairs, says the biggest goal for dairy farmers was developed a few years ago to be greenhouse gas neutral, or better, by 2050. Jonker spoke with the National Association of Farm Broadcasters.

Dairy a Sustainability Leader, USDA’s Bonnie Says

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

Dairy has long been an agricultural leader in efforts to enhance sustainability and combat climate change, said Robert Bonnie, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation, in a Dairy Defined podcast released today.

Even during times when farmers had questions about how climate policy was evolving, “Dairy stayed engaged, and continued to look for ways to, advance opportunities for, for producers,” Bonnie said. “That is notable and really important.”

Bonnie in the podcast explains USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative that it rolled out last month, as well as how climate-smart agriculture programs may evolve and expand. He also notes that the farmer signup deadline for the Dairy Margin Coverage Program ends March 25, encouraging dairy producers to participate.“One of the things USDA is really interested in, is making sure we have better data to make that case, to drive a narrative that demonstrates that agriculture can be part of a solution that it already is, that has already done things, and that there’s more to do and that agriculture is engaged,” he said. “I think driving that narrative to the broader public is really important.”

The full podcast is below. You can find and subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,   Google Podcasts and Amazon Music under the podcast name “Dairy Defined.” Broadcast outlets may use the MP3 file below. Please attribute information to NMPF.

NMPF Commends USDA Leadership on Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

From NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern:

“We applaud Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and his team at USDA for working to fashion the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative in a way that will provide significant opportunities for U.S. dairy producers of all sizes to build on their proactive sustainability work. This new initiative will support voluntary, producer-led efforts to increase on-farm adoption of climate smart agricultural technologies and practices. Such efforts are essential to help U.S. dairy farmers fulfill their environmental stewardship goals to become greenhouse gas neutral or better by 2050 and improve water quality while optimizing water use.

“NMPF looks forward to working with USDA to make this program a success —and a springboard for additional achievements.”

Climate Smart Ag Priorities Advance in House

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF’s year-long advocacy for robust new conservation funding yielded another step forward as the House of Representatives passed its budget reconciliation measure on Nov. 19. The bill, now known as the Build Back Better Act, includes a once-in-a-generation, NMPF-backed $27 billion funding boost for conservation programs, with an emphasis on climate smart agricultural practices. This substantial funding will provide producers with technical assistance for sustainability and stewardship practices, which will be critical to realizing the dairy industry’s 2050 sustainability goals, as embodied in the Net Zero Initiative.

The House’s action is no small feat. Democratic leadership negotiated for months to find a compromise that would satisfy the various factions of their caucus while also fulfilling budget reconciliation requirements that allow the measure to pass the Senate with a simple majority. NMPF has worked throughout this process to further the interests crucial to dairy farmers and their cooperatives, both advocating for key provisions and urging against harmful efforts that would undermine dairy’s stewardship goals.

NMPF praised the new climate-smart ag investments in the bill as the measure moved closer to full House consideration. “Dairy farmers have long been proactive land and water stewards because they seize opportunities for innovation,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. “These investments will better position dairy farmers to proactively implement the dairy sector’s Net Zero Initiative and fulfill its 2050 environmental stewardship goals.” Mulhern also thanked Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) for her leadership in spearheading the climate smart ag provisions.

Highlights among the bill’s investments:

  • $9 billion in new funds for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which provides important technical assistance to dairy farmers, targeted toward stewardship practices that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
  • $25 million annually for Conservation Innovation Trials, with the new funding targeted toward initiatives that use feed and diet management to reduce enteric methane emissions, which can comprise roughly one-third of a dairy farm’s greenhouse gas footprint. NMPF is excited for this opportunity to amplify its focus on innovative feed additives and rations that reduce enteric emissions;
  • A new cover crop initiative to pay producers $25 per acre of established cover crop practices to reduce nutrient runoff and soil erosion; and
  • $7.5 billion in new funds for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, which funds locally developed, targeted partnership projects, with emphasis on initiatives that incentivize or target reduced methane emissions.

NMPF has also worked successfully to exclude from the measure proposed changes to the tax code which would have changed how and when capital gains on inherited assets are taxed, including inherited farms and other farm assets. NMPF has actively worked to prevent these changes – commonly referred to as modifying “stepped-up basis” – since they were initially floated earlier this year to pay for the spending initiatives in the larger package.

Thanks to significant NMPF-led advocacy, the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee did not include these changes in its original portion of the measure, and the full House upheld the committee’s decision. “We are grateful that Congress is likely to heed our call and put aside problematic tax proposals that if enacted would have harmed the future of family farming,” Mulhern said.

The Senate is expected to take up the budget reconciliation package after Thanksgiving. The Senate will likely change the measure in some respects, which will require the House to vote on the revised version. NMPF does not anticipate modifications to the climate smart ag provisions or an attempt to insert the problematic capital gains taxes changes and will work closely with congressional offices to ensure that these dairy priorities make it across the finish line.

NMPF’s Mulhern Speaks at Annual Meeting

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

 

NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern speaks at the organization’s annual meeting in Las Vegas, NV on Nov. 16.

Dairy Groups Applaud Major Climate-Smart Agricultural Initiatives Touted at COP26

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement this week that it has joined the Pathways to Dairy Net Zero initiative as a formal supporter. The dairy groups also welcomed this week’s formal launch of the Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate.

These global agriculture efforts align with the approach U.S. dairy is taking to reduce its environmental impact through its Net Zero Initiative, which aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and will help the U.S. dairy industry be an environmental solution now and in the future.

Pathways to Dairy Net Zero is a ground-breaking, multi-stakeholder initiative that aims to accelerate climate change action across the dairy sector. It is well-aligned with the U.S. dairy industry’s own Net Zero Initiative, launched last year, that reinforces its leadership within global agriculture as a source of climate solutions. AIM for Climate accelerates climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation over the next five years by embracing practical solutions identified through investments in research and pilot programs. This is very similar to dairy’s Net Zero approach.

To help demonstrate the U.S. dairy industry’s commitment to sustainability and ensure our farmers, processors and exporters are well represented in this important global forum, USDEC’s senior vice president for Sustainability and Multilateral Affairs, Nick Gardner, was on the ground in Glasgow for COP26 events.

“Dairy farmers are proud to be part of the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative to do our part in driving toward a global climate solution,” said Jim Mulhern, president, and CEO of NMPF. “USDA’s formal support for the Pathways to Dairy Net Zero, which NMPF also supports, will help to further catalyze this global effort by dairy sectors and governments around the world to foster sustainable production practices. We commend USDA’s global leadership in charting an incentive-based approach to encouraging sustainably managed livestock systems that can help feed a growing global population while minimizing environmental impacts.”

“With the world’s lowest greenhouse gas footprint per gallon of milk, U.S. dairy leads the world in sustainability. Yet we’re also deeply committed to making further progress as we work together with others in the U.S. and around the world to create environmental solutions that make U.S. dairy ever more competitive globally,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “Working together and with a firm commitment to the positive role that innovation and productivity can play in the sustainability arena, we’ll be able to help create the sustainable future so important to us all.”

NMPF Pursues Priorities, Poised for Climate Win in Budget Legislation

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF is inching its way toward a significant win in supporting dairy’s sustainability goals, with “climate-smart” agriculture support making its way into a budget reconciliation package taking shape on Capitol Hill.

A $27 billion package spearheaded by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) will help dairy farmers advance their sustainability leadership by bolstering farm bill conservation programs in meaningful ways for dairy. Substantial new investments will provide important voluntary technical assistance to dairy farmers who undertake a variety of stewardship practices. The legislation also includes targeted new funding that emphasizes critical farm practices that yield significant environmental benefits for dairy, notably in feed management.

“Dairy farmers have long been proactive land and water stewards because they seize opportunities for innovation,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “We are deeply grateful to Chairwoman Stabenow for her tireless leadership to secure game-changing conservation investments, with a focus on climate-smart practices. These investments will better position dairy farmers to proactively implement the dairy sector’s Net Zero Initiative and fulfill its 2050 environmental stewardship goals.”

Dairy farmers in 2020 committed in their Net Zero Initiative to become greenhouse gas neutral or better by 2050 and maximize water quality around the country.

Congress and the White House are continuing to work to find a compromise on the larger spending bill as November begins.

The overall spending package, long pegged at $3.5 trillion, is likely to be much smaller as Democrats attempt to fund a wide range of spending priorities while simultaneously addressing policy and spending concerns of moderates. NMPF has been actively advocating on behalf of dairy producers and their cooperatives throughout the process to ensure dairy’s interests are represented and protected.

Key wins for dairy among the climate-smart ag provisions of the Build Back Better Act include:

  • $9 billion in new funds for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which provides important technical assistance to dairy farmers, targeted toward stewardship practices that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
  • $25 million annually for Conservation Innovation Trials, with the new funding targeted toward initiatives that use feed and diet management to reduce enteric methane emissions, which can comprise roughly one-third of a dairy farm’s greenhouse gas footprint. NMPF is excited for this opportunity to amplify its focus on innovative feed additives and rations that reduce enteric emissions;
  • A new cover crop initiative to pay producers $25 per acre of established cover crop practices to reduce nutrient runoff and soil erosion; and
  • $7.5 billion in new funds for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, which funds locally developed, targeted partnership projects, with emphasis on initiatives that incentivize or target reduced methane emissions.

Beyond climate-smart agriculture, as negotiations continue between the White House and Congress, NMPF is pleased to see its priority issues persist in these discussions, including:

  • Investment Tax Credit – NMPF is working to incorporate into the reconciliation package the bipartisan Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act (H.R. 3939, S. 2461). The bill, which NMPF helped develop, would create a 30 percent Investment Tax Credit for methane digesters and nutrient recovery systems. The legislation gained momentum this spring when it was incorporated into the Senate Finance Committee’s larger energy tax marker bill. Now that the Senate has shifted focus to reconciliation, that larger package may serve as the basis for the Senate’s starting position in discussions on the energy tax title of the reconciliation bill. Additionally, the House Ways and Means Committee has advanced key components of the measure in its own tax portion of the reconciliation package.
  • Capital Gains Taxes on Inherited Assets – NMPF and others in agriculture succeeded thus far to protect two current provisions regarding taxing capital gains on inherited assets. An early proposal for how to pay for various programs and projects in the reconciliation measure included changing when capital gains on inherited assets would be taxed as well as altering the basis for evaluating the amount to be taxed (a.k.a. the “stepped-up basis). NMPF and other farm groups have worked to prevent both proposed changes from becoming law, with the House Ways and Means Committee excluding these changes in its contribution to the reconciliation package.

NMPF is hopeful its priority issues will be in the final legislation, although circumstances can change rapidly, especially as last-minute negotiations occur. We will continue elevating the importance of these issues to members of Congress and their staffs as the process moves forward.