Tag: dairy sustainability
Dairy Unites Around National Dairy Month
National Dairy Month each June means a chance to celebrate all that U.S. dairy does to nourish consumers around the world and highlight the industry’s success, advancements and efforts to build a better future. RFD-TV’s Janet Atkison hosts a round-table discussion with DMI’s Jessica Learman, NMPF’s Alan Bjerga and Galen Smith, owner of Coldspring Farms in Deming, WA.
NMPF’s Jonker Discusses Net Zero Goals
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
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 Sustainability Priorities Gain Traction with Congress, USDA
NMPF’s producer-led climate and sustainability leadership is gaining attention from key members of Congress as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
NMPF Board of Directors member and California dairy producer Melvin Medeiros testified before a House Agriculture subcommittee on Feb. 3, touting dairy sustainability gains farmers have already made and outlining a path forward for further progress. Medeiros at the virtual hearing cited research showing that producing a gallon of milk in 2017 required 30% less water, 21% less land, had a 19% smaller carbon footprint, and produced 20% less manure than in 2007. He also cited dairy’s Net Zero Initiative as an example of proactive, producer-led agricultural leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“U.S. dairy farmers are environmental stewards. We tend with great care to our land and water to improve the resources on our farms and ensure future generations can carry on our important work of feeding the nation and the world,” said Medeiros, a member of the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative who serves on NMPF’s Executive Committee, in a hearing of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.
“We value a proactive approach to sustainability, which can take many different forms, and we have adapted as agricultural practices and technologies have evolved and improved over time,” said Medeiros, who owns and operates a 1,600-cow dairy in Laton, CA.
Medeiros, also featured in the latest NMPF Farmer Focus, asked lawmakers to support policy improvements that would assist producers in sustainability efforts, with examples including:
- Enhanced funding for conservation programs with greater emphasis on areas like feed and manure management
- An investment tax credit to cover the upfront capital costs of digesters to help reduce methane emissions, and
- Expedited approval of innovative animal feed additives that can significantly diminish enteric emissions.
“NMPF and the dairy producers it represents are grateful to the House Agriculture Committee for inviting Melvin to highlight dairy’s commitment to a more sustainable future,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF. “But as he noted, improving sustainability will also require improving public policy to aid farmers in their critical stewardship mission. We stand ready to partner with Congress to get the job done.” NMPF worked closely with Medeiros and DFA to help strongly spotlight the dairy industry’s priorities during the hearing.
The week after the hearing, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Feb. 7 announced USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Initiative incorporating several key NMPF recommendations. The new initiative, using $1 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation, will provide grants to partners through a competitive process to implement pilot projects that incentivize farmers to adopt production practices that ensure their commodities have climate smart properties.
The partnership is emerging after months of NMPF efforts, including joint comments to USDA with Newtrient LLC as the department formulated the initiative. NMPF is pleased the program reflects key dairy priorities, emphasizing manure management as well as feed management to reduce enteric emissions among its targeted climate-smart ag practices. USDA has also highlighted the need to make the program work effectively for producers of all sizes, which is essential for meeting the U.S. dairy sector’s needs.
The first round of program applications will be due on April 8 to fund larger projects, defined as those seeking grant funding ranging from $5 million to $100 million. The second round of applications will be due on May 27 for smaller projects, defined as those seeking grant funding ranging from $250,000 to $4,999,999.
“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. NMPF looks forward to working with USDA to make this program a success —and a springboard for additional achievements,” Mulhern said.
NMPF Commends USDA Leadership on Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities
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.”
NMPF Executive Committee Member Stresses Sustainability at House Ag Hearing
NMPF Board of Directors member and California dairy producer Melvin Medeiros told a House Agriculture subcommittee today that dairy farmers have made significant sustainability gains and stand ready to serve environmental solutions to make even further progress.
“U.S. dairy farmers are environmental stewards. We tend with great care to our land and water to improve the resources on our farms and ensure future generations can carry on our important work of feeding the nation and the world,” said Medeiros, a member of the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative who serves on NMPF’s Executive Committee, in a hearing of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.
“We value a proactive approach to sustainability, which can take many different forms, and we have adapted as agricultural practices and technologies have evolved and improved over time,” said Medeiros, who owns and operates a 1,600-cow dairy in Laton, CA. “Farmers place a high importance on land and water stewardship, and our family farm-owners continue to perfect these practices through sustainable innovations on the farm.”
Medeiros in his testimony at the virtual hearing cited research showing that producing a gallon of milk in 2017 required 30% less water, 21% less land, had a 19% smaller carbon footprint, and produced 20% less manure than it did in 2007. He also cited dairy’s Net Zero Initiative as an example of proactive, producer-led agricultural leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Medeiros also asked lawmakers to support policy improvements that would assist producers in sustainability efforts, such as enhanced funding for conservation programs with greater emphasis on areas like feed and manure management, an investment tax credit to cover the upfront capital costs of digesters to help reduce methane emissions, and expedited approval of innovative animal feed additives that can significantly diminish enteric emissions. NMPF has previously hailed the landmark conservation funding increases in the Build Back Better Act and hopes that Congress will provide the funding needed to bolster these critical programs.
NMPF worked closely with Medeiros and DFA to help strongly spotlight the dairy industry’s priorities and concerns during the hearing.
“NMPF and the dairy producers it represents are grateful to the House Agriculture Committee for inviting Melvin to highlight dairy’s commitment to a more sustainable future,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF. “But as he noted, improving sustainability will also require improving public policy to aid farmers in their critical stewardship mission. We stand ready to partner with Congress to get the job done.”
Climate Smart Ag Priorities Advance in House
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 Comments on Feed Additives
Dairy Groups Applaud Major Climate-Smart Agricultural Initiatives Touted at COP26
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.”
Dairy Builds Progress on Sustainability as Legislation Inches Forward
Members of Congress continue working on budget reconciliation and infrastructure legislation that, for all of its political challenges, could provide important support for U.S. dairy’s efforts to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We are hoping for a positive conclusion to this process: Strong candidates for inclusion in a final package are important policy gains for dairy that set up farms for new revenue streams and help achieve crucial industry goals. And once those measures are achieved, additional opportunities for dairy success lie ahead.
The biggest emerging opportunity in the current bills before Congress comes under the heading of “climate-smart agriculture” thanks to the leadership of Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow. The idea of farmer stewardship as a climate solution is a no-brainer within farming, but it’s picking up steam more broadly as a way to help farms prosper in a world in which climate change will be a bigger part of federal policy, regardless of which party is in charge. “Climate-smart” often can also mean “conservation smart” as well: That’s creating opportunities to re-examine federal conservation programs in ways that better fit dairy by emphasizing industry practices that can generate and yield meaningful environmental benefits. These can range from sequestering carbon in soil and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to creating new revenue streams from manure management.
Dairy has long supported robust conservation funding, but those programs haven’t always emphasized some of the stewardship practices in which dairy farmers excel most. Ample and appropriate climate-smart ag funding, as an element of the reconciliation package, will move conservation programs in the right direction, creating opportunities to recognize dairy farmers for the great work they’re doing and offering incentives for additional efforts including reducing enteric emissions through improved feed and diet management. That in turn supports the industry’s Net Zero goals and makes U.S. milk even more marketable for sustainability-conscious international customers.
Related to climate-smart progress is the Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act, which would create a 30 percent investment tax credit to cover the upfront costs of nutrient separation technologies as well as methane digesters for a variety of different uses. The idea has found bipartisan support among tax-writing committees in both the House and Senate, and at least parts of the proposal are in vehicles that could be included in the budget reconciliation package. Doing so would create a great opportunity for producers to turn their environmental leadership into a balance-sheet gain.
These initiatives — and other benefits that range from expanded rural broadband to improved roads and bridges — make us enthusiastic about what the bills being negotiated could hold for dairy, especially with the sidelining of tax proposals that could have harmed the future of family dairy farming in this country. And beyond them, other industry goals are on track for success as well. Prominent among them is faster approval of the feed additives dairy needs to meet emissions goals and compete worldwide.
The Food and Drug Administration has long treated animal feed additives seeking market approval as drugs rather than as foods, a more cumbersome regulatory process that’s impeding a potential game-changer in reducing enteric emissions and meeting Net Zero goals. We’ve argued before FDA that the additives, which are absorbed via the digestive tract, should be treated as food. This year, we’re making progress in prevailing. Both the House and the Senate appropriations bills for the 2022 fiscal year include language looking at how we can get FDA to classify these additives appropriately – and importantly, include the funding needed to see that job through.
These gains, along with progress toward voluntary carbon markets and other initiatives, represent years of work from NMPF and its allies. It’s gratifying to see them nearing reality. It’s also important to note that even if some, or even all, of these goals aren’t reached in the next few weeks – if their legislative vehicles get snagged by the back-and-forth of Washington or some components aren’t included in a final agreement – the support they’ve attracted this year positions dairy well for the next farm bill, the writing of which will begin in earnest very soon. Patience will be rewarded.
These initiatives may not get the same attention as headline items like free community college or childcare, but for dairy, they represent real improvements in farmer fortunes. They don’t happen overnight – but they remind us why dairy’s future is exciting, and why even though the narrative may often be that “nothing’s getting done,” the fact is, sometimes progress happens. And we’re pleased to be helping it along.
CEO’s Corner: Dairy Builds Progress on Sustainability as Legislation Inches Forward
Members of Congress continue working on budget reconciliation and infrastructure legislation that, for all of its political challenges, could provide important support for U.S. dairy’s efforts to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We are hoping for a positive conclusion to this process: Strong candidates for inclusion in a final package are important policy gains for dairy that set up farms for new revenue streams and help achieve crucial industry goals. And once those measures are achieved, additional opportunities for dairy success lie ahead.
The biggest emerging opportunity in the current bills before Congress comes under the heading of “climate-smart agriculture” thanks to the leadership of Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow. The idea of farmer stewardship as a climate solution is a no-brainer within farming, but it’s picking up steam more broadly as a way to help farms prosper in a world in which climate change will be a bigger part of federal policy, regardless of which party is in charge. “Climate-smart” often can also mean “conservation smart” as well: That’s creating opportunities to re-examine federal conservation programs in ways that better fit dairy by emphasizing industry practices that can generate and yield meaningful environmental benefits. These can range from sequestering carbon in soil and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to creating new revenue streams from manure management.
Dairy has long supported robust conservation funding, but those programs haven’t always emphasized some of the stewardship practices in which dairy farmers excel most. Ample and appropriate climate-smart ag funding, as an element of the reconciliation package, will move conservation programs in the right direction, creating opportunities to recognize dairy farmers for the great work they’re doing and offering incentives for additional efforts including reducing enteric emissions through improved feed and diet management. That in turn supports the industry’s Net Zero goals and makes U.S. milk even more marketable for sustainability-conscious international customers.
Related to climate-smart progress is the Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act, which would create a 30 percent investment tax credit to cover the upfront costs of nutrient separation technologies as well as methane digesters for a variety of different uses. The idea has found bipartisan support among tax-writing committees in both the House and Senate, and at least parts of the proposal are in vehicles that could be included in the budget reconciliation package. Doing so would create a great opportunity for producers to turn their environmental leadership into a balance-sheet gain.
These initiatives — and other benefits that range from expanded rural broadband to improved roads and bridges — make us enthusiastic about what the bills being negotiated could hold for dairy, especially with the sidelining of tax proposals that could have harmed the future of family dairy farming in this country. And beyond them, other industry goals are on track for success as well. Prominent among them is faster approval of the feed additives dairy needs to meet emissions goals and compete worldwide.
The Food and Drug Administration has long treated animal feed additives seeking market approval as drugs rather than as foods, a more cumbersome regulatory process that’s impeding a potential game-changer in reducing enteric emissions and meeting Net Zero goals. We’ve argued before FDA that the additives, which are absorbed via the digestive tract, should be treated as food. This year, we’re making progress in prevailing. Both the House and the Senate appropriations bills for the 2022 fiscal year include language looking at how we can get FDA to classify these additives appropriately – and importantly, include the funding needed to see that job through.
These gains, along with progress toward voluntary carbon markets and other initiatives, represent years of work from NMPF and its allies. It’s gratifying to see them nearing reality. It’s also important to note that even if some, or even all, of these goals aren’t reached in the next few weeks – if their legislative vehicles get snagged by the back-and-forth of Washington or some components aren’t included in a final agreement – the support they’ve attracted this year positions dairy well for the next farm bill, the writing of which will begin in earnest very soon. Patience will be rewarded.
These initiatives may not get the same attention as headline items like free community college or childcare, but for dairy, they represent real improvements in farmer fortunes. They don’t happen overnight – but they remind us why dairy’s future is exciting, and why even though the narrative may often be that “nothing’s getting done,” the fact is, sometimes progress happens. And we’re pleased to be helping it along.
