Meeting Recap: Farm Bill, Secure Milk Supply & Dairy Pride Act

More than 100 dairy farmers and industry members joined ODPA for its Spring Membership Meeting. Topics discussed during the four hour meeting included:

• ODPA Report: CEO Scott Higgins and Government Relations Consultant Jen Lynch shared how ODPA is working withstate agencies, engaging in state legislation and coordinating dairy farmers to provide testimony. They also highlighted eff­orts to inform state policy makers of the impact dairy farmers have on Ohio’s economy and how over-reaching legislation can negatively affect them.
  
  
• 2018 Farm Bill: University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Dairy Policy Analyst Dr. Mark Stephenson reviewed current dairy markets, shared his milk price forecast, provided information on how the Dairy Margin Protection Program has worked thus far and o­ffered insights on Farm Bill policy considerations for 2018. 
  
  
• Dairy Pride Act: NMPF Senior Vice President of Communications Chris Galen shared insights on the proposed Dairy Pride Act that would force FDA to require non-dairy products made from nuts, seeds, plants and algae to no longer be labeled with dairy terms like milk, yogurt, and cheese. Chris also off­ered perspective on modifications needed to MPP-Dairy in the 2018 Farm Bill, immigration reform and trade policy under the new administration.
  
  
• Secure Milk Supply Plan: Veterinarian Dr. Bill Yost outlineed the new voluntary biosecurity plan to help dairy farmers protect their business and cows in the event of an FMD outbreak or other infectious disease, while assuring a continuous supply of milk to consumers.

Lunch was provided courtesy of our sponsors : American Dairy Association Mideast, Centerra Cooperative/Purina Animal Nutrition, COBA/Select Sires Inc, Dairy Farmers of America, DHI Cooperative, Elanco Animal Health, Heartland Bank, Hill's Supply, Hubner Seeds, Kalmbach Feeds, Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers, Mycogen, Smith Foods, Stewart-Peterson, and W.G. Dairy Supply, Inc.