Georgia Milk Producers Weekly Enews
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To: GDA Regulated Establishments of Agriculture, Food, Petroleum, Pest Control; Forestry Trade Association; Commission Leaders; and
Land Grant University Leaders
From: Gary W. Black, Commissioner
The
Federal list of Critical Infrastructure
business activities is included in the Order. Many Georgia Department of Agriculture regulated establishments and industry activities are included. No letter of acknowledgement or authorization is required for qualified businesses to operate or travel. The Order does recommend 16 public health related best management practices.
The Order exclusively designates the Georgia Department of Economic Development as the sole arbiter regarding qualification of Essential Businesses. Please direct questions regarding qualifications to the
Georgia Department of Economic Development
at 1-404-962-4000. Your Georgia Department of Agriculture team stands ready to assist you during these challenging times. Direct any regulatory inquiry through the normal channels and visit our
COVID-19 webpage
. We are working daily.
Keep your family safe. Please obey these directions. God bless.
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GEORGIA'S SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER DETAILS
- For a full view of the Shelter In Place Order, click here
- To view the FAQ's document issued by the Governor's office, click here
- For a full list of the Department of Homeland Security's critical infrastructure workforce, please click here.
- We've had several requests for GAC Documentation from members for their employees to use as proof of being an "essential worker" while traveling to their place of business. The Governor's office has advised us that they do not feel a certificate is needed at this time as they are hopeful that a statewide order may help with some of the confusion that has occurred from separate local ordinances. If it becomes evident that this type of certification is needed, we will work with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Governor's Office to offer a consistent and official certification to our members. Temporarily, a print out of the DHS guidance can be carried to show the employees listing, found here. We are sensitive to the anxiety caused by this uncertainty and will remain active as this situation evolves.
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By Beth Newhart, Dairy Reporter
With the US as the new epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic, dairy is among the many industries turning to its local, state and federal government for financial help.
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Concerns rising over farms' access to SBA loan assistance
Signed into law on March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act provides more than $2 trillion in economic stimulus, with $350 billion in dedicated funding to prevent layoffs and business closures to be allocated by the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Earlier this week, SBA posted information on its
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program website
stating that applicants do not qualify for loans if they are an agricultural enterprise (e.g., a farm), which has caused concern by agricultural industry groups.
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Georgia Ag Commissioner Extends Farm Recovery Program Application Deadline
(EXTENDED DEADLINE DUE TO COVID)
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black announced today that the Georgia Farm Recovery Block Grant application deadline is extended to April 30, 2020.
“We recognize that normal business operations across the state have been disrupted or altered over the past few weeks,” said Commissioner Black. “We want every eligible producer to have an opportunity to complete their application with full confidence, while continuing the critical work of providing food and fiber during these unsettling
times.”
Georgia farmers and forest landowners in 95 eligible counties who suffered losses to
beef, dairy, fruit and vegetable, pecan, poultry, timber, and uninsured infrastructure are
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By Progressive Dairy Editor Dave Natzke
Court documents filed by attorneys representing Dean Foods have identified Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) as the “successful” bidder for more than 40 Dean facilities as part of ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.
The documents were filed early on March 31, shortly after the bid submission deadline of March 30, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. Identified by Dean attorneys, the list of “successful” bidders was posted in a docket (#1270) on the
hearing website
. A separate docket (#1271) lists all entities submitting bids for Dean assets and properties, and more than 20 separate dockets list alternative bids for individual Dean properties.
The bankruptcy court must review bids before ruling on bid approvals. Based on the timeline laid out in the court order, any bid objections must be filed by April 1. A hearing on sale transaction will then be held April 3. Subject to court approval, the transactions are expected to close at the end of April 2020.
Read more here>>>
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Why Is This Happening? Milk Dumping Explanation For Non Farm Consumers
By Pam Jahnke, Midwest Farm Report
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You have no idea how difficult bringing this news to our loyal farm audience is – especially for me, a dairy kid and life long lover of Wisconsin agriculture. Since Covid-19 has changed all our world’s, I’ve been asked to try and connect the dots on this latest destruction of Wisconsin’s dairy industry and why it’s happening.
I am not an expert, and we’re diligently working to gather all the facts as I type this – but I’ll give the basics.
Wisconsin’s dairy industry was just looking forward to a slight recovery when Covid-19 hit the world in January. Here’s what it did to agriculture almost immediately.
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Social herding while social distancing
By
Mark Rodgers, Georgia dairy farmer
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Farmers, especially dairy farmers, tend to be more distanced and like staying at home on their own farm. During these times, that is a good thing.
We are all starting to get busy with spring harvest and corn planting season, but it is also a great time to take this opportunity to share online facts about farming that all can relate to during this time of social distancing, particularly terms that dairy farmers have understood for their entire careers.
1. Social distancing
: Take time to record a video and share information on why a lot of farms separate calves for the first few months. Explain why that is important to give the calf time to build a healthy immune system, to help prevent viruses from spreading from calf to calf, and to make it easier on staff to monitor calves as individuals. Explain that they are housed like this for only a short period and then are moved into small social groups once they are past those first critical months of life. Being a few feet apart greatly reduces the chances of virus transmission. Remind them that each calf is precious to us.
2. Herd immunity
: I never thought I would hear that term on the evening news. We should take the time to explain all the steps we take to protect and care for our cows. Dairy farmers understand better than most the reasons for vaccinating your herd to give it resistance to many common viruses found in nature.
3. Critical infrastructure
: This should have already been self-evident, but people took note of that fact when they went to a store and found empty shelves for the first time. We had folks calling wanting to know why milk production had dropped or wondering if we (dairy farmers) had stayed home. I explained our cows were producing the same amount as always. I told them our family and staff had to care, milk, and feed our animals just like we always had. I explained that we were trying to social distance staff at work and explain to staff daily why that is important.
This is a unique time in which we can explain things we do on the farm to care for our animals and how it relates to the current situation we are all in.
We are all part of the human herd. We are a critical industry to the herd. Take this time of social distancing to explain what we are already practicing.
Read more here>>>
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Dairy execs weigh in on coronavirus-related efforts and challenges, Part 2
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As of March 30, at least 27 U.S. states had issued stay-at-home orders, and many “nonessential” businesses had closed. But food and beverage manufacturers, including dairy processors, continue to operate as part of a subset of industries deemed essential to continued critical infrastructure viability.
Dairy Foods asked high-level executives from a handful of well-known dairy processing companies about how these challenging times have impacted their operations. Participants include Mariano Lozano, CEO of Danone North America, White Plains, N.Y., and Broomfield, Colo.; Monica Massey, executive vice president and chief of staff with Dairy Farmers of America, Kansas City, Kan.; Stan Ryan, president and CEO of Darigold Inc., Seattle (with input from other top Darigold executives); Robert Denning, President and CEO of Perry’s Ice Cream Co. Inc.; Ed Mullins, CEO of Prairie Farms Dairy, Edwardsville, Ill.; and Patrick Criteser, president and CEO of Tillamook County Creamery Association, Tillamook, Ore.
What follows is part 2 of the discussion.
Part 1
was published on March 27.
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Farmers Are Dumping Milk in Latest Blow to Battered U.S. Dairy
By Lydia Mulvany, Leslie Patton, and Michael Hirtzer
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With milk prices plunging to lows that haven’t been seen in nearly four years, dairy cooperatives are dumping the product to reduce oversupply.
While shoppers are clearing out milk cases at grocery stores, that’s not making up for the closings of restaurants and schools. U.S. cows are entering their most productive time of the year right now as coronavirus is killing off a significant tap for demand. While some dumping usually occurs during the U.S. spring, this year it will be “even more aggressive,” said Alyssa Badger, director of operations at HighGround Dairy in Chicago
.
Read more here>>>
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By Progressive Dairy Editor Dave Natzke
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The COVID-19 outbreak is affecting milk demand and plant capacity to process it. As a result, reports of surplus milk being dumped are on the rise. While the thought of dumping milk is deplorable at a time when so many people need it, market disruptions sometimes make it the only alternative.
If milk can't be marketed or even used as animal feed, that raises concerns related to where and how it can be disposed. Dairy specialists in the Northeast recently shared information related to milk disposal, should it become necessary.
Read more here>>>
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Hart Dairy partners with Island Ventures to grow supply chain, support innovation
From Dairy Foods Magazine
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Hart Dairy, the largest single-source producer of 100% free-range, grass-fed milk in America, announced a new partnership with Island Ventures, a supplier of specialty eggs. Island Ventures will support logistics, supply chain management and innovation as Augusta, Ga.-based Hart Dairy continues its expansion of better-for-you milk products across the country and around the globe.
Justin Whaley, Island Ventures’ CEO, will also join Hart Dairy as the newest member of its board to provide strategic counsel and support the trajectory of the company’s premium product advancement.
Read more here>>>
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Other Stories to Check Out This Week >>>
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59th Annual Convention & Beef Expo Rescheduled for May
From GA Cattlemen's Association
The 59th Annual Georgia Cattlemen's Association Convention & Trade Show and the 22nd Annual Georgia Beef Expo
has been rescheduled for May 28-30, 2020
at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, GA. All current registrations have been transferred for the new dates.
Click here to learn more>>>
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TO ADVERTISE: EMAIL AD AND CONTACT INFORMATION TO FARRAH NEWBERRY at [email protected]
UPDATED 3/6/20
For Sale: DAIRY HERD FOR SALE IN WAYNESBORO:
AI sired and bred, 50% in first lactation, milking 75+ lbs 2x, 3.9 BF, SSC 150,000, free stall. For more information contact Kent Hege - (706) 871-3821.
For Sale:
Corn Silage - For more information contact Carlin Giesbrecht at 478-494-4007
FOR Sale:
Stretch-O-Matic Bale Wrapper and Mover. For more information contact Carlin Giesbrecht at 478-494-4007
Bull Calves WANTED:
Competitive pricing with 6 day a week pickup. Brandon Mason Cattle Company 912-632-4490
For Sale:
Custom manure application and Dryhill manure equipment sales. Contact Edwin @ 478-299-0717 with Agboys Custom Services LLC - New 8"x52' lagoon pump with outriggers $24,000 (Pictured right)
FOR HIRE
: Custom Silage Harvesting. Late model JD chopper. Will travel. Let me put your quality forage up! Nic Haynes, Muddy H Farms, 678-617-3379.
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