12 July 2024

In this Issue:

  • Headlines
  • Report Your Weather Conditions to Drought Monitor
  • The Dairy Alliance, GMP, and Newtrient receive NRCS Grant for Dairy Smart Road Map
  • Weekly HPAI Update
  • Sunbelt Dairy Showdown
  • Register for Southeast Value-Added Dairy Conference
  • Upcoming Events

Headlines

articles and press releases of interest this week

Drought Monitor

Abnormally dry conditions have led to at least 12 Georgia counties being listed as “severe drought” counties by the U.S. Drought Monitor. The latest data released earlier this morning shows that a great portion of the state is categorized as “moderate drought.” The Drought Monitor, managed in part by the University of Nebraska’s National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The USDA Farm Service Agency uses it to determine which counties are eligible for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program.


An important part of the drought monitor’s calculations are based on submitted data from farmers and ranchers. This provides real time updates to the monitor’s authors to compare with meteorological data they compile with the help of State Climatologists. 


If you think your county’s conditions are not accurately reported in the latest map (see below) click the following link and submit a report to the drought monitor: Submit Report to Drought Monitor.


The Dairy Alliance, Georgia Milk Producers, and Newtrient Partner to Create Dairy Smart Roadmap in GA

Below is a press release from The Dairy Alliance highlighting the new NRCS Technical Assistance grant TDA has received to advance sustainability practices for Georgia dairy farms. Georgia Milk Producers is a proud partner of this project alongside Georgia NRCS and Newtrient.


The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families in the Southeast, continues to be a leader in sustainability. The organization has secured funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Technical Assistance to bolster sustainability efforts on Georgia dairy farms. The Dairy Alliance’s grant will accelerate progress towards the Georgia Dairy Smart Roadmap by 2025, outlining technologies and practices for all Georgia dairy producers, serving as a model for the Southeast.


In partnership with the Georgia Milk Producers and Newtrient, an organization committed to reducing the environmental footprint of U.S. dairy and making it economically viable to achieve, the grant funding will provide conservation planning and technical assistance to 10 diverse dairy producers. This grant funding will accelerate progress towards the U.S. dairy industry’s 2050 environmental goals including achieving greenhouse gas neutrality, optimizing water use while maximizing recycling, and improving water quality.


“Georgia farmers are grappling with considerable challenges, ranging from the severity and frequency of extreme weather events to heightened scrutiny of their environmental impacts,” said Geri Berdak, Chief Executive Officer at The Dairy Alliance. “The timing of this vital funding is more important than ever, and we are deeply honored and appreciative of this grant that will allow us to further our mission and shared goals for dairy farmers in Georgia.”


In the last five years, the Southeast region has experienced an annual average of 8.6 extreme weather events, which is double the annual average of 4.3 extreme events in the previous 40 years. Therefore, dairy farms are operating on extremely tight margins with little cash available to make big investments in conservation planning and projects.


“We appreciate the Georgia NRCS funding this important work to assist dairy farmers in their efforts to reduce their environmental impact and improve the resiliency of their operations to meet the challenges of dairy production today,” added Berdak.


For more information about The Dairy Alliance, visit https://thedairyalliance.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram @TheDairyAlliance.


About The Dairy Alliance

The Dairy Alliance is a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families of the Southeast. We work diligently with dairy farmers, schools, sports teams, health professionals, local organizations, state leaders, the media, and the public to promote dairy foods and knowledge about the dairy industry. Our efforts center in eight states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.



Your Weekly HPAI Update

Avian Influenza Case Count

Colorado: 35

Idaho: 28

Michigan: 26

Texas: 22

Iowa: 13

New Mexico: 8

Minnesota: 8

South Dakota: 5

Kansas: 4

North Carolina: 1

Ohio: 1

Wyoming: 1


USDA APHIS has begun tracking both the overall case totals and the cases from the last 30 days. When looking at just the 30 day snapshot, there have been 54 total cases in 6 states. North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Kansas, Wyoming, and New Mexico have not had any additional cases in the last month. 30 of Colorado’s confirmed cases have been detected in the last 30 days while Michigan, Minnesota, Idaho, and Texas have combined for just 13 cases in that time. Iowa represents the balance of 30 day cases with 11.


The Dairy Herd Status Program (what we’ve called the bulk tank pilot program in past newsletters) now has 8 enrolled herds in 7 states. 


Georgia Dairy Farms Can Get PPE from Georgia Dept. of Agriculture

While there are no cases of avian influenza in dairy cattle in Georgia, Georgia dairy farmers can obtain personal protective equipment from the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Contact your dairy inspector for more information.


Resources for Dairy Producers

Information on Assistance for Farmers Affected by H5N1 in Dairy Cattle

USDA HPAI in Dairy Cattle Resource Page

USDA Order on Movement of Lactating Dairy Cattle

USDA Additional Guidance on Movement Order

USDA Movement Order FAQ

Secure Milk Supply Biosecurity Website

UGA Veterinary Diagnostic Lab Email Guidance


Sunbelt Dairy Showdown 2024

Calling all FFA and 4-H chapters: do you have what it takes to be named the dairy champion? Now is your chance for your students to showcase their creativity, dairy knowledge, and cow milking skills at the second annual Sunbelt Dairy Showdown. 


The Sunbelt Dairy Showdown consists of two separate competitions: the first is a social media challenge where students will create a video or post showcasing the dairy industry and the benefits of dairy foods. The finalists from the social media challenge will then compete for the title of Sunbelt Dairy Showdown Champions during a live cow milking contest at the 2024 Sunbelt Ag Expo. Finalists are eligible to receive free admission to the Expo, a donation to their respective chapters, and a dairy swag bag.


To learn more about the competition and how your chapter can compete, CLICK HERE or scan the QR code below.


Southeast Value-Added Dairy Conference & Carolina Meat Conference coming this July

The annual Southeast Value-Added Dairy Conference hosted by the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative will be held in conjunction with the Carolina Meat Conference on July 30-31 at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.


The conference will feature keynote speakers from University of Tennessee, NC State University, and producer-processors offering insights on all things value-added processing. 


To learn more about the conference and register today at https://www.carolinameatconference.com/registration




GMP Classifieds

Dairy Farm for Sale in Screven County (GA) -

Green Meadows Dairy for sale. 986 acres (600 irrigated), 60-stall rotary parlor, 1,000 cow feed pad, 8 pivots,


Call Leo Ruijne for more details 806-292-9909 or email leo@unitedagllc.com


Special thank you to GMP E-News sponsor Kreeger & Associates LLC. Check out www.kreegerdairy.com or call 517-294-3484 to learn more about current listings and upcoming auction events.


Want to showcase your business to dairy producers and industry professionals across the Southeast and US? Email info@gamilk.org to learn more about how you can advertise in the GMP E-News


Upcoming Events

If you have an event that you would like to see added to our GMP Events Calendar, email bryce@gamilk.org


Southeast Value-Added Dairy Conference

July 30-31 | Boone, NC


AgAware Farm Finance Management Workshop hosted by AgSouth

July 16, 19, 26 | Metter, Moultrie, and Jefferson, GA

Click Here to Learn More


Ag Labor Relations Forum

August 20-21 | UGA Tifton Conference Center

Click Here to Learn More

Until Next Time,


Bryce Trotter

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