30 May 2024

In this Issue:

Headlines
H5N1 Update
In Memory of Max Martin
Reminder: Register for OSHA Heat Stress Webinar
House Ag Committee Advances Dairy Policies in Farm Bill
May Dairy Market Report
MA's Market Bulletin for FO 6 & 7
Upcoming Events

Headlines

articles and press releases of interest this week

Your Weekly HPAI Update

USDA AHPIS is reporting the total number of herds that have tested positive for H5N1 is now 67 herds across 9 states.

Avian Influenza Case Count

Michigan: 20

Texas: 15

New Mexico: 8

Idaho: 10

Kansas: 4

Colorado: 4

South Dakota: 4

North Carolina: 1

Ohio: 1

USDA Announces H5N1 Virus Particles Found in 1 of 96 Cull Cows Tested

USDA Food Safety Inspection Service announced last Friday that PCR tests on cull dairy cows sent to slaughter returned one positive test for H5N1 in muscle tissue. 96 cull cows were diverted from the food supply chain when USDA meat inspectors noticed the animals showed signs of illness at the facility (USDA veterinarians and inspectors are tasked with monitoring the welfare of animals at slaughter facilities and removing sick animals from the slaughter pens). Those 96 cull cows were then tested for the H5N1 virus during necropsy. Muscle tissue samples from 1 of the 96 cows did test positive using a PCR test which does not discern whether the virus was live virus at the time of slaughter or if the animal had been previously exposed to H5N1. None of the meat from the 96 cull cows in this scenario entered the food supply chain. The process by which USDA personnel identified the animals is also part of the routine procedure at slaughter facilities, and the agency states that this is further proof the food supply is safe. Prior studies by USDA have shown that cooking beef to 145 degrees (medium) is effective in killing the virus.

USDA: HPAI Detections - H5N1 Beef Safety Studies

Bulk Tank Sampling for H5N1 Could Be Coming

Reuters has a scoop out today (link in the headlines above) detailing how USDA is closing in on authorizing bulk tank samples to replace the individual cow testing requirement for interstate movement. We are awaiting more details from USDA at this time.

Free PPE Available Through the Georgia Department of Agriculture

While the symptoms are mild, dairy farmers are encouraged to limit exposure of their employees as much as possible by incorporating the use of personal protective equipment into the milking parlor. This can include gloves, aprons or coveralls, rubber boots and boot covers, and some form of eyeware or face covering. It is also important to not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with uncleaned hands or gloves when working with animals (this is a good rule of thumb generally).

The Georgia Department of Agriculture has PPE available to farms at no cost. 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

Important Contacts for Dairy Producers

Georgia Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division

404-656-3667

animalhealth@agr.georgia.gov

Georgia Milk Producers

Bryce Trotter

229-221-3906

bryce@gamilk.org

UGA Veterinary Diagnostic Lab - Athens

706-542-5568

athndlab@uga.edu

UGA Veterinary Diagnostic Lab - Tifton

229-386-3340

dlab@uga.edu

Additional Resources for Dairy Producers

Obituary for Max Martin

Longtime Georgia dairyman and GMP member Mr. Max Martin passed away earlier this month at the age of 87. Many GMP E-News readers know the Martin family well, and we ask that you join us keeping the Martins in your thoughts and prayers.

Mr. Martin was a veteran of the United States Navy and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Georgia before farming his family’s dairy. During his career in agriculture, Mr. Martin was recognized for his efforts to conserve the natural resources on and around his farm. He was a faithful member of Cross Roads Baptist Church of Hartwell and a loving father and grandfather.

To view Max Martin’s full obituary and a slideshow compiled by the family, visit Stricklandfh.com. Donations can be made in Max Martin’s memory to the charity of your choosing.

Max Kendall Martin Obituary

With temperatures climbing into the mid-eighties and lower-nineties throughout much of GMP E-News land, it’s time to remind our farmers that the Occupational Safety and Health Administrattion (OSHA) is continuing its march towards adopting permanent rules for worker heat stress prevention. In a Congressional hearing earlier this month, Labor Secretary Julie Su said the agency will post its proposed rule for public comment later this year. In the meantime, the agency insists it can enforce its heat stress guidelines under its general worker protection provisions.

What is worker heat stress? It happens when workers are exposed to high heat environments for long periods of time without proper hydration or rest. Heat stress can lead to serious medical emergencies like heat stroke, and in some parts of the country farm workers have passed away while harvesting in the fields. To combat this, OSHA has developed a “National Emphasis Program” that is focusing on agriculture and other industries that work primarily outside or in high-heat environments. This includes dairy farms.

OSHA Inspectors are authorized to come onto your farm and inspect the premises for worker heat stress. OSHA conducted at least one dairy inspection for worker heat stress last year. Producers are expected to train their employees on the risks of heat stress and have a plan in place to limit the risk to employees.

Georgia Milk Producers is partnering with AgriTrust of Georgia to provide a webinar on FRIDAY, MAY 31 at 10:00 AM for producers who want to learn more about OSHA’s guidelines and how they can protect their workers and their farm. AgriTrust is a self-insured workers comp insurance program started in 1992 under the umbrella of the Georgia Agribusiness Council. For 30 years, the professionals at AgriTrust have been advising farmers and agribusinesses on workplace safety and insurance matters.

Major Dairy Policies Make it Through House Ag Farm Bill Vote

The US House Agriculture Committee held a committee markup on the majority’s proposed 2024 Farm Bill last Thursday. The over 12 hour long committee hearing allowed for debate and votes on a trove of amendments. According to analysis by Holland & Knight, over 50 amendments were introduced during markup. Notable amendments added to the Farm Bill include:

Prohibiting the use of USDA funds for solar projects incorporating input from foreign countries of concern
Prohibiting schools from purchasing seafood or poultry from China or Russia for use in school lunch programs
Establishing a USDA strategy on sustainable aviation fuels
Updating the definition of agricultural hemp to include only nonintoxicating derivatives
Commissioning a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the prevalence of child labor in meat processing facilities

Amendments to undo the majority’s revisions to the SNAP and Thrifty Food Plans programs were defeated as well as other Democrat-led amendments to protect conservation funds from the 2022 Inflation Reducation Act from being reallocated to other Farm Bill programs and to protect the Secretary of Agriculture’s discretion to use unspent Commodity Credit Corporation funds.

The vote on passage of the amended bill came down to a party-line vote with the exception of four Democrats who joined the majority for a 33-21 vote. Reps. Don Davis (NC), Sanford Bishop (GA), Eric Sorensen (IL), and Yadira Caraveo (CO) voted with the Republican majority to support the bill.

The National Milk Producers Federation and International Dairy Foods Association have both issued statements in support of the House’s actions on the 2024 Farm Bill. NMPF applauded the committee in maintaining the restoration of the “higher-of” Class I mover, updating production histories in Dairy Margin Coverage, increasing Tier 1 coverage limits under DMC, including the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act to allow schools to serve whole and 2 percent milk, and more. IDFA thanked the House Committee for including the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentive Program and Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in its version. IDFA also stated their desire to see the HFMI include cheese and yogurt in future versions of the bill as well as lamented the inclusion of the Class I Mover change.

House Ag Committee Ranking Member David Scott (D-GA) led the Democratic response blasting the Committee version for making “the largest cut to SNAP in nearly 30 years” and claimed the bill “has no future” without concessions to the minority party before a floor vote. Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) said the House version “split the farm bill coalition in a way that makes it impossible to achieve the votes to become law.” It is unlikely that Stabenow would move forward with the legislation if it were to pass out of the House this summer. Given the distance between the two sides at this stage in the process, it is very likely that we don’t see much movement on the Farm Bill until after the November elections.

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

Dairy Market Report - May 2024

The National Milk Producers Federation and Dairy Management Inc. joint economic report is available for May 2024. From this month’s report:

U.S. cheese exports posted a 20 percent year-over-year increase during 2024’s first quarter, a bright spot in an otherwise soft picture for domestic and overseas U.S. dairy products. About 8.1 percent of total domestic cheese production was exported during the first quarter – a very strong number considering that the highest percentage of U.S. cheese production exported on an annual basis has been 7.1 percent. Growing cheese sales abroad is a key part of growing overall U.S. dairy exports. Domestic cheese prices are showing strength following a year of mostly weak performance, partly due to this recent export strength. Meanwhile, butter prices have been mostly closer to $3/lb. than to $2/lb. since the beginning of 2022. Feed prices have moderated considerably over the past year, as measured by the Dairy Margin Coverage feed cost formula. Coupled with slowly improving milk prices, they have increased the DMC margin to around the $9.50/cwt maximum Tier 1 coverage level under the program, with further increases likely.

Read the full report HERE.

Market Administrator's Market Bulletin - May 2024

"Southeastern Market Summary

The minimum order uniform price for payment to producers supplying the Southeast Order marketing area during April 2024 is $22.27 per hundredweight for milk with a 3.5% butterfat test in Fulton County, Georgia. This is .965 times the uniform skim milk price of $11.08 per hundredweight plus 3.5 times the uniform butterfat price of $3.3066 per pound. Payment to producers may be adjusted by location differentials, if applicable, and by properly authorized deductions. Receipts of producer milk during April 2024 totaled 303.7 million pounds. There were 15 regulated pool distributing plants, and 9 cooperative associations submitting reports of receipts and utilization that were included in the computation of the uniform prices for April 2024. Total in-area Class I route disposition was 289.4 million pounds in April 2024, an increase of 11.2 million pounds from April 2023."

"Florida Market Summary

The minimum order uniform price for payment to producers supplying the Florida Order marketing area in April 2024 is $23.94 per hundredweight for milk with a 3.5% butterfat test in Hillsborough County, Florida. This is .965 times the uniform skim milk price of $12.79 per hundredweight plus 3.5 times the uniform butterfat price of $3.3141 per pound. Payment to producers may be adjusted by location differentials, if applicable, and by properly authorized deductions. Receipts of producer milk during April 2024 totaled 218.5 million pounds. Florida producers supplied 181.9 million pounds of milk in April 2024 or an estimated 83.25% of the producer milk pooled in Florida. In April 2023, they supplied approximately 85.36% of the

producer milk pooled on the Florida market. There were 7 regulated pool distributing plants and 2 cooperative associations submitting reports of receipts and utilization in the computation of the uniform prices for April 2024. Total in-area Class I route disposition was 224.3 million pounds in April 2024, an increase of 11.1 million pounds from April 2023."

Read the entire Market Administrator's Bulletin HERE