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đź“° In This Issue:
- Headlines
- How to Protect Your Farm From New World Screwworm
- Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Encourages GATE Participants to Update Contact Information by August 31
- Be Proactive Around Hydrogen Sulfide
- 2025 UGA Dairy Farmer Survey: Antibiotic Use and Alternative Dry Cow Therapies
- August Dairy Market Report
- 2026 Georgia Dairy Conference Registration
- GMP Classifieds
- Upcoming Events Calendar
- 2025 Fall District Meetings
- GMP Associate Membership
| | DMC How to Protect Your Farm From New World Screwworm | | |
The following is from The National Milk Producers Federation.
The New World Screwworm (NWS) is a dangerous pest that can affect livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including humans. This parasitic fly lays its eggs in open wounds, and then the young larvae, often called maggots, feed on the host animal’s living tissue. Recently, NWS has had a resurgence in parts of Central America and Mexico. The United States has taken measures to prevent the spread of screwworm to its borders, but dairy farmers should remain vigilant about monitoring for this threat.
NMPF is working with federal and state animal health officials to help prevent the introduction of NWS and to support dairy farmers should an outbreak occur. As part of these efforts, NMPF partnered with other livestock organizations to successfully advocate for the establishment of a domestic sterile fly production facility, which USDA will build in Texas. To keep farmers informed, NMPF has developed a fact sheet on NWS, available here, and also shared updates through Hoard’s Dairyman.
Why is the New World Screwworm so Dangerous?
Many types of flies and maggots feed on dead animal tissue, but the New World screwworm is especially dangerous because NWS maggots use sharp mouth hooks to eat the living tissue of the host. Because of this, untreated wounds will continue to grow and attract more flies and maggots until the animal is essentially eaten alive.
NWS myiasis, or infestation, occurs when the NWS flies are attracted to open wounds of any kind; animals that have recently given birth, suffered an injury, or had a surgical procedure (such as dehorning or branding) are most at risk. Untreated umbilical cords of newborn animals and foot lesions are commonly infested sites, and even extremely small wounds, like tick bites, are enough to attract NWS flies. Once the flies lay eggs and the larvae hatch, the maggot infestation is extremely painful for the host animal and can be hard to treat. A single infected animal in the herd provides a source for many more flies to infect other animals.
For more information on NWS, signs of the infestation, and ways to treat your animals, read the full article here.
| Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Encourages GATE Participants to Update Contact Information by August 31 | |
The following is from the Georgia Department of Agriculture:
ATLANTA, GA – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper is encouraging participants in the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) program to update their contact information by August 31, 2025, to ensure timely delivery of their 2026 GATE cards. The GATE Program enables Georgia producers to purchase certain items for use on the farm tax free, and has approximately 45,830 participants across the state.
“I want to encourage all Georgia farmers and producers who participate in the GATE program to ensure their contact information is current ahead of the August 31 deadline,” said Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “Our team is committed to delivering GATE cards on time, and keeping your information up to date helps prevent any delays in accessing the tax exemptions that Georgia’s ag community depends on every day.”
GATE Participants can easily update their address, email, and phone number online. However, changes to company name, physical location, or contact person must be submitted by emailing farmtax@agr.georgia.gov or calling 855-327-6829. Updated GATE cards for 2026 will be mailed in early November.
To ensure timely updates and program notifications, all participants are encouraged to keep a valid email address on file.
About the GATE Program
Launched in 2013, the GATE program provides state and local sales tax exemptions on qualified agricultural purchases for eligible farmers and producers.
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Be Proactive Around Hydrogen Sulfide | |
Last week, a devastating accident occurred at a dairy in Colorado involving the release of hydrogen sulfide in a manure pit. The tragedy killed six workers at the dairy. With several farm accidents involving hydrogen sulfide in the last few years, it is important to understand and implement ways to protect yourself and your workers from this dangerous chemical. To limit the risk of hydrogen sulfide exposure on dairies, where manure pits and waste management systems are common sources of the gas, taking proactive safety measures are key. Here are some ways to reduce your risk and safety tips for dairy operations:
Install Hâ‚‚S detectors and alarms at manure pits and high-risk areas.
Ensure proper ventilation and airflow in manure storage areas.
Equip workers with SCBAs or gas masks in confined spaces.
Train workers on Hâ‚‚S dangers, detection, and emergency response.
Regularly inspect equipment and monitor gas levels during manure agitation.
Follow confined space entry protocols and always have a rescue plan.
Review safety practices with employees regularly.
Further Readings:
| 2025 UGA Dairy Farmer Survey: Antibiotic Use and Alternative Dry Cow Therapies | |
The UGA Animal and Dairy Science team is looking for Georgia dairy farmers to help with an ongoing grant project focused on antibiotic usage and alternative dry cow therapies. Please take 10 minutes to fill out this anonymous survey and help the faculty at UGA gather information to measure current attitudes and management preferences around antibiotic use. Your participation will go a long way towards aiding the University's continued work in dairy research and extension. For questions, email Dr. Jillian Bohlen at jfain@uga.edu
Take the survey here.
| August Dairy Market Report | |
The following is from the National Milk Producers Federation.
U.S. fluid milk sales rose 0.5% from a year earlier in June, while domestic yogurt consumption jumped 12.2%. Overall domestic commercial use of milk solids in all dairy products increased 3% year-over-year. Meanwhile, exports accounted for 18.7% of domestic milk solids production, a sharp rise compared with recent levels.
U.S. milk production growth accelerated in the second quarter, with milk solids composition also trending higher. Despite this, stocks of major dairy products held steady from May to June, as did the national average all-milk price. The Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) margin improved by $0.70/cwt, supported by lower feed costs.
At retail, dairy prices have seen little change over the past three years, even as overall consumer prices including food and beverages have climbed at least 9% since peaking in 2022.
To read the full report, click here.
| 2026 Georgia Dairy Conference Registration is OPEN | |
Registration is LIVE for the 2026 Georgia Dairy Conference. The conference will take place from January 19-21, 2026, at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront in beautiful Savannah, Georgia. Join us for three days of education, networking, and fellowship. As the Southeast’s premier dairy conference, this is a must-attend event. Register by visiting our website at www.gadairyconference.com. For more details about the conference, download the Farmer and Guest or Sponsor Guide.
All Georgia Milk Producers members who currently pay dues to the GA Milk checkoff are eligible for free registration to the conference. To register you farm, family, and employees, CLICK HERE. You will receive a confirmation email from GMP with the hotel reservation link when your registration is processed. Use that link to book your room at our discounted room rate with the Marriott Savannah Riverfront.
Feel free to contact us directly at gadairyconference@gamilk.org.
| 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. | |
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September 16 & 17 - Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum
UGA Tifton Conference Center
Registration: GeorgiaAgLaborForum.com
Fall District Meetings
September 8th - 7pm District 2: Doodlum's BBQ, Woodbury
September 11th - 12pm District 7 - Sass! Thomasville
September 11th - 7pm District 5 - Oasis Coffee House, Montezuma
September 15th - 7pm District 3 at Farmview Market, Madison
September 16th - 7pm District 6 - Burke Co Extension Auditorium, Waynesboro
September 16th - 12pm District 4 - UGA Teaching Dairy, Athens
September 18th - District 1 - Farm Tours
October 2-12 - Georgia National Fair and Livestock Shows
The Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, Perry, GA
October 14-16 - Sunbelt Ag Expo
Spence Field - Moultrie, GA
October 15th - Sunbelt Dairy Showdown
Dairy Pavilion - Moultrie, GA
October 28-29 - Southeast Dairy Sustainability Forum
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton at The Battery, Atlanta, Georgia
| | 2025 Fall District Meetings | | |
Dairy producers across Georgia are invited to attend the annual Fall District meetings for Georgia Milk Producers and The Dairy Alliance this September. The meetings will be held in each district across the state. Our organizations will hold district elections; report on industry issues and promotional efforts; and announce upcoming events. Dinner or lunch will be served at each location depending on the time the meeting is set to begin.
To preregister for the district meeting of your choice, please contact the Bryce at 229-221-3906 or bryce@gamilk.org. We look forward to seeing you soon and value the input you share at our meetings.
District 1 - September 18th - Farm Tours
District 2 - September 8th at 7pm - Doodlum's BBQ 18600 Main St, Woodbury, GA 30293
District 3 - September 15th at 7pm - Farmview Market 2610 Eatonton Rd, Madison, GA 30650
District 4 - September 16th at 12pm - UGA Teaching Dairy 1001 Walter Sams Rd, Winterville, GA 30683
District 5 - September 11th at 7pm - Oasis Coffee House 310 Spaulding Rd, Montezuma, GA 31063
District 6 - September 16th at 7pm - Burke Co Extension Auditorium 715 West 6th Street Waynesboro, GA 30830
District 7 - September 11th at 12pm - Sass! 420 W Jackson St, Thomasville, GA 31792
| | Thank You, Associate Members | | |
The mission of Georgia Milk Producers is to support, sustain, and grow the Georgia dairy industry. In addition to our partners in industry who support the Georgia Dairy Conference each January, we are also offering an opportunity for allied industry to partner with GMP year-round, network with producers throughout the year, and promote their companies outside of the conference. Thank you to our inaugural Associate Members, Dairy Farmers of America, FERA Animal Health, and BMO Bank.
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