Dairy Trade with Canada in Perspective |
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There continues to be widespread reporting about efforts by the United States Dairy Export Council (USDEC), paid for by the dairy checkoff, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), made up of dairy processors, and National Milk Producers Federation (IDFA) composed of dairy cooperatives to call on the Biden Administration to challenge how Canada is implementing the United States - Mexico -Canada (USMCA) Agreement.
However, the numbers published by the three organizations don't add up. The release calling for the USMCA challenge claims that U.S. dairy exports to Canada in 2020 totaled $676 million, while the USDEC website reports that the value of exports to Canada in 2020 totaled $824 million, up 2% from 2019.
In the joint news release, NMPF President Jim Mulhern stated, "For too long, prices received by US dairy farmers have been undermined by Canadian dairy policies." A 2019 study by Cornell Economist Charles Nicholson concluded that dairy exports overall have a minimal impact on milk prices. Dairy trade with Canada alone would be even less than minimal. In their high profile efforts to challenge Canada's implementation of the dairy provisions of USMCA, USDEC, IDFA, and NMPF are focused on a fraction of .1 percent of overall US dairy farm revenue.
Instead of calling on the Biden Administration to focus on trade with Canada, amounting to just a fraction of .1 percent of US dairy farm revenue, California Dairy Campaign is calling on the administration to support effective dairy growth management legislation to stabilize and improve milk prices paid to dairy producers. Last year, in the midst of a pandemic with widespread food chain disruptions, the US added 93,000 more cows – the biggest increase in more than 20 years. California Dairy Campaign is joining dairy organizations nationwide to call for a comprehensive, incentive-based dairy growth management plan, so US milk production is more responsive to profitable demand fostering higher, more stable dairy producer prices. Canada has a system that ensures milk production is responsive to market demand changes, and the US should do the same to restore profitability for dairy producers.
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Class I Losses Continue in 2021 |
California Dairy Campaign is working in coalition with organizations nationwide to call on Congress to fix the Class I price formula. California delegates to the National Farmers Union Annual Convention led the effort to pass national policy calling for:
Legislation to correct the Class I pricing formula so that it more accurately reflects the retail value of Class I dairy products.
The Class I price change in the last farm bill supported by IDFA and NMPF has cost dairy producers more than $725 million nationwide. Read the entire special order linked below:
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Join Our Monthly Milk Pricing Survey |
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We invite you to join our monthly milk pricing survey so dairy produces have more information about milk prices paid across the state and nation.
California Dairy Campaign is in the process of completing the February dairy producer milk pricing survey. The survey provides detailed information about milk pricing each month, monthly price comparisons, and ranks milk handlers based on prices paid to dairy producers since the survey began more than one year and a half ago. (Pictured: milk handler rankings)
For the monthly survey, dairy producers report:
- Fat
- Protein
- Other Solids
- Gross Price
Dairy producers throughout the federal order system routinely share milk pricing information in order to have informed conversations with their milk handlers about milk prices paid. The more milk prices that we are able to include in the report the better to show pricing trends across the market. Thank you to everyone who submitted information about your milk price this month and there is still time to add your numbers to the list.
To anonymously submit your milk prices and to receive a copy of the milk pricing reports from
October or previous months, contact
California Dairy Campaign Field Representative
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Farm Workforce Modernization Act Creates a More Functional, Compassionate Farm Labor System
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WASHINGTON – In an effort to improve the American agricultural labor system, the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday voted in favor of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The chamber passed an earlier version of the bipartisan bill in late 2019.
At the organization’s convention earlier this month, National Farmers Union (NFU) members approved a special order of business urging “immigration reform…that includes a sensible path to legal status for undocumented workers, and that reforms the H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa program so that it serves the needs of workers and family farmers and ranchers.” Because the bipartisan bill addresses both concerns, NFU welcomed its reintroduction, as President Rob Larew indicated in a statement:
“As it’s currently designed, our farm labor system doesn’t work well for anyone involved. Farmers depend on highly skilled workers to help them with any number of tasks, but often face mountains of paperwork and excessive red tape in the hiring process. Farmworkers, on the other hand, lack adequate protections, access to government assistance programs, options for long-term employment, or a clear future in this country.
“The Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a mutually beneficial solution that will create a more functional and compassionate farm labor system. For agricultural employers, it will streamline and allow for greater flexibility in the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program, making it simpler to find and hire qualified employees. For workers, it will strengthen protections as well as establish a route to earn legal status through continued agricultural employment. Given its advantages for both parties, we welcome this practical piece of legislation and advise the Senate to quickly follow the House’s lead by taking up the important issue of farm labor reform. (Source: NFU)
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Tune in Next Week!
Golden State Dairy Management Webinars
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Agenda
Thursday, March 25th
Session 1: Nutrition - 1:00 – 1:50 pm
Almond hulls in lactating cow diets—the story continues. Dr. Ed DePeters
Current science of feed additives to reduce enteric methane emissions. Dr. Ermias Kebreab
What does by-product feeding look like in California? Jennifer Heguy
Session 2: Animal Management and Health - 2:00 – 2:50 pm
Polled genetics- ready for prime time? Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam
Feeding more milk - does it pay? Betsy Karle
To treat or not to treat- what and why? Dr. Richard Pereira
Session 3: Crop Production - 3:00 – 3:50 pm
Recharging groundwater aquifers by flooding alfalfa fields. Dr. Helen Dalke
Realized irrigation water savings from growing forage sorghum. Dr. Bob Hutmacher
Growing sugar beets and safflower as dairy feed in California. Dr. Steve Kaffka
Session 4: Priority Nitrate Management Zones - 4:00 – 4:50 pm
Whole farm balance to identify manure management options. Dr. Deanne Meyer
Getting the most out of your…fertilizing grain forage systems with manure. Nick Clark
Farmers’ guide to Irrigation management automation. Dr. Khaled Bali
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Use this portal to find COVID-19 guidance. The information provided is obtained from state, county, and city sources.
Answer a few questions about your business type(s), county of operation, and current COVID-19 practices to generate a road map of information for your business to ensure safe and compliant operations and/or reopening.
The California Department of Industrial Relations has updated information for employers about COVID-19 Employer Obligations:
Employer Obligations
The FAQ website was recently updated and includes a table of contents on a range of issues ALL LINKED HERE.
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These webinars are open to the public and there is no charge to attend. The link for the webinar schedule is here. A description of the webinars is available in the printable webinar announcement. A confirmation email will be sent to the email provided with a link to the webinar. You will also receive webinar reminder emails and a copy of the webinar slides prior to the webinar you are attending.
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The webinar platform will be Zoom. Please sign up for a free zoom account at Zoom before the webinar so you do not have any issues when logging on the day of the webinar.
- Cal/OSHA Consultation webinars are limited to 1,000 participants.
- If there is demand for additional webinars, they will be scheduled and this schedule will be updated.
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If you have any questions on the COVID-19 webinars, please email [email protected].
For more information Contact
California Dairy Campaign Field Representative
Joe Melo at 209-216-7615.
For more information go to the Cal/OSHA Department of Industrial Relations website linked here.
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For More Information
Contact Executive Director
Lynne McBride
California Dairy Campaign
California Farmers Union
325 Mitchell Avenue
Turlock, CA 95380
Phone: 209-632-0885
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