17 June 2024

Hey E-News Readers!

This is Bethany with Georgia Milk Producers. I am helping Bryce out with the E-News for a couple of weeks as he takes time with his wife Emma to welcome their new baby boy, Ted! Please email in events you would like added to the calendar and/or dairy news stories you want to see in the E-News. 

In this Issue:

• Headlines
• Upcoming Events
• Farm Bill Update
• Georgia Dairy Farmers Invited to ACC for Milk June Meeting

Headlines

articles and press releases of interest this week

• Bird Flu Confirmed in Wyoming Dairy Cattle 
• Iowa Officials Request Additional Aid for Dairies After 2nd Case of Bird Flu Detected 
• Animal Rights Comes to “America’s Provence” and Farmers are Worried
• Vermont Farmers Pilot Virtual Fencing Technology
• FDA Urges States to Protect Public From Risk of Bird Flu in Raw Milk
• The Next Generation is Working to Secure the Farm
• Senate GOP Offers Farm Bill Outline (AgriPulse Daybreak)
• Bulls Are Back in Charge on LaSalle Street
• Two Dozen Companies Working on H5N1 Vaccine for Cows
• Bird Flu is Highly Lethal to Some Animals but not Others. Scientist Want to Know Why
• Montana Has More Cows Than People. Why Are Locals Eating Beef From Brazil? - The New York Times

Your Weekly HPAI Update

Avian Influenza Case Count

Michigan: 25

Idaho: 23

Texas: 18

New Mexico: 8

South Dakota: 4

Kansas: 4

Colorado: 10 

Minnesota: 3

Iowa: 3

North Carolina: 1

Ohio: 1

Wyoming: 1

Epidemiological Investigation Report Released

Early Thursday, USDA APHIS published a report on the epidemiological study into the spread of H5N1 among dairy herds and poultry flocks in Michigan. The study was conducted over roughly six weeks and relies on detailed surveys completed by farm owners and managers of both dairies and poultry operations affected. The report suggests that shared personnel between premises, shared vehicles and equipment between premises, and frequent visitors on premises are constants across many or most of the affected farms and operations. Based on these findings, USDA posits that the links between the affected sites are indirect from shared people, vehicles, and equipment. The report concludes that the most likely transmission of H5N1 to Michigan dairy cattle originally started with animal movement from an affected herd outside of Michigan and subsequently through the movement of personnel, vehicles, and equipment. 

Briefing Paper: H5N1 in Dairy Cattle Epidemiologic Study 

USDA APHIS Epidemiological Report: H5N1 in Dairy Herds and Poultry Operations in Michigan

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

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

• Updated HPAI FAQs
• HPAI FAQS (Spanish)
• Updated HPAI Recommendations for Producers
• F.A.R.M. Program Biosecurity Resources
• EPA Registered Products to Kill Avian Influenza
• US DOL Takes Critical Step in Heat Safety Rulemaking

Farm Bill Update

Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) released the Republican outline for a Senate version of the Farm Bill earlier this week. This is in contrast to Committee Chair Debbe Stabenow’s (D-MI) Farm Bill priorities paper that was published one month ago. The GOP framework includes increasing reference prices in Title I commodity programs, doubles research funding, and generally mirrors the bill the House Agriculture Committee passed in late May. 

Stabenow and Senate Democrats have voiced their skepticism of the Republican plan, but have stopped short of the bomb-throwing rhetoric seen from House Democrats of late. In a statement to the press, Stabenow said she looked forward to working with her Senate GOP colleagues and the House “to finish our work by the end of the year.” This further signals that the Farm Bill may 

With regards to dairy, the GOP Senate framework includes updates to DMC production histories, makes the Dairy Forward Pricing Program permanent, requires USDA to conduct biennial cost surveys by dairy processing plants to ensure accurate make allowances, and directs the Ag Secretary to modify the Class I mover. In a slight deviation from the House version, the Senate framework also includes the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program in the Nutrition Title. This allows dairy incentive pilot programs to allow for additional milk, yogurt, and cheese products to be eligible to SNAP incentive programs like the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentive Program (HFMIP).

Senate Republican Framework

Brownfield Ag: Senate Ag GOP Releases Framework for Upcoming Farm Bill

Ag Organizations React to Senate Farm Bill Plan

Agricultural Commodity Commission for Milk Meeting on June 20

The Agricultural Commodity Committee for Milk will be meeting on June 20, at 10:00 AM in the Boardroom at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, GA. ACCM is the state checkoff board that oversees the $0.10/cwt referendum on all milk marketed in Georgia.

Chairman James Coble invites any Georgia dairy farmer who is interested in attending the meeting to join the Commission as it hears proposals for FY '24 promotional projects and reviews ongoing promotions.

Upon arriving at the Georgia National Fairgrounds, park in the parking area immediately in front of the Reeves Arena building. Enter through the admin office to the right of the Reeves Arena entrance, and the boardroom is on the second floor.

For questions about ACCM or the meeting on June 20, contact Andy Harrison with the Georgia Department of Agriculture at andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov.

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

Best Regards,

Bethany Champion