GMP E-News: Latest News from GA Milk Producers

15 August 2024

In this Issue:

Headlines
Climate Smart Dairy Project Taking Signups Now
Southern Dairy Business Innovation Initiative Has 2 Grant Opportunities for Producers
GA Dairy Conference Registration is Open!
Weekly HPAI Update
GMP-TDA Fall District Meetings
Adopt-A-Cow Registration Ongoing
Upcoming Events

Headlines

articles and press releases of interest this week

The Dairy Alliance, Georgia Milk Producers, and Newtrient are partnering together on a project to create a climate smart dairy production roadmap for producers in the state. Made possible by a technical assistance grant through Georgia NRCS, this project will provide participating farms with their own environmental sustainability assessment and plan while NRCS will receive a comprehensive review of dairy sustainability projects that can benefit the GA dairy industry and qualify for USDA programs. Got questions? Email Mekenzie Panhans or Bryce Trotter and sign up by clicking the poster above.

SDBII Grant Opportunities for Producers and Producer-Processors

Southern Dairy Business Innovation Initiative is now taking requests for funding for two dairy producer grants: the Specialty Processing Equipment Grant and the Dairy Business Planning Grant. Dairy producers can apply for either grant before September 25, 2024.

Dairy Business Planning Grant:

The Dairy Business Planning Grant will support dairy businesses of all kinds in undertaking planning and learning facilitated by outside content area experts. Requests for funds under this grant should involve one or more of the following:

Leveraging the experience and judgment of reputable industry experts to evaluate the feasibility of a proposed new enterprise, business/marketing approach, process, or major investment
Increasing the applicant's working knowledge of their existing business and/or future enterprise
Gaining a certification, credit, and/or educational experience that improves the competitiveness of the business or its workforce
Utilizing legal services to strengthen the business structure or succession plan

Specialty Processing Equipment Grant:

Established dairy processors or dairy businesses that have conducted and attached a feasibility study detailing their plans for initiating a value-added dairy enterprise are invited to apply for funds to purchase specialty processing equipment. Applicants may also apply for funding for consultant services (for marketing etc.), installation costs, and supplies that support the project. However, the focus of the project must be the purchase of processing equipment that will support new processes and facilitate diversification or increased efficiency in production of finished dairy products. Examples of eligible projects:

A project to fund the purchase of a vat pasteurizer to create a new line of flavored milks.
A project to fund the purchase of a cream separator to produce cream products.
A project to fund the purchase of a new cheese drain table to increase capacity of cheese production.

For more information about these grant opportunities, visit the SDBII website at sdbii.tennessee.edu. If you have any technical questions about the grant you can contact Bryce Trotter at GMP (bryce@gamilk.org) or Dr. Jillian Bohlen with UGA (jfain@uga.edu).

Additional Resources

2025 GA Dairy Conference Registration Open

Registration for the 2025 Georgia Dairy Conference is now OPEN! All guest registrations for the 2025 GDC include access to the Tradeshow, General Session Seminar Series, Pre-Conference Symposium, GMP Awards Luncheon, and complimentary breakfast at our host hotel. Take advantage of our discounted registration rates today and secure your spot at the Southeast’s premier dairy event.

To learn more and register, visit our website at: www.gadairyconference.com/registration.

Your Weekly HPAI Update

Avian Influenza Case Count (Total): 190

Colorado: 63

Idaho: 30

Michigan: 27

Texas: 24

Iowa: 13

Minnesota: 9

New Mexico: 8

South Dakota: 7

Kansas: 4

North Carolina: 1

Oklahoma: 2

Ohio: 1

Wyoming: 1

Past 30 Day Count: 42

Colorado: 26

Minnesota: 1

Michigan: 1

Texas: 2

South Dakota: 2

FDA Affirms (Again) That Pasteurization Ensures a Safe, Wholesome Milk Supply

The Food and Drug Administration released the results of a second round of retails dairy tests for high path avian influenza. The results of this round of sampling and testing showed that only dead, inactivated DNA of the H5N1 virus was found in a small percentage of samples. No samples tested positive for live viral fragments. The agency stated that these results confirm that the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance and dairy food safety programs across the country are effectively protecting the milk supply. The testing was conducted by USDA's Agriculture Research Service. We've linked to an article describing the testing and results in the headlines section.

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

GMP-TDA Fall District Meetings in September

GA Dairy farmers and their families are invited to attend their local Fall District Meeting hosted by Georgia Milk Producers and The Dairy Alliance. Join us for dinner or lunch as we provide updates from our two groups, vote on district officers, and enjoy time together as an industry. RSVP to Bryce Trotter at bryce@gamilk.org.

Adopt A Cow Returns to the Classroom

The classroom gerbel is a thing of the past. Discover Dairy is excited to announce enrollment for the 2024-2025 Adopt-A-Cow program is open now. This engaging program allows teachers, parents, after school groups, and more sign up for their own virtual classroom pet: a 100 pound dairy calf!

The program partners classrooms with a dairy farmer in their state to provide videos, pictures, and fun facts about their class calf. The program curriculum satisfies most science curricula standards and introduces children to animal science, dairy production, and dairy management.

Our local Adopt A Cow farm is Big Sandy Creek Dairy in Morgan County. The Benkoski’s are excellent ambassadors for our industry, and your kids’ class will enjoy learning more about dairy cows from them.

And did we mention it’s free to register? Just visit www.discoverdairy.com/adopt-a-cow to register for the Adopt A Cow experience!

GMP Classifieds

7 Valve Federal Filler for Sale in Hall County (GA) - $30,000

Used mechanical filler for sale. Good Condition. Great for Start-Up Processing Plant. Email gcdairy@gmail.com for more details, photos, and vidoes.

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

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