Vt. Lawmakers Cut Organic Dairy Aid From Budget Bill, But Say Help Could Come By Spring

Mar 03, 2023

By Elodie Reed

The Legislature has removed a $9.2 million appropriation in emergency aid for organic dairy farmers from legislation updating this year's budget.

But lawmakers, the Agency of Agriculture and Northeast Organic Farmers Association of Vermont all say that they're working to get help to farmers.

Farmers and their advocates requested the funds earlier this winter. They testified before House and Senate lawmakers that because of inflation, drought, the war in Ukraine and supply chain issues, the cost of producing organic milk is much higher than what they are being paid.

They said without financial relief soon, they could lose their livelihoods.

The House approved the Budget Adjustment Act (BAA) with that appropriation, directing the Agency of Agriculture to set up a disbursement plan based on the amount of milk organic dairy farmers produced in 2022.

But once the BAA reached the Senate, the Scott administration told lawmakers that the Agency of Agriculture and other market players — like conventional dairy farmers — hadn't had a chance to weigh in on the issue.

The administration suggested moving the conversation to the 2024 budget process.

The version of the BAA approved by the Senate no longer includes the help for organic dairy farmers.

But in a recent committee hearing between House and Senate lawmakers, Diane Lanpher, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said help for organic dairy farmers would be taken up during this legislative session.

"We understand that there is a great deal of agreement to continue to have this conversation in [20]24 as to whether or not there is a way forward, and a plan that I believe is in the works," Lanpher said.

That plan, according to Senate Agriculture committee Chair Bobby Starr, is currently to move a separate bill through the Legislature with funds available to organic dairy farmers as early as this spring.

"And have it take effect upon passage, so that our farmers, you know, they they're gonna need some money when spring time comes around, you know, get ready to till the soil and buy the fuel and, and seeds to do their work with," Starr said.

He noted that lawmakers are also examining longer-term solutions to the crisis, including investigating why companies and cooperatives can't pay more to organic dairy farmers for their milk, and how a federal risk management program currently designed for conventional dairy farmers could also meet the needs of organic dairy farmers.

Click here to see more...

Video: Secure Pork Supply Plan | Prepare to Protect Your Herd | U.S. Pork Producers

Join Jill Brokaw, a third-generation pig farmer and staff member of the National Pork Board, as she dives into the vital role of the Secure Pork Supply (SPS) Plan in preparing the U.S. pork industry for potential foreign animal disease outbreaks. This video is an essential watch for pork producers who are looking to safeguard their operations against the threats of diseases like foot and mouth disease, classical swine fever, and African swine fever.

•Why Should Pork Producers Care?

An outbreak of foreign animal diseases in the U.S. could lead to severe restrictions and potentially result in industry-wide financial losses estimated between $15 to $100 billion. The SPS Plan is a collective effort to prevent such catastrophic outcomes by enhancing biosecurity, ensuring animal traceability, and promoting effective disease monitoring.

What You'll Learn:

The Importance of Preparedness: Understand why being proactive is crucial for maintaining business continuity during an outbreak.

•Enhanced Biosecurity Measures:

Write a site-specific biosecurity plan that can serve as the first line of defense against potential outbreaks.

•Animal Disease Traceability:

Learn about the significance of tracking animal movement and how acquiring a premises identification number (PIN) and using AgView can facilitate this process. Disease Monitoring: Find out how continuous observation and reporting can keep your herd healthy and disease-free.

•Getting Started with SPS:

The video breaks down the seemingly daunting task of preparing for a foreign animal disease outbreak into manageable steps. With free resources available at www.securepork.org, including templates and instructions, Jill guides producers on developing a customized plan to enhance their farm's defenses.

•Expert Insights:

Hear from Dr. Pam Zaabel on collaborating with your herd veterinarian to develop and implement your SPS plan effectively.

•Takeaway:

The Secure Pork Supply initiative is more than a plan; it's a commitment to the resilience of our food supply and the livelihoods within the pork industry. By embracing these proactive measures, we can collectively enhance our preparedness for foreign animal disease outbreaks.