California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • U.S. Organic Sales Break Through $50 Billion Mark in 2018

    Clean, transparent, fresh, sustainable. Environmentally friendly, animal humane, high quality, social activism. Those traits are all identified with organic, and in 2018 they all helped push organic sales to unprecedented levels. The U.S. organic market in 2018 broke through the $50 billion mark for the first time, with sales hitting a record $52.5 billion, up 6.3 percent from the previous year, according to the 2019 Organic Industry Survey released Friday by the Organic Trade Association.

    New records were made in both the organic food market and the organic non-food market. Organic food sales reached $47.9 billion, for an increase of 5.9 percent. Sales of organic non-food products jumped by 10.6 percent to $4.6 billion. The growth rate for organic continued to easily outpace the general market: in 2018, total food sales in the U.S. edged up just 2.3 percent while total non-food sales rose 3.7 percent.

    CHART: TOTAL U.S. ORGANIC SALES AND GROWTH, 2009-2018

    Millennials are pushing for transparency and integrity in the food supply chain, and they are savvy to misleading marketing. The USDA Organic seal is gaining new appeal as consumers realize that organic is a certification that is not only monitored and supported by official standards, but is the only seal that encompasses the spectrum of Non-GMO, no toxic pesticides or chemicals, dyes or preservatives.

    Almost 6 percent (5.7 percent) of the food sold in this country is now organic. Today’s consumers can find organic products – food and non-food items — in every aisle of their grocery stores. They can choose organic in their favorite big box store, their club warehouse store, even in their neighborhood convenience store, and increasingly on the internet. Organic is no longer a niche market.

    “Organic is now considered mainstream. But the attitudes surrounding organic are anything but status quo,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association. “In 2018, there was a notable shift in the mindset of those working in organic toward collaboration and activism to move the needle on the role organic can play in sustainability and tackling environmental initiatives.”

    “Activism is a natural reaction from an industry that is really close to the consumer. When we are in an environment where government is not moving fast enough, the industry is choosing to move to meet the consumer rather than get stalled,” said Batcha.

    Produce still reigns supreme

    Still the stalwart of the organic industry, sales of organic fruits and vegetables rose to $17.4 billion in 2018 for  a 5.6 percent rate of growth, on par with the growth attained in 2017. By comparison, the overall fruits and vegetables category, including both organic and conventional products, grew by just 1.7 percent in 2018.

    Fruits and vegetables now account for 36.3 percent of all organic food sales. Organic fruits and vegetable make up close to 15 percent (14.6 percent) of all the produce sold in the U.S., and have nearly doubled their market share in the last ten years.

    Produce is a gateway to organic for consumers, especially Millennials and those with young families. Industry experts note that the more people learn about health and wellness, the more people buy fresh produce.

    Popular in the organic produce aisles: the classics like carrots, greens, apples, bananas. Also hitting stride are organic berries, avocados, brussel sprouts, cauliflower and tropical fruits like mangoes and papayas. And outside the fresh produce section, the frozen, canned, and dried vegetable and fruit sections also made gains.

    Innovation is key in the organic dairy market

    Shoppers, especially young families, are increasingly seeking out products made from high-quality simple ingredients from brands committed to sustainable agriculture and its environmental benefits. Those shoppersturn to organic dairyas a trusted clean product free of antibiotics, synthetic hormones and chemicals. But growth in the U.S. dairy sector slowed for the second straight year due largely to shifting diet trends. Still the second-largest organic category, dairy and egg sales were $6.5 billion in 2018, up 0.8 percent from 2017.

    Although growth in organic egg sales has slowed from the strong double-digit growth seen in the first part of this decade, the $858 million category still grew by a solid 9.3 percent in 2018. As more consumers get into organic, organic egg demand is expected to continue growing.

    But where skim milk and low fat products were not so long ago favored by consumers, products high in healthy fats and protein are now popular. Many Millennials have also moved away from livestock-based products toward plant-based foods and beverages. Experts said that to satisfy today’s consumer, the importance of innovation in the organic dairy sector has never been greater. In 2018, the industry responded with milk beverages with increased protein, more full-fat dairy products, new flavors and grass-fed products.

    Organic reaching far beyond food

    Consumers are making the connection that the same reasons they choose to eat organic food apply to the non-food products they use–whether napkins for their dinner table, food for their pets, lotions they put on their skin or the supplements they ingest. Consumers want clean labels and to reduce the chemical load on their bodies. Millennials also have a higher awareness around supply chain transparency and sustainability. All of these factors bode well for the future of the organic non-food industry.

    In 2018, the organic non-food category reached $4.6 billion in sales with a growth rate of 10.6 percent. This rate is both well above the 7.4 percent growth rate reported in 2017, and the 3.6 percent growth rate reported in 2018 for the overall non-food industry (conventional and organic combined).

    The strongest growth came from fiber, the largest of the non-food categories, which accounts for 40 percent of the organic non-food market. In 2018, fiber recorded $1.8 billion in sales, up from $1.6 billion in 2017.

    An organic outlook of innovation and activism

    The outlook for organic is not without its challenges, but all expectations are that innovation and activism by the organic industry will continue to build as the sector works to maintain the credibility of the Organic seal and the trust of consumers.

    “Organic is in a unique and tough environment. The government is slowing the advancement of the organic standard, but the positive news is that industry is finding ways to innovate and get closer to the consumer without walking away from the organic program—the sector is innovating yet requiring that federal organic be in place,” said Batcha. “So, whether it’s grass-fed, regenerative, or Global Organic Textile Standard certified, they all have to be organic. The industry is committed to standards and giving consumers what they want.”

    This year’s survey was conducted from January through April 2019 and produced on behalf of the Organic Trade Association byNutrition Business Journal (NBJ). More than 200 companies completed a significant portion of the in-depth survey. Executive summaries of the survey are available to the media upon request. The full report can be purchased online.

  • Harder Leads Bipartisan Coalition to Protect Local Farmers from China Tariffs

    WASHINGTON – Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) is leading a bipartisan group of lawmakers from across the country in an effort to ensure that Central Valley specialty crop growers aren’t again left out of a critical aid program provided to farmers harmed by Chinese tariffs. Although the ongoing trade war has cost the California walnut industry over $600 million, walnut farmers were not covered by the last Market Facilitation Program (MFP). Rep. Harder led a letter with Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-10) and 14 other members of Congress who represent districts that rely on specialty crops directly to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue asking that these crops, including walnuts, be included in the next trade mitigation package.

    “Our walnut growers can’t become collateral damage in this trade war – our local folks have already lost millions in revenue and were left out of the last round of funding,” said Rep. Harder. “Walnut producers don’t want to have to rely on bailouts, but if farmers of other crops are getting a hand, we want to make sure our farmers qualify as well. We need the USDA to work for Central Valley farmers – that means providing critical support to help blunt the impact of these tariffs.”

    “Although my specialty crop producers on the central coast of California want long term business and not short term bailouts, all farmers affected by China’s retaliatory tariffs should be included in the forthcoming USDA trade mitigation package,” said Rep. Panetta.

    “The Administration must bring this trade war to an end. California’s farmers and ranchers have been hit hard and USDA’s initial trade relief package did little to make them whole,” said Jim Costa, Chairman of the Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee. “As Chairman of the Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee, I urge Sec. Perdue to fully take the needs of California’s specialty crop growers, as well as dairy farmers, into account for this second attempt.”

    “Family farmers deserve to be served equally when caught in the middle of a trade war,” said Jamie Johansson, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation. “It’s vital that USDA works closely to ensure that producers of all impacted commodities are fairly represented in a relief package. We applaud this bipartisan effort to bring attention to the needs of California agriculture.”

    The last MFP program included many crops valuable to the Central Valley agriculture industry, but walnuts were not included. After the Chinese announced another round of retaliatory tariffs this week, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) elected to provide additional assistance to farmers who are hurt from the volatile trade market. The coalition of representatives has asked that the USDA include specialty crops, including walnuts specifically, in the expanded program.

    The text of the letter is below and an original copy is available here.

     

    Dear Secretary Perdue,

    Thank you for your leadership supporting our nation’s farmers and overseeing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). We appreciate the opportunity to work together to help our agriculture communities thrive. We understand that the USDA is actively working on another trade aid package to assist our farmers. We ask that as your office creates this trade mitigation package, it ensures that all specialty crops are included.

    Farmers are the bedrock of our rural economy, representing one of our nation’s top industries. They are navigating declining commodity prices and unstable trade markets all the while net farm income continues to fall. Our farmers deserve predictability in national trade policies, especially given the impact of trade deals on the agricultural economy. As these trade negotiations and tariff issues persist, it is important to ensure the needs of fruit, vegetable and tree nut producers are heard and reflected in these policies.

    As you know, the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) was created to help those who were directly impacted by foreign retaliatory tariffs and the loss of traditional export markets. MFP helped address the financial sting of tariffs for some farmers, but the reality is that many were consciously left out of this program, such as walnut and table grape growers. While we were pleased to see sweet cherries and almonds added to the MFP, there are many other specialty crops that have suffered from the ongoing trade disputes that deserve to be included in the next trade assistance package. As a result we request that specialty crop farmers receive direct assistance payments in a similar fashion to their program crop brethren.

    Additionally, we would like to express our support in expanding any export promotion program that may be a component in the trade package USDA is developing. Specialty crop growers throughout the country have spent decades developing these markets that are now at risk. As such they will need to rely heavily on export promotion and market retention efforts to stay competitive. Furthermore, with higher than average adjusted gross incomes, we anticipate not all our growers will be able to access a direct payment option, should one be made available to them. We therefore request all unused direct payment funds be reallocated towards the export promotion component of the trade assistance package (with that money maintained for the respective specialty crop).

    Thank you, Secretary Perdue, for your attention to this important issue. We look forward to working with you.

  • California Milk Advisory Board 2019 Executive Committee Officers

    TRACY, Calif.— May 21, 2019 — Newly elected 2019 officers of the California Milk Advisory Board Executive Committee are (top row, left to right): Treasurer David Vander Schaaf of Stockton, Member-at-Large Renae DeJager of Chowchilla. Shown in the bottom row (left to right): Member-at-Large Megan Silva of Escalon, Chairman Josh Zonneveld of Laton, Secretary Essie Bootsma of Lakeview, Member-at-Large Kirsten Areias of Los Banos. Vice Chairman, Tony Louters of Merced, not shown.

    For further information, please contact Jennifer Giambroni, Director of Communications
    (209) 690-8244, jgiambroni@cmab.net.

    About Real California Milk/the California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Departmentof Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s more than 1,300 dairy families and is one of thelargest agricultural marketing boards in the United States. With a mission to increase demand for products made with Real California Milk, the CMAB is celebrating 50 years in 2019 promoting California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

    Real California Milk Logo

     

     

  • Tulare Crop Report (For the Week Ending May 25, 2019)

    SMALL GRAINS AND OTHER FIELD CROPS:

    Winter wheat is being green-chopped for silage; some is being dried, with harvest nearing completion. Harvestedfields are being disked and planted to silage or other forage crops. Alfalfa fields are making excellent progress; andbeing cut, dried, and baled. Corn continues being planted, and earlier planted fields are growing well. Local dairiescontinue to cut oats for silage and baled hay. Cotton continues to germinate and grow well. Newly planted fields ofBlack-eyed beans are starting to germinate. Recent rains are helping their growth.

    DECIDUOUS TREE FRUITS, NUTS, AND GRAPES:

    Late spring rains and hail have stone fruit growers worried about the quality of fruit they may have available forexport markets. Early varieties of peaches, nectarines and apricots are being picked and packed for both domesticand international consumers. Harvested peaches are being exported to Taiwan, Brazil, Costa Rica, the Philippines,and Canada. Nectarines are being harvested and packed for domestic markets, with exports to Costa Rica, Canada,and Brazil. Apricots are being harvested as well, with some domestic shipments and exports to Canada and thePhilippines. . Hand-thinning of late variety stone fruit trees is continuing. Cherries continue to be picked and packedfor domestic outlets. Intermittent rain has slowed down harvest. Walnuts and pistachios are still blooming. Lastseason’s pistachio nuts continue to be exported to Europe, Italy, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, andIsrael. Almonds are still being sent to Japan, Korea, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, the Netherlands, Israel, NewZealand, Hong Kong, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Russia, and India. Pecans are being exported to the UnitedKingdom and Israel. Pomegranates are starting to bloom in most locations.

    CITRUS, AVOCADOS, AND OLIVES:

    Late navel oranges are still being packed for domestic markets, with some exports to Japan, China, Taiwan, and theDominican Republic. Star Ruby grapefruit are being picked and exported to Japan, Mexico, Panama, El Salvador,and Korea. Grapefruit harvest is expected to slow down. Valencia oranges continue to be harvested and exported forboth the domestic and international markets. International exports for Valencia’s continue to Korea, Singapore,Taiwan, Malaysia, and Japan. Seedless tangerine groves remain netted for the duration of bloom. Mechanicalmaintenance for citrus groves continues with orchards being thinned, topped, and/or skirted. Lemons continue to beharvested for domestic markets. Lemons are being exported to Japan, Korea, and Mexico. Olive orchards are in fullbloom, with some pruning taking place to thin out the trees.

    VEGETABLES, MELONS, AND BERRIES:

    Summer vegetables continue to grow and the fields are being prepped for harvest. Early planted melons are beingpicked and shipped domestically. Zucchini is being harvested. Strawberry and blueberry growers are picking theirlocally grown berries for sale to the public and for export. Blueberries are still being exported to Canada and Taiwan.Ground preparation for summer vegetable fields continues, weather permitting.

    LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY:

    Rangeland forage continues to remain in good condition. Late season rains have benefitted the growth of grasses andforbs. Forecasted rain this week will provide an added boost to forage quality. Cool and wet conditions arebenefiting grazing conditions for local cattlemen.

    ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

    Wholesale nursery shipments have slowed down, with less demand from retail outlets as summer approaches. Mature olive trees are being dug from groves and sold for use in landscaping. Bare roots roses are being sent toHawaii.Prepared by:Tom TuckerTulare County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

  • Video Series on Vegetable Production of the Future

    A 26-episode weekly video series has debuted on YouTube to help train the next generation of vegetable crop workers and increase their use of effective stewardship practices in vegetable production.

    Projections for near-future retirements of people working in California’s agricultural production, marketing and post-harvest handling sectors indicate severe re-staffing needs in the coming years. Technological advances have reduced manual labor in agriculture, but increased the need for skilled labor to maintain the sustainability of the vegetable industry.

    The video series is offered on the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) YouTube page on a playlist titled “Expanding the Capacity and Training of a New Generation of California Vegetable Producers.” UC ANR is the outreach arm of the University of California which, among other services, provides agricultural research, teaching and advising in all California counties.

    The project received financial support from the CDFA’s Specialty Crops Block Grant Program. 

  • California Crop Weather (Week Ending: May 19, 2019)

    WEATHER

    Temperature highs ranged from the low 50s to mid 70s in the mountains, low 60s to high 80s along the coast, mid 60s to low 90s in the valley, and mid 70s to low 100s in the desert. Temperature lows ranged from the low 30s to mid 30s in the mountain, mid 30s to low 60s in the desert, low 40s to low 50s along the coast, and mid 40s to mid 50s in the valley.

    FIELD CROPS

    Sunflowers were planted and wheat harvest will begin soon in Imperial County. In the Sacramento Valley, winter wheat progressed well. Corn continued to be planted in Kings County. Alfalfa harvest continued. Blackeye peas were planted. In Tulare County, wheat, alfalfa, and oats were harvested. Silage crops were being cut. Corn and cotton continued to be planted.

    FRUIT CROPS

    Stone fruit thinning was on going as late season immature fruit developed. Early varieties of apricot, peach, and nectarine were harvested. Though intermittent rain hampered harvest, cherry harvest continued at an accelerated rate with the forecast of more rain. Nutrient sprays and pesticides, herbicides and fungicides were applied to orchards and vineyards. Mechanical vineyard maintenance continued. Shoot thinning and positioning were also underway in grape vineyards. Late Navel orange quality declined and harvest was wrapping up for the season. Star Ruby grapefruit were harvested. Seedless tangerinesremained netted for the bloom. Valencia and lemon harvesting continued. Citrus groves were thinned, topped and skirted. Olive bloom was progressing well. Some olive trees were pruned.

    NUT CROPS

    Almonds were sizing well. Walnut and pistachio bloom continued. Young nut orchard floors were mowed and irrigations systems repaired.

    VEGETABLE CROPS

    In the Sacramento Valley, asparagus harvest continued. Tomatoes for processing continued to be planted. In Imperial County, onions progressed well. Broccoli, asparagus, and carrot harvests concluded in Fresno County.

    LIVESTOCK

    Foothill rangeland and non-irrigated pasture were in good to fair condition. Late season precipitation benefitted grass and forb growth. Sheep grazed in fallow fields. Some bees were moved out of state Crop Weather Report, while others were moved to kiwi vineyards and melon fields for pollination.

    Crop Report Chart

  • California Dairy Family Provides Habitat for 25,000 Imperiled Birds

    MERCED, Calif., May 21, 2019 – A Merced dairy family is playing a key role in protecting imperiled Tricolored Blackbirds, a California-native species federally listed as a Bird of Conservation Concern and as a State of California Threatened Species.

    A large colony of the birds has been nesting at Diamond J Dairy since late March, and Luciana and Wiebren Jonkman halted their silage harvest to allow the birds to complete their nesting cycle. Now the colony, which peaked at 25,000 birds, is nearing completion. California Dairy Provides a Home

    “At least 10 percent of this entire species is nesting on this one Merced farm,” said Aaron Rives, soil conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Merced. “Without the help of the farmers, this species could be set back for years. And once it’s gone, that’s forever.”

    Because Tricolored Blackbirds are colonial nesters, thousands of birds may impact—and beimpacted by—farming operations near their nests. By delaying harvest farmers can allow theyoung birds to safely fledge.

    “We are grateful for the tricolored blackbird restoration project,” said Luciana Jonkman. “We are a first-generation farming family, and we know that sustainability is vital to our farm families and our community. At Diamond J we are constantly looking for opportunities to partner withthe community, the state and the federal resources. I hope that folks will see this as a huge win-win for conservation and dairy food security in the state of California.”

    Baby and egg - Kelly Weintraub

    The last population estimate was done in 2017, when there were 178,000 birds. If the population is of a similar size this year, that means that over 70 percent of the birds were found on dairies. Two NRCS wetland projects have also provided nesting sites for nearly 20,000 birds.

    Most Tricolored Blackbirds reside in the Central Valley, typically nesting in wetlands and dairysilage fields. The young birds need up to 45 days to fledge. With the help of NRCS and partners at Audubon, Western United Dairymen, California Farm Bureau and Dairy Cares, farmers receive technical and financial assistance to delay harvest until the birds have safely fledged. This year NRCS enrolled nearly 600 acres on 14 dairies, investing $385,000 on forage harvest delay.

    Over the past seven years, farmers’ participation in this initiative has resulted in nesting success for tens of thousands of birds.

  • Ceres Imaging, Malcolm Media Announce June Launch of Continuing Education Audio Series

    Ceres Imaging, an aerial imagery and analytics company that improves decision making by providing farmers a comprehensive view of their farm, next month will present the first two webcasts of the Advances in Imagery audio series. The company is providing this free program in collaboration with Malcolm Media, publisher of American Vineyard Magazine, Pacific Nut Producer Magazine and more.

    Advances in Imagery is a continuing education audio web series that brings together agricultural experts and top producers to discuss how imagery and other ag data tools are advancing the farming industry. Episode attendees qualify for continuing education credits.

    “With so many new technologies out there, it’s sometimes difficult for growers to cut through the noise and see what is actually valuable at the farm level. Our hope is that Advances in Imagery will help growers learn from one another what does, and what doesn’t make sense given today’s technology,” said Matthew Malcolm, Managing Editor of California Ag Network and its parent company Malcolm Media.

    Ash Madgavkar, founder and CEO at Ceres Imaging, added, “Ceres Imaging has always been a research-driven company. We’re excited to be working with the California Ag Network to offer relevant and easily accessible continuing education credit opportunities for growers.”

    Episode One, called Advances in Fertility Management for Wine Grapes, will take place 4-5 p.m.  PDT on June 4. Lowell Zelinski, president of the Independent Grape Growers of the Paso Robles Area, is the featured speaker. This episode will kick off with a discussion between Zelinski and Jerome Pier, Agronomist at Nutrien Ag Solutions. The second half of the episode will focus on how imagery analytics can empower farmers to lower their input costs and increase their yields.

    Episode Two, Advances in Fertility Management for Tree Nuts, is scheduled for 2-3 p.m. PDT on June 6. David Doll of The Almond Doctor and former UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor will begin this series by talking to a local nut grower. This will be followed by a discussion on the cost and yield benefits of imagery analytics.

    To register for one or both of these episodes, visit AdvancesInImagery.com.


    About Ceres Imaging
    Ceres Imaging is a California-based precision agriculture company that helps growers and farm advisors make proactive in-season decisions using aerial imagery and data analytics. Backed by university-validated science, Ceres Imaging uses proprietary sensors, analytics, machine learning models and plant science to help growers gain a more comprehensive picture of their farm. Ceres Imaging takes the guesswork out of in-season decision making and supports its customers with expert agronomists and local customer support. For more information, visit CeresImaging.net.

    About Malcolm Media
    Since 1992, Malcolm Media Ag Publishing has been producing the finest, most informative agricultural publications in the West. Our editorial team is journalistically talented with backgrounds and extensive experience in agriculture. Our publications American Vineyard, California Fresh Fruit, California Dairy, Pacific Nut Producer and Vegetables West are read by more growers, producers, and pest control advisors (PCAs) than any other industry publications. They are best read in the field, and California Ag Network is the industry’s online news hub for agricultural information in the State. Visit MalcolmMedia.com to learn more.

  • Trial Lawyers Once Again Coming for U.S. Farmers & Dairy Producers

    It isn’t often that US farmers and dairy producers’ side with the EPA. However, in the case of a growing number of suits targeted at farming practices, and one ingredient in particular, US farmers and dairy producers are supporting the EPA and its science-based approval system as it links to glyphosate. Glyphosate, or what many commonly refer to as RoundUp as it is the main active ingredient in the product, is under fire in California where cases are underway claiming a cause and effect of the weedkiller and cancer.

    Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in U.S. agriculture, and as Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue stated, “If we are going to feed 10 billion people by 2050, we are going to need all the tools at our disposal, which includes the use the glyphosate”. US farmers and ranchers utilize weed killer to maximize the output on their farms and maintain healthy crops and forage, for both consumers and their herds. Glyphosate has been used for years across the country and users must follow strict guidelines and application practices. New guidelines are even now being integrated as the industry looks to decrease any “drift” from the product and its potential effect on pollinators.

    This past April, the EPA reaffirmed its previous findings that glyphosate is not a cancer risk to users, nor is it a risk to children or expectant mothers. The EPA has repeated its claims that products such as RoundUp are safe for use on backyards and areas where children play.

    It’s no surprise though that organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have come out against the EPA’s findings and are in support of the erroneous claims against the product. EWG and trial lawyers across the country are now turning their backs on science and turning the issue into a fiscal opportunity at farmers’ expense, lining their own pocketbooks with frivolous litigation.

    The cases filed in California state a direct link between the use of glyphosate-based products and cancer. Disregarding all available science, one case was initially ruled in favor of the plaintiff and millions of dollars were to be awarded to a groundskeeper who blamed the regular use of RoundUp on his cancer. Following the initial ruling, such activist groups as EWG jumped at the opportunity to skew public perception and promote anti-science based claims against the product and US agriculture.

    This issue is yet another example of trial lawyers using US agriculture as an easy target for frivolous lawsuits. Farmers and ranchers rely on science-based information and research to ensure they are utilizing best practices, and to safeguard against erroneous claims like those noted above. We must support the continued use and reliance on best-science to guide our management practices, and to protect our industry against those seeking an “easy win”. In this case, US farmers and dairy producers support the EPA and its reaffirmation of the safety of glyphosate.

    By: Laurie Fischer, C
    EO, The American Dairy Coalition

  • International Milk Genomics Consortium Welcomes New Director

    The International Milk Genomics Consortium (IMGC) announced the hiring of Jennifer Smilowitz, Ph.D. as its Director of Scientific and Strategic Development. The IMGC has established an inspiring vision to join mechanistic milk science with the innovators who bring science to practice. Its monthly publication, SPLASH!® reviews findings from current scientific articles on milk and lactation and has more than 1,700 subscribers along with thousands of social readers. Its annual Symposium joins together more than 85 international scientists, experts and innovators from varied disciplines, as well as industry, to share emerging scientific trends and findings in the study of lactation and milk.

    “Jennifer Smilowitz is uniquely qualified to guide the next exciting phase of the IMGC,” said Bruce German, Ph.D., founding member of the IMGC and director of Foods for Health Institute, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis. “She has an impressive history of mechanistic research science combined with clinical research studies. Few people in the milk world have as much success in building new knowledge and bringing that science to commercial reality.”

    Smilowitz attended the inaugural IMGC Symposium in Napa, CA in 2004 and has since participated as either an attendee or invited speaker. As a result, Smilowitz has engaged in active collaborations with other attendees that have generated over 20 publications and demonstrated clinical safety and efficacy for several new products either in or on their way to the marketplace.

    “The tools of modern science are accelerating our understanding of mammalian genomics and lactation,” said Smilowitz. “Understanding the functions and impact of milk on, and innovating novel, effective approaches in science for, human health require cross-disciplinary and multi-collaborative approaches.”

    Smilowitz plans to use her first-hand experiences with the IMGC and her extensive background in milk and lactation research to further improve the profile of the IMGC and the successful networking environment that has been established.

    “It is time for the IMGC to broaden and accelerate the collaborations between the scientific community and the innovators who can make that science happen,” she said. “In the next two years, we will develop new initiatives that will propel collaborations between the scientific community and industry.”

    Smilowitz is a faculty affiliate in the Department of Food Science and Technology and Associate Director of the Human Studies Research Program for the Foods for Health Institute at UC Davis. She holds a doctoral degree in Nutritional Biology with an emphasis in Endocrinology from UC Davis and is a fellow of the UC Davis School of Management.

    To learn more about how you can interact with the IMGC or its annual Symposium, please contact Jennifer Smilowitz, Ph.D. at jsmilowitz@milkgenomics.org

    About the International Milk Genomics Consortium (IMGC):

    The mission of the IMGC is to provide a collaborative, interactive, and pre-competitive platform for the scientific community and industry to accelerate the understanding of the biological processes underlying mammalian milk genomics and facilitate the transition of that knowledge into usable benefits for human health. The IMGC is managed by the California Dairy Research Foundation. Read the recently published account of the impact of the IMGC at The collaborative effect of scientific meetings: A study of the International Milk Genomics Consortium. For more information visit www.milkgenomics.org.