California Ag Network

Tag: California Dairies

  • Lobby Day Focuses on Unlocking Alternative Manure Management

    The California Climate & Agriculture Network (CalCAN), alongside dairy producers and advocates, gathered at the State Capitol Swing Space April 8, to meet with legislators in support of AB 2100, a CalCAN-sponsored bill to improve the benefits of the state’s Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) as part of California’s methane reduction and water quality strategy.

    Dairies across California continue to face economic hardship due to low milk prices and rising input costs, while navigating increasing regulatory requirements related to groundwater protection and manure management. Scaling up alternative manure management practices can help dairies reduce their regulatory risk and improve their viability during these difficult times.

    Participants held meetings with 22 legislative offices — including members of the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Budget committees — to highlight the role alternative manure management can play in helping California meet its climate and environmental goals.

    “AMMP is an underutilized but proven tool to reduce methane emissions while delivering valuable co-benefits for dairies, said CalCAN Policy Director Colton Fagundes. “AB 2100 strengthens the program and improves the state’s ability to achieve its climate goals.”

    AB 2100 aims to expand and improve AMMP, which supports dairies in implementing practices that reduce methane emissions by transitioning away from liquid manure systems. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, these practices can provide environmental co-benefits, including improved groundwater quality, compost production and healthier soils.

    California must reduce livestock manure methane emissions by 40% before 2030 under SB 1383. CalCAN’s recent report highlights that AMMP is a cost-effective strategy to help meet this target, while demand for the program has exceeded available funding by 200–300%.

    “AMMP is a win-win; a win for the farmer, a win for the environment and consumers,” said Doug Beretta of Beretta Dairy in Sonoma County. Beretta noted the multi-benefits he’s experienced after installing manure separators and automatic scrapers on his operation. “We’ve seen a huge improvement in cow health, particularly the feet and legs, after installing automatic scrapers. We separate the [manure] solids and liquids and compost the solids for cow bedding instead of trucking sand from three hours away. The cows love laying in the soft, dry compost. With the liquid manure, we’re able to add it to our pastures and fertilize when we really need it.”

    AB 2100 cuts red tape by creating a more efficient approval process for compost production on dairies. It also directs state agencies to work with stakeholders to better assess the climate and environmental benefits of AMMP practices. Additionally, it aims to develop a coordinated plan to tackle the financial and regulatory challenges associated with implementing AMMP practices.

    “Programs like AMMP are critical to ensuring small and mid-sized dairies can stay in business while meeting California’s climate and environmental goals. But without continued investment and better alignment across agencies, many family dairies simply won’t have access to the tools they need to comply and survive,” said Lisandra Vitorino, Regional Territory Representative, California Dairy Campaign. “If we want a sustainable dairy future, we must make sure solutions are truly accessible to all, not just a few.”

    The lobby day comes as CARB develops its approach to potential livestock methane regulation, and the State Water Board prepares to release new water quality regulations for dairies.

    — Contributed by California Climate & Ag Network

  • Referendum in Progress and Two Other Ways CA Dairy Producers Could Lose Quota This Year

    The summer California heat has been matched by an aggressive fight on multiple fronts to terminate the longstanding, CDFA-administered Quota Implementation Plan that impacts the return value California dairies producers get for their milk.  While taking no official stance on the subject, Paul Sousa of Western United Dairies met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to explain what producers need to know about the current referendum underway that would lead to the immediate termination of the program, as well as two other recent developments that could end the program as well. Watch this brief interview and stay current on this topic by reading California Dairy Magazine.

  • California Dairies Still Struggling with Bird Flu – Why Isn’t it Going Away?

    CDFA’s most recent data show that of the roughly 770 California dairies that have been infected with Avian Influenza. Some 630, more than 80%, have been released from quarantine. Of the approximately 140 infected herds remaining, most are making steady progress towards quarantine release.

    For a small number of producers, however, the pathway back to normal has remained prolonged and frustrating. CDFA estimates some 10 to 15 herds have experienced unusually long quarantines, in one case over 10 months. These farms might achieve one or two negative weekly bulk tank tests, only to have a weak positive again, resetting the quarantine release clock. There are reports from dairies in other states experiencing similar problems.

    Just as frustrating for several California producers is to have been actually released from quarantine only to have a positive bulk tank some weeks or months later. These cases have been reported as typically involving a limited number of clinical cows, most often springing heifers.

    What’s causing persistent or reoccurring positive bulk tanks?

    CDFA’s Dr. Natalie Ward says it’s useful to remember that the PCR assay used for HPAI detection is extraordinarily sensitive. “Just one cow actively shedding virus can trip a bulk tank positive,” Ward says. What might be allowing the virus to remain circulating on some farms is an area of intense research. In California alone, some $2 million of state and federal research is currently being conducted. Investigations into potential causes of persistent or reoccurring positive bulk tanks include:

    Chronic Shedders?

    Dr. Jason Lombard of Colorado State’s vet school has directed some of the largest H5N1 dairy surveys in the country. He explains that one possible explanation could be non-clinical cows shedding for prolonged periods. “We’ve detected cows that were continuing to shed virus out to at least 90 days, long after they recovered clinically.” Dr. Lombard says. The role of persistent shedders remains speculative for now, however, at least until whole-herd surveys can be performed to identify potential chronically infected cows.

    Carried by Birds?

    Certainly, migratory waterfowl were determined to be the original source of Texas spillover event in 2024. Federal testing of birds in the vicinity of dairies however, has revealed that local, non-migratory birds, such as blackbirds, starlings, doves and pigeons have been positive for H5N1 genetic material. This raises the worrisome scenario that HPAI is circulating within local bird populations potentially shedding the virus into cows’ feed and water sources. Whether the virus is reproducing within these nuisance birds and being shed in numbers sufficient to infect cows remains unknown.

    Carried by Flies?

    Researchers with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are collaborating with industry partners in California to survey both biting flies, such as Stable Flies, and non-biting flies, such as House Flies. The goal is to determine if these insects can carry the disease-causing virus and understand their potential role in transmitting the disease from cow-to-cow or from herd-to-herd.

    Carried by Dust?

    In yet another industry-academic collaboration, researchers from Emory University are collecting aerosol samples on quarantined California dairies from a variety of sites including in the parlor, pens and over lagoons. Air from these sites is run through filters to collect particulate matter which is assayed for the presence of both HPAI genetic material and intact, infectious virus.

    New Herd Additions?

    One more potential cause of persistent or reoccurring positive bulk tanks is newly purchased or returning cattle. Infected but non-clinical cattle, or youngstock returning from calf ranches, could be harboring the virus, serving as a new nidus of herd infection. Because much of the herd might be immune due to previous infection, the amount of clinical disease in the herd could remain limited. Alternatively, new or returning animals who have never experienced HPAI infection might be introduced to the virus which is persisting in low levels in the dairy environment. Such “immunologically naïve” animals, having no protective antibodies, could develop full-blown clinical disease and shed sufficient virus to trip a positive bulk tank test.

    Decaying Cow Immunity?

    Complicating producers’ biosecurity efforts is a lack of data on how long immunity persists following natural infection. This is true regardless of whether the virus is being re-introduced by outside sources (i.e. local birds, asymptomatic cattle) or is simply circulating at low levels within the herd. Following experimental infection protective antibodies have persisted for at least one month, but unpublished bulk tank studies suggest such protection might wane after 3 to 6 months.

    Guidance for producers?

    The research described above as well as other investigations will eventually describe how HPAI circulates among domestic animals and wildlife. Producers however understandably want to know what then can do now. State and federal animal health officials advise producers not become complacent about biosecurity once released from quarantine. CDQAP’s Bird Flu homepage contains a biosecurity section where the best references to help protect your herd have been collected. Ultimately HPAI cattle vaccines, which are in the final stages of approval, should provide producers permanent relief. — By Dr. Michael Payne, UC Davis, School of Vet. Medicine, Director, California Dairy Quality Assurance Program

  • California Dairies and US Dairy Export Council Represented in Upcoming USDA Trade Mission to Peru

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture will lead a high-impact trade mission to Lima, Peru from June 9 -12 aimed at expanding market access and boosting U.S. agricultural exports to address the $3.66 billion trade deficit with Peru. The delegation includes more than 50 agribusinesses, trade organizations and representatives from five state departments of agriculture working to strengthen economic ties and improve the trade balance.

    “USDA is committed to enhancing export opportunities for American farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses,” said Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley, who will lead the mission. “This trade mission will connect U.S. producers with key buyers in South America, improving economic opportunities, supporting rural prosperity and keeping American agricultural products globally competitive.”

    Peru is the fourth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in South America, and the U.S. is Peru’s second-largest agricultural supplier. Despite bilateral agricultural trade growing 263% to $5.3 billion since 2009, the $3.66 billion agricultural trade deficit persists. This mission aims to build on this growth, bridge the gap and increase U.S. exports.

    Trade mission participants will engage in business-to-business meetings with buyers from Peru and Ecuador, gaining market insights and fostering new business partnerships. Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) staff and regional experts will provide in-depth market briefings, site visits and networking events to maximize trade opportunities.

    Administrator Whitley will be joined by Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks, Montana Director of Agriculture Jillien Streit, and representatives from Indiana, Georgia, and Wisconsin, alongside a delegation of agribusiness leaders.

    1 Aero-Cos International – Marlboro, N.J.

    2 Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute – Juneau, Alaska.

    3 American Foods International Inc. – Doral, Fla.

    4 Ampac Seed Company – Tangent, Ore.

    5 Andes Global International LLC – Miami, Fla.

    6 Attebury Grain LLC – Amarillo, Texas

    7 Bear Fiber Inc. – Morganton, N.C.

    8 BioUrja – Houston, TX

    9 Boston Agrex LLC – Norwell, Mass.

    10 California Dairies Inc. – Visalia, Calif.

    11 Commercial Lynks Inc. – Alexandria, Va.

    12 Cotton Council International – Washington, D.C.

    13 Darigold Inc. – Seattle, Wash.

    14 Erie Foods International Inc.– Erie, Ill.

    15 G&C Food Distributors & Brokers Inc. – Doral, Fla.

    16 George F. Brocke & Sons Inc. – Kendrick, Idaho

    17 Great Northern Ag – Plaza, N.D.

    18 Heartland Essentials, LLC – Gilbert, Ariz.

    19 Hoogwegt US Inc. – Lake Forest, Ill.

    20 IND Hemp – Benton, Mont.

    21 Intervision Foods – Atlanta, Ga.

    22 James Farrell & Co. – Bellevue, Wash.

    23 JBS Food USA – Greeley, Colo.

    24 Kane County Agriculture Economic Development Corporation – Chicago, Ill.

    25 KIT International Inc. – Hackensack, N.J.

    26 Leprino – Denver, Colo.

    27 MAVIGA North America – Spokane, Wash.

    28 National Industrial Hemp Council – Washington, D.C

    29 Neil Jones Food Company – Vancouver, Wash.

    30 New World Trading LLC – Miami, Fla.

    31 Old Fashioned Cheese – Mayville, Wis.

    32 Pear Bureau Northwest – Milwaukie, Ore.

    33 Schreiber Foods Inc. – Green Bay, Wis.

    34 SMART Reproduction – Jonesboro, Ark.

    35 Sysco International Food Group – Jacksonville, Fla.

    36 Tedford/Tellico Inc. – Knoxville, Tenn.

    37 Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board – Lubbock, Texas

    38 Tropical Foods LLC – Miami, Fla.

    39 Tyson Foods – Springdale, Ark.

    40 U.S. Dairy Export Council – Arlington, Va.

    41 U.S. Dry Bean Council – Frankenmuth, Mich.

    42 U.S. Grains Council – Washington, D.C.

    43 U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council – Folsom, Calif.

    44 U.S. International Foods LLC – St. Louis, Mo.

    45 U.S. Livestock Genetics Export Inc. – Mount Horeb, Wis.

    46 U.S. Meat Export Federation – Denver, Colo.

    47 U.S. Rice Producers Association – Katy, Texas

    48 U.S. Soybean Export Council – Chesterfield, Mo.

    49 USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council – Moscow, Idaho

    50 USA Rice – Arlington, Va.

    51 Western United States Agriculture Trade Association – Vancouver, Wash.

    The Peru trade mission is part of USDA’s broader 2025 export promotion strategy. Recent trade missions to Thailand and Guatemala generated nearly $23 million in 12-month projected sales for U.S. exporters. Looking ahead, USDA will soon announce application details for planned missions to Côte d’Ivoire, Mexico, and Taiwan.

    For more information on USDA trade missions, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.

  • California Dairy Producers Prepare to Vote on Milk Price Adjustment QIP

    The debate over the California dairy industry’s Quota Implementation Plan (QIP) continues; but this time it’s not about whether to keep or sunset the program. Dairy producers will soon have the opportunity to vote in a referendum on some adjustments to the program that will affect all producers. Watch this brief interview with Paul Sousa from Western United Dairies as he explains to Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network, and read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Southern California Gas Company for their industry support.

  • Prepare Now to Apply for This Substantial California Dairy Funding Opportunity

    Many California dairy producers have heard of and even participated in CDFA’s Alternative Manure Management Program; but there is now an additional program available to California dairy producers for a considerable amount of funding known as the Dairy Plus program.  Investing in manure separators, dairy digesters or even vermifiltration wastewater treatment systems have a real positive impact on lowering a dairy’s carbon footprint; however, the cost of purchasing any one of these systems is often far out of reach for the dairy producer.  Watch this brief interview with Paul Sousa from Western United Dairies as he explains the new Dairy Plus program and how dairy producers can prepare and qualify for the funding.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor afimilk for their industry support.

  • Exploring Options for Safe Use and Reduction of Nitrates on Dairies

    As California dairy producers actively work to provide environmental solutions and a sustainable future for their successors, reducing nitrate contamination in the groundwater supply is a top priority.  Watch this brief interview with Paul Sousa from Western United Dairies as he shares some options, considerations, and funding opportunities.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor afimilk for their industry support.

  • LandFlex Succeeds as an Incentivizing Farmer-Driven Solution for SGMA Compliance

    Permanently retiring millions of acres of productive California farmland is not a solution the growing world population needs right now.  That is why a new program, known as LandFlex was created, providing an alternative solution to assist farmers in meeting the requirements of SGMA. Millions of dollars of LandFlex funding have recently been awarded to serve farmers within critically overdrafted basins of California.  Watch this video with Anja Raudabaugh, CEO Western United Dairies, to learn more about the success of the program.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor afimilk for their industry support.

  • New UCCE Dairy Advisor for Tulare and Kern Counties

    California Dairy Magazine is excited to announce Rubia Branco Lopes as the new UCCE Dairy Farm Advisor for Tulare and Kern Counties. Watch this brief introductory video to get to know Rubia better, and read more in California Dairy Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor afimilk for their industry support.

  • California Dairies, INC. To Acquire DairyAmerica

    California Dairies, Inc. (CDI), the largest dairy farmer-owned cooperative in California, announced today that it has agreed to acquire DairyAmerica, effective January 1, 2023.

    DairyAmerica, a globally recognized supplier of quality and sustainable dairy ingredients, is a federated cooperative currently co-owned by CDI, Agri-Mark, Inc., and O-AT-KA Milk Products. As part of the acquisition, CDI will purchase the ownership rights currently held by Agri-Mark, Inc. and O-AT-KA Milk Products, making DairyAmerica a wholly owned subsidiary of CDI.

    “This investment in DairyAmerica provides the opportunity for CDI to unlock significant synergies and represents another step towards improving efficiencies in providing world markets with high quality dairy ingredients,” said Brad Anderson, president and chief executive officer of California Dairies, Inc.

    Under the new structure, DairyAmerica will continue to market milk powders produced by Agri-Mark, Inc. and O-AT-KA Milk Products. These marketing agreements will allow for the continued multi-origin and sustainable supply benefits currently enjoyed by DairyAmerica.

    “We continue to support the Dairy America vision,” said William Schreiber, chief executive officer of O-AT-KA Milk Products.

    “We are pleased to be a part of this transition and have seen the benefits of DairyAmerica’s transformation under its new leadership the past two years,” said David Lynn, interim chief executive officer at Agri-Mark, Inc.

    DairyAmerica will remain under the leadership of Patti Smith, chief executive officer, and the DairyAmerica office will remain in Fresno, CA.

    “As we continue to transform our business, this investment by CDI provides the framework to focus on our people and processes while strengthening our global competitiveness,” said Patti Smith, chief executive officer of DairyAmerica.

    About

    California Dairies, Inc., is the largest member-owned milk marketing and processing cooperative in California, producing approximately 40 percent of California’s milk. Co-owned by more than 300 dairy producers who ship nearly 17 billion pounds of Real California Milk annually, California Dairies, Inc. is the home of two leading and well-respected brands of butter – Challenge and Danish Creamery. California Dairies, Inc.’s quality dairy products are available in all 50 United States and more than 50 foreign countries. For additional information on CDI, visit www.CaliforniaDairies.com.

    DairyAmerica, Inc. is a federated marketing cooperative founded in 1995 and serves to market quality dairy products regionally, nationally, and internationally to its ever-expanding and diverse customer base. For additional information on DairyAmerica, Inc., visit www.DairyAmerica.com.