Membership in NEAFA - Providing Agribusinesses a Voice Where Needed

By Eric Jenks, Special to NEAFA

Meeting the needs of NEAFA’s membership is not a static target. Like many other industries throughout the Northeast, the feed industry and other agribusinesses face numerous challenges in staying competitive in a worldwide market. The agribusiness community also has the duty of ensuring interest in the industry, and providing support and guidance for the next generation, so they can build upon the work already in place, strengthening the future of northeast agriculture for all.

“It’s important that our members, and prospective members, are aware of the bigger topic areas that are out there from political and educational standpoints, to enhance their awareness of what the agricultural environment deals with on a day to day basis outside of what we do in our respective fields,” said Corwin Holtz of Holtz Nelson Dairy Consultants LLC. Holtz is also a member of the NEAFA board of directors, and chair of the Membership Committee. “Joining NEAFA eight years ago opened my eyes to the things happening in Albany, NY and Washington DC that impact Agriculture in the Northeast, that impacts our individual clients on a direct and personal basis, along with other issues on the big picture side. Getting involved with that was a big new thing for me, and I’m glad I did.”

For Holtz, joining NEAFA was a welcome unknown. “Quite honestly, I knew very little about NEAFA before I joined. It was a very new organization to me, but I’m very glad I was asked to join, and I’m very glad that I’ve been a part of it all these years. They had never had an independent nutrition/management in the group’s board, and it was something they wanted to incorporate. I knew several members of the organization through the daily work that I do, and I knew a few of the board members. I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get involved in an agricultural organization like this, with people that I respected in the industry. I also thought that I could do a bit more work for the agricultural industry at large outside of my day-to-day work in the dairy industry.

Joining NEAFA has been so beneficial for Holtz, that he has encouraged others at his business to join as well, a perk that costs $100 per employee. “The more that we can get individual employees of companies exposed to what we do at NEAFA is going to benefit us all,” said Holtz. “They’re out working on the front lines with producers on a day in and day out basis. The knowledge base of what’s impacting their clients on a regional, national, and international scale is going to be a plus as they interact with clients.”

Currently, NEAFA is looking to expand membership into other related agribusinesses and industries related to agriculture. “We’re very broad based in the issues that we deal with,” said Holtz. “Yes, there is a lot of focus on dairy, but transportation issues and it's committee within the organization is very important. “We do a lot of lobbying and work for the transportation and trucking industry. We welcome potential new members from that area because we’re very involved in things that impact their businesses. We’ve also have a large focus on veterinary and banking institutions that have an agricultural loan focus. A lot of the things that we deal with from a policy and educational standpoint, they are impacting their clients, and a lot of their clients are my own as well. It’s all interconnected, and the more voices that we have as an organization, the more weight we can carry and have the type of impact that we need to have on policy. That political impact is going to affect all of the clients that we end up serving in one fashion or another. We need to broaden our membership. At the end of the day, we all have the same end clients. It’s the producers that are the heart and soul of agriculture here in the northeast. We all have a common bond from that standpoint - and if we’re not all working in the same manner and striving for the same things, then our clients can suffer. If our producers, for whatever reasons, be they political, economic, etc., go out of business, then our professions suffer at the same time. That’s what we’re trying to do with the expansion of NEAFA’s demographic. We’re getting more people aware of what we do, who we are, and the benefits to them being members. As we grow, we have more power and voices to address the concerns that need to be addressed on the behalf of the producers that we all serve.”

President's Pen: Strategic Planning

By Danielle Penney-Stroop, NEAFA President

Happy August Everyone! - July proved to be a challenging month with all the precipitation the Northeast has been experiencing.  To say we have been inundated with moisture is an understatement unlike our counterparts in the western half of the US. Despite our weather struggles to make decent hay and haylage, or the beating of equipment repeatedly stuck in the mud, the uplifting and wonderful view is seeing our youth partaking in county fairs and showing their livestock again. Fair season is back on and the amazing NYS Fair is around the corner for a full 3 weeks this year. Do not forget to stop by and show your support for the NYS Dairy Birthing Center, brought to us by our friends at NYAAC.

While these events are bringing a sense of normalcy to our lives once again, it is critical to look at how the effects of the global pandemic, in combination with economic downturn, civil unrest, climate change and weather events, are shaping our future and culture. Now is the time to reflect yet be bold moving forward & creating new initiatives. The world is changing rapidly, and we need to be in continual motion and a part of the discussions with our leaders and consumers that are driving policies and change. Flexibility and adaptability will continue to be our mantra as we work collectively and embrace the constant change that we will continue to face in the agricultural industry, especially in the livestock arena.

The NEAFA board met a couple of weeks ago to conduct a strategic planning session on the future of our organization. Our facilitator was Dr Larry Van de Valk of Cornell University, and throughout our day and half long conversations, it has become apparent that returning to normal is not our goal or even an adequate option. Now is the perfect time to enhance and mold the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance into a stronger organization, maximizing upon our three pillars of Advocacy, Collaboration, and Education.

Prior to the strategic planning retreat, NEAFA sent out a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) to members and nonmembers for their feedback and guidance. Sadly we only had 25 responses, largely comprised of NEAFA's board members. Given this small response, it is difficult to gauge the effectiveness of NEAFA’s goals, although it has been said that no response can sometimes also serve as a response. Therefore, I am challenging the NEAFA board to actively engage with our members and industry allies more routinely.  We will not only share our projects and accomplishments, but also identify our members’ needs more effectively.  Together we can focus on the opportunities that lie ahead for our industry and organization.

While we recognize the importance of continually increasing our overall membership, another area that we identified as an opportunity for improvement and growth of NEAFA is the necessity for increased exposure and presence of our organization among our future generations & engaging our youth.

While it was a very effective meeting, we perhaps were left with more questions than answers in some respects because of the vast opportunities that lie ahead.  We may not have all the answers right now, but we want you all to know that changes are forthcoming. In the coming months, the board will be sharing our strategy and mission as we forge ahead. I invite and encourage members and non-members a like to please share your thoughts & views, exchange ideas, open lines the of communication, and collaborate with greater purpose. A prime opportunity for such engagement is at this year’s Annual Meeting and Golf for Goodworks, Aug 30th-Sept 1st at Turning Stone Resort & Casino. We look forward to seeing all of you there!

NEAFA Engages US Senate On Worker Shortages, Transportation Limitations

Recently NEAFA, in conjunction with other agricultural associations, reached out to US Senators to address worker shortages and transportation limitations that are impacting the effectiveness of agricultural businesses throughout New York and New England.

Specifically, NEAFA and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) reached out to US Senators Schumer (NY) and Leahy (VT) over the prohibitive truck weight restrictions that are unique to Connecticut. While milk tanker trucks have a permit to travel to CT farms and load their trucks without worry about being legally overloaded, the same cannot be said for the feed trucks delivering to farms throughout CT. Manufacturers from New York and Vermont are not able to deliver a full load to CT dairy farmers, raising the costs to service their clients in the state.

Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) made a hard push for an overweight permit for feed trucks in the most recent surface transportation bill but was unfortunately stopped. You can read a copy of Congressman Courtney’s amendment by clicking here. Given the current level of interest in infrastructure reinvestment, we think the time is right to get this permit proposal over the goal line. We urge our members to reach out to your US representatives and make your voices heard.

NEAFA also coordinated with the Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA) to urge US Senator Schumer's immediate support of immigration reform to address the workforce shortages and challenges faced by the farms producing the food and fiber needs of this country.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the food insecurities of our country and focused attention on where the greatest challenges lie. Farmers have faced an onslaught of challenges, however the most critical is finding the skilled labor we need to operate. While this is not unlike other businesses, our dairy farms must operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year because we take care of cows. Unlike other manufacturing businesses, we can't choose to “shut down" shifts or operate fewer days a week if we can't find labor. Cows must be milked, fed and cared for on regular schedules in order to maintain their health and well-being, and crops must be planted and harvested at optimum times in order to produce high-quality feed for cows to eat throughout the year.

There simply are not enough domestic workers who want to work on farms to fill these positions and because our labor needs are year-around and not seasonal we have not had access to the H-2A program. We desperately need a guest worker program that provides a solution for year-around farmworkers to stay and work on our dairy farms legally.

We encourage Senator Schumer to work across the aisle to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. This important legislation will address a critical labor shortage, help strengthen our food supply chain, and support the viability of Northeast agriculture. Again, we urge our members to reach out to their US representatives to let them know that this is an issue of concern and importance for them.

NEAFA Annual Meeting Highlights: Chris Wolf: Dairy Outlook, Mike Van Amburgh and Panel: Animal Ag and Climate Change

NEAFA is excited to host the 2021 Annual Meeting at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY. This August 30-31 event will be coupled with the Golf for Good Works Tournament on September 1st at the Turning Stone. The conference will host numerous speakers and presenters, including a presentation by the American Academy of Bovine Practitioners President Carie Telgen, DVM, a commodity markets update and outlook and a panel discussion on animal agriculture’s role in addressing climate change. The panel will be moderated by Tom Overton Ph.D. and Larry Chase, Ph.D and will include Curt Gooch of Dairy Management, Inc., Jon Patterson of Patterson Farms, Jamie Jonker, Ph.D. of the National Milk Producers Association and Mike Van Amburgh, Ph.D. of Cornell’s Department of Animal Science.

Wolf’s market outlook will be focused on the dairy industry and the commodities that impact it. “The outlook looks at the dairy industry and takes into account a lot of variables,” said Wolf. “Feed costs, (corn, soybean, hay, etc.), are a big portion of how the outlook is effected, especially given the situation that we’re in right now with the weather having such a big impact on feed. Weather impacts feed quality and trade needs. Right now, things look more like it did in 2012 and 2013. If they can’t grow it out west, then they’ll be importing it in and that effects the prices locally as well as nationally. There’s a lot to discuss with that dynamic and how it effects the industry as a whole.”

This is Wolf’s second year speaking at NEAFA after joining Cornell University. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in person again after 16 months of online meetings, and talking about what’s up with the markets and what’s going on with their area,” said Wolf. “For the dairy markets, a lot of people are trying to figure out the lessons from covid and what does that mean going forward for markets and policy. I would argue that the dairy markets were pretty resilient in the face of covid. Meatpacking markets were not as resilient. I think that there’s definitely some kind of feeling that there needs to be something done for small and medium size meat packers to maintain viability. Meatpacking is an industry that you’ll see changes made in the supply change because of covid, and we’ll talk that through during the annual meeting.

On top of the market situation is global trade according to Wolf. “The trade situation overlays all of this,” said Wolf. “Looking at what’s happened with China being heavy into the markets in the last year, and what’s that done to commodity prices. The US is falling very much behind in bilateral trade agreements. The UK and New Zealand for example have gotten ahead of us. The WTO provided even footing, but it’s been ignored a lot in recent years and it’s been felt to be not effective in many countries. The US hasn’t made a major new free trade agreement in 10 years; the redo of NAFTA was minor. In comparison, the UK and New Zealand have done many. Every time they make a trade agreement in a country that we haven’t, we have a price disadvantage there.”

Another important topic for the 2021 annual meeting is animal agriculture’s role in addressing climate change. NEAFA recently had a chance to sit down with Cornell’s Mike Van Amburgh to talk about what some of the topic may be focused on during the panel discussion.

“The problem we’re facing as an industry is that we live in a world of sound bites,” said Van Amburgh. “And the public at large that is taking in those sound bites doesn’t have an appreciation for where their food comes from, and they think that the environmental impact of animal agriculture is greater than it actually is. The general public is led to believe that the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of producing milk and meat is a major factor effecting the planet; it’s not. They fail to recognize where it does sit in the inventory, which is about 2% of US GHG inventory, a fairly small number. The sound bites that have been spread have a welfare aspect as well. They spread the idea that anyone that has cows are being abusive, and I think my frustration with that is that they’re all speaking from an extreme position of privilege, including the availability of food, not just nutrition. There’s a lot of misinformation out there.”

For Van Amburgh, the difficulty is getting on top of these sensational sound bites with the truth. “The truth is never sensational,” said Van Amburgh. “In 2006 Time Magazine had a whole issue that basically said is your hamburger worse than your hummer. In 2012 the author of the paper they were referencing fixed their math, but no one reported on that. We need to be better on explaining animal agriculture’s role in society, and getting our message out there and figuring out a way that consumers can understand it. We have the lowest GHG emissions per unit of milk of anyone in the world.”

“We’ve decreased methane output by transitioning 30-50 cow herds to 3000 cow herds. You hear often that the dairy industry is in such bad shape, and it’s really not. It’s a business. It’s a way of life if you want to look at it that way, but if a business doesn’t evolve as the industry evolves, you have to question the sustainability of that business. Look at cars. We’ve spent 100 years on gas and fossil fuels, and now we’re all going electric. Everything has to change. We’re not good at that in agriculture because we’re tied to the ground, we’re tied to things that don’t change at a human scale, but a geologic scale. It’s painful. I don’t necessarily like it either, I came from a 50-cow family farm. But it’s important to embrace what’s needed for the future of the industry.

Chris Wolf, Mike Van Amburgh, Jon Patterson, Jamie Jonker and Curt Gooch will be at the podium Tuesday August 31st at the Turning Stone Resort. For registration information click here.

NEAFA Member Profile: Mercer Milling

Photo Provided

By Eric Jenks, Special to NEAFA

Mercer Milling is a longtime member of NEAFA, and recently a sustaining sponsor of the organization as well. “When Bill Colten and his father Jim owned the business, we were members of the Eastern Federation of Feed Merchants,” said Jeff Matuszczak, the key account manager in sales. “We’ve always been an active member, since before EFFM merged with the New England Feed and Grain Council. Bill even served as the president of NEAFA from 2012 to 2014. We’re really proud of our membership with NEAFA, and the representation that they provide. For us, it all stems from Bill’s vision; it’s part of his legacy. He wanted to support the industry from within. He was always very supportive on all levels and fronts, and that’s how we’re built and continue to be as an organization.”

Mercer Milling’s history extends beyond the Family’s acquisition of the company in 1965. Indeed, the company has been around for nearly 200 years, formed in 1828 in Baldwinsville, NY right on the Seneca River Canal as a water-powered flour grist mill. “The flour from the mill was originally distributed to Syracuse, NY and around New England, and catered to Italian and Polish populations in the area,” said Matuszcazk. “The flour mill decided to diversify its business to include distribution of animal feeds and grains, as the flour grist milling business had dramatically changed over time. In 1965, Jim Colten purchased this business to further develop his vitamin and trace mineral premix business. The grist mill was moved by his son and successor Bill Colten in 2003 to Liverpool, NY. In December of 2016, Bill sold the company to Triple Crown nutrition, which is based out of Minneapolis, MN.” Currently, Mercer Milling has 39 full time employees in a 65,000 sq ft plant with two production lines and five trucks, delivering in New York, and they hire transportation for outside of the state.

Today, Mercer Milling has 4 major segments to their business. “We focus on macro mineral commodities that customers want in bags or totes that we receive in bulk via rail or truck,” said Scott Lyndaker, the general manager of Mercer Milling. “It’s primarily livestock and dairy industry based. Along with that, we provide feed additives that are used in diets at low inclusion rates, basically ingredients that a feed mill doesn’t want to keep on hand in bulk. Our meat and potatoes for our business is Private Label Vitamin Trace Mineral Premixes. We work with dairy nutrition consultants, feed mills, and large dairies and sell by 50 pound bags, 2,000 pound bags, or 30 ton truck loads. Lastly, we’ve gotten involved in doing drop shipments straight from the manufacturer to the end user as farms have grown larger and larger and feed mills as well. We also have some consignment items that we warehouse and include in our orders going out the door. That pretty much covers most of our business models.”

Mercer’s relationship with its suppliers is key for how it approaches business. “It’s a collaboration with the supply chain providers to work together to promote and sell to and service our clients,” said Matuszczak. For Lyndaker, that relationship is also about scale. “We have over 400 ingredients that are mixed into hundreds of different formulas throughout the year. So far this year, we’ve made 775 different formulas.

For Mercer Milling, belonging to NEAFA is an investment in the future. “They have continued awareness of how things are changing in industry, how we’re all related and connected in the business and industry and it’s future,” said Matuszczak. “From my perspective, I believe NEAFA is strategically committed to the future and support of agricultural businesses in our industry through advocacy, collaboration and education. It’s made up of a great group of businesspeople that includes highly talented business managers and agricultural professionals, dedicated to making the industry better for all. We get a lot out of that, and it’s also about how we’re going to continue to help and support each other within a marketplace that is changing very rapidly. It’s a great network to be connected to, since nearly all the members are also customers of Mercer Milling. We have exposure to members on a daily and weekly business.”

Lyndaker also appreciates the lobbying efforts. “The lobbying efforts are key, working with other entities to direct legislation is wonderful. And the amount of money they invest back into the youth and the next generation in our business is great to see. There’s been a tremendous amount of change in the dairy and feed industries, and it seems to be accelerating. I’m excited to see what happens in the next 5-10 years, and what it means for our business. The technology side is exciting, and as the dairy industry continues to consolidate, all of us have to find a way to do business with the dairy farms of 2030’s. We probably won’t be taking 100 lb bags of product of a pickup truck out to a farm, we’ve moved well beyond that as an industry.”

Matuszczak added “navigating the marketplace and keeping up with the changes in that marketplace are key. We’re well positioned to take on those challenges. We always want to be the first choice and no less than second when our customers are looking for private label premixes and feed ingredients they need for their customers farming operations.”

For more information on Mercer Milling, visit their website: https://www.mercermilling.com/ 

Annual Meeting Features Sessions on Workplace/Feed Safety, Stress Management

By Eric Jenks, Special to NEAFA

As Covid-19 restrictions continue to lift, NEAFA is excited for our 2021 Annual Meeting at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY from August 30-31, with the Golf for Good Works Tournament directly following it on September 1st, 2021. The meeting has numerous speakers and presenters, including a presentation on common ground between the American Academy of Bovine Practitioners and NEAFA by AABP President Carie Telgen, DVM, a commodity markets update and outlook from Chris Wolf​, Ph.D. of Cornell University, and a panel discussion on animal agriculture’s role in addressing climate change that will be moderated by Tom Overton​, Ph.D. of Cornell PRO-DAIRY, with Curt Gooch of Dairy Management, Inc., ​and Jon Patterson of Patterson Farms participating. 

The afternoon features two breakout sessions. Safety: For the Employee, the Animal, and the Consumer, is led by Gary Huddleston of AFIA, and Barbara Simeon of Co-Operative Feed Dealers, Inc. According to Huddleston, “this breakout session is geared toward producers of animal food. It will be an overview of OSHA employee safety programs as well as Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)food safety requirements applicable to animal food manufacturers. There are several required written safety programs with specific training requirements designed to keep workers safe that are applicable to animal food production. These requirements will be briefly discussed as a recommended safety program for facilities. FSMA has changed how we manufacture animal food today to keep it safe for the animal as well as keeping our human food supply safe. FSMA regulatory requirements for animal food production will be explained. After two brief presentations that give an overview of both topics, we will have a panel discussion and take questions from the audience.”

The second breakout session is by Kate Downes, the Outreach Director at NY Farmnet, and is entitled “Mind Yourself: Managing Stress in Uncertain Times.” For those unfamiliar with NY FarmNet, the organization is a program based at Cornell University, and supported by New York State. NY FarmNet provides free and confidential counseling for both business and personal needs of farmers, farm families, and agricultural service providers. “We’re well known for our crisis work with farms in financial trouble or farmers dealing with depression, but we do a lot of proactive work as well for farms that are entering a period of transition,” said Downes. “We send both financial and family consultants to farms, because quite often there’s underlying family tension when a business is having financial issues. They’re really intricately connected, and people don’t always realize that. When we send a team to a farm, they’ll get a consultant who is familiar with farm business management, and a family consultant who can work through interpersonal problems there. It’s why we’re successful in helping farms survive and thrive.”

Downes has worked with NY FarmNet for 5 years now, coordinating the training for NY FarmNet’s consultants, advocating for funding, as well as giving presentations at trade shows and events throughout the state. “I was working at Cornell for another program, and I needed a change,” said Downes. “I had lost my uncle to suicide, and looking at what NY FarmNet does, I was like oh my gosh this is so important. Joining this team ended up being a really good fit for me.” At the upcoming annual meeting, Downes is going to focus on stress management and what that means. “I want to talk about stress on the farm, what the signs of stress look like and how to talk about stress with people. My goal is to just give people the language that they may not have, so that they can talk about stress and how to ask for help. It’s important to know how to approach that conversation and how to manage stress through different techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness. Farm stress is not an easy thing to talk about, and we need to talk about suicide to destigmatize it. One reason people don’t ask for help is that they’re embarrassed, and I want to let them know they don’t have to be.” 

 “NY FarmNet is available 24/7, 365 days a year. If you call you will always get a real person on the other end - you don’t have to navigate a menu or anything to talk with someone. We all need to work together and support each other.” You can reach NY FarmNet at 1-800-547-3276 or fill out the contact form at www.nyfarmnet.org. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention hotline is 1-800-273-8255, or the crisis text line is 741741, just text HOME. For those under 18 in need of help, they can also call the Kids Help Phone at 1 800-668-6868.

End of Session: A Flurry of Activity

By Rick Zimmerman, Executive Director

Governmental Relations is a strategic objective for NEAFA. Interfacing with government, particularly in a democracy, is a civic responsibility for everyone. Especially as “We the People” strive to self-govern and maintain this 245-year-old social experiment. For NEAFA and most other trade associations, representing members before government entities is a membership benefit. We take on the responsibility to effectively advocate for the policies and programs that impact our members’ ability to maintain and grow their businesses in the Northeast. Therefore, our time and attention are dedicated to dairy profitability, specifically the policies that are related to labor, land, energy, pesticides, regulatory burdens, taxes, and science and technology.

Labor: The NY farm labor wage board is set to consider the following question: should 60 hours remain the threshold for farmworker overtime in New York? The Wage Board deferred the decision on this question until the end of this year, but the NY farm community knows that it cannot wait to launch an effort to demonstrate that 60 hours is the right limit until the Board reconvenes. NEAFA is supporting the Grow NY Farms Campaign to demonstrate how essential the 60 hours overtime threshold is for maintaining a viable agriculture community in New York. All NEAFA members are encouraged to support this effort and more information is available here. (NO LINK)

Pesticides: The threat to ban neonicotinoids from New York farms (S.699-B Hoylman/ A.7429 Englebright) is thwarted for now. Despite dozens of legislative meetings, organized by a broad-based coalition of agriculture, horticulture and landscape representatives, the State Senate passed the Hoylman bill by 43 – 20. Fortunately, the Legislative session ended before the Assembly considered the bill. New York is one of several states targeted by certain anti-pesticide organizations and other New England states are likely future targets. The issue has not gone away, and we must remain vigilant.

Science and Technology: NY legislation restricting the use of antimicrobials in animal agriculture (A.3493-A Rosenthal/ S.2871-A Kavanagh) would increase restrictions, and in some cases, ban the use of antibiotics on dairy farms. Opposed by veterinarians and farm groups alike, this bill would impede the ability of dairy farms to control disease, and would put the welfare of dairy cows at risk. The bill was not acted on in either house but remains a future threat.

Energy: The Clean Fuel Standard (A.826-A Woerner/ S.2962-A Parker): This proposed policy would create market incentives to lower the carbon footprint of transportation fuels and thus incentivize the sale of renewable natural gas (RHG) from dairy farm anaerobic digesters. Currently New York dairy farmers are selling RNG into the California market created by their low carbon fuel standard. New York is missing out on capturing this low carbon fuel option. The State’s climate change policy (CLCPA) is calling for a full range of climate smart practices to meet carbon reduction goals, and the low carbon fuel standard is an important part of this ticket. Despite strong support in both NY legislative houses, this bill remains on the “to do” list.

Land: The Soil Health and Resiliency Act (A.4722-A Lupardo) / S.5386-A Hinchey) was substantially amended to improve on the bill’s ability to serve the farming community with assistance and support to enhance soil health practices and create healthier soils. Soil and Water Conservation Districts would be empowered to provide technical assistance and future funding support would be targeted directly to farmers willing to employ such practices. The bill passed both houses and will be considered by Governor Cuomo later this year.

Regulatory Burden: In Vermont, House Bill 434 was signed by Governor Phil Scott and will install an Agriculture Innovation Board to replace the existing Pesticide Advisory Council. The board will include a wide array of farming interests and it will report annually to the legislature on pesticide use and other agricultural practices, and could make recommendations for incentive programs. The current Seed Review Committee, created two years ago in response to the Dicamba tolerant GE seed issue, will be folded into the Innovation Board. The Secretary of Agriculture once again has the authority, rather than an unelected committee, to approve the sale, distribution, and use of new seed traits.

Senate Bill 102 was also signed by Governor Scott, and will regulate pet and livestock animal health supplements, soil amendments and plant biostimulants. The bill sets up labeling and registration programs for these items. The Food and Drug Administration is attempting to regulate this area of animal health supplements, and they appear to be on the verge of coming up with a regulatory program. Should the FDA move forward on this front, circuit breaker language in the new law enables Vermont to back away from regulating dosage from animal feed supplements.

Plant biostimulants and soil amendments are also being brought into the Agency of Agriculture's regulatory shop, as they see more farmers looking for alternatives to traditional fertilizers and pesticides. Fortunately, we successfully lobbied for a definition and labeling language consistent with other states.

NEAFA will work with the Agency of Agriculture to assure farmers are able to get the products they desire, and that suppliers are not restricted from serving their farmer customers.

COVID restrictions required us to advocate through Zoom and forgo the impromptu huddles with lawmakers and lobbyists which can be so valuable in this business. The art of lobbying devolved to 30-minute zoom calls with little sense that your input was making a difference. Nevertheless, we did our best to convey our members’ priorities and perspectives with the hope that our arguments would win the day. It appears that is pretty much the case for 2021.

President’s Pen: Dairy Month

By Danielle Penney-Stroop
NEAFA President

It’s time to celebrate because June is National Dairy Month!! What initially started in 1937 as National Milk Month, has evolved to incorporate all of our favorite essential and nutritional dairy products, in addition to wholesome milk.

Besides our love for cows and dairy products, here are some other reasons as to why NEAFA is vested in the success of dairy operations throughout the Northeast. New York’s dairy industry is vital to the state’s economy. It accounts for approximately one-half of its on-farm production, support services, and value-added products.  NY’s dairy industry generates approximately $2.7 billion a year, which is nearly half of the State’s total agricultural receipts.  Additionally, for every $1 spent by a dairy farming business, the local economy receives approximately $2.18 in wages and related business transactions. For every job created by a milk processing plant, at least two more jobs are supported in related industries or sectors.

Like New York, Vermont’s dairy industry has a critical role and value in rural communities as an economic generator, and it’s instrumental to Vermont’s tourism. Red barns and Holstein cows scattered throughout the state is often considered a key part to Vermont’s current and historical identity.   

Thankfully the Northeast State Agriculture commissioners have been proactively collaborating since 2018 to discuss the challenges and opportunities within the dairy industry, as well as how to continue providing consumers with the best dairy products in the world while remaining sustainable throughout all facets of their operations.  

Dairy operations continue to face a barrage of challenges that impact the ability of the farm to thrive; unstable milk and feed prices, ingredient and nutrient shortages, supply chain issues (both inbound and outbound), and climate change. Climate change then leads into sustainability initiatives, legislative agendas, and consumer perceptions and demands. These are just some of the highlights and it is overwhelming to say the least.   

It is imperative for the dairy industry to tell our story daily. More than that, we need to stop preaching to the choir and we need to focus on reaching more of the non-agricultural population.  Dairy and livestock operations especially cannot do this alone, they need additional support.  It is time to establish partnerships and advocate on behalf of one another.   

Time is often our most valuable commodity, and a lacking resource for most agricultural businesses. I am challenging our industry to step up and think outside our normal playbook and routine. Collectively, we as an industry should be equally vested in our thriving dairy operations. Below are some examples of how we can help.  

• Table Rock Farms – encourages other producers to open their doors and show what takes place on their farm – transparency and education.

• #DiscoverNYDairy - Congratulations to NYAAC with their amazing new initiative and fabulous opportunity for dairy operations to tell and show their story under the guidance of Director Eileen Jensen. There is an emphasis for communicating dairy stories throughout the metropolitan areas of NY. Thank you for your creativity and hard work for establishing such an impactful campaign for NY Dairy industry!

• Terry Ives, of Greenview Farms has advocated on behalf of his operation, and with Price Chopper / Market 32’s Fill A Glass with Hope program that is promoting and endorsing the nutritional value of dairy and contributions to local food banks. Thank you Terry and Price Chopper!

Feed manufacturers, agricultural supply stores and operations, crop enterprises, food processors, and transporters need to get creative and find ways to highlight your customers (livestock operations), and collaborate on what they are doing and perhaps your role or partnership involvement with them. This can also serve to highlight your business initiatives and goals / value to the local economy.

All agricultural industry personnel spend time finding the right platforms and media solutions or avenues to highlight your accomplishments, especially green initiatives and sustainability measures. The internet works for us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and we can capitalize on that.  

Regardless of the size and business structure of your dairy operation, we thank you for your resilience, determination, and fortitude during this past year. You should be commended for your tenacity and ingenuity to consistently adapt and overcome. We raise a glass to you, and look forward to continuing to support this phenomenal industry.  

Strategic Plan: Summer Topic for NEAFA Board

Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash

The Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA) Board of Directors will be engaging in a strategic planning process this summer. In preparation for this work, we are requesting members’ input on the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis of our organization. If you have not already done so, we respectfully request about 15 - 20 minutes to complete this survey because your input is important to us. The deadline for completion of this survey is June 15 and you can access the survey at the following link:

NEAFA SWOT Survey 2021

“We are soliciting input from a wide variety of stakeholders, members and nonmembers alike,” said NEAFA President Danielle Penney-Stroop. “Please provide your honest and frank observations. Your input will be valuable to the Board as it goes about its strategic planning efforts in the coming months.”

The last strategic planning meeting was 2015, and while a meeting was due in 2020, it was postponed due the covid-19 pandemic. “The plan has caused us to focus on our strengths, and to build programs from there,” said Penney-Stroop. “We’re dedicated to the strategic plan because it has allowed us to focus on and to realize that advocacy, collaboration, and education remain our core objectives. Our programs and focus have been around these three elements, and it has reaffirmed the work that we’ve been doing. Now is the time to re-assess and see if this is the direction that we want to continue.”

According to Penny-Stroop, we are at a pivotal moment. “There are so many changes in agriculture as we are watching potential legislation concerning animal welfare and handling, overtime, along with the effect on the view that the general public has on the industry based upon what social media influencers, magazines, etc. are putting out. Things are coming at us fast and furious, and we need to make sure that we look at how to address misinformation when it arises, and how do we play the game to make sure that the best interests of the industry are put before the public.”

Although some questions in the survey ask for demographic information (e.g. name, organization, type of business), please note that this information will be used for analysis purposes only, and none of your responses to individual questions will be associated with your identifying information.

Again, your survey responses are due back by June 15th, and you can reach the survey by clicking here. Thank you for your input and support!

Matt Lohr to Keynote NEAFA Annual Meeting

NEAFA is proud to announce that Matt Lohr, the 16th Chief of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), former Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and former Virginia State House of Delegates Representative will keynote the upcoming 2021 NEAFA Annual Meeting. “NEAFA’s Immediate Past President John Clark is a long time friend of mine,” said Lohr. “I’m part of his territory in Harrisonburg, VA. We’ve wanted to do something together for NEAFA for a while now. While I was the Chief of NRCS however, I couldn’t do personal events and then Covid hit. I’m excited to speak to a live audience again instead of being in my living room and doing something on zoom. I like that NEAFA’s mission is to realize as an industry that we can accomplish so much when we work collectively. I’m excited to have a chance to come up, learn more, and to meet with the attendees and share a positive message.”

Lohr and his family have a long history with agriculture. “I’m a fifth-generation farmer in Shenandoah valley,” said Lohr. “I got involved with FFA when I was young, and that gave me my love for communicating and speaking and telling the story of the agricultural community.” Besides his advocacy through politics, Lohr also runs his own business called Lohr Leadership, which focuses on motivational speaking based on his experiences in agriculture, life and political service.

“I’m a farmer in and out, it’s my true passion,” said Lohr. “I’m happiest when I’m here on the farm and I get to take care of the animals. I got involved in politics at an early age however. I was very blessed to come from a family that was very involved in public service; My parents and grandparents served on the fire department and the rescue squad, in the rotary club, etc. They taught me that serving your neighbor is an important way to live your life. I spent time serving as a state and national FFA officer, which gave me the opportunity to meet with President Bush on three different occasions, and I had the chance to meet other leaders at the state and national levels. That really fueled my interest to run for office, and give me an avenue to help make a difference for the agricultural industry.”

Lohr’s farm raises 750,000 broilers annually, along with 180 head of feeder cattle, and 250 acres dedicated to crop soy beans, corn, and hay production. “We’re a century farm,” said Lohr. “It’s been in my family for over 100 years, and is placed under permanent conservation easements so that it will stay in production agriculture forever. When I was Commissioner of Agriculture in Virginia, farmland preservation was a big initiative of mine. The initiatives that were in place before me, they weren’t viewed as farmer friendly for large scale animal operations. I made it a priority to make easements that were a better fit for confined animal farms. Once I was out of public office, I had the opportunity to apply it for my farm, so I could keep this land for production agriculture for future generations. Our farm is located off of Interstate 81, which is a major intersection, which potentially makes it a very developable area of land. I didn’t want it to become just another truck stop or box store in the future.”

Lohr has also worked as the Knowledge Center Director for Farm Credit of the Virginias, a customer-owned financial cooperative of 72 Farm Credit associations. “I spent 4 years working for Farm Credit to develop the educational aspect of their business,” said Lohr. “They wanted to educate farmers about business plans and farm succession. They work hand in hand with producers to help them be successful from the educational aspect. We focused a lot on young, beginning, small, and minority producers with an emphasis on the next generation.”

Lohr’s keynote is a combination of 3 topics. “The first part is also an important part of NEAFA,” said Lohr. “It’s about coming together and speaking with a collective voice. It’s about being able in agriculture to have our voices heard on the topics of climate change and other issues that surround agriculture. That as a community we can come together and speak with a collective voice. The second part is overcoming setbacks. You have to live life with determination and adapt and overcome setbacks. Lastly, it’s about living with a servant’s heart. I think for all of us, that giving back and looking for ways to serve and make our communities a better place is so important, to not lose sight of the importance of serving other people.”

Lohr’s keynote address will take place during the August 31st Annual Meeting Luncheon at the Turning Stone Resort and Golf Club, Vernon, NY. Registration and agenda details can be found by clicking here.

Call to Action: Grow NY Farms Coalition takes on Farm Labor Campaign

Photo by Jed Owen on Unsplash

New York farms are faced with a serious threat to the 60-hour overtime threshold. Even though 60 hours per week was set in law in 2019, a wage board has the authority to tell the NYS Labor Commissioner to lower that threshold. This threatened action promises to change the face of agriculture as we know it. The Wage Board will be making their recommendation later this year, and NEAFA, along with the NY farm community, is launching a campaign to convince the wage board to keep 60 at 60. NEAFA recognizes the damage that changes to this threshold can have for New York Farms, and the dangerous precedent that it could set for other Northeastern states to follow in the future.

This 60-hour standard was a major compromise for the NY farm community, and farmers know that anything less than 60 hours per week will irreparably alter the face of NY agriculture. If we are to remain competitive in national and world markets, NY farm labor costs cannot be significantly higher than our cohorts or other regions.

“The agricultural workforce is vital & essential to all our farms and agricultural industry throughout NY State,” said NEAFA President Danielle Penney-Stroop. “We have intense labor needs for most of our agricultural operations, such as nurseries, fruit & vegetables farms, dairying, viticulture, etc., especially in comparison to the other agricultural regions throughout the country. To implement new innovated technologies or increase mechanization on many operations would require such a large investment of capital, that in many cases it becomes a barrier of entry. As an industry, we need to demonstrate & emphasize how the overtime threshold has impacted New York farms, employees, and their families, and that a 60-hour overtime threshold is the absolute line in the sand for New York agriculture. New York’s dairy farmers will face some tough choices and, regardless of the choice, farmworkers come out on the short end of the stick with potentially fewer jobs, shorter hours, and less take-home pay.”

The Grow NY Farms Coalition, formed in 2019, includes leading farmers and farm organizations in New York State. Coalition leaders are requesting your support for another successful farm labor campaign this year. A public relations/ communications firm (The Martin Group) has been retained to help with the fight and the coalition is reaching out to all potential supporters for financial support.  Organizations including Northeast Dairy Producers Association, New York Farm Bureau, dairy cooperatives, and individual dairy farms, stepped up to the plate with significant contributions. NEAFA pledged $5000 to the cause and we challenge you to support the effort as well.

“Agriculture contributes greater than $5 Billion to the state economy, and has a significantly greater impact on the rural/local economies throughout the state,” said Penney-Stroop. “Therefore, it is imperative to advocate and support all our farm operations in becoming more competitive in attracting & retaining employees thus ensuring their viability and sustainability in our local & global markets. Producers will not remain competitive with the latest recommended OT threshold; we must keep it at 60 hours. In 2019, Farm Credit East published that farm income could decrease 23% due to combined minimum wage and overtime rules. That impact on overall farm income, combined with many other variables of increased costs will be the demise of many agricultural operations throughout our state, forever changing the landscape.”

“As we often say, without a healthy, growing production sector, the agribusiness community does not exist,” said NEAFA Executive Director Rick Zimmerman. “This issue threatens to dramatically change the face of New York’s agriculture industry and warrants our direct engagement. Please consider a significant contribution. You may send your pledge directly to the address below or NEAFA can forward your contribution through paypal by clicking here.

Grow NY Farms
8351 Lewiston Rd #3-304
Batavia, NY 14020

Thank you for supporting this important cause.

Danielle Penney-Stroop, NEAFA President

2021 HHNC Conference a Success

The Herd Health and Nutrition Conference, which was held virtually this year, was a success, with approximately 129 attendees on the first day, and 115 attendees the following day. The conference took place as three-hour afternoon sessions on April 5th-6th. Presented by NEAFA and PRO-DAIRY, the event featured live presentations on a wide variety of subjects, including an informative panel discussion on innovative methods to managing during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The panel featured Andy Dugan, of Gold Star Feed and Grain, Dr. Kaitlyn Lutz, of Keseca Veterinary Clinic, and Tonya Van Slyke, Executive Director of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA).

HHNC also featured presentations by Dr. Gerard Cramer, of the University of Minnesota, Dr. Heather White, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Chris Wolf of Cornell University, Dr. Julio Giordano of Cornell University, and Dr. Mike Lormore, of Zoetis. Topics focused on cow health at the macro and metabolic level, a retrospective analysis of how the pandemic effected the dairy market at large, and ways to maximize herd performance, profitability, and the drivers of financial success at a dairy.

For more information or to view a recording of the event click here.

NEAFA Announces 2021 Scholarship Winners

NEAFA is proud to announce the winners of the 2021 Scholarship for Future Agriculturalists. NEAFA awards four $500 scholarships to eligible high school seniors planning to pursue a field of study that will lead to a career in agriculture, with a specific emphasis on animal science, agronomy, agriculture education or agribusiness. The 2021 Winners include Anna Western, of Lowville, NY, Brittany Martin, of Attica, NY, Grace Dunham, of Richmondville, NY, and Tyler Ziehm, of Greenwich, NY. These young scholars represent the ideals that NEAFA hopes to see in the future of agriculture, and we wish them well as they start their collegiate journeys.

Anna Western will be attending SUNY Cobleskill in the fall of 2021 to study Agri-Business. “Even though I did not grow up on a family farm, I have developed a fondness for agriculture, and specifically issues involving food insecurities in our country and world,” said Western. “I look forward to furthering my education so that I can make a difference in the industry that will lead to more stability in the access all people have to obtain the nutrition they need to survive.”

Brittany Martin will be attending Delaware Valley University in the fall of 2021 to study Agri-Business. “Agriculture is the most important industry in the world, and I am privileged to have

been involved in it my entire life,” said Martin. “I look forward to making a difference in my personal life, but also in the industry I love so much.”

Grace Dunham will be majoring in Food Science/Biology in the fall of 2021, at a school to be determined. “I have always been curious about where our food comes from, and that has transitioned to become my passion,” said Duham. “I want to broaden my experiences so that I can be a part of the solutions that help small farms succeed and thrive in the future.”

Tyler Ziehm will be majoring in Dairy Production at a school to be determined in the fall of 2021. “Growing up on a dairy farm, this is the career I have always wanted to be engaged in,” said Ziehm. “My plans are to one day become a partner in my family’s operation. I take great

pride in completing a day’s work, knowing that my efforts are helping to feed our nation.”

For more information on the NEAFA Scholarship for Future Agriculturalists, click here.

NEAFA Active in Albany, Montpelier

By Rick Zimmerman and Margaret Laggis

Advocacy is the common theme for NEAFA as it engages with lawmakers in various Northeastern capitals. State legislative sessions generally run from January through the spring months, however Massachusetts drags their session on throughout the year. There was a time when these citizen legislatures hustled through their work in time to get home for spring planting. But that orientation is long gone and so have most of the farmer legislators. Today, we are fortunate if there are any farmer-state lawmakers in the northeastern states which makes the challenge of advocating for agriculture policy ever more difficult.

In New York where there are only nine out of 63 majority party senators representing districts north of the Tap Pan Zee Bridge (oops! Mario Cuomo Bridge) which makes agriculture’s voice within the majority party rather faint. The situation is a bit less lopsided in the State Assembly, yet the overwhelmingly large number of urban based legislators make it difficult for agriculture interests, to break through. Nevertheless, the strong leadership of Agriculture Committees Chairs Assemblymember Donna Lupardo and Senator Michelle Hinchey, along with the collaborative efforts of upstate legislators from both parties, help significantly to bring the ag community’s voice into the debate. This fact was particularly apparent during the state budget debate.

The State Budget was finalized during the early days of April and the ag lobby’s efforts to restore funding to critical programs came to fruition. Despite huge deficits threatened by the COVID Pandemic, the Governor and legislative leaders dedicated sufficient funds to make sure programs like PRO-DAIRY, FarmNet, Farm Viability Institute, Integrated Pest Management and the NYS Diagnostic Laboratory received full funding. We are appreciative for the leadership in the Assembly and Senate, particularly Agriculture Committee Chairs Donna Lupardo and Michelle Hinchey, for their strong support of NEAFA’s legislative priorities.

Now that we are in the second half of the NYS legislative session, pesticide bans are garnering steam. There is a concerted effort by environmental groups across the country to demonize neonicotinoid pesticides and put corn and soybean production in peril. Most of the corn and soybean planted throughout the northeast are treated with imidacloprid or another neonic to protect the seed and seedling from numerous critters. Farmers know that treated seed is a good risk management tool, well worth the investment because they could lose an entire crop to soil born insects. Treated seeds and neonics are in the cross hairs of state legislature and NEAFA, in collaboration with several agricultural and horticultural organizations, are working hard to solve the pollinator challenge without losing neonics. Our challenge this year is greater due to the political dynamics referenced above and we are looking to our agriculture committee chairs to help us find a way forward.

In Vermont, the bills that we have been tracking have passed out of their final committees and are headed to the floor of the House or Senate. From there a conference committee will work out the differences between the two houses before the legislative session draws to a close next month.

House Bill 434 would install an Agriculture Innovation Board to replace the existing Pesticide Advisory Council. The board will include wide array of farming interests and it will report annually to the legislature on pesticide use and other agricultural practices and could make recommendations for incentive programs. The existing Seed Review Committee, created two years ago in response to the Dicamba tolerant GE seed issue, will be folded into the Innovation Board. We continue to work to remove their authority to override the Secretary of Agriculture’s ability to approve the sale, distribution and use of new seed traits. NEAFA, with the assistance of Cubby Bourdeau, testified and submitted a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee Bobby Starr guiding him on finetuning the proposal.

Senate Bill 102 is a wide-ranging regulatory proposal that deals with post-consumer compost and chicken foraging as well as the regulation of pet and livestock animal health supplements, soil amendments and plant biostimulants. The bill sets up labeling and registration programs for these items. The Food and Drug Administration has been attempting to regulate this area of animal health supplements for 20 years and they appear to be on the verge of coming up with a regulatory program. Regardless, the State Legislature is poised to create this new state-level regulatory program.

We pushed hard to remove livestock supplements from this bill and a letter from NEAFA and the Vermont Feed Dealers Association to the House Agriculture Committee appealed for exclusion. But legislative leaders have been insistent on leaving them in. Agency of Agriculture has seen a rise in unproven claims by some livestock supplements products and they want the ability to go after companies selling products that do not work as advertised. However, language was included that will disengage Vermont’s regulatory program if the FDA picks up the responsibility. NEAFA will continue to work with the Agency of Agriculture to assure that Vermont dairy farmers continue to be able to acquire the new feed supplements necessary to keep the industry competitive.

Plant biostimulants represent a new area of research and innovation into natural ways to boost a plant’s ability to resist pests and disease and they are on the Agency of Agriculture’s radar screen. Fortunately, we successfully lobbied for a definition and labeling language consistent with other states.

Soil amendments are also being brought into the Agency’s regulatory shop as they see more farmers looking for alternatives to traditional fertilizers. With the issues surrounding PFAS and other little-known pollutants being found in unexpected places, the Agency wants to track what is being put onto Vermont’s fields and to be sure that soil amendment claims are based in sound science. NEAFA will continue to monitor this program to assure farmers are able to get the products they desire and that suppliers are not restricted from serving their farmer customers.

NEAFA Elects New Officers, New Members Appointed to BOD

By Eric Jenks, Special to NEAFA

NEAFA congratulates President Danielle Penney-Stroop and Vice-President Jenny Kelsey Mills on their newly elected positions. Both have been integral members of the NEAFA leadership and board, and we are excited to have them at the helm of the association. 

Penney-Stroop is currently employed by Novus International as Senior Sales Manager of US Ruminant East.  “We provide cow comfort expertise to dairy producers, as well as offer producers a wide variety of products that enhance overall health & production,” said Penney-Stroop. “I have had a variety of roles in the dairy industry for the past 20 years – from large herd management in northern NY & VT, nutrition & dairy management consulting throughout the Northeast, with specialization of calves & heifers. I participated in Class 17 of the Cornell LEAD NY program.”

According to Penney-Stroop, she has “a love for all of agriculture, but my passion, core, and roots lie with the dairy industry.” As part of that passion, Penney-Stroop believes education is key. “I look forward to, and will continue my efforts in working to bridge the educational gaps between the general populous and production agriculture. Additionally, I look forward to increasing my lobbying efforts and becoming more involved in the political process on the behalf of our producers, as we’ll as other ag industry manufacturers and professionals.”

Mills has been a part of the agricultural fabric of the Northeast since she was a child, growing up on a dairy farm in central New York. Mills currently works as the strategic marketing dairy industry lead for Provimi North America, the premix and nutrition business subsidiary of Cargill. Prior to that, Mills worked for Elanco Animal Health for fifteen years, straight from graduating from Cornell University with a masters in calf nutrition in 2004.  

The NEAFA Board appointed four individuals to fill five open positions open due to officer elections and board term expirations. These appointments will have a chance to be elected to the board by the membership during the August 31st Annual Meeting. New members include Alan Wright, of Purina Animal Nutrition, Charlie Elrod of Natural Biologics, Karl Bitz of Central New York Feeds, Kevin Kouri of Phoenix Feeds & Nutrition, and Mike Thresher of Morrison’s Custom Feeds.

Alan Wright is currently a senior feed formulator with Purina Animal Nutrition, doing custom dairy feeds for the Northeast, based out of the Caledonia, NY feed mill since 2004. He graduated from Penn State University in 1984 with a degree in Animal Production. After 5 years in a confinement farrow to finish operation; he joined Agway in 1989. Starting as a swine feeds sales person; Alan had many roles over his 15 years with Agway, including Mill manager and Regional Sales manager. He resides in Piffard, NY with his wife Sue; they have 6 grown children, and 10 grandchildren.

Charlie Elrod has been involved in the livestock industry for over 40 years. After building and operating his own dairy in the early 80s, he went on to work with the dairy and beef herds at Berry College while completing his Bachelor of Science degree. Moving north to Cornell University, he completed a Ph.D., focusing on the intersection of protein nutrition and fertility in dairy cattle. After his Ph.D., he spent the next 10 years as a member of the Cornell University extension faculty and directing the New York State Cattle Health Assurance Program. Over the last 20 years, he has worked as a business development manager, tech service consultant and leading R&D and technical support for the dairy division of an animal health company. He is currently the co-founder and President of Natural Biologics, a product development and innovation company focused on solving significant animal health challenges. In 2018 he was appointed as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Animal Science Department at Cornell University.

Karl Bitz is currently co-owner and President of Central New York Feeds, a family business that manufactures animal feed for dairy farms in upstate NY. Previously, he spent eight years working at Palantir Technologies, a Palo Alto, CA based software company where he helped create, transform, and lead operations teams as the business grew from 200 to 2000+ employees. Karl received his B.S. from Cornell University in 2009. He lives in Skaneateles, NY with his wife Kristi and their three kids: Addie (5), Josie (3), and Eli (1).

Mr. Kevin M. Kouri has a B.S. from the University of Vermont and a M.S. from the University of Connecticut, upon completion of his M.S. in May of 2003 he took his first role within Poulin Grain Inc., Newport, VT.  He spent 15 years with Poulin Grain Inc. working in various capacities for them servicing accounts in Franklin County, Vermont along with supporting colleagues in other counties.  His roles covered field nutrition sales, territory sales manager and in the last couple years while living overseas heading up special projects and sales/tech support.  Kevin established his own consulting business Summit View Consulting in 2017 which focused on integrated solutions for the modern dairy cow with hopes of traveling further overseas developing nutrition program and management recommendations to further the dairy clientele.  This exposed him to the Asia dairy market working with feed additive distributors within Asia advising nutrition and farm management practices within a rapidly growing dairy industry.  In 2018, Kevin’s family had an abrupt change in plans and moved back to Vermont from France at which time he took up a full-time position as Dairy Portfolio Product Manager for Performance Minded Ingredients (PMI) within Land O’Lakes.  His time with PMI, Fall 2018 to Spring 2021, allowed him to continue and travel throughout the United States working within different dairy regions and different feed manufactures.  In March 2021, Kevin turned back to being closer to the heartbeat of the industry and accepted the position within Phoenix Feed and Nutrition as their Director of Nutrition and Sales.  Being back involved in the day-to-day workings of dedicated dairy producers working alongside a dedicated team at Phoenix Feeds and Nutrition is very exciting for him.  Having the opportunity to lead and grow a team within this organization along with a company focused on expansion within the region will bring new challenges and rewards daily.  Outside of work Kevin is an avid downhill skier with his family, enjoys road biking, fishing and camping with his family throughout New England in the summertime. 

Mike Thresher is a 3rd generation Vermont farmer with a passion to see the farms in Northern New England survive and flourish. He is a graduate of VTC with a degree in Agribusiness Management, then joined the family dairy and took over the farm in 1997. In 2000, Mike joined with Morrison's Custom Feeds and found a passion for organic dairy farming and was instrumental in leading to the growth in the Northern New England organic dairy industry. Additionally, he created a Non-Gmo line of feed for Morrison’s.  Today he still works with farms all over Northern New England, assisting farms to improve forage quality from the soil up.  He also serves on the Board of Directors for NOFA-VT.  He lives in Danville with his wife Julie, in his free time they enjoy helping others, or can be found out snowshoeing, hiking, biking or kayaking.

NEAFA Thanks Exiting President John Clark for His Service

Exiting President John Clark

By Eric Jenks, Special to NEAFA

NEAFA extends its thanks and best wishes to exiting President John Clark for his leadership to the organization. Leading an organization is never an easy task, and the Covid-19 pandemic created new and unanticipated challenges to surmount. Under Clark’s leadership however, the organization continued to serve the needs and promote the hard work of our members, no matter the difficulties that we all faced.

"It has been my honor to be the president of NEAFA for the past 2 years," said outgoing NEAFA President John Clark. "While I doubt any of us could have foreseen the difficulties of the past year for our industry and the world at large, I think it highlights the importance that our organization has to promote and create opportunities for the agricultural industry during unprecedented challenges. I look forward to remaining active with NEAFA, and seeing the continued success of all of our members.”

While Clark’s shoes will be difficult to fill in the organization, NEAFA is confident that incoming NEAFA President Danielle Penney-Stroop will maintain and build upon the work done by her predecessors.

Executive Director Rick Zimmerman expressed his sincere appreciation for John’s service to the organization.  “John’s dedication to the mission of our organization was unwavering and tireless” said Rick. “A volunteer leader is often a thankless job.  Therefore, on behalf of the entire NEAFA membership, I thank John Clark for a job well done!”

“John, on behalf of the board and myself, I want to express how much we greatly appreciate your time and devotion to NEAFA,” said incoming NEAFA President Danielle Penney-Stroop. “I know it sounds cliché, but I will have big shoes to fill. I often saw and admired as you were taking the bull by the horns or just taking the plunge approach to solving issues. Your dedication to this organization has always been steadfast, with an undeniable passion for serving the industry and its members. You embrace the 3 pillars and set such an example for Advocating, Collaborating, and Educating. Your devotion for recognizing and fostering the engagement of our youth has always been a priority.   Your inspiration and commitment to the sponsorship drives for our meetings and events is contagious. The tenacity to bring forth and lobby critical issues on behalf of our members and the agriculture community with our legislative representatives at all levels is also incredibly motivating. You have never asked anyone to do something that you, yourself would not do.  And it has truly been enjoyable observing you for many years, at the forefront with mic in hand at numerous events and I truly hope that continues.  On behalf of the board – we thank you!”

First Ever: All New England Dairy Nutrition Conference

By Rick Zimmerman, Executive Director

More than 100 farmers, nutritionists, cooperative extension agents, Land Grant faculty and NEAFA members gathered on March 11th for the first ever all New England Dairy Nutrition Conference.  This virtual event, co-hosted by NEAFA, Cornell, UConn, UMass Amherst, U of Maine, UNH, UVM and URI, focused on key issues impacting successful dairy production throughout New England.  

Justine Deming, of URI kicked off the program with a presentation on farm labor management.  Cover crops was the topic for Richard Smith of UNH and Quirine Ketterings from Cornell.  Bill Weiss of Ohio St talked about profitable grouping of dairy cows and Cornell’s Tom Overton focused on feeding and managing for milk components.  The conference finished up with Pete Ericson of UNH presenting on the importance of colostrum in a successful dairy farm business.

The conference was strongly supported by many businesses serving the New England agriculture community.  NEAFA and its Land Grant co-hosts appreciates the following agribusinesses for their co-sponsorships: Adisseo, Balchem, Gold Star Feed and Grain, Gramco Inc., Jefo Nutrition, Papillion Agricultural Company, Phoenix Feeds and Nutrition, Poulin Grain, PMI Nutritional Additives, Westway Feed Products, Vermont Feed Dealers Association, and Zinpro Corp.

Planning for 2022 will begin soon. 

NEAFA Member Profile: Bayer Crop Science

By Eric Jenks, Special to NEAFA

NEAFA recently spoke with Darren Wallis, the head of communications and Kimberly O’Brien of the Government Relations Department for Bayer Crop Science to learn more about the company and its commitment to the agricultural industry.

“Bayer Crop Science is 100 percent focused on farmers and the success of farmers,” said Wallis. “We have an incredible portfolio of high tech seeds, biotech traits, a leading crop protection portfolio, and digital farming platform. All of those tools combined are meant to help farmers do what they do best; raise the very best and most profitable crop they can, and get it to market to provide food, feed, and fiber to the country and around the world.”

While many may hear the name Bayer and automatically think of aspirin, the 150 plus year old company has roots in agriculture all the way back to its beginning. “The first product that Bayer ever developed was actually an insecticide for farmers,” said Wallis. “Bayer’s crop science predates even aspirin in our catalog of products. It’s been a focus for the company since the beginning.”

In 2018, Bayer acquired Monsanto in a bid to increase its crop science catalog and provide a wider selection of products to its customers. “After the acquisition of Monsanto, we have the largest catalog out there,” said Wallis. “Monsanto was strong in seeds and bio-tech traits, while Bayer was strong with crop chemistries and that portfolio. By coming together under Bayer, it’s been incredible opportunity to serve our customers even better than we could as two separate companies. We have something for every farmer regardless of what corner of the US they’re in, as we have so many different products to meet the specialized needs that any crop may have.”

Besides seeds and chemistry, Bayer has invested in its digital platform. “ We’re always seeing new upgrades and apps,” said Wallis. “With that technology, farmers are increasingly becoming able to farm acre by acre, and see how different competing seeds and systems work in their fields. Yield monitors let them see how this particular part of their field performed versus other sections. They can make decision on what seeds to plant where and optimize every acre of their ground and that’s really exciting. You can look at all that data and know exactly whether those investments you’ve made for growing panned out or not. You didn’t used to have that level of data. You might know at a field level with a visual of ‘I think this looked better in this section or not,’ or ‘I got more truckloads out of this section or not,’ but now you have this incredibly rich piece of data that takes a lot of that guess work out. You know without a doubt what part of your field yielded what, and that can allow you to make very powerful decisions based off that data.”

According to Wallis, Bayer Crop Science believes that associations are important for the growth and success for the industry at large. “Participating in NEAFA and other associations keeps us in touch with agricultural communities,” said Wallis. “Our focus is the success of farmers, and it takes an interconnected agricultural community to help continue that success. Engaging in associations like NEAFA keeps us closer to our grower customer and the issues and topics that are important to them. We all want to work together to make farmers succeed. When they succeed, Bayer and other companies that support them succeed as well. That’s part of being one big community.” 

For government relations focused O’Brien, the advocacy done by NEAFA is very important as well. “Being a part of NEAFA is great because of the work and advocacy they do with legislators and in education,” said O’Brien. “Before Covid-19, we used to do in person visits to legislators, and the ability to partner with NEAFA members and talk with them about our products and our work to aid agribusiness operations in New England and New York is great. It has been a real benefit to help us tell our part of the story and how it fits with northeastern agribusiness. When things moved to a virtual format, NEAFA Executive Director Rick Zimmerman has done a great job shifting to that format. The integral meetings with Agriculture Commissioners across six New England states and New York and continue the conversation on legislation; he’s kept that going.”

In a similar vein to NEAFA’s dedication to giving back through the Golf for Good Works Tournament, Bayer Crop Science believe in investing in the ag community and its youth. “We invest a great deal in youth and youth programs,” said Wallis. “It’s important personally and to the company. We’re a significant sponsor of the national 4H council and FFA. Both are important to us for many reasons, since they continue to attract a diverse talent into agriculture. I’m a 4H alum, I grew up on a farm, and I did great things through 4h on and off farm. It taught me public speaking, I got to grow tomatoes with Gran and taking them to the fair; those are experiences that have shaped my life. As the country has become more urban, we’re always looking for new ways to attract youth to STEM, and want people to know that agriculture is vibrant and exciting. There’s a home for them in agriculture and you don’t have to be a farmer to be involved. We know that if you can get to young people early and get them excited, that you have better chance to get them into STEM and agriculture.”

For more about Bayer Crop Science, you can find them at www.bayercropscience.us, or email Wallis directly at darren.wallis@bayer.com.

Work in a Feed Facility? You Need the NEW FMT!

Article provided by AFIA

Are you a feed mill manager with questions about manufacturing operations or plant management? Or, maybe you have an important inspection coming up and want to make sure your employees understand their responsibilities meeting current regulatory standards? Then, you may want to check out the American Feed Industry Association’s new Feed Manufacturing Technology (FMT) book!

This comprehensive online resource, written by nearly 100 industry experts and professors with decades of experience, is a great reference tool for everyday animal feed manufacturing operations, covering everything from employee safety and health to materials handling and storage, sanitation and pest management, quality assurance and more. It also includes detailed information on planning for new facilities or remodeling existing facilities.

“The book contains a wealth of knowledge about feed manufacturing from the history of this great industry to current regulations affecting how we operate,” said Gary Huddleston, AFIA’s director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs. “It’s an A-to-Z manual on how to manage a feed mill.”

Learn more and subscribe today on AFIA’s website.

New York Lobby Day Promotes State Budget Programs Key to Ag Community

NEAFA Representatives meet with NYS Assembly Member Donna A. Lupardo during Lobby Day.

By Rick Zimmerman, NEAFA Executive Director

Zoom is the go-to platform for legislative meetings, and NEAFA made the best of this opportunity on March 3rd when members of the NEAFA Board of Directors and the Governmental Relations Committee hosted a series of meetings with New York State lawmakers.  Ten legislators met with the NEAFA team who focused on legislative priorities including important State budget supported agricultural programs and legislative policies that could significantly hamper NY farmers’ ability to grow crops.  The State budget is due by April 1st. 

“The Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance prioritizes the advocacy work we undertake throughout our northeastern region, and the New York Lobby Day is one example of this outreach,” said John Clark, NEAFA president. “Our work in Albany is essential to assure that the state budget appropriately prioritizes New York’s agriculture industry. We are proud to be part of a collaborative effort to make sure agriculture’s voice is heard throughout northeastern state capitals.”  

NEAFA hosted a dozen meetings throughout the day, focused on legislative leaders from the Senate and Assembly, including the chairs of the agriculture committees, Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Donna Lupardo. Other legislators who met with NEAFA advocates included Senators: Borrello, Mannion, May, Oberaker and Assemblymembers: Lemondes, Manktelow, Tague and Woerner.  

“NEAFA joins with a large cross section of the New York agriculture lobby to support essential budget-funded programs,” said Andy Dugan, chair of NEAFA’s Governmental Relations Committee. “Programs such as PRO-DAIRY, NY FarmNet, Integrated Pest Management and Farm Viability Institute provide critical services and assistance to New York’s agriculture industry.”

Budget priorities NEAFA discussed during New York Lobby Day include:

Resources to enhance Cornell’s PRO-DAIRY:

• Core funding for PRO-DAIRY of $1.201 million. PRO-DAIRY works with dairy farmers to address agronomic, economic and environmental challenges to enhance the overall sustainability of New York’s dairy industry.

• Dairy Profit Teams ($220,000) have assisted nearly 250 dairy farms with strategic business planning to improve operational efficiencies, uncover improvement opportunities and support the next generation of farms.

• The Dairy Advancement Program ($700,000) has assisted nearly 400 small to mid-size farms with environmental planning.

• The new Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Program (SPEAR) of $400,000 is a new initiative focused on the management of nutrients in the biological loop of crop production, animal feed and manure recycling to the land. 

Cornell Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Programs:

• The Animal Health Surveillance & Control Program ($5.43 million) is a comprehensive program dedicated to improving the health of food and fiber producing animals, companion animals, sport and recreational animals, exotic animals, and wildlife.

• The Quality Milk Production Program ($1.174 million) serves New York’s dairy industry by promoting the production of high-quality milk through the control of mastitis and the avoidance of antibiotic residues in milk.

Enhanced funding for the NY Farm Viability Institute ($1.9 million)

• This farmer-driven program funds projects to enhance farm profitability. It has returned more than $7 to the State’s economy for every $1 invested.

Enhanced funding for NY FarmNet.

• Core funding for NY FarmNet ($872,000) 

 Mental Health Initiative ($400,000)  

Through NY FarmNet, financial and mental health consultants help farm families and businesses deal with financial and emotional issues related to farm stress. Last year, FarmNet professionals worked with more than 635 farmers on issues ranging from economic and mental health to business and estate planning.

Funding for a Cornell Farm Labor Specialist ($200,000)

• A professional farm business/human resources Extension specialist provides timely, valuable information and guidance to farmer employers throughout the state. The program is especially important this year due to the significant farm labor law changes.  

Another legislative priority includes keeping the State Legislature from passing bills to ban pesticide use in New York.  Currently Senate Bill S.699-A and Assembly Bill A.4082, would ban the neonicotinoids class of pesticides, including those used as seed treatments. These bills would severely hamper New York agriculture, particularly corn and soybean crops.  Of course, much of NY corn and soy is used to feed NY dairy cows.  Both bills have not been acted on by the legislature, and NEAFA will continue to speak out about the serious consequences posed by legislative pesticide bans.