Economists predict slightly higher milk prices during 2019.

Annual conference will focus on cooperation with processors

By CAROL RYAN DUMAS

Capital Press

The oversupply of milk will be one issue at center stage when the Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance meets for its annual conference and trade show Oct. 13-14 at the Red Lion Canyon Springs hotel in Twin Falls.

The organization is bringing together a processor panel to discuss strategies for effective milk supply management, said David Roberts, a Preston, Idaho, producer and conference chairman. The session is set for Oct. 13 at 1:30 p.m.

“The biggest issue facing organic dairy producers right now is an oversupply of organic milk,” he said. “We need to figure out what our voice needs to be and how we respond. We need to get a consensus on that.”

Roberts said processors have been responsible and have worked with dairymen, and producers appreciate that. The usual response in a situation of oversupply is to cut prices. Most processors have tried not to do that and have instead looked at controlling supply.

“We need a partnership between processors and producers so we don’t just have a race to the bottom anytime we have oversupply,” he said. “The last thing we want is to lower price.”

Conference attendees will also hear from a panel of organic feed growers at 10:15 a.m. Oct. 14.

“Feed is always an issue,” Roberts said. “We want to understand where (growers are) coming from so we’re a better customer.”

Another feed issue set for discussion is an upcoming final rule on pasture requirements. The rule, proposed by the National Organic Program, will affect every organic dairy producer, Roberts said.

The Alliance supported language requiring organic dairy cows to be on pasture for a minimum of 120 days a year with 30 percent of their dry matter intake coming from grass. The 120 days is the amount of growing days that could be applied across the United States, he said.

“The goal is to get cows out on the pasture. That’s what consumers expect,” he said.

Benjamin Gisin, ag financial and credit consultant and managing member of AgriCents, Idaho Falls, will be the keynote speaker.

Gisin lectures nationally on monetary and food security issues and is publisher of the Peaceful Economics newsletter. His presentation will explore how the world’s economic activity follows a blueprint and will address some simple financial truths to help producers assess what public policy is good for their organic farm.

The conference will close with a tour of Horizon Dairy near Paul at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 14.

The conference includes a trade show and is open to all dairy producers.

Staff writer Carol Ryan Dumas is based in Twin Falls. E-mail: crdumas@capitalpress.com.

Conference details

Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance: www.wodpa.org

The conference is free to all Western organic dairy producers. All others $100, including meals.

To register contact Sharon Sinko at 541-396-5458 or sinko@dishmail.net. For hotel reservations call Red Lion, 208-734-5000.