Published: March 27, 2008 02:02 pm            

Dairy farming under attack across United States

Originally published in the March 21, 2008, print edition.

At a recent dairy reproduction meeting in Cologne, lots of technical information was provided on how to improve conception and calving rates in modern high-performance dairy herds.

But the real debate started when the group got into a discussion about a new activist group attacking the U.S. dairy industry.

Organizing to protect dairy producers’ ability to produce wholesome, quality dairy products with technology proven safe is American Farmers for the Advancement and Conservation of Technology, and it represents a grass-roots effort by dairy farmers who are concerned about the future of the dairy industry and agriculture in general.

According to Dan Flicker, membership director of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association, “there are a growing number of activists attempting to stop the advancement of technology in modern agriculture. I liken them to the efforts of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) in animal agriculture but the overall impact could be much more damaging.

“This group has strong financial resources. They are causing tremendous problems already to the California dairy industry and their footprint into the Midwest is also now under way.”

The attack on dairy initially was directed against the use of bovine somatotropin in milk production but now also includes concentrated efforts against the use of other technologies connected with modern milk production.

“This outfit could be the death of dairying if they get established with more and more activist groups,” said George Bakeberg, Stearns County dairy producer and MMPA Board member.

Jim Salfer, University of Minnesota regional Extension educator in St. Cloud, said, “do nothing and this group can slowly strangle modern dairy production. But the broader implication is that these threats impact all of modern agriculture.”

Gary Neubauer, a veterinarian with Pfizer Animal Health in New Ulm, indicated such groups seldom, if ever have solid scientific data to verify their seriously misleading comments.

“But in this day and age of consumerism,” he said, “it’s not difficult to get grocery shoppers on the bandwagon of outlawing various technologies, including USDA-tested and approved medicines. Both industry and producers need to recognize this huge threat.”

The first call is to become aware. AFACT is doing this by creating dairy solidarity programs across the dairy belt. The intention then is to get producer delegations to talk with food retailers, both at the community level and the corporate level. Plus contact elected officials and government regulators regarding labeling of dairy products.

“It will take time and effort. We don’t have time so quick action is a must,” Flicker said.

For more info contact AFACT at Char West, (520) 225-0220 or char.west@outer-office.com.

        

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