Forum Shines Light on TMDLs

EPA to Reveal Nutrient Allocations This Fall

Chris Torres
Staff Writer

LANCASTER, Pa. — Pennsylvania Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36) praised the state’s progress in reducing its share of nutrient loads to the Chesapeake Bay.

But he reminded attendees at last Thursday’s “Wake Up to the Issues” forum at the Eden Resort that the state still has a long way to go to reach its long-term goals.

With the advent of soon-to-be-established Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements on polluters, the process could speed up quickly.

Brubaker led a panel discussion on bay issues, which focused on TMDL cap loads that are scheduled to be released by the U.S.

Farmers Urged to ‘Carry the Torch’ for Milk Price Reform

Carolyn N. Moyer
Northern Pa. Correspondent

HARFORD, Pa. — Dave Rama likened the grassroots pleas of dairy farmers across the nation to the awakening of a sleeping giant. At a meeting held at the Harford Fire Hall on Tuesday, Rama spoke with conviction about the necessity of educating consumers, lobbying legislators and staying informed
“If we can educate the consumer as well as ourselves, the consumer will rally behind the producers of this country, whether they be dairy producers or whether they are growing plums, avocados or whatever it is.

Budget Crunch Hits Maryland Department of Agriculture

Three Animal Health Labs Will Close As Result Of Cuts

Chris Torres
Staff Writer

Three animal health labs in Maryland will close and a total of seven jobs at the Maryland Department of Agriculture will be cut as part of the state’s effort to close a huge budget shortfall.

The department cut its budget by $1.13 million after getting approval from the Maryland State Board of Public Works on Wednesday.

The cost-cutting measures are part of a larger plan to close a statewide $740 million budget gap.

Gov.

New England Green Pastures Awards Winners

Steve Taylor
New England Correspondent

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Six outstanding family run operations have been named Dairy Farms of the Year for 2009 by the New England Green Pastures program.

One farm in each of the six New England states is recognized each year for superior achievement in dairy herd management, land stewardship and contributions to agriculture and the broader community.

This year’s winners are:
Connecticut - Shawn McGillicuddy, Square A Farm, Lebanon.
Maine - Triple D Farm, John & Marcia Donald, New Sharon.
Massachusetts - Allard’s Farm, Wayne Goulet, Hadley.
New hampshire - Ath-Mor Farm, Tom and Carol Morrell and Russ, and Kristi Atherton, Lee.
Rhode Island - Breene Hollow Farm, Kevin Breene, West Greenwich.
Vermont - Richardson Family Farm, Hartland.

The farms will be honored Sept.

Comment Period Extended on New Pa. Milk Sanitation Regulations

Chris Torres
Staff Writer

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has extended the 30-day comment period on changes to the state’s milk sanitation regulations.
The changes, proposed Aug. 1, are the first changes to the regulations since 1982.

As per law, the department was required to hold a 30-day public comment period so people could have time to read and comment on the changes.

However, the timing of the proposed regulations and the short comment period raised the eyebrows of at least one organization, the Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture (PASA).

On its Web site last week, the organization criticized the department about the timing of the new regulations and urged its members to write letters demanding a 60-day public comment extension.

Brian Snyder, executive director of PASA, said he was pleased the department at least extended the comment period by 30 days until the end of September.

Observations on the Dairy Crisis

Is the Worst Over?

Dick Wanner
Lancaster Farming Staff

Is the dairy crisis over?

Maybe.

Will farmers’ milk checks in the near future cover their costs of production plus a profit?

Could be.

Are dairymen still upset about the beating they’ve been taking in the marketplace?

You bet.

Once they’re caught up with their bills and making money again, will they go back to business as usual, letting their co-ops determine how much they get for their dedication, hard work and investment?

What’s your guess?

My guess is that because dairying is an all-consuming business/way of life, a dairyman who’s at peace with his suppliers and his creditors is going to go back to business as usual.