• USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has launched an Organic Survey to gather detailed data on U.S. organic ag production.

    USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden says total organic product sales by farms and ranchers in the U.S. have continued to grow - increasing by 83 percent from 2007-12.

    Farmers and ranchers can complete the survey online at www.agcensus.usda.gov or return their form by mail.

  • International Dairy Foods Association President and CEO Connie Tipton says milk pricing regulations, product standards of identity or restrictive labeling requirements all add up to a straightjacket on innovation and marketing the industry can’t afford in today’s dynamic marketplace.

    While Tipton says certain policy changes made in the 2014 Farm Bill - such as the new Margin Protection Program - are a good start in positioning the dairy industry to focus more on markets additional steps need to be taken.

    U.S. milk production has grown by 36-billion pounds since 2003 - but Tipton says nearly 70-percent of that additional farm milk has gone overseas.

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