Ag groups urge Congress, President to prevent rail shutdown

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and 192 other members of the Agricultural Transportation Working Group are urging Congress to prepare to prevent a rail strike or lockout, which would “lead to shutdowns of rail-dependent facilities resulting in devastating consequences to our national and global food security.”

The Biden administration successfully brokered an agreement between the National Railway Labor Conference, which represents railroads, and 12 rail labor unions on Sept. 15. However, two unions have voted against ratifying the agreement while members of four other unions continue to review it. A strike could begin as soon as Nov. 19. Read more

Dairy groups announce new agreement

Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, one of the largest dairy co-ops in the country, and Minnesota Milk Producers Association, a state advocacy group, jointly announced today a new agreement to strengthen the two organizations’ work on behalf of their farmers.

Effective immediately, Minnesota Milk has chosen Edge to replace the administrative and program services currently provided by Midwest Dairy. The decision to switch providers followed a decision from Minnesota Milk’s board of directors to focus the organization’s efforts more on state policy. Midwest Dairy will still be a valuable partner for the groups’ farmers in Minnesota. Read more

USDA funds $30 million to support SARS-CoV-2 research in animals

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is making $30 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding available to address SARS-CoV-2 in animals and advance the nation's ability to protect the health of humans and animals. This funding opportunity is part of APHIS' multipronged approach under its American Rescue Plan Strategic Framework, to build an early warning system to potentially prevent or limit the next zoonotic disease outbreak or global pandemic.

While the risk of transferring SARS-CoV-2 from animals to humans is low, it is important to understand the relationship between humans and animals so we can better prevent, detect, investigate and respond to SARS-CoV-2 in animals. APHIS recognizes that it must leverage partnerships and utilize external innovations, tools and capacity to meet this charge from Congress. Read more

NIFA Continues to Seek Input

NIFA held two listening sessions on November 2 as they seek input on research priorities for the future and suggestions on how they can best make information available. The sessions had good participation with a wide range of groups and comments. John McNamara, a member of the FASS Science Policy Committee, an ADSA Fellow and also a member of the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources of NASEM, was among those making comments. He emphasized the need to implement what we know, that the USDA Strategic Plan and the WH Strategic Plan on Hunger, Nutrition and Health do a good job of identifying needs and gaps. A critical need is funding.

Written comments are open through the end of the month. The FASS SPC will look at providing additional comments. Your input relative to the following questions from NIFA is welcome:

• What is your top priority for research, extension or education for NIFA?
• What are the most promising opportunities/solutions for advancement of these food and agricultural priorities?
• What are the greatest challenges that you see facing food and agriculture in the coming decades, and what fundamental knowledge gaps exist that limit the ability of research, extension, and education to respond to these challenges?
• Based on those challenges, what general areas of food and agricultural research should be advanced and supported to fill the knowledge gaps, and what is your top priority for research, extension, and/or education for NIFA investment?
• How accessible do you find information about NIFA programs and activities to be?
• What can NIFA do to make information and resources more accessible?
• What is NIFA doing right and are there opportunities to improve?
• 

Please send your input to Ken Olson to be shared with the FASS Science Policy Committee. If you prefer you can click here for more information and a link to comment. Thank you in advance for your suggestions. Please reach out with any questions or feedback. 

44^th ADSA Discover Conference on Food Animal Agriculture:

Why Cheese from Milk?

March 7-9, 2023

Northern Illinois University Conference Center in Naperville, IL and presented virtually

This ADSA Discover Conference^SM will inform some of the latest research on the nutritional and health promoting aspects of milk and cheese. The overarching goals of this conference are to provide attendees with the following opportunities:

•       Access to the latest science-based information from dairy science experts

•       Engage with production and dairy foods colleagues in the cheese sector

•       Gain access to evidence-based messaging about dairy

Conference Topics

·      What is Milk and its Role in a Healthy Human Diet

·      Health Aspects of Milk and Milk Components

·      Cheese to Deliver Nutritional and Health Benefits

·      Consumer Messaging Based in Science and the Next Steps

Who Should Attend? Various stakeholders in the cheese industry including cheesemakers, dairy farmers, cheese retailers, allied organizations, as well as university and industry scientists are encouraged to participate. Graduate students and early career professionals are especially encouraged to attend. Both in-person and virtual participation options are available.

Early Registration Deadline: February 7, 2023

Registration fees increase by $100 after February 7.

For Complete Conference Information https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/44th-Discover-Conference

Nov 7-10, 2022       The Science and Art of Cheese Making, Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building, University Park, Click here for more information and registration

Nov 8 – 10, 2022    Preventive Controls for Human Food (Al, Anika, Rob), Cornell Dairy Foods Extension, Click here for more information  

Nov 16-17, 2022     Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert (Advanced Level), Cornell Dairy Foods Extension, Click here for more information

Dec 1, 2022 at 10 AM       56th Florida Dairy Production Conference, Straughn IFAS Extension Professional Development Center, Gainesville, FL, Click here for information and registration

2023

Jan 10-11, 2023 Coffee, Tea, and Creamers - The Science and Art of Milk in Beverages, Chapman University, Ranney Processing Lab, Orange, California. Contact: Robyne Kelly (714) 289-2040 rokelly@chapman.edu. 

Jan 16-17, 2023     Pacific Northwest Animal Nutrition Conference, Grove Hotel, Boise, ID, Click here for more information.

Jan 17-20, 2023. Better Process Control School - Dairy Processors. Chapman University, Ranney Processing Lab, Orange, California. Contact: Robyne Kelly (714) 289-2040 rokelly@chapman.edu. For more information visit https://www.chapman.edu/scst/graduate/ms-food-science/better-process-control-school.aspx

Feb 9-10, 2023. Dairy Operations Workshop. Dairy Products Technology Center, CalPoly, San Luis Obispo, CA.  For more info: klees@calpoly.edu Registration: https://dairy.calpoly.edu/short-course-symposia

Mar 7-9, 2023  44th ADSA Discover Conference on Food Animal Agriculture: “Why Cheese from Milk?”, Northern Illinois University Conference Center, Naperville, IL, Click here for more information

Mar 13-15, 2023   ADPI Dairy Ingredient Technical Symposium, Hilton Beachfront, Santa Barbara, CA, Click here for more information

April 10-12, 2023    Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference*, Grand Wayne Center Fort Wayne, IN, Click here for more information

April 23-25, 2023   ADPI/ABI Annual Conference, Sheraton Grand Hotel, Chicago, IL, Click here for more information

*An S-PAC Partner Conference

If your organization’s conference isn’t among the ever growing list that contribute proceedings and presentations to S-PAC®, ask your conference organizer to contact Ken Olson for more information about the benefits of participation.

If you would like to have an event included in the “Dates to Note,” please contact Ken Olson at keolson@prodigy.net or keoagconsulting@gmail.com