Tag: FARM Environmental Stewardship

FARM Program Seeking Task Force Nominations

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

The FARM Program is seeking nominations for open seats on its Animal Care, Environmental Stewardship and Workforce Development Task Forces. Nominations will open mid-January and close March 31, with new members announced during NMPF’s Board of Directors meeting June 9.

FARM Task Force members serve as program ambassadors and experts in their designated field. Each task force reviews, recommends and provides insight on program implementation for its respective program pillar. Recommendations are presented to the appropriate NMPF board committee for final review and approval.

Candidates can be nominated by a cooperative or processor, fellow dairy farmer, veterinarian, themselves or others. Nominations must be submitted via the online form. The FARM Farmer Advisory Council will review all nominations and recommend a proposed slate of new FARM Task Force members to the NMPF Executive Committee for final approval.

Visit the FARM Program website for the full list of eligibility and criteria.

FARM Showcases Sustainability Progress

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program highlighted the launch of FARM Environmental Stewardship Version 3 at the Fall Meeting of the Dairy Sustainability Alliance, highlighting progress in dairy sustainability and stewardship.  

Nicole Ayache, NMPF’s chief sustainability officer, took the main stage to talk about the recent kick off and its incorporation of the Ruminant Farm System (RuFaS) model, a whole-farm model that simulates dairy farm production and environmental impact. Vermont dairy farmer Brian McGarry joined Ayache, sharing insights and opportunities for farmers and their cooperatives to evaluate potential technologies and measure progress.  

FARM’s Senior Director of Animal Care, Beverly Hampton Phifer, led animal care evaluators through Version 5 training in Green Bay, WI. Evaluators must be re-certified every updated version cycle and attend a recalibration training annually. This marks the ninth training of the year, with the last training for 2024 taking place last Monday in Fresno, CA.  

New FARM Initiative Advances Dairy Stewardship

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

FARM Environmental Stewardship Version 3 is out – and it’s a step forward for dairy farmers both as stewards and as business managers, according to NMPF Chief Sustainability Officer Nicole Ayache, who oversaw development of the initiative through the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program, in a Dairy Defined Podcast released today.

With new, updating modeling, under FARM ES Version 3, “farmers can actually run scenarios to assess practice or technology changes, see how those would impact their greenhouse gas emissions, and any potential impact on milk productivity as well,” Ayache said. “The scenarios, being able to project what-ifs, is the biggest benefit.”

The FARM Program is a partnership between NMPF and Dairy Management Inc. that helps ensure dairy’s success by demonstrating U.S. dairy farmer commitment to safe, high-quality, high-integrity milk. FARM ES Version 3 took effect Oct. 31.

For more information on FARM ES Version 3, visit the FARM Program website. For more of the Dairy Defined podcast, you can find and subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music under the podcast name “Dairy Defined.”

Media outlets may use clips from the podcast on the condition of attribution to the National Milk Producers Federation.

FARM Launches Environmental Stewardship Version 3

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

FARM Program Environmental Stewardship (ES) Version 3 launched Oct. 31, supporting the dairy community’s efforts to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050. FARM ES Version 3 gives dairy farmers a scientifically robust tool with more advanced features to assess the impact of potential practice or technology changes.

The update is critical as dairy farmers, cooperatives and processors continue to look for ways to advance their sustainability efforts in ways that make business sense.

Version 3 incorporates the Ruminant Farm System (RuFaS) model, a whole-farm model that simulates dairy farm production and environmental impacts. The process-based RuFaS model follows biological, physical and chemical flows on the farm, enabling more granular environmental foot-printing and scenario analysis.

FARM ES Version 3 provides farmers an advanced report, including estimates of carbon sequestration and the ability to analyze the environmental and productivity impacts of various practices and technologies. Version 3 also contains optional data inputs, such as details on reproductive programs, culling information and cropping practices, for more tailored results.

A key focus for the rest of the year will be to collect farmer, FARM Evaluator and other stakeholder feedback to further refine Version 3. FARM plans to host stakeholder webinars to foster discussion about the new platform.

FARM Updates Program Areas and Leads in H5N1 Response

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney
  • Launched Animal Care Version 5
  • Launched Workforce Development Version 2
  • Provided Biosecurity best practice amidst H5N1 Outbreak

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program’s commitment to continuous improvement has shown throughout the year. Updated versions of its Animal Care, Workforce Development, and Environmental Stewardship program areas are advancing its commitment to sharing dairy’s positive social responsibility story. The program also turned its attention to supporting farmers as they navigated the H5N1 outbreak, an immediate crisis that may become a long-term effort.

FARM Animal Care Version 5 released updates July 1 focusing on best practices for calf disbudding, colostrum management, and pre-weaned calf care. Euthanasia and fitness to transport for all age classes rounded out the latest updates. The changes came after a two-year review and revision period that included input from FARM’s Farmer Advisory Council and Animal Care Task Force, along with NMPF’s Animal Health and Well-Being Committee. Since launching, 448 Version 5 evaluations have been completed by 72 participant cooperatives and processors.

FARM Workforce Development Version 2 also debuted in July, with updates focused on improving the evaluation tool used on-farm to assess human resource management and safety best practices. Seven questions were added to strengthen the tool’s coverage of communication and performance management.

FARM Environmental Stewardship Version 3 will integrate the Ruminant Farm Systems (RuFaS) model, as the new engine behind the tool. This model incorporates updated science and the ability to run what-if scenarios to assess practice and technology options. results. The updated platform offers flexibility, with the choice to enter minimum data inputs like Version 2 and optional data inputs – like details on crop production practices – for more tailored results. This upgrade will support industry efforts to be greenhouse gas-neutral by 2050 and respond to growing customer requests.

While FARM Program updates have been implemented, FARM Biosecurity proved essential in helping guide dairy farmers through a real-time biosecurity threat – the presence of H5N1 virus in dairy cattle. FARM provided timely, accurate information and industry-leading resources as the first cases of H5N1 appeared in U.S. dairy cattle.

NMPF’s Chief Science Officer. Dr. Jamie Jonker, served as a leading industry expert and spokesperson shortly after the first USDA confirmation of H5N1 in Texas dairy cattle on March 25. Jonker also led an April 1 NMPF member and FARM participant webinar on the topic that also featured Dr. Mark Lyons from USDA and Dr. Fred Gingrich from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, giving the latest information on the fast-moving situation. The webinar attracted 1,380 registrants and began an ongoing industry education effort.

Dairy producers and cooperatives can enroll in FARM Biosecurity- Enhanced training to learn the basics of developing an enhanced biosecurity plan. Additionally, there is a suite of resources such as the Biosecurity Prep Guide, User Guide for the FARM Biosecurity database, map checklist, and video tutorials for those interested.

Also highlighting the first half of 2024, FARM held its annual Evaluator Conference July 22-24 in Lexington, KY for FARM Program Evaluators to connect, learn about recent program updates and hear from allied industry subject matter experts. The first in-person Evaluator Conference since 2021 featured 50 evaluators and 29 organizations and was sponsored by Alltech, which also provided an evening reception and distillery tour. Participants heard from industry professionals on assorted topics surrounding the Animal Care, Environmental Stewardship, Biosecurity and Workforce Development program areas.

FARM Prepares for Workforce Development Updates, Launches Sustainability Resource

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

The National Dairy FARM Program is preparing for version updates and new resources across multiple program areas. The FARM Workforce Development (WFD) Program made strides in March toward its evaluation tool Version 2 updates, and the FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES) Program launched a new database for sustainability resources.

The NMPF Board of Directors in March approved minor adjustments to the FARM WFD evaluation tool. The evaluation is restructured to better group questions of similar themes and contains seven additional questions to further strengthen the evaluation. The updated evaluation, FARM WFD Version 2, will launch July 1. FARM will offer updated trainings and resources for FARM evaluators and farmers who participate in the program.

The voluntary FARM WFD evaluation addresses best management practices that can enhance HR and safety management. Dairy cooperatives and processors can use the program to provide customer assurances around farm-level labor topics.

FARM ES published a comprehensive database of funding opportunities and sustainability resources for dairy producers. It was developed with support from SCS Consulting and is available for free on the FARM Program website. The library contains financial resources, including grants, cost-share, loan programs and other incentives.

Users can navigate through government, nonprofit, extension, state planning tools and other resources via filters by state, level of funding assistance, type of assistance, etc. The FARM Program will continue to incorporate new features throughout the year.

FARM Participants Opt-In to the Environmental Stewardship Conservation Practice Questionnaire

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

Since its launch in August, when FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES) launched the Conservation Practice Questionnaire (CPQ), an optional add-on questionnaire to the FARM ES Version 2.0 evaluation. Since its launch, seven FARM Program participants have opted to implement it.

The existing FARM ES evaluation focuses on greenhouse gas emissions and energy use; this conservation questionnaire goes beyond these topics to ask about dairy farmers’ field and dairy-level conservation practices to capture a more holistic sustainability story. The questionnaire addresses areas covered in the industry’s 2050 environmental stewardship goals along with other topics that are of growing interest to customers and consumers.

Organizations that participate in FARM ES Version 2.0 have the option to voluntarily sign on to use the CPQ. Organizations may also choose not to use the CPQ with no impact on their participation in FARM ES. Interested participants should email dairyfarm@nmpf.org.

FARM Program: Refined Animal Care Standards on the Way

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

Highlights

  • Hosted more than a dozen meetings on updating FARM Animal Care standards
  • Unveiled new FARM Environmental Stewardship questionnaire enabling dairy farmers to better share their sustainability story
  • Provided resources and training to support farmers raising dairy calves through the Calf Care and Quality Assurance program
  • Convened working group to update Environmental Stewardship program

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program is refining and growing its Animal Care and Environmental Stewardship program areas in preparation for new versions in 2024 as it harnesses the latest science and best management practices with significant farmer leadership, feedback and stakeholder discussion.

FARM’s Animal Care program standards are revised every three years to reflect the most current science and best management practices within the dairy industry. Working closely with the FARM Animal Care Task Force and NMPF’s Animal Health and Well-Being Committee, those committees have been developing recommendations for Animal Care Version 5 throughout 2022, This effort has included over a dozen meetings and town hall discussions to review existing standards, incorporating results from an industry-wide survey into discussion and using other sources of feedback to inform recommendations to improve the program.

The FARM Animal Care Program this year has also co-led an initiative with National Beef Quality Assurance to elevate U.S. calf raiser standards by uniting around key best management practices. The Calf Care and Quality Assurance (CCQA) program was developed with an understanding of the diversity of calf-raising enterprises, being science and outcomes-based while maintaining facility type and size neutrality. CCQA’s animal care reference manual, online modules and self-assessment tool serve as a framework and valuable resource for the calf-raising industry.

FARM’s Environmental Stewardship program area has seen similar growth and development, unveiling a questionnaire that enables dairy farmers to better share their sustainability story. The Conservation Practice Questionnaire (CPQ) is an optional add-on to the existing Environmental Stewardship Version 2 evaluation, reporting dairy farmers’ field and dairy-level conservation practices. After the questionnaire’s pilot, refinement and approval process earlier this year, the CPQ has been fully integrated into evaluations for participating farms.

With the launch of Environmental Stewardship Version 3 on the horizon in 2024, the FARM Program has also convened a working group and is collaborating with the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy to update the greenhouse gas model that powers the program. Work is underway to transition to a “process-based” model through work with RuFaS – an initiative involving researchers from across the country focused on environmental modeling of dairy farms. Shifting to a process-based model offers several benefits for addressing customer requests while offering more insights to farmers and FARM Program participants.

FARM ES Launches Pilot Program for Conservation Practice Questionnaire

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES) launched a pilot program Jan. 21 to field-test the Conservation Practice Questionnaire (CPQ). The CPQ will serve as an optional add-on questionnaire to the existing FARM ES Version 2.0 evaluation once finalized. The questionnaire covers dairy farmers’ field and dairy-level conservation practices to capture a more holistic sustainability story.

The goals of the pilot are to test the CPQ with dairies across the country and receive feedback from producers and evaluators. All producer information and feedback will be kept anonymous and used only for the continued development of the CPQ. The pilot will be completed by mid-March 2022. FARM will then refine the questionnaire based on pilot feedback.

Ten FARM ES Participants have so far signed on to pilot the CPQ, including Agri-Mark, Associated Milk Producers Inc., California Dairies Inc., Foremost Farms, Glanbia, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Northwest Dairy Association, Sartori Cheese and United Dairymen of Arizona.

The final version of the CPQ will be reviewed for approval by the FARM ES Task Force as well as the NMPF Environmental Issues Committee before it is implemented as an optional tool for ES Participants.

If your organization is interested in this pilot program, please reach out to Nicole Ayache at nayache@nmpf.org.