National Farmers Holds All-Staff Meeting In Ames, Iowa, In July, Employees Hear Organization Updates​

Nearly 70 people attended the National Farmers All-Staff Meeting held in Ames, Iowa, July 28 and 29. Dairy, grain and livestock staff members from around the country drove or flew in for the event that covered the latest commodity department news and information, along with employee benefit programs.

Pat Lampert, Director of Livestock, talked about his division and their record accomplishments for this fiscal year. He said markets have been very good to cattlemen and women this year, as relatively high prices and tight supplies look to continue in the future.

Lesley Ollies, National Farmers Director of Milk Sales, reported that the dairy division is continually searching for new opportunities to market members’ milk. “We work with a vast variety of plants throughout the Northeast, Midwest and in California. Our organic milk goes to Organic Valley, Horizon and Maple Hill primarily,” she said.

“Milk markets in the Northeast are expanding, from 18 million pounds in 2024 to 23 million pounds each month. Milk movement is currently good, with a lot of shifts to cottage cheese and sour creams.”

Shelby Biasini gave an update on the Animal Care certification program. She said 1688 evaluations have been completed, and all staff are trained and up to date.

The National Farmers Grain Department has been hard at it this year, reported Department Director Theresa Seiler. “The small but mighty grain department is looking forward to working with new buyers and serving new producers as the year progresses,” she said.

“We have sold 272 thousand bushels of grain this year, which is up 24 percent over this time last year. And payments to members are up 41 percent from last year, totaling 3.5 million dollars.” She also reported that National Farmers marketed organic grain in Kansas this year, which hasn’t happened since 2020.

Seiler noted that whether marketing specialty products weighing as little as 2000 pounds or 33 bushels, or moving more conventional grains totaling 10 thousand bushels, the team works just as hard. “All the grains are marketed with the same commitment – paying our producers top dollar.”