The changes we have seen since we gathered in Minneapolis for our national convention have been staggering. However, one thing has not changed, our commitment to do what they say can’t be done. Momentum is building for everything we are doing, to make a better life for family dairy farmers.

As I reflect on the last 120 days, it’s hard to put into words what Americans have endured, and the lessons we can learn. One of the first thoughts that comes to mind is I hope as a nation, we have learned something about national security, and in particular, food security.

National Farmers Organization onApril 28, endorsed the Relief for America’s Small Farmers Act introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Representative Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y.
For more than six years, farmers and ranchers operating at a wide range of scales and producing a variety of commodities have received prices consistently below…

A long time National Farmers national board member passed away April 19.
Wayne Forder, Highwood, Mont., was born April 25, 1944, along with his twin brother, Dwayne. They were adopted by Conn R. and Rose Mary Forder in 1946.

National Farmers signed onto a June 10 letter to Congress by the Organic Farmers Association and National Organic Coalition supporting the Origin of Livestock rule.
It will close loopholes by specifying that organic dairy animals must be raised organically from the last third of gestation or be raised organically…

According to Bloomberg News, the Justice Department has delivered civil investigation requests to the largest four meatpackers, Tyson Foods, JBS SA, Cargill and National Beef Marketing.
State attorneys general from Missouri, Idaho, Arizona, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota requested…

If the dairy commodity markets stay at the higher levels of June, we will see an enormous negative Producer Price Differential in several Federal Orders. For some reason, negative PPD’s make most dairy people cringe. If you’re a dairy farmer and your milk is pooled under the Federal Order system, you should want to see negative PPDs.

(Ames, Iowa) May 7, 2020 — National Farmers Organization dairy leader says it’s time for milk regulators to recognize U.S. milk markets should be treated as one national system, rather than the regional approach USDA’s Federal Milk Marketing Orders uses now.

Farming for decades, Tom and Karen Wencl, on their Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, organic dairy farm, in 2012, launched the transition process of integrating their sons, Wayne and Chris, into the operation as partners.
“We operate as an LLC, where the sons are taking some ownership…

As dairy farmers are pounded by rock-bottom pay prices because of COVID-19, National Farmers is calling for a moratorium on farm foreclosures. And one federal milk marketing order to help assist with extreme farmer financial distress.
“We must have a national…

At national convention, I talked about one of my favorite movies: ‘Smokey and the Bandit’. The theme song particularly sticks in my mind: “We’ve got a long way to go, and a short time to get there.”
I think that line pretty much says where we are in today’s dairy industry. Since convention, COVID-19…

By using the Grain Marketing Plus framework, farmers can achieve better revenues. The framework recommends being active marketers during the spring through early summer planting season. Looking back at historical yearly price action, the board has rallied…

At NForganics, we recognize a great deal of potential for the organic grain marketing program, and even better, for the farmers we intend to help, having gained a substantial number of bushels to work with, and new people.

Brutal. That sums up cattle markets since COVID-19 began dominating the nation.
Roller coaster volatility rules markets. The first quarter of 2020 averaged 74 percent in negotiated transactions on a weekly basis compared to 59 percent the year before.

National Farmers President Paul Olson was re-elected as the organization’s leader for a four-year term Feb. 12, at the 20/20 Marketing Vision Convention in Bloomington, Minnesota. Bruce Shultz, Raynesford, Montana, was elected vice president.

At National Farmers 2020 convention in Bloomington, Minnesota Feb. 11, members passed policy recommendations on a wide range of farm topics.
Members supported re-enactment of a farmer-owned grain reserve program. The plan calls for the reserve to be isolated from the market and would only…

At the President’s Dessert Reception Feb. 11 at convention 2020, President Paul Olson presented three President’s Awards.
The first honored a multi-generational National Farmers family from Lancaster, Wisconsin. Ray and Sheri Ihm became members in 1967, but Ray was…

Your National Farmers 20/20 Marketing Vision Convention is right around the corner, February 10-12. That means it’s time to make your hotel reservation, due before January 18. After that date, rates could go up.
The big event takes place in Minneapolis-Bloomington at the…

Vice President Paul Riniker knows National Farmers, agriculture and cattle.
Through the last several years, the number of cattle marketed through National Farmers using the Nexus Ag Marketing risk management programs has grown by double-digit…

National Farmers received a $600,000 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The three-year project will provide training, education, outreach and technical assistance to conventional farmers and ranchers in 15 states across the country.

By Brad Rach
This year’s Dairy Division presentation at national convention in February will be especially important.
Many of our members have their financial backs to the wall. Milk markets have been awful.

By Pat Lampert
There’s a lot happening in the news that has the ability to positively impact markets for cattle producers.
The Phase I trade deal with China calls for the removal of tariffs on Chinese goods in stages, and…