USDA Announces Recommended Decision On California Federal Milk Marketing Order

Feb 13, 2017

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced its recommended decision to establish a California Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) that will publish in the Federal Register on Tues., Feb. 14, 2017. A public inspection copy of the recommended decision is on the Federal Register’s website.

The marketing area of the recommended FMMO would incorporate the entire state of California. The recommended decision is based on the evidentiary record compiled as part of a public hearing held in Clovis, Calif., from September 2015 to November 2015.

FMMOs are legal instruments that regulate the purchase of milk between dairy farmers and the first buyer. Where appropriate, the recommended California FMMO proposes adoption of uniform order provisions contained in the 10 current FMMOs. These uniform provisions include, but are not limited to, dairy product classification, end-product price formulas and the producer-handler definition. The proposed order would recognize the unique market structure of the California dairy industry through tailored performance-based standards to determine eligibility for pool participation. The proposed order provides for the recognition of producer quota as administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

California represents over 20 percent of all U.S. milk production and is currently regulated by a state milk marketing order administered by CDFA. Comments on the recommended decision will be accepted for 90 days after official publication in the Federal Register. After analyzing and considering public comments, USDA will issue a final decision.

Source: usda.gov

Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.