Dairy Policy Summit, Nov. 9

The dairy industry's three big issues - milk pricing, food safety and immigration - will be front and center during the Dairy Policy Summit on Wednesday, Nov. 9, in Madison.

"The Dairy Policy Summit is the place to obtain national perspectives on milk price reform, food safety regarding dairy products and immigration policy - and to get a panoramic view from all sides of each issue," states Shelly Mayer, executive director of the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin. "We're bringing in the leaders to discuss critical issues and proposals being written now that could affect a dairy farmer's - and the industry's - profitability and sustainability."

The first session addressing milk price reform will include Dr. Mark Stephenson facilitating an industry panel. The panel includes: Jaime Castaneda, senior vice president, National Milk Producers Federation; Robin Berg, National Dairy Producers Association and president of the Dairy Pricing Organization; and Alan Kozak, Dairy Policy Action Committee. Panelists will share their insight and legislation being proposed and how each proposal could affect the dairy business.

Kim Brown Pokorny, executive director of Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association (WVMA) will facilitate, "Meat Matters...all about dairy beef safety," that will include Dr. David Rhoda, DVM, and Deborah Cera, Division of Compliance, Center for Veterinary Medicine, FDA. Rhoda and Cera will update attendees on food safety discussions happening within the food system and share how it impacts on-farm decisions.

Erich Straub, immigration attorney, will moderate a four-member panel that will address "Immigration and the Dairy Industry." Panelists include Bill Wright, Utah State Representative; Everett Williams, president, Georgia Milk Producers; Craig Regelbrugge, co-chair of the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform; and Leon Sequeira, senior counsel for Seyfarth Shaw LLP. This group will talk about changes needed to assure a strong work force and new reform some states have implemented or are in the process of drafting. They will also provide a national view on this crucial issue that affects dairying.

"Questions and remarks will be taken from the floor after each session," Mayer adds. "We've designed this one-day conference so that dairy farmers and other industry can listen and then engage with experts and opinion leaders on milk price reform, immigration and meat matters. We want the dairy industry's voices to be heard and provide a place where we can truly engage on these issues."

Registration for the one-day event is $40/person. This covers all sessions and lunch. To learn more about the Dairy Policy Summit or to register, go online to www.pdpw.org or contact PDPW at 800-947-7379.