Country World Archives 2001-2008
Possibility of organic milk sales from Hopkins County producers continues
By LORI COPE | Country World East Texas
May 3, 2001 -- About 25 people - a mix of dairy producers, Extension and research personnel, and organic inspectors - gathered in early April to discuss the possibility of Organic Valley establishing an organic milk cooperative in the Hopkins County area.
Organic Valley Family of Farms™ is the largest organic farmer-owned cooperative in North America, with over 300 farm family members in 13 states. Besides milk and dairy products such as cheese, butter, and yogurt, the cooperative markets brown eggs, beef, pork, and poultry.
"We definitely had enough interest to continue trying to start up a regional pool of organic milk in the Sulphur Springs area," said Organic Valley's CEO George Siemon following the meeting. "It may take a year or more, or it may take less, depending on producer feedback."
To produce organic milk, dairy farmers will have to adopt many changes. To produce organic, a "biological" approach to soil and forage management will have to be made. To transition dairy herds to organic production, the milking herd must be fed 100 percent certified organic forages for one year. Plus, herd health management, involving stress reduction for the cows and the elimination of antibiotics/hormones, is handled differently than conventional ones.
But the financial outcome of being organic is attractive. Premiums for organic milk vary from $1.50 to $6.50 per hundredweight. The average for the last five years has been around $4.
"There is a stable and growing market for organic dairy products," according to the 12-year-old cooperative whose products are sold in all 50 states and several nations. The cooperative has experienced a 70 percent increase in sales in the dairy category. "We are in need of more organic milk now and in the future."
"It would be wonderful if we could find a niche market for our dairy producers," said Hopkins County Extension Agent Larry Spradlin. Hopkins County currently has about 193 producers.
Only about four or five producers will be needed to establish an organic milk market in the area, according to Siemon.
Since the interest-seeking meeting in early April, Siemon, from his office in Wisconsin, noted, "We have to do a lot to get it going, including finding a cooperating feedmill to carry organic grains, developing a relationship with a bottler in the region, and developing a relationship with a milk handler and hauler. We do plan on coming down soon to do follow up with the most likely qualified producers.
"Organic dairy is complicated to sort through, so we, as a cooperative, have to help the producers see if this works for them as well as assessing the commitment to the organic concept," he added.
More information, as well as contact sources, can be found at the cooperative's website: www.organicvalley.com; or by calling 608-625-2602.