Disparity in Organic Dairy Data Collection in U.S. Farm Bill
The National Organic Coalition (NOC) is raising concerns over a critical policy gap in the ongoing discussions of the U.S. Farm Bill, specifically related to organic dairy data collection. While the House of Representatives has included a provision to enhance USDA market reporting for organic milk, this measure is notably absent from the Senate's draft of the Farm Bill.
Organic dairy producers currently face challenges due to the lack of transparent, sector-specific economic data. They are forced to rely on conventional dairy statistical reporting, which does not account for the unique cost structures of organic management. Rising costs for organic feed and other specialized inputs, along with fluctuating farmgate pay prices, have put pressure on their operating margins.
The provision in the House version of the Farm Bill instructs the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to collect and publish monthly data on farmgate pay prices for organic milk producers. It also mandates that NASS, the Economic Research Service (ERS), or the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) provide state and regional reports on cost-of-production metrics, regional milk volumes, and input expenditure trends. These measures aim to increase transparency across the organic supply chain.
Despite the progress in the House, the NOC continues to advocate for the broader provisions of the proposed O DAIRY Act, introduced by Senator Peter Welch. This act seeks to offer expanded emergency relief, make structural investments, and enhance regulatory oversight, alongside the market data provisions.
The NOC is actively mobilizing organic producers, regional cooperatives, and consumer groups to contact lawmakers to ensure that the final language of the Senate Farm Bill includes mandatory organic dairy data collection. The coalition argues that this inclusion is crucial for building market transparency, evaluating fair pay prices, and ensuring the long-term economic sustainability of the U.S. organic dairy sector.
