“We’ve all been doing good work individually, and now we need to come together as a team to grow Minnesota’s dairy industry,” said Gene Hugoson, former Minnesota commissioner of agriculture, who kicked off the summit in his role as external and constituent relations liaison for the University.
The summit was the most recent step in efforts that began with a study called “A Path Forward,” commissioned by Midwest Dairy Association to assess the current ability of the Midwest to meet future dairy demand. Over the past year, the study has been shared with multiple industry representatives to identify three major efforts which need attention: dairy development; public support for dairy; and research to identify future marketing opportunities for dairy processors. In addition, a proposal was discussed to rename the former Minnesota Dairy Leaders Roundtable to the Minnesota Dairy Growth Council, and repurpose it as a platform to pursue new dairy growth efforts.
Summit participants were asked to weigh in on a Minnesota dairy production growth goal of 2 percent each year over the next five years. During roundtable discussions, they identified actions they could take in the next 30 to 90 days in order to move forward on the effort.
“While there have been previous efforts to grow the industry that didn’t achieve the desired outcome, everything is different today – products, farms, markets and leadership. That’s why I’m excited to be involved,” said Mike Kruger, CEO of Midwest Dairy Association. Marin Bozic, University of Minnesota dairy economist, provided data showing how Minnesota’s roughly 3,500 dairies have changed in recent times, the downward trend in cow numbers and farms, and a leveling off in milk production. “We’ve been doing good things, but now we need to move forward to do great things,” Bozic pointed out.
Speakers identified past efforts to grow the state’s industry and challenges for the future. University president Eric Kaler and three other academic leaders – Brian Buhr, dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences; Extension’s associate dean, Mike Schmitt; and Trevor Ames, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine – outlined University initiatives. Commissioner John Linc Stine of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; Charlie Poster, assistant commissioner of agriculture; and dairy farmer Harlan Madsen, a local county commissioner, described the government’s role.
To cap the day’s discussion, Adam Hinckley, a dairy farmer from Chatfield representing the new generation of dairy farmers, provided his perspective on the need for dairy growth, outlining both his plans for the future and the role others will need to play in order for his generation to succeed.
The summit was the most recent step in efforts that began with a study called “A Path Forward,” commissioned by Midwest Dairy Association to assess the current ability of the Midwest to meet future dairy demand. Over the past year, the study has been shared with multiple industry representatives to identify three major efforts which need attention: dairy development; public support for dairy; and research to identify future marketing opportunities for dairy processors. In addition, a proposal was discussed to rename the former Minnesota Dairy Leaders Roundtable to the Minnesota Dairy Growth Council, and repurpose it as a platform to pursue new dairy growth efforts.
Summit participants were asked to weigh in on a Minnesota dairy production growth goal of 2 percent each year over the next five years. During roundtable discussions, they identified actions they could take in the next 30 to 90 days in order to move forward on the effort.
“While there have been previous efforts to grow the industry that didn’t achieve the desired outcome, everything is different today – products, farms, markets and leadership. That’s why I’m excited to be involved,” said Mike Kruger, CEO of Midwest Dairy Association. Marin Bozic, University of Minnesota dairy economist, provided data showing how Minnesota’s roughly 3,500 dairies have changed in recent times, the downward trend in cow numbers and farms, and a leveling off in milk production. “We’ve been doing good things, but now we need to move forward to do great things,” Bozic pointed out.
Speakers identified past efforts to grow the state’s industry and challenges for the future. University president Eric Kaler and three other academic leaders – Brian Buhr, dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences; Extension’s associate dean, Mike Schmitt; and Trevor Ames, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine – outlined University initiatives. Commissioner John Linc Stine of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; Charlie Poster, assistant commissioner of agriculture; and dairy farmer Harlan Madsen, a local county commissioner, described the government’s role.
To cap the day’s discussion, Adam Hinckley, a dairy farmer from Chatfield representing the new generation of dairy farmers, provided his perspective on the need for dairy growth, outlining both his plans for the future and the role others will need to play in order for his generation to succeed.
Source: Minnesota Farm Guide
