Dairy Industry Conference Call Planned for June 30

Panelists Will Provide Updates on the Dairy CARES Reimbursement Program and More

Dairy producers and industry professionals are invited to join the Center for Dairy Excellence’s next dairy industry conference call on Tuesday, June 30 from 12 to 1 p.m. With details recently released about the Dairy CARES Reimbursement Program to provide financial relief to any dairy farmer who experienced a loss due to displaced milk, panelists will answer questions about the process of applying for an indemnity payment.

Dairy farmers will also be able to ask panelists questions about the regional milk supply situation, legislative initiatives benefiting dairy, and current risk management programs.

The following panelists will join the conference call on June 30:

  • Greg Hostetter, Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Hostetter will answer questions about the $40 million available in Dairy CARES support to provide an indemnity payment for discarded milk, including how farmers can apply, application deadlines, and what is needed to apply.
  • Troye Cooper, President, Pennsylvania Association of Dairy Cooperatives (PADC). Cooper will answer questions about the regional milk supply situation and what has changed since the pandemic, and what expectations are for milk supply heading into the coming season.
  • Zach Myers, Risk Education Manager, Center for Dairy Excellence. Myers will answer questions about market volatility and the need for risk management going forward. He will provide an overview of risk management programs available, including Dairy Revenue Protection.
  • Paul Bleiberg, Vice President, Government Relations, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). Bleiberg will answer questions about the HEROES Act and dairy-related information that is included in the Senate version of the Act as well as any other legislative efforts that provide additional relief.

In addition to these panelists, Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board Chair Rob Barley will be on the call to assist with questions about the milk market and the government’s ongoing response. Mike Hosterman from AgChoice Farm Credit will also answer questions about the Small Business Administration’s disaster relief loans.

To ensure as many questions can be addressed as possible, questions must be submitted in advance of the call. Text/call 717-585-0766 to submit questions or email zmyers@centerfordairyexcellence.org.

Learn more about how to join the conference call:

  • Date: Tuesday, June 30 from 12 to 1 p.m.
  • How to Join:
    • Dial (978) 990-5000 via free conference call.
    • Enter Access Code 553371, followed by the # sign, when prompted.
    • You will automatically be entered into the conference call. You will automatically be muted when you join.

Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, there is $40 million available in funding to support Pennsylvania’s dairy industry and food security programs. Specifically, $15 million will provide an opportunity for dairy farmers to receive direct relief payments. Any dairy farm that experienced financial losses due to discarded or displaced milk during the COVID-19 emergency disaster may apply for assistance. Each farm with a documented loss will receive a minimum of $1,500 and an additional prorated share of the remaining funds, not to exceed the actual amount assessed by the handler. The deadline to apply for the Dairy Indemnity Program is September 30, 2020. Dairy professionals can address their questions about this program on the upcoming conference call.

As the dairy industry works to navigate COVID-19, the Center for Dairy Excellence is offering resources for dairy farms. Visit centerfordairyexcellence.org/covid-19 for more information and to access these resources.