Top 10 Reasons

We are always asking producers for their reasons why it is crucial to join the National Dairy Producers Organization.  Here are the responses so far...

·         The national milk pricing policy must be fixed now.

·         We want to be part of a dairy producer group speaking with one voice nationwide.

·         It’s important to sustain the U.S. dairy industry.

·         As dairy farmers, we must demand an equitable partnership between producer, co-op/processor and retailer where all three parties are profitable.

·         We want our children to have the opportunity to join our family dairy.

·         Dairy farmers deserve to be profitable.

·         It’s time we dairy farmers take control of our future.

·         This organization represents dairymen serving dairymen with the goal of securing a fair price for our product.

·         Why not? All we have to lose is $80. What we have to gain is so much more!

Lad and Brenda Hastings, Ohio

• To gain the trust of the public and our vendors, through our commitment to the future of dairy farming in this country.
• To influence political decisions on behalf of the dairy industry that reflect fairness and profitability for producers, processors and retailers.
• To professionally present and defend U.S. dairy farmers and their contribution to the national economy.
• To gain respect and understanding from the USDA, by demonstrating that dairy farmers are educated and have the resources to present and defend the right to receiving their fair share of earnings.
• To stop the attrition of future dairy farmers because of unfair dairy policy that has depleted hard -earned equity and forced many dairy farmers from their livelihood, land and home.
• To make sure that the consumer public understands our intent to make a fair living and that we are dedicated to producing a wholesome, safe product at a fair price.
• To make sure that our promotion check-off dollars are properly used to promote milk as nature’s most perfect food.
• To prove to the public and ourselves that dairy farmers can work together and be successful.
• We have no choice but to ban together in numbers or we will be taken over like the swine and poultry growers.  We will no longer be independent dairy farmers but share croppers at the mercy of the processors and the retail industry.

Loren and Linda Lopes

·        Failure of current dairy organizations to protect my capital investment in dairy agriculture.

·        Failure of current organizations to include members in policy-making decisions.

·        Failure to hire qualified personnel  to administer trade associations.

·        Failure of current board members to lead.

·        Failure to take the initiative to be confrontational, and question price and price discovery issues.

·        Failure of staff to take the stance of a tough combatant for dairy farmers when policy discussions are being aired at hearings.

·        Failure of current staff members to develop unbiased focus groups to discuss new issues and policies that are being discussed at the national and state levels.

·        Failure to monitor unfair milk products that have entered our country at a severely discounted price, such as MPC.

Walt Kessler

Really there is only one reason that I feel it is important for us to move forward.  We have nothing to lose but more money and equity.  We have only one agenda, to get this industry back to profitability.  If we can get support from a majority of producers we have the best shot at making this a reality because we don’t have years of baggage, special interests groups that we owe favors to and nothing to hide.  With a little luck, a whole bunch of effort, and most importantly the support of producers, we can get this off the ground and running.  Producers need a fair price for their efforts of producing high quality milk and they deserve it.  They should sign up for National Dairy Producers Organization to give us a shot at alleviating milk prices that do not justify the value of our time and effort.  Just remember that we have nothing to lose. We can, and will succeed with all producers supporting the cause to sell milk for a profit, not a margin!

Pete DeHaan

The need for more money to pay for the “dirty five:” depreciation, interest, repairs, taxes and insurance.  We dairy farmers are using or living off of our depreciation, not replacing our equipment and other necessary needs.    We are not earning interest on money in the bank but paying interest, leaving us with no money for retirement.  We are allowed minimal repairs, only fixing what absolutely needs to be fixed. Our taxes  are  behind on real estate by two years.  We don’t have insurance on our buildings, cattle or equipment.  No other industry in the free world is forced to operate under these mandates. The U.S. DAIRY INDUSTRY NEEDS TO HAVE A STRONG VOICE TO RECEIVE a FAIR PRICE.

Tom Monteith

There are a lot of farmers out there in the same desperate situation.  We need to join together and have one voice and be taken seriously.  A few farmers whining about their problems will not be taken seriously or solve any problems.  A united front on this issue will finally give us the voice and influence we need to accomplish something. Simply put, you can't help those who won't help themselves. So it's time to stop whining about the situation and do something about it..

MacKenze Rohl

·        Depending on the government is a joke.

·        The current organizations are entirely too top-heavy, with paid staff that haven't experienced the losses that dairymen have.

·        The time to act is NOW.

·        We all agree that the current system doesn't work. Only we can change things quickly.

Ron Koetsier

Please send us your reasons why you have joined.  If you haven't joined, are there any questions that we can answer for you?  Email info@nationaldairyproducers.org for more information or to send us your reasons.  You can also call 800-364-4894.  Feel free to leave comments for everyone else to see as well.

Thanks.