"Our farmers are doing their part by continuing to provide ever-higher quality milk, but they are not getting credit for it with overseas customers because we are at the mercy of a regulatory mechanism that seems unwilling to maintain the same pace of improvement. Unfortunately, NCIMS is currently the only national regulatory forum at which to resolve these important issues for the dairy industry," he said.

Transportation quality assurance plays a critical role in the health and welfare of cattle. The proper handling and transport of cattle can reduce sickness in calves, prevent bruises, and improve the quality of the meat from these animals. By using best practices, transporters can save the beef industry millions of dollars each year. When a transporter participates in the program they are showing consumers they are ready to take every step possible to keep cattle as healthy and safe as possible.

The program covers many topics including:

• Cattle handling guidelines & diagrams
• Checklists for loading/unloading
• Checklists for hot/cold weather factors
• Checklists for fit/injured/weak cattle
• Checklist for traveling
• Loading suggestions and worksheets
• Bio-security & Emergency Action Plans

   Small changes are delivering big benefits to our people, our communities and our planet - that is the heritage and ongoing commitment of dairy farmers.

   Sustainability is about the little things dairy farmers do on their land every day to help pave the path for a healthy future. Likewise, dairy companies are taking steps to be more energy efficient, developing more environmentally-friendly packaging, and reducing their carbon footprint.

   Last week at a meeting I had the pleasure of meeting Ronald Brock DVM, a field veterinarian with USDA APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services) and during our conversation he posed an "opportunity" for certain producers.  We all remember back in 2003 when the first BSE cow in the US was discovered (traced back to Canada) and what happened as panic hit the markets the next several days.  As a result of that one cow, the BSE Testing program was started in 2004.  Since that time, after testing over 1,000,000 animals, they have NOT found any of the BSE that is infective to people.  The main purpose of this testing program is to keep our exports of beef products open and to maintain consumer confidence in beef and dairy.  Although a very expensive program, it is necessary to maintain those exports.  The US has petitioned OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) to be reclassified as "negligible risk" for BSE from the current rating of "controlled risk".  The OIE will reportedly make a determination this month (May).