Agriculture Groups Focus on Importance of Immigration Reform in Letter to President

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1 WEEKLY UPDATE March 31, 2017 Agriculture Groups Focus on Importance of Immigration Reform in Letter to President The Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC) this week emphasized the importance of immigration reform for America s farmers and ranchers in a letter sent to President Donald Trump. 70 groups representing a variety of crops grown in every region in the country joined in sending the letter that calls for reforms to ensure that American agriculture has a legal, stable supply of workers in both the long- and short-term for all types of producers. [T]he economic health of food and fiber producers, and the rural communities in which they live, is threatened by the lack of a reliable, stable and legal workforce. Our farmers face growing shortages of legally authorized and experienced workers each year, the groups state. This shortage of labor negatively impacts our economic competitiveness, local economies and jobs. Reforms are necessary to address the agricultural labor shortage. The AWC points out that the labor shortage threatens jobs far beyond the farm. Indeed, each farmworker engaged in labor-intensive crop or livestock production supports two to three other jobs off farm, including those with transportation providers, input suppliers, processors and retailers. Many of those American jobs would be lost if access to agriculture s current workforce is jeopardized without providing a mechanism for future legal workers, the groups say. CONTACT 1315 K Street, Modesto, CA Telephone: Fax: info@westernuniteddairymen.com WEEKLY UPDATE DELIVERY OPTIONS Send change of address or request for Update delivery to WUD by phone or fax, or to info@westernuniteddairymen.com LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! Western United Dairymen has a Facebook page. Like us today and join in on the conversation about California dairy families. The letter continues, we support strengthening our border, and we believe to do so we must also relieve pressure on the border by providing a lawful path for foreign workers to enter the U.S. on a nonimmigrant basis. The groups point out the only current guest worker program available, the H-2A visa program, is not only cumbersome and dysfunctional but only allows for temporary or seasonal workers. Therefore, it can not be used by farmers such as those in dairy, livestock and mushrooms, among others who have year-round need for workers. We can and must do better for our economy and country by modernizing our immigration system to include work eligibility for our existing workforce and farmer-friendly programs to provide for future legal guest workers, the letter concludes. Done properly, reform will deter illegal immigration, protect and complement our U.S. workforce, better respond to changing economic and demographic needs, and generate greater productivity and economic activity. The full letter can be viewed on the AWC web site at: About the Agriculture Workforce Coalition The AWC brings together organizations, including Western United Dairymen, representing the diverse needs of agricultural employers across the country. The coalition serves as the unified voice of agriculture in the effort to ensure that America s farmers, ranchers and growers have access to a stable and secure workforce now and in the future. CA FMMO MEETING - 4/4/17 When: 9:00 am on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Where: Stanislaus County Ag Center 3800 Cornucopia Way, Suite B, Modesto, CA WUD members are encouraged to attend and provide feedback and suggestions. See page 2 for more! Page! 1

2 Proposed Legislation Increases Roadway Fuel Taxes OPPOSE by Anja Raudabaugh, CEO Western United Dairymen As proposed in SB 1, the Legislature will be considering a tax measure that would cost California s drivers $5.2 billion dollars. The legislation, which was introduced today (3/31), is expected to be heard in committee and voted on by next week. Western United Dairymen is strongly opposed to this tax increase on our dairy families and our workforce. The bill would increase the roadway diesel fuel by $0.20 per gallon and increase the diesel excise tax by 4%. Today, the statewide average gallon of diesel stands at $2.95. This proposal would increase that gallon of gas to roughly $3.28. That s an 11% increase in diesel fuel costs for our members and workers. While the tax increase provides funding for programs to funding for pedestrians and cyclists, there s nothing in the bill for dairies and very little for rural California. Unlike other commodities, we cannot pass our costs onto the consumer. This tax will hurt dairy operators in California and we stand in opposition of this measure SB 1. Please look for updates and additional news on our social media outlet by following Western United Dairymen on Facebook. Attention dairy families: CDFA to hold CA FMMO Meeting NEXT WEEK CDFA will be hosting a meeting on April to gather information regarding quota and how it may operate within a California Federal Milk Marketing Order (should producers vote one in down the road). Quota was an important piece of the coops proposal and USDA s willingness to recognize it within its proposed order is a great step. However, USDA did not and will not provide specific details on how CDFA should operate the quota program. It is up to CDFA to determine that and Secretary Ross is calling on the industry for feedback and suggestions. Western United Dairymen will be at the meeting to ask questions and emphasize the importance of a fair program implementation. If you have questions, concerns, or would like Annie to ask a question for you at the meeting if you can t attend, please contact her at aacmoody@westernuniteddairymen.com or on her cell at Details about the meeting can be found in CDFA s announcement below. According to the announcement, specifically, CDFA is looking for direction on the following questions: 1. Should all Grade A milk be subject to a quota assessment or only pooled milk? 2. What is the best mechanism to gather the requisite data from handlers to calculate the necessary deduction as this will not be provided for under the FMMO? 3. What is the process by which CDFA shall collect, distribute and enforce quota payments? WUD members are encouraged to attend and provide feedback and suggestions. When: 9:00 am on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Where: Stanislaus County Ag Center 3800 Cornucopia Way, Suite B, Modesto, CA Page! 2

3 What s Up and What s Not Your Weekly Market Update by Annie AcMoody, Director of Economic Analysis * Forecasted prices are not a guarantee of future prices and are subject to change as markets fluctuate. Federal Order Class Prices Month Class I Class II Class III Class IV Jan. all milk price February $16.73 $16.52 $16.88 $15.59 $18.90 * Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMO) are a very timely topic. To keep you informed on what prices are doing in parts of the country under Federal Orders, we will frequently include those class prices in the Friday Update. Latest Class Prices Price $/cwt Class 1 4a 4b Overbase Quota February $18.28 $15.40 $15.81 $15.49 $17.19 March $18.76 $13.96 $13.76 $14.14 $15.84 April $16.91 $13.63 $14.13 $13.98 $15.68 Prices in italics are estimates. Commodity Markets: CME - California Plants Average AA Butter NFDM 40# Blocks Barrels Dry Whey March $ $ $ $ $ April $ $ $ $ $ March 31 $ $ $ $ $ Week to date 1 cent 1.17 cents 8 cents 8 cents 1 cent Estimated* producer CWT prices Page! 3

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5 Thank you to our WUD Convention sponsors Thank you to all of our sponsors who made the 2017 Convention a success! Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors Damrell Nelson Schrimp Pallios Pacher & Silva ATTORNEYS Associate Sponsors Dairy Managment Inc. ATI Machinery Inc. Kirby Manufacturing USDA/NRCS RCH Group Pacific Gas & Company DFA Market Update - Continued Page!5

6 Dairy Workshop: Energy Saving Strategies, Tools and Resources Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2017 Time: Registration: 8:00 a.m. Workshop: 8:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. with lunch Location: Energy Education Center - Tulare 4175 S. Laspina Street Tulare, CA Cost: Free Register by phone: Register online: sce.com/workshops Energy is a key resource in the dairy industry and being informed about the latest incentive programs, cost reduction strategies and financial resources can help your business achieve reliable and meaningful results. Join us for an informative discussion on these topics BioGas: What you need to know about methane emissions (SB1383) Renewable Power: NEM 2.0 Water and Air Quality Updates Innovative Irrigation Leveraging Utility Programs and Services Exhibitor Booths Panel Discussion FREE Lunch Register Today Prosperity Ave. Tulare Ave. Blackstone St. 63 Mooney Blvd. Engage and network with representatives from SCE, PG&E, SoCalGas, Western United Dairymen, CDFA and industry specific vendors. Bring your questions and get ready to be a part of this educational and instructive workshop designed especially for California dairies! Presented in partnership with: Paige Ave. Turner Dr. 137 Ave Laspina St. FOR OVER 100 YEARS...LIFE. POWERED BY EDISON. Page! 6