Session 4 Journal

Session 4 Journal

Federal Legislation

Trevor Nutcher

September 18-19, 2012

During our stay in Washington D.C. for Session 4, we spent two days visiting with members of Congress and the Senate.  From where Lauren Reid finished talking about the first half of the activities, to the last Metro ride back to the hotel, we had a very good, and very busy, day and a half.

Starting after lunch on Tuesday, September 18, we met with Congressman Brian Billbrae’s staff member Andrew Lund.  After Andrew, we met with Debbie Jessup, staff member for Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard.  Next in our lineup we met with Patricia Ross, for Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, followed by Kristen Glenn for Congressman Tom McClintock.  Next we met with John Lowrey for Congressman Joe Baca, followed by Lillian McFarlan and Devin Rhinerson for Senator Dianne Feinstein.  Then ending the day meeting with a staff member from Senator Barbara Boxer.

Through each of these meetings, we gave our stories on what we were experiencing in the California Dairy Industry and let the staff members know that we were being affected by all of the legislation going through.  Some of the topics we covered with them were: the Margin Insurance Program, Ethanol Subsidies, Trans-Pacific Partners, Labor Issues, Estate Tax, Federal Milk Marketing Orders, and a few other Farm Bill issues such as the King Amendment and Conservation Title.  We all chimed in on certain issues and fed off of each other, giving our personal side of how legislation is and could be affecting us as individual farms and as an industry. 

Tuesday concluded with a very nice dinner at Capitol Grill with Charlie Garrison.  It was a beautiful restaurant and had fantastic food and wine.  After dinner, many of the group went out with Charlie to a bar on top of a hotel near the White House.  Even though it was raining, the covered roof had open sides looking out and we could see the White House, Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.  It was a beautiful site to see with all of them lit up at night. 

Wednesday was a nice sunny day.  We started out with a good ride on the metro over to the Congress building as the day before.  Once there, we had a meeting with Kyle Lombardi, staff member for Congressman Kevin McCarthy, followed by Vincent Rocha for Congressmen Jerry McNearney.  Next we met with Mary Knigge from the Democrat Staff Agricultural Committee.  Following Mary, we met with Andrew House for Congressman Devin Nunes, then over to the Senate building to meet with Kim Alton on labor issues for Senator Dianne Feinstein.  Next we were back to the Congress side to meet with Donald Grady for Congressman Jim Costa, then Ben Gutman for member of Congress, Zoe Lofgren, then finishing up meeting with Congressman Jeff Denham himself. 

This day was a little less stressful.  We were familiar with the topics and the questions that the staff members might have for us.  We were also more familiar with how our arguments would be received by different staff members.  I was also very impressed with the Senate.  They really seemed to take genuine interest in what we were saying.  I was also impressed at the level of bi-partisan support we received through Charlie Garrison’s efforts.   I felt a touch unprepared for each meeting as far as knowing who their congressman was.  Some research on my part to see where their district was and what was in their area along with what their affiliations are would have been wise.  That all went to show that I need to take it more seriously and to follow things that are going on in Washington D.C. more closely.

Once we finished our visit with Congressman Jeff Denham, we were back to the hotel to pack, say farewell and thank Charlie, and off to the airport.  Charlie really impressed me not only from meeting and spending time with him, but seeing how the people he met with on a regular basis responded to our presence.  Charlie is doing a great job for us in D.C. and I am glad to see what an influence he is on our behalf.  Most people we met with knew of the issues and had a good idea how it was or could affect us.  It was very encouraging to know that we have someone fighting for us in the ‘big leagues’.  Thanks Charlie! 

As for Washington D.C., I learned a great deal.  It showed me how much of an impact we can make actually visiting with these staff members.  I also learned that I should be more up to date on what is going on in D.C.  The issues we talked about with the staff members weren’t new to me but I wasn’t as familiar with them as I should have been.  The Farm Bill issue was interesting to me in that no one seemed really motivated to get anything done.  The concerns we brought up were valid and pertinent but everyone was waiting on other issues based on who gets elected in November.  At the end of the day, it is still a political stage.

During our talks with each staff member, it was neat to see how they responded.  Some really appreciated our input and took it to heart, others knew what we were saying already and it was a good reinforcement. Others seemed to not be terribly interested.  I was also very surprised at the difference in the Congress verses the Senate.  The Senate side really seemed to have their ducks in a row.  They had already passed their version of the Farm Bill and seemed to be much more receptive to what we had to say.  I was very impressed with all the staff members of the Senate whom we met with.  It was nice to learn that we can make a difference and not everyone is against the dairy industry. 

To conclude this Journal, I would like to say that I really enjoyed my time in Washington D.C.  It was a beautiful visit filled with a lot of neat history and sightseeing but also with a great deal of respect for those who speak on our behalf.  It’s easy to sit at home and complain about the way something is or hear one side of the story and buy into it, but to really search it out and get involved enough to make a difference in what matters, that takes a lot of time and effort.  I am very thankful for WUD and Charlie Garrison for telling our side of the story and keeping Dairy’s best interest at heart.  It’s nice to know we have a group like that fighting for us on the Federal level. 

Session #3 of the Western United Dairy Leaders was held in Modesto California at the WUD office. The general topic of this session was California dairy economics and California milk pricing. Annie AcMoody, director of Economic Analysis for WUD, gave the first presentation for the session which was an overview of California pricing and the pooling system. Annie did a great job explaining a complicated system leaving everyone with a better understanding of how the pooling and pricing system works in California.  

Dr. William Schiek from Dairy Institute of California gave a presentation on Domestic and Global Market Outlook. He went over the basics of how the milk price is driven by supply and demand. Following Dr. Schiek’s presentation we met up with Michael Marsh and Ray Souza for dinner at Surlas Restaurant in Modesto. Throughout dinner Ray gave an overview of how the California milk pricing system has change over the years, especially in regards to milk pooling. It was interesting to hear the history of the pricing system from a dairyman who milked cows before milk pooling was around.

The following day we met back up at the WUD office after breakfast. Mike Francesconi gave the first presentation for the day giving an overview of what the Dairy Marketing Branch does within CDFA. Venetta Reed, also from CDFA presented on how cost studies are conducted through processors and how those costs are factored into the pricing system. Amber Rankin gave a presentation on the California hearing process and the difference between the Federal hearing process. Following lunch, Mike Francesconi spoke with us regarding Cost of Production Studies CDFA. This was interesting to see how the studies are conducted with a range of different styles of dairies. This is valuable information for dairymen to compare their numbers with. John Lee, Chief of the CDFA Milk Pooling Branch described his job and an overview of what the duties of the CDFA Milk Pooling Branch are. John Bressett from the producer Security Assurance Team talked about their role within CDFA and how they monitor transactions between milk handlers and producers. Don Shippelhoute wrapped up the second day with an open discussion of milk pooling. This was a very interactive presentation and a good way to end a long day of speakers.

The third and final day of the session we met up at the WUD office once again. Michael Marsh gave an overview of current issues going on in the dairy industry and how WUD is taking a proactive approach. Eric Erba, Senior Vice President from CDI, talked to us about the role co-ops play in transporting milk and making sure that milk has a home. This was an interesting presentation and eye-opening to see all that is involved once milk leaves the dairy. Tiffany LaMendola from Blimling and Associates spoke with us about margin management. This was a great presentation with material that is especially helpful now with markets being so volatile.

This was a very valuable session as milk pricing is a topic that many dairymen are not comfortable with.  The presenters in this session helped with my understanding of the California Pricing system and why things are the way they are.