Hello. Lots of readers have asked for a story on the USDA’s National Animal Identification System (NAIS). As currently described, the program will electronically track every farm animal in the U.S. by 2009. Its first phase of premises registration is already legally under way in every state. Who wants this system? Who declares "No NAIS"? Who will pay for it? Is NAIS a common-sense agrobio-security step or the death-knell of small-scale animal agriculture? Explore with us.

DRY TIMES: It’s officially “abnormally dry” in Pennsylvania and the whole East Coast from Maine to Florida, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The U.S. mid-section has it much worse, with the “exceptional drought” in south Texas getting slightly less damaging west through Arizona, northwest into Wyoming and north-northeast through Illinois.

Spring without rain is an unsettling experience, one that tempers hope and diminishes options for crops and livestock innovations. Farmers in our stories on organic hay emphasize that these are the times when communication between those who have and those who need is even more important.

An expanding number of organic cows geared for grazing are looking for high-quality, long-stemmed forage in the off-season. Organic feed infrastructure is developing on the fly as feed businesses see opportunities to link expanding organic herds and flocks with the feed they need. Long-distance, fossil-fueled transport of organic feed is nobody’s idea of sustainable, but seems to be part of the transition until on-farm, local and regional balance develops.

TALKING POINTS: As the official USDA organic program and the farms it certifies evolve, farmers find new things to appreciate and dislike, depending on their values, farm size, personalities, marketing programs, and lots more variables.

We captured two farmer declarations on a market-farming email list that highlight contrasting conclusions on the best way to carry out the hopes of the historic “little o” organic movement. Both writers refer to Certified Naturally Grown, one of several labels that has emerged to serve farmers who feel the USDA program isn’t right for them, and one of many eco-labels that brand agricultural products with some sustainable attribute in the marketplace. This is a squabble between allies, which seems to make it even more heartfelt.

Grazing standards will be high on the agenda of the National Organic Standards Board at next week’s meeting in State College, Pennsylvania. See our news for details and the path to testimony already filed.

That’s our news. What’s up where you are?

Read on!
Greg Bowman
Online Editor

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