Key Takeaways:
- New Alliance Launched: The Dairy Grazing Alliance, dedicated to expanding and supporting the dairy grazing sector, was officially launched during the Sustainable Agriculture Summit in Minneapolis.
- Unified Vision: The Alliance aims to grow all parts of the dairy grazing value chain, focusing on market development, environmental benefits, and producer resources.
- Strategic Leadership: Building on the foundation of Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, the Alliance seeks to align stakeholders across the industry to meet growing consumer demand for pasture-raised dairy.
- Market Potential: The global market for grass-fed milk is projected to grow by 22.4% over the next decade, presenting significant opportunities for U.S. dairy grazing.
- Environmental Advocacy: The Alliance will emphasize managed grazing as a key tool in addressing climate change, soil health, and water quality.
The Dairy Grazing Alliance was officially launched today at the Sustainable Agriculture Summit, held through November 21 in Minneapolis. The new organization is dedicated to expanding the U.S. dairy grazing sector by growing markets, providing resources to farmers, and fostering collaboration across the value chain.
“The Alliance will help dairy grazing farmers be successful by providing needed services and developing markets that value their capacity to mitigate climate change, regenerate soil health, improve water quality, and revitalize rural communities,” said Eric Sheffer, board president for Dairy Grazing Alliance.
Building on a Strong Foundation
Earlier this year, the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, now housed under the Alliance, convened over 35 industry leaders, including farmers, government agencies, and financial institutions, to discuss the future of the U.S. dairy grazing sector. Participants agreed that the sector’s full potential could only be realized through unified growth across the value chain. The Alliance was identified as the organization to spearhead this effort.
“I’m really proud of the incredible work Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship has done since its founding in 2010,” said Joe Tomandl, a fourth-generation Wisconsin dairy farmer and founder of both the Apprenticeship and the Alliance. “As consumer demand for pasture-raised dairy intensifies, more attention and investment is needed across the value chain. We’re confident the Alliance will usher in an exciting new chapter for dairy grazing and dairy grazing farmers.”
Focus Areas for Growth
The Alliance will focus on three primary pillars:
- Economic Viability: Enhancing profitability for managed grazing farms.
- Producer Support: Offering resources, education, and technical assistance to dairy farmers.
- Industry Collaboration: Convening stakeholders to develop markets and scale production for pasture-raised dairy.
In addition to market development, the Alliance will prioritize advancing research into the environmental benefits of managed grazing. Studies have shown that managed dairy grazing can play a key role in mitigating climate change, improving soil health, and enhancing water quality.
Meeting Consumer Demand
Consumer interest in pasture-raised dairy is growing rapidly, with the global market for grass-fed milk projected to increase by 22.4% over the next decade, according to MMR Research. However, the U.S. dairy grazing sector has lagged behind this trend. The Alliance plans to address this gap by increasing financing, research, and technical resources needed to scale production for emerging markets.
“As a farmer and a board member of Dairy Grazing Alliance, I’m excited to be part of an organization that has the right people, connections, and know-how to make a positive economic and environmental impact,” added Sheffer.
