This takes on an added element of importance for the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) environmental research team. We want to ensure the checkoff dollars entrusted to us are being used in a way that will deliver sound, science-based results that will benefit our nation’s farm families.
That’s why DMI created the Scientific Advisory Council for Environmental Research, whose goal is to look under the hood and let us know what they see. Is our research on the right course? Or do we need course correction? Are our research priorities aligned?
The 13-member council we formed is a “who’s who” of credentialed researchers representing diverse expertise across the agricultural sciences, including soil health, water quality, manure management, animal health and animal nutrition.
They are scientific thought leaders, and many are faculty members at some of the nation’s top research facilities, such as Colorado State, Cornell, Virginia Tech, Penn State, University of Minnesota and UC Davis. We have USDA researchers and center directors, as well as participation from a scientist at the University of Guelph in Canada.
We also have a representative of Starbucks, which is a partner of the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative, and New Mexico dairy farmer Tara Vander Dussen, who is an environmental scientist. Rounding out the group are representatives from the Idaho Dairymen’s Association and checkoff-founded Newtrient, whose mission is to reduce dairy’s environmental footprint through economically viable methods.
I can’t stress enough how each of these professionals shares our interest in making the industry more sustainable and viable for producers. Their work has helped make U.S. dairy a worldwide leader in environmental sustainability.
The council gathered for the first time in late September, and it was incredible to look around the room and see the intellectual firepower assembled before us. Every council member has a full schedule and are pulled in many directions, yet they expressed the desire to work together and with the checkoff to ensure our research is impactful for the industry. Extra time does not come easy, yet here they were, eager to spend the day as volunteers on a journey to examine our checkoff’s research strategy.
The meeting began with the DMI team reviewing our objectives and familiarizing the advisors with the dairy checkoff’s mission and affiliated organizations. We described how DMI supports research and provided an overview of our major environmental initiatives.
Then, the interaction began and the room quickly filled with a lively discussion and dissection of our work. It was clear the group was engaged, and they generated numerous ideas, suggestions and insights
on our research priorities, projects and future directions. They identified potential gaps, underfunded areas and emerging areas of importance.
Creating a council of this stature not only provides a valuable examination of our work, but the process shows we are being transparent. And that helps build our credibility and trust with sustainability scientists and thought leaders – and ultimately with the consumers who purchase our products.
While the council does not make final “go/no-go” decisions on DMI research, their feedback is already being used to guide our direction in investment and overall strategy. We look forward to strengthening this connection as we unite around the goal of advancing research concepts to realities that one day can make a difference for our dairy farmers.
Our first meeting gave us a strong sense of validation that the checkoff is on the right track to achieving that goal.
To learn more about your national dairy checkoff, visit www.USDairy.com/forfarmers or to reach us directly, send an email to TalkToTheCheckoff@dairy.org.
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