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Dairy
producers will reap numerous benefits if a bill being considered
by the Minnesota Legislature becomes law. The Dairy Enhancement
Plan of 2001 requests $2 million over two years to:
- Enhance the Dairy Diagnostics Teams program. The bill would expand
the program to further boost planning and modernization. It would
also add a benchmarking component to show how the program improves
profitability.
- Provide business planning grants. Producers
could apply for matching funds to use to develop business plans.
- Establish a voluntary best practices
program to recognize certain environment-protecting practices.
- Allow for "5-Star Dairy"
designation. With funding from the Legislative Commission on Minnesota
Resources, this will provide a means of communicating to consumers
exceptional environmental responsibility.
The effort
would be coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
It would also involve the Minnesota Milk Producers Association (MMPA),
other producer and processor groups, the Dairy Leaders Roundtable,
the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, the University
of Minnesota Extension Service, and lending institutions.
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