Driver shortages, driver licensing regulations, training, delivery logistics and supply chain disruptions are all part of a commercial transportation crisis impacting all industries but is particularly challenging for our feed and dairy businesses. Northeast agriculture, blessed in many ways, is challenged by aging infrastructure, including bottlenecks at receiving facilities causing hours of wait time and adding to a long day for truck drivers. To address this overall issue the Alliance, in collaboration with the Northeast Dairy Producers Association, is planning a Transportation Summit later this fall.
The Summit will address the trucking crisis, on the farm and within the agribusiness sector, serving the northeast dairy industry. At issue are the shortage of trained drivers and inefficiencies in the handling of agricultural commodities. The one-day event will seek input from feed suppliers, dairy producers, milk processors, grain producers, trucking companies, railroads, government officials and legislators from New York and Vermont and others who are directly involved in the issue. The intended outcomes are practical, reasonable solutions that can be implemented by individual companies and supported by state governments.
The date and agenda for the summit are being finalized and will be announced soon.