What Edge members are saying

By Lauren Laubscher, member services representative

Each year the Edge member services team connects with our membership and conducts a survey to engage our members, gain insight, and effectively represent our members’ voices.

This year COVID-19 provided a challenge. There was a delay in the start of check-ins due to stay at home orders, many members implemented strict visitor policies, and we received a lower response rate (44 percent) in comparison to previous years.

Future Plans

We asked our members what the future of their farm looks like and 74 percent will maintain status quo, 15 percent need to formulate a succession plan, 10 percent will expand (with only one member responding that they will downsize), 9 percent will transition out of dairy, 7 percent are unsure and 3 percent have a succession plan in place.

Processor Relations

Edge has been working to build relationships with processors.  We asked how you would rate your relationship with our processor: 30 percent of those surveyed were extremely satisfied and 49 percent were satisfied.

• those farmers satisfied with the relationship between them and their processor mention good communication and trust between processors and farmers
• those who are dissatisfied mention a lack of communication and trust. 

Edge will continue to promote and foster strong member-processor relationships. 

Top Issues affecting the farm

COVID-19 was the top issue affecting member farms this year at 39 percent. Demand for dairy products in the U.S. (34 percent), environmental regulations (31 percent), availability of employees (27 percent) and misleading labeling of dairy products (24 percent) were the other top issues affecting member farms.

Our team will use these results as we shape priorities on Capital Hill.

Government Disaster Assistance

Edge was at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic fighting for and keeping our members informed on the government financial assistance programs.

• 80 percent thought the government financial assistance programs were helpful
• 74 percent received CFAP payments
• 45 percent utilized the Paycheck Protection Program
• 6 percent received Economic Injury Disaster Loans
• 2 percent used risk management tools such as DRP.

Eighteen percent did not receive assistance with the top reason being that it was against their religious practices.

How can Edge be better?

At Edge we are constantly striving to provide relevant and valuable services to our members. When asked how we can better serve you the top responses were Federal Milk Marketing Order reform and mitigation of negative PPDs.

We are taking a more complete look at the current milk pricing system and are engaged in broader conversations with other dairy organizations on how to approach the shortcomings of the system. Edge will continue to work to ensure that any potential formula change does not disadvantage our members in the Upper Midwest, which is primarily a Class III market.