NMPF Announces Economic Task Force

News Editorcwt, Industry News

NMPFlogoThe National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), in response to the ongoing severe economic challenges facing the dairy producer community, will create a special strategic task force to examine those challenges and suggest possible solutions, NMPF announced today. The NMPF Strategic Planning Task Force will be appointed at the June 10 NMPF Board meeting, with the goal of having an initial meeting shortly thereafter.

The task force will be led by NMPF’s members, but will reach out to other dairy producer organizations that are not members of the Federation, including those organizations that participate in the Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) program. The purpose of the task force is to build consensus across the dairy industry about both the nature of the causes affecting producer prices, and ways the industry can realistically work to address the price crunch.

“Dairy farmers from coast to coast are looking for ideas that can help them not only weather the current economic storm, but also bring less volatility to dairy prices in the years ahead,” said Randy Mooney, Chairman of NMPF and a dairy farmer from Rogersville, MO. “Our new task force will allow for open discussion and a dialogue with others, with the goal of achieving a common understanding of how to best tackle the twin problems of low milk prices and high input costs.”

The agenda for the strategic planning task force will include an examination of how CWT’s role might change in helping manage dairy supply; consideration of methods to create incentives to stimulate the domestic production of new products, such as casein; expanding on the success of the CWT export assistance to create new markets for U.S. milk; and an assessment of methods to implement production controls on U.S. dairy producers.

The task force will also examine the effectiveness of current government dairy safety net programs, such as the Milk Income Loss Contract program and the dairy product price support program, both of which were revised in the 2008 Farm Bill.

“This new task force will allow for a structured means of reviewing our options, both for improving demand as well as managing supply, and help move us towards workable solutions both now and in the future,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. “There’s no shortage right now of concepts for new self-help programs, or ideas for what Congress and the Administration ought to be doing. If we’re to be effective, however, we need detailed discussions about practical options that the entire dairy producer community can support,” he said.

Pa. Gov. Asks Court to Overturn Rule

News EditorGovernment, Industry News

Pennsylvania’s Governor Ed Rendell has asked a court to overturn a state board decision that ruled out an extra charge on packaged milk produced in Pennsylvania and sold in New Jersey.

Rendell and Pa. Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff filed a lawsuit last week in Commonwealth Court that challenges the Milk Marketing Board’s April 1 decision. The two said in the lawsuit the board’s 2-to-1 vote showed the panel was biased in favor of milk dealers, and argued that the panel ignored evidence and abused its discretion.

At issue is whether to add the so-called “over-order premium fuel adjuster” on the New Jersey-bound milk. The extra fee increases how much processors , the middlemen who sell to groceries and other outlets , have to pay to farmers.

Earl Fink with the Pennsylvania Association of Milk Dealers trade association, which voted Thursday to intervene in the case, said the additional cost works out to about 2.5 cents a gallon.

The market is sensitive to tiny changes in price, and Fink said the extra fee would put Pennsylvania dealers at a competitive disadvantage to other states that feed the massive New Jersey market.

“It would substantially harm some of our members who sell there,” Fink said. “We have a very large dairy in Reading that does over half their business in New Jersey.”

The Milk Marketing Board’s chief counsel, Doug Eberly, declined comment Thursday on the lawsuit.

In making its decision, the board said it was unconvinced the additional charge would put more money in the pockets of Pennsylvania dairy farmers, and worried that dealers would either reduce voluntary payments to farmers or buy milk from other states.

“It’s unlikely any of that money would ever get to dairy farmers,” Fink said. “If we had to pay it we’d just lose our business in New Jersey , that’s the bottom line.”

Agriculture Department lawyer Brook Duer said an additional charge would mean an increase in actual payments to farmers. Duer said Pennsylvania consumers would not be affected because the higher-priced milk would only be sold to New Jersey outlets.

A Pennsylvania Farm Bureau dairy expert told the milk board the state lost 800 dairy herds between 2002 and 2006 and total cow numbers also were on the decline.

But dealers said that if the board adopted the higher payments they might seek raw milk from other states or simply reduce the amounts above the minimum they are currently paying to dairy farmers.

In its April 1 ruling, the milk board said a higher premium would not necessarily address dairy farmers’ problems with volatile prices and rising production costs.

Dairyline Markets In Review

Chuck ZimmermanDairyline, Markets

DairylineDairy Markets Week in Review

Cash cheese prices continued to weaken the first full week in May with blocks closing Friday at $1.1375 per pound, down 1 1/2-cents on the week, 86 cents below a year ago, and just three quarters of a cent above the government support price. Barrel closed at $1.0550, down 3 1/4-cents on the week, 92 1/2-cents below a year ago and 4 1/2-cents below support. Ten cars of block traded hands on the week and 21 of barrel. The NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price fell 3.6 cents, to $1.2119. Barrel averaged $1.1291, down 4.9 cents.

Butter closed at $1.24, up a penny on the week but 23 cents below a year ago. Twelve cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.1920, up 2.8 cents.

Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed at 88 cents per pound, up a penny on the week on seven sales. Extra Grade closed at 86 cents, up a half-cent. The NASS-surveyed nonfat dry milk price averaged 82.33 cents, up 0.1 cent. Dry whey averaged 21.3 cents, up 0.6 cent.

Price support purchases for the week amounted to 3.4 million pounds of nonfat dry milk, raising the year’s cumulative total so far to 234.3 million, compared to none a year ago

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.

Nebraska Dairy Farm Teaches About Modern Practices

News EditorGeneral

Praireland Dairy, in Firth, Neb. is showcasing their family’s annual “Dairy Fun Days” on Youtube to help tell the dairy industry’s story. The Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska is supporting the video that features Dan Rice and his family teaching the local community about how he cares for his cows and the environment. Check out the video!

Praireland Dairy in Nebraska holds an open house each year, inviting anyone who is interested in dairy production to come out and see what modern dairy farming is like. This video captures the reaction of several folks who took the tour, including some that had operated a dairy years earlier.

Click here to see the video on Youtube!

Dairy Farmer Dumps Milk to Draw Attention to Low Prices

Amanda NolzDairy Business

I have to give props to anyone in the dairy industry. On average, dairy farmers are losing $5 per cow every single day. I can imagine that’s hard to wake up to in the morning, and undoubtedly, milking chores have become a lot less fun. To me, dairy farmers are our nation’s heroes, and I’m sorry that you are hurting right now. This story, “Dairy Famer Dumps Milk to Draw Attention to Low Prices,” was aired on Channel KARE 11 in Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minn. Unfortunately, dumping milk on the ground is a pretty sad way to get attention, but I thought I would share this on the blog today.

For Jan Morrow and her kids, dairy farming is a family affair. These days her family is hurting. Milk prices have plummeted since Christmas; dairy farmers taking the equivalent of a fifty percent pay cut compared to this time last year.

Morrow hears people say, “‘Well, you had record prices last year.’ Well we did, we also had record costs.”

She estimates her 50 cow farm near Cornell, Wisconsin is now losing $4000 a month. Like many dairy farmers she’s now borrowing money, going deeper into debt, just to feed her cows and pay her bills.

Read the entire article here.

Why is SHE on the Payroll?

Amanda NolzDairy Checkoff

underwood-lg-milk Okay, dairy producers processors…I’ve got to ask. Why is Carrie Underwood on your payroll? These “Got Milk?” ads are paid for by the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), and although they are no longer in circulation, I continue to see them everywhere! Ever since her days on American Idol, we knew what Carrie Underwood stood for. She wore a “V is for Vegetarian” shirt while performing on the show, and after winning, she has been very vocal in the past four years in her stance against animal agriculture. She spoke to children on PBS kids about giving up meat as a part of a healthy diet, and she is a member of the Humane Society of the United States. Don’t know about their evil agenda? Check out Activist Cash to learn more. HSUS’ main goal is to abolish animal agriculture completely in the United States. They want animal liberation and an end to food production, and they are getting this accomplished. Think Proposition 2 in California. Of their past 20 ballot initiatives, HSUS has successfully passed 17! Now that’s dangerous power!

So, why is Carrie Underwood on the payroll? Why do I keep seeing her posters everywhere? I had one taken down in my highs chool back home, and I know of others that have done the same. Remember, we all have to stick together in agriculture, and dairy producers contribute to 17% of our nation’s beef supply! Did you know that? Let Carrie know you don’t appreciate her views, get her off country radio and let’s get rid of her milk campaign posters. They are incredibly degrading to me as a food producer.

Editor’s Note: Thanks to Dairy Management, Inc. for correcting me in that the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) sponsored this advertisement, not dairy producers through the checkoff program. Star power or not, no sector of agriculture should endorse this girl, but I appreciate Dairy Management, Inc. for correcting my error. Thanks again.

Dairy Princesses to be Crowned Friday

Amanda NolzDairy Group

The Times-Standard announced an upcoming event, the 52nd annual District 1 Dairy Princess Contest. Tomorrow, three local women are competing for the honor of being crowned the new princess for 2009-2010 on Friday at the River Lodge. Kerilyn Ambrosini, Brooke Chrisler and Rachel Phillips, will vie for the Dairy Princess title, scholarships and awards. To learn more about these wonderful ladies, link here.

The contestants will be judged on poise, speaking ability, dairy background, community involvement and future plans. The winner of the contest will represent the dairy industry in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. She will succeed current Dairy Princess Alayna Renner of Ferndale, a senior at Ferndale High School who will be attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo as an agriculture science major this fall.

The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a social hour, dinner at 7:30 p.m., followed by the contest and coronation of the new Dairy Princess and alternates. Reservations are suggested. Door prizes will be included for attending guests. Tickets and sponsorships are available by calling 725-9497. Sponsorships for $60 include two complimentary dinner tickets and inclusion in the program. Dinner tickets are $25 each.

Get Your Moo Button

News EditorGeneral

canadian milkWhat’s a “Moo Button?” The folks over at Canadian Moo invite you to visit their website and download their widget to help them reach the world record for the most moos in a 24-hour period on June 3, 2009. Join in the fun!!

Canadian dairy is made from one of our country’s most precious primary resources: 100% Canadian milk. It’s not just a source of 16 essential nutrients, it’s a source of pride.

Holstein Announce DJMs

News EditorCompany Announcement, Competition, Holstein Association

holsteinlogoTwelve semifinalists have been named in Holstein Association USA‘s Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) competition. Established in 1922, this is the highest honor that can be given to a Holstein Junior member. The contest is open to any Junior member of the Association, ages 17 to 21.

The 2009 Distinguished Junior Member semifinalists are: Jessica Achen, Sauk Centre, Minn.; Robyn Bechtel, Martinsburg, Pa.; Danielle Brown, Dodgeville, Wis.; Kayla Demmer, Peosta, Iowa; Katie Donnan, Galway, N.Y.; Ty Hildebrandt, Hustisford, Wis.; Emily Lyons, Rockford, Ill.; Matt Mitchell, LaFollette, Tenn.; Kristin Natzke, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Curtis Rhoderick, Mt. Airy, Md.; Jenna Smith, Martinsburg, Pa.; and Parker Welch, Chestertown, Md.

“Though Rocky Top Holsteins is by definition a small operation, it is serving a huge role in determining my career path,” said Matt Mitchell in his Junior Project Story. “I am hopeful that combining my ‘real world’ education gained through operating my own dairy business with the academic insights gained through a college degree should uniquely position me to be a positive contributor in any phase of the dairy industry.”

In her Junior Story, Danielle Brown stated, “My plans for the future are and will always be rooted in the dairy industry. Whatever I am doing, I know I will be working hard to improve and maintain the lifestyle of farming and the industry.”

These twelve semifinalists will interview at the National Junior Holstein Convention, June 27-30 in Sacramento, Calif. From the group, six finalists will be chosen, and will receive annual renewed memberships to Holstein Association USA.

Contestants are judged on an entry book highlighting their Junior Holstein project work and involvement with activities, both in the Holstein and dairy industries, and their schools and communities.

“Holstein Junior members are among the most passionate and driven youth in the industry,” said Kelli Dunklee, Holstein Association USA Youth Program Specialist. “This impressive group of DJM semifinalists is no exception to that. Their high level of participation in Junior programs, knowledge of the dairy industry and sincere interest in agriculture make them extremely deserving recipients of this honor.

WMMB Celebrates Farmers with Dairy Day

News EditorIndustry News

WisMilkMarketingBoardLogoThe Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) invites dairy producers from Wis. to their annual Dairy Day at Miller Park on Sunday, May 31, 2009. On Sunday, May 31, the 42,000 expected fans (a sell-out crowd) who visit Miller Park will have the opportunity to taste dairy products and walk away with a dairy-themed souvenir.

All active Wisconsin dairy producers will be offered discounted tickets in reserved sections. Options available include Terrace Reserved seats for $10.00 each (regularly $14) and Loge Outfield Box seats for $24.00 each (regularly $28). All active dairy producers were mailed a postcard with ordering instructions and a discount code. If you are an active dairy producer with an active license number and did not receive a postcard but would like to order tickets, contact WMMB at 1.800.383.9662 ext. 232 or e-mail producer@wmmb.org. Tickets for this offer must be purchased by April 30, 2009. Tickets are available in limited quantities, so call today! Tickets are not available for this program at the ticket windows or from the Brewers Website.

Dairy Day will start with what’s gearing up to be a mini-festival outside the gates of the park. Prior to game time, a number of Wisconsin companies will offer product tasting of their milk, ice cream flavors and cheese.

The fun and education will continue inside. Each person who walks through the gate will receive a collectible bobblehead featuring MLB’s All Time Save’s Leader; Trevor Hoffman, complete with the Wisconsin Cheese logo. This collector’s item will remind people for years to come of the important role the dairy business plays in Wisconsin.