USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Gerry Bange expects milk production to increase in 2012. Talking about the latest USDA Dairy Outlook in terms of production and price estimates, Bange says, “U.S. milk production in 2012 is expected to increase about 1.3%. We’re looking now at 198.5 billion pounds.” That’s unchanged from the last forecast, but the 2011 production total … Read More
Raw Milk Bill on Docket Again in N.J.
New Jersey is once again debating the sale of raw milk in the state. Assembly Bill 743, has been resurrected under the new number A518 and introduced into the new Assembly session. The measure is missing one sponsor, Rep. Charlotte Vandervalk, a 39th District Republican, who retired from the Assembly after 20 years. Sponsors want to make populous New Jersey … Read More
Nebraska Dairy Convention
The 2012 Nebraska Dairy Convention, “The Future…Is Now,” will open at 10 a.m., March 13, and is free to all Nebraska dairy producers, families and guests. Attendee and sponsorship registration forms are available online. The deadline to register is March 2. An Olympic Gold Medalist, the coronation of the Nebraska Dairy Princess and a seminar on handling high commodity prices … Read More
Belief We're In Ag Bubble
In our latest ZimmPoll we asked the question “Do you think there is currently an “Ag Bubble?” It looks like most think so since 66% said Yes and 34% said No. That’s kind of a pessimistic outlook don’t you think? If you think we’re in a bubble please feel free to comment on why. We’d love to hear your thoughts. … Read More
Core Dairy Track Available for Pa. Dairy Summit
Dairy farmers have the opportunity to participate in a one-day “Core Dairy Track” at the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit. Registration information and a program brochure are available online. The cost to register for the one-day “Core Dairy Track” is $125 for non-producers and $68 for producers and students. Additional scholarship opportunities and discounts for multiple participants from the same farm are … Read More
Funding Available to Increase Energy Efficiency
The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy® — established by dairy producers in 2008 to foster industry-wide innovation and efficiencies — urges dairy producers interested in cutting on-farm energy costs to contact their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office. Funding is available right now to help producers address on-farm energy use and increase efficiency. “One of the goals of the … Read More
Nestlé Opens New Dairy Training Center
Nestlé is helping China accelerate the development of its milk industry with the construction of a new dairy farming institute in Shuangcheng in Heilongjiang province. The institute, with its series of training farms, aims to be the country’s leading dairy training centre, offering teaching courses from national and international experts. Dairy farm owners and workers from Shuangcheng and other Chinese … Read More
Jersey Announces 2011 Records
The American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) has announced that new records for production by Registered Jersey™ cows were established in 2011. The official Jersey lactation average increased to 18,633 lbs. milk, 889 lbs. fat, and 676 lbs. protein. On a Cheddar cheese equivalent basis, average yield was 2,294 pounds. All are new category records. A record 91,028 lactations were processed … Read More
Holstein Registrations Up
Holstein Association USA reports that 2011 was an exceptional year for registrations. The company saw 360,149 Holsteins registered in 2011. This exceeds 2010 totals by over 20,000 animals, an increase of six percent, and is the most animals registered on an annual basis since 1995. “The last time we registered 360,000 animals in a year was 1995, when there were … Read More
Land O'Lakes Honored
Congratulations to Land O’Lakes, Inc., for being named one of America’s Greatest Brands. The ninth edition of the America’s Greatest Brands book features 45 companies, showcasing their history, achievements and brand impact. In addition to Land O’Lakes, other companies recognized include WalMart, Campbell’s, Oreo, Subway, The Home Depot, FedEx, and The New York Times. Chris Policinski, President and CEO of … Read More