Improved fiber digestibility can be a major benefit of chopping corn silage higher, according to Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer Hi-Bred. While raising the cutting bar reduces tonnage, Bill points out the nutritional gains can be substantially rewarding. Specific adjustments should be determined case-by-case, and he suggests what factors should drive those decisions. He also … Read More
World Dairy Disappointment
The Global Dairy Alliance is calling the suspension of the Doha Round negotiations “a major blow.” According to a GDA release, President Osvaldo Cappellini of Latin America says it is especially disappointing that commitments already agreed in the Round now have to be placed on hold. For dairy exporters the elimination of export subsidies by 2013, which had been agreed, … Read More
Heat Stress in California
Western United Dairymen sent a letter to Gov. Schwarzenegger this week requesting that he take the steps needed to obtain federal financial aid for Californias dairy producers who have suffered losses from the states extraordinary heat wave. Meanwhile, the volume of dead cows is causing stress in the affected areas. Several counties have taken emergency measures to allow farmers to … Read More
California Cows Dying of Heat
Dairy cows in California have been dying by the hundreds this week after ten straight days of 100-degree temperatures. The Associated Press reports that a combination of sweltering temperatures, growth in the state’s dominant $5 billion dairy industry and fewer plants to properly dispose of the animals have forced several counties to declare a state of emergency. San Joaquin County, … Read More
Checks are in the Mail
For dairy producers facing tough times in Vermont (see previous post). Governor Jim Douglas announced Tuesday that the first Target Price Program checks have been sent out and should be arriving on farms within the next few days. “The Agriculture Agency has worked diligently to ensure these payments were made in a timely fashion,” Governor Douglas said. “Farmers are in … Read More
Dairyline Interview
One of our regular features on World Dairy Diary is the Dairyline Dairy Markets Week in Review and while in Portland, Oregon this week for the Ag Media Summit I had the opportunity to talk with Dairyline General Manager Bill Baker to learn about this daily news and market source for the dairy industry professional. Listen to interview with Bill … Read More
NMPF "Disappointed" By Suspension of Doha Round
The National Milk Producers Federation has joined the chorus of voices from the U.S. agriculture industry in expressing disappointment over the collapse of World Trade Organization talks. According to an NMPF release, The decision by the World Trade Organization to suspend efforts aimed at achieving a breakthrough in world trade talks “is a disappointment for America’s dairy farmers, who were … Read More
Happy 4th of July To You
We wish you and your family a very happy 4th of July celebration.
Stay safe and enjoy the fireworks wherever you are.
We’ll have more news on Wednesday.
Help For Vermont Dairies
Vermont Governor Jim Douglas and legislative leaders have announced an $8.9 million emergency relief package for Vermont’s farmers. According to a press release from the governor’s office, Douglas made the announcement at an emergency dairy summit he convened to discuss ways to provide both immediate and long term assistance to farmers. “Working with the legislature, whose support for this package … Read More
Got Leche?
Because an estimated one-third of Hispanics in this country are overweight and because New York is one of the most obese cities in the US, the milk industry is specifically targeting New York’s Hispanic residents to sign-up for the Great American Weight Loss Challenge. The 12-week program “provides the necessary tools to start losing weight in a healthy manner. The … Read More