Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA’s Dairy Industry Advisory Committee is expected to make recommendations soon on how to address the issues of milk price volatility and dairy farmer profitability. “They are on track to make some preliminary recommendations in December or January,” said Vilsack during a press conference with farm broadcasters last week. “Obviously dairy prices have improved a … Read More
Study Looks at Adopting California Milk Standards
A new report from the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri (FAPRI-MU) has analyzed the impact of adopting the current California fluid milk standards throughout the U.S. The study was done at the request of the four co-chairmen of the Congressional Dairy Farmer Caucus – Congressman Joe Courtney of Connecticut (D), Congressman Timothy Walz of … Read More
Milk Production and Herd Size Expanding
U.S. dairy operators are expanding herds again and that will mean more production next year. The latest USDA milk report shows July output 3% ahead of July a year ago, at 15.3 billion pounds. Production per cow in the 23 major states averaged 1,830 pounds for July, 59 pounds above July 2009. The total herd size is still smaller than … Read More
Justice and Agricutlure Departments Hear Dairy Concerns
Hundreds of dairy farmers attended a workshop Friday in Madison, Wisconsin on competition in the dairy industry held jointly by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Justice. “This is the third session of these joint workshops which, from our perspective, have been and should continue to be a major success and an important example of government collaboration,” said Assistant Attorney … Read More
NMPF CEO Addresses Price Support
Take a moment to read the recent CEO comment by National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Jerry Kozak. It contains important information about the future of the dairy product price support program (DPPSP). Read the full column here. In the 12 years I’ve been CEO of NMPF, we have vigorously defended the function and importance of the price support program. It’s … Read More
Dairy Assistance Considered by Congress
The new fiscal year for the U.S. Department of Agriculture began October 1, but this week a 30-day continuing resolution was passed after an amendment by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) was included to allocate $350 million in emergency dairy assistance under the budget. The measure adopted by the conference committee specified $290 million for direct payments and $60 million for … Read More
Milking Parlor Podcast from World Dairy Expo
World Dairy Expo Photo Album World Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by: This edition of the Milking Parlor podcast focuses on the Dairy Price Stabilization Program proposed by Holstein Association USA as a way to address the current dairy industry economic situation and minimize milk price volatility for the long term. I spoke with John Meyer, … Read More
NMPF's Strategic Planning Pursues a Four-Part Plan
The National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) Strategic Planning Task Force agreed last Friday to pursue a four-part approach to implementing sweeping changes as to how federal dairy policies protect producers and how farm-level milk prices are established. Recognizing the need to promote programs that will help reduce price volatility and protect producer income, the Task Force agreed last week at … Read More
USDA Economist Sees Improvement Ahead
Even though dairy producers continue to lose money, milk output is only expected to drop about one percent in 2010, according to USDA Outlook Board chairman Gerry Bange who sees higher prices in the future. “We do look for a price turnaround,” Bange says. “We’re looking at a $15.05 per hundredweight price for 2010, that’s up nearly 24 percent from … Read More
USDA has issued its monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook
From the USDA’s newly released “Livestock, Dairy & Poultry Outlook,” a report from the Economic Research Service. Dairy: Continued rises in milk per cow offset reduced herd size, slowing the rate of decline in milk production in 2009. Continued reductions in the national dairy herd will push milk production further below year-earlier levels in 2010. Imports are expected to rise … Read More