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Troubled Waters: Dairy Producers Look to Alternative Profit Sources to Stay Afloat
Troubled Waters: Dairy Producers Look to Alternative Profit Sources to Stay Afloat

With the milk price not looking promising compared to last year, Ben Laine says that taking advantage of some opportunities elsewhere will help producers push past what we hope is the bottom of the milk market in 2023.

Cattlemen Praise Congressional Resolution Supporting Beef Checkoff
Cattlemen Praise Congressional Resolution Supporting Beef Checkoff

Cattle industry leaders on Thursday (July 13) praised the introduction of a bipartisan congressional resolution recognizing the importance of commodity checkoff programs, including the Beef Checkoff.

U.S. Inflation Continues to Decline, Down from 4% in May
U.S. Inflation Continues to Decline, Down from 4% in May

Meanwhile, service prices and the core index (which excludes food and energy) remain high, with the core CPI descending to 4.8%.

Madison, Wisconsin Will Remain World Dairy Expo’s Home Through 2028
Madison, Wisconsin Will Remain World Dairy Expo’s Home Through 2028

The Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin will remain home to World Dairy Expo through 2028.

Leading Dairy Companies Share the Big Scoop on Ice Cream
Leading Dairy Companies Share the Big Scoop on Ice Cream

Few people will pass up the opportunity to scoop up a refreshing bowl of ice cream. The ice cream industry is worth more than $10 billion and the average American consumer scarfs down 20 pounds of ice cream each year. 

Understand Yourself Better and Be Better on the Job
Understand Yourself Better and Be Better on the Job

Are you interested in being more effective in business and personal interactions? Are you tired of butting heads with that annoying person on your team? JD Fiechtner, DVM, shares tips to “Be Better Than Before.”

China's Exports Decline 12.4% Year-Over-Year
China's Exports Decline 12.4% Year-Over-Year

This slump, deeper than May's 7.5% drop, represents the largest decline since February 2020.

Three Cups of Gratitude
Three Cups of Gratitude

Negativity breeds negativity, right? Remember that. But the same can be said about positivity. Positivity can grow if we choose it too. Flip a switch on your mind, that will turn up cheerfulness on the farm. 

Climate Corp
Ag Climate Data Collection to be Improved with $300 Million Investment

USDA looks to improve the future measure, monitoring, reporting and verification of ag climate emissions via a $300 million investment announced on Wednesday.

What’s Your State’s Favorite Ice Cream Flavor?
What’s Your State’s Favorite Ice Cream Flavor?

Can you guess your state's top five favorite ice cream flavors?

High Beef Prices and Low Milk Prices Entice Dairy Farmers to Ramp Up Culling
High Beef Prices and Low Milk Prices Entice Dairy Farmers to Ramp Up Culling

Lower milk prices and higher beef prices are enticing many farmers to cull more dairy cows. But is it making a dent?

High-Quality Farmland Is Still Inching Up In Price Across 18 States
High-Quality Farmland Is Still Inching Up In Price Across 18 States

A mid-year report from Farmers National shows land values are increasing by single digits instead of the double digits common in 2021-22. But the company says it has a strong roster of listings headed into late summer.

Vilsack and Dairy Leaders Applaud the USDA New Deputy Agriculture Secretary Confirmation
Vilsack and Dairy Leaders Applaud the USDA New Deputy Agriculture Secretary Confirmation

Secretary Tom Vilsack welcomes Xochitl Torres Small on her confirmation as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. NMPF and IDFA share the same sentiments, congratulating Torres Small on her confirmation.

Is it Time to Repurpose CRP?
Is it Time to Repurpose CRP?

Dr. Carl Zulauf of Ohio State University, via a FarmDoc Daily article, proposes merging General CRP and Continuous CRP into a Site Specific CRP.

USDA Initiates Aid Program to Address Farm Lending Discrimination
USDA Initiates Aid Program to Address Farm Lending Discrimination

The program targets those who were discriminated against before Jan. 1, 2021, or those still in debt from discriminatory USDA farm loans. 

Hagenow Elated About Her Alice in Dairyland Role and the Opportunities to Promote Dairy
Hagenow Elated About Her Alice in Dairyland Role and the Opportunities to Promote Dairy

Recently, Ashley Hagenow traded in her rubber boots for heels as she was selected to serve as the 76th Alice in Dairyland. She will promote Wisconsin agriculture across the Badger State throughout the next year.

On Strike: New Dairy Select Milk Employees Protesting Over Health Care Plan
On Strike: New Dairy Select Milk Employees Protesting Over Health Care Plan

Workers who help produce sour cream for brands, including Taco Bell, Wendy’s and Hello Fresh, have gone on strike. Teamsters Local 662 members at New Dairy Select Milk, a subsidiary of Borden Dairy are striking.

Springers Stay Strong as National Herd Contracts
Springers Stay Strong as National Herd Contracts

Despite faltering milk prices and an uptick in dairy cow culling nationwide, Holstein springer values stayed relatively steady from May to June 2023.

How to Support Producers During Tough Times
How to Support Producers During Tough Times

Producers feel exhausted dealing with the highs and lows of the industry. Add in the current state of the dairy economy with low milk prices, and it’s not too surprising that mental health is also impacting producers.

USTR Comments on USMCA Meetings
USTR Comments on USMCA Meetings

During a bilateral meeting on Thursday, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai discussed with Mexico's Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier various issues concerning energy and biotech corn.

The Evolution of Dairy Calf Nutrition
The Evolution of Dairy Calf Nutrition

We don’t feed dairy calves the way we used to, and that’s a very good thing, according to calf industry consultant Dave Kuehnel.

USDA Could Use the Farm Bill's Conservation Title for Climate Change
USDA Could Use the Farm Bill's Conservation Title for Climate Change

Erik Lichtenberg, University of Maryland professor, says Congress could reorient farm bill conservation funds for climate change, but it could cut into their support.

The 3 Meetings that Saved a Family and a Farm
The 3 Meetings that Saved a Family and a Farm

Communication. We all know it’s important. Jay Joy from Bridgeforth LLP shared on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast how his family farm all got on the same page.

USMCA Up for Debate in Mexico This Week
USMCA Up for Debate in Mexico This Week

Representatives from the U.S., Mexico and Canada will meet in Cancun, Mexico this week to discuss a series of disputes, including Mexican energy and biotech policies and Canadian dairy barriers.

Midwest Rains Not Enough to Break Long-Term Drought, 67% of Corn Still Rooted in Drought
Midwest Rains Not Enough to Break Long-Term Drought, 67% of Corn Still Rooted in Drought

The National Drought Mitigation Center estimates 67% of corn and 60% of soybeans are still considered to be in drought, a slight improvement from last week when drought covered 70% of corn and 63% of soybeans.

Have We Culled Enough Cows to Perk Up Milk Prices?
Have We Culled Enough Cows to Perk Up Milk Prices?

One by one poor-performing cows are exiting herds as lackluster milk price makes it easier for producers to cull cows. The big question remains - have we culled enough cows to boost milk price?

US and China: A New Trade War?
US and China: A New Trade War?

Beijing on Monday announced export controls on gallium and germanium. Now the Biden administration is set to restrict Chinese companies’ access to U.S. cloud-computing services that use AI chips.

Seven Tips to Help Calves Beat the Heat
Seven Tips to Help Calves Beat the Heat

The heat is on, and calves feel it, too. Here are five strategies to help calves cope as summer sizzles on.

Another Round of DMC Payments Coming: The Lowest Milk Income Margin Ever
Another Round of DMC Payments Coming: The Lowest Milk Income Margin Ever

Another round of Dairy Margin Coverage payments will be coming to producer’s mailboxes, making this the largest payment yet.

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Three ways to tackle inaccurate dairy data
Three ways to tackle inaccurate dairy data

Everything about how you manage your cows circles back to accurate data.

Sponsored Content
Texas Farmers Battle Wild Weather at Planting, Prompts USDA to Cut Cotton Acres in June Report
Texas Farmers Battle Wild Weather at Planting, Prompts USDA to Cut Cotton Acres in June Report

Farmers across the Texas High Plains received a deluge of rainfall right at planting, and while the moisture was needed, the sudden switch prevented some farmers from planting their intended cotton acres this year.

Game Changer for Soybeans? USDA Ignites Fireworks in the Markets With Two Major Acreage Surprises
Game Changer for Soybeans? USDA Ignites Fireworks in the Markets With Two Major Acreage Surprises

USDA released a few big surprises in the June acreage report, including a spike in corn acres and a large reduction in soybean acres. The agency also forecasts grain stocks below trade expectations.

Derecho Packs Punch of 100 MPH Winds, Flattens Cornfields and Crushes Grain Bins Across the Midwest
Derecho Packs Punch of 100 MPH Winds, Flattens Cornfields and Crushes Grain Bins Across the Midwest

Hurricane-force winds swept from northern Missouri and Iowa all the way east to Illinois and Indiana. The derecho brought wind gusts up to 100 mph, flattening cornfields, but it also drenched soils with crucial rains.

America's Largest Cattle Emissions Research Facility Unveiled at Colorado State University
America's Largest Cattle Emissions Research Facility Unveiled at Colorado State University

Nestled in a beautiful secluded mountain valley at Colorado State University beef feedlot in Ft. Collins served as the location for AgNext’s climate-smart research facility ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this month.

Growing the Next Generation of Conservationists
Growing the Next Generation of Conservationists

Pheasants Forever partners with local farmers, FFA chapter to create on-farm habitat for pollinators.

Dairy Markets Continue to Be At Risk
Dairy Markets Continue to Be At Risk

Dairy markets continue to be in peril. On the CME Dairy Spot Call, the block-barrel spread shrunk some more as barrels came down over 3 cents while blocks were the same.

EPA to Release More WOTUS Rule Information
EPA to Release More WOTUS Rule Information

EPA plans to revise the "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) regulation by Sept. 1. Both the EPA and the Corps of Engineers have regulatory duties for federal waterways.

Recent Rains Didn't Put a Dent in the Midwest Drought, 70% of U.S. Corn Crop Now Hit by Drought
Recent Rains Didn't Put a Dent in the Midwest Drought, 70% of U.S. Corn Crop Now Hit by Drought

Even with rains sweeping the Northern Corn Belt last weekend, the latest drought monitor shows drought continues to spread across Illinois with D2 (Severe Drought) taking a 28-point jump in a week.

Two Farmers From Opposite Ends of the Country Discuss Challenges Facing Their Dairies
Two Farmers From Opposite Ends of the Country Discuss Challenges Facing Their Dairies

Two producers on the opposite side of the country: Dwayne Faber of Washington and Val Lavigne of New York joined AgriTalk host Chip Flory and spoke about the challenges facing their dairies.

Minnesota Dairy Plant Announces Big Expansion Plans
Minnesota Dairy Plant Announces Big Expansion Plans

Bongards Creameries, a leading national cheese and whey manufacture recently announced a $125 million expansion project. The project will increase the plant’s capacity to take in 5.5 million lbs. of milk per day.

Commodity Markets Continue to Prove Volatile
Commodity Markets Continue to Prove Volatile

Volatility continues to run rampant through commodity markets. Rains in the Midwest have given dairy producers a breather on the run for higher corn and soybean meal prices, but it also fizzles out the support in milk.

Oklahoma_Wildfire
Poor Air Quality from Wildfire Smoke can put Livestock, Pets at Risk

Areas in the upper Midwest, Mid-South and Mid-Atlantic are being impacted. The American Veterinary Medical Association says to monitor animals as well as people and take precautions to keep everyone safe.

Ghost Manure Digesters Scheme Sends California Man to Prison
Ghost Manure Digesters Scheme Sends California Man to Prison

A California man has shown that ghost cattle are unnecessary to create a Ponzi scheme, just ghost manure. Or, at least, ghost manure digesters.

11 Ways to Practice Random Acts of Kindness on the Farm
11 Ways to Practice Random Acts of Kindness on the Farm

Don’t let day-to-day farm tasks stand in your way of showing some extra gratitude to your hardworking employees.

Top Producer Winner Launches Second Children’s Book
Top Producer Winner Launches Second Children’s Book

Louise Malecha wears her titles as a badge of honor—that of a farm mom, farm wife, nana, businesswoman and entrepreneur. With her newly released second book, Malecha can also add published author to her long resume.

McConnell: Extra funding for farm bill ‘hard to come by'
McConnell: Extra funding for farm bill ‘hard to come by'

While Sen. McConnell says the budget has little give, Sen. Boozeman has consistently said he will not support a farm bill that doesn't provide an increase in the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program's reference prices.

prison at joilet
California Man Sentenced: An Unbelievable Multimillion-Dollar Cow Manure Scheme

According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office, a California man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison due to his involvement in a nearly $9 million cow manure Ponzi scheme.

High Production Costs Could Weigh on the Ag Economy Through 2024, New Survey of Economists Finds
High Production Costs Could Weigh on the Ag Economy Through 2024, New Survey of Economists Finds

The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor is a new survey of nearly 50 economists. Most ag economists agree the next 12 months could produce more financial pressure for agriculture, but their views vary depending on commodity.

Plan Your Budget-Friendly Cookout: AFBF Reveals Insights on 2023 Independence Day Food Prices
Plan Your Budget-Friendly Cookout: AFBF Reveals Insights on 2023 Independence Day Food Prices

Families can expect to pay $67.73 to host an Independence Day cookout for 10 people, the American Farm Bureau Federation reports, a decrease of 3% year over year, yet 14% higher than two years ago.

USDA Proposes Only Serving Chocolate Milk to High School Students
USDA Proposes Only Serving Chocolate Milk to High School Students

It appears that chocolate milk's days in schools across the country could be numbered. The reason behind the potential ban? A war on added sugars.