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Will High Interest Rates Limit Expansionary Appetites?
Will High Interest Rates Limit Expansionary Appetites?

Dairy producers are feeling the pain point rising interest rates present. But will that bring a halt to their expansion plans?

Global Dairy Companies Announce Alliance to Cut Methane at COP28
Global Dairy Companies Announce Alliance to Cut Methane at COP28

Six of the world's largest dairy companies will soon begin disclosing their methane emissions as part of a new global alliance launched at the United Nations climate summit in Dubai on Tuesday.

America’s Love Affair with Dairy Continues as Cheese Consumption Hits All-Time High in 2022
America’s Love Affair with Dairy Continues as Cheese Consumption Hits All-Time High in 2022

Americans are consuming record amounts of cheese, contributing to one of the strongest years on record for U.S. dairy consumption

Dairy Farmer Forum Talk About Labor and Value-Add at Milk Business Conference
Dairy Farmer Forum Talk About Labor and Value-Add at Milk Business Conference

Last week, AgriTalk host, Chip Flory, visited with two dairy farmers -- Ken Smith and Darlene Lopes at Milk Business Conference to talk about the challenges that face dairy, as well as what opportunities lie ahead. 

2024 Land Value Influencers in Your Region
2024 Land Value Influencers in Your Region

Peoples Company has released its fourth annual land values report with data broken into geographical regions across the U.S.

Rooting For Class III Milk Prices To Move Higher In The New Year? Here's What It'll Take
Rooting For Class III Milk Prices To Move Higher In The New Year? Here's What It'll Take

Both milk supply and demand are down. As the dairy markets remain in uncharted waters, there's one factor that could support better milk prices in the new year.

China’s Weakening Economic Growth Impacts Dairy
China’s Weakening Economic Growth Impacts Dairy

Estimates call for slower growth going forward in the world’s second-largest economy.

Twenty Years Overdue? Why Producers Are Pushing for These 7 Major Changes to FMMO
Twenty Years Overdue? Why Producers Are Pushing for These 7 Major Changes to FMMO

The Federal Milk Marketing Orders haven't seen a major overhaul since 2000, and dairy farmers say it's past time for a change.

Ten Holiday Gift Ideas for the Livestock Lover in Your Life
Ten Holiday Gift Ideas for the Livestock Lover in Your Life

If your Christmas shopping list contains people who work daily with animals, you’ll want to get them something meaningful that speaks to the things they enjoy, and might make their workday a little more pleasant, too.

4 Tips to Grow as a Leader
4 Tips to Grow as a Leader

Sarah Beth Aubrey shares tips for effective communication and building influence before stepping into a leadership role.

U.S. Ag Chief Seeking 'Creative' Ways to Sell Dairy in Canada After Trade Dispute Loss
U.S. Ag Chief Seeking 'Creative' Ways to Sell Dairy in Canada After Trade Dispute Loss

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the Biden administration is looking for "creative" ways to sell more U.S. dairy products in Canada.

Positive Relationships Pay Dividends for Family Dairies
Positive Relationships Pay Dividends for Family Dairies

Finding enjoyment working with family, youth and their community.

China is Sneezing, Will it Give the U.S. Dairy Industry a Cold?
China is Sneezing, Will it Give the U.S. Dairy Industry a Cold?

China's demand for U.S. dairy has weakened. Will the trend continue?

U.S. Dairy Organizations Say the Recent USMCA Announcement is Major Setback
U.S. Dairy Organizations Say the Recent USMCA Announcement is Major Setback

Dairy organizations are disheartened by USMCA's dispute panel which is allowing Canada to restrict dairy access to the United States and weakens the agreement’s value for the U.S. dairy industry.

American Royal Hosts Barn Raising at New Site
American Royal Hosts Barn Raising at New Site

The future home of the American Royal moves forward on facility to “create a food and agriculture innovation district that will be unlike any other in the world,” said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.

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World Forage Analysis Superbowl Winners Announced

The 2023 World Forage Analysis Superbowl, held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. in October, once again produced a host of stunning forage quality results.

USMCA Trade Panel Rejects U.S. Complaint About Access to Canada Dairy Market
USMCA Trade Panel Rejects U.S. Complaint About Access to Canada Dairy Market

A trade dispute settlement panel set up under a major North American free trade agreement has rejected a U.S. complaint that Canada is improperly limiting access to its dairy market.

Researchers Look to Transform Manure into Protein
Researchers Look to Transform Manure into Protein

Can you turn manure into a cow, chicken or fish? Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists are looking to do just that, in a roundabout, circular economy, kind of way.

Farm Kids Advocating for the Industry That Raised Them
Farm Kids Advocating for the Industry That Raised Them

I often think farmers talk so much about being advocates that we sometimes we forget to ask if our children would like to be advocates for an industry that has helped raise them and one that they have grown to love, too.

Chip-less, Battery-free Sensing Technology Could be Next Phase of Animal Monitoring
Chip-less, Battery-free Sensing Technology Could be Next Phase of Animal Monitoring

A team of Irish researchers has developed a breakthrough innovation to monitor activity and health characteristics of dairy cows – and it doesn’t involve and wires, chips, batteries, or electronics of any kind.

The 15-minute Meeting that Engages Employees
The 15-minute Meeting that Engages Employees

When the opportunity came up for Schilling Farms to purchase a second dairy nearly 40 miles away, this meant also taking on a dozen more employees. This one tactic helped give their employees an engagement boost.

Labor Productivity or Efficiency. Is there a Difference?
Labor Productivity or Efficiency. Is there a Difference?

Labor contributes up to 10-15% of the cost to produce milk. The magnitude of the expense drives dairies to increase labor efficiency. However, labor efficiency does not equate to labor productivity.

DMI CEO Shares How Dairy Checkoff Has Evolved
DMI CEO Shares How Dairy Checkoff Has Evolved

Barbara O’Brien emphasizes at the Joint Annual Meetings last week that the national checkoff board, Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), to which she serves as president and CEO, has changed and evolved since its inception.

Better Yields and Improved Crop Prices Propel Ag Economists' Outlooks for 2024
Better Yields and Improved Crop Prices Propel Ag Economists' Outlooks for 2024

After two months of a waning outlook on the ag economy, economists views took a turn in the November Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor, a survey of nearly 70 ag economists from across the country.

October U.S. Milk Production Report Shows Mediocre Performance
October U.S. Milk Production Report Shows Mediocre Performance

The U.S. dairy cow herd has reached its lowest point since January 2022. Following suit, milk production per cow in the 24 major states declined by 3 lbs. per cow month-over-month.

Harvesting the Good Life: Pennsylvania Farmer Continues to Run Silage Chopper at 96 Years Old
Harvesting the Good Life: Pennsylvania Farmer Continues to Run Silage Chopper at 96 Years Old

At 96 years young, Paul Dotterer still runs the chopper during harvest season on his family's dairy farm - and he enjoys every minute of it.

Nine Ways to Help Resuscitate A Newborn Calf
Nine Ways to Help Resuscitate A Newborn Calf

After a typical birth a calf should breathe within 30 seconds of delivery. If it doesn't, be ready to intervene and provide extra support.

National Dairy FARM Program Announces 2023 Excellence Award Winners
National Dairy FARM Program Announces 2023 Excellence Award Winners

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program last week announced the winners of the third annual FARM Excellence Awards. These award winners go above and beyond industry standards.

It Pays to Prevent Respiratory Disease in Feedlot-Bound Cattle
It Pays to Prevent Respiratory Disease in Feedlot-Bound Cattle

More calves born on dairies than ever before are eventually headed to feedyards these days. Performance and profitability merits sending healthy animals from the calf-rearing stage to the feedlot.

H-E-B Makes Big Plans to Expand Largest Milk Processing Plant in Southwest
H-E-B Makes Big Plans to Expand Largest Milk Processing Plant in Southwest

H-E-B, a regional supermarket chain throughout Texas and Mexico, has recently announced its plans to expand one of the largest milk processing facilities in the Southwest.

Mooney and Mulhern Celebrate Unity at the 2023 Joint Annual Dairy Meetings
Mooney and Mulhern Celebrate Unity at the 2023 Joint Annual Dairy Meetings

Last week in Orlando, Fla., NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney spoke about the ongoing challenges dairy farmers face, including the razor-thin operating. Still, Mooney spoke about why he remains optimistic about dairy's future.

Dairy Management Inc.'s Lisa McComb Appointed Chair-Elect of Animal Agriculture Alliance Board
Dairy Management Inc.'s Lisa McComb Appointed Chair-Elect of Animal Agriculture Alliance Board

The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced new upcoming board leadership, along with several board seats have renewed through 2026, following its fall board meeting, held Nov. 7 in Washington, D.C.

The Reason Behind John Deere and DeLaval’s Sustainable Partnership
The Reason Behind John Deere and DeLaval’s Sustainable Partnership

John Deere and DeLaval have joined forces and formed a strategic partnership to create the Milk Sustainability Center (MSC). The initial version of MSC will be released in summer 2024 and will be free of charge.

New Discoveries to Head Off Health Setbacks in Transition Cows
New Discoveries to Head Off Health Setbacks in Transition Cows

Five tips to fine-tune your transition cow health protocols.

PDPW’s Financial Literacy for Dairy Helps Farmers Sharpen Financial Acuity
PDPW’s Financial Literacy for Dairy Helps Farmers Sharpen Financial Acuity

Success in dairying is contingent on making sound financial decisions, knowing which numbers to consider and being able to correctly calculate them. PDPW’s Financial Literacy for Dairy teaches these principles and more.

Senator Urges USDA to Take Action on Nation’s Milk Carton Shortage
Senator Urges USDA to Take Action on Nation’s Milk Carton Shortage

Schools across the nation have a crisis on their hands – a milk carton shortage that doesn’t seem to have an end in sight. But could the USDA provide assistance? One U.S. Senator thinks so.

Dairy Thought-Leaders Encourages Producers to Lean on Advisors, As Well as Opportunities
Dairy Thought-Leaders Encourages Producers to Lean on Advisors, As Well as Opportunities

Recently on a Farm Journal Milk Business webinar, three dairy thought leaders talked about the importance of gathering around a table with other team members, especially during challenging times.

Critical Environmental Funding Progress Questions Remain
Critical Environmental Funding Progress Questions Remain

U.S. dairy cooperatives and processors have taken varying approaches to reduce dairy’s environmental impacts throughout the value chain.

Back to the Future for Dairying in Ireland
Back to the Future for Dairying in Ireland

With tempered climates, enthusiastic producers and a strong relationship with China, dairy leads the way for exports in Ireland.

6 Tips to Step Into Leadership
6 Tips to Step Into Leadership

Fear of leadership is natural. That's why Sarah Beth Aubrey is sharing the best practices to get out of your own head.

Congress Can't Ignore the Mental Health Crisis Anymore, Costa Says
Congress Can't Ignore the Mental Health Crisis Anymore, Costa Says

More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness. U.S. Representative Jim Costa (D-CA) says Congress cannot ignore the mental health crisis in America anymore. 

Springer Values Stronger, Calves Go Wild
Springer Values Stronger, Calves Go Wild

Holstein heifer calf values are at moderate levels less than $200/head. Male and beef-cross calves, on the other hand, are through the roof.

John Phipps: What We Still Don't Know About PFAS
John Phipps: What We Still Don't Know About PFAS

Some farming operations have been ruined by PFAS, but there's still things the industry doesn't know, including how PFAS enters the food chain. John Phipps thinks the debate over PFAS may just be getting started.

From the Pipeline: Q&A with AMPI's President and CEO, Sheryl Meshke
From the Pipeline: Q&A with AMPI's President and CEO, Sheryl Meshke

From the Pipeline: Q&A with AMPI's President and CEO, Sheryl Meshke

As Washington Works to Prevent a Government Shutdown, House And Senate Ag Committees Reach Deal On Farm Bill Extension
As Washington Works to Prevent a Government Shutdown, House And Senate Ag Committees Reach Deal On Farm Bill Extension

An extension of the current farm bill is now a reality. House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders were able to extend the current legislation as a possible government shutdown looms.

Don’t Make Thanksgiving with Family a Test of Tolerance
Don’t Make Thanksgiving with Family a Test of Tolerance

As the holidays approach and we gather around the table for a family meal, try not to use the opportunity to gather as time for a business meeting. It’s very important to create separation between family and business. 

Milk Carton Shortage Disrupts Dairy Marketplace
Milk Carton Shortage Disrupts Dairy Marketplace

Supply chain issues once again are hitting the U.S. dairy industry. This time, it’s a shortage of milk cartons.

Will Border Security Issues Force Congress To Take Action On Immigration Reform? Ag Economists Say It's Unlikely
Will Border Security Issues Force Congress To Take Action On Immigration Reform? Ag Economists Say It's Unlikely

The debate over immigration continues to be an issue in Washington. However, the Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor shows economists are still skeptical it's enough for Congress to act on immigration reform.

A Hot Meal a Day Helps Their Employees Stay
A Hot Meal a Day Helps Their Employees Stay

One dairy’s unique approach to employee retention.

Dairy Thought-Leaders Address Challenges and Risk Management Tools
Dairy Thought-Leaders Address Challenges and Risk Management Tools

Recently on a Farm Journal Milk Business webinar, three dairy thought leaders talked about the biggest challenges facing producers and what their takes are on risk management strategies.