Latest News From Anna-Lisa Laca

Following the inauguration of President Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States, agriculture industry leaders congratulated Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

When it is cold, cows can divert their energy into maintaining body temperature instead of producing milk. What can you do to avoid that?

Total domestic consumption of cheese was weaker in 2020 compared to 2019.

Researchers at the Ohio State recently completed a study evaluating how dietary protein and amino acid supplementation influenced milk production during the first three to four weeks of lactation.

For 2021, cheese, butter, nonfat dry milk (NDM), and whey price forecasts are raised from last month on firm domestic demand, USDA says.

Dairy analysts and economists have been emphasizing the role USDA purchases have had in supporting dairy demand.

This week, USDA released the Dairy Products report for November.

No single person has left their mark on agriculture like Kansas Senator Pat Roberts who cast his last vote in a career that spans 40 years and thousands of hours in service of farmers.

Throughout the country, overtime laws continue to threaten the dairy labor force.

Indiana farm’s commitment to productivity and sustainability earns them 2021 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year award.

David and Angie Tauer own and operate their family's third-generation dairy where they milk 250 purebred Holsteins with a focus on quality, longevity and components.

I’m writing this to remind you that nobody cares about your dreams as much as you do.

If you were not able to forward contract protein commodities early this fall, there are still a few affordable protein options.

Government intervention creates a level of uncertainty that makes a 2021 milk price forecast nearly impossible.

Daniel Olson, founder of agronomy consulting group Forage Genetics, says producers should consider a few factors when deciding silage varieties as corn prices move higher.

This month, the Innovation Center of U.S. Dairy announced Starbucks intent to support the Net Zero Initiative (NZI). 

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides that eligible employees are entitled to paid sick time because of COVID-19, and employers are eligible for a tax credit to offset the expense.

Friday, DMI announced Krysta Harden, current USDEC chief operating officer, would take the helm following Vilsack’s return to USDA. 

Following a public announcement that President-elect Joe Biden tapped former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to return to USDA, dairy industry leaders expressed their confidence in his ability to do the job well.

USDA cited a decline in dairy product prices as the driver to reduce the agency’s 2021 all milk price forecast.

The U.S. Trade Representative on Wednesday announced they will initiate official consultations with Canada to examine the country’s Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) obligations.

Policy analysts agree direct payments at 2020 levels are unlikely to continue under the Biden Administration.

Over the weekend, ASK LLP, the firm handling the Dean Foods estate preference settlements, agreed to close any Avoidance Claim Settlement case brought on by a dairy farmer.

Throughout the year we’ve seen dairy exports post record highs month over month.

This week leaders elected leadership for the House Agriculture Committee of the 117th Congress.

Farm Bureau’s legal counsel explained multiple reasons they believe farmers have no legal exposure, including the fact that the payments were clearly within the ordinary course of business. 

Enrollment for Dairy Margin Coverage program for 2021 ends Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. 

Dairy Farmers of America, who once was the largest supplier of milk to the company, and then purchased the majority of the company’s assets, says they are frustrated that farmers are having to face this issue. 

Most farmers will qualify for an exception and will be able to avoid repayment.

National Milk Producers Federation senior vice president Chris Galen says the Dairy Margin Coverage Program is a compelling tool to hedge against price and political risk in 2021. 

Farmers are being required to pay back a portion of the money they received for milk sales during the “preference period” of the company’s bankruptcy proceedings.

Enrollment for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program closes Friday, December 11, 2020.

The company says the cuts will include one in every four positions at its headquarters.

While the lockdowns will be much less disruptive to the dairy market this time around, Nate Donnay of the StoneX Group says they are a net negative for dairy demand. 

The board of California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) voted unanimously to implement a group of workplace protocols to protect employees from COVID-19.

The USDA October milk production report released this week shows U.S. milk production reached nearly 18.6 billion pounds, up 2.3% from 2019.

As dairy producers transition into newly fermented corn silage it’s important they pay attention to the potential for higher-than-average levels of molds and mycotoxins.

Enrollment for Dairy Margin Coverage program for 2021 ends Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. 

Liquid nitrogen to be used to distribute COVID-19 vaccine.

James Weber, a young farmer from Michigan is learning as he goes– but the coronavirus pandemic, disrupted international markets, and turbulent political debates make life as a beginning dairy farmer challenging.

This week the dairy checkoff-found Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy announced a memorandum of understanding with the EPA to open doors for increased collaboration in environmental sustainability efforts.

There are two tiers of tariffs –the first tier is limited to certain types of civilian aircraft at a rate of 15%, and the second tier applies to a range of food, agricultural and industrial goods at a rate of 25%. 

In their November WASDE report on Tuesday, USDA bumped milk production forecasts for 2020 and 2021 higher on stronger growth in milk per cow and higher expected dairy cow inventory.

Washington dairy farmers will need to pay $20.54 per overtime hour starting in 2021.

Dairy industry leaders, Monday, congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and emphasized the bipartisan nature of the industry.

Respect people who have a different perspective than you.

It doesn’t have to be difficult or complex to pay off.

Inspired by innovation and collaboration, Dirk Young has learned how to succeed in the dairy business while remaining a good neighbor.

A recent survey reveals the effect of the pandemic on business.