Anna-Lisa Laca

When she’s not helping on the dairy, accomplished agriculture journalist Anna-Lisa Laca reports about all things agriculture—online, in social media and in print as the Online and Business Editor for Dairy Today and Top Producer. Laca, who served as Social Media Editor for Farm Journal early in her career, owns and runs a dairy with her husband, Scott, and grew up on a West Coast cow-calf operation. Follow @AnnaLaca1 Friend Anna-Lisa Laca

Latest Stories
soybean pile
Dairy Production
How to Replace Soybean Meal in Cow Diets as Grain Prices Push Higher
If you were not able to forward contract protein commodities early this fall, there are still a few affordable protein options.
December 21, 2020 01:51 PM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
Dairy Outlook 2021
Milk Prices
2021 Milk Price Outlook: Throw the Crystal Ball Out the Window
Government intervention creates a level of uncertainty that makes a 2021 milk price forecast nearly impossible.
December 18, 2020 03:45 PM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
Can you imagine what the industry will look like in the next 50 years?
Policy
Dairy Industry Leaders Say Vilsack is Prepared for the Challenges Ahead
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.
December 11, 2020 09:56 AM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
Canada_0.jpg
Exports
Dairy Leaders Praise USTR Action on Canadian Quota Enforcement
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.
December 09, 2020 05:04 PM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
fake-4319002_1280.jpg
Milk Prices
Don’t Count on Direct Payments in Place of Dairy Margin Coverage
Policy analysts agree direct payments at 2020 levels are unlikely to continue under the Biden Administration.
December 08, 2020 01:13 PM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
Acquisition further expands DFA's ownership in extended shelf-life processing.
Dairy Business News
DFA Calls Dean Foods Estate Claims “Farfetched”
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.
December 03, 2020 11:14 AM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
Those in Class III markets will feel the brunt of some of the lowest prices in years. While relief is coming in the form of lower feed prices, a drop in costs won’t be enough to offset their declining milk checks.
Dairy Business News
DFA Says Direct Shippers Will Not Lose Markets in Dean Foods Acquisition
DFA executive vice president and chief of staff, Monica Massey, says “direct shippers will get to decide where to ship their milk.”
November 25, 2020 12:03 PM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
Deans-milk-products.png
Dairy Business News
DFA To Purchase 44 Dean Foods Facilities, Additional Assets For $425 Million
UPDATED with plant locations. Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) today said they have reached an agreement with Dean Foods to acquire 44 of the processors facilities and associated direct store delivery system.
November 25, 2020 12:01 PM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
dean-foods-map.jpg
Dairy Business News
Dean Foods Files for Bankruptcy, Hopes To Sell to DFA
Dean Foods said it has nearly $850 million secured in debtor-in-possession financing to continue regular operations until the deal is finished.
November 25, 2020 11:52 AM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
Photo Credit: Farm Journal
Dairy Business News
Dean Foods Requires Farmers to Help Pay Debt
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.
November 25, 2020 10:28 AM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
risk-profit-loss
Milk Prices
Dairy Margin Coverage Program to Offset 2021 COVID-19 Risk
Enrollment for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program closes Friday, December 11, 2020.
November 24, 2020 11:57 AM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
California flag
Policy
California, to be First State to Mandate COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rules
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.
November 20, 2020 02:34 PM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
Not only can wet hay catch fire, but it can mold. Hartschuh says bale temperatures of 120° to 130° F often results in mold growth and makes the protein less available to animals.
News
Avoid Barn Fires, Let Hay Dry All The Way
While it can be easy to get in a rush, avoid barn fires by ensuring your hay is dry enough before you bale it.
November 19, 2020 11:12 PM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
USDA last week noted 7,700 dairy producers have applied for and have received $337 million in Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments. 
News
One-Fourth of Dairy Farms Have Received CFAP Payments
USDA last week noted 7,700 dairy producers have applied for and have received $337 million in Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments.
November 19, 2020 09:07 PM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
“We know how much this hurts; we feel it, too." - Scott Bentley, WDE General Manager
News
2020 World Dairy Expo Cancelled
On Thursday the World Dairy Expo Executive Committee reached this difficult decision based on the public health orders and restrictions related to COVID-19, in place and issued by Public Health Madison & Dane County.
November 19, 2020 09:06 PM
 · 
Anna-Lisa Laca
Load More