Farm Economy
The High Plains Water District in the Texas panhandle is proposing to restrict water usage to 1.25 acre feet starting January 1, 2012.
Since 2006, the range from profit highs to loss lows has nearly tripled--to $9.81/cwt.
EPA’s Jackson seeks to counter ‘myths’ on agency’s actions
The state needs 60,000 more dairy cows to supply Leprino’s new cheese plant.
DFA and DMS allege the settlement will allow plaintiffs’ attorneys to pick “winners and losers” among dairy farmers
Midwest dairy producers began losing money in December due to lower milk prices and rising feed costs,
USDA reported this afternoon that November milk production was up an estimated 2.7% nationally (3.1% in the top 23 dairy states).
Global bank foresees an intense battle for acres in 2011-12.
The grain prices Thursday hiked in Chicago as U.S. dollar tumbled against euro, boosting the appeal of agricultural products on the global market. Corn and soybean futures rebounded from five-week lows while wheat registered the biggest gain in almost two weeks.
Annual top 100 list includes 14 dairy businesses
USDA is issuing $17 million in economic loss assistance payments to eligible dairy producers.
European Union farm ministers failed on Monday to agree what steps should be taken to avoid a repeat of last year’s dairy sector crisis, when farmers staged demonstrations and supply boycotts in protest at record low milk prices.
“Is competition healthy enough to protect farmers, and if not, what do we do about it?” Sen. Herb Kohl’s question at the USDA–Department of Justice hearing on dairy industry consolidation sums up a never-ending debate.
U.S. farmers produced the largest corn and soybean crops on record in 2009
While milk prices are improving for the new year, feed costs continue to be higher than previous averages. This will limit the return to historic profit levels.
USDA expects lower expenditures of $343 million for dairy support through fiscal year 2010 and $362 million in 2011; these figures combined do not reach the total dairy spending of $1.344 billion in fiscal year 2009.
The U.S. is entering its steepest, most severe recession since the early 1980s, but the nation’s productivity plus strong global demand for American commodities will revive the economy by late 2009, Wells Fargo senior economist Michael Swanson predicted today.
Global dairy markets will remain weak through the first half of 2009 due to weak economic conditions worldwide and plentiful dairy supplies, say Rabobank analysts in a report released this morning.
The newly-launched “Dairy Decisions Consultant” program aims to assist Pennsylvania dairy farm families in the decision-making and planning processes that come in the wake of 15 months of low milk prices and negative margins.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s announcement today that $2 million will be made available to dairy, beef, poultry and swine producers to help cut energy-related production costs
Rabobank’s Australian-based Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory division says pricing in international dairy markets remained extremely firm in U.S. dollar terms through early May, although they softened very slightly at the most recent auction.
The 75 dairy farms enrolled in the Dairy Profit Team Program from 2005-2009 generated $12.3 million in additional revenue, according to a summary recently released by the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence.
Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) introduced the Dairy Price Stabilization Act to Congress. Under the program, dairies can choose to maintain current production (plus an allowable year-over-year growth rate based on market conditions) or expand. If they expand, they would pay a fee during the first year of expansion which would be shared with farmers not expanding.
Economists from the Universities of Missouri and Wisconsin have prepared a Dairy Policy Brief on mandatory supply control as one of 11 different briefs in anticipation of the 2012 Farm Bill.
Three national, voluntary supply management programs have been instituted in the United States over the past 25 years or so. All have met with some level of success, but none are being viewed as permanent solutions to surplus milk.
The Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program, initiated in December 2001, is coming under more scrutiny as Federal budget deficits climb and as dairy herd size continues to grow, making fewer herds eligible for a smaller share of their annual milk production.
Dean Foods Co., the largest U.S. milk processor, faces competition from an unexpected source: its biggest customer.
NAFTA provides unfettered access to Canadian market for U.S. high-protein milk ingredients—at least for now.