Cooperatives Working Together has accepted six requests for export assistance from Bongards and Darigold to sell 860 metric tons of Cheddar, Gouda and Monterey Jack cheese.
Imports from key customers were mostly higher in early 2013, led by record purchases from China.
Year-to-date, CWT sales are the equivalent of 1.599 billion pounds of milk--more than USDA’s projected increase in milk marketings for all of 2013.
Some 3,000 dairy farms are up for renewal in the coming months.
Inaction puts U.S. “behind the curve."--Jerry Kozak, National Milk Producers Federation.
University of Wisconsin dairy economists predict a recovery period for dairies.
CWT has accepted 9 requests for export assistance from Darigold, Foremost Farms, and United Dairymen of Arizona for customers in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.
Milk powder prices have risen more than 50% since early March, and butterfat and whey prices have posted double-digit increases.
Bringing the dryer online is a milestone for the Seattle-based company after a fire destroyed the dryer in February 2012.
‘We can make a lot more money drying milk and exporting it to China.’ -- CDI CEO Andre Mikhalevsky.
The new rail link into New Zealand site is expected to carry 200,000 metric tons of milk powder in its first year.
A decline in livestock margins has been offset to a degree by rising animal protein prices and growing exports.
New Zealand powder for June delivery gained 12.8%; Fonterra increases prices for farmers.
Milk futures are poised to end their longest slump since 2008 as New Zealand’s reduced milk output forces China and other buyers to import more from the U.S.
Cooperative’s annual meeting draws nearly 1,500 to Kansas City.
CWT has budgeted $30 million to incentivize dairy exports in 2013. Year to date, it has already spent $7 million.
Buyers scramble to secure reduced New Zealand supply before the end of the season.
European dairy quotas are scheduled to end in 2015, though recent action challenges that notion.
Japan’s entry could offer more access for U.S. dairy exports. But it also could slow the negotiation process, now in its 16th round.
Bank’s report recommends changes in the industry to maximize milk value for state’s producers, including less reliance on milk marketing orders.
A loss of even a portion of the Chinese market would be felt worldwide as more Aussie and Kiwi dairy products would become available for sale elsewhere.
The groups are most concerned with unfettered access to U.S. markets by Fonterra, New Zealand’s large dairy company.
The amount of CWT-assisted exports is more than 10 times the amount that the January 2013 U.S. milk production was above January 2012.
But feed prices are expected to decline as new-crop corn and soybeans are harvested later this year.
The National Milk Producers Federation believes that considerable potential exists for greater U.S. dairy exports to the EU, if the Transatlantic agreement effectively tackles not only market access issues but also the many non-tariff barriers.
Cooperatives Working Together has accepted 16 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Northwest Dairy Association, Foremost Farms USA, Michigan Milk Producers Association and United Dairymen of Arizona
Although alfalfa supplies will be tight in Western states, prices may soften, says hay market expert Seth Hoyt.
CWT has accepted 20 requests for export assistance from Bongards Creameries, Darigold, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, Michigan Milk Producers Association, United Dairymen of Arizona and Upstate Niagara/O-AT-KA.
The National Milk Producers Federation will again submit a proposal to the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments in April to lower the U.S. standard to 400,000 cells/ml.