More research needs to be done to determine whether less confinement will lead to healthier animals and greater food safety.
WASHINGTON - Dairyfarmer Dave Buck feeds his calves at 6:30 in the morning and 6:30 in the evening. He wants them to grow healthy on his land in Goodhue, Minn., so they produce as much milk as possible.Now, Buck and thousands of other Minnesota dairyfarmers and dairy food processors may have to choose between getting the most milk from cows or participating in a voluntary government system that ties insurance protection to accepting occasional production limits."A quota system is basically what it is,” Buck said. “It isn’t as good for Minnesota if we want to grow our industry."The goal of the proposed program is to protect farmers against losses and to eliminate big price swings, like the ones that drove a significant number of dairyfarmers out of business in 2009. Whether that’s a good idea has fractured agriculture communities across the country, including Minnesota, the nation’s seventh-largest dairy state.
That follows a payment of 39¢/cwt on February milk production, the first time MILC payments were made since April 2010.
At issue is the market stabilization program, which would require producers who voluntarily sign up to cut production during times of low margins.
National Milk Producers Federation says measure’s impact creates huge out-of-pocket increases for dairy farmers.
Dairy price supports and MILC payments favored by smaller Michigan dairy producers.
Nearly 30 farm groups endorse dairy policy changes.
National Milk Producers Federation promotes dairy reform package at its annual meeting.
Western United Dairymen and a coalition of major dairy interests will collaborate in drafting and developing testimony for the upcoming hearing.
This is an opportunity to place a renewed emphasis on highlighting the importance and value of American-made dairy foods.
Twenty-five dairy manufacturers sent letters to Agriculture Committee members, calling on them to oppose supply management proposals and adopt a compromise producer safety net.
“Better risk management tools, including margin or other insurance products, for dairy farmers is the correct path forward for our industry.” Connie Tipton, IDFA CEO.
The presidents and CEOs of four large dairy companies call it “alarming” that Congress would consider legislation to limit milk production, increase regulation and allow government interference in free markets.
Trio of producers endorses Dairy Security Act as 2012 Farm Bill hearings begin.
The program has gained widespread support from key organizations, including Elanco, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the Center for Advanced Energy Studies/Idaho National Laboratory, USDA, the World Wildlife Fund, MilkPEP and the Dairy Research Institute.
“What will surprise most people is that the bill...will actually increase the rate at which small farms are going out of business,” says IDFA official.
Western United Dairymen wants the department to amend the state’s Class 4b formula to “accurately capture whey value.”
Cattle group says the legislation will prevent the government from picking minnow protection over agricultural production.
Effective July 1, herds larger than the trigger levels will be required to have 180 days of manure storage, up from the current 120-day limit.
Look for price setting opportunities. Take advantage when you can. Error on the side of protecting margins.
But it also cited ongoing concerns about pervasive anti-competitive practices by the New Zealand.
Proposed policy would impose an entirely new regulatory burden on dairy processors to enforce a new program to periodically limit milk production, she says.
Processors and traders moved 3.24 billion lbs. of total milk solids into export channels last year, 7% more than 2010, and 49% more than 2009.
The meeting provided the foundation for discussion on the use of antimicrobials for mastitis treatment, dry cow therapies and antimicrobial resistance.
There are three reasons why U.S. dairy producers should embrace dairy exports: Volume, volume, volume.
FDA says it is taking the action to preserve the effectiveness of cephalosporin drugs for treating diseases in humans.
Elementary students who consumed reformulated flavored milk, which contained less than or equal to 150 calories (8-oz. serving), were as likely as other students to drink most of their milk.
The spreadsheet allows the user to plug annual milk production and estimated annual increases along with program participation level.
NMPF says now is the time to move forward, even if that requires dairy-specific provisions that not necessarily align with “any requirements for the beef industry.”