Profit Tips
At the 2022 Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Leadership Conference held in Elliot City, Md., three dairy producers openly shared what it’s like to work alongside family and manage employees.
Simple mathematics doesn’t always add up. For example, producers get a higher milk check and then they pay all the bills. Now, factor in rising inflation, and a profit at the end of the month isn’t always guaranteed.
Trying to advise a client on how to properly manage the ventilation in a cow barn in weather like this can be challenging. Some days are wet, some snowing, some foggy, others sunny and unseasonably warm.
From the adaptation of technology to increasing efficiencies and overcoming challenges that seem to come at a fast pace, a producer must sharpen more than their pencils to continue in this tough dairy industry.
Doing what’s right instead of what’s easy serves as Natural Prairie Dairy’s compass for technology adoption, management and overall direction. The De Jongs oversee 30,000 milk cows and nearly 60,000 acres.
The milk price outlook has been a welcomed change. Increasing the number of cows in the herd may be a way to capture the benefit of high milk prices. However, feed prices and animal behavior should also be considered.
When milk prices are high, producers begin to question if they should milk more cows to capitalize on that milk check. Leading experts say the answer lies in good management and good animal husbandry skills.
With recent changes to agriculture overtime laws out east, all eyes have now turned west. Oregon farmers learned the outcome of House Bill 4002, ending the state’s agricultural exemption from higher overtime wages.
USDA announced it is making $80 million available to the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives. The additional funding will expand the capacity of the four initiatives to provide technical assistance and sub-grants.
Labor is a top concern for dairies. Business experts say the ability to fill agricultural jobs will continue to be a challenge, but illustrates a few trends that may make it a bit easier than the last two years.
JPMorgan voices concern that a spike in energy prices from the Russia-Ukraine crisis would hinder the economy. Dairy producers are wondering how much more inputs will rise, as a $20 plus milk check only goes so far.
USDA’s Milk Production report illustrated year-over-year declines in both January milk production and cow numbers. Although South Dakota hummed a different tune, leading year-over-year milk volume growth, up 18.3%.
Contemplating how to handle New York’s agriculture overtime ruling, New York governor Kathy Hochul has yet to decide if she will accept the state wage board’s proposal to lower overtime for ag to 40-hours a week.
While 2022 offers a sigh of relief with higher milk prices, input costs are still considerably higher than the last time producers saw $20 plus prices. Experts emphasize understanding your costs to capitalize on margins.
Producers can expect to see an increase in whole cottonseed supply this year. According to the USDA’s December cotton and wool outlet report, production is estimated at a 25% increase from the 2020 crop year.
Consumers are asking more than “Where’s the beef,” the slogan for the fast-food chain, Wendy’s, that debuted in the 1980s. Consumers now want to know where a piece of beef came from and the story behind it.
Enrollment for the Dairy Margin Coverage and Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage programs has been extended to March 25, 2022. The enrollment for 2022 DMC is currently at 48% of the 2021 program year enrollment.
Northeasterners know the drill. Snowplows and shovels are essential to survive the winter months. Last week, people from parts of New England were shoveling snow, as the “bomb cyclone” storm made its feisty impact.
Breeding a subset of the dairy herd to beef sires is a growing trend in the U.S. dairy business.
Simply producing a black calf if not enough if the dairy industry wants to make permanent inroads into successful crossbreeding.
Labor shortages are all-to-common and dairy farms across the U.S. have been feeling the pinch. Roger Herrera understands all too well the constant labor headache, but he is committed to become the employer of choice.
The strain of the labor pool facing agriculture is evident. At the IDFA Dairy Forum, its President and CEO, Michael Dykes made the prediction that Congress will pass immigration reform in the next five years.
James Weber returned home to his family’s vacant farm and began milking 130 Jersey cows in 2014. With a focus on sustainability, the young dairy farmer has been able to thrive in an industry that is anything but easy.
Apps are no stranger to managing a business and even a dairy farm. One Wisconsin farmer shares his five most used apps in his calf manager role.
Milk production is a risky business, even before COVID-19 hit. Bad weather can negatively impact forages, cows can get sick and breakdowns add up. Factor in a volatile milk market and it makes it difficult to plan.
Dairy farmer Roger Herrera addressed labor at the recent 2021 Milk Business Conference and while labor shortages are not a new to the dairy industry, it continues to be a constant headache that producers battle daily.
Farmers are now redirecting their time to prepare year-ending tax prep work. Despite dealing with lackluster milk box prices this year and rising input costs, experts advise paying attention to year-end tax basics.
Feed costs, labor costs and material increases all have increased the cost of production, resulting in a steep year-over-year decline in milk production that was illustrated in the recent USDA Milk Production Report.
The problem seems straightforward—you need someone to milk cows, feed cows or feed calves. Insert COVID-19 and labor shortages now into the picture and the answer to fill those vacant positions seems complex.
Three dairy producers discuss how efficiencies and technology play a role on their farm and how the industry needs to continue to evolve and adapt for future farmers in the next 10 to 20 years.