Stephen Babcock

Stephen Babcock: The Test That Changed Dairy Farming

Milk production has long been an important part of American agriculture, but determining the quality and value of milk required better ways to measure its components. One scientist whose work transformed the dairy industry was Stephen Babcock, whose research ultimately led to the development of the Babcock Test for measuring milk’s butterfat content. Born on a farm in upstate New …

milk price

A Closer look at USDA’s Milk Price Forecasts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released the 2026 and 2027 milk price forecast. Here is what World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski discussed about the price forecast. “Our class 3 price forecast for 2026 is up $0.10 per hundredweight to $16.25 per hundredweight,” said Jekanowski. “Our class 4 2026 price was reduced $0.25 per hundredweight, is now forecast …

eradication

USDA’s Approach to NWS Eradication

The battle against the new world screwworm isn’t being fought with insecticides or fences. Instead, USDA is deploying an unusual weapon, millions of sterile flies. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s a proven strategy called the sterile insect technique or SIT. The idea is simple. Scientists raise screwworm flies in specialized facilities and expose them to gamma radiation, making …

U.S. dairy

U.S. Dairy Industry Backs Administration in Support of Canadian Market Access

The U.S. dairy industry is applauding the Trump administration’s latest effort to challenge Canadian dairy trade practices and defend market access promised under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. The White House announced this week it will impose a 50% tariff on dairy imports from Canada, invoking Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. Administration officials say the action is …

dairy

Dairy Producers Gather on Capitol Hill to Support Ag Labor Reform

Recently, dairy advocates from across the country met on Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to support the agricultural labor reform. This is in conclusion of a National Milk Producers Federation summit for state dairy associations. According to the National Milk Producers Federation, quote, the two-day meeting brought more than three dozen advocates to Washington, with farmers and industry leaders sharing …

Livestock Forage

USDA Expands the Livestock Forage Disaster Program

The USDA is expanding the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, giving cattle producers faster access to financial assistance when drought reduces available grazing. The Livestock Forage Disaster Program, commonly known as LFP, provides payments to eligible livestock producers who suffer grazing losses because of qualifying drought or wildfire. One of the biggest changes announced by the USDA affects how quickly producers …

cattle

Tips On Keeping Cattle Cool During Hot Days

As temperatures rise, producers should use stress management practices. Alfredo DiConstanzo of the University of Nebraska Extension shares tips on keeping cattle cool. “When talking about heat stress, what management is trying to do is to increase the sensible heat loss, which is if one can imagine a molecule of air trapped on the surface of the hair of an …

eradication

Hassey Brooks Comments on ADA Response to NWS in US

At the recent Alabama Agribusiness Council annual meeting, Southeast AgNet had the opportunity to sit down with Hassey Brooks, Alabama Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner. Brooks discussed how Alabama is responding to the Texas New World screwworm detection saying, “Well we’re in a great position with our leadership at the department with Commissioner Payton and also to Dr. Tony Frazier.” …

milk

June Milk Reports from USDA

World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski discussed the USDA price forecast for different milk categories this month. Jekanowski said, “A small reduction in our cheese price forecast for 2026 down 4 cents per pound, butter nearly steady up 1 cent per pound. We made a fairly large adjustment to our nonfat by milk price, lowered that by 7 cents …

almda

USDA Announces Funding for 40 Break Through Projects to Combat NWS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced funding for the 40 Breakthrough projects in an effort to defend against New World Screwworm. Through the program proposals will receive a combined total of $105 million. According to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website this funding will be used “to sharpen detection, accelerate control and eradication tools, and strengthen …