Trade, and improving trade, is critically important for the U.S. dairy industry, especially in Wisconsin. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a democrat from Wisconsin, says trade is vitally important to all sectors of the U.S. economy, including dairy, but the U.S. needs fair trade agreements. Baldwin says the Trump administration needs to double down its efforts to renegotiate the North American …
Organics Encourage Support for Livestock Rule
The organic food sector is drumming up support for the recently ditched organic livestock rule. Leading the charge, Organic Valley cooperative of Wisconsin says the group is demanding that the Department of Agriculture stop interfering with the public process that created the rule. The coalition, which includes the National Farmers Union, published a paid open letter in the Washington Post …
Latest WASDE Report from USDA
The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Report (WASDE) was released recently. During December, raging wildfires in southern California and a late-month cold wave east of the Rockies highlighted a La Niña-driven weather regime. La Niña also contributed to a broad expanse of drier than-normal conditions, especially across the southern tier of the country. A few areas, however, received …
SUDIA Rebrands to Reflect Market-Focused Mission and Innovation
The Dairy Alliance Represents 2,100 Dairy Farmers Across Nine Southeast States The Southeast United Dairy Industry Association (SUDIA) has new leadership, new branding and a new name — The Dairy Alliance. This change represents the new vision and mission of the organization. The Dairy Alliance has an emphasis on market-focused partnerships that proactively promote and protect the interests of 2,100 dairy farm families in the Southeast. The new …
Organic Milk Sales Lower
Organic milk sales are dropping, but sales of so-called plant-based milk are rising. The Wall Street Journal reports organic milk sales fell 2.5 percent in 2017, slightly less than traditional white milk that fell 4.5 percent. Plant-based milks rose 2.9 percent in sales. However, the largest gains in milk sales were seen by specialty milk which would include products like …
Dairy Farming Desperate for Immigration Reform
Next to the cost of feeding their animals, the cost of labor on dairy farms will always take up a large share of the budget. A Milk Business Dot Com article says labor costs will rise in the new year. As of January first, farmers in some of the largest dairy-producing states now face government-mandated higher minimum wages. California farmers …
Lower Milk Prices in 2018?
As America’s dairy farmers look to 2018, they’re wondering whether or not higher prices are on the horizon. A Dairy Herd Dot Com article says a massive herd, large domestic supply, falling domestic demand, and a strong dollar all show that prices may slip before they improve. Mike North of Commodity Risk Management says there’s a growing supply of product …
Last Minute 2017 Legislation Efforts Benefit Dairy Farmers
Congress spent the final few weeks of the year addressing legislation that benefits dairy farmers. Starting with the tax bill, the legislation means lower taxes for dairy farmers. However, that wasn’t the case in the original legislation, according to National Milk Producers Federation spokesperson Chris Galen. Tax While the Section 199 deduction was eliminated in the approved version of the …
Disaster Bill Includes Cotton, Dairy Provisions
The $81 billion House disaster aid package includes provisions for cotton growers and limited support for dairy producers. The National Farmers Union says both cotton and dairy farmers need appropriations fixes before the start of the next farm bill. The bill, however, offsets part of the cost by making changes to nutrition infrastructure. NFU President Roger Johnson says the organization …
Legislation Would Improve Students’ Access to Milk
The School Milk Nutrition Act of 2017 introduced by Representative Glenn Thompson would allow schools to give students more milk choices. American Farm Bureau Federation market intelligence director John Newton says the bill gives schools the flexibility to bring back low-fat flavored milk. Legislation ”Newton says the legislation provides a market opportunity for dairy farmers. Market Allowing schools to provide …