Enrollment for the new Dairy Margin Protection Program continues through the end of this month. Dairy producers who haven’t already have until June first to review the changes to the program and sign up. Enrollment opened in early April after the Department of Agriculture announced changes to the program stemming from the Bipartisan Budget Act passed by Congress in February. …
Livestock, Milk Production and Income-Southern Region
Cash Receipts for Meat Animals Up/Milk Production Increased Total 2017 production of meat animals (cattle and calves and hogs and pigs) for the United States totaled 81.7 billion pounds, up 4 percent from 2016. Production increased 4 percent for cattle and calves and 3 percent for hogs and pigs. Total 2017 cash receipts from marketings of meat animals increased 7 percent to …
Rabobank: Domestic Dairy Demand to Climb in 2018
Domestic demand for dairy products like natural cheese and butter, along with premium dairy products, should rise in the second half of 2018. That prediction comes from Rabobank in its Dairy Quarterly 1 Report. “The stronger economic growth is projected to come mostly from the recent tax policy change, which translates to stronger dairy demand through increased food service and …
Signup Underway for Dairy Margin Protection Program
It was recently announced that dairy producers would soon be able to enroll in the new and improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), which will provide better protections for dairy producers from shifting milk and feed prices. With changes authorized under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened the enrollment …
Southeast Dairy Stewardship Program
Dairy producers, managers, herdsmen, veterinarians, and consultants are invited to attend the first module of the Southeast Dairy Stewardship Program (SDSP). It will be held in Okeechobee, FL, on April 25 and in Valdosta, GA on April 26. The SDSP will provide up to date training for dairy producers, managers, herdsmen, veterinarians, and consultants in areas relevant to animal welfare …
University of Florida Hosting Family Day at the Dairy Farm
On Saturday, March 31, 2018, the University of Florida’s Dairy Unit in Hague will host its fifth “Family Day at the Dairy Farm”. Visitors will see a real working dairy farm, learn about dairy production, animal health and welfare, and hear experts discuss UF efforts that help provide local, top-quality milk to Floridians. The event is free to the public …
Easter Eggs for Your Basket Will be a Bit Higher This Year
Higher retail prices for several foods including eggs, orange juice, meat products, bagged salad, shredded cheddar and vegetable oil resulted in a slight increase in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Spring Picnic Marketbasket Survey. The informal survey showed the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals was $51.05, up $1.02 …
Spending Bill Includes Victory for Milk Labeling Standards
The omnibus spending bill passed by the House and Senate last week included language regarding milk labeling. The bill directs the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to take action against mislabeled imitation dairy foods, a move the National Milk Producers Federation says is a major victory for farmers and consumers alike. Federation president and CEO Jim Mulhern says the bill …
NAFTA Agreement Vital to U.S. Dairy Industry
With the ongoing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations, it most likely will be several more months before dairy farmers will know what to expect with our trading partners to the North and South. With Mexico being a vital market for U.S. dairy producers, a National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) spokesperson says a new agreement should “do no harm” …
NMPF on Shoring Up the Dairy Safety Net
The National Milk Producers Federation March CEO’s Corner titled, “Congress Shores up the Dairy Safety Net,” is now available on the NMPF website. But in his March column, NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern reviews the changes they worked with Congress on to make in the dairy safety net, and discusses how these changes will benefit dairy farmers. He notes it …