August 2009
Financial Stress
As was the case with most Americans, dairy farmers were blindsided by the financial crisis and the recession. Although operating costs rose sharply in 2008, milk production was still profitable; USDA’s Economic Research Service estimates U.S. producers returned an average of $4.71/cwt after operating expenses last year, compared to nearly $8/cwt in the record price year of 2007. When overhead costs are included, producers still netted 25 cents/cwt in 2007, and the net loss of $3.29/cwt is comparable to the returns throughout most of the decade.
Rodent Proofing your Dairy Barn
Randolph, Wisc. pest control specialist Kyle Stiemsma is describing a job he set up at a dairy last year. “The guys turned on their silo unloader,” he says, “and there were about twenty rats that jumped off the 60’ silo. About half of them survived, and took off running; every time they’d kick it on, there were rats running everywhere, and when they emptied out the silo, there were burrows all over the bottom of the silo.” The problem, says the owner of Terminator Pest Control, was lack of sanitation. “There was grass three feet tall and weeds everywhere.” To maintain co
Red & White
They were discriminated against by the Holstein-Friesian Association for decades; now, they’re a welcome part of the herd. They’ve been coming to America since the turn of the last century, but they didn’t have their own registry until 1964. And now…Red & Whites are one of the hottest things out there.
“I would say it’s definitely a growing thing,” says Nicole Stout, an executive manager of the Clinton, Wisconsin-based Red & White Dairy Cattle Association.
Farm Prices Depend on Recovery in General Economy
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Uncertainty in the general economy continues to drive the agricultural market outlook in a midyear baseline from the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI).
“For most U.S. crops, market prices have declined from last year’s peaks but remain well above pre-2007 levels,” said Pat Westhoff, senior economist and co-director of FAPRI.
Equipment Notebook - Used Equipment - Farm Storage
By L. Sorensen
On-farm storage is a growing trend and many farmers have replaced older, smaller bins with new and higher capacity ones over the past year. The volume of grain bin sales reported over the past year isn’t large, but it will give buyers some idea of what used bins are selling for.
Generally, bins sell for approximately .50/bu and reported sales prices reflect that standard. However, some North Dakota sales in 2008 pretty well reflected that average.
Water Proof Milking Sleeve with Thumb Cover
New for 2009, Udder Tech has created a Waterproof Milking Sleeve with Thumb Cover. Similar to our popular Waterproof Milking Sleeve, this sleeve features an extra piece of material that extends the length of the sleeve over the hand and hooks around the thumb to anchor and stabilize the sleeve. No more wet wrists or debris getting down inside the sleeve! The Waterproof Milking Sleeve with Thumb Cover works best when worn with a glove on the hand also.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Establishes, Dairy advisory committee and Requests Nominations
We here at the American Dairymen like to keep our readers informed on all dairy industry news releases. Advisory Committee Will Review Key Issues Impacting Dairy Industry and Generate Additional Ideas About How USDA Can Help Struggling Producers WASHINGTON, August 25, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that as part of USDA's continuing efforts to listen to and respond to the needs of producers in the dairy industry he is moving forward on establishing the Dairy Industry Advisory Committee and is requesting nominations.
USDA Establishes Dairy Advisory Committee
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that as part of USDA’s continuing efforts to listen to and respond to the needs of producers in the dairy industry he is moving forward on establishing the Dairy Industry Advisory Committee and is requesting nominations.
For the complete story click
here.
J & D Mfg Free Products Every Hour During World Dairy Expo
Free Products Every Hour During World Dairy Expo
EAU CLAIRE, WI – AUGUST 18, 2009 - J&D Manufacturing is planning the launch of their totally fresh and innovative website www.jdmfg.com at the World Dairy Expo in Madison on September 29. In collaboration with the new site launch, there will be a drawing every hour in booth # 1101 to receive free heavy duty Scrapers and Kick Away™ Boot Brushes just for signing up to receive their e-newsletter.
July Milk Production Report Released by USDA
In the July 2009
milk production report, the 23-state July milk prod. value was 14.9 billion
pounds, up 0.1%t from July 2008. Production per cow averaged 1,769 pounds, 25 pounds above July 2008.
The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.40 million
head, 115,000 less than July 2008, and 34,000 less than June 2009.
