Needed FMMO Reform Undermined by Make Allowance Giveaway
USDA recently announced that a final Federal Milk Marketing Order decision was approved by dairy farmers and cooperatives across all 11 orders through separate referenda conducted within each order. AFBF has called for changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders dating back to 2019.
“We’re grateful that USDA listened to not only our calls but also calls from the broader dairy industry to switch back to the ‘higher of’ Class I milk formula, increase Class I differentials, improve cheese price discovery and update milk composition factors,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces 15 Additional States Onboard With National Milk Testing Strategy for H5N1, Shares Update on Vaccination Efforts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that 15 additional states have enrolled in the National Milk Testing Strategy, bringing the total number of states to 28 in roughly one month since the program launched. These 28 states represent nearly 65% of the nation’s milk production. In addition, USDA is sharing updates on its expedited work to support vaccine development for use in poultry and bovine species, as part of a multi-faceted effort to fight the spread of H5N1.
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Dairy Farms Creative in Identifying New Revenue Sources
Once a hub of the state’s dairy industry, milk farmers in Tangipahoa Parish have succumbed decades of dominance by conglomerates who control the market.
But thanks to the creativity of a young farmer who was willing to gamble on consumers’ evolving tastes and the doggedness of a state legislator who quickly mastered the quirky nuances of compromise, the industry appears to be on the precipice of a new and potentially exciting era.
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What Do Cotton And Milk Have In Common?
When you drive past a cotton field, you might think about soft-spun T-shirts, and a well-known advertising slogan may come to mind. After all, cotton is the “fabric of our lives.” But within each of those cotton bolls are whole cottonseeds that contribute to another significant market – and famous ad campaign. “Got milk?”
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Dairy Max Names Agriculture Industry Veteran as its New CEO
Grand Prairie-based Dairy MAX, a regional dairy council representing more than 900 dairy farmers across eight states, has named Keira Lombardo of Southlake as its new chief executive officer.
Dairy MAX was founded more than 40 years ago and is one of the leading regional dairy councils in the United States, representing more than 900 dairy farmers and serving communities in eight states: Texas, Colorado, southwest Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, western Oklahoma, and Wyoming.
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Louisiana Milk Production Report: October 21, 2024
Louisiana milk production during the July - September 2024 quarter was 19.0 million pounds, down 5 percent from the same period in 2023 and down 24 percent from the April - June quarter. The average number of milk cows on farms during the quarter was 7,000 head, unchanged from the same period last year but 500 head lower than the previous quarter.
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USDA Offers $58 Million in Available Assistance to Help Organic Dairy Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $58 million available for marketing assistance to eligible organic dairy producers through the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) 2024 to help expand the market for organic dairy and increase the consumption of organic dairy.
“The Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program continues USDA’s commitment to keep the market for organic dairies sustainable as they weather challenges outside of their control,” said USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.
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AFBF Responds To Milk Marketing Reform Proposals
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on USDA’s proposed amendments to all 11 Federal Milk Marketing Orders. AFBF has been calling for FMMO reform since 2021 and convened a successful first-of-its-kind industry-wide forum in 2022.
“We appreciate that USDA held this hearing, recognizing some of our concerns related to milk pricing. We are pleased with the intent to return the Class I skim milk price to the ‘higher-of’ formula as we called for. That said, we’re disappointed in changes that will benefit processors without regard for producers at a time when dairy farmers are struggling and many have gone out of business. USDA missed opportunities to improve and update price formulas.”
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Raw Milk Ban May Soon be Lifted
When many people think of a dairy farm, they probably think of cows. Well on a farm in St. Landry Parish, you won't find any there.
Bridget and Jacob Stelly are the owners of JaBri Farms. They've been operating their farm for 11 years and have dedicated their efforts to raising goats.
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Bill to Allow Sale of Raw Milk hits Gov. Landry’s Desk
The sale of raw milk in Louisiana may soon become state law as a measure allowing for its sale is now on Governor Jeff Landry’s desk.
If signed, Louisiana will become one of many states that are allowing for the sale of raw milk, but is it safe to consume?
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Sale of Raw Milk Could Soon Be Legal in Louisiana, Despite Bird Flu Outbreak in Cattle
A bill legalizing the sale of raw milk in Louisiana is set to become law, despite warnings from state and federal agencies that consuming it is risky amid an outbreak of H5N1, or bird flu, in cattle.
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USDA Expands Support for Producers to Stop the Spread of H5N1 in Dairy Cattle
Since the detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle in March, USDA has worked swiftly and diligently to assess the prevalence of the virus in U.S. dairy herds and to use the latest scientific data to learn about the virus and to quickly contain the disease event. As part of this multifaceted approach, on May 10, USDA announced several financial assistance options for producers with affected herds.
USDA is announcing the expansion of some of these support options to include dairy producers whose herds have not tested positive for H5N1.
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Milk Production Up 32 Percent From Previous October In Louisiana
Louisiana milk production during the January - March 2024 quarter was 29.0 million pounds, down 3 percent from the same period in 2023 but up 32 percent from the October - December 2023 quarter. The average number of milk cows on farms during the quarter was 8,000 head, unchanged from the same period last year but up 1,000 head from the previous quarter.
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Bovine Practioners Name Newly Emerging Cattle Disease
After collaborating with veterinarians, allied organizations, state and federal agencies, diagnostic laboratories and animal health officials on the 2024 emerging disease event affecting dairy cattle, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) will reference the newly emerging cattle disease that has stemmed from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) as Bovine Influenza A Virus,
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Dairy Producers in Louisiana Reminded to Enroll in 2024 Dairy Margin Coverage by April 29
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging dairy producers to enroll by April 29, 2024, for 2024 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), an important safety net program that helps offset milk and feed price differences. This year’s DMC signup began Feb. 28, 2024, and payments, retroactive to January, began in March 2024. So far, DMC payments triggered in January and February of 2024 at margins of $8.48 and $9.44 respectively.
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