Haygood Dairy Farm, Yatesville

Georgia Milk Producers and the American Dairy Association of Georgia will kick off the first of nine annual fall district meetings on Monday, September 11, in Thomasville. During the meetings, these organizations will hold elections; report on industry issues and promotional efforts; and announce upcoming events. Dinner or lunch will be served at each meeting depending on the time the meeting is set to begin. Please make plans to join us at your district meeting!

Sept. 11, Monday - The Plaza Restaurant, Thomasville at Noon ( 217 S Broad St, Thomasville)
Sept. 11, Monday - Oasis Coffee House, Montezuma at 7:00 PM ( 314 Spaulding Rd, Montezuma)
Sept. 12, Tuesday - Barnstormers Grill, Williamson at 7 PM ( 349 Jonathans Roost Road, Williamson)
Sept. 14, Thursday - Cindy's Cafe on Cotton, Millen at Noon (535 Cotton Ave, Millen )
Sept. 14, Thursday - Burke County Extension Office, Waynesboro  at 7 PM (  715 West 6th St., Waynesboro)
Sept. 15, Friday - McGill/Woodruff Ag Bldg., Washington at Noon (1  36 N by Pass Washington)
Sept. 18, Monday - Bonner's Restaurant, Buckhead at 7 PM (1500 Bonner Ln, Buckhead )
Sept. 19, Tuesday - Glo-Crest Dairy, Clermont at Noon ( 5909 Bowen Bridge Road, Clermont)
Sept. 19, Tuesday - Western Sizzlin', Dalton at 7 PM (  501 Legion Dr, Dalton)
Opting out of MPP is Free, Sign-up Opens for 2018

Sign-up for the Margin Protection Program (MPP) opens up on Sept. 1 for dairy producers to get coverage next year, and those who want to opt out for 2018 can do so at no charge.

USDA's Farm Service Agency made the announcement on August 31 saying the opt out clause will give dairy producers more flexibility.

"Secretary Perdue is using his authority to allow producers to withdraw from the MPP Dairy Program and not pay the annual administrative fee for 2018," says Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Rob Johansson. "The decision is in response to requests by the dairy industry and a number of MPP-Dairy program participants."

In order to opt out producers shouldn't sign up during the annual registration period. If a producer opts out they would not be eligible for MPP benefits should payments be triggered for 2018. Additional details will be included in a Federal Register Notice that will be released.  The decision would be for 2018 only and is not retroactive.   Read More                                   
CAES faculty member traces her love of animals to early intro to farm life

Jillian Fain Bohlen's love of animals drove her to become a fan of dairy farming at an early age.

Bohlen grew up in southern Oconee County. After a family friend introduced her to the family's dairy farm, it became the place where she spent her free time. 

"Eventually, I would just ride the bus to their farm instead of home so I could play with the cows," Bohlen said. "I would roam the barns, help when needed and just enjoy talking to the cows and people. That's how it started."

It's now 20 years later, and Bohlen has turned her love of dairy cattle into a career in outreach, teaching and applied research in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences' department of animal science.  Read More 

9 Shared Priorities of U.S. and Mexico Dairy


As the second round of NAFTA modernization talks begin today,  the U.S. and Mexican dairy industries are united on a set of nine common priorities. They include a renegotiated NAFTA that puts an end to Canada's Class 7 milk pricing scheme.

Dairy leaders from the United States and Mexico issued a joint statement on their priorities after a second annual summitof  the August 24 United States -Mexico Dairy Alliance, in Guadalajara, Mexico. 

The two dairy industries want government officials gathered in Mexico City today through Tue sday to consider their common concerns as they attempt to hammer out terms of a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).   Read More 

The impact of Hurricane Harvey on the Texas dairy industry should be minimal. However, dairy producers feeding cottonseed could likely see short-term impacts on availability and price, according to marketers contacted by Progressive Dairyman.

There are few dairy farms in the region of Texas most directly impacted by Hurricane Harvey. According to  an interactive website map managed by the Texas Association of Dairymen (TAD), of the 54 Texas counties initially designated as disaster areas, Washington County had three dairies.

In its crop production report released earlier this month, the USDA forecast the U.S. cottonseed harvest to hit 6.479 million tons, which would make it the largest cottonseed harvest since 2007. Hurricane Harvey may put a dent in that, however.

Texas is the largest cotton-producing state in the U.S. by a wide margin. During 2017, Texas was expected to produce about 43 percent of total U.S. production, according to John Newton, director of Market Intelligence with the American farm Bureau Federation.  Read more  
RAILROAD COMMISSIONER: THERE'S NO FUEL CRISIS IN TEXAS
By D
avid Schechter and Marjorie Owens , WFAA

As gas prices spike across Texas and fuel runs short at some gas stations, officials say there's no shortage of fuel in the state because of Harvey.

Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton said consumers are putting undue demand on fuel and that's making it difficult to resupply gas stations in a timely fashion. He called the problem simply one of demand and logistics.

"There's plenty of gasoline," he said. "This will subside."

According to Sitton, the concerns started when refineries began shutting down along the Gulf Coast due to Hurricane Harvey. As news spread, so did concern over a potential shortage, leading to large rushes to stations.   Read More
Not only are kids raising animals and learning the how-tos of vaccinations and record-keeping, 4-H'ers are also being taught how to add up the costs and weigh them against future profits.    Read More
Dairy farmers launch "Peel Back the Label" campaign on deceptive food labeling

As food manufacturers increasingly turn to fear-based food labeling to prop up profits and consumers face more confusion in the grocery aisles, America's dairy farmers today launched " Peel Back the Label," a new campaign to highlight this troublesome trend and stress the need for truth and transparency in food marketing.

The campaign comes as almost  70% of consumers say they look to front-of-label claims when making food purchasing decisions, and as food manufacturers increasingly utilize "free from" labels - i.e. "no high fructose corn syrup" or "GMO free" or "hormone-free"- to play on consumers food safety fears and misconceptions.  Read More  
Milk and Dairy Beverage Flavor Trends

Go ahead, grab yourself a cold one. Make it a nice chilled, flavored dairy beverage.

From milk to kefir to fruit smoothies, flavorful dairy beverages are growing in popularity and yes, selling in the marketplace.

On the same note, plant-based dairy alternatives are rolling out in droves. But here's the deal, most are competing in white milk space, not the flavored dairy beverage sector.

I hear the frustration from milk processors. In a previous post on the topic of the premiumization of flavored milk, I received the comment: "Plant-based alternative beverages are the rage. Millenials are moving away from cows milk at an unprecedented rate."
  Read More 
First U.S. Farm-Income Gain in Four Years Signals Hope of Bottom

U.S. farmer net income is forecast to rise this year for the first time since 2013, suggesting a bottom to an agriculture slump that left profit at half of the peak.

Producers of crops, livestock and dairy products may net $63.4 billion in 2017, up 3.1 percent from a revised $61.51 billion in 2016, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Wednesday in a report on its website. Much of the increase came from sales of inventory in grain bins and higher revenue from livestock and milk.     Read more  
Judge Rules In Favor of Dairy Workers
 
A $600,000 lawsuit filed by nearly 300 dairy farm workers was granted preliminary approval by a Yakima County, Washington Superior Court judge, according to a  report in the Yakima Herald.

The lawsuit, filed by Jose Martinez-Cuevas and Patricia Aguilar on behalf of the larger group, alleged that DeRuyter Brothers Dairy of Outlook, Wash. failed to provide adequate meal and rest breaks in addition to failing to compensate workers for time worked. The workers in the suit say they were forced to work nine to 12 hours per day, six days each week without breaks, meal periods or overtime pay.

Employees who worked for DeRuyter Brothers Dairy between December 8, 2013 and December 31, 2016 will be eligible for a share of the settlement. Payments are expected to range from $15.40 to about $15,000. The dairy involved in the suit has been sold, and new owners will not be a part of the settlement.

Another part of the lawsuit challenges the exclusion of farm workers from overtime protection. This portion of the lawsuit was not resolved by the settlement and remains active. Attorneys involved in the lawsuit say the issue likely will go before the Washington State Supreme Court.

Georgia Grazing School - 2017

UGA Extension will host an Advanced Grazing School on Sept. 19 and 20 in Athens, GA. This two-day workshop will focus on low-cost fencing options, portable watering systems, soil health measures, nutrient cycling in pastures, and soil, root, and microbe interactions. 

Training will take place in both classroom and field settings. Multiple classroom lectures addressing soil health and grazing management will be combined with pasture exhibitions. Demonstrations of fencing and watering options will highlight valuable management practices for livestock producers.

Cost of the two day program is $150 for the first person from each farm ($75/person for each additional person from each farm/family) and includes lunches and breaks on each day, dinner on the first night, and a grazing school handbook. Participants are responsible for lodging.  Registration is limited to 75 participants and is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
To register
click here .  For agenda and additional information click here
Mark Your Calendars:
 
Sept. 11: District 9 Mtg, The Plaza Restaurant, Thomasville at Noon 
Sept. 11: District 7 Mtg., Oasis Coffee House, Montezuma at 7 PM
Sept. 12: District 3 Mtg., Barnstormers Grill, Williamson at 7 PM 
Sept. 14: District 10 Mtg., Cindy's Cafe on Cotton, Millen at Noon 
Sept. 14: District 8 Mtg., Burke Cty Extension Office, Waynesboro at 7 PM
Sept. 15: District 6 Mtg., McGill/Woodruff Ag Bldg., Washington at Noon
Sept. 18: Dist. 4 & 5 Mtg., Bonner's Restaurant, Buckhead at 7 PM
Sept. 19: District 2 Mtg., Glo-Crest Dairy, Clermont at Noon 
Sept. 19: District 1 Mtg., Western Sizzlin', Dalton at 7 PM 
GA Dairy Classifieds

For Sale:  Jersey cows, heifers and calves for sale.  Registered with AJCA, all ages! Contact Matt Holton at 770-718-8271, call or text.  Dawsonville, GA.

HELP WANTED:   Farm and Livestock Supervisor for the Georgia Corrections Industries Dairy
located at the Rogers Farm Operations, Reidsville, Ga. Overview of duties include but not
limited to managing a farm and livestock operation. Supervise staff and inmates. Perform
administrative duties and oversees land, equipment and vehicles. For a more complete detail
of the job and how to apply please go to gdcjobs.com., Georgia Corrections Industries.

FOR HIRE: Dairy in Gay, GA, is seeking an experienced milker/farm hand. Dairy milks two times a day. Housing is provided.  For information contact Jeff Busciglio at 813-220-7072 or email at jsb280@yahoo.com

For Hire:  Dairy in Gay, GA, is seeking an experienced milker/farm hand. Dairy milks two times a day. Housing is provided.  For information contact Jeff Busciglio at 813-220-7072 or email at jsb280@yahoo.com

FOR SALE:  
TRIOLIET  SOLOMIX 2 1600 ZKT
  • TANDEM AXLE
  • DIGI STAR 3600V SCALE
  • RIGHT-LEFT-REAR DOORS
  • NEW HARD FACING ON AUGERS
  • NEW KNIVES
For information contact Jim Reid at 
229-924-2474 
or email at jim@reidbros.com

FOR SALE:  
Coastal Hay for sale.  $50 for 4 x 5 round bales or $6 a square bale.  Contact Ryan Keith in Waynesboro at 803-627-0762.

WANTED:  Looking to purchase 300 to 500 lb Holstein heifers. Please call Ray Ward  at 

FOR SALE: Kuhn 1014 Manure Spreader for $9,000 - Contact Randall Ruff, Elbert County, at 706-498-4344

FOR SALE: 
20 Calftel Calf Hutches for $200 each - Contact Randall Ruff, Elbert County, at 706-498-4344

FOR HIRE:  Custom Silage Harvesting.  Late model JD chopper. Will travel. Let me put your quality forage up! Nic Haynes, Muddy H Farms, 678-617-3379.

FOR SALE
We have a continuous selection of fresh and springing heifers.
 
Call William at  (706) 768-2857 or visit our website at 
 

Bullcalves Wanted : Looking for Bullcalves to purchase - Barron Tench 864-844-2295 or  barron.tench@gmail.com     
GA Milk Producers|706.310.0020 gamilkproducers@gmail.com
www.gamilk.org