2020 | July 10 GMP E Newsletter
Georgia Milk Producers Weekly Enews
Georgia’s first robotic dairy farm is now giving tours
By  Brandon Dawson , WJBF Augusta

Georgia has its first robotic dairy farm and it’s right here in McDuffie County.

Hillcrest Farms is a fourth generation, family-operated dairy farm located in Dearing, Georgia.

Unlike other farms in the state, Hillcrest uses state-of-the-art robots for milking the cows.
This process allows the cows to volunteer to be milked when they want.

Hillcrest is now offering tours of its robotic observation center and a farm tour by trolley.
“We are your farmers and I learned this and worked really hard at prompting this. We are your farmers. I want you to know your farmer, your local farmer, where all your milk comes from and I think it’s a great opportunity for you and your family to see that it doesn’t come from a store…it comes from a real farm here in Georgia,” said farmer Mark Rodgers.
For more info on Hillcrest Farms or to set up a tour  CLICK HERE
By Jim Cornall, DairyReporter.com

Hart Dairy, the largest single-source producer of 100% free-range, grass-fed milk in North America, has announced a new investment from Next Gen Nutrition Investment Fund, LP (NGN) and the addition of James Cali and Andrew Towle, the firm’s general partners, as chief marketing advisers.
May Margin Triggers Dairy Margin Coverage Program Payment
From USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced that the May 2020 income over feed cost margin was $5.37 per hundredweight (cwt.), triggering the third payment of 2020 for dairy producers who purchased the appropriate level of coverage under the  Dairy Margin Coverage  (DMC) program.

“This payment comes at a critical time for many dairy producers,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “DMC has proved to be a worthwhile risk management tool, providing dairy producers with much- needed financial support when markets are most volatile.”

To date, FSA has issued more than $176 million in program benefits to dairy producers who purchased DMC coverage for 2020. Read more>>>
The Varsity says P.C. milk is back on the menu
By:  WSBTV.com News Staff

ATLANTA —  A longtime staple at one of Atlanta’s most iconic restaurants is now back on the menu.
The Varsity tweeted out Tuesday afternoon that they have their “Plain Chocolate” milk back.  Read more here>>>

The USDA SE Climate Hub has published a Hurricane Preparation and Recovery guide for producers on their website. The guide includes information on various commodities in the SE including a section on dairy. The guide can be found here: is:   https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/southeast/topic/hurricane-preparation-and-recovery-southeast-us
Beef and Pork Supply Chain Recovering
By Michael Nepveux, American Farm Bureau Federation

Slaughter rates are returning to near normal and weekly beef and pork production is exceeding year ago levels, but it wasn’t that long ago that  consumers were emptying grocery store shelves  and  processing facilities were closing  due to labor and COVID-19 issues – leading to  daily dire predictions of meat shortages  in the U.S.

The self-distancing and quarantine protocols put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 reduced economic growth, shuttered consumers in their homes and changed the way Americans purchase and consume food. Food production, too, was significantly disrupted, especially at livestock processing facilities, where labor shortages and worker protection measures slowed throughput at plants around the country and even caused some facilities to shut down. Now, just a few short months later, the story has shifted to one of potential oversupply, soft demand and a (relative) return to normal in terms of the volume of product moving through the system. Read more here>>>
UGA students honored by American Dairy Science Association
By Maria M. Lameiras for CAES News
University of Georgia animal and dairy science students won several honors at the national American Dairy Science Association-Student Affiliate Division (ADSA-SAD) meeting in June, and UGA senior Alyssa Rauton was elected president of ADSA-SAD for 2020-21.

Mary “Kenne” Hillis, a dairy science major, won first place Original Research Presentation for her work on evaluating the use of pulse oximetry, lactate levels and lung ultrasounds in predicting respiratory illness in dairy calves. Her project was funded by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ Undergraduate Research Initiative, which gives students the opportunity to conduct research under the direction of a faculty member, giving them hands-on research experience.

Poultry science major Audrianna Crews placed second for her Dairy Foods Presentation on evaluating the impact of novel products to the dairy market on fluid milk utilization.
In addition to her election as ADSA-SAD president, Rauton, an avian biology major with a minor in animal science, won third place for her Dairy Production Presentation on manipulating circadian rhythms through controlled light-dark phases in the prepartum period on cow lactation performance.

Jillian Bohlen, associate professor of animal and dairy science and UGA Dairy Science Club advisor, guided the students on three presentations that received honors.
Get the word out about dairy
By Caitlin Rodgers, Georgia dairy farmer, Hoard's Dairyman
Here at Hillcrest Farms, we take pride in what we do. The good days, the bad days, the hot days, and the cold days. We take pride in the hard work and dedication we have toward our animals. Three hundred sixty-five days a year, Hillcrest Farms is operating, night and day.

We have staff on site 18 to 20 hours a day. And our lactating cows have voluntary milking systems or robots available for milking 21.5 hours a day. Most people though don’t have a clue what it takes to get milk products from the cow to their table.
I think I have mentioned this before but it still gets to me. While I was attending the YDLI (Young Dairy Leaders Institute), one of our tasks was to ask random students at Arizona State University some questions about milk. The lack of knowledge had me baffled. But, it is honestly not their fault. Read more here>>>
Farmer to Farmer Support Program Available for SE dairy farmers
 Farmers across the Southeast are experiencing uncertain times like never before. All aspects of agriculture have been hit by market losses due to COVID-19, but dairy has reached a level of uncertainty that many have never experienced.

As we navigate through these next few months, dairy producers across the Southeast have come together to introduce the "Farmer to Farmer Support Program." If you find that you need support or would like to talk to a fellow farmer or industry friend, they have several volunteers that are willing and able to help. Georgia Milk Producers has also put together a packet on the program that you can access by clicking   here

For more information on the program, please reach out to Farrah Newberry at gamilkproducers@gmail.com
Publix Expands Initiative Supporting Farmers
By  Kat Martin , Winsight Grocery Business

Publix’s initiative to support farmers and the food insecure has proven to be a success beyond expectations. In a little more than two months, the retailer has donated 5 million pounds of produce and 350,000 gallons of milk to Feeding America member food banks.

The Lakeland, Fla.-based retailer also has expanded the program out of its native Florida and is now also purchasing produce from farmers in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Tennessee and Virginia farmers will be added in the coming weeks.

“During these challenging times, we remain committed to working together to find the solutions that positively impact our communities in need. We are honored to continue our support of Feeding America member food banks and to purchase produce and milk from farmers across the Southeast,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “As the harvest season moves north, so is our initiative, expanding to support additional farmers and serve as many people as possible.” Read more here>>>
By Progressive Dairy Editor Karen Lee

When people across the planet were asked to shelter in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, there were some stark changes in the atmosphere.

“If you were to make it to Los Angeles [right now] you would see beautiful blue skies,” said Dr. Frank Mitloehner, during the June 4 episode of The Dairy Signal presented by Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW).

A professor and air quality extension specialist with the department of animal science at the University of California – Davis, Mitloehner said, “You can go to many of the places that have had such problems with smog over the years, and at the height of COVID-19 in China, Beijing was crystal blue. It was wonderful to see the blue skies over Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan, all of these major cities.

“Unfortunately, the second the lockdowns were lifted, everything went back to normal,” he said, noting the same thing will happen in the U.S.

Therefore, there will be no long-lasting environmental effect, but there may be a psychological one. Read more here>>>
By Tingmin Koe, NutraIngredients-asia.com

An analysis of 115 plant-based milk sold in Australia showed that the category is lacking in several micronutrients, including vitamin A, B12, calcium, and protein when compared to cow’s milk.
Other Stories to Check Out This Week >>>
Upcoming Events >>>
GA Dairy Classifieds
TO ADVERTISE: EMAIL AD AND CONTACT INFORMATION TO FARRAH NEWBERRY at gamilkproducers@gmail.com

UPDATED 6/19/20

For Sale - DeLaval 84 Vacuum Pump on Stand, Oil Reclaimer, 10 HP- 3 Phase Electric Motor. New Bearings, New Oil Seal, New Belts. $2000
For more Information Call Tony Strickland , 229-254-6871;  deepsouthai@gmail.com

For sale - Please contact John Felder for more information at 803-682-3425:
  • Dairy Tech Bay Pasturizer - $4,000
  • Tidenberg Hydraulic Hoof Table (like new) - $5,000
  • Mench Sand Trailor - $14,000
  • Hall Stall Sand Leveler (new) - $1,000
  • McLanalan Sand Seperator (like new) 20" x 20" - 25,000
  • Claas Silage Choppers - 900 1695 cutterhead hours, 4WD, 600 orbis, HD300 PU - $110,000
  • Claas Silage Choppers - 960 1875 cutterhead hours, 4WD, 600 orbis, HD300 PU - $190,000
  • Fans Cool Aire
  • 18 54" $225.00
  • 20 48" $125.00
  • 20 35" 100.00
WANTED : Peter's Cattle Co. will buy any dairy, beef, and cross, bottle or weaned, bulls, heifers or free martins. Pick up weekly 7 days a week. Chris- 470-255-8515
 
For Sale:  Corn Silage - For more information contact Carlin Giesbrecht at 478-494-4007
 
FOR Sale : Stretch-O-Matic Bale Wrapper and Mover. For more information contact Carlin Giesbrecht at 478-494-4007
 
Bull Calves WANTED:   Competitive pricing with 6 day a week pickup. Brandon Mason Cattle Company 912-632-4490
 
For Sale:  Custom manure application and Dryhill manure equipment sales.  Contact Edwin @ 478-299-0717 with Agboys Custom Services LLC -  New 8"x52' lagoon pump with outriggers $24,000 (Pictured right)
 
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    crumpdairyreplacements.org