Sunrise at Yoder Family Farm, Barnesville

The Georgia Milk Producers Board of Directors would like to extend heartfelt wishes for a wonderful holiday to you and your families. We consider the opportunity to represent those that make up our great dairy community a blessing. Thank you for all that you do. The Georgia Milk office will be closed Dec. 24-26.  Merry Christmas!! 
Don't Forget!! Book Your Room for the GA Dairy Conference by Sunday, Dec 30th!!

The Savannah Riverfront Marriott is offering room rates for those attending the Georgia Dairy Conference from Saturday, January 19, until Thursday, January 24, at $130.00/room for single and double occupancy rooms. There will be a $7  parking fee per day for our group at the hotel.
 
Individuals are requested to call the hotel at 912-233-7722 or 800-285-0398 for reservations or follow a link on our conference website at http://www.gadairyconference.com/accomodations. Please mention that you are with the"2019 Georgia Dairy Conference" when making your reservation to ensure that you receive the discounted room rate.
 
PLEASE NOTE: Any reservation received after the cut-off date will be accepted on a space and rate-available basis. Availability and pricing cannot be guaranteed after the cut-off date.
 
GEORGIA DAIRY PRODUCERS: Georgia Milk Producers will deduct $100/night for two nights from each Georgia dairy farm's hotel bill at checkout. It's our way to show our appreciation for your support and to encourage you to attend your annual dairy conference! Registration for the conference is also free for Georgia dairy producers. Please register online at www.gadairyconference.com or call our office at 706-310-0020.
By Joshua Silavent, Gainesville Times

Light protection services and certification company Noluma has released new research that tackles the effects of light exposure on milk and other dairy products. Vitamin A, vitamin D and riboflavin levels in milk all begin to deplete after just two hours. 

Congress just passed an $867 billion farm bill. Here's what's in it.

Congress has voted for an $867 billion farm bill with strong bipartisan support, spurred in part by pressure from farmers battered by President Trump's trade war with China.
In a 386-47 vote, the House of Representatives Wednesday approved a bill which allocates billions of dollars in subsidies to American farmers,  legalizes hemp, bolsters farmers markets and rejects  stricter limits on food stamps pushed by House Republicans. President Trump is expected to soon sign it into law.

The Senate passed the legislation in an 87-to-13 vote on Tuesday.   Read more 
From GA Dept. of Agriculture

Effective today, farmers with damage from Hurricane Michael may be eligible for disaster assistance from funds allocated during the special legislative session convened by Governor Nathan Deal on November 13, 2018. The Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriation Act was amended to provide emergency funding for state agencies and local governments in areas most heavily impacted by Hurricane Michael. Funds include $55 million for emergency disaster relief loans.

In keeping with its rural rehabilitation roots, the Georgia Development Authority will administer the special $55 million loan program for the purpose of providing timely relief to Georgia Farmers through the SAFETY 21 Loan Program. Funds will be loaned in order to bridge the gap until other disaster program and insurance funds become available. To be eligible for assistance, the applicant must be a farmer suffering a loss to their income as a result of Hurricane Michael. Loans will have a 7-year term with a graduated rate starting at 1 percent. For more information,visit  www.gdaonline.com or  www.agr.georgia.gov.

As a result of Hurricane Michael, Southwest Georgia experienced approximately $2.5 billion in losses within the agriculture and timber industries. More information about projected losses from Hurricane Michael is available at   http://agr.georgia.gov/gda-hurricane-response.aspx 
The new farm bill appropriates $50 million in Federal funds for mental health resources specifically targeted toward farmers, ranchers and other ag-related occupations.
 
"Washington has been slow to recognize the challenge that farmers are facing, and the daily stressors that they experience during difficult years," says Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D., Wis.),one of the authors of the bill. "I worked to include this bipartisan reform in the final Farm Bill so that when there is a crisis on the farm, farmers know they are not alone and there are resources available to help them find a path through tough times."
 
Known as the FARMERS FIRST Act (Facilitating Accessible Resources for Mental Health and Encouraging Rural Solutions for Immediate Response to Stressful Times), the Act provides up to $10 million per year for each of the fiscal years of 2019 through 2023. The bill was introduced to Congress last April by Baldwin and Sen. Joni Ernst (R., Iowa). Cosponsors of the bill include Senators Michael Bennet (D., Colo.), Cory Gardner (R., Colo.) Heidi Heitkamp (D., N.D.) and Jerry Moran (R., Kan.).
 
Lack of mental health resources in rural communities is a huge challenge. Under the bill, resources can be directed to provide competitive grants to State departments of agriculture, State cooperative Extension services and non-profit organizations. The grant money can be used to develop farm telephone helplines and websites, training for advocates to assist affected individuals in crisis, support groups, outreach services and activities, and home delivery of assistance.  Read more  
By: Progressive Dairyman Editor Dave Natzke

U.S. dairy farmers will receive a second payment to partially offset losses as a result of the negative impacts of retaliatory tariffs on exports.
Like the first payment, initiated in September 2018, the second will equal 6 cents per hundredweight (cwt) on a producer's annual milk production history.

The dairy payments are based on milk production history in 2011-13, established under the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). Dairy farmers not participating in MPP-Dairy, new operations and those having gone through a recent generational transfer must provide milk production records to establish history with their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. Dairy operations are also required to have been in operation on June 1, 2018 to be eligible for payments.

Producers need only sign up once for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) to be eligible for the first and second payments. Producers must complete an application by Jan. 15, 2019. Farmers applying for MFP payments who haven't heard from their FSA office are urged to call to set up an appointment. FSA will also accommodate farmers who want to delay payments until 2019 to move income into the new tax year.

The second payment will total an estimated $127.4 million, bringing total payments to about $255 million under the USDA's Market Facilitation Program.   Read more

By Dave Natzke, Progressive Dairyman

For the second consecutive month, November 2018 U.S. milk production increased less than 1 percent from the same month a year earlier, as cow numbers continued to decline. With November's estimate, U.S. milk production growth has now been under 1 percent in five of 11 months in 2018, according to USDA's monthly Milk Production report, released Dec. 19.

The USDA's preliminary estimate put November 2018 cow numbers at 9.36 million head, down 8,000 head from October and 38,000 head fewer than November 2017. It's the lowest number since January 2017. Cow numbers in the 23 major dairy states totaled 8.718 million head in November 2018, down 8,000 from October, 16,000 less than a year earlier, and the lowest since March 2017.    

Reviewing the USDA estimates for November 2018 compared to November 2017:
  • U.S. milk production: 17.37 billion pounds, up 0.6 percent
  • U.S. cow numbers: 9.36 million, down 38,000 head
  • U.S. average milk per cow per month: 1,856 pounds, up 19 pounds
  • 23-state milk production: 16.37 billion pounds, up 0.8 percent
  • 23-state cow numbers: 8.718 million, down 16,000 head
  • 23-state average milk per cow per month: 1,877 pounds, up 18 pounds   Read more
 
Bank of America. Intel. Walt Disney Co. Citibank. Each of these companies share something in common. They all are $25 billion to $30 billion brands, each investing in innovation, infrastructure and brand marketing to anticipate and meet the changing needs of their target consumers.

At the recent annual meeting of dairy farmer leaders of the checkoff and the National Milk Producers Federation, I outlined the significant and similar opportunity the dairy community has with fluid milk. Today, fluid milk is in 95 percent of American households and represents a $25 billion brand category with a diverse product portfolio. But as with any brand, when there are not ongoing investments in product innovation and retail and brand marketing, consumers begin to lose interest and turn elsewhere. That is what we are seeing with fluid milk, especially with youth.
Some examples:
  • Kids up to 12 years old drank 38 gallons of fluid milk per person per year as late as 2003 - but this year, they only drink an average of 26 gallons
  • In that same time frame, consumption among teens dropped from 26 gallons to 23
  • And adults 18 and over dropped from 11 to seven gallons a year 
Despite these facts, fluid milk represents a significant opportunity for the dairy community. It's our foundation, our heritage and it's ripe for innovation and meeting consumers' evolving needs. Where we've done just that, we've seen results.

Lactose-free milk is up (+9% YTD), as are flavored (+0.2% YTD) and whole milk (+1.6% YTD) - all three of which are $1 billion or greater categories. We can learn from and replicate this success in other areas if we are committed as a broader dairy community.

What is needed is for the industry to come together to look at how we can accelerate much-needed innovation (flavors, formulations, packaging), how we can form the right brand and retail partnerships and how we can collectively invest in infrastructure and marketing to turn around decades' worth of down sales.
Read more    
SEEKING SEVERAL DAIRY POSITIONS

Georgia Correctional Industries has a position to fill in the Reidsville Georgia area for a: 
Dairy Manager - Milking
Plant Operator 4- Milk Processing
Plant Operator 3- Milk Processing
Farm and Livestock Specialist 2 -Milking

Applicants should be comfortable with computers and software and have good communication and organizational skills.  Applicants should also have two years experience in dairy processing and excellent knowledge of all Department of Agriculture guidelines pertaining to milk processing.  If interested send a resume to Nicole Gaulthney at:  ngaultney@gci-ga.com    
From Frank Morris, NPR The Salt

The U.S. meat industry is gigantic, with roughly $200 billion a year in sales, and getting larger. But the industry faces emerging threats on two fronts: plant-based meat substitutes and actual meat grown in labs.

Plant-based meat substitutes are a lot more, well, meaty than they used to be. They sear on the grill and even "bleed." They look, taste and feel in the mouth a lot like meat. Savannah Blevin, a server at Charlie Hooper's, an old-school bar and grill in Kansas City, Mo., says the vegetarian Impossible Burgers on the menu are popular with the meat-eating crowd.

"I had a vegetarian actually turn it away, because it reminded them so much of meat, they sent it back," says Blevins. "It's delicious," she adds.

The industry that makes these products is taking off, growing 20 percent a year. Read more
Will We All Be Vegan In The Future?
Will We All Be Vegan In The Future?
From Newsweek

With more and more people eating plant-based food, as well as increasing amounts of vegan options emerging, will we all be vegan in the future?


From Wyatt Bechtel, Dairy Herd Management

An Australian steer the height of a professional quarterback has some competition for world's biggest bovine and a good chunk of them are American cattle.

Knickers,  a nearly larger than life Holstein, captivated the internet because of his size. The steer from Western Australia weighs more than 3,000 lb. and measures in at 6 foot 4 inches. At that height Knickers is not only the same size as Super Bowl winning quarterbacks Tom Brady and Eli Manning, the steer is in the running for world's tallest steer.

Once news spread of Knickers size a host of cattle stepped up to the measuring tape to throw their names into the contest.
A  California steer named Cowboy comes in at very similar measurements standing 6 foot 4 inches and weighing 3,000 lb.

"He's just under a hair, and when I mean hair, a hair, under the Guinness World Record for largest steer," says Lindsey Krause, owner of Cowboy. Read more
Excited to have Dr. John Bernard as
one of our GDC speakers! #2019GDC  
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GA Dairy Classifieds

Young Stock Supervisor wanted - 
Hart Agriculture Waynesboro GA
Grazing 500-1000 animals, 
Must be familiar with rotational grazing and breeding
Please contact Maggie 352-507-2042 or  maggie@hartagriculture.com
 
Dairy Manager wanted - 
Hart Agriculture Waynesboro GA
300-700 milking cows, 
60 bale rotary, New Zealand style grazing system
Please contact Maggie 352-507-2042 or  maggie@hartagriculture.com

Heifers for Sale (SC): 
18 Bred Registered Holstein Heifers. Big heifers 6 Due in November, 5 Due in December, 3 Due in March  50 years in the Dairy business, Top herd in South Carolina. RHA 25,000, Closed Herd, All AI Sired, all AI Bred, and  Vaccinated. Contact: Debbie Glenn at  864-376-8582.

Bull Calves WANTED: Competitive pricing with 6 day a week pickup. Brandon Mason Cattle Company 912-632-4490

For HIRE: Southeast DHIA 
has a position to fill in the 
West Central Georgia area for a 
FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN. 
 Responsibilities include data 
collection on area dairy farms 
during milking time. S
chedule is somewhat flexible 
but the hours are non-typical. S
ome travel and out-of-town 
work likely. 
Applicants should be comfortable 
with computers and software and
have good communication and 
organizational skills as well as 
reliable transportation. Pickup Truck required. I
f interested send a resume to 

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 Sale 3000 gallon Surge/Westfalia milk tank and wash system. Three phase condensers. 2002 model. Excellent condition. John B Gay, 478-494-5107

WANTED: DeLaval Westfalia
 Neck Transponders:  TN Dairy seeking used Westfalia neck band transponders. 
Please contact Bill or Peggy Howell if interested at 423-972-9254 or 423-371-3032.

WANTED: Looking for used pasteurizing and bottling equipment in working condition; Linda and Darrell Rankins, Jr.; 334-745-2357 (best times: mid-day and after 8 p.m.)

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.

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     
Upcoming Events:


Jan. 22 - Feb. 1 GA Ag Forecast Series, click here for more information

Feb. 6 - GA Agribusiness Council's Legislative Breakfast, click here for more information
GA Milk Producers|706.310.0020|  gamilkproducers@gmail.com|  www.gamilk.org