Georgia Milk Producers Weekly Enews |
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Two tropical storms may be in the Gulf of Mexico early next week
By Dr. Pam Knox, UGA Extension
As you may know, there are two tropical depressions currently active in the Atlantic basin and they are both expected to strengthen to named storms and eventually hurricanes as they approach the Gulf of Mexico. TD14, the western depression, is predicted to move NW and cross the Yucutan Peninsula of Mexico before moving into the western Gulf and making landfall somewhere in Texas or Louisiana on Tuesday night.
For the Southeast, the bigger threat is TD13, which is moving WNW and is expected to move north of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and Cuba before approaching the Florida peninsula on Monday. There is a chance it could make an initial landfall in southern Florida before moving into the eastern Gulf and moving NW to make a landfall somewhere along the north coast of the Gulf in Florida or Alabama, also on Tuesday night, as a low-category hurricane. This is a very rare event to have two storms so close together making landfall at essentially the same time, but I guess that is 2020 for you. Most of Florida, southwest Georgia and southeast Alabama are now in the 5-day cone which describes where the center of the storm is likely to be, so folks in those areas should be increasing preparations. Impacts occur outside the cone, too, so if you are anywhere near the Gulf Coast, you will want to watch carefully. With the track as currently predicted, Florida and Georgia are likely to be on the right side of the storm center where the heaviest rain and wind usually occur, along with isolated tornadoes and storm surge along the coast. Folks in northern AL and GA as well as the Carolinas are not off the hook, either, because we don’t know where the storm will go after it makes landfall, although it should weaken onshore. Still could drop quite a bit of rain, though, depending on its speed.
Since neither of the storms are well developed yet, there will continue to be a lot of uncertainty about their eventual tracks. This is compounded by the chance for the two storms to interact as they approach the Gulf Coast, which could also affect their movements. I will continue to post daily updates as we see how these storms evolve. Remember that there is also another area of development in the eastern Atlantic Ocean to watch, and more waves lined up to come off the coast of Africa in the next few weeks during the heart of the Atlantic tropical season. Hold onto your hats!
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Milking madness: Morgan County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers host dairy day
By Leila Scoggins, Lake Oconee News
On Saturday, Aug. 15, The Morgan County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers hosted a unique Back to School Dairy Splash learning experience for children and adults alike.
“The 2nd Annual Back to School Dairy Splash was a success,” said Jay Moon. “The Morgan County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers are happy to be able to give back to our community and promote agricultural literacy through community events like the Back to School Dairy Splash. The Morgan County Area is home to over 25 dairy farming families who produce milk for dairy products daily.” Families were greeted by meeting a 2-month-old Holstein cow. Volunteers explained to the children and their parents that the baby cow did not have all its teeth and was trying to nurse on their hands.
The families then found a space in front of the Georgia Mobile Dairy Classroom to learn about how a cow is milked. Nicole Karstedt told the families that the cow on the trailer’s name was Jazzy and that she was 4 years old. Jazzy, a jersey cow, gets milked twice a day and produces about five gallons of milk a day. According to Karstedt, Jazzy has had three babies and at the time of the presentation was pregnant with her fourth calf.
Karstedt began by showing how to milk Jazzy with her hands but then hooked her to a machine to be milked. Another local dairy farmer at the event told the children that she has 1,100 cows at her farm and that they each get milked three times a day.
At the end of the presentation, Karstedt asked children questions to see what they had learned. The children were given books for correct answers. Following the presentation, each learner was given a coloring book and coupon to get their free ice cream from the Scoops truck. Read more here>>>
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From Progressive Dairy Editor Dave Natzke
After limiting year-over-year milk production growth to about 0.5% in the second quarter of the year, July 2020 output bounced up about 1.5% compared to a year earlier, according to the USDA’s monthly Milk Production report, released Aug. 19. The increase was fueled by higher milk prices that were incentive enough for producers to reverse a three-month trend to cut cow numbers but limited by very modest growth in milk production per cow.
Also on Aug. 19, the USDA’s Ag Marketing Service announced the September 2020 Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) Class I base price of $18.44 per hundredweight (cwt). After peaking last month, the September price is down $1.34 from August 2020 but 59 cents more than September 2019. Through the first nine months of 2020, the Class I base price average is $16.65 per cwt, just 14 cents more than the same period a year ago. Read more here>>>
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A2 Milk's revenue jumps 91% in US
By Lillianna Byington, Fooddive
For years, the milk industry has been in decline. With fewer consumers drinking the staple and increased competition from discounted private label and milk alternatives, the industry has suffered. Major dairy companies, including Dean Foods and Borden Dairy, have filed for bankruptcy.
Amid the turmoil, many industry insiders have said that the key to bringing the category back to life is innovation. The A2 Milk Company is proving that prediction could be true.
Most milk products contain both A1 and A2 proteins, but research has found that A1 can cause stomach discomfort. A2 Milk sells dairy products that only contain the A2 protein. The company works with U.S. dairy farmers to identify cows that naturally only produce that protein type, and process their milk separately. Consumers can now buy A2 Milk at more than 20,000 stores across the United States, nearly double its retail presence last year. Read more here>>
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Duvall: Dairy producers need a voice in milk pricing
By Zippy Duvall, AgriPulse, American Farm Bureau Federation
Farmers and ranchers from across the country approved policy at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting last January in support of giving dairy farmers a voice in milk pricing. Now, in another lesson brought to us by COVID-19, milk pricing reform is more important than ever.
Cheese prices more than doubled from later April into June and now are down 33%. Meanwhile, fluid milk prices remain low due to a six-week advance in the announcement of prices. Milk pricing has long been complicated, and many milk producers are, frankly, fed up. Read more here>>>
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By Ron Mortensen for Progressive Dairy
Last week’s derecho (high winds) in the Midwest was a stark reminder of how Mother Nature is in charge. This was one of the big events that changes how a year of farming turns out, especially if you are in the center of it. There are so many pictures of flat corn and snapped corn, plus lots of ruined grain bins. Some of this event will be covered by crop insurance, wind insurance and property/casualty insurance. It still is a big deal.
Control what you can control. Think about all the risks you have on your dairy farm. There are a lot of them. Some are small and some are big. Some can be covered by insurance or risk management tools. Some are uninsurable. Read more here>>>
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Entry Deadline for Inaugural Dairyland Classic Dairy Show is September 1st
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By Maggie Gilles, Hoard’s Dairyman
From 1990 to 2010, the United States saw constantly expanding school-age populations. Since then, the number of students in school have dropped significantly, and that’s not something that’s expected to change. As overall national population numbers hold steady, it’s expected that school numbers will be flat or falling.
“Sales to schools are currently running about 7% but the share of sales has also been slightly declining,” he said of school’s share of fluid milk sales. “So, we’re getting a smaller share of a declining base, and of course, that’s concerning.”
The declining base is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to challenges presented by the school market.Read more here>>>
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By Donna Berry, Berry on Dairy Blog
It happened. My husband and I got our two sons settled into the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign this week and we are empty nesters. (I’m loving it!) They are part of Gen Z, the most ethnically diverse generation in U.S. history. And, sadly, a generation that does not know how to address an envelope. They also won’t ever have a checkbook, need quarters for laundry or have to work with college roommates to claim their calls on the long-distance phone bill.
They are also your most important customer. They just spent the past five months close to home and eating at home, where all types of dairy foods were being served, as is or in recipes. The dairy industry needs to keep them buying dairy, so focus in on their needs and wants.
Gen Z encompasses those between eight and 23 years old, and represent more than a quarter (26%) of the U.S. population. The American Egg Board chronicles this young generation in a recently published white paper, “Gen Z: A New Generation to Feed.” It explores this generation’s preferences and identifies food and beverage market opportunities. You can download it HERE. (I highly recommend it. Great info!) Read more here>>>
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Decline in milk consumption by children in school lunch programs may affect future health
By Elsevier, Medical Press
Fluid milk consumption among children is vital, as adequate consumption of dairy products, especially during childhood, has beneficial health outcomes later in life. These benefits include reduced risk of osteoporosis, hypertension, obesity, and cancer in adulthood. Milk consumption among children has been declining for decades, so understanding and fulfilling the needs of children is crucial to reverse the decline. In an article appearing in the Journal of Dairy Science, scientists from North Carolina State University and Cornell University studied key contributors to increasing milk consumption among children.
Factors evaluated in the study included food trends, nutritional and school meal program requirements, children's perceptions and preferences, and environmental influences. Among these influences, flavor and habit were the primary drivers for long-term milk consumption. Intrinsic factors ranged in influence over milk preference in the examination, showing that flavoring, heat treatment, and sweeteners positively correlated with higher milk consumption. Extrinsic factors, such as social influence (i.e., peers, parents or caregivers, and school staff), packaging, and health benefits, all affected children's attitudes toward milk as well. Read more here>>>
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GENYOUth and Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation Provide $100,000 Grant to Atlanta Public Schools to Help Feed Students During COVID-19 Pandemic
From The Dairy Alliance
GENYOUth, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to creating healthier school communities, announced today the donation of $100,000 to its COVID-19 Emergency School Meal Delivery Fund by the Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation. The donation, along with support from GENYOUth in partnership with The Dairy Alliance, will provide micro-grants for Atlanta Public Schools, one of Georgia’s largest districts, as it prepares to nourish students during the unprecedented 2020-2021 school year.
Due to school disruptions caused by the pandemic, school meal distribution will be more logistically complicated and costly this coming school year. While school cafeterias will be closed, the district will continue to provide vital school meals to students via school bus delivery and curbside pickup. In accordance with the new 2020-2021 Centers for Disease Control recommended guidelines, Kroger’s donation will support the purchase of insulated cooler bags to ensure the safe transport, delivery, and distribution of meals to students throughout the District.
A total of 54 Atlanta Public Schools are part of Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which provides all students with free breakfast and lunch. And an additional 21 schools will participate in the Federal Eligibility Application (FEA) program, which offers free and reduced-price meals to qualifying students. Atlanta Public Schools will continue participation in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program, which is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s school nutrition program. Read more here>>>
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Other Stories to Check Out This Week >>> |
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TO ADVERTISE: EMAIL AD AND CONTACT INFORMATION TO FARRAH NEWBERRY at gamilkproducers@gmail.com
UPDATED 8/14/20
For Sale - Productive 360 Cow Holstein Herd For Sale, Parlor/Freestall/AI Sired/Lots of Young Cows/2X 70# 4%F SCC-160K More information at www.kreegerdairy.com or call Chad at 517-294-3484
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 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
- 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
Bull Calves WANTED: Competitive pricing with 6 day a week pickup. Brandon Mason Cattle Company 912-632-4490
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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.
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