GA Milk Weekly Enews | June 19, 2020

2020 | June 19 GMP E Newsletter

Georgia Milk Producers Weekly Enews

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Industry Insights: Georgia Milk

From Georgia Grown

Before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the United States, dairy farm families faced drops in milk prices by roughly 40 percent over the last six years and fluid milk sales steadily declined year over year. For decades, population increase kept overall milk consumption stable, but that was not the case over this last decade. It became evident to dairy farmers producing for the gallon jug that if conditions continued, most would go out of business. There was a glut of milk on the market. Fewer meals were being prepared at home and competition with other beverage options like bottled water, energy drinks, and alternative milk beverages were driving milk sales down.

THEN COVID-19 HIT AND PANIC BUYING BEGAN.

Consumers filled their pantries and stocked their refrigerators. Milk was at the top of grocery lists as families began to prepare more meals at home. Panic buying led to a series of shocks in the dairy supply chain and then schools and restaurants shuttered. Grocery stores shelves became bare and milk supplies piled up in processing facilities forcing Georgia farmers to dump milk down the drain. Between March 28 and April 17, Georgia farmers dumped close to 100 tanker loads of milk, valued at $1 million.

COVID-19 has been a punch gut for the Georgia dairy industry and the financial impact of the pandemic will not be felt on the farm until June or July. Dairy markets are currently rebounding for the last half of 2020 and farmers hope that marketing conditions will stabilize and quickly recover to pre-pandemic levels. Read more here>>>

Changes in Dollar General Dairy Coolers in the Southeast; DG Fresh Distribution Centers Shift Available Brands

From MilkSheds Blog

Changes are happening in Dollar General dairy cases. In the southeast, this means that there will be visible changes in brands on the cooler shelves. In some cases, depending on location, this means that familiar ‘local’ brands, which supported farms in the immediate local area, will no longer be available to consumers in at their community Dollar General. Read more here>>>

RIGHT TO FARM LEGISLATION PASSES SENATE

From GA Agribusiness Council

Thursday, Georgia's Right to Farm bill cleared a huge milestone as the Senate passed HB 545, mainly along party lines. As the Senate Agriculture Committee made a few changes to the House version, and an unfriendly amendment was added on the floor of the Senate, the bill will now go back to the House for review and is likely headed to a conference committee to work out the final details. At this point in the session, keeping bills moving and in play is extremely important as the “sausage is made”.

Georgia’s Right to Farm Act had been tabled earlier in the session among a wave of misinformation spread by activist organizations with not-so-hidden opposition to production agriculture. Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Wilkinson has been working diligently in the Senate to push back against the misinformation campaigns and several paid advertorials that have popped up in newspapers across Georgia from activist organizations under the disguise of “concerned farmers”. His efforts, along with those from the well of the senate by Senators Tyler Harper, Ellis Black, Larry Walker, Steve Gooch , and others, proved to be vital to overcoming unfair attacks from the opposition with one Senator against the bill going as far as calling this effort to further protect farms in Georgia as an "abomination".

This fight is far from over but it's important that we all press forward as the legislation will impact everyone in agriculture regardless of if you grow poultry, cattle, cotton, cucumbers, turf grass, or operate an ag retail location. We’ve seen nuisance cases across the country dealing with all commodities and unfortunately these billboard attorneys have caught on in Georgia and believe they have found their next pay day.

If you have not already done so, please contact your State Senator and Representative and ask for their continued support to pushing HB 545 across the finish line.

Tift team wins state 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl

From Albany Herald

More than 25 students participated in the 2020 Georgia 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl on June 5, offered virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The contest is supported by The Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation and Milk Check-Off.

“I am incredibly proud of all of the young people that participated in the 2020 Georgia 4-H State Dairy Quiz Bowl competition,” Jillian Bohlen, a University of Georgia assistant professor and UGA Cooperative Extension dairy science specialist, said. “Not only have they proven their dedication to this event, but also their ability to remain steadfast to the competition even during these challenging times. This year, I commend each of them for not only participating but ultimately epitomizing each of the four Hs, by remaining loyal to this event and using their knowledge to lift up the dairy industry in the most health-conscious way possible.”

Youths participating in the quiz bowl gain knowledge of dairy-related topics and learn to demonstrate that knowledge in a competitive and thought-stimulating environment, as well as receive important life skills such as confidence, independence and compassion. They also have the opportunity to strengthen their decision-making and leadership skills in an environment that allows contribution to a group effort, encouraging teamwork and collaboration with a diverse group of peers. Read more here>>>

Milk industry transformer, ex-Dean CEO Engles leads team winning bid for Borden

From Sherry Bunting, Farmshine, June 19, 2020 edition

WILMINGTON, Del. — A team — led by Gregg Engles the transformative ex-CEO of what was modern-day Dean Foods — is poised to gain control of Borden Dairy Company, which includes six of the 11 plants the DOJ required Engles’ Suiza / Dean merger to divest in 2001 to then DFA-led National Dairy.

Pending bankruptcy court approval, the Borden Dairy Company and its iconic mascot Elsie will be purchased by New Dairy OpCo, LLC. The company referred to as “New Dairy” in court documents was formed June 1 by KKR & Co., a major creditor in the Borden bankruptcy joining forces with Capitol Peak Partners, a firm founded by Engles and his partner Ed Fugger, a former executive with Engles in the 2012 Dean spin off WhiteWave.

Borden named New Dairy as the successful bidder in bankruptcy court documents filed Monday afternoon, June 15.

A sale hearing is rescheduled for Tuesday, June 23 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of Delaware with Judge Christopher Sontchi presiding. Read more here>>>

St. Paul AME Church in Macon feeds families with food drive

From WMAZ Macon

Volunteers at St. Paul AME Church were out bright and early to provide food for anyone in need, partnering with the Farms to Families program to give away groceries.

Watch Video here>>>

St. Paul AME Church in Macon feeds families with food drive

Tag @TheVarsity1928 and ask them to put P.C. back on the Menu!

Yellow Dog

Walk a Dog

Yankee Dog

No matter what your go-to Varsity order is, it’s just not the same without P.C. (chocolate milk).

Join the movement and help us bring P.C. back to The Varsity by posting a picture and tagging us to make sure your voice is heard – don’t forget to use the hashtag #notJV from Milk on My Mind

Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness Wrap-Up Webinar

From Penn State Extension

If you received a Paycheck Protection Program Loan, please join us for the Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness Wrap-Up live webinar to learn the latest guidance on how to apply for loan forgiveness and what documentation is needed for your application. This webinar will walk participants through the forgiveness application process and will include up to date information to assist you in completing your Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness application.

When Wed., Jun. 24, 2020 (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET)

Webinar Access: The link to access the webinar is provided immediately upon completion of registration in your registration confirmation email.

This webinar is applicable to all recipients of a Paycheck Protection Program Loan including sole proprietors, independent contractors, LLCs, farm and food business owners, and other small business owners. This event is being offered at no charge to participants. Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinar.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Georgia beef producers to vote on continuation of state check-off

From GA Farm Bureau

Georgia beef producers will vote in a mail referendum scheduled for June 1-30 on whether they will renew the assessment they currently pay to fund the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Beef established by the Georgia legislature at the request of Georgia cattlemen in 2014.

Georgia Beef producers approved by vote a marketing order that established a $1 per head assessment on all cattle sold in Georgia for beef with a value over $100. This includes beef breeds as well as dairy breeds sold to be used for beef.

By law, beef producers must vote every three years to determine if they want to continue the market order. Georgia beef producers re-affirmed the market order in 2017.

Funds from the assessments are used to fund research, education, and promotion projects for the Georgia cattle producers. In the five years since the assessment began, more than $2.5 million has been committed to research projects with the University of Georgia that help producers with production issues and for state education and promotion programs which benefit Georgia beef producers.

Beef producers should receive a ballot in the mail, but if they do not by June 10, they can call 404-656-3680 or go to www.GABeefBallot.com . Ballots and the back of the return envelope must be filled out for the ballot to be considered as eligible. Ballots must also be postmarked by June 30.

2020 Corn Silage Virtual Tour

Sponsored by University of Georgia and University of Florida

Join UF and UGA Animal Science and Agronomy faculty along with our guests from 14 companies showcasing the best corn hybrids for silage in Florida this June 11.Our special thanks for Dekalb, Syngenta, Croplan Genetics, Sun Prairie Seeds, Pioneer, Dyna-Gro, Local Seed, Seedway, REV Brand, Augusta Seeds, Phoenix, MorCorn, AgraTech and UF corn breeding program.

More information on previous events at: https://animal.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/courses/csfd/

Scientific Panel on New Dietary Guidelines Draws Criticism From Health Advocates

By Andrew Jacobs , The New York Times

Are children who consume prodigious amounts of sugary drinks at higher risk for cardiovascular disease?

Can a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and legumes reduce the risk of hip fractures in older adults?

Should sweetened yogurts be a part of a healthy diet for toddlers making their first foray into solid food?

These and other nutrition-related questions will be addressed on Wednesday when a panel of 20 nutrition scientists , meeting publicly by videoconference , discusses suggested changes to the federal government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans , recommendations that directly impact the eating habits of millions of people through food stamp policies, school lunch menus and the product formulations embraced by food manufacturers.

The guidelines, updated every five years by the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services, have long prompted jousting among nutrition advocates and food industry interests, like pork producers and soda companies, seeking to influence the final document. But the process this year is especially fraught, given the Trump administration’s skepticism of science and its well-established deference to corporate interests. Read more here>>>

CFAP dairy payments near $667 million through June 15

By Progressive Dairy Editor Dave Natzke

The USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff were actively processing Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) applications last week, with direct dairy producer payments nearly doubling the total from the week before.

U.S. dairy producers received nearly $667 million in direct payments through CFAP as of June 15, up from $337 million on June 8. Dairy applications processed by FSA offices rose to 12,084, up from 7,706 a week earlier.

The USDA’s FSA began taking applications May 26. In the first three weeks of the application period, the top states for CFAP dairy payments were:

Wisconsin: $156.2 million – 2,975 applicants
California: $87.5 million – 538 applicants
New York: $79.1 million – 1,467 applicants
Pennsylvania: $38.6 million – 1,207 applicants
Michigan: $36.1 million – 510 applicants
Minnesota: $27.7 million – 1,012 applicants
Idaho: $25. 2 million – 198 applicants
Iowa: $20.7 million – 503 applicants
Washington: $20.1 million – 180 applicants
Texas: $18.2 million – 157 applicants

Find the complete list here.

Overall, the USDA FSA had approved nearly $2.9 billion in payments to more than 220,280 agricultural producers who applied for assistance through the CFAP as of June 15. In addition to dairy, payments totaled $1.4 billion to livestock producers, $758.4 million to producers of non-specialty crops and $53.3 million to producers of specialty crops. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 28, 2020, with application numbers and program payments announced each Monday. Read more here>>>

Rising Moon

By: Ryan Bright, Growing America

Whether it is working with youth or working on his family’s Georgia farm, Jay Moon is dedicated to dairy. His enthusiasm and passion for the dairy life that he fanned as a child and student still burns today after graduating college.

Riding on a four-wheeler to go fetch the cows for milking time was one of Jay’s first farm chores as a youngster. “I was soon raking hay and feeding calves. Every kid loves feeding baby calves,” he laughed. Like his brother, Hunter, he was working alongside his parents and helping perform all of the daily tasks on the farm as he grew up. To say dairy was in his blood is only an understatement. His love for the dairy and farming industry was only starting to grow. Read more here>>>

Changes to Livestock Risk Protection Improve Valuable Risk Management Tool

By Michael Nepveux, American Farm Bureau Federation

On June 9, USDA’s Risk Management Agency announced changes to the Livestock Risk Protection insurance program for swine, fed cattle and feeder cattle. The improvements, which include moving premium due dates and increasing premium subsidies, will be implemented by July 1 for the 2021 crop year. In addition to the changes, RMA is authorizing additional flexibilities, spurred by the coronavirus, for producers working with approved insurance providers. 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 .

2021 Dairy Margin Coverage Program Enrollment to Begin in October

By Anna-Lisa Laca, Dairy Herd Management

Enrollment for 2021 safety-net protection under the Dairy margin Coverage (DMC) program will begin October 12, USDA announced on Thursday. More than 13,000 operations enrolled in the program for the 2020 calendar year and thousands more wished they would have.

“If we’ve learned anything in the past six months, it’s to expect the unexpected,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “Nobody would have imagined the significant impact that current, unforeseen circumstances have had on an already fragile dairy market. It’s during unprecedented times like these that the importance of offering agricultural producers support through the delivery of Farm Bill safety-net programs such as DMC becomes indisputably apparent.” Read more here>>>

Hidden Sources of Feed Shrink

By Jim Dickrell, Dairy Herd Management

There are the usual sources of shrink out of bunkers and commodity barn bays—excessive spoilage, wind, birds and rodents.

But there are some sources of shrink you might not think of, but that can be causing substantial losses in terms of feed used, ration formulation and poor performance. Among these:

• Poor sampling technique. Pulling just one feed sample from the face of a corn silage bunker can lead to a false assessment to what quality of the feed being stored, says Pedro Melendez, a veterinarian and dairy specialist with the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia.

For example, starch levels in a feed pile of corn silage can vary. In one case, Melendez found starch levels varied from a low of 25 percent to a high of 35 percent. The average of the pile was 31.1 percent. If you simply sample once and happen to pick the area where starch is 25 percent, you will be underestimating the feed value by 6.1 percentage units. “If we use this number for the feed formulation, we will most likely have to add more corn grain to the diet, unnecessarily, to achieve the desired starch value of the diet,” he says. Read more here>>>

DAIRY DEFINED: RISING MILK SALES BUST ‘DEATH OF DAIRY’ MYTH

From National Milk Producers Federation

For years, a variation of this sentence has appeared in nearly every news story that touches on fluid milk consumption: “Milk sales are down while plant-beverages are rising.”

It’s easy shorthand to use because while it has been a factually accurate statement in its own limited scope, it can be used toward fantastical ends, such as overhyping the rise of plant-based drinks or crafting a false narrative about dairy trends when dairy, as a whole, is seeing its highest per-capita consumption levels in decades. The assertion will never require a correction in a newspaper, so it persists.

Except … it’s no longer true. The coronavirus crisis appears to be resetting consumer grocery habits, and early signs are that that some of these changes — including increased milk purchases — are continuing as the country re-opens. If current trends hold, milk’s revival may finally force a revision of one of the few non-fake talking points the “death of dairy” myth ever had.

This year’s data tells the story. While milk outsells plant-based imitators by a margin more than 10 to 1, 2020 began as another year of slow decline for milk sales in stores. And indeed, as the shorthand would have it, plant-based volumes were increasing.