2020 | Jan 10 GMP E Newsletter
Georgia Milk Producers Weekly Enews
2020 GA Dairy Conference Producer Update
We are only 10 days away from the 2020 GA Dairy Conference!! It's shaping up
to be our largest conference with over 80 vendor tables in our tradeshow! Here are a few updates:

MLK Celebration Parade  on Mon. January 20: For guest and dairymen arriving to Savannah on Monday morning: Please be aware of the 2020 MLK Holiday Parade. The parade will begin at 10 a.m.     Click here for the parade route and map. It will last for at least one or two hours (300+ floats)

REGISTER TODAY!! The Georgia Dairy Conference is the place where all aspects of dairy come together in the Southeast to discuss what's important for today and tomorrow.  Let us know you are joining us - REGISTER TODAY!! Registration for the GA Dairy Conference is here!     As always, registration for GA Dairy Farm Families is free !

Georgia Dairy Farm Families : 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! 
 
Continuing Education Hours : Certified waste operators can receive one (1) continuing education credit (CEU) hour during the Georgia Dairy Conference. To obtain your attendance certificate, you must attend Dr. Deanne Meyer’s presentation, titled “Managing Dairy Manure in the Central Valley of California” on Tuesday, January 21 at 8:00 a.m. Veterinary (5 hours) and ARPAS (10 hours) CEUs are also available for those interested, registration for these CEUs will be available at the GDC registration desk.

Parking at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott: Parking at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott has been reduced to $8 per day for those attending the Georgia Conference.

Dairy Spouses Event: This year, our spouses will fellowship over breakfast, then participate in a DIY Cheese Board Workshop hosted by Brooke Saye of More Cheese Please . The class will include all of the supplies and ingredients to craft your very own take-home (or enjoy there) cheeseboard spread. Saye will share techniques on how to build your board and will provide a take home cheat sheet that you can use to prepare your next charcuterie spread! Please let us know if you plan to participate at the registration table.
Another long-standing U.S. dairy product manufacturer has initiated voluntary reorganization proceedings under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

In  a press release  dated Jan. 5, Borden officials announced the company had filed for Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the District of Delaware.

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Borden operates about a dozen milk processing plants and nearly 100 branches across the U.S. that produce and distribute nearly 500 million gallons of milk annually.
“We need to raise new investor capital so that we can continue to innovate with new products, modernize our facilities and equipment, and improve Borden’s ability to compete in today’s market,” according to Borden. Read more here>>>
The Court issued an Order, posted late on Jan. 8th, which did indeed authorize Borden to pay independent farmers and co-ops, but there is some leeway as to the amount those producers and handlers might be paid. Independent producers especially are encouraged to   read the full 7 pgs. of the Order found here ,  and perhaps consult with an attorney for interpretation and clarification. Some situations may differ per state laws and milk bonding statutes.
Why Borden Dairy’s Bankruptcy Filing Might Be A Glass-Half-Full Scenario
By Louis Biscotti , Forbes
Borden is a smaller boat to turn around, employing 3,300 with 13 milk processing plants and roughly 100 branches, producing 500 million gallons of milk annually, serving 9,000 schools.

Looking beyond Borden’s bankruptcy filing, there are signs the company has been charting a new course, sometimes based on the past. AdAge in 2000 recognized Elsie, the symbol of the Borden brand, as one of the 20th century’s top 10 advertising icons. Borden last year reintroduced Elsie and has been rolling out products. Read more here>>>
Our early experiences with robotic milking
By Caitlin Rodgers, Georgia dairy farmer
We started milking in our robot barn two months ago, and we are learning new things every day.

It’s been a while since we have written a blog as we have been busy starting up our milking robots. I figured it was time to fill in everyone on how things went, how they are going now, and the goals we have set.

We were milking around 390 cows three times a day in a double-12 parlor. We retrofitted our freestall barn to accommodate five VMS 300 robots in free flow style.

Our plans from the beginning were to downsize our herd. We knew that this number could vary, but we had some idea of how many cows we could have per robot. The newer style VMS are built to have a faster stall time for each cow. This meant instead of our original plan to buy six classic robots, we could go with five of the newer style robots because they can milk more cows in 24 hours.

Years of prepping and planning took place before we made this change to our farm. The plans and blueprints were continuously changing and still are, even though we have been up and running solely on robots for some time now. We teach ourselves new things and ways to do things in our barn each day. We have been steadily adding chutes, rails, and concrete in places we had not thought about before the actual start up .
Feed planning offers financial wiggle room
By Maggie Gilles, Associate Editor , Hoard's Dairyman
“With 60 to 65 percent of the milk check going toward feeding/feed costs, this has a huge impact on farm profitability,” explained Leatherbrook Holsteins’ Adam Graft. In the January 10, 2020, Round Table “These farms excel from field to feedbunk,” the Georgia dairyman detailed how his focus on the feeding program helps the financial health of his dairy.

“The feed center location and design (and staging forage) have saved us approximately 15 minutes on every load of feed. Not only does that save labor but it reduces hours on equipment, diesel, and such.” Read more here>>>
Dairy Report: Dairy Farmers Pay Employees More Than Ever Before
By Anna-Lisa Laca, Dairy Herd Management
A recent survey from Farm Journal found employees across the agriculture industry continue to struggle to find and keep employees. The study found dairy producers are paying more now than they ever have before. 
The survey included more than 2,000 farmers, of which 160 were dairy producers. Of the surveyed dairy farmers, 87% of them a more than they did five years ago. In fact, one responded said an increase in mandatory pay and overtime regulations will force them to sell his farm.

While 58% of employers said they have raised wages to attract employees, very few offer employee benefits. Additionally, a handful of the surveyed producers milked their cows with robots but the majority didn’t. Most farmers surveyed said milking positions are the hardest to fill and retain. Read more here>>>
Want to Keep Dairy Relevant in 2020? Mama Got This
By Donna Berry, Berry on Dairy
Happy New Year! It’s only 10 days into 2020 and wowza, what more can happen? The world is in chaos while the fluid milk industry is in a state of flux. Coke now owns fairlife and Elsie is hoping the banks keep her alive to celebrate her 84th birthday this year. Wishing the best for our friends in Australia.

Inspiration—and hope--often come from the least likely sources. Returning from an anti-war rally yesterday afternoon with my two sons (concerned 17- and 20-year old men), our lyft driver reassured them that, “mamas make things better.”

That got me thinking. Dairy cows are mamas. Their milk—and the dairy foods made from their milk—are comforting. Not much beats a cold glass of milk with hot chocolate chip cookies when you’re feeling a little down, other than a pint of your favorite ice cream. For us stressed out mamas, it might be a glass of wine and some aged cheddar. Dairy is quite comforting in its many formats. Read more here>>>
The Coca-Cola Company Acquires Remaining Stake in fairlife LLC
From Coca Cola Corporation
ATLANTA, Jan. 3, 2020 – The Coca-Cola Company today announced that it has acquired the remaining stake in fairlife LLC from its joint venture partner Select Milk Producers. Coca-Cola now owns 100% of fairlife, up from its previous 42.5% minority stake. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

fairlife LLC, which launched in 2012, started with a high-protein milk shake called Core Power and has grown to offer a broad portfolio of products in the fast-growing value-added dairy category in North America.
fairlife will continue to operate as a stand-alone business based in Chicago.

“We are excited for the next chapter of fairlife’s growth and innovation and look forward to continuing to work with our partners across the Coca-Cola system to meet fast-changing consumer needs in a vibrant category,” fairlife CEO Tim Doelman said. “We set out in 2012 to harness the power and nutrition of dairy and give people great-tasting products that provide the nutrition they are looking for. Our innovative product lines will continue to grow and improve with the strength and scale of The Coca-Cola Company.” Read more here>>>
With three farms to run and fences to fix, there's no time to grieve
From Peter Brewer , Bega District News
In a face covered with grime, soot and charcoal, there was no hiding the terrible pain behind the eyes of Aaron Salway. Just over a week ago, he had lost his younger brother, Patrick, 29, and his father, Robert, 63, to the terrible firestorm that had ravaged the tiny farming hamlet of Wandella, just behind Cobargo on the Far South Coast. Read more here>>>
Other Stories to Check Out This Week >>>
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We are UDDERly excited to announce that GA dairy farmer, Mark Rodgers, of Hillcrest Farms will speak during our Tuesday afternoon session on Jan. 21! We can't wait to hear about his farm's transition to robotic milking and what the future holds for his family's farm. Be sure to attend this Tuesday session!! For more information, visit our website at  http://www.gadairyconference.com/   #2020GDC
Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium in February
The 31st Annual Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium will be held at the  Best Western Gateway Grand , Gainesville, Florida on February 3 to February 5, 2020. 

Georgia Agencies Partner to Host Feral Swine Workshops
From Southeast AgNet
Feral swine have become increasingly detrimental in Georgia, causing significant damage to agricultural crops and natural resources around the state. The economic impact of damage caused by feral swine in Georgia last year is estimated at $150 million.
So a group of agricultural and natural resource organizations, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s  Natural Resources Conservation Service  and the  Georgia Association of Conservation Districts , have partnered to host some of Georgia’s top experts on feral swine in a series of educational workshops for farmers and landowners. There will be eight workshops and trapping demonstrations throughout the state, four in Southeast Georgia and four in Northeast Georgia.

The first workshop will be held Jan. 30 at University of Georgia Extension in Lakeland, Georgia.

Topics will include disease issues, swine biology, water quality issues, effective control techniques, transport issues, public health and regulations to be followed by a question-and-answer panel of experts. There is no cost to attend the workshops, but space is limited and preregistration is required. More details and registration information is available at   GACD.us/events .
Upcoming Events >>>
GA Dairy Classifieds
TO ADVERTISE: EMAIL AD AND CONTACT INFORMATION TO FARRAH NEWBERRY at gamilkproducers@gmail.com

UPDATED 11/20/19

Position Available:
Assistant Dairy Manager (Animal Facilities Supervisor) UGA Tifton Research Dairy for more information please visit

The following are FOR SALE from Archie Felder. For more information call 1-803-682-3426 :
Dairy Tech Bag Pasturizer - $4,000
Tidenberg Hydraulic Hoof Table (like new) - $5,000
Hall stall sand leveler skid steer (never used) - $1,000
Mench Sand Trailer - $14,000
McLanahan 20 x 20 sand seperator - $25,000
Chiller Drake 24 hp, dual 12 hp scroll tank pumps, 3 phase - $10,000
Fans 3-phase w/brackets:
54" - $225/ea (18 available)
48" - $125/ea (20 available)
36" - $100/ea (20 available)
3000 Mueller Milk Tank - $5,000
20 springers 7 1/2 - 8 mos. pg - $1,450/ea (24,000 2x herd average)

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