2021 | August 6 GMP E Newsletter
Georgia Milk Producers Weekly Enews
Research explains why cool cows can provide more milk
From UGA via The Dairy Site

With increasing global temperatures, dairy cattle face heat stress more frequently throughout the year than in the past. Thanks to cooling technology, dairy cattle can enjoy a better quality of life, but farmers and consumers may wonder if cattle comfort results in more milk.

A study conducted by University of Georgia researchers determined that dairy cattle cooled with fans and sprinklers respond better to heat stress, produce more milk and have healthier mammary glands.
\
In a recently published article in the Journal of Dairy Science, UGA scientists determined how evaporative cooling and zinc sources in feed impact mammary glands and heat-shock responses in lactating dairy cattle. The article was authored by Ruth Marisol Orellana Rivas while she completed her doctoral degree in dairy science under the guidance of associate professor Sha Tao and now Professor Emeritus John Bernard in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Read more here>>>
From Progressive Dairy Editor Dave Natzke

Lower U.S. fluid milk consumption and higher export volumes are changing the balance of how U.S. total milk solids are being sold. Based on calculations by Progressive Dairy, it’s likely the U.S. exported more total milk solids (butterfat, protein and other solids) during the first five months of 2021 than were consumed domestically through fluid product sales.
Here are some numbers contributing to that conclusion (Table 1).

1. U.S. milk production was estimated at 95.96 billion pounds between January-May 2021. (Historically, about 99.5% of all production is marketed.)

2. Milk is approximately 87% water and 13% total solids (milkfat and nonfat solids). Milkfat carries the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. The solids-not-fat portion consists of protein (primarily casein and lactalbumin), carbohydrates (primarily lactose) and minerals (including calcium and phosphorus). Milk also contains significant amounts of riboflavin and other water-soluble vitamins.

USDA analysis shows milk marketed through Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs) over that five months averaged 4% butterfat and 9% nonfat solids, or about 13% total solids. If component percentages are similar across all U.S. milk, that translates into total milk solids production of about 12.47 billion pounds. Read more here>>>
School Meals Supply Chain Issues During School Year 2021-202
From USDA

As school food authorities (SFAs) work towards reopening for school year (SY) 2021-2022, some child nutrition program operators are concerned about possible challenges in purchasing and receiving food through their normal channels. Specifically, some SFAs have experienced unanticipated cancellation of food and supply contracts, lack of availability of certain foods, unexpected substitution of food products, and increased food and supply prices. As a result, some SFAs are voicing concerns about their ability to obtain the types, amounts, and variety of foods needed to serve reimbursable meals consistent with prior planning.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is committed to working together with state agencies, SFAs, the food industry, and other stakeholders to communicate school food supply chain challenges and to identify solutions. For SY 2021-2022, USDA has provided school meal program flexibilities, waivers, and training resources to help states and SFAs navigate supply chain issues and provide nutritious school meals that children need to learn, grow, and be healthy. Read more here>>>
DAIRY ‘CLIFFHANGERS’ NEED RESOLUTION
From NMPF

Cliffhangers are great in movies, but they’re frustrating in public policy. Congress is entering its traditional August recess with a big not-yet-done list on topics ranging from infrastructure to immigration. For the sake of dairy farmers, we’d like to see faster movement.

But hope and hard work are dairy strengths, and we at NMPF continue our efforts to make sure that at least some of these cliffhangers resolve quickly and positively. Each gain, big and small, improves livelihoods. Here are a few cliffhangers awaiting resolution as lawmakers leave Washington and head to their districts to reconnect at county fairs and town halls. (Feel free to tell them NMPF says hello.)

  • USDA’s Dairy Donation Program. This initiative provides compensation for dairy-product donations, with support retroactive to last Dec. 27. The $400 million program, part of a COVID relief package Congress approved that month, is largely ready to go, thanks to USDA’s diligence, but it’s awaiting signoff from the White House Office of Management and Budget. Final details are expected to be worked out soon, encouraging dairy community efforts to aid needy families through food banks and other distributors.
  • Direct Producer Support. USDA has indicated plans to offer details within the next few weeks on other COVID-related initiatives to provide direct relief to dairy producers. In response to NMPF entreaties, USDA is seeking to reimburse dairy producers for uncompensated losses they’ve suffered when traditional milk price relationships were turned upside down last year. Meanwhile, the Supplemental DMC program would allow producers whose annual production was below 5 million pounds in 2014, but has modestly increased, to receive corresponding payments. This not only aids small producers; it increases the amount of money available to dairy in the next farm bill. Finally, we’re seeking to correct a flaw in last year’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program to help producers who experienced serious losses due to the pandemic but saw their assistance hindered by CFAP payment caps. NMPF has spearheaded efforts to remedy this imbalance with USDA.
  • Programs that advance dairy’s Net Zero Initiative goals. As NMPF’s Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, Paul Bleiberg, noted in a recent NMPF podcast, Congress is making progress in several areas that will help dairy reach its ambitious goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Growing Climate Solutions Act, which passed the U.S. Senate by a 92-8 vote in June, encourages better-functioning environmental markets, which will help farmers achieve the industry’s net zero goal. Meanwhile, an investment tax-credit bill for greenhouse-gas-reducing technologies is making headway on Capitol Hill, and Congress is considering enhancing conservation policy to encourage climate-friendly agricultural practices and markets that compensate farmers for being stewardship leaders.
  • Finally, addressing dairy’s ag-labor crisis. Perpetually among the heaviest lifts in Congress, agricultural labor reform has at least some momentum this year via the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in March. Senate discussions remain behind-the-scenes, but we have positioned dairy prominently in this debate via the many opportunities we’ve had to spotlight dairy’s labor needs, ranging from a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on agricultural labor issues and public events with key federal officials to the inclusion of language expanding the current H-2A visa program to accommodate dairy in a recent appropriations bill. These are the types of smaller actions that lead to larger ones, and we will continue this drumbeat to prod Congress to get the job done.

This list, of course, isn’t comprehensive. Dairy’s activities in Washington range widely, from legislation on school milk and plant-based product labeling to forceful advocacy on trade. And other issues, especially those related to milk pricing, are sure to heat up in the months ahead, leaving no shortage of suspense in Washington.

But progress does occur, and we’re looking forward to seeing more progress soon. Washington may be taking a “break,” but we aren’t. And we look forward to helping to resolve at least a few “cliffhangers” in the weeks and months to come.
August 2021 Dixie Dairy Report
From Calvin Covington

In this issue:

  • Overview
  • Milk Production
  • Fluid milk sales
  • Inventories
  • Blend prices

Click here to view price report
Fact check: Indents on milk jugs help control volume, stability
From USA Today

The claim: Indent on milk jug pops out when milk is old

You've spent years sniffing sour milk and squinting at expiration dates, but have you missed a more obvious sign of dairy spoilage?

A July 24 Facebook post shared by over 60,000 users says yes: Just look at the circular indent found on the sides of some plastic milk jugs.

"How old were you ... when you found out ... the circle on the milk pops out when it’s old?” says the meme, which shows an indented milk jug. USA TODAY reached out to user who posted the meme for comment.

 "About 15 seconds ago and my Dad was a Milkman!" says one of the more than 500,000 comments.

The pop-science explanation for this theory is that gas produced by the bacteria in milk will eventually build up, forcing the indent to pop out. Read more here>>>
5 Olympic Athletes Who Refuel With Real Milk
From Taylor Leach, Dairy Herd Management

Becoming an Olympic athlete is no easy feat. It requires passion, dedication and a true competitive edge. Not to mention the thousands of hours of intense training accompanied by a strategic diet. For most Olympians, these diets incorporate carbohydrates, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and lots of protein. While each diet might look different for every athlete, these Olympians competing in the 2020 Olympic Games share one common diet staple to fuel their bodies: REAL milk.
 
Elle Purrier St. Pierre – Track
Elle Purrier St. Pierre, a Vermont dairy farmer turned world-renowned track star, is not shy about sharing her passion for dairy products. This farm girl fueled by dairy can be seen enjoying a cold glass of milk after a long run or a protein-packed slice of cheese after an intense workout.

One fun fact: This dairy farmer’s daughter grew up on her family’s farm where she would head to the barn before school each morning to milk 40 cows. Read more here>>>
Other Stories to Check Out This Week >>>
GA Dairy Classifieds

TO ADVERTISE: EMAIL AD AND CONTACT INFORMATION TO FARRAH NEWBERRY at gamilkproducers@gmail.com

Looking for calves for 200 head calf barn with auto feeders in Arcadia
FL: Please call Brian 863-444-0060

Delaval meters, Germania entrance and exit gates with tailboards and indexing tail, Muller plate cooler, receiving jar, filter housing and lowline stainless pipeline. Serious inquiries call 864-617-5911, Iris Barham
Expanding or looking for top quality herd replacement?
Available at all times: 
Fresh two and three year old's and total herds; Also springing heifers and heifers of all ages.  Service age bulls with top genetics available all year round. All different breeds and crossbreds also available. Last two loads of fresh two and three year olds Holsteins went on the trucks averaging 115 lbs and 112 lbs! One load to TN and the other to Wisconsin.
Contact:
Les McCracken 
608-214-6484. Cell
608-879-2653. Fax

Seeking fulltime farm worker at heifer replacement farm in Eatonton, GA. If interested, please contact Mike Rainey at 706-473-0730.

Seeking Beef and dairy crossed bullcalves/heifers bottled or weaned. Please contact Victoria Rowland at 404-922-0938 or 423-946-5869

Will Raise Heifers for GA Dairy Farms: Hello we are located in Southern Illinois and have an abundance of pasture and cheap feed available looking to contract with a dairy to grow heifers for them, out location offers mild climate and we are just 558 miles from Montezuma Ga. Please contact 817-528-6645 very reasonable daily rates.

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 Archie Felder for more information at 803-682-3426:
  • Dairy Tech Bay Pasturizer - $4,000
  • Tidenberg Hydraulic Hoof Table (like new) - $5,000
  • Claas Silage Choppers - 960 1875 cutterhead hours, 4WD, 600 orbis, HD300 PU - $180,000
  • Koomin John Deere Corn Header adapter for Claus Silage Chopper Used - $6,000
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

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