2020 | July 24 GMP E Newsletter
Georgia Milk Producers Weekly Enews
Burger King Ditches TV Ad, Asks Leading Extension Scientist For Help
By  Rhonda Brooks , Agweb

Burger King pushed a lot of animal agriculture’s buttons last week with its new commercial, released July 14, touting the use of lemongrass in cows’ diets to reduce methane emissions by “up to 33%.”

The company’s goal to reduce methane and produce a more eco-friendly Whopper is a positive, acknowledges Frank Mitloehner, University of California-Davis air quality Extension specialist, department of animal science.

The negative: much of the information the fast food giant touted in the advertisement is inaccurate. Read more here>>>
Sweet Grass Dairy Expands its Retail Reach and New Packaging
By Anne Allen, Deli Market News

Two decades of unrivaled cheesemaking come to a head as the supplier ramps up for a massive retail expansion

Handcrafted cheeses are all the rave these days, on the shelf and the plate. With this in mind, Sweet Grass Dairy is revealing a new focus set to expand its reach with retail customers. With a dramatic increase in demand for its cheese over the past decade, the company is now building a large, new Thomasville, Georgia, production facility with a new packaging look also on the books.

“It was my mom and dad’s vision that if you take care of the grass, the grass will take care of the cows, and the cows will produce extremely high-quality milk,” explained Co-Owner Jessica Little. “Our cheeses became a way to showcase the amazing flavor and richness of the milk. We focus on simple recipes that let the flavors of the earth shine through, and people can taste the difference, and they can get excited about our mission and our cheeses.”

This new facility, scheduled to open sometime this year, allows the family to serve the demands of larger retail customers while also introducing Sweet Grass cheeses to new customers, according to a press release. Read more here>>>
Please fill out this quick survey
regarding the 2021 GA Dairy Conference

 Georgia Milk Producers, Inc. is excited to host the 2021 GA Dairy Conference in Savannah on January 18-20. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we are navigating the decisions for the event day by day and we take the safety, health and well-being of dairy farmers and attendees seriously. Like many other events, our conference is in an unpredictable position. We will continue to stay abreast of the situation moving forward providing regular updates and are working on a contingency plan in the event that the conference is postponed or cancelled. We look forward to seeing you at our event in January! 
GA Milk Producers is planning an in-person GA Dairy Conference for Jan. 2021. Will you attend?
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Are you a farmer or industry affiliate?
Farmer
Industry Affiliate
Update on Borden Dairy Sale
Progressive Dairy Editor Dave Natzke

The $340 million sale of Borden Dairy has been completed. The transaction allows the Borden business to remain intact, including all plants, branches, routes and the Borden brand. Capitol Peak assumed majority ownership of the new company, and KKR became a lender and minority equity investor.

Also, on July 20, Bloomberg reported that the new owners of Borden paid an additional $685,000 to keep using “Elsie the Cow” in marketing the company’s products.
USDA Releases Report on Investigation into Beef and Cattle Price Spread
By Michael Nepveux, AFBF Market Intel

Over the last year, the beef and cattle markets have experienced two unique “black swan” disruptions that impacted the markets in similar ways. The first event was the shutdown of a Tyson packing plant in Kansas for approximately four months after a significant fire. The second event is the spread of COVID-19 throughout the U.S. and its resulting impact on consumer spending and the beef supply chain. Following these events, the wholesale price of beef skyrocketed, while the price producers received for their cattle cratered.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue directed USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service to investigate the Tyson plant closing’s impacts on the beef and cattle markets. This investigation was later expanded to include the impacts of COVID-19 on these markets.

The purpose of this investigation is to examine whether any regulated entities violated the Packers and Stockyards Act by taking advantage of the disruptions through price manipulation, collusion, restrictions of competition or other unfair practices. On Wednesday, USDA  released  the Boxed Beef and Fed Cattle Price Spread Investigation Report. Prepared by AMS in coordination with USDA’s office of the chief economist, the report summarizes market conditions in the beef and cattle markets before and after the events and analyzes the events through an economic lens . Read more here>>>
UF Dairy Update - Summer 2020
From the University of Florida Animal and Dairy Science Dept.
 
This newsletter covers:
  • An Optimistic Turn on how COVID-19 has Impacted the Dairy Industry
  • New UF Institute to Address Food Production and Sustainability at a Global Scale
  • Death of L.E. “Red” Larson
  • UF Dairy Unit Facilities Update
  • Dairy Science Faculty Awards
  • Florida DHI Benchmark Results
  • ARS Animal Health National Program Assessment and Priorities Survey
  • Hurricane Preparation and Recovery Guides for Florida Dairy Producers
  • UF IFAS Dairy Unit 70 Years Old
 
Animal Agriculture Alliance launches Animal Ag Allies development program
From The Fencepost

The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced the launch of the Animal Ag Allies program to empower farmers, ranchers and practicing veterinarians to be outspoken advocates for agriculture online and within their communities. The alliance is currently seeking participants to enroll by Aug. 7.

The Animal Ag Allies program provides opportunities for networking, training, and continuous development of issue expertise and communication skills. Allies will be on the front lines of responding to emerging issues and sharing positive content about animal agriculture. Read more here>>>
’20 Sunbelt Ag Expo Cancelled
From Sunbelt Ag Expo

The Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition Board of Directors voted to cancel the 43rd Annual show scheduled for October 20-22, 2020.

North America’s Premier Farm Show, the Sunbelt Ag Expo, has provided a venue for the agricultural industry to conduct business for 42 years. For the first time, since it began in 1978, the gates at Spence Field will not open the third week in October to welcome farmers, their families and loyal exhibitors.

While the Expo staff has worked diligently over the past several months to put together an action plan that would enable a safe and successful show, it has become abundantly clear that we must change course. Unfortunately, we simply cannot safely blend networking, commerce and education while representing the rich history of the Sunbelt Ag Expo. Additionally, the board’s decision to cancel the 2020 Sunbelt Ag Expo was greatly impacted by its concern for valued attendees’ and exhibitors’ expenses, and their need to plan. Read more here>>>
July 2020 GA Milk Review
Our July 2020 GA Milk Review features a legislative wrap-up for Georgia Agriculture. Also, our Exec. Director shares her thoughts on the recent Burger King Ad.


PROPOSED SENATE RELIEF BILL INCLUDES MORE AID FOR FARMERS
By  Larry Lee , Brownfield Ag News
The U.S. The Senate’s next coronavirus relief package is proposing about 20-billion dollars in additional aid for farmers. Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee chair John Hoeven told reporters the 20-billion to USDA goes with the 14-billion already in the Commodity Credit Corporation account from the CARES Act passed in March, totaling about the same amount of relief proposed by the Democrat-controlled House in the HEROES Act. Hoeven told Agri-Pulse the 14-billion in CCC funds would give USDA about 33-to-35 billion in additional money for farmers.

The Senate package does not increase the Commodity Credit Corporation’s authority, but the North Dakota Republican has said the CCC account would likely be replenished in a continuing resolution later this year.

The Senate bill language is not final as nutrition funding and President Trump’s desire for a payroll tax cut have not been worked out.

Not all Republicans are on board with the proposed new round of relief. Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson says Congress should not authorize another dime of coronavirus relief until it evaluates what has been spent, determines what worked and what didn’t, and redirects nearly a trillion in relief money that hasn’t been spent or obligated yet.
Class I base jumps another $3 per cwt in August
By Progressive Dairy Editor Dave Natzke

At $19.78 per hundredweight (cwt), the August 2020 Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO)   Class I base price   rose $3.22 per cwt from July. On top of the $5.14 per cwt gain in July, the Class I base price has now risen $8.36 per cwt since bottoming out in June.

June-July milk price jumps could be record
After dropping a by record amount during a single month in April, the U.S. average all-milk price is poised to post two record-level increases in June and July, according to Peter Vitaliano, vice president of economic policy and market research with the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF).

Vitaliano, who compiles the NMPF/Dairy Management Inc. Dairy Market Report, noted that as of mid-July, dairy futures markets indicated that the June all-milk price will rise by $3.50 per cwt from May’s almost 11-year low. (The USDA will release the June all-milk price on July 31.) Another $3 per cwt increase in the all-milk price is possible in July (announced on Aug. 28).

Prior to June, the largest one-month increase in the national average milk price was $2.60 per cwt in April 2004.

The current price moves establish a new level of milk price volatility and firmly cement the reputation of 2020 as an unprecedented roller coaster for the dairy industry, Vitaliano said. The outlook for U.S. average milk prices for all of 2020 continues to rise and is approaching 2019’s average of $18.60 per cwt, not including the substantial Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments.

For more information on commercial dairy product use and inventories, dairy trade, milk production and prices, download the Dairy Market Report  here .

Are Storm Clouds Forming Over the Dairy Aisle?
From Jim Dickrell, Dairy Herd Management

The COVID-19 pandemic created a return to the dairy aisle in grocery stores unlike anything seen in recent times. 

When COVID hit full force in the middle of March, total grocery store sales shot up 61% with dairy sales up 59%, reports Larry Levin, executive VP of Market and Shopper Intelligence with IRI. Levin spoke at  The Dairy Experience  held virtually in mid July. 

The Dairy Experience, now in its third year, is hosted by Midwest Dairy and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin to give retailers and other interested in the dairy category an unvarnished look at consumers’ perception of dairy products, practices and image.

Post panic, from the end of March through most of June, dairy retail sales are still up 17% and up 22% for the year. Read more here>>>
ACTION ALERT: Dietary Guildelines for Dairy. Producers Need to Contact Congress
From RFD-tv, American Dairy Coalition

Check out Kim Bremmer's interview with Market Day Report- RDF-TV discussing the Dietary Guidelines for Dairy. 
Other Stories to Check Out This Week >>>
Upcoming Events >>>
GA Dairy Classifieds
TO ADVERTISE: EMAIL AD AND CONTACT INFORMATION TO FARRAH NEWBERRY at gamilkproducers@gmail.com

UPDATED 6/19/20

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 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
  • McLanalan Sand Seperator (like new) 20" x 20" - 25,000
  • Claas Silage Choppers - 900 1695 cutterhead hours, 4WD, 600 orbis, HD300 PU - $110,000
  • 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
 
For Sale:  Corn Silage - For more information contact Carlin Giesbrecht at 478-494-4007
 
FOR Sale : Stretch-O-Matic Bale Wrapper and Mover. For more information contact Carlin Giesbrecht at 478-494-4007
 
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   
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