Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation discusses the latest efforts to keep dairy in school meals:

John Clark reports from the recently completed Stakeholders Summit from the Animal Ag Alliance:

Founded in 1987, the Animal Agriculture Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that brings together farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, animal feed companies, animal health companies, processors, allied associations and others involved in getting food from the farm to our forks!. John Clark attended the recent Animal Ag Alliance:

Michigan dairy farmer Tom Wing is also a member of the National Dairy Producers Organization. He joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now Producer Spotlight: 

Farm milk prices are climbing but have a long ways to go before hitting profitability for most U.S. dairy farms. The Agriculture Department announced the April Federal order Class III benchmark at $18.52 per hundredweight, up 42 cents from March but $5.90 below April 2022. The four month average stands at $18.46, down from $22.04 a year ago and compares to $16.40 in 2021. 

The April Class IV price is $17.95, down 43 cents from March, $7.36 below a year ago, and the lowest Class IV since October 2021. Its four month average is at $18.80, down from $24.31 a year ago, and compares to $14.14 in 2021. Courtesy of the Mielke Market Weekly

The days are getting longer and temperatures are warming up and that means it is time to prepare for fly season. Reina Lewis, sales development mgr with Central Life Sciences gives us the details on today’s Dairy Radio Now:

The 2023 National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) was held in Indianapolis from April 3 to 7. The gathering once again highlighted the successful collaboration between the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS)/Food and Drug Administration (FDA), state regulators, and dairy industry representatives in an ongoing effort to promote and protect a safe supply of Grade A milk and milk products. Read More

The Herd Health and Nutrition Conference is a two-day event in East Syracuse for agri-service personnel, feed industry representatives, veterinarians, and dairy producers, featuring educational topics related to current herd health and nutrition management techniques.

Dr. Mike Hutjens joins us with more research to share when feeding our animals.

The 2023 NY Spring Dairy Carousel kicks off Thursday,  featuring 7 breed shows, youth Showmanship, judging contests and more. John Clark visited with Jason Lloyd, NY Holstein VP & Board Member:

The Agriculture Department announced the April Class I base at 18.85 per hundredweight, down 14 cents from March, $5.53 below a year ago, and the lowest Class I since November 2021. It equates to $1.62 per gallon, down from $2.10 a year ago. The four month average stands at $20.26, down from $22.15 a year ago and compares to $15.35 in 2021. Courtesy of the Mielke Market Weekly

World Dairy Expo^® is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2023 Expo Recognition Awards. Nominated and selected by their peers, these individuals have made remarkable contributions to the dairy industry and their communities. Honorees will be formally honored during the Recognition Awards Banquet at World Dairy Expo on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Banquet tickets will be available at www.worlddairyexpo.com beginning on July 1. TThe 2023 Expo Recognition Award honorees are as follows:

Dairy Producer of the Year Randy Kortus, Lynden, Wash., Mainstream Holsteins, Jerseys and Ayrshires

Randy Kortus, Lynden, Wash., has built a dynasty of elite cattle genetics with his family’s herd, focusing on solid production cows while encompassing multiple breeds. Kortus and his family’s commitment to detailed and consistent herd management has provided each cow the opportunity to express her genetic potential, and it shows, as Kortus has developed 22 Dam of Merit cows, 41 Gold Medal Dam cows, and 13 cows achieving individual lifetime productions over 300,000 pounds of milk. He has also developed prominent sires in the Holstein and Jersey breeds, such as Mainstream Manifold and Mainstream Iatola Sparky. Beyond impacting the dairy industry through elite genetics, Kortus has committed over 25 years of service and leadership to Holstein Association USA and Select Sires, providing consultant services for herd owners and presenting seminars on a variety of dairy industry topics. Kortus has traveled to 27 countries on over 50 different trips, serving as a welcomed ambassador for the US dairy industry.

Industry Person of the Year  Tom Morris, Amery, Wis., Deronda Farm, Tom Morris Ltd., Cattle CONNECTION

A successful Registered Holstein breeder, educator, auctioneer/sale manager, publisher and industry leader, Tom Morris’ pedigree is as storied as any sale topper he’s sold. Morris and his wife Sandy, owners of Deronda Farm, developed more than 200 Excellent cows and held three complete dispersals during the 1980s, each boasting the highest average in the USA for the year. Owners and operators of Tom Morris Ltd., the couple has managed over 500 dispersals and consignment sales, including the World Classic at World Dairy Expo. Always an innovator, Morris helped launch the first 9-month Dairy Herdsman Technical College Program in the country, serving as an instructor for ten years. As owner/publisher of the Cattle CONNECTION, he connected buyers and sellers with the monthly dairy publication for 32 years. Morris is also a valued industry leader, currently serving as World Dairy Expo’s Dairy Cattle Exhibitor Committee chair and as Vice President of the Executive Committee.

International Person of the Year  Bonnie Cooper, North York, Ontario, Canada, Holstein Journal

Bonnie Cooper of North York, Ontario, Canada, is a well-known, highly respected and trail-blazing journalist who has dedicated her distinguished career of over 45 years to chronicling Canada’s dairy cattle industry as Editor of Holstein Journal. Throughout her time at Holstein Journal, Cooper devoted her way with words to telling meaningful stories about industry challenges and successes, genetic advancements, cow families and shows and sales. Cooper also managed the distinguished All-Canadian contest. Although Holstein Journal ceased publication in March 2019, Cooper continues her passion for writing about the dairy industry as a freelance journalist for a variety of publications, both in Canada and around the world. Most notably, she wrote “Holstein Milestones at the Royal” in honor of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair’s 100^th anniversary for Holstein Canada’s Info Holstein publication last fall. Cooper also continues to write and distribute throughout Canada a free, monthly Holstein Coming Events column called “Bonnie’s Holstein Dairy Events Listing”.

Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo brings together the latest in dairy innovation and the best cattle in North America. The global dairy industry will return to Madison, Wis. for the 56^th event, October 1-6, 2023, when the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, dairy and forage seminars, a world-class dairy cattle show and more will be on display. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile event app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Spotify, Instagram or YouTube for more information.

Dr. Robert Van Saun, extension veterinarian at Penn State College of Agriculture Sciences, from a recent PDPW Dairy Signal:

Gary Genske with the National Dairy Producers Organization recently wrote a letter to his processor. He explains on today’s Dairy Radio Now:

The February Federal Order Class III benchmark milk price was announced by the USDA at $17.78 per hundredweight Wednesday, down $1.65 from January, $3.13 below February 2022, and the lowest it has been since Sept. 2021.

The February Class IV price is $18.86, down $1.15 from January, $5.14 below a year ago, and the lowest Class IV since November 2021.
Courtesy of the Mielke Market Weekly

Holstein Association USA is the world’s largest dairy cattle breed organization, offering information services to all dairy producers.

Vermont dairy farmers are back together after the global pandemic halted the conference last year. John Clark reports from Burlington:

Richard Ball, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, joined John Clark at the recent Transportation Summit in NY.

Pennsylvania Agriculture Director Russell Redding discusses the challenges of dealing with climate change:

U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) is excited to roll up his sleeves to help American dairy farmers. John Clark caught up with the newly elected Chair of the House Ag Committee:

John Clark recently visited the Calving Corner at the Pennsylvania Farm Show: