Latest Moos
Dairy Dynamics
Dairy prices remain strong as we hear from Dr. Mike Hutjens on today’s Feed Forum Friday:
Fake Milk Labeling Changes Expected
With FDA guidance expected on the proper labeling of plant-based milk alternatives sometime this summer, the National Milk Producers Federation is asking the FDA to rethink plant-based beverages when defining milk. Chris Galen updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on today’s Policy Thursday:
Managing Heat Stress During Reproduction
Dr. Paul Fricke from the University of Wisconsin-Madison updated PDPW Dairy Signal viewers and listeners on the importance of keeping cows cool.
Breeding Changes On The Farm
Breeding programs on America’s dairy farms are seeing some surprising changes, according to Hoards Dairyman Managing Editor Corey Geiger. He talks to Lee Mielke about it.
Proper Calf Managment
Dr. Mike Hutjens recaps a recent study about getting colostrum to calves early as part of proper calf management:
A True Family Dairy Farm
Deborah Mills married a dairy farmer more than three decades ago; back when we saw more family dairy operations. She joins us on today’s NDPO Producer Spotlight to tell us about the big changes we’ve seen on the family farm through the years.
WDE Announces Virtual Farm Tours
World Dairy Expo Virtual Farm Tours have brought some of the best dairy operations from near and far to Madison for over 20 years. The four dairies to be featured during WDE 2022 continue that tradition while showcasing environmental stewardship, quality genetics, technology advancements, community involvement and more. During Expo’s Virtual Farm Tours, dairy owners and managers share a visual presentation with time for questions and an open discussion afterward. Tours are presented daily in Mendota Room 1 of the Exhibition Hall at 10:00 a.m.
The 2022 World Dairy Expo Virtual Farm Tour schedule can be enjoyed in person at WDE or online through ExpoTV at www.worlddairyexpo.com.
Investing Off The Farm
Having options are important during these uncertain times. On this week’s PDPW Producer Tuesday, our topic is “Investing Off The Farm,” with PJ Madson, Senior Vice President of Wealth Management, Nicolet National BankBank. These are comments he shared from a recent PDPW Dairy Signal.
Dairy Product Prices Weakening
Dairy product prices appear to be weakening some – StoneX dairy broker Dave Kurzawski discusses with Lee Mielke:
Adding Protein To Pasture Systems
Dr. Mike Hutjens shares recent research of pasture responses when feeding dairy cows.
Dairy Operators Need Seasonal Workers
Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on the latest push to approve the H-2A Visa Program for year-round dairy farm employers:
Passion For Farming
Katie Dotterer, a.k.a. AgvoKate is an advocate for all things agriculture. Bridging the ever widening gap between consumers and farmers one video, blog:
Alfalfa Grass Mixes Growing More Popular
Our PDPW Producer Tuesday focuses on timely management tips relating to quality forage with Dr. Don Miller, director of product development with Alforex Seeds.
U.S. Dairy Export Update
The Global Dairy Trade auction plunged 8.5% recently but U.S. dairy exports are looking great. HighGround Dairy’s Lucas Fuess talks about it with Lee Mielke:
Corn Silage In Growing Heifer Diets
Dr. Mike Hutjens shares the latest research regarding the utilization of corn silage processing in growing heifers:
NDPO Producer Spotlight – Joe Arens
Our guest today is Joe Arens, retired dairy producer from Central Michigan and member of the National Dairy Producers Organization joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now:
Improving Ruminal Microbial Growth
Dr. Ryan Leiterman shares how to manipulate the ration to reduce purchase feed costs while delivering the same amount of protein:
Carbon Markets
Patrick Wood of Ag Methane Advisors, LLC discusses how dairy producers can be involved in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by being involved in carbon markets.
Optimism & Concern
The recent annual conference of the American Dairy Products Institute and American Butter Institute offered some optimism as well as concern, according to Matt Gould, analyst and editor of the Dairy and Food Market Analyst newsletter. He talks with Lee Mielke about it – and how dairy farmer’s cost of production will top $23 per hundredweight:
Lessons Learned In ’21
Dr. Mike Hutjens recaps data from 2021:
Shipping Relief Needed For Dairy Exports
The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) recently sent a letter to the Biden administration recommending specific steps to provide relief and support to dairy farmers and exporters facing supply chain constraints. NMPF’s Chris Galen shared more on Thursday’s Dairy Radio Now:
Fly Season Upon Us
The house, face, horn and stable fly all present challenges on dairies. Reina Lewis, Regional Sales Mgr with Central Life Sciences joins us on today’s Wellness Wednesday to share how these pests impact cow comfort, productivity and the dairy farmers bottom-line. Listen as she shares the best way to address fly infestations on today’s dairy operation:
Fattening The Milk Check
Dr. Tom Overton, Director of the PRO-DAIRY program at Cornell joined the PDPW Dairy Signal to discuss the importance of components during these times of high feed prices.
PDPW Announces Speakers for Weekly Dairy Signal
The Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin says another group of speakers are set to take part in the online Dairy Signal program this week.
On Tuesday, Patrick Wood of Ag Methane Advisors, LLC will talk about how carbon markets present a number of opportunities for farmers, but also come with potential risks. There will also be some time for questions and answers.
A group of PhD students and a professor from the University of Florida will be Wednesday’s presenters. they will share research on the impact of choline on hepatic metabolism and performance in dairy cows as well as studies on how a cow’s ability to utilize nutrients can impact her production, health and reproduction.
And on Thursday, Economist Dan Basse of AgResource Company will be back with his biweekly update on news and analysis of agricultural markets that will impact dairy producers and the ag industry.
All episodes are free and available to the public, accessible from www.pdpw.org. They are streamed live at 12:00 noon or available on demand for later playback. Wisconsin Ag Connection
Dairy Market Insights
Dairy got a boatload of market driving information recently, another big drop in the GDT, insight into where U.S. milk production is headed in the March Milk Production report, and the drop in Chinese dairy imports in March. HighGround Dairy’s Lucas Fuess talks with Lee about it all:
Russia-Ukraine Impact
What are some of the strategies U.S. dairy farmers should look at do to the Russian invasion of Ukraine? Dr. Mike Hutjens tells us more:
Farm Bill & Ag Labor Discussed
Paul Bleiberg, Senior Vice President of Government Relations for the National Milk Producers Federation, in a Dairy Defined podcast, discussed the latest from Washington, including work on the next farm bill and immigration reform. Listen to the complete Dairy Defined podcast here
Class I Price Hits Record High, Milk Output Down
The Agriculture Department announced the May Federal order Class I base milk price at another new record high, $25.45 per hundredweight, up $1.07 from April and $8.35 above May 2021. The five month average stands at $22.81, up from $15.70 a year ago, and $16.72 in 2020.
Milk output down 0.5%
U.S. milk production lagged year ago levels for the fifth consecutive month in March however that trend may soon end. The Agriculture Department’s latest preliminary data shows March output at 19.7 billion pounds, down 0.5% from Mar. 2021, and follows the revised 0.9% drop in February. March output in the top 24 producing states totaled 18.8 billion pounds, down 0.4%.
Revisions raised the original 50-State February estimate by 18 million pounds to 17.53 billion, 0.9% below a year ago, instead of the 1.0% reported.
Milk output for First Quarter totaled 56.3 billion pounds, down 1.0% from the same period in 2021. Cow numbers totaled 9.38 million head, unchanged from the October to December quarter, but 85,000 below a year ago.
Farmers are adding cows back. March numbers totaled 9.395 million head, up 15,000 from February, but were still down 87,000 from a year ago. The February count was revised up 10,000 head.
March output per cow averaged 2,096 pounds, up 8 pounds or 0.4% from 2021.
California production totaled 3.7 billion pounds, up 19 million pounds or 0.5% from a year ago, thanks a thousand additional cows outweighing a 10 pound loss per cow. Wisconsin output totaled 2.7 billion pounds, up 6 million or 0.2%. Cow numbers were up 3,000 and output per cow was unchanged from a year ago.
Idaho was unchanged in cow numbers, output per cow, and total production. Michigan was down 2.9% on 15,000 fewer cows, though output per cow was up 10 pounds. Minnesota was down 2.6% on a 15 pound drop per cow and 9,000 fewer cows. New Mexico was down 9.3% on 37,000 fewer cows. Output per cow was up 45 pounds.
New York was off down 1.0% on 6,000 fewer cows though output per cow was unchanged. Oregon was up 1.3% on a 10 pound drop per cow and 1,000 more cows. Pennsylvania was down 2.2%, on 8,000 fewer cows and a 10 pound drop per cow. South Dakota cows put 20% more milk in the tank, thanks to 30,000 more cows being milk and offsetting a 10 pound drop per cow. Texas output, while still a long ways from Number 2 Wisconsin, was up 6.7%, on 22,000 more cows and a 65 pound gain per cow.
Vermont was off 0.9% on a 15 pound drop per cow but cow numbers were unchanged. Washington State was down 4.0% on a loss of 145,000 cows, though output per cow was up 25 pounds.
Tractor Safety Refresher
Cheryl Skjolaas, Agricultural Safety and Health Specialist, Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, UW-Madison/Division of Extension discusses regulations relating to tractor safety.
Inflation At 40 Year High
Good Friday Week gave us some startling news showing inflation at a 40-year high of 8.5%, as fuel and food prices skyrocket. Lee Mielke talks about it with StoneX dairy broker Dave Kurzawski:
Cocktail Forage Mixtures
Dr. Mike Hutjens tells us about cocktail forage mixtures:
CWT Continues Around The Globe
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) is a program designed exclusively by America’s dairy farmers for the benefit of America’s dairy farmers. Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation gives us the latest numbers:
Living A Healthy Lifestyle
Amy Miller with Farmers Daughters Consulting, joins us on our PDPW Producer Tuesday to share the importance of living a healthy lifestyle:
Dairy Market Data “A Mixed Bag”
The fundamental dairy market data is a “mixed bag,” according to analyst and editor, Matt Gould, of the Dairy and Food Market Analyst newsletter. He talks with Lee Mielke about it:
Rumination Behavior
Dr. Mike Hutjens recaps a recent paper on rumination behavior from the Journal of Dairy Science:
PA Push For Whole Milk In Schools
There was a fund raiser for PA State Senator John Lawrence Monday in Lancaster County. Senator Lawrence is a sponsor in the PA Senate for the bill to allow PA whole milk in schools. Congressman GT Thompson, Ranking Member of the House Ag Committee was there and John Clark interviewed him.
The current bill has made it through the PA House and is working its way to the PA Senate. Hopes are high that the Governor will sign it, in time for the kids to get PA Preferred whole milk for the start of the 2022 – 2023 school year.
Mixing Milk Replacer A Daily Task
Mixing milk replacer to feed pre-weaned calves is a daily task on many farms. And it’s a simple task, right? All it takes is adding the correct amount of powdered milk replacer to the correct amount of water, how hard can that be? That’s our question to Dr. Ryan Leiterman on this month’s “Ask the Vet” segment:
Newborn Calf Management
Newborn calf management all begins with your goals. That’s according Dr. Robert James, PhD, PAS, Professor Emeritus, Dairy Science Department Virginia Tech, owner of Down Home Heifer Solutions, Inc. He shares more from a recent PDPW Dairy Signal
Market Volatility During Uncertain Times
Stone X Dairy Broker Dave Kurzawksi is Lee Mielke’s guest today:
Feed Forum Friday
Feed Forum Friday with Dr. Mike Hutjens:
Quantifying Emission Reductions
Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on the latest efforts to reduce greenhouse gasses.
Farm Milk Prices Up
Farm milk prices keep heading higher, but they need to. The Agriculture Department announced the March Federal order Class III benchmark price at $22.45 per hundredweight, up $1.54 from February, $6.30 above March 2021, and the highest Class III since Nov. 2020. The three month average stands at $21.25, up from $15.98 at this time a year ago and $16.77 in 2020.
The March Class IV price is a record high $24.82, up 82 cents from February, the previous high, and $10.64 above a year ago. The three month average is at $23.97, up from $13.71 a year ago and $15.91 in 2020. Courtesy of the Mielke Market Weekly.
NY Spring Dairy Carousel Preview
John Clark talks with Jason Lloyd, VP of the NY Holstein Assn:
Basketball Bracket Similar To Weather Forecast
Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist for Nutrien Ag Solutions discusses the similarities of forecasting the weather and filling out a college basketball bracket:
China’s Dairy Appetite Continues
China’s latest dairy import data has been released. Lee Mielke discusses with High Ground Dairy’s Lucas Fuess:
Longevity Opportunities
Dr. Mike Hutjens tells us what he learned about Longevity – how long cows stay in the herd.
Dairy Price Reform Discussed
Gary Genske, board treasurer of the National Dairy Producers Organization joined us on today’s Dairy Radio to discuss the latest discussion in reforming Federal Milk Marketing pricing.
Animal Care Versus Animal Welfare
Comments from Dr. Jennifer Van Os, PhD, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Animal Welfare at UW-Madison:
Optimizing Cow Behavior
Dr. Trevor DeVries, Ph.D., Professor and Canada Research Chair Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph joined the PDPW Dairy Signal recently,
Feed Price Concerns
Gary Genske with Genske Mulder & Company, certified public accountants, joined us on today’s Dairy Radio to share concerns about future feed prices:
Genetic Aspects Of Feed Efficiency
Feed efficiency is a big topic among dairy producers. Dr. Mike Hutjens shares what he learned from a recent webinar.
NY Mayor Isn’t A Flavored Milk Fan
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) responded to a bipartisan letter from Rep. Antonio Delgado and Members of Congress from New York encouraging New York City Mayor Eric Adams not to eliminate flavored milk from New York City school meals. Read More
Families Attend PDPW Annual Conference
Dairy producers and their families are gathering in Wisconsin Dells this week for the annual PDPW Business Conference. This year, attendees are back at the Kalahari Resorts. We hear more from servant leadership trainer Tom Thibodeau:
Market Volatility With Russia’s Invasion
There’s plenty of uncertainty and volatility in the market these days as the war rages on in Ukraine. HighGround Dairy’s Lucas Fuess talks with Lee Mielke about the dairy side of things, specifically USDA’s latest milk production and milk price projections and January export data:
Methane Is In The News
Dr. Mike Hutjens updates Dairy Radio listeners on the economics of methane reductions.
FARM Program Helps Dairy Industry
Through five program silos, FARM works with dairy producers, cooperatives, processors and industry partners to demonstrate the highest standards on U.S. dairy farms. we learn more on today’s Dairy Radio:
Northeast Dairy Management Conference Underway
Presented by Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY and Northeast Dairy Producers Association NEDPA, the Northeast Dairy Management Conference is a designed for all progressive dairy farmers and industry professionals in the Northeast. NEDPA executive director Tonya Van Slyke joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now:
Tight Milk Production, Strong Prices
Peter Vitaliano, VP of Economic Policy & Market Research with the National Milk Producers Federation joined the PDPW Dairy Signal with the latest dairy market outlook.
Volatility During Uncertain Times
Volatility is the word of the day as the war between Russia and Ukraine rages on. StoneX Dairy Group broker Dave Kurzawski says the markets are focusing on worst case scenarios. He talks with Lee Mielke about what it means for dairy:
Many Factors Affecting Feed Prices
Dr. Mike Hutjens updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on the latest feed price situation:
Port Shipments Need Enforcing
Chris Galen from the National Milk Producers Federation joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now with an update on the latest enforcement actions against some vessel owners:
Calf Feeding Programs Vary
This month’s “Ask the Vet” segment, Dr. Ryan Leiterman shares various ways of feeding calves with milk replacer.
Milk Output Down, Bullish Cold Storage Report
The world witnessed the beginnings of war this past week as Russian troops invaded Ukraine. We also saw a large reduction in U.S. milk output and a bullish Cold Storage report. Lee Mielke talks about it with Matt Gould, editor and analyst with the Dairy and Food Market Analyst newsletter:
Substituting Corn Silage With Sorghum
Dr. Mike Hutjens discusses why it might be a good idea to replace corn silage with sorghum silage, depending on your drought conditions.
“97 Milk” Is Educational Awareness
The idea of 97 percent fat free Milk was created by a dairy farmer in Pennsylvania and has grown to other states as we hear in today’s Dairy Radio Now:
Costs Going Up
A much delayed study on updating Federal Market Order make allowances has been released and shows that the cost of processing most products has gone up. That would affect dairy farmer milk prices. StoneX dairy broker Dave Kurzawski talks with Lee Mielke about it on today’s Dairy Radio Now.
Learning About Histidine
Histidine is an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein in feeding our animals – as we hear from Dr. Mike Hutjens on today’s Feed Forum Friday.
Cheering On The New FDA Chief
Dr. Robert M. Califf was named Commissioner of Food and Drugs. Chris Galen of the National Milk Producers Federation joined us on our Policy Thursday to discuss what the new appointment, and why NMPF is cheering for his success:
Spreading The Word – Globally
Marilyn Hershey, dairy farmer and Chair at Dairy Management Inc. was recently interviewed at the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit:
Bold Ideas, Big Results
The 2022 PDPW Business Conference is March 16-17 at Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells. Cassandra Strupp gives us a preview:
2021 Showed Strong Exports
U.S. dairy exports were record high in 2021 but hit some headwinds in December. HighGround Dairy’s Lucas Fuess talks with Lee Mielke about what that means for 2022:
Spotlight On Replacement Heifers
Dr. Mike Hutjens shares insight from a recent study on raising heifers correctly.
NDPO Four-Point Policy
The National Dairy Producers Organization was formed 11 years ago with the priority of dairy producer profitability for sustainability. Gary Genske, NDPO’s Treasurer joined us with an update on NDPO’s four-point policy and Contract with Producers.
Sharing The Agolin Story
Improve your production first and help the planet too. We hear a lot these days about reducing enteric methane. Peter Williams a partner with Feedworks USA joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now to share more about research-proven Agolin Ruminant.
Companion Vs Cover Crops
PDPW’s recent Dairy Signal featured Matt Oehmichen, farmer and agronomist with Short Lane Ag Supply. He shared the difference between cover and companion crops.
Producers See Class III Bump
Dairy producers saw a nice $2 increase in the January Class III milk price and the latest milk feed ratio inched higher; but there won’t be a Dairy Margin Coverage payment for the month, according to dairy economist Bill Brooks of Stoneheart Consulting. He talks about it with Lee Mielke about it on today’s Dairy Radio Now:
Are Essential Oils Essential For Cows?
Dr. Mike Hutjens gives us a refresher course on essential oils.
Class III Milk Jumps To $20.38
The Agriculture Department announced the first Class III benchmark milk price of 2022 at $20.38 per hundredweight for January, up $2.02 from December, $4.34 above January 2021, and the highest Class III price since November 2020.
The January Class IV price is $23.09 per cwt., up $3.21 from December, $9.34 above a year ago, and the highest Class IV price since August 2014. Courtesy of the Mielke Market Weekly
Attempts Made To Ease Port Congestion
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new program to help address the export side of the supply chain crisis. NMPF’s Chris Galen updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on the latest attempts to ease port congestion and get exports flowing again:
The Importance Of Milk Replacer
How we feed a calf in the first two months of life has a big impact on the rest of her life. There are a variety of milk replacers out there and Dr. Ryan Leiterman begins a series to answer questions like – when, what and why should we be feeding milk replacer to young calves?
Futures On Roller Coaster
The dairy and futures markets were on a roller coaster this past week but the market did what it was designed to do, says StoneX Dairy’s Dave Kurzawski. He talks with Lee Mielke about it.
DRP Opportunities
Kathleen Wolfley, a broker/agent with Ever.ag, joins us on today’s Dairy Radio to discuss another safety net option for dairy producers, the Dairy Revenue Protection insurance program (DRP). She shares how producers currently have some great opportunities to protect their downside risk at historically high prices.
Colostrum Myths
Dr. Tom Earleywine of Land O’ Lakes Animal Milk Solutions presented to PDPW Dairy Signal viewers the common myths associated with feeding colostrum to baby calves.
Dairy Market Update
November dairy product commercial disappearance continued to look good. High Ground Dairy’s Lucas Fuess discusses with Lee Mielke:
Detecting Heat In Replacement Heifers
Dr. Mike Hutjens shares insightful information about breeding heifers in a timely manner with new technologies.
A REAL Dairy Guarantee
There’s An App For That
Strong Dairy Prices Ahead
Dairy prices are strong and will likely be around for awhile, according to dairy analyst and editor of the Dairy and Food Market Analyst newsletter, Matt Gould. He adds that the resulting higher milk prices will find their way to the farm this time and talks about it with Lee Mielke:
Body Condition Score Changes
Dr. Mike Hutjens joins us for another Feed Forum Friday, where this week, Mike recaps a recent study focusing on body condition changes in early lactation cows. Sponsored by Feedworks USA, supplier of Agolin Ruminant
Consumers Missing Out On ‘The Good Stuff’
Michigan dairy producer Tom Wing joined us on our NDPO Producer Spotlight to discuss the importance of marketing the best milk possible, not only for great health, but also for long-term consumption. Click here for more details about the National Dairy Producers Organization
Strong Dairy Prices Ahead
Dairy prices for 2022 are projected at an eight-year high, with supply adjustments and booming exports across a wide range of products shoring up farmer balance sheets that have struggled with volatility during the pandemic era, NMPF Chief Economist Peter Vitaliano says in an NMPF podcast released earlier this week.
Regiments To A Healthy Lifestyle
Amy Mydral Miller, MS, RDN, FAND, Founder and President of Farmer’s Daughter Consulting shares some tips on how to improve the new year with a healthier lifestyle. Heard on the Dairy Signal and Sponsored by PDPW.
Soaring Dairy Product Prices
We are off to the races in this new year. High Ground Dairy’s Lucas Fuess gives Dairy Radio listeners an update, as well as his reaction to the recent USMCA ruling against Canada.
Study: Protein In Early Lactation Cows
Dr. Mike Hutjens recaps a study of feeding protein variations to early lactating cows:
Trade Win Over Canada
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) celebrated a landmark decision published this week which found Canada is improperly restricting access to its market for U.S. dairy products in violation of its U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) commitments. NMPF’s Chris Galen updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on what this means for the U.S. dairy industry moving forward:
Benchmark Up 33 Cents
The Agriculture Department announced the December Federal order Class III milk price at $18.36 per hundredweight, up 33 cents from November, $2.64 above December 2020, and the highest Class III since May. That put the year’s average at $17.08, down from $18.16 in 2021 and compares to $16.96 in 2019.
Class III futures portend a January 2022 price at $20.66; February, $22.35; and March at $21.75 per cwt.
The December Class IV price is $19.88, up $1.09 from November, $6.52 above a year ago, and the highest Class IV price since October 2014. The 2021 Class IV average is $16.09, up from $13.49 in 2020, and compares to $16.30 in 2019.
Courtesy of the Mielke Market Weekly
Keeping Fans On During Winter
Dr Ryan Leiterman of Crystal Creek joins us on our “Ask the Vet” segment to discuss the importance of keeping the fans on during the cold winter months.
DMC Changes
Another new year is upon us and we take look ahead, including the changes USDA has made on the Dairy Margin Coverage program with Bill Brooks, dairy economist with Stoneheart Consulting in Deerborn, Missouri:\
Hiring Robots
Dr. Mike Hutjens gives us a robotic feeding update on this week’s Feed Forum Friday:
Inflationary Environment
The last week of 2021 is here. The so-called “highlights,” or “low lights” will likely be the same in 2022, according to StoneX dairy broker Dave Kurzawski. He talks about it with Lee Mielke: