The arrival of spring always initiates the Spring Flush each year. Although we are currently in the midst of the Spring Flush, total milk production across the country through March is declining compared to last year. Due to several factors, milk futures prices seem to have stagnated or declined somewhat. As a result, Class III…
The amount of fat in the American diet and its effects on health have been hotly contested since the 1970s with fat from red meats to dairy products considered villains to healthy diets. However, research conducted over the last decade or more has begun to paint a different picture. Current research shows that fat, including…
There are many factors that influence dairy markets. Sometimes those factors are not as obvious as others. The most obvious factors, of course, are milk supply and demand. The most recent drastic example of this relationship was experienced in 2019 when the pandemic hit and virtually all food service was shut down, creating a huge…
Like it or not, we live in a world economy now, and what happens abroad affects and sometimes compounds what happens here at home. Most evident, currently, is the war happening in Ukraine. Ukraine is considered the breadbasket of Europe and historically provides about 12% of the world supply of wheat and 17% of the…
Although it seems like it has reverted to winter this week, we are getting closer to spring harvest and planting season. Small grain fields are greening up and beginning to look lush, and some corn fields I drive by have that telltale blackish color of recent manure application. It is a busy time of year…
Welcome to spring! There is warmth in the air with the smell of flowers and fresh earth to enjoy. In addition to the sights and smells of spring, my favorite spring sound is spring peepers in the evenings. Milk price continues to heat up as we move into the spring as well. Class III and…
The deadline for 2022 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and Supplemental DMC is by the end of business on Friday, March 25, 2022 at your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. By the time this reaches your mailbox, the deadline will be less than a week away. I was informed by the Pennsylvania state FSA office…
Each February, annualized cow numbers, milk production, and licensed dairy farms are included in the USDA Milk Production report. The following is a summary of some of the data found in that report. Total 2021 U.S. milk production grew by 1.3% compared to 2020 at 226.3 billion pounds. This was accomplished by both increased cow…
I suppose time flies when you are having fun. It is hard to believe that another month has gone by. Class III and IV milk prices continue to increase despite turmoil in other parts of the world. The days are noticeably longer and hopefully warmer temperatures are around the corner as well. Average Class III…
Due to the timing of USDA reports and production schedules this week, the article I write at the end of each month reporting previous month milk production and cow numbers will be delayed until next week. Announced Class IV milk price eclipsed Class III in November and stayed above in December and January. According to…
