January has been an active month for the dairy industry. The new U.S.-Japan trade agreement started on January 1st. Barring something unforeseen, the President will have signed the USMCA trade agreement by the time this article reaches you. Phase 1 of the new U.S.-China trade deal, which promises increased purchases of U.S. agricultural products, was…
Last Friday, the U.S. Senate passed the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA) in a bipartisan vote of 89 to 10. The next step is for President Trump to sign the legislation, which he is expected to do this week. Once that happens, the main factor holding back implementation is waiting for Canada’s House of Commons to…
Pennsylvania cares about its agricultural heritage. With two major farm shows at the beginning of the year, farmers and consumers are treated to two events that showcase what it means to be a farmer in Pennsylvania. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday at the Keystone Farm Show, and I appreciate several of you stopping by the…
Milk prices are down somewhat from 30 days ago, but milk price through 2020 still appears to remain profitable for most dairy farms across the country. Even though the price is looking good for 2020, it certainly is not a guarantee. Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) enrollment for 2020 ended last month, but if you decided…
It seems like 2019 flew by. Perhaps there is some truth in the adage, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” I have enjoyed the past year and am grateful for the opportunity to stay involved in the dairy industry. The dairy industry in Pennsylvania has taken a hit over the last few years. Multiple years…
Christmas is near and with it brings the end of another year. A year that started off rough for milk prices but ends with the highest prices we have seen since 2014, providing much-needed relief to dairy farmers across the country. Next year looks even better, and if progress continues to be made with trade…
It is hard to believe that 2019 is almost in the books. The year started with low milk prices, but by summer, prices had risen to a breakeven or profitable rate for many U.S. dairy farmers. Milk price this year has not been good enough to make up for the last few years, but it…
December 10, 2018 marked the start of a new era for my family and me. That was my first day working for the Center for Dairy Excellence. I am coming up on my one-year anniversary of living and working in Pennsylvania. I grew up on my family’s dairy, and for 16 years, I was the…
It is hard to believe there is only one month left in 2019. The year started out with milk prices trending up, but still not at a breakeven or profitable price for most Pennsylvania dairy farmers. It looks like we will end the year with some of the highest prices we have seen since 2014….
Generally, government shutdowns are not good for U.S. citizens. However, the shutdown at the beginning of this year benefited dairy farmers because implementation of Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) was delayed. As a result, when DMC enrollment began in June, dairy farmers knew they would receive payments for January through April milk production. If enrolled at…
