August 2011 Archived Dairy News

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August 31, 2011
Gov Brown Proposed Alternative to Farmworker Union Bill
CA: New state record for farm cash receipts
Dairy farm and UWO team up on energy project  related
Hearings in works for dairy case
Gillibrand to visit GLOW region
August 30, 2011
IDFA Refutes Assertion by NMPF on Dairy Policy
National Dairy Producers Organization Press Release
NY Farmers Assessing Irene Damage
Grass Fuels Organic Dairy
Midwest Dairy Council Kicks Off Back to School
August 29, 2011
DairyProfit Extra
Seymour Dairy Expansion
Needed: Dairy legislation not rhetoric
Dairy experts weigh in on Leprino Foods plant in Weld County
NMPF/NDB/UDIA meeting scheduled
Milk Producers Council update
Western United Dairymen update
Modesto dairy group receives $1 million grant
August 26, 2011
Update on Federal Antitrust Lawsuits Involving Dairy Companies 
Cheese Price Takes a 'Wedgie'
Northeast processors express concerns about FFTF
NMPF: FFTF won’t hinder exports
Water, margins impact farmland values
August 25, 2011
Dairy Farmers Lawsuit Takes Surprising Turn
Congressional Rookies Pose Threat to Farm Programs
Approval of dairy’s PA 116 applications still in limbo
Farmworkers March to Sacramento
New Princess Kay
Contest offers VIP treatment at dairy farm
Is Australia's Organic Dairy Industry Better at Weathering the Storm?
August 24, 2011
CDFA announces California 4a/4b price formula changes
The Ethanol Decade: An Expansion of U.S. Corn Production, 2000-09
With profits tight, Connecticut dairy farmers look to Congress
2011 World Dairy Expo Preview
Dairy cow workshop offered
August 23, 2011
U.S. dairy farmers are in 'a pretty big hole'
Congressman Cardoza Announces $1,150,000 in Agriculture Grants to Help Dairies
CWT Assists with 1.8 million pounds of cheese export sales
PDPW World Class Webinars
PDPW Cow Management Workshop
Dairy industry seeks some relief
Greek Yogurt Sales Rise in U.S. Dairy Aisles
Take care of cows during the dry period
Meet the 2011 World Dairy Expo Judges
NY State Fair 2011 schedule
August 22, 2011
July Cold Storage Report
Judge: Dean can vacate $140 million settlement
High feed costs cancel gains
Milk Producers Council Friday Update
Cropp: August Dairy Situation and Outlook
USDA researchers: Corn in Idaho’s potato country
Elite Dairy Genomics, LLC, based in DOWNERS GROVE, IL, raises $580,000
Foundation for the Future concluding grassroots tour
Baxter Black: On the edge of common sense
New Product Watch: AGCO Sunflower 1700 Series Offset Disc Harrow
August 19, 2011
September Federal Order Class I Up 35 Cents
Dairymen confront processors
Congress looks for ways to help farmers
U.S. Milk Output Rises in July as Herd Gains...
Wisconsin State Milk Production Drops Again
U.S. July Consumer Price Index Report
Milk tops water for rehydration
WV: Dairy show a big hit at fair
August 18, 2011
August USDA dairy outlook
NMPF: FFTF DMSP would not have been triggered in 2010 or 2011
Feed prices not at trigger level for proposed new dairy program
University researcher to collect 1 million stink bugs for project
Beef and dairy heifer lameness
Corn dogs, a dairy show ... and Barack Obama?
Dairy cow competition at Humboldt County Fair; The cows have it licked
It’s your money: Will your dairy continue, if you don’t?
August 17, 2011
Near trend-line corn yields needed to meet USDA projected production
Guest Editorial: Arden Tewksbury, Manager, Pro-Ag
Antibiotic use in food and animals: A dialogue for a common purpose
HolsteinWorld Productions to host collegiate Dairy Video Contest
August 16, 2011
Corn forecast: No room for increased consumption
It's all global now
Dean seeks to vacate ‘SE Milk’ settlement
Foster Farms Shutting Fresno Milk Plant
Investment firm to buy SE Wisconsin Dean plant
CDFA Secretary to hold Calif. Farm Bill Listening 
Why worry about heifer mastitis?
Two classes added to All-American Contests
Immigration Audits Drive Illegal Work Underground
August 15, 2011
Farmers offer input on new dairy plans
Texas Agriculture Could See Record Losses
OpenGate to Acquire WI Dairy-Processing Business from Dean Foods
Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture visits Bradford County
WI: No injuries in dairy factory dust explosion
August 12, 2011
Crop Production and WASDE Reports Released
NMPF Welcomes Addition of Cosponsor Simpson for  Dairy Policy Package
More groups join fray over reform
FFTF: Archived articles, op-eds
Texas-size heat wave 
USDA adjusts CRP rules in drought areas
SEP Class III Sell Off - Daily Dairy Report
Milk marketing doesn’t have to be all or nothing
Grove Dairy Products Receives MASBDA Value-Added Grant
A Cow-Side Investigation Into High SCC & Deteriorating Parlor Performance
August 11, 2011
USDA reports contain a mixed bag for dairy
Rabobank: Global markets best opportunity for California dairy
Organizations respond to USDA’s proposed Animal Disease Traceability
Farm groups fear GPS interference from proposed broadband network
Solar milking system: Lakeside Dairy betting on sunshine sustainability
NCBA & AFBF: DOT walks away from ag transportation regulation proposal
World Ag Expo 2012 Searches for "Top 10" Product Entries
World Dairy Expo ‘Forage Superbowl’ entry deadline nears
Herd health: Evolution of new mastitis tools
Human Resources: Labor’s role critical for newborn calf program
PRO-DAIRY Extra: Anaerobic digestion – The Big PIcture
August 10, 2011
California Class 1 Prices Keep Climbing
USDA Seeks Comments on the Proposed Rule for Animal Disease Traceability
USDA proposes animal disease traceability rule  new proposal
Dairy Revenue vs. Milk Price Volatility
Two remaining stops for FFTF Grassroots Tour
Genske: Dairy reforms are coming – Producers hold key to their futures
Vandenheuvel: FFTF -- A New Way of Looking at a Dairy ‘Safety Net’
Support for NMPF dairy policy hard to score
Research: Different compound feeds for dairy cattle
Let's do this right!
August 9, 2011
Dairy plant will resume production soon
Product Insights: Dairy in the US
Milk Producers Council update
August 8, 2011
Dairy Policy Forum to Focus on FFTF Proposal and Immigration Reform  
Dairy co-op settles over misrepresentations in Vermont
Western United Dairymen weekly update
Ruan and dairy farmer launch methane-powered truck project
Baker's Golden Dairy: From cow to consumer in one stop
Moons named third "Whitey" McKown Master Breeder Award Winner
August 5, 2011
July Federal Order Class III Price Up $2.28
More dairy groups oppose dairy policy plan   CDI letter
Rawesome Foods operator pleads not guilty
Dean Foods Reports 2nd Quarter Loss
August 5, 2011
July Federal Order Class III Price Up $2.28
More dairy groups oppose dairy policy plan   CDI letter
Rawesome Foods operator pleads not guilty
Dean Foods Reports 2nd Quarter Loss
August 4, 2011
Study: U.S. ‘on right track’ for dairy exports
Family Farm Defenders Announce Support for Milk Marketing Act of 2011
Pro-Ag: Diligence on trade; action on dairy
SE antitrust lawsuit developments
Kozak: Dairy producers reject status quo, support offering budget savings
Vermont Cabot settles lawsuit over hormone-free cheese claim  Related
Twin Falls Dairy Operator Sentenced for Environmental Violation
Market Removes Brunton Dairy Products After Bacteria Scare
Three arrested in raw milk charges
New Zealand: Dairy prices close to bottom of curve
IL: 4-H members participate in dairy cattle show
NY: Dairy princess to visit farmers market
Showing dairy 'a lot of fun' for kids in Cass County Fair
August 3, 2011
Dairy reform necessary, U.S. ag chief says
MN and WI dairy producers weigh-in on dairy reform legislation
Fonterra dairy product prices fall 1.3%
Aug. 10 meeting in Salina to focus on milk pricing proposal
Larger dairies on top for milk quality - study says
Storm leaves path of destruction
California's 4a Price Dips 4b Highest Since June 2007
August 2, 2011
June Dairy Products Report
Court okays Dean settlement in SE Wisconsin
Farmers Oppose G.O.P. Bill on Immigration
Risk Management Agency Online
Grain Markets Lower
August 1, 2011
All Milk Price Estimate is Highest Ever
Dairy farmers worry that proposed E-Verify law will kill industry
Udderly Hot: NY Dairy Cows Stressed By Heat, Can't Make Milk
Dairy Checkoff Update - July 2011
Family Dairies USA Awards Scholarships
Milk Producers Council update
NY Heat wave takes toll on cows
Heat putting cows in low gear
'Foundation' dairy proposal becomes focus of debate
Agro Farma to Expand in NY
Cheesemakers Return To Swanton Plant

Dairy Profit Weekly’s Dave Natzke updated us on Friday’s DairyLine:  

One of the points of emphasis of the Obama Administration was targeting antitrust activities, and the largest U.S. milk processor, Dean Foods, and largest dairy cooperative, Dairy Farmers of America, were squarely in their sites.  

Three lawsuits alleging antitrust activities by Dean Foods were underway at the same time, and are in various stages of being resolved.  

In a class-action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court of Vermont on behalf of dairy farmers in 11 states, Dean reached a $30 million settlement. The deadline for dairy farmers to submit claims and gain a portion of that settlement – after $6 million in attorney costs – was Aug. 23.  

In a case filed in a Wisconsin U.S. District Court, one provision of an out-of-court settlement called for Dean to sell a fluid milk processing plant in Waukesha, Wis. Dean purchased the plant from dairy cooperative Foremost Farms, in 2009. In an announcement earlier this month, OpenGate Capital, a a global private equity firm, signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Dean’s plant and related assets, including the Golden Guernsey® brand name.  

Resolution of another class-action lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of Tennessee, remains less clear. Dean originally agreed to a $140 million settlement with dairy farmers in the Southeastern region of the United States. After that settlement was announced however, members of Dairy Farmers of America, who make up well over one-third of the dairy farmers in that part of the country, were exempted as members of the "class,” because DFA is a co-defendant in the lawsuit. As a result, Dean vacated the settlement, and is considering other options. A trial date has been set for Sept. 13.

It's important to mention, that in all three cases, Dean has admitted NO wrongdoing.

July Cold Storage Report
(August 22, 2011) July butter stocks totaled 187.7 million pounds, down 2.6 million pounds or 1 percent from June, and 5.8 million pounds or 3 percent below July 2010, according to preliminary data in the Agriculture Department’s latest Cold Storage report issued Monday afternoon. 

The July American cheese inventory, at 648.6 million pounds, was up 30.9 million pounds or 5 percent from June, and 9.1 million pounds or 1 percent above a year ago. 

Total natural cheese stocks amounted to 1.085 billion pounds, up 3 percent from July and 1 percent above a year ago. 

July Milk Production Up 0.8 Percent
(August 18, 2011) Milk production in the 23 major States during July totaled 15.4 billion pounds, up 0.8 percent from July 2010. June revised production at 15.4 billion pounds, was up 1.3 percent from June 2010. The June revision represented a decrease of 5 million pounds or 0.1 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate.

Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,824 pounds for July, 5 pounds below July 2010.

The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.47 million head, 93,000 head more than July 2010, and 8,000 head more than June 2011.

September Federal Order Class I Up 35 Cents
Courtesy the Mielke Market Weekly 

The September Federal order Class I base price was announced by USDA this morning at $21.78 per hundredweight, up 35 cents from August, $6.28 above September 2010, the highest since September 2007, and equates to about $1.87 per gallon. The 2011 average now stands at $19.23, up from $14.83 a year ago and $10.95 in 2009.

The NASS-surveyed butter price averaged $2.0852 per pound, up 5.6 cents from August. Nonfat dry milk averaged $1.5804, down 7.7 cents. Cheese averaged $2.1529, up 2.2 cents, and dry whey averaged 56.39 cents, up 1.7 cents.

2-week Product Price Averages:

On the feed side of the dairy farmer balance sheet, USDA lowered 2011 corn production estimates compared to a month ago. Corn harvest is now forecast at 12.9 billion bushels, up 4% from 2010, but down 4% from last month’s forecast. With the lowered forecast, USDA raised the season-average projected mid-range price for corn to $6.70/bushel.  

The 2011 soybean harvest forecast was downgraded slightly compared to a month ago, to 3.1 billion bushels, down 8% from last year. With smaller supplies, season-average prices were raised 3%-4%, to a projected in a mid-range of about $13.50/bushel for soybeans, and a mid-range of about $370/ton for soybean meal.  

Production of the other major dairy feedstuff, dry alfalfa and other hay, is also lower. Alfalfa hay harvest is forecast down 4% from a year ago; and harvest of other hay is forecast down 14% from last year. For farmers already stressed by record-high hay prices this summer, that isn't good news.  

Turning our attention to milk, USDA reduced its 2011 milk production forecast to 195.6 billion lbs., despite indications of more cows and dairy heifers. Reasons for lower production include the high price of feed, and the hot, humid weather much of the country has felt this summer, hurting milk production per cow.  

Due to tighter milk supplies, USDA raised its 2011 price projections, especially for milk used to make cheese. The 2011 Class III milk price is now forecast at about $18.50/cwt., and the all-milk price is forecast at about $20.40/cwt. Both up more than $4 from a year ago, and $7 from 2009.  

In summary, it looks like improved milk prices will be offset somewhat by higher feed prices, a message we’ve been hearing and saying for quite some time.

Texas-size heat wave 

(August 12, 2011) From Dave Natzke, Dairy Profit Weekly

 If you think it's hot where you are, go to Texas.  

AccuWeather.com reported 100° F heat this summer has been relentless, with several cities on pace to shatter all-time records set during the benchmark heat wave of 1980.  

As of Aug. 10, temperatures had hit triple digits in Wichita Falls, Texas, for 50 days straight; the last time the city had a day with a high temperature below 100° F was June 21. Also as of Wednesday, Dallas had 40 consecutive days with a high temperature above 100° F; Waco had 42 straight days.  

Many Texas areas ended their streaks on Aug. 11.  

World Ag Expo 2012 Searches for "Top 10" Product Entries

July Federal Order Class III Price Up $2.28
(August 5, 2011) The July Federal order Class III benchmark milk price jumped $2.28, to $21.39 per hundredweight (cwt.), according to the Agriculture Department. That’s $7.65 above July 2010, the highest since July 2007, $2.04 above California’s comparable 4b cheese milk price, and equates to about $1.84 per gallon. The 2011 Class III average now stands at $17.68, up from $13.60 at this time a year ago, and compares to just $10.16 in 2009 and $18.24 in 2008.

The August Class III price will likely be the peak for the year at a record $21.45, if Thursday’s CME futures contract is correct. The September contract settled Thursday at $20.16, October settled at $19.27, November $18.47, and December at $17.60. Those prices would result in a 2011 average of $18.39, up from $14.41 in 2010, $11.36 in 2009, and $17.44 in 2008.

The July Class IV price is $20.33, down 72 cents from June, but $4.58 above a year ago.

The 4-week, NASS-surveyed cheese price averaged $2.1243 per pound, up 22.4 cents from June. Butter averaged $2.0304, down 9.8 cents. Nonfat dry milk averaged $1.6159, down 3.6 cents, and dry whey averaged 54.94 cents, up 2.6 cents.  

California's 4a Price Dips 4b Highest Since June 2007
California’s July 2011 Class 4a milk price is $20.07/cwt., down 72¢ from June 2011, but up $4.45 from July 2010. After June 2011, it's the highest 4a price since August 2007.

The July 2011 4b milk price is $19.35/cwt., up 56¢ from June and $5.98 more than July 2010. It's the highest 4b price since June 2007.

Through January-July 2011, California’s Class 4a average price is $19.10/cwt., compared to $13.96/cwt. (+$5.14) for the same period in 2010. 

The 2011 4b average price is $16.20/cwt., compared to $12.44/cwt. (+$3.76) for January-July 2010.

July federal order II, III & IV prices will be announced Aug. 5.

June Dairy Products Report
(August 1, 2011, 2011) The Agriculture Department’s June Dairy Products report puts butter production at 140.7 million pounds, down 14.8 million pounds or 9.5 percent from May, but 23.6 million pounds or 20.1 percent above June 2010.  
 

Mozzarella cheese output totaled 298 million pounds, down 11.2 million pounds or 3.6 percent from May, but 7.5 million or 2.6 percent above a year ago.

Total Italian type cheese, at 380.8 million pounds, was down 13 million pounds or 3.3 percent from May, but up 16.5 million or 4.5 percent from a year ago.

Cheddar production totaled 270.8 million pounds, was down 12.7 million pounds or 4.5 percent from May, and 15.3 million or 5.4 percent below a year ago.

American type cheese amounted to 364.4 million pounds, down 6.8 million pounds or 1.8 percent from May, and 5.6 million pounds or 1.5 percent below a year ago.

Total cheese output came to 894.1 million pounds, down 21.4 million pounds or 2.3 percent from May, but up 11.5 million pounds or 1.3 percent above a year ago.