A judge has struck down a six-month extension of an emergency moratorium on new confined-animal feeding operations passed by Jerome County commissioners in November. Click here for the full story.
Cattle, dairy groups win lawsuit against S. Idaho county
Livestock groups prevail over county decision
The Idaho Dairymen’s Association and the Idaho Cattle Association have prevailed in their lawsuit challenging Jerome’s County’s November 2007 enactment of an “Interim Ordinance” to prohibit the construction of new or existing livestock operations.
Calif. Tomato Board is dissolved, state looks at California Milk Processor Board
Another department audit found that the California Milk Processor Board paid its executive director $291,361 in his first seven months on the job -- including a $50,000 signing bonus, free health insurance and $73,478 in reimbursed expenses -- without a finalized contract. Agriculture department spokesman Steve Lyle said in a statement that the agency has hired more auditors and plans to improve its supervision. "Generally, the department is committed to doing full fiscal compliance audits of all state commissions," the statement said. Click here for the full story.
Dairy spotlights at Empire Farm Days
There will be plenty for dairy producers to attend before and during Empire Farm Days, held Aug. 5-7 in Seneca Falls, N.Y.:
– What's New Tour
Monday, Aug. 4
• Hemdale Farms, Seneca Castle, NY.
What you'll see: A 250-stall robotic with four Lely robotic units. A unique manure handling system that incorporates alley scrapers and floor slots through which urine falls. Gravity flow moves it to the discharge end.
• Merrell Farms, Wolcott, NY.
What you'll see: A cross-ventilated 8-row wide barn (216 feet), 72-stall rotary parlor and holding area/sort gate/fresh cow complex. The dairy complex is under construction.
– Three days of seminars at Empire Farm Days
• Tuesday, Aug. 5
The care and feeding of transition cows
• Wednesday, Aug. 6
Facilities: You can create a healthy productive environment for cows and people
•Thursday, Aug. 7
The business of grazing
All programs are free. They begin at 10:30 and conclude with lunch. For more information, contact Debbie Morneau, Dairy Business Communications, at 800-334-1904.
– What's New Tour
Monday, Aug. 4
• Hemdale Farms, Seneca Castle, NY.
What you'll see: A 250-stall robotic with four Lely robotic units. A unique manure handling system that incorporates alley scrapers and floor slots through which urine falls. Gravity flow moves it to the discharge end.
• Merrell Farms, Wolcott, NY.
What you'll see: A cross-ventilated 8-row wide barn (216 feet), 72-stall rotary parlor and holding area/sort gate/fresh cow complex. The dairy complex is under construction.
– Three days of seminars at Empire Farm Days
• Tuesday, Aug. 5
The care and feeding of transition cows
• Wednesday, Aug. 6
Facilities: You can create a healthy productive environment for cows and people
•Thursday, Aug. 7
The business of grazing
All programs are free. They begin at 10:30 and conclude with lunch. For more information, contact Debbie Morneau, Dairy Business Communications, at 800-334-1904.
Market Analysis with Mary Ledman
DairyLine Radio
Monday’s half-cent advance in cash butter marked the 13th consecutive trading session of gain. Barrel cheese jumped 2 cents, hitting $1.95, while block was unchanged, holding at $1.94. And, cash Grade A and Extra Grade nonfat dry milk jumped 2 cents, to $1.42 per pound.
This week in Dairy Profit Weekly
This week in Dairy Profit Weekly:
1) Lower milk prices and higher feed prices drove the monthly milk-feed ratio to the lowest level on record, according to USDA’s monthly Ag Prices report. Costs of other major farm production inputs were also up.
2) Replacement cow prices held fairly steady through the first four months of 2008. According to USDA’s quarterly summary, April U.S. average dairy replacements declined just $20/head from January 2008, to average $1,940/head.
3) All the numbers aren't bad: After sinking to a three-year low in 2006, dairy’s roller coaster ride reached a new summit in 2007, setting a record high for annual cash receipts from milk sales. Receipts hit $35.4 billion, up about 51.4% from the $23.4 billion in 2006.
4) California’s April 4b milk price is $16.79/cwt., down 15¢ from March, but $1.59 more than April 2007. The 4a price is $14.31/cwt., down a nickel from March and 22¢ less than a year ago. The April federal order Class III milk price is $16.76/cwt., down $1.24 from March, but 67¢ more than April 2007. The Class IV price is $14.56/cwt., up 39¢ from March, but $1.56 less than April 2007.
5) Another week, another (two-week) Farm Bill extension.
For a sample copy, log on to: www.dairyprofit.com/sample.htm. For subscription information, call 1-800-334-1904.
1) Lower milk prices and higher feed prices drove the monthly milk-feed ratio to the lowest level on record, according to USDA’s monthly Ag Prices report. Costs of other major farm production inputs were also up.
2) Replacement cow prices held fairly steady through the first four months of 2008. According to USDA’s quarterly summary, April U.S. average dairy replacements declined just $20/head from January 2008, to average $1,940/head.
3) All the numbers aren't bad: After sinking to a three-year low in 2006, dairy’s roller coaster ride reached a new summit in 2007, setting a record high for annual cash receipts from milk sales. Receipts hit $35.4 billion, up about 51.4% from the $23.4 billion in 2006.
4) California’s April 4b milk price is $16.79/cwt., down 15¢ from March, but $1.59 more than April 2007. The 4a price is $14.31/cwt., down a nickel from March and 22¢ less than a year ago. The April federal order Class III milk price is $16.76/cwt., down $1.24 from March, but 67¢ more than April 2007. The Class IV price is $14.56/cwt., up 39¢ from March, but $1.56 less than April 2007.
5) Another week, another (two-week) Farm Bill extension.
For a sample copy, log on to: www.dairyprofit.com/sample.htm. For subscription information, call 1-800-334-1904.