After a trade dispute tribunal decided in favor of Canadian limitations on dairy import quotas, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Wednesday that the Biden administration was looking for “creative” methods to sell more US dairy products in Canada.

Vilsack told Reuters that the US Department of Agriculture and the US Trade Representative’s office were considering next steps in the long-running dispute over Canada’s largely closed dairy market, but declined to say whether they would bring new challenges under the USMCA.

“What I can tell you is that we’re going to continue to look for creative ways to promote and sell dairy products in Canada, and to basically get our fair share of the market up there – as the Canadians promised,” Vilsack said during a meeting with Reuters reporters and editors in Washington.

He did not specify any particular initiatives, but he did say that USDA and USTR will seek to encourage Canada to create market possibilities “in the same way they’re going to basically articulate the need for more openness to some of our markets.” That advocacy will continue.”

A three-person panel dismissed US accusations that Canada was illegally restricting US access to its dairy market by giving the majority of import quotas to Canadian producers of powdered milk, cheese, ice cream, and other dairy goods on a market-share basis.

The lawsuit was the USTR’s second complaint concerning Canada’s execution of the restricted market access allowed in the 2020 USMCA trade agreement. USTR won the first round, requiring Canada’s quota rules to be revised, but claimed that this prohibited merchants and food service operators from obtaining cheaper finished U.S. dairy goods.

The USMCA pact maintained Canada’s decades-old supply management system, which limits domestic dairy, egg, and poultry output to stabilize dairy farmers’ earnings while safeguarding them from import competition with hefty tariffs.

Vilsack said that USDA and USTR will work on implementing the 2022 ruling of the dispute panel to “ensure that the acknowledgement and direction from the first decision is carried forward.” A USMCA dispute panel determined in that finding that reserving 80%-85% of tariff rate quotas for Canadian processors breached the pact.

According to him, Canada’s supply management system has resulted in Canadian customers “spending a heck of a lot more for dairy products than they should.”

However, he noted that the system is deeply embedded in Canadian politics, with a robust advocacy machinery. The estimated 10,000 dairy farmers in Canada comprise one of the country’s most powerful political lobbies. The majority of farms are located in Quebec and Ontario, the provinces with the most parliamentary seats.

China’s dairy product imports from the United States and abroad remain low, and what occurs in China has a significant influence on U.S. milk and dairy product pricing, particularly since exports account for an increasing percentage of total U.S. milk output. According to Sarina Sharp of the Daily Dairy Report, China’s current economic troubles are already affecting the country’s milk and dairy product imports.

“Despite a modest slowdown in domestic milk production, China clearly has enough whole milk powder on hand to eschew foreign product, and that has been keeping global milk powder prices in check,” he added.

While China’s economic rebound from the epidemic has not been as vigorous as some predicted, the outlook for the future is considerably bleaker. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts 5.4% year-on-year growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, which is fairly modest for the world’s second biggest economy. Looking forward, the IMF expects China’s economic growth to decrease. According to the IMF, continued instability in China’s housing market and sluggish demand for China’s exports may reduce GDP growth to 4.6% in 2024, and growth in China could fall to about 3.5% by 2028 as the country’s population ages.

“In China, hog prices have been in the doldrums due to a glut of supplies and sluggish demand for pork.” China’s economy is anticipated to underperform because to significant young unemployment and a debt-laden property sector, which means Chinese hog prices might stay low far beyond 2024,” Sharp added. “Red ink on hog farms has the potential to reduce Chinese demand for whey products for at least six months.” If such is the case, the US whey market may struggle to go much more unless domestic whey demand continues to compensate for the shortage.”

In October, China imported 118.9 million pounds of whey from all sources, a 3.6% decrease from the previous year. Imports of US whey products declined 12.8% year on year for the seventh consecutive month, according to USDA statistics.

Year to far through October, China’s whole milk powder (WMP) imports fell 38% behind the similar time in 2022, and imports were the lowest since 2016. WMP demand was weak in October, weighing on China’s overall dairy imports; China acquired just 40.8 million pounds of WMP this month, 32% less than in October 2022, and the lowest amount for any month in more than five years.

“That was enough to drag aggregate Chinese dairy imports well below 2022 volumes despite modest year-over-year gains in imports of skim milk powder, ultra-high temperature fresh milk, and cheese,” he said.

Holstein Association USA members from across the country have been showcasing their Registered Holsteins at National Holstein Shows over the past several months. As the 2023 show season wraps up, Holstein Association USA is thrilled to recognize outstanding breeders and exhibitors through the All-National Showcase program.

“Animals who place in the top 10 of their class at National Holstein Shows earn points throughout the year, based on the size of the show,” says Tim Ziemba, who serves as National Show Coordinator for Holstein Association USA. “Congratulations to each of this year’s deserving All-National Showcase honorees.”

Now in its fourth year, the All-National Showcase Program recognizes U.S. Registered Holstein cows and their owners for top-notch performances at Registered Holstein shows. This year’s honorees will be recognized on Holstein Association USA’s Facebook and Instagram pages. A PDF with a complete list of honorees is also available at www.holsteinusa.com/allnational/index.jsp.

Congratulations to the following All-National and Reserve All National Holsteins, along with their breeders and exhibitors!

All-National Breeder

Oakfield Corners Dairy, NY

All-National Exhibitor

Jim Butler, IL

Summer Heifer Calf

All National: MS MAPLESIDE WAR BLING-RED, Edmond Petit & Chet & Renee Baker, VT

Reserve All-National: MS LIBERTYS LEXUS, Tyler Meyer Matt Oechsle & James R Bertsch, OH

Spring Heifer Calf

All National: PEACE&PLENTY FOOT JUB192-ET, Peace & Plenty Farms LLC, MD

Reserve All-National: GENESEE ALTITUDE LEAH, Jim Butler, IL

Winter Heifer Calf

All National: CAL-DENIER-I DL ALEXUS-ET, Velthuis Farms Ltd, ON

Reserve All-National: RYAN-VU CRUSHTIM STARSTRUCK, Dylan & Cameron Ryan, WI

Fall Heifer Calf

All National: K-HURST ALLEYOOP PRIMED, K Doeberiener, D Reed, L Bowen & T Carter, OH

Reserve All-National: IN-STYLE JEWEL IN THE NIGHT, Jannalee Coleman, J Isaac Folt & Riley Whisler, NY

Summer Yearling Heifer

All National: REYNCREST TATOO AUTOMATIC, Reyncrest Farms Inc., NY

Reserve All-National: LADYS LAMBDA LOVELESS-ET, Budjon, P Vail, Genosource & Heartland Dairy, WI

Spring Yearling Heifer

All National: MS WINDBROOK LYZARD-ET, Ava Grace Hebgen & Avery Best, WI

Reserve All-National: MS BLACKJACK SK ELECTRIC, Blackjack, T Dickerhoof & G & M Schmidt, MN

Winter Yearling Heifer

All National: LEHOUX VICTOR TOPAGE, Jim Butler, IL

Reserve All-National: CAMPBELL-RUN-IHC DNV REGGIE, Randall & Patricia Kitchen & Daniel Kitchen, PA

Fall Yearling Heifer

All National: HODGLYNN UNIX RACY, Carter Kruse, IA

Reserve All-National: IN-STYLE MOMENT LAST DANCE, Crave Brothers Farm LLC, WI

Milking Yearling

All National: BLEXYS CHIEF BLOODY MARY-ET, Budjon Farms & Joey & Laurie Airoso, WI

Reserve All-National: MILKWORTH KD ADELINE, Quality Holsteins & Beckridge Holsteins, QC

Summer Junior Two-Year-Old Cow

All National: DUCKETT DOC BREE, Blackjack Holsteins & T & L Cattle Ltd, MN

Reserve All-National: JACOBS DESTINY BALLA-ET, Jim Butler, IL

Junior Two-Year-Old Cow

All National: MILKSOURCE AUDI, Milk Source LLC, WI

Reserve All-National: BUDJON-VAIL DLAM THUMPER-ET, MH Genetics & Bridgerland Holsteins, UT

Senior Two-Year-Old Cow

All National: PREMIERPOINT MAS CARMONA-ET, Maple-Leigh, Arizona Dairy & Grai-Rose Cattle, WI

Reserve All-National: CASH-AL ARTIST MILEY CYRUS, CLF LLC, NJ

Junior Three-Year-Old Cow

All National: VALRICK SIDEKICK PETUNIA-ET, Ross A. Risner, WI

Reserve All-National: MCGARR-FARMS UNIX ZANY, Westcoast Holsteins, BC

Senior Three-Year-Old Cow

All National: JEFFREY-WAY HARD ROCK TWIGS, K Doeberiener, L Bowen, W Schilling & P Conroy, OH

Reserve All-National: GLENIRVINE UNIX SALLY, Milk Source LLC, L Fisher, C Letter & R Sabo, WI

Four-Year-Old Cow

All National: RYAN-VU UNIX SHASTI, Maple-Leigh Futures & Chad & Amy Ryan, WI

Reserve All-National: OAKFIELD SOLOMON SUNSET-ET, Jonathan & Alicia Lamb, NY

Five-Year-Old Cow

All National: JACOBS HIGH OCTANE DIA, Jim Butler, IL

Reserve All-National: CORNEREST D BACK LAUDIA, F. Hayden Weaver, PA

Six-Year-Old & Older Cow

All National: UNDERGROUND ADELINE, Eaton Holsteins & Glamourview – Iager & Walton, NY

Reserve All-National: ERBACRES SNAPPLE SHAKIRA-ET, Ferme Jacobs Inc., Ty-D Holsteins, Ferme Antelimarck 2001, Kilian Theraulaz, & Attaboy Holsteins, QC

150,000 Lb. Lifetime Milk Production Cow

All National: ALFINCH ZELGODIS TACI, Frank D & Carol Borba & Frank A & Diane Borba, CA

Reserve All-National: RACH-LEN DUNDEE LILLY, Eaton Holsteins, S Morrill, J Zeh & Glamourview, NY

Contact Tim Ziemba at tziemba@holstein.com with questions about the All-National Showcase program. Congratulations to the 2023 All-National Showcase honorees!

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) has restored a raw milk dairy that lost its authorization to sell its goods in September.

The Utah Natural Meat and Milk Dairy in West Jordan, Utah, has had its permission to sell raw milk renewed. It lost its “Raw for Retail” authorization when milk samples were discovered to be tainted with the Campylobacter bacterium that caused an epidemic.

The Campylobacteria epidemic, which took one person to the hospital, was connected to 12 confirmed instances of the bacterium identified in milk samples.

The state of Utah samples and tests raw milk and milk products on a regular basis. In the state, there are 16 licensed farms.

UDAF, on the other hand, acknowledges that raw milk, no matter how well made, may be dangerous. Individuals who prefer to eat raw milk or raw milk products should take the following precautions to reduce the risk of food-borne illness:

Heat raw milk for at least 15 seconds before ingesting, and then chill it.
Keep raw milk and raw milk products refrigerated at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit; do not allow raw milk to get to room temperature.

“Food and consumer safety are our top priorities at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food,” stated Craig Buttars, Commissioner of Agriculture at UDAF. “While we did not take the suspension of this small farm’s and business’s license lightly, it was critical that we ensure the milk products were safe for consumption.” We appreciate the UDAF team’s and dairy owners’ efforts to identify the source of the diseases and assure the milk is safe to sell again.”

In October, Utah Natural Meat and Milk informed local media that the firm is dedicated to maintaining high standards and that foodborne diseases hit all producers, big and small, at some time. “We are grateful for the efforts by the UDAF team as well as the dairy owners to isolate the cause of the illnesses and to ensure the milk is safe to be sold once again,” a spokesperson for the dairy said.

According to public health experts, tainted raw milk does not smell or appear any different from uncontaminated milk, thus determining whether the milk is safe to ingest is difficult. Raw milk and milk products may only be sold to people directly on the farm in Utah. Only pasteurized dairy products are sold in retail outlets. Because raw milk is deemed dangerous, federal law restricts the selling of it over state boundaries.

Russian milk producers have stockpiled up on veterinary medications in anticipation of a supply interruption caused by a recently implemented law.

The new rule went into effect on September 1st. Some products are in low supply, and a true scarcity seems to be imminent in the long term. To provide veterinary medications and vaccines to Russian clients, international vendors must get a GMP certificate from the Russian veterinary authority Rosselhoznadzor.

The Russian organization of veterinary pharmaceutical businesses, Avfarm, warned in July that the nation should prepare itself for a shortage as a result of the rule. According to the organization, the Russian regulator has not devised a standardized approach for passing a GMP inspection.

Russia is heavily reliant on imported veterinary medications, with Rosselhoznadzor claiming that foreign vaccinations account for 71% of the Russian cattle sector.

According to Semyon Zhavoronkov, executive director of Avfarm, just 37 out of 180 international suppliers had gotten the GMP certificate as of November, and 24 more were awaiting an examination.

According to Zhavoronkov, practically all veterinary medications on the Russian market now are stocks established before the present restrictions were implemented.

According to Nikolay Bespalov, director of RNS Pharma, a Moscow-based think tank, all companies knew that the conditions for access to the Russian market for veterinary drugs would change in September, and they tried to create a reserve of products so that they could go through the transition period relatively painlessly.

Certain veterinary medications are kept on hand by dairy companies. They may either gradually transition to Russian counterparts or wait for international suppliers to gain GMP certification, which they have not yet been able to achieve, according to Artem Belov, general director of the Russian Union of Dairy Producers Soyzmoloko.

On the other hand, it is unclear what will happen when the dairy industry’s stockpile of veterinary drugs depletes in the coming months.

“You cannot so abruptly close the market for truly in-demand drugs and expect that consumers will suddenly discover truly competitive alternatives that for some reason they had not noticed before,” he added.

According to the press office of Cherkizovo company, a significant Russian food manufacturer, there is a lack of imported vaccinations on the market, and a shortage of imported antibiotics, coccidiostats, and other medications is predicted in the medium term. The business noted that the supply of imported pharmaceuticals has declined and will continue to shrink as leftovers are used up and cannot be supplied.

The American Jersey Cattle Association has announced the 2023 Jersey All American and Reserve All American winners. The annual All American events are held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky. There were 379 Registered Jerseys in the ring on November 5-6, 2023.

The winners in each class were:

Spring Heifer Calf

Four-Hills Boomerang Marvelous {6}, Megan and Sarah Hill, Bristol, Vt., All American winner

Z-Class CC & Cranberry Juice-ET, Mason Ziemba, Durhamville, N.Y., Reserve All American winner

Winter Heifer Calf

Spatz Joel Special Getaway-ET, Crestbrooke and Spatz Cattle Company, Fond du lac, Wis., All American winner

Bolle Acres Kid Rock Maple, Max, Carrie Jo, Drew, Lane, Sophie and Ellie Bollenbacher, Argos, Ind., Reserve All American

Fall Heifer Calf

Gold Star Ferdinand Celia-ET, Aubree Hoegger and Rosalee Zehr, Pontiac, Ill., All American winner

Arethusa Joel Caroline-ET, Jasenko and Tarik Garvanovic and Hannah Nelson, Nicollet, Minn., Reserve All American winner

Summer Yearling Heifer

Reich-Dale Victory Shabang-ET, Hayden Reichard, Chambersburg, Pa. All American winner

Kaymanor Victorious Bambino, Franchise, & Valley Gem & Central Coast Jersey & Enhanced Genetics, Ashville, Ohio, Reserve All American winner

Spring Yearling Heifer

Gordons Joel Gracious, Phil & Abigail, Katelyn, William & Matthew Gordon, Syracuse, Ind., All American winner

DKG Gentry Cream, Blake Kenneth Greiwe, Quincy, Ohio, Reserve All American winner

Winter Yearling Heifer

South Montain Whistlin Dixie-ET, Glamourview – Iager and Walton, Md., All American winner

Pride Rock Victorious Secret-ET, Austin, Sandy and Kyle Baker, Staley, N.C., Reserve All American winner

Milking Winter Yearling

Make a Star VIP Reed Mamie, Kate, Kamryn, Colt Kasbergen and Kash-In Jerseys, Tulare, Calif., All American winner

Pacific Edge Maid By V.I.P., Joe and Sarah Rocha and Kara Hale, Tillamook, Ore., Reserve All American winner

Milking Yearling

MM VIP Ruby-ET, Misty Meadow Dairy and JD Heimerl, Tillamook, Ore. All American winner

MM VIP Jubilee-ET, Kate, Kamryn, Colt Kasbergen and Kash-In Jerseys, Tulare, Calif. Reserve All American winner

Summer Junior Two-Year-Old Cow

Dements Victorious June, DeMents Jerseys and Kilgus Dairy and Carla Kilgus, Fairbury, Ill. All American winner

Reich-Dale Shakin Shifter, Hayden Reichard, Chambersburg, Pa., Reserve All American

Junior Two-Year-Old Cow

Lookout Joel She’s Spicy, River Valley Farm, Tremont, Ill., All American winner

Pacific Edge VIP Tessah-ET, Pacific Edge Jerseys and Coltan Seals, Tillamook, Ore., Reserve All American winner

Senior Two-Year-Old Cow

Windy Knoll View Checkers, Brinkley Cole Burdette, Mercersburg, Pa., All American winner

Vierras Kidrock Sable-ET, Moretti Dairy, Tillamook, Ore. Reserve All American

National Jersey Jug Futurity

Ratliff Irwin Cadillac-ET, Ron and Christy Ratliff, Garnett, Kan., All American Winner

WF Terpster Blessing, Reese and Brinkley Burdette and Waverly Farm, Mercersburg, Pa., Reserve All American winner

Junior Three-Year-Old Cow

Pacific Edge VIP Escort, R&R Dairy, Tillamook, Ore., All American winner

Nor-Bert Andreas Dime, Dalton, Dillon and Breanne Freeman, Breman, Ind., Reserve All American winner

Senior Three-Year-Old Cow

Kilgus Victorious Maria {6}, Kilgus Dairy and Carla Kilgus, Fairbury, Ill., All American winner

Hillacres Chrome Hibiscus, Nicole Arrowsmith, Peach Bottom, Pa., Reserve All American

Four-Year-Old Cow

Rivendale VIP Eloise, Vierra Dairy, Hilmar, Calif., All American winner

South Mountain Fizz Chablis-ET, Misty Meadow Dairy, Tillamook, Ore., Reserve All American winner

Five-Year-Old Cow

Lone Pine Nighttrain Lula, Pacific Edge, Legendairy and David Jordan, Tillamook, Ore., All American winner

DC Comerica Sasscee, Kate, Kamryn, Colt Kasbergen and Kash-In Jerseys, Tulare, Calif., Reserve All American

Aged Cow

Bolle-Acres Reviresco Tyra {4}, Max, Carrie Jo, Drew, Lane, Sophie and Ellie Bollenbacher, Argos, Ind., All American winner

DKG Motion Jolly, Jim and Jody Bolen and Colton and Marissa Northrup, Fremont, Ohio, Reserve All American winner

Lifetime Cheese Production Cow

Bri-Lin Valson Spritz, Vierr Dairy, Hilmar, Calif., All American winner

South Mountain Premier Sprite, Misty Meadow Dairy, Tillamook, Ore., Reserve All American winner

The 71st All American Jersey Show results were posted on the USJersey website at https://www.usjersey.com/AJCA-NAJ-JMS/AJCA/InTheNews/OpenShow2023.aspx, along with complete show coverage published in the January 2024 issue of the Jersey Journal.

Photos of the winners and reserve winners will be available on the official website of The All American Jersey Shows and Sales at: https://theallamerican.usjerseyjournal.com/2023-all-americans-reserve-all-americans/

An annual production of the American Jersey Cattle Association, the All American is held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky. More than 100 Jersey breeders and enthusiasts from across the United States donate their services to planning and staging the three shows, two sales and youth awards program that make up the most exciting weekend of dairy breed promotion in the world. For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact All American Coordinator Kim Billman at 614/322-4451 or info@usjersey.com.

Lactanet Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Cindy Jaton to its new position of Genetics Industry Ambassador, effective January 15, 2024.

Cindy Jaton was born and raised on her family farm and Master Breeder herd, Ferme Provetaz Inc., located in Compton, Quebec. Cindy received her B.Sc. degree from Université Laval in 2013 and followed this with graduate studies at the University of Guelph where she received her PhD degree in Animal Breeding & Genetics in 2016. More recently, in 2023, she received her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Université Laval. Cindy’s successful career path began with an internship at Holstein Québec in 2012, followed by three years in a genetics advisory role at Ciaq and has been a key part of the research and solutions team at Semex since 2016.

In this new position, Cindy will be acting as Lactanet’s ambassador for building and maintaining strong relationships with industry organizations as well as positive engagement in services related to genetics. Internally, she will coordinate the activities of key industry committees, including the Genetic Evaluation Board (GEB), as well as Lactanet’s development of new and improved genetics services. Over time, Cindy will become the expert, voice and key contact with industry partners receiving Lactanet’s genetic evaluation and related services.

Lactanet’s Chief Services Officer, Brian Van Doormaal, commented “We are very pleased to welcome Cindy to our genetics team and happy that she can expand her contributions to the Canadian dairy cattle improvement industry. Her strong knowledge of genetics, leadership skills and bilingualism, combined with her passion and friendly personality, will help to ensure the continued success of quality and highly valued genetic evaluation services offered by Lactanet for years to come.”

About Lactanet Canada

Lactanet Canada is the leading dairy herd improvement organization responsible for milk recording, genetic evaluations, herd management software solutions, knowledge transfer and dairy cattle traceability. As a farmer-run organization serving more than 8,000 Canadian dairy producers, Lactanet provides the dairy industry with products and services to help manage their dairy operation for maximum efficiency and profitability. www.lactanet.ca

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to eat cheeseburgers and cheddar franks, this is it.

Researchers at the University of Chicago discovered that a chemical found in red meat, dairy, and other foods may help your body’s immune cells fight malignancies.

Trans-vaccenic acid, or TVA, seems to stimulate T cells in your body, which aid your immune system in fighting pathogens and protecting you from illness.

TVA is present in ruminant meat such as cows, sheep, and other animals, as well as dairy products such as milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt.

The research, which was published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, also discovered that cancer patients with greater levels of TVA in their blood had a stronger response to immunotherapy.
This result led the researchers to believe that TVA may be effective as a supplement during cancer therapy.

“To see that a single nutrient like TVA has a very targeted mechanism on a targeted immune cell type, with a very profound physiological response at the whole organism level — I find that really amazing and intriguing,” said Jing Chen, a cancer researcher at the University of Chicago.

The researchers began with a database of over 700 known metabolites, which are tiny compounds derived from food. They next tested the metabolites for anti-cancer properties.

After selecting the top six chemicals, scientists tested their cancer-fighting powers in human and mouse cells – TVA performed the best in preventing tumor formation.

The researchers also discovered that giving mice a diet high in TVA lowered tumor development in melanoma and colon cancer cells, as well as improved the body’s capacity to infiltrate and fight malignancies.

They also examined blood samples from lymphoma patients receiving immunotherapy. As a result, researchers discovered that patients with greater amounts of TVA in their blood reacted better to therapy than individuals with lower levels.

Finally, the research discovered that TVA improved an immunotherapy drug’s capacity to destroy leukemia cells in patients.

“There are many studies trying to decipher the link between diet and human health, and it’s very difficult to understand the underlying mechanisms because of the wide variety of foods people eat,” said Chen.

“But if we focus on just the nutrients and metabolites derived from food, we begin to see how they influence physiology and pathology,” Chen said.

“By focusing on nutrients that can activate T cell responses, we found one that actually enhances anti-tumor immunity by activating an important immune pathway.”

However, much to the chagrin of many, the study’s authors refrain from recommending that consumers consume more red meat and dairy products.

“There is a growing body of evidence about the detrimental health effects of consuming too much red meat and dairy,” he said, “so this study shouldn’t be taken as an excuse to eat more cheeseburgers and pizza.”

Instead, the scientists are looking for a comparable molecule in plants that has the same potent tumor-fighting properties.

“There is early data showing that other fatty acids from plants signal through a similar receptor, so we believe there is a high possibility that nutrients from plants can do the same thing,” Chen went on to say.

In the latest episode in a years-long legal struggle between the dairy’s owners, Winona County authorities, and local environmental organizations, a Minnesota district judge ruled against the planned expansion of a Lewiston dairy on Tuesday.

Daley Farm, a dairy with over 1,700 cows in southeast Minnesota, originally requested for expansion in 2017. The owners want to change the farm’s environmental permit so that it may accommodate more than 4,600 cows.

The farm is in an ecologically vulnerable section of the state, where poisonous nitrates from fertilizer and manure are readily absorbed by drinking water sources. The US Environmental Protection Agency informed three Minnesota state agencies earlier this month that further effort was needed to prevent nitrate contamination in the region.

The planned expansion sparked a protracted legal dispute between dairy owners, environmental organizations, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the Winona County Board of Adjustment.

The verdict on Tuesday was a setback for the Daley family, according to Ben Daley, one of the dairy’s proprietors.

“We’re obviously disappointed, but we’re going to appeal,” Daley said in a statement.

Winona County has a limit of 1,500 animal units for animal feedlots, including dairies. (Animal units are a legal unit of measurement used to determine feedlot sizes across different species; a cow weighing more than 1,000 pounds is 1.4 animal units, while a huge hog is.4 animal units.)

Daley Farm had a capacity of 2,275 animal units before the Winona County Zoning Ordinance imposed a maximum of 1,500 animal units, therefore it was grandfathered in and permitted to preserve its big herd.

Daley Farm’s owners were required to seek for an exception from the county’s 1,500-animal unit limit as part of the planned expansion. The Winona County Board of Adjustment refused the variance application 3-2 in 2019.

The dairy owners claimed that the Board of Adjustments was prejudiced against them and filed an appeal, launching a succession of appeals, court orders, and litigation.

Daley Farm sued Winona County Board members and Land Stewardship Project members in November 2022, claiming that the county officials’ past affiliation with the environmental organization deprived the farm due process. In March, the Daleys dropped their lawsuit.

The decision handed down on Tuesday was part of a separate lawsuit contesting the variance rejection.

Outstanding Holstein breeders and dairy industry leaders are recognized each year with Holstein Association USA’s annual awards. These include the prestigious Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder, Distinguished Leadership, and Elite Breeder recognitions.

“A highlight of every National Holstein Convention is recognizing our deserving award recipients for their contributions to the Holstein breed, Holstein Association USA, and the greater dairy community,” says Holstein Association USA CEO John Meyer. “We look forward to continuing to add to the high-caliber list of award recipients and encourage you to nominate people you feel are deserving.”

Holstein enthusiasts are invited to submit nominations for the Elite Breeder and Distinguished Leadership awards. Applications for the Elite Breeder and Distinguished Leadership awards are considered for three years after initial submission. Current Holstein breeders between the ages of 21 and 40 are encouraged to apply for the Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder award.

About the Awards:         

The Elite Breeder Award honors a living Holstein Association USA member, family, partnership, or corporation who has bred outstanding animals and thereby made a notable contribution to the advancement of U.S. Registered Holsteins.

The Distinguished Leadership Award is given to an individual who has provided outstanding and unselfish leadership that has contributed to the improvement of Holstein Association USA and/or the dairy industry.

The Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder Award recognizes significant accomplishments of young Registered Holstein® breeders ages 21 to 40. Submissions can be made for individuals, a couple, or business partners. The winning applicant will receive travel and lodging expenses (for up to two people) to National Holstein Convention, complimentary tickets to the Convention banquet, and a $2,000 cash award.

Award applications are available on the Holstein Association USA website at [http://%20www.holsteinusa.com/awards/individuals] www.holsteinusa.com/awards/individuals. Nomination applications must be postmarked by January 31, 2024. Honorees will receive their recognition during the 2024 National Holstein Convention being held June 24-27, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. More information about the 2024 National Holstein Convention can be found at www.holsteinconention.com.

Additionally, a scholarship is available to students interested in agriculture who plan to pursue their master’s degree in business administration. The Robert H. Rumler MBA Scholarship awards $3,000 to a qualified individual pursuing their MBA at an accredited university. Applications for this scholarship must be received by April 15, 2024.

The previous award winners since 2007 are recognized below. Congratulations to these well-deserving recipients!

Previous Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder Award Winners

2023 – Ty Etgen, OH

2022 – Mitch Kappelman, WI

2021 – Mackenzie, Andy, Tyler, and Kelly Reynolds, NY

2020 – Kurt and Sarah Loehr, WI

2019 – Sheri Regan-Danhof, IA

2018 – David Harvatine, NY

2017 – Craig Carncross, WI

2016 – Joe Loehr, WI

2015 – Joel Mills, PA

2014 – Greg Andersen, ID

2013 – Chad & Amy Ryan, WI

2012 – Jonathan & Alicia Lamb, NY

2011 – Brad Groves, MO

2010 – Timothy Baker, MI

2009 – Jan & Jeff King, NY

2008 – Mark & Angie Ulness, WI

2007 – Bruce & Brenda Long, WI

Previous Distinguished Leadership Award Winners

2023 – Josh Marshman, NY

2022 – The Honorable Collin Peterson, MN

2021 – Dave Fischer, IL

2020 – Patricia Gifford, NY

2019 – George A. Miller, OH

2018 – William C. Nichol, PA

2017 – Jerry Strandlund, WA

2016 – Dick Witter, PA

2015 – M. Duane Green, MI

2014 – Marlowe Nelson, WI

2013 – Horace Backus, NY

2012 – Dr. Robert E. Walton, WI

2011 – Charles E. Iager, MD

2010 – Ida B. Ruby, OR

2009 – Dennis C. Wolff, PA

2008 – Richard T. Coyne, NY

2007 – William T. McKarns, OH

Previous Elite Breeder Award Winners

2023 – Bomaz Farms, WI

2022 – Sandy Valley Farms/Bauer Brothers, WI

2021 – Emerald Acres, WI

2020 – James and Nina Burdette, PA

2019 – David Bachmann Sr., WI

2018 – Tom and Gin Kestel, WI

2017 – Olmar Farms, MN

2016 – Harvue Farms – David Hardesty, VA

2015 – Conant Acres, ME

2014 – Robthom Holsteins, MO

2013 – Robert Miller, IL

2012 – Regancrest, IA

2011 – Frank Raymond Ruby, OR

2010 – Doug Maddox, CA

2009 – Robert J. Schauf, WI

2008 – Max “Kip” Herzog, CA

2007 – Marvin Nunes, CA

Previous Robert H. Rumler MBA Scholarship Recipients

2022 – Jacob Achen, MN

2021 – Trent Dado, WI

2018 – Tera Baker, MI

2017 – Kelly Driver, NY

2014 – Susie Chelesvig, IA

2010 – John Tauzel, NY

2008 – Kasey Osborn, NY

2007 – Nikolaus Sutter, WI

 Holstein Association USA, Inc., provides programs, products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability — including animal identification and ear tags, genomic testing, mating programs, dairy records processing, classification, communication, consulting services, and Holstein semen.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, VT., represents approximately 25,000 members throughout the United States. To learn more about Registered Holsteins^® and the other exciting programs offered by the Holstein Association, visit www.holsteinusa.com, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) recognized 24 dairies from the United States, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom for reaching phenomenal reproduction marks. These dairies received Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze in DCRC’s Excellence in Dairy Cattle Reproduction Awards program during the group’s annual meeting, held Nov. 14-16, in Salt Lake City. The 24 dairies excel at reproductive efficiency, fertility and well-implemented management procedures. Platinum recognition went to: Crosswind Jerseys (Stefan Temperli), Elkton, S.D.; Hendriks Ltd. (Tyler Hendriks), Brucefield, Ont., Canada; High Noon Dairy LLC (Peter Bouma), Hereford, Texas; LDT Keller (Luke and Dan Keller), Fort Recovery, Ohio; Trailside Holsteins (Mike Johnson), Fountain, Minn.; and Verhoef Dairy Farm Inc. (Reinoud & Klaartje Verhoef), Belmont, Ont., Canada.
 
In addition to the six Platinum winners, there were six Gold, six Silver and six Bronze winners (listed below). One hundred nominations came from six countries, 12 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. Farms were nominated by dairy professionals who serve the dairy industry, such as veterinarians, extension specialists and artificial insemination and pharmaceutical company representatives.
 
Gold
Britannia Dairy (Ben and Kevin Pearson), Flandreau, S.D.
Davis Family Farm (Jayme and Brad Davis), Darlington, Wis.
Elusive Hill (Luke Luchterhand), Spencer, Wis.
Felling Dairy LLC (Jason Felling), Sauk Centre, Minn.
Holmesville Dairy (Travis and Stephanie Holmes), Argyle Wis.
Pine Row Dairy (Brant Ryzebol), Mantorville, Minn.
 
Silver
Campogallo SAS (Borgo Giovanni Marco), Schiavon Vicenza, Italy
Enge Farms (Mike Enge), North Freedom, Wis.
Holland Cattle Company (Bill and Lisa Holland Family), Apple River, Ill.
Ripp Dairy Valley (Chuck Ripp), Dane, Wis.
Riverside Dairy (Andy Fischer), Reedsville, Wis.
Shady Acres Dairy LP (Chris Anker), Helm, Calif.
 
Bronze
A-OK Farms LLC (Mark Breunig), Sheboygan Falls, Wis.
Full Flo Dairy (Mark Rauls), De Forest, Wis.
Jauquet’s Hillview Dairy (Dave and Stacey Jauquet), Luxemburg, Wis.
R. Kempthorne & Partners Ltd., Bodmin, Cornwall, United Kingdom
Newmont Dairy (Will Galdstone), Fairlee, Vt.
Schumacher Farms of Elgin, Inc. (Kurt Schumacher), Elgin, Minn.
 
This awards program, sponsored by Hoard’s Dairyman magazine and Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council, recognizes dairy producers whose herds excel in getting cows safe in calf. DCRC’s Excellence in Dairy Cattle Reproduction judges considered many criteria when reviewing finalists’ applications, including pregnancy rate, voluntary waiting period, interbreeding intervals, heat detection, conception rate, value of reproduction and culling rate.
 
The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council is focused on bringing together all sectors of the dairy industry – producers, consultants, academia and allied industry professionals – for improved reproductive performance. DCRC provides an unprecedented opportunity for all groups to work together to take dairy cattle reproduction to the next level.

A northeast Iowa dairy farm that has leaked manure-contaminated water onto neighboring properties and into a creek for five years may face harsher penalties than state regulators typically impose.

After two more occurrences this year at Regancrest Holsteins near Waukon, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources forwarded the offenses to the state Attorney General’s Office, which can seek court fines above the $10,000 DNR can issue administratively.

“It’s a sensitive area up there,” said Brian Jergenson, a senior DNR environmental specialist, citing Allamakee County’s porous and mountainous topography and the department’s repeated efforts to prevent manure flows. “We had many spills. We’re not throwing our hands up, but we thought it was time to step it up.”

The DNR can issue violation letters and administrative fines for manure spills that pollute waterways. Rarely are instances reported to the attorney general for litigation.

The DNR received three other livestock producer manure recommendations in the past decade. Court records show $46,000, $23,000, and $15,000 fines for those cases.

The DNR’s administrative fines are limited to $10,000, but cattle farmers might be ordered to pay thousands more for fish kills.

DNR data show that Regancrest’s regulatory issues began in 2018 after an expansion and manure pumping system installation. The system transports manure from cattle confinement facilities to outdoor storage basins.
Regancrest Holsteins’ manure spilled into a ravine and creek. Photo via Iowa DNR

DNR records reflect an anonymous complaint to the DNR in February 2018 that excrement from the facility ran onto a neighboring property and into a ravine but not into a waterway. Owner Bill Regan told the authorities that the manure spill was caused by a pumping system clog caused by “improper use” by his employees.

Later that month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency inspected the property and discovered that it was a large concentrated animal confinement facility with 990 dairy cow, 260 immature dairy animals, and 16 beef cattle. It was needed to keep manure-laden rainwater out of waterways.

The EPA offered Regancrest three options: permanently remove pollution discharges, acquire a permit, or limit the herd to no more than 700 cattle. No such thing has happened since, according DNR records.

A calves-raising facility’s open, outdoor feedlot without stormwater barriers is a major worry.

In 2018, personnel errors produced manure system clogs that discharged into nearby properties twice more, and the DNR found no stormwater controls on the open feedlot during a July inspection. A local livestock producer said “cattle in a ravine below the operation refuse to drink (its) water due to contaminants.”

A 2020 DNR inspection found that the open feedlot could contaminate the ravine, which flows to a nearby canal.

“The owner was informed to control runoff from this area, remove all material, and no longer use this area to store material that may discharge to a water source,” a DNR inspection report stated.

Last year, the DNR fined Regancrest $1,500 for 2018 offenses.

Then in February 2023, the DNR investigated a report that contaminated water was pouring from the open feedlot into the ravine and found it had reached a Jones Creek tributary. The government sent Regancrest another violation notice.

The final incident occurred in July 2023 when a Regancrest employee started the manure transfer system but didn’t recognize for 30 minutes that part of it had collapsed and was pouring manure into another ravine and the stream branch.

The DNR forwarded the case to the AG in October. It’s unclear how that recommendation is going because the office didn’t comment for this article. Regan said nothing.

According to DNR data, Regancrest has trained its personnel to prevent spills and has taken efforts to prevent spills from migrating through underground tiling.

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Source: iowacapitaldispatch.com

According to Matt Herrick, senior vice president, executive and strategic communications, International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the national milk carton deficit could be alleviated by early 2024.

“We are not able to pinpoint a cause of the shortage,” he told reporters. “However, all signs point to the supply challenge easing by early 2024 following holiday breaks at schools, which should give packaging providers and processors time to rebuild stock.”

Herrick noted that school meals are vital for children, with 30 million pupils receiving breakfast and lunch each day in our schools, and milk being a key component of those meals.

“That is why we are doing everything we can to ensure milk remains on the tray,” Herrick said. “As previously reported, one industry supplier of half-pint milk cartons is unable to meet all carton orders in the near term.” According to media sources, Pactiv Evergreen supplies between two-thirds and three-quarters of the cardboard for half-pint school milk cartons.”

According to IDFA, three packaging providers provide cartons to practically the entire US school milk market. “An important lesson learned from the COVID supply chain challenges is that our industry needs to do a better job of building greater resilience into our supply chain.” “In talking with our members, there is a greater appreciation for supplier diversification to avoid these types of challenges in the future,” Herrick observed.

“At this time, we are not aware of any widespread school milk shortages, but the situation remains fluid.” Shortages appear to be sporadic and localized at this moment. As a result, we urge any stakeholders who contact us not to panic. Instead, we encourage teamwork,” he added.

Aside from the one packaging company, several other packaging companies have increased carton manufacturing or formed new agreements with processors, according to Herrick. “Based on what we’ve heard, school milk processors are seeking out and entering new partnerships with packaging providers.”

The nationwide milk scarcity, which has been identified as half-pint milk cartons, has received a lot of attention. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer has called on the USDA to intervene in the nationwide milk carton crisis, which is affecting dairy producers and schools in his home state of New York and across the country.

Schumer urged the USDA to not only provide New York dairy farmers with the technical assistance they need to get through the shortage, but also to collaborate with industry leaders to devise creative solutions to get milk into our school lunchrooms and to investigate the shortage to prevent future disruptions and minimize downstream impacts.

“Milk is an essential part of our students’ school lunches and the lifeblood of our Upstate NY agricultural economy, but with a national milk carton shortage looming, now is the time for the USDA to step up and ensure our farmers get more support to continue their vital work.” That is why I am urging the USDA to begin working with industry leaders to address the nationwide shortfall and offer all of the leadership and technical assistance required to assist our New York dairy farmers,” said Senator Schumer. “The USDA is uniquely positioned to investigate this problem from a national level and work with the dairy industry, our farmers, and schools to mitigate the impacts of shortages and propose solutions.”

“Given the potential downstream impacts of disruptions to the milk packaging supply chain we also need the USDA to investigate the causes of this carton shortage to determine how we can avoid further disruptions to our dairy farmers and any further steps we can be taking to mitigate problems of this nature in the future,” Schumer said in a statement.

Outside of new relationships, here’s how school milk processors are faring, according to Herrick.

• At least one processor with surplus carton stock has distributed part of it to another processor to help them get through any hard spots.
• Processors are also offering fewer SKUs—primarily 1% white, 1% chocolate, and skim chocolate—which helps packaging businesses and processors meet short-term demand.
• Processors are also collaborating with schools to provide half-gallons, gallons, and other quantities to ensure milk is available on the tray when half-pint carton supplies are renewed.
• Some schools provide shelf-stable (aseptic) milk.
• Some schools have bulk milk dispensers installed.
• Some schools are providing more juice and water in addition to milk; others are providing only juice and water, which is not optimal for child nutrition, and we are pushing processors and schools to find methods to maintain milk on the tray.

Offering alternative milk types and container sizes is allowed because the USDA has given all schools emergency authority to do so, similar to the scenario under COVID, according to Herrick. “USDA issued a memo almost three weeks ago reminding states and local schools that they can serve different varieties of milk as well as different container sizes to fulfill the milk requirement in school meals using their emergency authorities, should they need to.”

As an example, the Upstate Niagara Cooperative provides half-gallons of milk to schools as an alternative. “Our 260 dairy farm families are encouraged by our team’s efforts to continue supplying our milk to our school customers,” stated John T. Gould, president and chairman of Upstate Niagara Cooperative. “It took a lot of effort, coordination, and cooperation to meet their needs.” Senator Schumer’s support in acknowledging the crucial necessity of milk in the nutritional needs of children and adults is much appreciated. We appreciate his efforts and attention in resolving this packaging quandary as soon as possible.”

Herrick maintained that milk supplies are plenty across the country, and Schumer stated, “There is no shortage of milk.” “This is not a problem for dairy farmers.” This is not a problem with the milk processor. This is not a school-related issue. “It’s a packaging problem,” Herrick said. “That is why we are urging schools to do everything possible to ensure that milk is available for all students.” No child should go hungry.”

Bovine Respiratory Disease costs the UK agricultural industry £80 million per year due to cow death, veterinary fees, additional labor, and decreased animal output. However, a new effort intends to provide automated and real-time monitoring to offer dairy producers with an early warning system.

Scotland’s Rural College, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), Roboscientific, Zoetis, and Ritchie are all involved in the DETECT project.

UKCEH scientists will collect breath samples from both healthy and BRD-positive animals. They will next utilize a chemical ionisation mass spectrometer to determine which volatile metabolites are linked to healthy or unhealthy animals.

This will help in the development of low-cost sensors that will be placed into mechanical calf feeders to monitor animals’ breath while they feed. Electronic ear tags enable test findings to be associated with individual animals.

Non-invasive BVD monitoring

This non-invasive passive monitoring device is a novel approach since previous methods for obtaining a breath sample entailed animal handling, such as using nose swabs or attaching a mask to specific animals.

‘Passive breath monitoring of livestock: utilizing factor analysis to deconvolve the cow shed,’ a UKCEH research published last year in the Journal of Breath Research, demonstrated the strategy may work.

“Reducing the impact of disease in calves will improve the animals’ welfare and productivity, as well as saving farmers money and time,” said Dr Ben Langford of UKCEH, who conducted the research and is part of the DETECT project team. It would also minimize the usage of antibiotics, which would aid in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, a major concern in the agricultural industry.”

Respiratory sickness, which is sometimes difficult to detect physically, causes animals to gain weight more slowly and cows to produce less milk. Beef cattle take longer to attain market weights, and afflicted animals’ feed and vet expenditures are greater.

Roboscientific designed the new sensors, which will be tested on six large dairy farms. The goal is to develop a commercial monitoring system that would notify farmers via text message when a sick animal is found. This would enable the farmer to promptly isolate that animal and prevent illness from spreading across the herd.

It will be intended to be easily installed into any calf shed to enable customizable, automated, and real-time illness monitoring of individual animals.

The project was one of 19 winning Farming Futures Automation and Robotics competition ideas that won a £700,000 grant from Innovate UK.

The Horace Backus memorabilia collection will be auctioned off on November 28-30. Some of the items in this auction date back to the 1800s. Everything takes place on Cowbuyer.com.  Proceeds will be used to care for Horace, who is in rehab after a stroke.

Changes for the December 5, 2023, CDCB evaluations include updated imputation results for all breeds, new haplotype calls for early onset muscle weakness syndrome in Holsteins, and update to the haplotype calls for cholesterol deficiency in Holsteins.

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Full-population imputation update for all breeds

By Ezequiel Nicolazzi

The imputed genotypes for all animals will be updated in the CDCB evaluations on December 5, 2023, which is expected to result in higher variability of haplotype calls. This is a periodic process that last occurred in April 2021.

In the time between full-population updates, new animals or those who have added information – such as those genotyped with higher density chips, have genotyped progeny or parents now available – receive a new imputation during any given monthly evaluation utilizing the latest available haplotype library.

A full-population imputation, as we will see in December, is done periodically as CDCB updates quality control measures and ensures the complete population is able to benefit from the latest information available regarding which SNPs are usable on individual chips. This is not done monthly or annually due to the time required and to provide more stability to the evaluation system.

CDCB anticipates higher variability of haplotype calls in December due to the full imputation. Higher variability of genomic evaluations and Breed Base Representation (BBR) values can be expected, especially in specific subsets of the population. Animals most affected will be 1) non-genotyped dams (e.g., fully imputed); 2) animals genotyped at low density or with the newest chips; 3) animals with partial or incomplete pedigree; 4) animals with weak or no links to the U.S. reference population.

Animals with complete pedigrees and genotyped with a high-density test are expected to remain stable.

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Haplotype calls for Early Onset Muscle Weakness in Holstein

By Ahmed Al-Khudhair, Dan Null and Paul M. VanRaden

The December 5, 2023, dairy cattle genetic evaluations will contain a new haplotype call for Early Onset Muscle Weakness Syndrome in Holsteins. Abbreviated HMW, U.S. genetic evaluations will include the reporting of noncarrier (0), carrier (1), homozygous (2), probable carrier (3), or probable homozygous (4) status of an animal for Early Onset Muscle Weakness Syndrome (MW).

In a test run using November 2023 genotypes, 87.7% of the Holstein population was reported as noncarrier (0), 2.3% as carrier (1), 0.02% as homozygous (2), 9.6% as probable carrier (3) and 0.4% as probable homozygous (4).

Of the more than 7,000 direct MW gene tests received by Holstein Association USA (HAUSA) and confidentially shared with CDCB and USDA AGIL for HMW development, only 41 animals received haplotype calls that did not match their lab test. Among the 41, there were 39 animals identified as carriers through the gene test but could not be confirmed by pedigree during the HMW call process, and these 39 animals were given an HMW 0 code for noncarrier. The remaining two animals were identified homozygous through the gene test, but the haplotyping algorithm was unable to confirm the descendance of the mutated haplotype from one or both sides of the pedigree, which resulted in a HMW 0 and 1 result for the two respective animals.

In the coming months, further development using the lab tests to improve the accuracy of HMW carrier status for tested animals and their descendants will continue. Breeders are encouraged to continue submitting MW lab results to HAUSA as we work together to continue building a stronger understanding of this genetic condition that remains under investigation by HAUSA.

More information and further resources on this genetic condition and haplotype are provided in the November 15 joint statement from CDCB, Holstein Association USA and National Association of Animal Breeders.

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Including 1.3 million female lab tests for Cholesterol Deficiency in haplotype calls in Holstein­

By Dan Null and Paul M. VanRaden

The December 5, 2023, dairy cattle genetic evaluations will contain an update to the haplotype call for Cholesterol Deficiency (HCD) in Holsteins. Through collaboration with Holstein Association USA (HAUSA), CDCB and AGIL were granted access to more than 1.3 million female lab tests for Cholesterol Deficiency. Similar to the methodology applied to the Early Onset Muscle Weakness Syndrome haplotype (HMW), the pedigree tracing algorithm that determines carrier or probable carrier animals is now excluded from the imputation process and performed during the haplotype calling procedure.

In a test run using November 2023 genotypes, 96.6% of the Holstein population was reported as noncarrier (0), 1.5% as carrier (1), 0.01% as homozygous (2), 1.9% as probable carrier (3) and 0.02% as probable homozygous (4) for HCD.

Of the more than 1.3 million lab tests received from HAUSA, only 0.09% received haplotype calls that did not match their lab test; in most cases, animals were identified as carriers by the haplotyping algorithm but were not confirmed by pedigree, so set to noncarrier (0). In two cases, animals tested as homozygotes received a carrier status. All other tests matched the test lab results. These CD lab test results will only be used for imputation and HCD calling improvements and will not be shared publicly.

James Mark Oechsle, age 64, passed away on November 15, 2023, at Lutheran Memorial Medical ICU as a result of an accident sustained at work. He was born in Midland, Michigan, to the late Marlin Oechsle and Vivian (Showalter) Oechsle February 5, 1959. He married Cheryl J. Schroer on November 17, 1990.

Jim spent his early years in Midland, Michigan, developing his life-long love for the Michigan Wolverines. He moved with his family to Van Wert, Ohio, during junior high school and graduated from Crestview High School in 1977. He spent almost 20 years working with his uncle on the Da-Bren dairy farm and developed his own herd of quality registered Guernseys under the Jamaro prefix. After his uncle’s herd was sold, he served as a herdsman for several different herds in Michigan and Ohio until 2000 when he became a full-time truck driver. He and Cheri established the JaCher prefix and began building their own herd of registered dairy cattle with their sons. Jim was a hard worker and loved to share his knowledge with young people. He volunteered as a 4-H advisor and a FFA dairy judging coach. He mentored several youth showing and fitting cattle. He was a member of the Shane’s Lodge #377 F.& A.M., a member of the First United Methodist Church and several state and national dairy organizations. His sons and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He loved to make a good quality field of hay, show cows, and spend time visiting with family.

Surviving along with his wife are his four sons: Stephan (Crystal) of Perrysburg, OH, Harrison of Van Wert, Matthew (MacKenzie) of Convoy, and Korey (Torie) of Delavan, WI; his grandchildren Kensley and Arnold Marlin; sister Peggy (Dan) Skinner, sisters-in-law Cindy Oechsle and Juli (Jeff) Lubelczyk and brother-in-law Scott (Holly) Schroer; father-in-law Kenneth Schroer; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, his brother Jay, his mother-in-law, Barbara Schroer and two nephews, Andrew and Peter Lubelczyk.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 20, 2023 at Cowan & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services with Pastor Christian Taylor officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Ohio City. Calling hours are 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at the funeral home with one hour of calling ahead of services on Monday.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Van Wert Agricultural Society for Dairy Barn Projects in Jim’s memory. 

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com, Tribute Wall.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James M. Oechsle, please visit our floral store.

Premier Select Sires will award up to $20,000 to students within the Premier territory through the 2024 Premier Future Ag Leaders Scholarship Program. Two exemplary students will receive $2,500 scholarships through either the Johnny Daniel Memorial Scholarship or the Wayne Dudley Scholarship. Several other students will receive scholarships of $750-$1,000 in value.

Scholarship application forms will be available beginning November 15, 2023 under the “News” tab of www.premierselectsires.com, by calling (570) 836-3168, or by emailing office@premierselect.com. Completed scholarship applications are due January 31, 2024.

Eligible students include high school seniors through college seniors presently enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate agriculture-related major. The student or his/her parent or guardian must reside in the Premier membership area and must be an active Premier customer in good standing. Previous scholarship winners remain eligible during subsequent award years; however, a student can only receive a $2,500 scholarship once in his/her school career.

The Premier Future Ag Leaders Scholarship Program provides financial support to eligible college undergraduates in agricultural majors. The program provides additional return to the cooperative’s member-owners by supporting the next generation of young people desiring to study and work in the agriculture industry. The Premier Select Sires, Inc. board of directors has made a commitment to providing money to support this scholarship program on an ongoing annual basis.

Premier Select Sires is a farmer-owned cooperative that serves beef and dairy producers in its 23-state member area. Dedicated to providing its members with all they need to achieve success, Premier provides:

• Industry-leading genetics from the Select Sires, Accelerated Genetics, and GenerVations brands
• Effective herd health and management products, as well as artificial insemination supplies
• Reliable services and programs backed by years of success
• Knowledgeable industry experts who are easily accessed for consultation, advice, and on-farm assistance

Together with its five sister cooperatives across the United States, Premier owns and controls Select Sires Inc., the world’s most recognized name in bovine genetics.

Through a comprehensive package of export assistance, the Dairy Export Programme will assist UK agri-businesses in growing by embracing new export possibilities and utilizing international markets for their goods.

The Dairy Export Programme is funded directly by the British government and is part of a larger package of government assistance for agriculture, food, and drink. This includes a £2 million investment to expand the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) worldwide tradeshow and mission program, which will be conducted in collaboration with industry and the Food and Drink Export Council.

The initiative will provide a broad variety of tailored assistance to firms, including education sessions on how to increase exports, target new markets, and engage in trade promotion activities such as an inward buyer trade trip and a UK Dairy Showcase.

It will also give professional resources in key markets committed to helping dairy exports, as well as market data to assist firms in capitalizing on international prospects.

Malcolm Offord, the Minister for Exports, said: “Growing the agri, food and drink sector is key to growing our economy, and I am delighted to launch the Dairy Export Programme which will help businesses grasp exciting new opportunities around the world.”

The UK dairy business is regarded for being ambitious and inventive, ranking among the finest in the world.

The Dairy Export Programme will expand on DBT’s current strong support for the industry. Food and beverage firms will also benefit from DBT’s Export Support Service, Export Academy, UK Export Finance, and an international trade adviser network.

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program last week announced the winners of the third annual FARM Excellence Awards.

Through these awards, the FARM Program recognized three farms and one evaluator who go above and beyond industry standards through their commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. The 2023 FARM Excellence Award recipients are:

• Animal Care & Antibiotic Stewardship — Ingleside Dairy Farm, Inc. (Dairy Farmers of America)
• Workforce Development — Newmont Farm LLC (Agri-Mark, Inc.)
• Evaluator of the Year — Jim Kauffman (Associated Milk Producers Inc.)

The 2023 FARM Excellence Award for Environmental Stewardship was awarded to a Dairy Farmers of America farm that wished to remain unnamed.

“The FARM Program would not be able to demonstrate the high quality of U.S. dairy without the dedication of our producers and evaluators,” Executive Director of the FARM Program Emily Yeiser Stepp said. “The 2023 FARM Excellence Award winners embody the FARM Program principles and they inspire others to do the same.”

Winners were announced Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the 2023 Joint Annual Meeting of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) in Orlando, Florida.

The FARM Excellence Awards were created in 2021 to celebrate farms that are dedicated to continuous improvement in one or more FARM Program areas, and a FARM Program evaluator for their exceptional care and attention to the farms they evaluate. The awards are judged by FARM Farmer Advisory Council members and other subject matter experts. Farms and evaluators can be nominated by fellow dairy farmers and evaluators, members of their communities, extension, cooperative or processor staff, veterinarians, or other industry professionals.

Visit the FARM Program website for more information about the FARM Excellence Awards and the 2023 award winners. Award winner images are also available for download, here.

About the Winners

Ingleside Dairy Farm, Inc. is in Lexington, Virginia and is a member of Dairy Farmers of America. Ingleside Dairy Farm was awarded the 2023 FARM Excellence Award in Animal Care & Antibiotic Stewardship for their constant efforts to create the ideal environment for their cows, and their forward-thinking mindset that has served as an example for farms across the Southeast.

Newmont Farm LLC is in Fairlee, Vermont, and is a member of Agri-Mark, Inc. Newmont Farm was awarded the 2023 FARM Excellence Award in Workforce Development for their dedication to employee safety and implementing practices to communicate safety measures to their employees, customers, and community.

Jim Kauffman, field representative and FARM Animal Care Evaluator for Associated Milk Producers Inc., was awarded the 2023 FARM Evaluator Excellence Award for his unparalleled commitment to the farms he represents and the work he does to create program awareness through conversations with milk haulers, equipment dealers, veterinarians, and others who work directly with supporting dairy farmers.

Holstein UK is delighted to announce that Marcel Egli of Lucerne, Switzerland has been appointed as the judge of The National Holstein Show at UK Dairy Day 2024.

The 2024 event will see UK Dairy Day celebrate its 10th Anniversary, taking place at the International Centre in Telford on Wednesday, 11th September. The leading dairy trade event brings together over 300 businesses from the UK’s dairy industry and attracts cattle exhibitors with their exceptional livestock from the breadth of the UK.

With a wealth of judging experience behind him, Marcel has judged many shows in his home country of Switzerland along with international shows in France, Germany and Ireland and had the honour of joining the EHRC European Judges Panel in 2022.

Marcel has worked for the breeding association, Swiss Herdbook, as a breeding advisor throughout Switzerland since 2014 and has been an official judge for Swiss Herdbook since 2017. He is a familiar face at dairy shows across Europe and in the past has been responsible for the show team at the well-known Swiss Holstein Farm, Ptit Coeur Holsteins.

In 2020, he took over his wife Fabienne’s farm in Les Breuleux, Jura, where he manages 22 ha and rears around 60 heifers for his parents and brother. Marcel is also a partner in the auction business, Genetics Sale, offering auction services throughout Europe.

Over the years, Marcel has celebrated some show successes, both with animals from his parent’s farm and with animals he co-owns.

Lynden Bustard, UK Dairy Day Cattle Show Manager, added, “We look forward to welcoming Marcel to the UK to judge The National Holstein Show. I am sure he will do an excellent job and I look forward to seeing him in action in our 10th anniversary year.”

Applications are now open for the 2023 National Judi Collinsworth Memorial Scholarship. With a commitment to fostering excellence in National Junior Holstein members, the scholarship is designed to support the academic aspirations of young Holstein enthusiasts.

Two scholarships will be awarded, including one top $1,000 scholarship and a second $500 scholarship. National Junior Holstein members enrolled in a 2- or 4-year college or university who have exhibited their animal at a National Junior Holstein Show during the current show season are eligible to apply.

“After revamping the scholarship format last year, we are thrilled to continue to offer this opportunity to our Junior Members,” says Kelli Dunklee, Holstein Association USA Event and Program Lead. “It’s more than a scholarship, it’s an opportunity to support and encourage our remarkable youth as they transition into college and future careers in the dairy industry.”

The selection committee considers leadership, participation in Holstein activities, and involvement in school, community, and other agricultural organizations. National Junior Holstein members enrolled in college who have competed in any of the National Junior Holstein shows throughout the 2023 show season are invited to submit applications.

The deadline for submitting scholarship applications is December 1, 2023, so eligible students are encouraged to act promptly. Applications can be found at www.holsteinusa.com/juniors under National Junior Shows.

Judi Collinsworth worked at Holstein Association USA in Brattleboro, Vermont as the Executive Director of Member and Industry Relations. She spent a great deal of time working to improve and expand the programs available to Holstein youth and was responsible for telemarketing, member-related programs, State Association communications, member services and Association external affairs.

Scholarship recipients must be a National Junior Holstein member and enrolled in a 2- or 4-year college or university. Youth must also have exhibited their animal at a National Junior Holstein Show during the current show season. Applicants are judged on their leadership profile, Holstein involvement and interest, and participation in other activities. More information and the application can be found at www.holsteinusa.com/pdf/forms_apps/collinsworth_award.pdf.

Holstein Association USA, Inc., provides programs, products and services to dairy producers to enhance genetics and improve profitability — including animal identification and ear tags, genomic testing, mating programs, dairy records processing, classification, communication, consulting services, and Holstein semen.

The Association, headquartered in Brattleboro, VT., represents approximately 25,000 members throughout the United States. To learn more about Registered Holsteins^® and the other exciting programs offered by the Holstein Association, visit www.holsteinusa.com, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

The T.C. Jacoby Weekly Market Report Week Ending November 3, 2023

There was a lot of red ink on LaSalle Street this week, and every product at the CME spot market finished lower. Most milk futures also finished the week below where they began it, although losses were relatively modest. November through January Class III futures traded in the low $17s. November Class IV futures settled at a buoyant $20.75 per cwt., but the other contracts hovered in the $18s and $19s.

There was a lot of red ink on LaSalle Street this week, and every product at the CME spot market finished lower. Most milk futures also finished the week below where they began it, although losses were relatively modest. November through January Class III futures traded in the low $17s. November Class IV futures settled at a buoyant $20.75 per cwt., but the other contracts hovered in the $18s and $19s.

Class IV futures are adequate to pay the bills, but most producers receive at least some Class III revenue as well. The milk markets are offering much better returns than they did this summer, but they’re still not likely to bring widespread prosperity. Nonetheless, there are indications that milk production is improving. Cooler temperatures are boosting milk output and components. Slaughter volumes have been running light for at least seven straight weeks. Some of the slowdown in cull rates can be dismissed as the inevitable consequence of aggressive culling this summer, which left fewer low-production or ailing cows to be killed this fall. And tight heifer supplies are forcing some dairy producers to rein in cull rates just to retain their head counts. But there is no denying that slaughter volumes have been lower than expected for longer than expected, hinting at growth – or at least stabilization – in the milk-cow herd.

On the other side of the world, New Zealand milk output technically fell short of year-ago volumes in September, with fluid milk collections down 0.4% from September 2022. But milk solids output jumped 1.3% year over year, flipping season-to-date milk solids collections into the black. Kiwi producers are frustrated with high interest rates and relatively low pay prices, and they may face a difficult summer due to El Niño. However, they’re coasting through the seasonal peak in relatively good condition.

Optimism about U.S. and Kiwi milk production prospects and pessimism about global dairy demand hurt the milk powder markets this week. Milk powder prices retreated once again at the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) Pulse auction Tuesday. Skim milk powder (SMP) prices were especially soft. The trade doesn’t yet know whether the GDT Pulse offers a good proxy for the full GDT auction, which attracts significantly more buyers and more volume. A strong showing at next week’s GDT could assuage a lot of fears, but for now, the GDT has stopped the global milk powder rally in its tracks. In Chicago, CME spot nonfat dry milk (NDM) lost 1.25ȼ and closed at $1.85 per pound.

While there are concerns about demand, U.S. milk powder supplies offer some fodder for the bulls. Combined production of NDM and SMP totaled 156.7 million pounds in September, down 18% from a year ago and the lowest tally for the month since 2015. Manufacturers’ stocks of NDM declined once again in September, pushing inventories to their lowest mark since November 2021. It takes decent demand to propel prices sharply higher, but tighter supplies will help to put a firm floor under the milk powder market.

Whey powder output also fell short of year-ago volumes in September, albeit by a narrow margin. Still, a deficit is a deficit and it’s nice to see a shift after five months of formidable output. Whey processors are clearly sending more whey into concentrates, leaving less for commodity whey powder. Whey stocks declined from August to September, but they remained 24.7% above year-ago levels. At the CME spot market, dry whey finished at 38.75ȼ, down 1.25ȼ from last Friday’s six-month high.

Cheese production inched upward in September, clocking in at 1.15 billion pounds, up 0.1% from last year. But the details beneath the headline were less encouraging. Mozzarella output fell 1.3% from last year, confirming that cheese processors suffered a slowdown in orders from pizza makers or international buyers or both. Meanwhile, Cheddar production jumped 3.1% from year-ago volumes, and that’s cheese that is likely to sit in a warehouse or show up in Chicago. This week at the spot market, Cheddar blocks dropped 6.5ȼ to $1.665, their lowest price since July. Barrels slipped 4.25ȼ to $1.64.

Churns ran a little harder in September. Butter output climbed to 144.6 million pounds, up 2.9% from September 2022. Cream prices dropped in October, and anecdotal reports suggest that butter output grew once again last month. Spot butter took another large step on the long road to post-holiday values. It plummeted 8.5ȼ to $3.1075. So far, the earlyNovember decline in butter pricing is not as breathtaking as last year’s cliff jump. But there is more work to be done.

The grain trade is comfortable with the size of the corn crop and the market continues to trade in a well-defined range from $4.70 to $4.90 per bushel. This week, corn futures tested the waters just below the typical trading range and then bounced right back. They closed at $4.7725 per bushel, down 3.5ȼ from last Friday.

The soy complex offers more drama. The U.S. and global soy balance sheets are tight, and any sign of production issues sends prices soaring. After a couple showery weeks in central Brazil, the forecast now calls for a short dry spell. That was enough to reignite the U.S. soy markets. Soybean meal prices began the week in retreat, but they came roaring back today. December soybean meal settled at $442.10 per ton, down just 30ȼ from last Friday’s life-of-contract highs.

Original Report At: https://www.jacoby.com/market-report/milk-markets-offer-better-returns/

Saputo Dairy Australia (SDA) said it would conduct an assessment of its King Island Dairy factory in Tasmania, considering the possibility of selling it. As part of Saputo Inc’s Global Strategic Plan, SDA has announced a $27 million investment in renovations at its Victorian and Tasmanian factories.

MA Moelis Australia has been hired by SDA to investigate “strategic, commercial, and financial alternatives, including a potential sale to a third party so the facility can continue to make its award-winning products in the long term.”

“As King Island Dairy’s historic roots are deeply embedded in the region, we hope to find a buyer for the facility to ensure the continued success of its renowned specialty cheese products,” stated Leanne Cutts, president and CEO (International and Europe) of Saputo Inc.

“We recognise the potential impact any decision may have on the King Island community, especially our employees and dairy farmers, and we are committed to thoughtfully considering all possible scenarios before any decisions are made.”

The plant employs 63 individuals who have been informed of the review. SDA will continue to operate King Island Dairy while it considers its options.

This decision, according to SDA, falls under the Optimise and Enhance Operations pillar of the company’s Global Strategic Plan, which was released in March 2021.

GSP’s CEO Lino Saputo announced the company’s goal of achieving a high single-digit adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) core annual growth rate (CAGR) over four years, with a target of CAD2.125 billion (AU$2.4 billion) by the end of FY25, and that it would be accomplished through five pillars:

Improve the main business;

Increase the pace of product innovation;

Increase the value of your ingredient portfolio.

Improve and optimize processes; and

Create enablers to accelerate investment.

“This announcement builds on SDA’s previously confirmed consolidation initiatives that aim to align our manufacturing footprint with our current and future expected milk intake, which is already delivering higher utilisation through our facilities, while increasing efficiency and reducing operating costs,” Cutts said in a press release.

The firm laid off 18 workers when it shuttered the sliced cheese manufacturing component of its Cobram facility in June 2022.

SDA shuttered its Maffra factory in November last year, as well as sections of its Leongatha and Mil-Lel plants in Victoria and South Australia.

SDA has plants in Victoria at Kiewa, Cobram, Leongatha, Maffra, Allansford, and Laverton, South Australia at Mil-Lel, and Tasmania at Burnie.

SDA manufactures, processes, markets, and distributes liquid milk, cultured goods, dairy and nondairy cheeses under the Cheer, Devondale, King Island Dairy, Liddells, Mersey Valley, MG Ingredients, Mil Lel, South Cape, and Tasmanian Heritage brands.

Production and packaging were incorporated into other facilities as part of the closures to boost capacity utilization and minimize costs.

SDA also announced a $27 million investment in new capital projects, including a $8 million investment to enhance its climate, water, and waste performance.

“In making these investments and strategic decisions, we remain focused on maximizing our return on every litre of milk in order to further strengthen SDA’s position in Australia as a high-quality, low-cost processor.”

“Once completed, this strategic review of King Island Dairy will conclude our current challenge to strengthen our competitiveness by proactively adapting our manufacturing footprint to align with the changed dairy industry landscape and deliver on our vision for long-term success in Australia,” Cutts said in a press release.

Meanwhile, the ACCC is debating on the planned sale to Coles Group of two SDA automated milk processing plants.

The commission said in its Statement of Issues that it was worried about the deal providing Coles the potential to influence the market and less competition at the wholesale level.

It was the first address given by a King in 72 years, since King George VI’s reign.

King Charles gave his first address to parliament as a reigning king, detailing the Government’s goals for the following year as well as the importance of agriculture and farmers.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September, it was the first address made by a King in 72 years, dating back to the reign of King George VI, the present monarch’s grandfather.

On Tuesday (November 7), the King made a speech in the House of Lords to mark the start of the new legislative year, outlining the Government’s plan for 2023 and 2024.

Prior to the address, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak presented an introduction in which he highlighted how the Government will offer a brighter future for Britain by ‘expanding the economy, building society, keeping people secure, and championing the UK’s national interests on the world stage.

“We are introducing new legislation to grow the economy, increase energy security, attract investment, create jobs, improve skills, and boost our brilliant innovators and entrepreneurs – assisting people everywhere in seizing new opportunities that will improve their lives,” Mr Sunak continued.

“This King’s speech brings about change.” Our economy is changing.

“Our society is changing. Our communities are changing.

“It takes long-term decisions for a brighter future.”

King Charles said in his address that the UK faced “long-term challenges,” but that the Government’s aim will be to make “difficult but necessary long-term decisions to change this country for the better.”

He affirmed that the government will prioritize 21 laws over the next year, including those dealing with criminal justice, commerce, the environment, and employment.

However, not everyone was thrilled with the King’s speech’s government ideas.

In response to King’s speech, Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer said that the Conservative Government “cannot deliver the change people are crying out for.”

According to the Scottish National Party, Westminster could have provided assistance to families amid this cost-of-living crisis, but instead’sat on their hands’ with fresh demands for devolution of authority to Scotland.

The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, informed Senedd members that there was “not a single mention of Wales in the speech.”

He went on to say: “There is nothing in the programme which is going to make the lives of people here in Wales better, and it shows a government which has no ambition for the future.”

The Liberal Democrats’ leader, Ed Davey, claimed the King’s Speech showed a government that had “run out of ideas,” and he called for a general election to “put people out of their misery.”

Mind, a mental health organization, expressed disappointment that the government had “failed to prioritize mental health,” which was not addressed in the King’s Speech.

But how did farming and agriculture figure into the King’s speech?

These were the primary issues of discussion when farming and agriculture were mentioned:

1) Export benefits for dairy producers: Under The Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership), dairy farmers will benefit from lower tariffs on cheese and butter exports to Canada, Chile, Japan, and Mexico. The deal, according to the government, would provide new export prospects for UK farmers while maintaining UK food safety requirements.

2) Ending live livestock exports and strengthening the UK’s excellent animal welfare standards: The Government’s Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill would prohibit the export of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and horses from the United Kingdom for slaughter or fattening. The Bill, according to the government, would “prevent unnecessary stress, exhaustion, and injury caused by exporting live animals” on lengthy travels for slaughter and fattening.

To uphold its ‘strong animal welfare standards,’ the government said that animals will be butchered domestically. The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill would impose a permanent ban on live animal exports, which would be permitted in other circumstances, while reinforcing the UK’s position as a “world leader in animal welfare, boosting the value of British meat and helping to grow the economy.”

3) £4 million to assist farmers via the Smaller Abattoir Fund: The government said that it will assist farmers in improving animal welfare conditions by financing yearly vet checks for all livestock producers, new equipment, and better farm infrastructure. Smaller abattoirs would benefit from a £4 million Smaller Abattoir Fund, which would be launched by the end of 2023 and would aim to promote animal health and welfare as well as aid maintain companies that offer a ‘valued service to farmers and decrease trip times for animals to slaughter’.

4) New regulations pave the way for the adoption of ‘driverless’ agricultural machinery: The Automated Vehicles Bill would establish a legal standard for self-driving vehicles. Only cars that can drive themselves safely and obey all road traffic laws will be classed as self-driving and permitted on our roads. The government said that once cars are on the road, it would hold corporations responsible, as well as investigate and learn from mishaps.

5) Promises to lead action on climate change and biodiversity loss, to assist developing countries with their energy transition, and to hold other countries accountable for their environmental commitments: The government stated that the UK has cut emissions further and faster than any other major economy, and that it is proud to be a world leader in reducing emissions, but that more can be done. The government said that it has one of the most aggressive objectives in the world to reduce emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

In this month’s inaugural Global Dairy Trade auction, conducted by GDT Events, international milk prices declined while volumes fell.

The GDT Price Index fell 0.7% at Tuesday’s auction, with an average selling price of $3,255 per metric ton. According to GDT Events, the index climbed 4.3% at the preceding sale.

The last auction sold 34,514 tons, a 4.1% decrease from the previous one, according to the auction platform’s website (www.globaldairytrade.info).

The auctions go place twice a month, with the next one on November 21. The auction results may have an impact on the New Zealand currency since the dairy industry accounts for more than 7% of the country’s GDP.

The New Zealand milk co-operative, controlled by over 10,500 farmers, controls roughly one-third of the global dairy trade.

GDT Events is owned by Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd in New Zealand, although it works independently of the dairy behemoth. The trading manager for the twice-monthly Global Dairy Trade auction is CRA International Inc, which is publicly traded in the United States.

Butterfat content in the U.S. milk supply climbs as demand for butter, cheese and other dairy foods grows.

The long-term demand trends for dairy products indicate butter, cheese and other full-fat dairy foods will continue to grow in sales and volume for the foreseeable future. U.S. consumers have shifted away from margarine and reduced fat dairy foods over the last decade as nutritional science surrounding saturated fats has evolved. As a result, butterfat levels in the national milk supply have risen sharply in response to changing demand patterns and dairy market dynamics.

According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the butterfat boom will continue as the entire dairy supply chain is capturing additional value from milk with higher fat and protein levels. The economic incentives for a supermajority of the nation’s dairy farmers are firmly in place to produce milk with more butterfat.

“Despite the significant growth in domestic butterfat production over the last decade, there is still tremendous upside potential, largely because the U.S. remains a milk fat-deficit nation,” said Corey Geiger, lead dairy economist with CoBank. “Butter imports into the U.S. have skyrocketed over the last decade to meet the surging domestic demand for full-fat dairy products. Also, due to strong domestic demand, the U.S. barely exports any of its butterfat. As a result, low-fat, skim-solids product exports far outpace full-butterfat products.”

Full-fat dairy and other animal products fell out of favor beginning in the 1970s over reported health concerns. However, nutrition research in the past 15 years suggests full-fat dairy has a much more nuanced role–and potentially protective effect–on health. Consumers responded to the evolving science quickly, triggering what has proven to be a long-term shift to previously tabooed dairy foods like butter.

There was a time when U.S. milk and butterfat production were synonymous. When measured by pounds, milk and butterfat production mirrored one another from 1995-2010, each growing a collective 24%. But milk and butterfat production have since decoupled. From 2011-2022, milk pounds shipped from U.S. farms grew 15%. However, butterfat pounds shipped from those same farms grew 27%.

Dairy producers have steadily increased butterfat content levels in milk through innovations in feeding programs and the use of genomic testing programs. Genomic tests can reveal 70% of the genetic ability of a young calf years before it becomes a milk cow. The science has expedited genetic gains in the U.S. dairy cow herd and dramatically shifted butterfat composition in recent years.

Geiger said the overall market picture for butterfat is quite clear, with tremendous growth potential both domestically and ultimately via the export market.

“The reality is that consumers are eating rather than drinking their dairy these days,” said Geiger. “And they are increasingly favoring full-fat dairy foods over reduced fat options. That means continued innovation in things like premium butter, butter spreads and further development in the butter board phenomenon will bring value to producers, processors and consumers alike.”

Watch a video synopsis and read the report, The Butterfat Boom Has Just Begun.

About CoBank

CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 76,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.

CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.

Saputo, a Canadian dairy company, plans to close another production facility in the United States.

The business will shut its Lancaster, Wisconsin, facility in the fourth quarter of its 2024 fiscal year, which runs from January to the end of March next year.
Saputo, the dairy behemoth, plans to shut another unit in the United States.
6 September 2021, close-up of sign at Saputo headquarters in Montreal, Canada. Photographer: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com

The closure will effect around 100 employees. Saputo said that they will be offered the option of transferring to other, undisclosed facilities.

Saputo announced the shutdown of another factory in the state in August of last year. The Belmont cheese plant will close in the same quarter as the Lancaster location.

Saputo has completed the conversion of a third facility in Wisconsin. The Reedsburg factory will take over manufacturing from Lancaster.

The company’s chair, president, and CEO, Lino Saputo, described the Reedsburg location as “another milestone on our journey to strengthen the competitiveness and long-term performance of our USA cheese network.”

He went on to say: “The network optimisation initiatives announced today will increase operational efficiency and capacity utilisation in our USA Sector, while further improving our cost structure.”

According to Rabobank, Saputo, one of the world’s ten biggest dairy firms by yearly revenue, will release its second-quarter financial results next week.

Saputo’s sales declined 2.8% to C$4.2 billion ($3.05 billion) in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

“Adjusted” EBITDA increased 4.3% to C$362 million, although Saputo said it will fall short of a goal set for that measure by fiscal 2025 owing to falling consumer demand and ongoing “market headwinds.”

Saputo stated in April that it will sell two plants in Australia to Coles, the country’s second-largest retailer.

However, Australia’s competition authority delayed its verdict on the acquisition in September.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) was scheduled to submit its findings on September 14th, but it has said that it is still receiving comments from “parties” that have previously expressed reservations about the agreement.

Guy Trafford discusses the recent measures to shrink the size of Fonterra’s main board, as well as some grassroots opposition to the planned changes.

Fonterra’s AGM, a significant milestone in the dairy calendar, is rapidly approaching. On Thursday, November 9th, at 10.30am, at the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall in Methven. They have been much less volatile in recent years than they were in the preceding decade, when Fonterra was embroiled in a series of scandals.

Despite the present price decline, the overall tone of shareholders this year is one of acceptance that the reasons are beyond the Co-op’s control, and most seem to be content with how the ‘firm’ is run. That is not to argue that there are no complaints from the ranks.

Shareholders will have observed in the ‘Notice of AGM’ that at least one member disagrees with the Co-op management’s decision to put a proposal to reduce the number of directors from 11 to 9 before the meeting. The appointed-to-elected ratio falls from 7 elected to 4 appointed to 6 elected to 3 appointed. This is not the first time the number of directors has been cut (if successful), as it was dropped from 13 to 11 in two steps in 2016 and 2017.

The present board has been emphatic in its support for the planned cutbacks, as well as in voting against Richard Dampney’s proposal to lower the number of appointed directors even more while maintaining the elected number. He believes the appointed directors do not contribute enough to justify their participation (see page 15 of the Notice of AGM).

While there is evidence that bigger boards do not work as effectively as smaller boards, the Notice of AGM, in my opinion, does not do a very good job of giving information for shareholders to vote comfortably on. Vague comments like “this reduction strikes the right balance between a strong and diverse level of perspectives, skills, and experiences and manageable workloads while providing directors with the opportunity to participate in discussions and decisions to the best of their abilities” when a reduction in numbers could reduce access to elected or appointed members and increase workloads.

A look at the suggestions for what may be deemed a best practice model may offer some confidence that what the Board is recommending is a better approach. The Australian Institute of Company Directors provides some data on the usual number of board directors in Australia, broken down by company type:

8 to 12 directors in large publicly traded firms
6 to 8 directors for medium-sized publicly traded firms
Small publicly traded companies: 4 to 6 directors

This is consistent with other sources’ suggestions. However, there is no agreement on the ideal board size. Evidence suggests that during the previous several years, the Russell 3000 and S&P 100 corporations have averaged nine and twelve directors, respectively. In Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, the average is between 10 and 11 directors.

Fonterra was so close to the acknowledged standard for a major corporation both before and after the planned revisions. Being a Co-op adds another layer of complexity, and one commenter said that co-op directors often work closer to the company than non-co-op directors.

“There’s no doubt that the cooperative model presents some unique challenges for directors,” says Melina Morrison MAICD, CEO of the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) in Australia. While directors’ duties are very similar to those of corporations, co-op members tend to participate in governance much more directly than typical shareholders and expect a larger say” and “Truly listening to members’ ideas and concerns is incredibly necessary for a true cooperative environment.”

In the case of Fonterra, the Fonterra Co-operative Council, an elected national body comprising 25 farmer shareholder representatives from wards, must assist ease at least some of the hurdles that would otherwise exist between the Board, Management, and Shareholders. It most likely also serves as a helpful training ground for prospective Directors to ‘cut their teeth’ with co-op management.

Greg Gent, a former Fonterra director, feels that lowering the size of the Board would assist to speed up decision making. He attempted to bring a similar resolution in the past, but the proposal failed to obtain the requisite support. It remains to be seen if shareholders would agree this time, since it needs a revision to the Constitution and a 75% approval vote.

With a minimum of 7 Board members obliged to attend every official meeting, a farmer shareholder majority will always be in command, maybe offering some confidence to farmers (if they are in agreement). This is a ‘upgrade’ over the old system, which only needed 6, thus appointed Board members (4) might theoretically exceed farmer elected members (4).

According to the New Zealand Herald, appointed director Clinton Dines and farmer director Leonie Guiney are among the directors who may be compelled to resign next year to make room for a nine-member board. This is probably because they are next on the rotation list, as determined by appointment times.

The rules for dairy farming have been shifting for years. Changes in consumer demand, regulatory policy, animal care and environmental practices and more all have an impact on individual dairy farmers. The 2023 Dairy Insights Summit presented by Professional Dairy Producers® (PDPW) provides an opportunity to hear firsthand from global dairy processors with decades of experience in marketing food ingredients, assessing global trends and market changes, and increasing market share in a competitive environment.

Join leading-edge stakeholders at the one-day event on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the program running from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel, 706 John Nolan Drive, Madison, Wis.

“It is critical for dairy farmers to produce the highest quality milk while also understanding the needs of our dairy processors as they work to meet the demands of consumers around the world,” said Janet Clark, Eldorado, Wis., dairy farmer and PDPW vice president. “We need to work together to stay ahead of the curve of dairy trends, information and practices so the U.S. dairy industry can continue serving the world and providing steady market opportunities for dairy producers.”

The “Writing the rules to the market-access game,” panel discussion at the summit will feature James McVitty, vice president of trade strategy, sustainability and stakeholder affairs for Fonterra; Martin Bates, president, global relations and marketing for Dairy Farmers of America; and Ryan Baraniuk, vice president of marketing for Arla Foods Canada. Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, will facilitate the discussion to include the shifts in the dairy industry triggered by local, national and global trends and what they mean to on-farm sustainability, consumer demands and growth opportunities. The panelists will also provide insights on how a move to global regionalization will impact individual producers and the industry as a whole.

Other sessions at the Dairy Insights Summit will focus on the challenges of food waste pertaining to the production, distribution and retail sectors of the food chain. Tara McNerney, business support manager for Food Loss and Waste will speak to the impact of food waste on the planet and business profitability, as well as projects underway to improve management practices. A panel discussion including Travis Blomberg, campus resource coordinator for University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of Sustainability, and Brandon Scholz, president and CEO of Wisconsin Grocers Association, will be facilitated by Shelly Mayer, Slinger, Wis., dairy producer and executive director of PDPW. They will showcase some of the innovations, technologies, processes and creative thinking currently underway to limit food waste.

Registration fee includes the workshop materials and lunch. Dairy Insights Summit is an accredited training and offers up to 5.5 Dairy AdvanCE^® continuing education units (CEUs) for each day. To learn more or secure credits, visit www.DairyAdvance.org.

Learn more about the 2023 Dairy Insights Summit and register by visiting www.pdpw.org or contacting PDPW at 800-947-7379. Follow along digitally in advance of and during the event by following @dairyPDPW and using #mypdpw on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

The milk carton scarcity is expected to continue, affecting not just Rochester schools but also nursing homes and prisons.

The Rochester City School District announced that pupils would not be given milk but would instead be given juice.

The problem is that there aren’t enough half-pint cartons for individual milk packing. So there isn’t a milk crisis, but there are problems delivering milk to customers due to supply chain concerns.

For others, obtaining pint-sized milk cartons and pouring it into cups may be the answer, however this may be difficult for smaller children. This, however, does not simply effect milk-serving establishments; it also impacts dairy producers and animals.

“It’s concerning as a dairy farmer to hear that there are any issues getting our product in front of consumers,” said Kendra Lamb, a dairy farmer in Western New York. “Because our cows obviously continue to produce milk all year.” As a result, the demand component is critical.”

One possible challenge is having milk delivered and out the door.

“Because our product is quite perishable, any decrease in demand would undoubtedly be a source of concern for us.” But we’re confident that our cooperatives will be able to work with cafeterias, hospitals, nursing homes, and jails to find another means to offer healthful milk to those in need,” Lamb added.

However, Lamb is optimistic that this will be a short-term issue that will be resolved without further affecting dairy farmers.

According to an email from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, jails and prisons will purchase bigger cartons of milk and serve it to prisoners in glasses for the time being.

The Northeast Dairy Producers Association issued the following statement on Wednesday:

“The recent announcement of a shortage of individual milk cartons may have ramifications for school cafeterias across the country.” The bottleneck is caused by a lack of packing materials, which limits the supply of cartons. To be clear, this is a packaging problem, not a milk supply one. In New York State, the work of family dairy farms and the supply of locally produced milk remains robust and consistent.

“Dairy processors are working hard with industry partners to find alternative solutions for serving fresh nutritious milk in schools as well as other institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons, such as pouring milk from gallon jugs and investigating the possibility of installing milk dispensers.” We recommend school food service directors to contact their dairy wholesalers to determine the best milk supply arrangement for their district while this packaging problem is fixed.”

Skim milk, or whole? The Dietary Guidelines for Americans has long held that Americans should limit saturated fats from dairy products for a healthy diet. But does that recommendation conflict with the latest science on dairy fats? In the latest episode of The Dairy Download, we talk with two nutrition experts about current efforts to update dietary guidelines and where fat-filled choices fit in.

First up is Dr. Linda Snetselaar, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, as well as the chair of preventative nutrition education and director of the university’s nutrition center. As a member of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, Dr. Snetselaar helped guide our current understanding of good nutrition. Where does dairy fit into those recommendations? What changes to the guidelines may be ahead, particularly when it comes to full-fat options? Dr. Snetselaar tells us more.

Next, we speak with Dr. Ian Givens, a professor of food chain nutrition at the University of Reading in the UK, and the director of the university’s Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health. What impacts do dairy, meat and other animal-based foods have on the prevention of disease? Could cheddar cheese benefit heart health? Might your breakfast food choices reduce the chance of developing dementia? Dr. Givens sheds light on the pros and cons of high-fat foods.

PLAY EPISODE

Everyone at The Bullvine sends our heartfelt condolences to Bill Schilling’s family and friends.

William Henry Schilling, 81, of Decatur, MI, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, October 22, 2023, at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital after a brief illness.

William was born On February 8, 1942 in Thornton, Illinois to the late Myrtle (Elsner) and Reverend William Carl Schilling. He graduated from New Haven High School in Michigan as a gifted athlete. William left home at an early age after meeting the love of his life Rita Kaye Moore. He went on to build, own and run three Schillings Auto Wash locations. As a successful, self-made businessman, his businesses were located in Dowagiac, Michigan, Niles, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana.

William was a faithful Lutheran and an active member of St. Paul Lutheran church, where he loved to sing in the choir. During his life, Bill was an avid MSU basketball fan. He was an active participant and received several awards, over the years, for his show Cattle from the Holstein Association, USA and the Royal National Holstein Show in Canada. He was known for his hard work and generous spirit.

Surviving are his three children – William A. (Karin) Schilling, Ruth A. Schilling, and Debra L. Schilling; two grandchildren – Scott Groth and Shelby Schilling; one great-granddaughter – Faith Groth; and three siblings – Fred Schilling, Tim Schilling, and Lois Winslow.

Preceding him in death were his beloved wife of 58 years – Rita Schilling; two brothers – Paul and Alvin Schilling; and brother-in-law – John Winslow.

A service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023 at Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, 405 Center Street, Dowagiac, where friends may visit with the family from 11:00 AM until the time of service. Pastor Carl Bassett of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bridgeman, will officiate. Private interment will be in Crane Cemetery, Decatur. Those wishing to share a memory of Bill online may do so at www.clarkch.com.

Utah Natural Meat and Milk has been identified as the source of the unpasteurized raw milk that has affected individuals in the state by investigators.

According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, at least 14 persons have developed Campylobacter illnesses. One hospitalized patient has been discharged. Patients vary in age from two to 73.

According to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, the involved dairy is located in West Jordan.

Only two people reported consuming raw milk before feeling ill, according to the health department. The agency continues to advise individuals to only drink pasteurized milk.

“Since 2009, there have been 25 documented outbreaks of Campylobacter infection linked to raw milk consumption in Utah.” According to a warning from the Salt Lake County health department, “these outbreaks have resulted in 295 people becoming ill.”

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the vast majority of state and local health authorities throughout the US all advise against drinking unpasteurized, raw milk and products prepared from it. Pathogens found in raw dairy products include Listeria, E. coli, campylobacter, Salmonella, and hepatitis A.

Contaminated raw milk and goods derived from it do not seem, smell, or taste terrible, and people cannot identify infections in them without laboratory testing.

In Utah, it is unlawful for stores to sell raw milk. Farms that offer raw milk to customers must get specific permits.

Concerning Campylobacter infections
Outbreaks have been linked to unpasteurized dairy products, polluted water, poultry, and vegetables, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People might also get sick after coming into touch with dog or cat excrement. Campylobacter transmission from person to person is infrequent.

Many individuals recover in a week, but Campylobacter infection may cause arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

Azithromycin and fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin, are often used as treatments, however fluoroquinolone resistance is widespread.

Campylobacter infection symptoms often appear two to five days after exposure and include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), stomach discomfort, fever, nausea, and vomiting. More serious infections, such as bloodstream infection and symptoms resembling acute appendicitis or ulcerative colitis, may develop.

The “biggest dairy strike in living memory” has come to an end, with a deal struck between Victorian plant workers and dairy processors on Thursday avoiding a further six days of industrial action.

More than 1400 dairy workers walked off the job for two days last week at 13 sites across the state, disrupting the supply of dairy goods and sparking fears of milk shortages and purchase limits.

Workers had threatened to launch another six days of strikes starting on Saturday.

After lengthy talks on Thursday the United Workers Union (UWU) reached an in-principle deal with dairy giant Fonterra, securing pay increases and “secure, sustainable” jobs.

Workers secured a first-year pay rise of 5 per cent, which doubles the 2.5 per cent increase accepted during the pandemic, and pay rises of 12 per cent over three years. This is up from 10.5 per cent across the three years before the strike.

Fonterra has offered a 5 per cent increase in the first year, followed by 4 and 3 per cent increases in subsequent years.

UWU national secretary Tim Kennedy said the workers who undertook industrial action showed “great courage in standing up to large multinational dairy companies”.

“They were fighting not just for themselves but for secure jobs in regional communities where every dollar they spend goes back into those communities,” Mr Kennedy said.

“Their fight also gave a national platform in the battle for profitable companies to pay a fair share of their profits to help workers address the cost-of-living crisis.”

As well as a pay rise, plant workers secured five days of paid emergency services leave at both Saputo and Fonterra, allowing workers, who largely work in regional areas, to volunteer to fight against natural disasters.

Workers also won improved personal leave and shift allowances.

“The strike action has shown dairy workers are prepared to stand up and fight for their place in the dairy industry and the importance of the dairy industry in their local communities,” Mr Kennedy said.

“We are also calling on the federal and state governments to include our voice at the table when major issues relating to the dairy industry are considered.”