THE TOP FIVE DAIRY STATES EXPANDED OUTPUT: California rose 0.7 percent; Wisconsin was up 0.4 percent; New York climbed 2.3 percent; Idaho grew 1.4 percent; and Texas expanded by 5.8 percent.
SEVEN MAJOR DAIRY STATES REDUCED MILK FLOW: Virginia, 12.5 percent; Illinois, 9.8 percent; Pennsylvania, 6.9 percent; Ohio, 5.1 percent; Arizona, 4.9 percent; Florida, 4.7 percent; and New Mexico, 3.9 percent.
DAIRY COW SLAUGHTER PICKED UP MOMENTUM as 550,400 cows were sent to packing plants in March, up 17,300 head from the same time last year. Through the first three months of the year, 1.61 million dairy cows were culled, representing an additional 52,300 head.
FUTURES CONTRACTS SHOWED RESILIENCY with July to December Class III contracts climbing to a $16.60 average, with a $16.90 high for October. That average was up 40 cents from the rather stagnant $16.20 to $16.30 baseline from late January to early April trading on the CME.
USDA REMAINED MORE PESSIMISTIC, forecasting a $15.35 Class III milk price average in early April. Its All-Milk price projection had a $17.50 midpoint with a range from $17.25 to $17.75 per hundredweight.
GLOBALLY, DAIRY PRODUCT PRICES climbed for the tenth straight trading session dating back to December 4 at New Zealand’s Global Dairy Trade. On the April 16 every-other-week trading session, prices climbed 0.5 percent led by anhydrous milk fat, butter, and Cheddar.
DUE TO RETALIATORY TRADE TARIFFS from China and Mexico, the U.S. has not realized the full benefit from dairy export sales. Overall, February 2019 exports accounted for 14.3 percent of U.S. milk production, the highest figure since October, but down from the same time last year.
BATTLE LINES IN CALIFORNIA HAVE FORMED over the QIP or Quota Implementation Plan. The “Stop QIP Tax” camp delivered 285 signatures to California’s agriculture secretary, calling for a referendum to end the over-base price deduction redistributed to quota holders.
ACROSS THE TRENCH, the “United Dairy Families of California” group opposes any referendum that would eliminate quota without compensation. That group counters that all Golden State dairy producers received quota a generation ago, but some producers cashed in the asset.
IN CANADA, EYES TURNED TO BLOYCE THOMPSON of Prince Edward Island. The dairyman, who owns Eastside Holsteins, won the District 8 Seat in the Legislative Assembly and ousted Wade MacLauchlan. MacLauchlan not only held that seat but was the province’s premier.
In your next issue . . .
VENTILATION SHOULD FOCUS ON COW NEEDS, NOT COST.
Look beyond the initial price tag when choosing a ventilation system. Fan selection and maintenance actually have the most impact on overall costs.
A CLOSER LOOK AT TIE STALL COMFORT.
This Cornell study analyzed herds and created benchmarks for cows housed in tie stall barns.
CALF GROUP HOUSING KEEPS GETTING BETTER.
With well-designed buildings and improved technology, automated calf feeders are more successful than ever.
