2019 | May 10 GMP E Newsletter
Georgia Milk Producers Weekly Enews
Referendum for Georgia Milk Producers is Underway!
Dairy farmers should have received their ballots for the Georgia Milk Producers' Referendum by now. Please take a moment to participate and vote "YES" to keep us working for Georgia's dairy industry! We believe that the investment made by each dairyman into our organization has been beneficial for their businesses. If your farm hasn't received a ballot, please contact Andy Harrison at (404) 710-1196. Ballots must be postmarked by May 30 to be eligible.
Dairy farmers are now eligible for insurance premium refunds, USDA says - By Catherine Boudreau, Politico
The USDA announced today that milk producers are now eligible to receive a refund for a portion of their insurance premiums paid into the Margin Protection Program. The move is a key part of lawmakers' overhaul of the dairy safety net in the 2018 farm bill.

Dairy farmers have two options: They can either receive 50 percent of the premiums they paid between 2014 and 2017 as a cash refund, or get 75 percent of the amount as a credit to be used toward participating in the new version MPP — known as the Dairy Margin Coverage program.

"This repayment for part of past premiums paid, coupled with the new Dairy Margin Coverage Program and other programs, should help producers better weather the ups and downs in the industry," USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator Richard Fordyce said in a statement.
Dairy farmers have until Sept. 20 to select an option. The reimbursements will be subject to a 6.2 percent sequestration rate, FSA said.

The refund is part of broader changes to dairy support programs in the farm bill,  H.R. 2 (115) , designed to send additional payments to farmers who have endured a four-year economic downturn.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told lawmakers in February that implementing the premium refunds has been a challenge.

During the first two years MPP was in place, paper — and not electronic — records were maintained. That has made it difficult to determine who received payments, who didn't and who is still in business, Perdue said.
Dean Says It’s Turning the Corner With Dairy Drain Set to End
By Lydia Mulvany and Katherine Doherty, Bloomberg News
Investors are forgiving Dean Foods Co. for a third straight earnings disappointment after the top U.S. dairy company said a cash burn is over as it adjusts to lower demand.
The Dallas-based company, which is the worst-performing stock among North American packaged food producers this year, said on Tuesday that while there’s plenty of work left to do, it has “passed the inflection point” as actions taken over the past year take effect. Shares gained.

In a mixed bag of quarterly results and outlook, the company reported a wider-than-expected loss, missed on sales,  reported  free cash flow that was the worst in six years and reduced its outlook for capital expenditures. But it expects to generate cash in the second quarter and for the year, with results improving in each month of the first quarter.   Full Story Here >>>

From Milksheds Blog

The Dean Foods Earnings Call, a webcast relaying financial news of Dean Foods, a publicly traded company, was held on the morning of Tuesday, May 7th, 2019.

The timeframe immediately before and after these publicly available Earnings Calls, for any company generally provide a wealth of information concerning the financial health and status of that company, along with various industry perspectives. Full Story Here>>>
Dairy Relief on the Way

A House Agriculture Committee hearing highlights the need for farmers to sign up for a new assistance program, NMPF's Alan Bjerga tells RFD-TV
Borden Dairy Introduces New Look

Borden Dairy has been reborn! With a vision to become a leader in the dairy industry, the company announced a revival of its beloved spokescow, Elsie. First introduced in 1936, Elsie is a well-known brand mascot and, according to a press release, was named one of the top 10 advertising icons of the 20th century.
WASDE Forecasts All Milk Price Over $18
By Mike Opperman, MILKBusiness
The latest USDA World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) forecasts a continued bullish market for dairy producers.

Based on declining milk cow numbers and slow growth in production per cow, the WASDE report lowered its 2019 milk production forecast. The report also predicts higher dairy product exports in both fat and skim-based categories, while leaving imports unchanged to lower. 

The reduced production estimate and strong demand helps push cheese and nonfat dry milk prices higher, triggering greater Class III and Class IV prices through 2019. The WASDE report predicts an all-milk price for 2019 at $18.05. Full Story Here>>>
May Dixie Dairy Report
From Calvin Covington, SE Dairy Industry Consultant


This issue covers the recent increase in dairy prices, U.S. milk production changes, Southeast milk supply and demand and blend/mailbox prices.
Milk prices lost the highs but kept the lows
By Scott Brown, University of Missouri, Hoard's Dairyman
Record milk prices from 2014 have been forgotten and have given way to the serious financial straits many dairy producers have found themselves in these days. Milk price data since 2015 tells a story of lower and less-variable prices.

From the 2010 to 2014 time period, there was a range of $11.10 per hundredweight (cwt.) from the high to low monthly milk price. On the flip side, over the 2015 to early 2019 period, the difference between the maximum and minimum has been only $4.40 per cwt. Producer milk prices have lost their highs but kept their lows. That has been a tough situation for many in the industry.

Many factors at play
The growth in U.S. milk supply has contributed to the tough financial conditions that have plagued the industry. Dairy operation equity built during the record 2014 milk prices, and the apparent economies of scale in the industry, has left aggregate milk supplies very unresponsive during periods of financial stress.

That’s not all. Full Story Here>>>
Strong Inside: That’s Milk Protein!
From Donna Berry, Berry on Dairy Blog
he Dairy Protein Messaging Initiative (DPMI) was introduced to the industry at the ADPI/ABI Annual Conference held May 5 to 7, 2019, in Chicago. The DPMI includes creating a conversation about protein in order to fuel shoppers with science-supported knowledge so they can make their own protein decisions. It’s a positive, consumer-insight driven messaging program that was formed by the American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI), Elmhurst, Ill., about a year ago. Today 52 suppliers, associations, trade publications and others in the supply chain are supporting the effort. It is important to note that ADPI, nor the campaign receives dairy industry “check off dollars” from dairy producers. 

This campaign fills a void. It is designed to reach younger consumers, flexitarians and women, many of whom may be less loyal to dairy but do want to increase their protein intake. It will, ideally, reposition milk-based proteins for increased impact and sustained growth.  

The DPMI is a positive messaging program based on facts that I believe today’s smart shoppers will embrace and respond. They are smarter than we think. Full Story Here>>>
From Progressive Dairyman
A webinar, hosted by I-29 Moo University, will highlight DMC and another risk management program, the Dairy Revenue Protection (Dairy-RP) program, on May 17 beginning at noon (Central).

Presenters will included Marin Bozic, University of Minnesota, and Josh Newton and Cassandra Monger, Compeer.

Bozic will outline developments in the Dairy-RP program and provide forecasts for the next year.

Compeer’s Newton, a crop insurance team leader, and Monger, a dairy industry specialist, will focus on Dairy-RP from a lender’s perspective. They’ll provide program results from the first quarter of 2019 and discuss how Dairy-RP can fit into an overall dairy risk management plan.
There is no registration.  Access the webinar , or contact  Jim Salfer  (320) 203-6093 or  Fred Hall  (712) 737-4230 for more details.
Meeting the Challenge of Rural Stress and Suicide
From Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau President
Just a few weeks ago, a good friend of mine in Georgia, a longtime dairy farmer, took his own life. I don’t really know what led him to such a dark and desperate place; it could have been several things that have happened in his life. All I know is more and more of us in agriculture are dealing with the loss of a friend, loved one or colleague, or perhaps even dealing with an extreme and damaging level of emotional stress ourselves.

One story is one too many. And unfortunately, the impact is growing. About half of rural adults say they are experiencing more mental health challenges than a year ago, according to a new survey commissioned by Farm Bureau and released last week to kick off National Mental Health Month. The survey confirms what we already know: the continued downturn in the farm economy is taking a toll. A strong majority of farmers and farmworkers think financial issues (91 percent), farm or business problems (88 percent) and fear of losing the farm (87 percent) impact the mental health of farmers and ranchers. Those stresses are being worsened by the shortage of agricultural labor, which I believe was a big source of worry for my friend in Georgia, the market impacts of our ongoing trade war and, in some cases, continued regulatory pressures. Full Story Here>>>
Southeast Milk Prices Jump $2.40/cwt Compared to Last March
By  Andrew P Griffith, Dairy Herd Management
The Southeast Uniform milk price for March was $18.70, up $0.35 from February and $2.40 higher than March 2018. The Appalachian Uniform milk price was $18.31, up $0.31 from February and $2.29 higher than March 2018. March’s Class III price was $15.04, up $1.15 from February, and $0.82 higher than March a year ago. The Class IV price was down $0.15 from February to $15.71, and $2.67 higher than March 2018. The Class I Mover price for May is $16.42, up $0.66 from April. The milk/feed ratio for March was 2.14, 0.07 higher than February. Full Story Here>>>
Other Stories to Check Out This Week >>>
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UGA/UF Corn Silage and Forage Field Day
The 2019  UGA and UF Corn Silage and Forage Field Day  will be held in Tifton, Georgia on June 20. The program starts at 8 AM and concludes with field demonstrations after lunch. The event includes a test plot tour along with educational stops that cover topics like pest control, grazing management and forage quality. A discussion concerning best management practices for making corn silage will also be held. The event will be held at the UGA Tifton Conference Center in Tifton. To register click here - there is no charge to attend, registration is needed for refreshments and lunch . View Brochure and Agenda Here>>>
Upcoming Events >>>
GA Dairy Classifieds
TO ADVERTISE: EMAIL AD AND CONTACT INFORMATION TO FARRAH NEWBERRY at [email protected]

Registered Brown Swiss dairy cows(6) and heifers(3) for sale. 7 X 24 2004 Featherlight trailer with tack area and 2 cuts $12,000.00 and an Artic 22 semen tank (has a few straws of beef semen inside) $450. Please contact Beth Gearhart, Waynesboro, GA, 352-603-2629 text or call

For Sale: 2016 Tatoma Vertical Twin Screw Mixer. Equipped with Front Discharge and Side Discharge Extension - $37,500.00. Please contact Jim or Stephanie Waite 334-222-7957 for more information. 

Calves wanted:  Competitive pricing with a 6 day a week pick up. Will buy bulls and heifers of all ages. Peter's Cattle Co. 470-255-8515

Young Stock Supervisor wanted -  Hart Agriculture Waynesboro GA
Grazing 500-1000 animals,   Must be familiar with rotational grazing and breeding. Please contact Maggie 352-507-2042 or   [email protected]
 
Dairy Manager wanted -  Hart Agriculture Waynesboro GA
300-700 milking cows,   60 bale rotary, New Zealand style grazing system. Please contact Maggie 352-507-2042 or   [email protected]

Bull Calves WANTED:  Competitive pricing with 6 day a week pickup. Brandon Mason Cattle Company 912-632-4490

For HIRE: Southeast DHIA  has a position to fill in the  West Central Georgia area for a  FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN.   Responsibilities include data  collection on area dairy farms  during milking time. S chedule is somewhat flexible  but the hours are non-typical. S ome travel and out-of-town work likely.  Applicants should be comfortable  with computers and software and have good communication and  organizational skills as well as  reliable transportation. Pickup Truck required. I f interested send a resume to   [email protected]

For Sale: Custom manure application and Dryhill manure equipment sales.  Contact Edwin @ 478-299-0717 with Agboys Custom Services LLC -  New 8"x52' lagoon pump with outriggers $24,000 (Pictured right)

For Sale: 3000 gallon Surge/Westfalia milk tank and wash system. Three phase condensers. 2002 model. Excellent condition. John B Gay, 478-494-5107

WANTED : DeLaval Westfalia  Neck Transponders: TN Dairy seeking used Westfalia neck band transponders.  Please contact Bill or Peggy Howell if interested at 423-972-9254 or 423-371-3032.

WANTED:  Looking for used pasteurizing and bottling equipment in working condition; Linda and Darrell Rankins, Jr.;  334-745-2357  (best times: mid-day and after 8 p.m.)

For Sale:   Jersey cows, heifers and calves for sale. Registered with AJCA, all ages! Contact Matt Holton at 770-718-8271, call or text. Dawsonville, GA.

FOR HIRE : Custom Silage Harvesting. Late model JD chopper. Will travel. Let me put your quality forage up! Nic Haynes, Muddy H Farms, 678-617-3379.

FOR SALE :  We have a continuous selection of fresh and springing heifers.   Call William at   (706) 768-2857  or visit our website at   crumpdairyreplacements.org   

Bullcalves Wanted :  Looking for Bullcalves to purchase - Barron Tench 864-844-2295 or  [email protected]    

TO ADVERTISE: EMAIL AD AND CONTACT INFORMATION TO FARRAH NEWBERRY at [email protected]