2019 | May 24 GMP E Newsletter
Georgia Milk Producers Weekly Enews
DON'T FORGET - Ballots for Georgia Milk Producers Must Be Postmarked by May 30!
The Latest: Senate passes $19 billion disaster relief bill
  From the Associated Press
The Senate has passed a long-overdue $19 billion disaster aid bill to help to a number of states and Puerto Rico recover after a series of hurricanes, floods and wildfires.

The widely-backed legislation passed by an 85-8 vote.

Republican leaders agreed to a demand by Democrats to toss out President Donald Trump’s $4.5 billion request to address a record influx of Central American migrants who are fleeing violence in Guatemala, Honduras and elsewhere and coming to the United States. Read more here>>>
New Tariff Aid Plan Offers Single Payment for All Non-Specialty Crops - B John Herath , MILKBusiness
As USDA worked to craft a second year of tariff aid payments under the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) they faced two significant challenges: a significant pushback from corn growers who feel they were shortchanged by the penny per bushel payment they received in 2018 and a desire to not skew planting intentions with a 2019 crop that is largely still in seed bags. USDA offered up its solution to both problems on Thursday with a second year MFP plan that will deliver payments at a single rate for all covered commodities.

Each county will be assigned an MFP payment rate based on historical production. All growers in a county will receive the same rate, regardless of the eligible crop grown. Payments will be based on reported planted acres for 2019 which cannot exceed 2018 plantings.

USDA did not release information on payment rates in a call with reporters announcing the program. Full Story Here>>>
Sign-up for USDA’s new  Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) risk management program begins in less than a month (on June 17). House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (pictured) has advice for producers who are trying to decide how much coverage to get and for how long.

During his introductory comments at a recent public hearing, “Reviewing the State of the Dairy Economy” in Washington, D.C., he said, “In my opinion, there is no question about what to do. It is very simple. Unless you are wealthy and have deep pockets, if you want to stay in the dairy business, you should take the $9.50. You should take it for five years and lock it in. And if you don't, don't come and complain to me.
“Hopefully, we won't have to use it. Hopefully, the market will be there, and we will not have to dip into this. But you know, for a relatively small amount of money, you can lock in a gross income for five years. It's probably not as much as people would like, but it’s enough to get you through some of these tough times.”

He’s right, but there is also a “but.” Full Story Here >>>
Four Things to Know about the New Dairy Margin Coverage Program - From USDA
Here are four things to know about the 2018 Farm Bill and dairy:

1. The Dairy Margin Coverage Program continues many of the recent enhancements made to its predecessor program.
Dairy Margin Coverage replaced the Margin Protection Program for Dairy, which Congress updated in 2018 through the Bipartisan Budget Act. This new program carries forward many of those improvements, including providing a boost to coverage levels and a reduction in premiums.

2. Because of the 2018 Farm Bill, producers who participated in Margin Protection Program for Dairy are eligible for repayments from FSA.
Dairy producers who had coverage under the Margin Protection Program for Dairy are eligible to receive a repayment for part of the premiums paid into the program. An operation either can elect to receive 50 percent of the repayment amount as a cash refund or take 75 percent of the amount as a credit that can be used toward premiums for the Dairy Margin Coverage program.

3. For those interested in the new Dairy Margin Coverage Program, payments have been triggered for January, February, and March.
The income over feed cost margin was $7.99 per hundredweight in January, $8.22 per hundredweight in February, and $8.85 per hundredweight in March, triggering DMC payments for each month.
For certain coverage levels, the amount to be paid to dairy farmers for these months already exceed the cost of the premium, with potential for additional payments for subsequent months depending on the margin.

4. A decision tool was developed to help producers select coverage levels.
This  web-based too l helps dairy producers evaluate various scenarios using different coverage levels through the Dairy Margin Coverage program. It also forecasts payments that will be made during the coverage year.
Developed in partnership with the University of Wisconsin, the tool is designed to help producers determine the level of coverage under a variety of conditions that will provide them with the strongest financial safety net. It allows farmers to simplify their coverage level selection by combining operation data and other key variables to calculate coverage needs based on price projections. Read Full Story Here>>>
ICYMI - 2019 May Edition of the GA Milk Review
From GA Milk Producers
This month's GMP newsletter letter features:
  • DairyAmerica Settlement Approved by Court
  • GMP referendum
  • Ballots must be postmarked by May 30 
  • How to Manage SSN No Match Letters
  • DMC Signup
  • Milk production down in March, SE Shows Largest Loss
  • Dixie Dairy Report

Farmers, don't let stress steal your joy - By Jennifer Whitaker,
GA Farm Bureau
Farming is stressful. Work days that begin before dawn and end long after dark. Equipment breakdowns. Crop yields lessened by adverse weather. Sick livestock. Low commodity prices.

“It’s no wonder that farming ranks in the top ten most stressful occupations in America,” Dr. Sean Brotherson, a family science specialist with the North Dakota State University Extension, said.

Recognizing that Georgia farmers and their rural communities are facing stress levels comparable to those of the farm crisis in the early 1980s, several University of Georgia colleges teamed up to hold a Rural Stress Summit in Atlanta in December. The event, sponsored by the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, College of Family & Consumer Sciences and School of Social Work, featured rural stress experts from across the U.S.

“Everyone knows what it’s like to have stress, anxiety and to be burned out. People in rural areas suffer just like those in metro areas. They just may not know where to seek help for a behavioral health issue,” CAES Dean & Director Dr. Sam Pardue said.

Multiple summit speakers acknowledged that addressing rural stress is complicated because farming is more rooted in heritage and emotions than most jobs.  Full Story Here>>>
Food for Thought: What do consumers think of plant-based diets? - By Donna Berry, Berry on Dairy Blog
If you are sitting on the fence regarding entering the plant-based, non-dairy segment, here’s some data to consider from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation’s 2019 Food and Health Survey. Recently released, this edition marks the 14th consecutive year that the IFIC Foundation has surveyed American consumers to understand their perceptions, beliefs and behaviors around food and food-purchasing decisions. This is the first year plant-based questions were included. The findings are mixed. It will be interesting to see how they compare in a year. Full Story Here>>>
Does dairy need a closer look at its brand as people turn to what they believe are 'healthier' alternatives? - By  Tyne Logan , ABC News AU
As consumers look to the shelves for what they consider to be healthier food options, alternative milks have been muscling in on the dairy market.

But  research often points  to old-school dairy milk being  the more nutritious option  to have in your cup of tea or coffee, or on your breakfast cereal.

And one nutritionist, who has worked alongside the dairy industry, believes misconceptions about plant-based milk's health benefits over dairy milk was a clear sign the dairy industry needed a re-brand.

Nutritional food scientist Dr Anneline Padayachee said the idea that dairy milk was "worse for you", health wise, was misguided, and the industry needed to ensure it did not become more unfavourable with consumers. F ull Story Here>>>
Other Stories to Check Out This Week >>>
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>>>
UGA Advanced Grazing School
The 2019 Advanced Grazing School will be held on July 16 th  and 17 th  at the Livestock Instructional Arena in Athens, GA. This will be an intense two day hands on event that will overlap with the Deep South Stocker Conference on the second day. Registration will include coffee and snacks throughout the day, lunch for both days, a large notebook with handouts and supplemental information, and PLENTY of interactive presentations and hands on learning activities.
 
Tentative topics for the 2019 Advanced Grazing School will include:
 
Forage Systems for Stocker Cattle: Cool Season and Warm Season Systems
Economics of Forage Systems
Putting an Entire Forage System Together
Regenerative Grazing: Facts or Fiction?
Grassfed Livestock Production
Data Reviews
Supplementation Strategies
Producer Panel
Fencing and Water Systems Workshop - Click here for registration information>>>  
Upcoming Events >>>

June 1 - Putnam Dairy Festival, Eatonton

June 18 - GMP Board of DIrectors Meeting, GA Farm Bureau Bldg. Macon at 10 a.m.
Open to all GA dairy farmers



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]