2019 | June 7 GMP E Newsletter
Congratulations to the Davis Family of Green Glades Dairy in Eatonton! They are the 2019 Putnam County Dairy Farm Family!
Georgia Milk Producers Weekly Enews
Georgia Dairy Farmers Vote to Continue Georgia Milk Producers for Three Years 
Georgia dairy farmers voted to continue Georgia Milk Producers (GMP), Inc. for another three years during a mail referendum held May 1 through May 30. The referendum passed by 95 percent with 62 ballots voting in favor and 3 against. State law requires that at least 66 percent (2/3) of the producers voting must vote in favor of continuing the organization. One ballot submitted was invalid and 140 ballots were mailed to producers overall.
Williams Elected to Serve on National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board
From Progressive Dairyman
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue appointed seven members to serve on the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board.

Appointed to serve three-year terms (July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2022) were: Robert Knodle, Lynnfield, Massachusetts; Joseph DePetrillo, Dallas, Texas; William Kelly, Chicago, Illinois; Joseph Reske, Dallas, Texas; and  J. Everett Williams, Madison, Georgia   (at-large, general public). Rachel Kyllo, St. Paul, Minnesota, was reappointed to another three-year term. Timothy Kelly, Phoenix, Arizona, will serve the remaining two-year portion of a vacant position, with the term effective immediately and expiring June 30, 2021.

The National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board is composed of 15 fluid milk processors from 15 geographic regions and five at-large members.

The board’s activities are financed by a mandatory 20-cent per hundredweight assessment on all fluid milk processed and marketed commercially in consumer-type packages in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. Processors who commercially process and market 3 million pounds or less per month, excluding those fluid milk products delivered to the residence of a consumer, are exempt from assessments. Read USDA Press Release Here>>>
Hart Dairy Successfully Closes Its Planned $10 Million Seed Round to Pioneer the 100% Free-Range, Grass-Fed Dairy Movement in America
From Business Wire
Hart Dairy, the ethically-driven, largest single-source producer of 100% free-range, grass-fed milk in America, is proud to announce that it has successfully closed its planned $10 million seed round to catalyze the long-term growth of the company. The funding round was led by Sydney-based Alium Capital to enable Hart Dairy’s growth in America and Asia. Hart Dairy will deploy the capital to further expand their premium and better-for-you dairy product offerings, increase production capabilities and continue the innovation of their forward-thinking and industry-leading animal welfare practices.

“This significant influx of new capital is a clear validation of how we see free-range, grass-fed milk emerging in America,” said Hart Dairy Chief Executive Officer Tim Connell. “With consumers’ paradigm shift toward better-for-you products and our recent Certified Humane® certification for the farms we care for most, we believe we are on the right trajectory. Having a world-class organization such as Alium Capital in our corner is a huge endorsement for Hart Dairy as we continue to grow and pioneer the 100% free-range, grass-fed movement for our cherished consumers.”   Read more here>>>
Higher Feed Costs Will Be A Drag On Production
By Mike Opperman, MILKBusiness.com
With corn getting into the ground late this year, grain yields are forecast lower which are already pushing up commodity prices. That means feed prices will go up as well. 

“Every $1 change in corn directly adds $0.50 per cwt to the cost of producing milk,” says Nate Donnay, director of dairy insight with INTL FCStone. “And since feed ingredient prices are typically correlated, a $1 increase in corn prices probably adds about $1 total to the cost of producing milk.” 

While producers can  take action  to ward off some of the impact of higher feed costs on margins, Donnay says the higher costs will have an impact on milk production Read more here>>>
By Progressive Dairyman Editor Dave Natzke
With less than two weeks until dairy producers begin signing up for the 2019  Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program , those who plan to select the highest level of coverage are ensured indemnity payments for a fourth consecutive month.

The USDA released its latest Ag Prices report on May 31, including factors used to calculate April DMC estimated payments. The April DMC margin was estimated at $8.96 per hundredweight (cwt) (Table 1), resulting in an indemnity payment of 54 cents per cwt on milk covered at the $9.50 per cwt level. Producers selecting the $9 coverage level would see an indemnity payment of 4 cents per cwt . Full Story Here>>>
By Kaylyn Groce for Progressive Forage
Forages play an integral role on any livestock operation. In many parts of the South, the ability to grow both warm- and cool-season forages allows producers to benefit from grazing throughout most of the year on their operations.
Growing a mixture of forages can maximize grazing potential, livestock performance and profitability.

Bermudagrass is one of the most widely grown warm-season perennial grass species in the South, giving producers high yields but only moderate forage quality. Since bermudagrass provides a short grazing season, additional supplementation may be required to meet the nutritional requirements of livestock.

One solution to extend the grazing season and increase forage quality on the existing unit of land is by interseeding with a perennial legume. Alfalfa, also known as the “Queen of Forages,” is a cool-season perennial legume that can provide high yields and high quality while using its unique taproot system to fix nitrogen in the soil. Incorporating a legume, like alfalfa, into existing bermudagrass fields can offer many benefits. Full Story Here>>>
June Dixie Dairy Report
By Calvin Covington, SE Dairy Consultant


This edition features reports on fluid milk sales and demand for dairy products, U.S. and Southeast milk production totals, dairy product prices and blend prices.
Domestic Consumption of Fluid Milk and Cheese
BY John Geuss, MilkPrice Blog
The two largest uses of milk are for cheese and drinking milk. Cheese is a growth sector while drinking milk is a declining sector. This post will review the most recent data from the first quarter of 2019 on consumption/disappearance of these products and the potential trends for the future.

Monthly consumption data is extremely volatile. It is difficult to see where changes are occurring and where trends are going. For that reason, data in this post will be primarily annual and the most recent data will be reviewed as 12 month rolling averages. The 12 month rolling averages do eliminate a lot of the month-to-month volatility, however they do not fully reflect the most recent events because they are partially based on data that is up to 12 months old. Future posts will update this data on domestic consumption quarterly.

Drinking milk, often referred to as fluid milk, will be reviewed first and in some detail because it is a declining category with significant changes in the sub-categories of organic, flavored, and reduced fat milk.

Fluid milk has been declining on a domestic per capita consumption basis for a very long time. However, for many decades, the population increases kept overall consumption stable. In the most recent decade, population increases have slowed down, and overall consumption has started declining as shown in Chart I below. Chart II shows the same data expressed as an annual percentage change. The charts both show a decline that is accelerating. Read more here >>>
GA Milk to Run Ads Online for June Dairy Month!
During June Dairy Month, Georgia Milk Producers will run advertisements on our social media sites to highlight our industry's economic impact and to celebrate our dairy farm families.

Please follow @gamilkproducers on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter and share our ads to spread the message!!
Trump signs disaster relief bill, allowing aid money to flow to Ga.
By Corey Geiger, Managing Editor, AJC
President Donald Trump signed a $19.1 billion  emergency relief package  into law Thursday, opening the federal spigot for Georgians kneecapped by Hurricane Michael and other recent storms. 

Trump signed the bipartisan bill,  which the House cleared Monday , after attending an event commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. 

“Just signed Disaster Aid Bill to help Americans who have been hit by recent catastrophic storms,” Trump  tweeted . “So important for our GREAT American farmers and ranchers. Help for GA, FL, IA, NE, NC, and CA.”  Full Story Here>>>
Congress has passed a multibillion-dollar bill aimed at helping Americans recently affected by natural disasters.
On Monday, the House overwhelmingly passed the $19.1 billion aid bill by a vote of 354-58. The funding will provide relief to states and territories hit by hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding and wildfires.
Source: N ewsy
Mike McCloskey of Fair Oaks Farms shared this video response yesterday following the release of an animal abuse undercover video released earlier this week by ARM investigations.
Undercover Video Shows Abuse At Fair Oaks Farms
By Mike Opperman, MilkBusiness.com
An undercover video was released yesterday showing employees at Fair Oaks Farms abusing calves at one of its calf raising facilities. 

According to Mike McCloskey, an owner of Fair Oaks, five individuals were involved in the abuse activity. Of the five, four were employees and one was a contract truck driver. Even prior to the video being released, McCloskey says three of the employees were released due to abuse allegations. The employment of a fourth employee was terminated once the video was released, and the company employing the contract driver was told that the person was not allowed on Fair Oaks Farms again. 

“It is a shock and an eye-opener for us to discover that under our watch, we had employees who showed disregard for our animals, our processes and for the rule of law,” McCloskey said in a statement following the video’s release. “The video shines a light on an area that, despite our thorough training, employee onboarding procedures and overall commitment to animal welfare, needs improvement.” Full 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 >>>
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 - $35,000.00. 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]