26 September 2024

In this Issue:

• Headlines
• Hurricane Helene Update
• September Dairy Market Report
• Vet Med Loan Repayment Applications Close Sept. 30
• Dairy Smart Roadmapping Grant Still Open
• Upcoming Events

Headlines

articles and press releases of interest this week

• Slow Recovery A Dairy Farmer Talks About Impact Bird Flu Had on His Herd 
• Will More Money in Dairy Producers’ Pocketbook Spell More Milk
• Lactaid Milk Recalled in 27 States Due to Potential for Undeclared Almonds
• Why Lab-Grown Meat May Not Be as Eco-Friendly as You Think
• Spending Deal Averts a Possible Federal Shutdown and Funds the Government into December
• Agr-Food Sector Under Increasing Threat From Cyber Attacks
• Milk Output Falls, Components Show Strength
• Class I Base Price Hits Two-Year High in October
• USDA Offers $58 Million in Available Assistance to Help Organic Dairy Producers
• The Dairy Alliance Optimizes Dairy Milk Education in Southeast Schools
• Georgia Southern and Georgia State Set to Face Off in First Annual Georgia Grown Bowl
• AFBF: Farm Bill Should Address Downward Spiral in Ag Economy
• Is Beef Breeding Derailing the U.S. Dairy Industry?

Hurricane Helene Update

Georgia Milk Producers members are encouraged to finalize preparations for Hurricane Helene this afternoon. Emergency management officials are warning that this storm has the potential to impact all 159 Georgia counties with tropical storm or hurricane force winds. The National Hurricane Center is speculating this will be a fast-moving and fast-intensifying storm as it nears the Big Bend area of the Florida Coast. The speed at which this storm is expected to move could deliver serious wind gusts well inland, and even the Southern Appalachian mountains.

There is also increased risk of spin off tornadoes in East Georgia. Central and North Georgia are at elevated risk of flash flooding as the storm system is expected to dump nearly 12 inches of rain in many places that experienced significant rainfall earlier in the week. For reference, the State Meteorologists’ office has stated the rainfall amounts and intensity from this storm will mirror what we saw in Southeast Georgia with Hurricane Debby in August.

You can monitor updates on the storm at the National Hurricane Center’s website. NHC posts updated information on the storm’s path and key warning messages every three hours. You can also view the latest severe weather warnings for your area at the National Weather Service website.

GMP members should contact GA Milk (call 229-221-3906 or email bryce@gamilk.org) and your GDA milk inspector if you lose power at your dairy or if you have debris preventing milk trucks from accessing the farm. GMP will be in direct contact with the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Management Division at the State Operations Center throughout the storm. 

Hurricane Preparedness Resources

Georgia Department of Agriculture Livestock Producer Checklist

National Hurricane Center

Georgia Emergency Management Agency Hurricane Preparedness Guide

USDA Dairy Producers Hurricane Guide

Contacts:

GA Milk - Bryce Trotter 229-221-3906

GDA Dairy Division - Phil Paxson 404-548-3541 

GDA Ag Inputs/CAFO - Courtney Wilson 706-831-8739

GDA Animal Health - 404-656-3667

September Dairy Market Report

From the September Dairy Market Report by NMPF and DMI:

The U.S. average all-milk price stayed constant from June to July, even as futures markets and USDA estimates indicate rising prices in upcoming months. Still, the cost of dairy feed, as calculated by the Dairy Margin Coverage feed cost formula, dropped by $0.66/cwt during the month, boosting the July margin to $12.33/cwt. That’s the fourth highest monthly margin since margin protection became the basic dairy safety net program in January 2015.

Total U.S. fluid milk consumption was higher than a year earlier during over half of the past 10 months, through July. Yogurt, butter and total cheese, especially other than American types, saw positive growth in use during May-July. July U.S. dairy exports were up substantially over their average levels during the first half of this year, at 17.4% of total U.S. milk solids production compared to an average 16.4% during the first half. July marked the 13th consecutive month with lower milk production than a year earlier, during which period milk production averaged -0.8% below a year ago, while milk solids production averaged -0.2% below a year ago.

To view the entire Dairy Market Report, CLICK HERE

Georgia Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program

The Georgia Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program (GVELRP) provides financial relief, by way of student loan repayment, for veterinarians willing to provide veterinary services for food animals in shortage areas around the state. This program is administered by the State Veterinary Education Board with assistance from the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA). The Board also receives administrative support from the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

The application period for 2025 will be open from Aug 1, 2024, through Sept 30, 2024. For complete details visit the GVELRP webpage.

Sign Up for Georgia Climate Smart Dairy Project

The Dairy Alliance, Georgia Milk Producers, and Newtrient are partnering together on a project to create a climate smart dairy production roadmap for producers in the state. Made possible by a technical assistance grant through Georgia NRCS, this project will provide participating farms with their own environmental sustainability assessment and plan while NRCS will receive a comprehensive review of dairy sustainability projects that can benefit the GA dairy industry and qualify for USDA programs. Got questions? Email Mekenzie Panhans or Bryce Trotter and sign up by clicking the poster below.

GMP Classifieds

7 Valve Federal Filler for Sale in Hall County (GA) - $30,000

Used mechanical filler for sale. Good Condition. Great for Start-Up Processing Plant. Email gcdairy@gmail.com for more details, photos, and vidoes.

Dairy Farm for Sale in Screven County (GA) -

Green Meadows Dairy for sale. 986 acres (600 irrigated), 60-stall rotary parlor, 1,000 cow feed pad, 8 pivots,

Call Leo Ruijne for more details 806-292-9909 or email leo@unitedagllc.com

Want to showcase your business to dairy producers and industry professionals across the Southeast and US? Email info@gamilk.org to learn more about how you can advertise in the GMP E-News

Until Next Time,

Bryce Trotter