Evers includes ag in budget proposal

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers plans to include $80 million for food and agriculture in his state budget. This funding includes more money for the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports. The budget proposal also includes a “truth-in-labeling” law that would prevent non-dairy products from being referred to as milk or other dairy-specific terms on the label. A $1 million increase in funding is also being sought for the Producer-Led Watershed Protection grant program. “According to DATCP, annual interest in the program continues to exceed the program budget,” said Evers.

More funding sought for Dairy Business Initiative

The Dairy Business Innovation Act was introduced in the 2018 farm bill. Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin is one of the sponsors of a proposal to increase the investment in this program from $20 million to $36 million. This program is designed to help dairy farmers and processors add value to their businesses, create new products, modernize facilities and expand markets. “Dairy farmers work hard every day to put out world-class products, but they face steep challenges,” said Baldwin, referencing President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy.

Farmers to benefit from reciprocal tariffs, says Trump 

President Trump announced new reciprocal tariffs, saying they will help farmers compete on a fairer playing field. “I think the farmers are going to be helped by this very much because product is being dumped into our country and our farmers are getting hurt very badly,” Trump said. “The last administration hated our farmers at a level that I’ve never seen before.” Trump also expressed confidence in the overall economic impact. “We know the jobs are going to be produced at levels that we haven’t seen before, and we think that the prices for some things, many things, could ultimately go down.”

Senate ag committee hears calls for stronger farm safety net 

In the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee hearing on the farm economy, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall spoke about the need for an updated farm bill to help farmers during tough economic times. “The USDA’s (U.S. Department of Agriculture) most recent farm sector income forecast has shown a $41 billion decrease in net farm income, down 25% from 2022,” testified Duvall. “Despite lower prices, 2024 payments out of the farm bill going to farmers are projected to be the lowest since 1982.” National Farmers Union President Rob Larew echoed those thoughts: “We cannot afford a third extension of the 2018 farm bill; this farm bill should include strengthening the farm safety net and providing farmers with robust risk management tools, investing in voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs, supporting the next generation of farmers, and keeping the farm bill coalition together.”

Senate confirms Rollins 

The Senate voted 72-28 to confirm Brooke Rollins as the new agriculture secretary. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman praised the decision, saying “America’s farmers, ranchers and foresters need a leader at USDA who will be an advocate for their livelihoods in rural America and be a strong voice to address the pressing needs of our agriculture community; Brooke Rollins is that person.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune outlined her priorities. “First, getting disaster and economic aid out the door and into the hands of farmers; second, getting the bird flu and other animal disease outbreaks under control,” said Thune. “Third, getting the farm bill done, and finally, revitalizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to focus on its core mission and put America and American agriculture first.”

A new turn in H5N1 saga 

A new strain of avian influenza has been identified in dairy cattle. USDA reports genome sequencing of a milk sample from Nevada has confirmed the new strain of the virus. Before this detection, all of the avian influenza infections in dairy cattle were the same strain. This new case is a strain that primarily has been found in wild birds this past winter and fall.

Supply/demand report updated

In February’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, USDA forecast 2024 milk production at 225.9 billion pounds. That’s up slightly from the previous report. Due to lower-than-expected cow numbers, USDA lowered its 2025 forecast to 226.9 billion pounds. The overall Class III milk price forecast is down from this past year.

Dairy exports decline

U.S. dairy exports declined slightly this past year, but it was a record year for cheese exports. U.S. cheese exports rose 17% over the past year and topped the 1-billion-pound mark for the first time in history. U.S. suppliers set records in Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

House committee passes milk bill

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act with a bipartisan 24-10 vote. This proposal would end the ban on whole milk and 2% milk from school menus. School milk consumption has declined since this ban took effect more than 10 years ago. The National Milk Producers Federation and International Dairy Foods Association praised the passage of this bill.

Officer team in place for Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy 

Dairy Farmers of America President and CEO Dennis Rodenbaugh is the new chair of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. Brad Anderson of California Dairies is the new vice chair. Associated Milk Producers Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Sheryl Meshke is the treasurer, and Schreiber Foods President/CEO Ron Danford is secretary. The executive committee rounds out with Heather Anfang of Land O’Lakes and Joe Digilio of Michigan Milk Producers Association.

Compeer Financial sends out patronage payments

Compeer Financial plans to distribute $187 million in patronage payments this year. The first round of payments totaling $52 million went out earlier this month. A second payment worth $135 million will go out in August.

A game changer for hay production 

John Deere has launched the Weave Automation Baler. “The weaving is done by the baler itself, and you don’t have to do it in the tractor.” Kaylene Ballesteros, Deere’s go-to-market manager for hay and forage, said the Weave Automation Baler is designed to make the baling process easier. “We have the ability to look at the bale chamber and see how it’s filled. The baler uses technology to adjust the weaving automatically.” With AutoTrack sensors, the baler can operate with minimal learning, allowing operators to focus on driving straight over the windrow. 

New small square baler on the market 

AGCO has introduced the new Massey Ferguson SB 1436DB small square baler. It produces two rows of bales per field pass, reducing labor, equipment and fuel costs while increasing productivity.

Trivia challenge

There are 13 essential vitamins and nutrients in milk. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, in what year did National FFA Week begin? We’ll have the answer in our next edition of the Dairy Star.

Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River Farm Network of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Wick has been recognized as the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year and served as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Don and his wife, Kolleen, have two sons, Tony and Sam, and five grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.