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Milk supply is rising

Dairy farmers may see a further squeeze on margins in 2023. “Cow numbers are higher than what we had been forecasting and that incorporates into a 200 million pound increase in the U.S. milk supply,” said Mark Jekanowski, chairman, U.S. Department of Agriculture Ag Outlook Board.

Thoughts of days gone by

I help coach our county’s 4-H Dairy Project Bowl Team. If you’re not familiar, project bowl is very similar to knowledge bowl, but instead of general knowledge, 4-Hers are quizzed on their knowledge of all things dairy.

The outdoor show

Spring is in the air. This brings about some unusual behavior, including those peculiar phenomena known as the outdoor shows. I say they are peculiar due to the fact that these so-called “outdoor” shows are invariably held indoors.

Marking time

This has been a long and snowy season with little hope of winter loosening its grip any time soon. It reminds me of the good, old snowstorms when our kids were little.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration have issued proposed rules and guidance with potential implications for dairy. The dairy community has an opportunity to raise awareness and educate stakeholders about these proposals and potential resulting implications.

Feed expenditures are the single largest operating expense in a dairy business. Given the current and projected economic environment, it is critical to evaluate on-farm nutritional strategies to determine if any potential changes can improve the dairy’s cash flow.

Battle of the books

A few months back I got a new, cool gig Middle School Battle Books coach Oh boy, this gig was big! We planned our attack To read 20 books on the list Bailey, Stella, Megan, Oliver – the team …

I’m my own worst enemy

Columnist’s note: It is a special relationship that farmers have with their children. We live and work together side by side as they grow up. Often, we inspire them to follow in our footsteps, …

Cheese exports set another record

Nerves were frayed this week over the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and New York’s Signature Bank, even as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation stepped in.

Manure mishap

As dairy farmers with young kids, we are used to things not going according to plan and taking longer than expected. Or, so one would think.

More treasures

It is amazing the new, old recipes I am discovering in my grandmother’s book. These women didn’t let anything go to waste, and the combinations of things they put together were so creative and delicious. 

Fluid milk sales continue to drop

The February federal order Class III benchmark milk price was announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at $17.78 per hundredweight, down $1.65 from January, $3.13 below February 2022 and the lowest it has been since September 2021.

Turning 40 with a Colombian vacation

Last month, I left you guessing what mountainous, warm, Spanish-speaking place we’d be visiting with dairy farms.

Taking stock of dairy’s strong history

Our dairy industry was built by generations of hard work, grit, determination and innovation.

Too much information

Humans like simple, straightforward information.

Radio daze

Radio has always been an integral part of farm life. Long before the advent of the so-called internet and the so-called worldwide spider domicile, our trusty radios kept us abreast of what was happening in the universe.

A feel good season

A couple weeks ago on a mild weekend in February, I was home from school enjoying doing chores on our farm.

Garbage dump delights

I have always had great respect for garbage. The piece of furniture I have had longest and has gone with me every time I have moved is an old stereo cabinet my dad pulled from the dump south of Melrose, Minnesota, when I was a kid.

Spring by many other names

Mud season is here.

Safety sense

Tonight, I had a weird sense of fear, almost a panic feeling. It came over me when driving into Walmart. There was a customer coming from the store carrying what appeared to be a gun case. As I …

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