Milk check remains strong

World Agricultural Outlook Board chairman Mark Jekanowski said the milk price remains strong. “Class III prices are up this month again by $1.20 per hundredweight; what’s happening there is very strong cheese prices are offsetting the slight reduction in pricing,” he said. The all-milk price is forecasted at $25.80 cwt. That is up more than $7 cwt from 2021.

April supply demand estimates released
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has increased its 2022 milk production forecast, boosted by an increase in cow numbers. Higher cheese prices offset a lower whey price, which was reflected in the increase in the Class III milk price forecast of $22.75 cwt.

Supply management proposal being advocated
County organizations within Wisconsin Farm Bureau and Wisconsin Farmers Union hosted informational meetings last month about a proposed Dairy Revitalization Plan. The concept is a national mandatory program to manage growth. The plan is based on an economic modeling study put together by Mark Stephenson and Charles Nicholson from the University of Wisconsin.

Dairy groups challenge township regulations
The Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative have asked the state to review action taken by several townships in northwestern Wisconsin. The dairy groups said outlandish regulations are being imposed on large dairy and livestock farms and the townships have clearly ignored current laws.
GHG emissions drop in 2020
Greenhouse gas emissions declined 9% in 2020 due largely to the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on travel and economic activity. The EPA reports methane emissions from beef cattle declined slightly. Emissions related to dairy cattle increased marginally. Emissions from all U.S. livestock represent less than 3% of all greenhouse gas emissions nationwide.

Biden administration unveils plan to improve trucker shortage
Supply chain disruptions during the pandemic highlighted the need for more truck drivers in the United States. According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. is short about 80,000 truck drivers. To improve the situation, the Biden administration wants to boost registered apprenticeships, take a closer look at truck leasing rates, explore ways to increase truck driver pay, safety and make improvements to infrastructure. “These actions will help us recruit more drivers and, just as importantly, retain them to help keep down shipping delays and reign in the price of goods at a time when we’re fighting inflation with everything we’ve got,” Buttigieg said. The Biden administration is also trying to make the job appeal to more veterans, women and drivers of color.
Senators want ag trade nominees named soon
Senate Agriculture Committee leaders Debbie Stabenow and John Boozman, along with Senate Finance Committee ranking member Mike Crapo, sent a letter to President Biden. The leaders asked Biden to quickly nominate a chief agriculture negotiator at the Office of the United States Trade Representative and an undersecretary for trade and foreign ag affairs at USDA. The former Chief Agricultural Negotiator nominee, Elaine Trevino, withdrew her nomination for the position in March. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told reporters last month it has been difficult to find a candidate for the undersecretary position.
Senate Agriculture Committee hosting first 2023 farm bill hearing
The Senate Agriculture Committee will host their first 2023 farm bill field hearing Friday, April 29. Committee chair Debbie Stabenow will host the hearing in Michigan. A field hearing is being planned in Arkansas with ranking member John Boozman.
Tractor, combine sales declined in March 
According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, tractor and combine sales declined in March. Tractor sales were down 21% while combine sales were off 10%, marking the first decline in sales since last July. AEM said 100-plus horsepower, two-wheel drive tractors were the only segment to show an increase with sales up 7%. Mid-range tractors were down 14%, and four-wheel drive tractor sales were down 2%. The sub-40 horsepower tractors saw the largest decline, down 25.5%.

Zoetis launches online tool
Partnering with Holstein Association USA, Zoetis has introduced the Enlight 2.0 online management tool. This tool features additional functionality and is designed to help dairy farmers gain more value from their investment in genetic testing. “Innovation never stops,” said Jason Osterstock, vice president of precision animal health with Zoetis. “It’s all about how do we help provide a comprehensive solution to address our challenges and ultimately create a profitable cow.”

Dairy industry represented on export advisory council
The Wisconsin Agricultural Export Advisory Council has been named to help expand trade. Three representatives of the dairy industry will serve. They are Dairy Farmers of America CEO Chad Vincent, MCT Dairies global sales director Ryan Wucherer and Sartori CEO Jeff Schwager.

Westby Co-op makes significant investment
Westby Cooperative Creamery has invested $1 million to install equipment that will filter out protein, solids and water. This equipment will allow the company to sell the filtered material as an animal feed protein and an ingredient in nutritional supplements. Westby Cooperative Creamery is Wisconsin’s only cottage cheese manufacturer.

Expansion for ABS Global
ABS Global plans to add 15 acres to its campus in DeForest, Wisconsin. The A.I. company plans to update facilities at its headquarter location.

Holstein youth being recognized
Twelve semifinalists have been named for Holstein Association USA’s Distinguished Junior Member awards, including three from Wisconsin. These semifinalists are Elise Bleck of Glenbeulah, Hannah Hockerman of Westfield and Brian McCullough of Juda. The semifinalists will be interviewed during the National Holstein Convention in late June, and the six finalists will be announced July 1.

WCMA hires Hess
Lindsey Hess has joined the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association as its programs and office coordinator. Previously, Hess worked for the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association. Hess will assist with WCMA leadership training and webinars.

Trivia challenge
Baskin-Robbins is the ice cream company known for offering 31 flavors. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, what do the letters bST stand for? We will have the answer in the next edition of Dairy Star.
    Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River Farm Network, based in 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 adult sons, Tony and Sam, and five grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.