Supply, demand numbers updated

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report increased its 2023 milk production forecast slightly. Production is estimated at 229.5 billion pounds, up 300 million pounds from the previous forecast. Higher-than-expected cow numbers and more output per cow were factors. The 2023 price forecast for cheese and butter increased due to better-than-expected demand and recent price strength.

CoBank releases report
    High production costs, rising interest rates and weak demand will likely pressure farm margins in the year ahead. In its 2023 Year Ahead Report, CoBank said dairy farmers were able to pay down debt with record high milk prices earlier in 2022. Herd expansion was minimal this past year and that is expected to continue in 2023. Domestic dairy demand will be hurt as consumers try to reduce spending at the supermarket.

Dairy industry fights for workforce modernization act
 The International Dairy Foods Association wanted the Farm Workforce Modernization Act passed during the lame duck session. “Workforce is by far the No. 1 issue facing our IDFA members,” said Michael Dykes, CEO of IDFA. “Most of our members are short 10% to 20% of the workforce and are heavily reliant on temporary workers.”

Land O’Lakes CEO calls for action on workforce bill
 Land O’Lakes President and CEO Beth Ford is calling on the Senate to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act during the lame duck session. Ford said the country is at a tipping point, and U.S. food security is threatened by inaction on the immigration issue.
 
H-2A visa changes sought
 Colorado Sen. Michael Bennett has introduced legislation to develop an agricultural visa system. The bill would revamp the H-2A visa program and give farm workers a path to permanent residency. At this point, there are no Republican co-sponsors for the bill, limiting its chance for success.
 
Busy season for dairy processors
 According to USDA’s latest Dairy Markets Report, cheesemakers and butter makers are facing busy production schedules. Midwest cheese curd demand is described as soft. Food service sales are holding steady. Retail butter demand remains steady.

Education will be necessary for new ag committee members
 Agri-Pulse communications editor Sara Wyant said there will be a lot of new people writing the next farm bill, and many of these lawmakers have no agricultural background. “A lot of them have not been involved in writing a farm bill in the past and may have joined the House Agriculture Committee not to work on farm policy but to work on food policy,” Wyant said.

DMC enrollment period extended
 USDA has extended the deadline for farmers to enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage and Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage programs for 2023. The National Milk Producers Federation praised the news and encouraged dairy farmers to consider USDA’s complete array of risk management options. The new enrollment deadline is Jan. 31, 2023.

More work needed on opioid misuse
 A new national poll determined 60% of adults in rural areas are more aware of the opioid crisis than they were five years ago. Of those surveyed, 42% said they know someone who is or has been addicted to opioids or prescription painkillers. The American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union continue to work together on this issue. Both groups support more ed-ucation about mental health and opioid use in rural America.

Farm Technology Days announcement
 The 2024 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days will be held at the Country Fest grounds near Cadott, Wisconsin. The show will be cohosted by Close Farms. Meanwhile, the 2023 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days will be in Sauk County near Baraboo, Wisconsin.

Tranel to chair ag committee
 State Rep. Travis Tranel of Cuba City, Wisconsin, will chair the Assembly Committee on Agriculture in the upcoming legislative session. Tranel has been in office for six terms.

Von Ruden reelected
 Darin Von Ruden of Westby, Wisconsin, has been reelected as president of the Wisconsin Farmers Union. Tim Hinchley of Cambridge, Wisconsin, is the vice president. Linda Ceylor of Catawba, Wisconsin, is secretary, and Ed Gorell of Eleva, Wisconsin, is the treasurer. Paul Adams of Eleva, Wisconsin, and Dylan Bruce of Ferryville, Wisconsin, will serve as delegates to the National FFA Convention in March.

WFBF reelects Krentz
    Kevin Krentz of Berlin, Wisconsin, will serve another term as president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau. Joe Bragger of Independence, Wisconsin, is the new vice president.

Uken accepts CAO role
 The Wisconsin Farm Bureau has named Bradley Uken as its chief administrative officer. Uken has spent his career with Illinois Farm Bureau, most recently managing the Champaign County Farm Bureau.

Gefvert moves to DBA
 The Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative has hired Karen Gefvert as its director of public affairs. Gefvert spent the past 11 years with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau.

Cheese alternative comes to a supermarket near you
 The Bel Group is marketing its first selection of cheese alternative products. The Nurishh Incredible Dairy brand will sell animal-free cream cheese spread alternatives in plain, strawberry and chive and onion flavors. The Bel Group is partnering with a California-based precision fermentation company called Perfect Day for this new food option

Trivia challenge
 A total of 135 million pounds of eggnog is consumed by Americans each Christmas. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, a person described as a turophile is known for what? 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.