In addition to China, President-elect Donald Trump is now calling for tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports. Trump said he would impose a 25% tariff on all products coming into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico, starting on his first day on the job. On Truth Social, Trump said, “This tariff will remain in effect until such time as drugs, in particular fentanyl, and all illegal aliens stop this invasion of our country.” President Biden is asking Trump to rethink his threat of additional tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Biden said these two neighboring countries are our closest allies, and additional tariffs would be counterproductive.
Canadian dairy policy under scrutiny
Canadian Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay expects the Trump administration to focus on its bilateral beef trade and dairy supply management system. MacAulay said trade relations were an issue during Trump’s first term but were resolved with the passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
USDA cabinet nominee announced
Texas native Brooke Rollins is the agriculture secretary nominee. President-elect Donald Trump made the announcement Saturday after speculation surfaced Friday that former Georgia Senator Kelly Loeffler was the pick. Rollins is the president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute. She grew up on a farm, graduated with a degree in agricultural development at Texas A&M University and was a White House policy advisor in Trump’s first term. When making the announcement, Trump said Rollins would “spearhead the effort to protect American farmers.”
Bringing White House experience to USDA
Agriculture secretary nominee Brooke Rollins led President Trump’s Domestic Policy Council and has White House experience with domestic and global environmental issues. Policy Solutions President Jay Truitt appreciates her international credentials.
“That was during the same timeframe that they were going through the Paris Accords, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera,” said Truitt. “She was probably one of the lawyers that would look through what they could legally do and not legally do; that was her job in the past, and now she’ll be doing it from the department of agriculture.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a vocal critic of modern farming practices and wants to crack down on how food is produced. Truitt believes Rollins will be able to stand up to Kennedy’s influence.
“I think one of the things she’ll bring to the table is making sure everyone stays in their lane,” he said. “I like the idea that Mr. Kennedy is going to have to see her before he can see anybody else, and that’s a good thing.”
Craig seeks ranking member post
Minnesota Representative Angie Craig wants to be the lead Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. Craig sent a letter to her fellow Democrats on the committee, making her case to take over the leadership role. Georgia Congressman David Scott is now in that role, but has had health issues. Scott has also faced scrutiny over his effectiveness in leading the Democratic caucus in the ag committee. Congressman Jim Costa has also announced his intentions to seek the ranking member role when the next session convenes in January. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar will be the ranking member on the Senate Agriculture Committee. Klobuchar is succeeding Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, who is retiring.
Anderson, Hansen to co-chair House Ag Committee
With the 67-67 divide in the Minnesota House, all committees will be split evenly between the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and Republican members. Republican Paul Anderson and DFLer Rick Hansen will co-chair the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee. Anderson farms in Starbuck and has been in the legislature since 2008. Hansen represents South St. Paul. He grew up on a farm near Albert Lea and worked at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture from 1998 to 2005. Hansen is now president of a small business and owns a farm in southern Minnesota.
Record dairy consumption
Americans consumed a record amount of dairy products in 2023, with butter and cheese consumption at historic highs. USDA reports per capita consumption of dairy products reached 661 pounds per person in 2023, an increase of 7 pounds per person over the previous year and matching the record set in 2021. U.S. cheese consumption totaled 42.3 pounds per person and butter consumption was 6.5 pounds. Both were record highs. Yogurt sales were up, while fluid milk and ice cream sales declined.
November hay prices reported
According to the Hay Market Demand and Price Report for the Upper Midwest, prime alfalfa hay averaged $171 per ton for large squares. That is down from $237 one year ago. The price for large rounds is averaging $112 per ton, which is nearly half the price seen one year ago. Grade 1 hay is valued at $115 per ton for large squares, down from $213 per ton one year ago.
Dairy heifers bring top dollar
Compared to most years, Long Prairie Livestock is seeing bigger cattle runs this fall.
“Marketwise, prices are good; buyers, sellers, you got a pretty nice selection — I’d say the quality is excellent,” owner Brad Thelen said.
Beef-on-dairy genetics and sexed semen are resulting in tight dairy heifer supplies. Thelen has been seeing top dollar for springing dairy heifers.
YoBark introduced
A new dairy product is coming to a supermarket near you. General Mills and Midwest Dairy partnered to create YoBark, a refrigerated snack that combines the creaminess of yogurt with the crunchy texture of granola. Dairy Management Inc. has been working with General Mills on this concept since 2021.
Farm broadcasters recognized
Jerry Groskreutz of KDHL Radio, Faribault, was named the Minnesota Farmers Union Ag Communicator of the Year. The award was presented during the MFU convention in Minneapolis. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation recognized Brownfield Ag News farm broadcaster Mark Dorenkamp as its Ag Communicator of the Year during the MFBF awards program.
Trivia challenge
The rumen is the first compartment of a cow’s stomach. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, what is the last compartment of a cow’s stomach called? 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.
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