🏛️ Proposed FMMO changes 💸 Cost of dairy diseases ⚡ Lightning bugs
2024-08-16
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Cows & Management
Estimated global cost of dairy diseases (2 minute read)
Researchers in Denmark have estimated the global cost of the 12 most common diseases afflicting dairy cows, in a new JDS article. The disease cost estimates included milk production, fertility, and culling, but excluded treatment cost. To account for cows being affected by more than one concurrent disease process, the researchers used the statistical associations between diseases to adjust the estimates; without this adjustment, costs would have been overestimated by 45%. The total economic loss due to these common diseases is estimated to be $65 billion, with mastitis, ketosis, and lameness being the most costly. Losses varied in reason and magnitude across different geographic regions.
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Markets & Marketing
USDA proposes changes to Federal Milk Marketing Orders (6 minute read)
After a six-month hearing process that evaluated 22 proposals, on July 1, the USDA released a recommended decision on amendments to the FMMO. The recommendations include: updating the milk composition factors to better reflect increases in milk components; removing barrel cheese from the monthly average cheese price calculation; increasing processor make allowances; reverting to the “higher of” (Class III and Class IV milk price) method in calculating the Class I price; and using a location-specific Class I differential. Changes to the make allowances could lower producer milk prices, depending on their location and market conditions, but updating these costs, last adjusted in 2008, may be necessary to keep processors participating in the federal orders. The comment period on the proposed changes is open until Sept. 13.
Colombia threatening tariffs on US milk and corn imports (2 minute read)
Colombia has alleged U.S. milk powder exports are subsidized by the government and claims this has hurt their domestic dairy industry. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) have been working with U.S. government officials to counter these accusations. U.S. milk powder products do not receive any direct or indirect subsidies. NMPF and USDEC also point out that Colombian fluid milk and U.S. powdered milk products have different end users, so there can be no causal link between the imports and the claimed injuries. In 2023, the U.S. exported $70 million worth of milk powder to Colombia.
New Zealand considers WTO complaint against Canadian exports (3 minute read)
The New Zealand dairy industry is urging their Trade Minister to take a case to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to stop subsidized Canadian dairy exports from undercutting its markets, including the United States. Although there has been longstanding concern over excess Canadian production spilling over into skim milk powder, NZ producers are now seeing Canadian milk make its way into higher value milk protein concentrates and isolates; milk protein concentrate is valued at $13,000/ton vs. $4,800/ton for SMP. They are also concerned that the Canadian government’s commitment to investing in increasing production capacity over the next decade will increase Canadian export volume and further erode NZ’s market opportunities.
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Industry
USDA to test beef from cull dairy cows for HPAI (4 minute read)
Beginning in September, the USDA will begin a year-long study monitoring beef from cull dairy cows for evidence of HPAI. The carcasses of tested cows will be held until a negative result is returned. Three previous studies looking for HPAI in the nation’s beef supply have all found the beef supply to be safe to eat.
FDA finds no viable HPAI virus in second retail dairy product survey (2 minute read)
The FDA completed a second round of HPAI testing on retail dairy products between June 18 and July 31. 167 samples were collected at retailers and included aged raw milk cheese, pasteurized fluid milk, and other products made from pasteurized milk (e.g., cheeses, butter, ice cream). None of the sampled products were found to contain viable H5N1 virus, although 17% of samples did contain inactivated viral RNA. Tables detailing the results can be viewed here.
Nutrition is key to methane reduction (6 minute read)
Methane, both from enteric production and from manure, makes up the majority of livestock greenhouse gas emissions and has been the focus of increasing amounts of research. A recent review article estimates that nutritional strategies could reduce these emissions by 60%. Strategies range from the basics of improving production efficiency through optimized ration formulations, where this has not yet been done, to feeding additives that specifically reduce methane production. Red seaweed varieties and 3-NOP have shown promise as methane-reducing additives. A combined approach, including ration formulation, feed additives, and manure management, will be needed to reach the cited 60% reduction.
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Tangents
Listeria outbreak in non-dairy “milks” (1 minute read)
On July 17, the Public Health Agency of Canada advised consumers to avoid drinking certain refrigerated non-dairy milk products produced by Danone Canada and sold under the Silk brand and Walmart’s Great Value brand due to potential listeria contamination. As of Aug. 12, 20 cases, including 15 hospitalizations and three deaths, have been linked to the outbreak.
Sometimes you have to answer the hard questions (5 minute read)
It’s no secret that more of the U.S. and (presumably) world population continues to lose touch with the agriculture that sustains them. This can lead to some difficult questions about the destiny of market-bound animals when the two worlds collide, such as at state and county fairs. While it is easier to give a non-answer and move on, fielding these questions gives an opportunity to have meaningful conversations about what it means to be a farmer and the realities of feeding the world.
Lightning bugs, a summer essential (2 minute read)
For many, lighting bugs are or were a quintessential part of their childhood summer experience. Lightning bug populations have been declining over the years due to factors including light pollution and habitat loss. We should all strive to do our part in keeping these wondrous bugs around for future generations: turn off your outdoor lights when they’re not needed, leave part of your yard to “go wild,” giving these and other critters the habitat they need to thrive, and use pesticides and herbicides sparingly.