Most Retail Dairy Prices Shifting Down Slightly; Ice Cream moved Higher

February retail dairy prices were released on Tuesday, from USDA Economic Research Service (ERS). The milk price was $4.16 per gallon, down 1.0 percent from last month
but 7.4 percent higher than last year. American and Cheddar cheese prices were $4.63 and $5.85 per pound in February, both down by less than 2.0 percent from last month but 16.3 percent and 7.4 percent higher than last year. Finally, package ice cream saw a 1 percent decline from January to February, moving from $5.809 to $5.722 per pound. Compared to a year ago, those same products increase from $5.048 to $5.722 per pound, up over 13 percent.

Deadline to Comment on FDA’s labeling of Plant-based Milk Alternatives Due April 24

Several producers have asked about the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) its draft guidance on “Labeling of Plant-Based Milk Alternatives and Voluntary Nutrient Statements” released Feb. 22

Producers can share there thoughts by going to the FDA’s website.

Our Iowa State Dairy Association shared their comments:

On behalf of over 800 dairy farms in our state, Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA) supports the use of 100% domestic real dairy products. Beverages made from vegetable or plant base are NOT qualifying dairy products. Product identity is of utmost importance to the dairy industry and the products we produce, therefore the ISDA supports the use of the terms “milk”, “cheese”, “yogurt”, and “butter” only in reference to products produced from lactating mammals, like dairy animals.

Comments are due on April 24, 2023.

2023 milk production is forecast higher on a larger cow inventory

The March 8 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate in the USDA report showed Milk supply and use estimates for 2022 were adjusted to reflect revisions to estimates of milk production and stocks.
For 2023, milk production is forecast higher on a larger cow inventory. Output per cow is unchanged from last month. On both fat- and skim-solids bases, imports for 2023 are raised, while exports are reduced.

Cheese prices are lowered as supplies are expected to be relatively large and domestic demand is projected to be relatively soft. Butter prices are raised on recent data. Nonfat dry milk prices are unchanged, with a weaker first quarter offset by a stronger fourth quarter. Whey prices are raised on recent price observations and stronger expected demand. With the changes in component prices, Class III prices are projected lower, while Class IV prices are projected higher. The all milk price is projected lower at 20.45 per cwt.
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I-29 Moo University Dairy Beef Short Course Scheduled For March 28 In Sioux Falls

 The I-29 Moo University Dairy Beef Short Course is scheduled for Tuesday, March 28, 2023 as part of the pre-educational events for the Central Plains Dairy Expo. It will be held in the Denny Sanford Premier Center, Sioux Falls, SD in rooms 8, 9, & 10.

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Iowa Hay Drops $4 from December; Milk down $2.80

All hay prices in Iowa averaged $169.00 per ton in January. This was $4.00 below the December price but $12.00 above the January 2022 price. The January 2023 alfalfa hay price, at $178.00, was $8.00 below the previous month but $13.00 above January 2022. The average price received for other hay during January was $153.00 per ton. This was $1.00 below the December price but $15.00 above January last year.
The average price for milk was $21.20 per cwt, $2.80 below the December price and $2.20 below January 2022.

Country View Dairy Earns Top Honor For Low Fat Yogurt In National Contest

During the 2023 United States Championship Cheese Contest was held between Feb. 21–23 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The contest, which is hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, has been held every two years (with an exception amid the pandemic) since 1981.

“The men and women of the U.S. dairy processing industry are exceptionally passionate and dedicated to crafting quality products, and that commitment shines through in the high caliber of this year’s winners,” John Umhoefer, the executive director for the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, said in a statement issued Thursday.

Iowa cheese makers competed well. Below are the placings for Iowa competitors:

Winners:

Country View Dairy                                                             Hawkeye              First Place- Low Fat Cow’s Milk Yogurt

Prairie Farms Cheese Division                                             Luana                    Third Place- Cream Cheese

Agropur                                                                               Hull                        Third Place- Monterey Jack

Other Iowa Competitors:

AMPI                                                                                     Sanborn               Mild Cheddar

AMPI                                                                                     Sanborn               Medium Cheddar

Agropur                                                                               Hull                        Cheddar

Agropur                                                                               Hull                        Marbled Curd Cheese, Colby Jack

Agropur                                                                               Hull                        Parmesan

WW Homestead Dairy,                                                   Waukon               4% Small Curd Cottage Cheese

Prairie Farms Cheese Division                                         Luana                    Havarti

Maytag Dairy Farms                                                        Newton                Blue Cheese

Agropur                                                                               Hull                        Reduced Fat Monterey Jack

Country View Dairy                                                          Hawkeye             Cow’s Milk Yogurt

Country View Dairy                                                          Hawkeye             High Protein Cow’s Milk Yogurt

Country View Dairy                                                          Hawkeye             High Protein Flavored Cow’s Milk Yogurt

WW Homestead Dairy,                                                 Waukon               Cheese Curds

WW Homestead Dairy,                                                 Waukon               Flavored Cheese Curds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2022 Corn for Silage County Estimates- Sioux County Leads Iowa In Silage Production

In 2022, Sioux County led all Iowa counties in total corn silage production with 1,110,000 tons, according to the
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Lyon (494,000), Winneshiek (336,000), Allamakee (322,000),
and O’Brien (292,000) rounded out the top five highest–producing counties.


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Iowa Milk Production Up 7 Percent In January

Milk production in Iowa during January 2023 totaled 506 million pounds, up 7 percent from the previous January
according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average
number of milk cows during January, at 241,000 head, was 2,000 above last month and up 16,000 from January
2022. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,100 pounds, up 5 pounds from last January.

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I-29 Moo University Presents Dry-off Can Be More Than Just Dry Cow Therapy Webinar On Mar. 9

The I-29 Moo University 2023 Dairy Webinar Series continues Thursday, March 9 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CST with a focus on new research for the complete management of the dairy cow at dry-off. The program will be presented by Dr. Luciano Caixeta.

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Dairy Directions Series Rescheduled for Feb. 21 in Sac City and Feb. 22 in Pocahontas

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team has rescheduled its annual Dairy Directions Series for Feb. 21 in Sac City and Feb. 22 in Pocahontas.

The series will focus on four topics: economics of using beef embryos in dairy cows; a new look at energy in calf diets; what’s going on at the ISU dairy; and a review of dairy markets.

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