Iowa State Veterinarian Jeff Kaisand reports during the 2025 session, Iowa legislators voted to eliminate the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Fund and the associated programs in Senate File 646. Effective July 1, 2025, Iowa taxpayers will no longer be assessed a property tax levy to support the fund and vaccine reimbursements.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will continue reimbursing Iowa veterinarians for brucellosis vaccinations administered through June 30, 2025. Veterinarians should submit vaccine vouchers to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship by July 31 to receive reimbursement.
Costs for brucellosis vaccinations administered on or after July 1, 2025, will not be reimbursed.
If you have questions or need assistance submitting your vaccine voucher, please contact Blake Ehler at blake.ehler@iowaagriculture.gov.
Category: News
Dairy Cow Slaughter Show Lowest Numbers Since 2006
Based on latest USDA monthly data released May 22, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in April 2025 was estimated at 207,200. While up 10,700 from March, it was 31,000 fewer than April 2024 and the lowest April total since 2006.
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CME Prices Higher in May Led by Cheese
Commodity prices on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) were higher in May led by the gains in the cheddar block price. Comparing prices to last year, most commodities were below May 2024, except for whey and NFDM which were above.
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Milk Production Shifting From East To West
Over the past 44 years, milk production in the United States has mostly increased, going from 129 billion pounds in 1980 to 226 billion pounds in 2024 according to Victor J. Halverson, Market Administrator for the Upper Midwest Federal Milk Market Order, in his May newsletter.
Since 2021, production has stayed around 226 billion, with 2024 being the second consecutive year with a slight drop in production. Historically, the adoption of new technology, improvements in genetics, and a greater investment in nutrition have increased efficiency, resulting in higher production per cow.
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Milk Production and Butter Prices- What Does It Mean For Consumers
The USDA Milk Production, Disposition and Income Summary for 2024 just released contained some interesting statistics. Milk production decreased 0.2 percent in 2024 to 226 billion pounds. The production per cow, at 24,178 pounds, was 61 pounds above 2023. The annual average number of milk cows on farms was 9.34 million head, down 42,000 head from 2023.
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Dairy Scientist Paul Kononoff Receives Industry Person of the Year Award
When Nebraska dairy producers met in West Point for the annual Nebraska State Dairy Association convention the honored Nebraska Extension Dairy Nutrition Specialist Paul Kononoff with the Philip H. Cole Dairy Industry Person of the Year award.
In a Nebraska Farmer article, Kononoff said. “I also enjoy finding ways we can use science to solve their problems and make life better for their families and employees. Being presented with this award from NSDA is the greatest honor of my career.”
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Monthly Dairy Webinar Tp Focus On Dairy Rations Without BMR Corn Silage
he Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team’s monthly webinar series continues on Wednesday, April 23, from 12 to 1 p.m. The program will be presented by Dr. Adam Krull and Dr. Luiz Ferraretto and will discuss dairy rations without brown midrib corn silage, also known as BMR corn silage.
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Iowa Milk Down 60 Cents From January
The average price received by farmers for milk was $23.50 per cwt, 60 cents below the January price but $4.50 above February 2024 according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Agricultural Prices report.
All hay prices in Iowa averaged $103.00 per ton in February. This was $9.00 below the January price and $68.00 below the February 2024 price. The February 2025 alfalfa hay price, at $105.00, was $12.00 below the previous month and $70.00 below February 2024. The average price received for other hay during February was $95.00 per ton. This was $9.00 below the January price and $54.00 below February last year.
I-29 Moo University webinar on Feb. 26 to feature Immune response and immunity to highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cattle
The I-29 Moo University Dairy Webinar Series continues Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CDT, with Dr. Kaitlyn Sarlo Davila discussing the results of several studies to define the kinetics of protective immunity in cattle infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Dr. Kaitlyn Sarlo Davila is an animal scientist researching mastitis at the USDA ARS National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa. She has also been researching the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in dairy cattle.
There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour prior to the webinar. Register online at:
https://go.iastate.edu/IMMUNERESPONSE
For more information, contact: in Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; or in South Dakota, Madison Kovarna, 605-688-4116.
Iowa Production and Cow Numbers Up In November
Milk production in Iowa during November 2024 totaled 492 million pounds, up 3 percent from the previous November according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during November, at 245,000 head, was 2,000 above last month and up 6,000 from November 2023. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,010 pounds, up 20 pounds from last November.
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