Americans set a record for dairy consumption in 2023 with per capita consumption coming in at 661 lbs. per person, up 7 lbs. over the previous year and matching the record set in 2021. According to the International Dairy Foods Association, this growth was mainly driven by a surging demand for more butter and cheese. Continue reading “Butter Is Up and Ice Cream Is Down- US Annual Dairy Consumption Data Shows What Consumers Are After”
In 2023, U.S. consumer-oriented export values reached a third-consecutive record on 15 percent growth from the previous year according to the most recent International Agricultural Trade Report from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Products with growth and potential for U.S. consumer-oriented agricultural exports include (1) poultry and meat products (excluding eggs), (2) dairy products, (3) pork and pork products.
Guatemala, with a population approaching 18 million, is the largest economy in Central America (excluding Mexico). Following a decade of strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth, Guatemala’s economy is on trend to grow 3.5 percent in 2024 and 3.1 percent in 2025, driven by global Guatemalan export demand and private consumer spending supported by strong cash inflows from the United States. However, Guatemala faces headwinds from increasing inflation expectations and disruptions related to natural disasters. The country also continues to struggle with high poverty rates, income inequality, and underdeveloped infrastructure, which could pose hurdles to sustained economic growth.
Continue reading “The Opportunity For US Dairy In Guatemala”
Milk production in Iowa during October 2024 totaled 508 million pounds, up 3 percent from the previous October according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during October, at 243,000 head, was 2,000 above last month and up 4,000 from October 2023. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,090 pounds, up 30 pounds from last October.
The Daily Livestock Report shows cow slaughter and lean grinding beef supply has been limited for much of the year. That beef cow slaughter is down should not come as a surprise. The beef cow herd at the start of the year was the lowest in half a century and a simple return to a normal culling rate implied a double digit decline in slaughter. That’s what’s happened so far. What is surprising is that dairy cow slaughter has been consistently below year ago levels for much of the summer and so far this fall despite dairy
producer profits reaching some of the highest levels in years.
For the week ending November 2 dairy cow slaughter was 48,295 million head, 13.4% lower than a year ago. Since June, weekly dairy cow slaughter has declined by 166k head (‐13%). Beef cow slaughter during this period has been down about 300k head (‐20%). Why the decline in dairy cow slaughter? Lack of dairy replacement heifers and the resulting high price for replacements.
U.S. fluid milk sales have changed substantially over the past several decades. This graph depicts total fluid milk sales by product from 1975 through 2023. Although total fluid sales didn’t vary dramatically during the first 35 years of this time frame, they have decreased by 22.0 percent since 2010. In addition, the mix of products comprising this total has changed significantly, as indicated by the same graph.
Dr. Derrell Peel, Beef Economist from Oklahoma State University reports the quarterly inventory of heifers on feed was 4.6 million head, down 0.9 percent year over year. Heifers made up 39.7 percent of the total feedlot inventory on Oct. 1, up slightly from the 39.6 percent in July. Heifers have averaged 39.5 percent of total feedlot inventories for the past ten quarters, since July 2022 and have been above the 15-year average of 36.9 percent since October 2018.
Continue reading “Beef Heifers Going To Feedlots Spelling Continuing Need For BXD Steers”
Aspirin has never gone through the process of being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in cattle. However, FDA considered aspirin to be of “low regulatory concern,” so its use in scenarios where a veterinarian determined there to be no other option for treatment was acceptable. The agency has now reversed that stance and released a letter to veterinarians this week emphasizing that aspirin use in dairy cattle and other food animals is prohibited.
Other relatively common dairy treatments, including lidocaine, epinephrine, and calcium solutions, are also technically unapproved. Unapproved drugs may still be used in therapeutic cases on an individual animal basis when there is no approved option for treatment and they are considered of low regulatory concern, meaning they are likely safe.
The Friday-Saturday program will provide professional development and networking opportunities for dairy producers and allied industry
Iowa dairy professionals, farmers and industry stakeholders are invited to join a unique two-day event this fall. The Iowa Dairy Industry Doubleheader will take place on Friday, Nov. 1, and Saturday, Nov. 2, featuring a professional development workshop and a social networking tailgate co-hosted by the ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Team and the Dairy Science Club at Iowa State University.
Continue reading “Iowa Dairy Industry Doubleheader Set for Nov. 1-2”
The July 22 Dairy Market News reports farm level milk production is declining in the Central region. Warm temperatures have been negatively impacting cow comfort in parts of the Central region this week. Demand for Class I milk is steady but remains on the lighter side. Class III milk has tightened somewhat this week, and cheese-makers relayed spot prices ranging from flat to $1.50-over Class. Cream volumes are tightening in the region, after
availability unexpectedly increased last week. Some butter makers are securing cream from western states to fulfill their churning needs.
Contacts in the Central region reported an uptick in Central region cream multiples at the bottom of the all-class range this week. Demand from Class II milk manufacturers is steady. Stakeholders say condensed skim milk is moving steadily, but volumes have become less available as milk production has declined in the region.
According to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Agricultural Prices report the All hay prices in Iowa averaged $147.00 per ton in June. This was $12.00 below the May price and $22.00 below
the June 2023 price. The June 2024 alfalfa hay price, at $153.00, was $10.00 below the previous month and
$20.00 below June 2023. The average price received for other hay during June was $129.00 per ton. This was
$24.00 below the May price and $30.00 below June last year.
The average price for milk was $22.70 per cwt, 50 cents above the May price and $7.40 above June 2023. Prices received for milk cows for dairy herd replacement averaged $2,470 per head as of July 1, 2024