To help Spanish dairy workers and the Spanish dairy industry to get the most current and update research information, UW-Extension has developed the Dairy Spanish Webinar El “Break” Info-Lechero. This Webinar is an update on different dairy topics covering reproduction, colostrum management, Fresh cows’ management, and milk quality and more. Join this event in 4 different sessions and take the opportunity to learn from and discuss with experts on the dates below: Continue reading “Dairy Spanish Webinar El “Break” Info-Lechero Sept 20 & 27, Oct 4 & 11, 2023”
Category: News
June Milk Down $1.60 From May
All hay prices in Iowa averaged $169.00 per ton in June according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Agricultural Prices report. This was $3.00 below the May price but $19.00 above the June 2022 price. The June 2023 alfalfa hay price, at $173.00, was $5.00 below the previous month but $16.00 above June 2022. The average price received for other hay during June was $159.00 per ton. This was $2.00 below the May price but $29.00 above June last year.
The average price for milk was $15.20 per cwt, $1.60 below the May price and $10.50 below June 2022. Prices received for milk cows for dairy herd replacement averaged $1,800 per head as of July 1, 2023.
Milk production in Iowa during June 2023 totaled 492 million pounds, up 3 percent from the previous June according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during June, at 240,000 head, was unchanged from last month but up 6,000 from June 2022. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,050 pounds, unchanged from last June.
Raw Milk Webinar Scheduled for July 12 Canceled
“It Will Be Legal to Sell Raw Milk in Iowa on July 1; What Do Producers Need to consider?” – the webinar to supply information concerning producing raw milk for human consumption scheduled for July 12 – has been canceled due to low registration.
The Dairy Team encourages potential producers to call them directly for assistance or contact other professional organizations to acquire assistance in developing safe protocols and best management practices for their dairies.
For more information, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Field Specialist in your area: in Northwest Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu; in Northeast Iowa, Jennifer Bentley, 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu; in East Central Iowa, Larry Tranel, 563-583-6496 or tranel@iastate.edu.
IOWA FARMLAND OWNERSHIP AND TENURE SURVEY (1982-2022)
The Iowa Farmland Ownership and Tenure Survey was just released and is available on the ISU Ag. Decision Maker website (https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/). The survey was conducted by Economist Wendong Zhang with assistance from PhD student Jingyi Tong. Since 1989, the survey is conducted every 5 years as required by the Iowa code. The survey this year presents a 40 year perspective (1982 – 2022) on changes in Iowa agriculture with implications for the future.
Continue reading “IOWA FARMLAND OWNERSHIP AND TENURE SURVEY (1982-2022)”
Dairy Cow Slaughter Above 2022
Year to date calf slaughter totals are down more than 15 percent, and nearly 40 percent below the five year average. Calf slaughter is primarily dairy bred calves that enter the veal market. The veal market has seen declining consumption for several years, and the pandemic accelerated that trend to some extent. Cold storage numbers for veal at the end of the first quarter showed supplies on hand are down 40 percent from last year.
Dairy cow slaughter has been above last year but is tracking very closely with the five-year average.
April’s milk production report from last Friday by USDA NASS showed the U.S. milk cow herd is shrinking. Total U.S. milk cows shed 16,000 head compared to the previous month but are still above a year ago even though milk prices are well below last year’s levels.
Celebrate Dairy Month at Open House Events Across Iowa
Learn about dairy production in Iowa during educational farm visits
AMES, Iowa – Iowans of all ages will have the chance to experience modern dairy farming this June, as the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach dairy team celebrates dairy month across the state.
Three dairy open houses are planned, beginning with the Iowa State University Dairy Open House, June 2, at the university farm south of Ames.
Visitors here will learn about cow comfort, dairy production and sustainability, view a live milking parlor in action, and take a guided tour of the farm with campus and extension staff. Tours and dairy treats will be available from 7 a.m. until noon.
On June 14, the Western Iowa Dairy Alliance and Hickory Hill Farms will welcome visitors to an on-farm dinner and tour of the Meissner family’s farm, located near Hospers. Participants will learn about the history and growth of this family farm, including the milking parlor and cow barns, from 4-8 p.m.
The Meissners started milking in the 1890s, in Sussex, Wisconsin. Today, Steve and Scott Meissner are milking 4,000 cows two times a day, in a double-32 parlor.
“We are excited to invite everyone to celebrate June dairy month with us by touring the farm and seeing where the dairy products they enjoy get their start,” said Steve Meissner. “Great-tasting dairy products start with healthy, comfortable cows, and we look forward to sharing how we care for animals and the land.”
Breakfast on the farm
On June 24, the public can enjoy Breakfast on the Farm, held from 8:30 a.m. until noon at Iowa’s Dairy Center in northeast Iowa, south of Calmar.
Organizers will serve a wholesome breakfast complete with Dad’s Belgian Waffles, sausage and delicious dairy products including milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream – all locally produced and processed. Visitors can take a guided tour of the farm and there will be activities for all ages, including hand-milking a cow, a petting zoo, story time with a local dairy princess, cow inflatables and educational exhibits.
“The open houses help give everyone a better understanding of the principles and practices we use on modern dairies, including animal wellbeing, environmental care and product quality and safety,” said Gail Carpenter, state dairy specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Dairy is the fifth largest agricultural business in Iowa, generating $5.6 billion a year in economic activity from farming to dairy processing, supplying 22,000 jobs with a labor income of $891 million. The annual economic impact of a single dairy cow is more than $25,400 per cow.
Event details
- June 2, Iowa State Dairy Farm Open House from 7 a.m. until noon, located at 52470 260th St., Ames.
- June 14, Hickory Hill Farms, 4-8 p.m, located at 4045 400th St., Hospers, Iowa.
- June 24, Breakfast on the Farm, at Iowa’s Dairy Center, 8:30 a.m. until noon, located at 1527 Highway 150 S., Calmar, Iowa. Breakfast on the Farm will be held rain or shine. Donations are accepted the day of the event and parking is available on-site.
For more information, contact Fred Hall in northwest Iowa at 712-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu. In northeast Iowa, Jenn Bentley is available at 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu. Gail Carpenter can be reached at ajcarpen@iastate.edu.
Continue reading “Celebrate Dairy Month at Open House Events Across Iowa”
Iowa Hay Inventory Down 47 Percent from 2022
All hay stored on Iowa farms as of May 1, 2023, was estimated at 380,000 tons, down 47 percent from May 1, 2022, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Production report. Disappearance from December 1, 2022, through May 1, 2023, totaled 2.10 million tons, compared with 2.40 million tons for the same period a year earlier.
Continue reading “Iowa Hay Inventory Down 47 Percent from 2022”
U.S. dairy exports dip for first time in a year
U.S. Dairy Export council reports year-over-year (YOY) U.S. dairy exports slipped 0.4% in milk solids equivalent (MSE) terms in March (-910 MT), marking the first MSE decline in exactly a year. (March 2022 U.S. MSE exports fell 0.5% before going on an 11-month streak of YOY gains.)
Because of the strong U.S. performance in January, year-to-date value and volume still grew for the first quarter (1Q). U.S. dairy export volume rose 5% (+25,398 MT MSE) and value increased 3% (+$65 million). And on the volume side, most key product categories held their own for the quarter: NFDM/SMP (+3%), cheese (+4%), MPC (+13%), WPC80+ (+18%) and lactose (+26%).
Continue reading “U.S. dairy exports dip for first time in a year”
Iowa Milk Prices Up From February
All hay prices in Iowa averaged $183.00 per ton in March according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Agricultural Prices report. . This was $10.00 above the February price and $24.00 above the March 2022 price. The March 2023 alfalfa hay price, at $189.00, was $10.00 above the previous month and $24.00 above March 2022. The average price received for other hay during March was $162.00 per ton. This was $10.00 above the February price and $27.00 above March last year.
The average price for milk was $20.20 per cwt, 60 cents above the February price but $5.50 below March 2022. Prices received for milk cows for dairy herd replacement averaged $1,700 per head as of April 1, 2023.