Milk production in Iowa during April 2020 totaled 449 million pounds, up 2% from the previous April according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during April, at 219,000 head, was the same as both last month and last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,050 pounds, up 30 pounds from last April.
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Mark Stephenson, Chris Wolf and Andrew Novakovic have provided details in an informational letter on the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) on the Dairy Markets and Policy website at: https://dairymarkets.org/PubPod/Pubs/IL20-02.pdf
Highlights include:
Listen to dairy team experts as they discuss important topics in the industry amid COVID-19
Dairy producers across Iowa have a new way of receiving information, thanks to a new podcast launched by dairy specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
“Dairy News & Views from Iowa State University” began recording in April, featuring timely topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic and dairy production in general.
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Prior to COVID increased national dairy herd and increased production pointed to lower milk prices in the future. Generally, product stocks were increasing. However, with the CARES and HEROS aid programs, government purchases have begun to lower cheese stocks. Post COVID EU is purchasing powder and storing, begging if this will negatively affect world price when they start selling.
The flip side, is for seven months exports topped year-earlier levels according to the most recent USDEC report. In March, U.S. suppliers shipped 190,456 tons of milk powders, cheese, whey products, lactose and butterfat, two percent more than the year before. This is the highest figure since May 2018. On a solids basis, exports were up three percent. Meanwhile, the value of all exports was the most since August 2014 – $592 million, 10 percent more than a year ago.
All hay stored on Iowa farms as of May 1, 2020, is estimated at 510,000 tons, an increase of 48% from May 1, 2019, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Production report.
The May 12 WASDE report showed 2020 milk production forecast raised from the previous month primarily on higher-than expected cow numbers at 222.2 Billion pounds.
Timing first crop alfalfa harvest by calendar date does not work well. Spring climates vary from year to year, and fields managed differently also affects spring regrowth. Different varieties, age of stand, fertility, last season’s cutting schedules, fall harvest or not, can all influence the rate of regrowth in spring. PEAQ, which stands for predictive equation for alfalfa quality, is a quick and easy method to use to assess when individual alfalfa fields are ready for harvest based on a forage quality estimate. All you need is a yard stick and Table 1 in ISU Extension publication CROP 3141, which is available from your county ISU Extension office or download at: https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/15234
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Dairy cow slaughter in the first quarter of 2020 has been tracking slightly above the five-year average, but below the same quarter in 2019.
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Learn the latest information in dairy nutrition and management by attending the virtual 2020 Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference on June 10. It will be the same great program as in the past, but in a virtual setting. All presentations will be recorded and available to participants for 60 days after the conference.
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Milk production in Iowa during March 2020 totaled 460 million pounds, up 1 percent from the previous March according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during March, at 218,000 head, was up 1,000 from last month but down 1,000 from last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,110 pounds, up 35 pounds from last March.
Continue reading “March Production And Cow Numbers Up In Iowa”