During the winter months, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach works hard to bring local producers important information to help their operations. We put on many annual programs, and this year, Buena Vista excited to offer a new series focused on trending agricultural topics.

“Extension Ag Coffees” is a new series geared towards agricultural producers and rural community members. This series is hosted twice a month through April from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the Buena Vista County Extension Office. There is no charge to attend, and coffee and donuts will be provided.

Presenters will cover an array of trending agricultural topics that affect our community and lead an active question and answer session.

The January 16 session will have Fred Hall, ISU Dairy Specialist, discussing the 2024 farm income predictions.

Continue reading “Buena Vista County Extension Ag Coffees Continue” →

Key Results*

AMF index up 0.2%, average price US$5,595/MT (€5,063/MT)
Butter index up 2.1%, average price US$5,514/MT (€4,990/MT)
BMP index down 0.1%, average price US$2,384/MT (€2,158/MT)
Ched index down 2.4%, average price US$4,165/MT (€3,769/MT)
LAC index down 5.0%, average price US$753/MT (€681/MT)
MOZZ index unchanged, average price US$3,960/MT (€3,584/MT)
SMP index down 0.9%, average price US$2,613/MT (€2,365/MT)
WMP index up 2.5%, average price US$3,290/MT (€2,977/MT)

Full results have been published on www.globaldairytrade.info/en/product-results/.

The chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee has blocked the Whole Mil For Healthy Kids bill. During floor debate Thursday, Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow said she supports healthy options for students and says dairy is an important part of a balanced meal, “But one thing that’s clear, and that is that school meal standards currently based on dietary science should continue to be based on dietary science, not based on which individual food products that we support.”

Senator and doctor Roger Marshall from Kansas authored the companion bill and called for unanimous consent to bring the bill up for a Senate vote.

Key Results*

AMF index unchanged, average price US$5,573/MT (€5,128/MT)
Butter index up 0.7%, average price US$4,936/MT (€4,542/MT)
BMP index up 2.8%, average price US$2,387/MT (€2,196/MT)
Ched index up 9.7%, average price US$3,986/MT (€3,668/MT)
LAC index up 5.3%, average price US$793/MT (€730/MT)
MOZZ index not available, average price US$4,005/MT (€3,685/MT)
SMP index up 1.2%, average price US$2,671/MT (€2,458/MT)
WMP index up 2.1%, average price US$3,104/MT (€2,856/MT)

Full results have been published on www.globaldairytrade.info/en/product-results/.

The 2023 Annual Dairy Discussions program scheduled for Dec 7 in Orange City had only two registrations at the registration deadline. Regrettably the program has been cancelled. This allowed the out-of-state presenter time to change his travel plans.

I encourage regional producers to let me know what topics would bring you to a dairy program in Northwest Iowa.

According to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Agricultural Prices report.  The average price for milk dairymen received was $19.60 per cwt, 20 cents below the September price and $4.80 below October 2022.

All hay prices in Iowa averaged $170.00 per ton in October. This was $1.00 above the September price and $7.00 above the October 2022 price. The October 2023 alfalfa hay price, at $185.00, was $10.00 above the previous month and $11.00 above October 2022. The average price received for other hay during October was $147.00 per ton. This was $2.00 below the September price but $5.00 above October last year.

The average price received by farmers for corn during October 2023 in Iowa was $4.96 per bushel. This was 26 cents below the September price and $1.57 below October 2022.

The October 2023 average price received by farmers for soybeans, at $12.60 per bushel, was 50 cents below the September price and 80 cents below the October 2022 price.