Greg Coffta, bilingual dairy support specialist based in the Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension office, has a new monthly column called AgriCultura. In it, he writes about issues facing producers and employees trying to reach across culture barriers such as language. And he includes a short Spanish-English lesson. Find AgriCultura here.
AgriCultura – crossing the culture gap
NY cheese production rises
Cheese production in New York State jumped by 5.4% last year, to 737 million pounds, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s New York field office. Italian cheese, 52.9% of the state’s total output, was up 1.9%, to 390 million pounds.
Total U.S. cheese production for 2007 was 9.7 billion pounds, up 1.8% from 2006. Italian cheese varieties accounted for 42.6% of that production. American-type cheese production dropped .9%, to 40% of total U.S. cheese production last year.
Total U.S. cheese production for 2007 was 9.7 billion pounds, up 1.8% from 2006. Italian cheese varieties accounted for 42.6% of that production. American-type cheese production dropped .9%, to 40% of total U.S. cheese production last year.
CSP signup in a N.Y. watershed
Farmers in the Oneida watershed can sign up for the Conservation Security Program (CSP) through May 16.
CSP pays farmers for conservation efforts. There are three levels of payments:
1. An annual payment for base level of conservation.
2. An annual payment for maintaining existing conservation practices.
3. An enhanced payment for exceptional conservation efforts, such as limiting pesticide applications or renewable energy generation.
The Natural Resource Conservation Service estimates that 1,277 farms in the watershed, which includes parts of Madison, Lewis, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego counties, could be eligible for CSP.
A potential participant must complete a CSP Self-Assessment Workbook, then submit the completed workbook to the local NRCS office before May 16. They must also meet with NRCS personnel. The agency will determine if the applicant is eligible.
Go to the New York NRCS website at http://www.ny.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cspinfo.html, or contact your local NRCS office.
CSP pays farmers for conservation efforts. There are three levels of payments:
1. An annual payment for base level of conservation.
2. An annual payment for maintaining existing conservation practices.
3. An enhanced payment for exceptional conservation efforts, such as limiting pesticide applications or renewable energy generation.
The Natural Resource Conservation Service estimates that 1,277 farms in the watershed, which includes parts of Madison, Lewis, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego counties, could be eligible for CSP.
A potential participant must complete a CSP Self-Assessment Workbook, then submit the completed workbook to the local NRCS office before May 16. They must also meet with NRCS personnel. The agency will determine if the applicant is eligible.
Go to the New York NRCS website at http://www.ny.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cspinfo.html, or contact your local NRCS office.
This week in Dairy Profit Weekly
This week in Dairy Profit Weekly:
1) Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) members were informed of an unauthorized payment of $1 million – arranged by former DFA CEO Gary Hanman to former DFA chair Herman Brubaker. The payment, made in 2001 through a DFA affiliate, had not been approved by the DFA board.
2) We have a 2007 Farm Bill ... well maybe. The House and Senate conference committee agreed on a $296 billion bill, but President George Bush is likely to veto it.
3) With one-third of 2008 in the books, it’s time to update the milk price forecast. USDA forecasts a 2008 all-milk price at $17.95-$18.45/cwt.; Penn State dairy economist Ken Bailey forecasts $19.34/cwt. CME Class III prices for 2008 averaged $19.15/cwt. at the close of trading on May 8.
4) USDA’s latest Crop Report indicates hay stocks on farms on May 1 totaled 21.6 million tons, up 44% from the previous year. But inventories aren't good in the Upper Midwest and east of the Mississippi River. The largest declines occurred in Kentucky, Minnesota, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Wisconsin’s May 1 hay stocks are a record low, while Tennessee recorded the lowest level since 1962.
For a sample copy, log on to: www.dairyprofit.com/sample.htm. For subscription information, call 1-800-334-1904.
1) Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) members were informed of an unauthorized payment of $1 million – arranged by former DFA CEO Gary Hanman to former DFA chair Herman Brubaker. The payment, made in 2001 through a DFA affiliate, had not been approved by the DFA board.
2) We have a 2007 Farm Bill ... well maybe. The House and Senate conference committee agreed on a $296 billion bill, but President George Bush is likely to veto it.
3) With one-third of 2008 in the books, it’s time to update the milk price forecast. USDA forecasts a 2008 all-milk price at $17.95-$18.45/cwt.; Penn State dairy economist Ken Bailey forecasts $19.34/cwt. CME Class III prices for 2008 averaged $19.15/cwt. at the close of trading on May 8.
4) USDA’s latest Crop Report indicates hay stocks on farms on May 1 totaled 21.6 million tons, up 44% from the previous year. But inventories aren't good in the Upper Midwest and east of the Mississippi River. The largest declines occurred in Kentucky, Minnesota, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Wisconsin’s May 1 hay stocks are a record low, while Tennessee recorded the lowest level since 1962.
For a sample copy, log on to: www.dairyprofit.com/sample.htm. For subscription information, call 1-800-334-1904.
DFA uncovers unathorized $1 million payment in 2001
By Dave Natzke
Editor, Dairy Profit Weekly
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) members have been informed of an unauthorized payment of $1 million -- arranged by former DFA CEO Gary Hanman to former DFA chair Herman Brubaker. The payment, made in 2001 through a DFA affiliate, had not been approved by the DFA board. The affiliate was not identified.
In a teleconference with dairy media on May 9, current DFA president and CEO Rick Smith said all DFA members were informed of the discovery via a May 8 letter from Smith and DFA board chair Tom Camerlo. Smith said the current board and management team became aware of the payment in the past six to eight weeks.
More Here...
Editor, Dairy Profit Weekly
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) members have been informed of an unauthorized payment of $1 million -- arranged by former DFA CEO Gary Hanman to former DFA chair Herman Brubaker. The payment, made in 2001 through a DFA affiliate, had not been approved by the DFA board. The affiliate was not identified.
In a teleconference with dairy media on May 9, current DFA president and CEO Rick Smith said all DFA members were informed of the discovery via a May 8 letter from Smith and DFA board chair Tom Camerlo. Smith said the current board and management team became aware of the payment in the past six to eight weeks.
More Here...
Dairy spotlights at Empire Farm Days
There will be plenty for dairy producers to attend before and during Empire Farm Days, held Aug. 5-7 in Seneca Falls, N.Y.:
– What's New Tour
Monday, Aug. 4
• Hemdale Farms, Seneca Castle, NY.
What you'll see: A 250-stall robotic with four Lely robotic units. A unique manure handling system that incorporates alley scrapers and floor slots through which urine falls. Gravity flow moves it to the discharge end.
• Merrell Farms, Wolcott, NY.
What you'll see: A cross-ventilated 8-row wide barn (216 feet), 72-stall rotary parlor and holding area/sort gate/fresh cow complex. The dairy complex is under construction.
– Three days of seminars at Empire Farm Days
• Tuesday, Aug. 5
The care and feeding of transition cows
• Wednesday, Aug. 6
Facilities: You can create a healthy productive environment for cows and people
•Thursday, Aug. 7
The business of grazing
All programs are free. They begin at 10:30 and conclude with lunch. For more information, contact Debbie Morneau, Dairy Business Communications, at 800-334-1904.
– What's New Tour
Monday, Aug. 4
• Hemdale Farms, Seneca Castle, NY.
What you'll see: A 250-stall robotic with four Lely robotic units. A unique manure handling system that incorporates alley scrapers and floor slots through which urine falls. Gravity flow moves it to the discharge end.
• Merrell Farms, Wolcott, NY.
What you'll see: A cross-ventilated 8-row wide barn (216 feet), 72-stall rotary parlor and holding area/sort gate/fresh cow complex. The dairy complex is under construction.
– Three days of seminars at Empire Farm Days
• Tuesday, Aug. 5
The care and feeding of transition cows
• Wednesday, Aug. 6
Facilities: You can create a healthy productive environment for cows and people
•Thursday, Aug. 7
The business of grazing
All programs are free. They begin at 10:30 and conclude with lunch. For more information, contact Debbie Morneau, Dairy Business Communications, at 800-334-1904.