A judge has struck down a six-month extension of an emergency moratorium on new confined-animal feeding operations passed by Jerome County commissioners in November. Click here for the full story.
Cattle, dairy groups win lawsuit against S. Idaho county
Livestock groups prevail over county decision
The Idaho Dairymen’s Association and the Idaho Cattle Association have prevailed in their lawsuit challenging Jerome’s County’s November 2007 enactment of an “Interim Ordinance” to prohibit the construction of new or existing livestock operations.
Calif. Tomato Board is dissolved, state looks at California Milk Processor Board
Another department audit found that the California Milk Processor Board paid its executive director $291,361 in his first seven months on the job -- including a $50,000 signing bonus, free health insurance and $73,478 in reimbursed expenses -- without a finalized contract. Agriculture department spokesman Steve Lyle said in a statement that the agency has hired more auditors and plans to improve its supervision. "Generally, the department is committed to doing full fiscal compliance audits of all state commissions," the statement said. Click here for the full story.
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.