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This article was conceived to be business tips to implement during the economic recovery. Unfortunately, the word “recovery” appears to be misplaced and too optimistic. Recent economic news on the national front and anecdotal news from our clients indicate the economy has not yet reached the stage of recovery.
There still appears to be a flat line or even a continuing downturn in the economy. This may continue for some time as the deleveraging cycle continues and the economy continues to be impacted by the mortgage debacle.
In the May 21 issue of Progressive Dairyman, Editor Karen Lee came up with a poll question that sparked much interest: “Should the sale of unpasteurized (raw) milk be legalized in all 50 states?”
“Raw milk pairs with the local and slow food movements that are of interest to today’s consumers,” Lee says. “As I researched it, I found that nearly a dozen states were considering or would potentially be considering legislation related to the sale of raw milk this year alone. Progressive Dairyman was curious to see how our readers weighed in on the topic.”
Dear Editor,
I could not help but respond to your article about why fluid milk consumption is falling in America. Here is an alternative and objective view of your milk market.
What’s a building block in the food pyramid that’s important for building and maintaining bone mass? It’s milk.
Whether it’s from cows, goats, sheep or another mammal, milk and milk products are an important source of calcium throughout a person’s life.
In the next few pages we will share some of the information we have gleaned from the data and results of our most recent poll. The most recent poll asked whether or not (raw) milk should be legalized for retail in all 50 states.
Votes by date
The graph to the right chronicles voting over the life of the poll, which began in May and ended in July. A signficant spike in votes corresponded with the awareness campaign promoted by the Weston A. Price Foundation. (Click here for the full story.)
The 2011 Ozark Empire Fair Hay Show, in Springfield, Missouri, had the least entries since the show began in 1985. A very wet, cool May, followed by a unusually dry June and July were the main causes for not entering by southwest Missouri farmers.
Editor's note: This article is the extended version, which contains more content from the interview, of the article that was published in the August 11th issue of Progressive Dairyman.
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) recently announced its support for the “Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2011” or S. 1258, a Democratic-sponsored legislation for immigration reform. The proposed legislation includes a dairy H-2A visa eligibility provision (S. 852) that was introduced earlier this spring by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), which NMPF also supported.
Editor Walt Cooley spoke with NMPF’s Jaime Castaneda about why the group has thrown its support behind these bills.
In the closing days of the 111th Congress, the DREAM Act passed the House with bipartisan support and fell just a few votes short in the Senate despite receiving support from both Democrats and Republicans. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) reintroduced the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2011 or “The DREAM Act” a few months ago as S. 952. In late June, the Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security of the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on S. 952.
The DREAM Act offers permanent legal status to illegal immigrants, up to age 35, who arrived in the U.S. before age 16, provided they complete two years of college or serve two years in the military. These individuals draw special attention because, in most cases, they are in the U.S. not by their own actions, but by those of their parents.
Here are excerpts of statements made and testimony presented at the hearing.
Springtime excessive rainfall followed by summertime drought means Pennsylvania dairy producers are facing big challenges in corn silage production that extend beyond a decrease in its nutritional value.
to jump to the article.
Summary: The August 11th issue, with a topic of facilities and business planning, highlighted a bedded-pack barn in western Ohio that's providing optimal cow comfort. Producer Doug Boots joined forces with consultant Don Themm in Michigan to design a barn that keeps cows cool in the summer and warm in the winter with minimal labor.
Because this article was so popular, we asked Boots a follow-up question:
Q: Since the article appeared, has anyone visited your place to see the barn for themselves? What has been some of your advice?
A: Since our farm was featured, we have received numerous inquiries about the facility. We received calls from interested dairymen from coast to coast. Many dairymen from the Grand Lakes St. Marys watershed area in Mercy County, Ohio, visited and expressed a real interest in the facility because they are experiencing enforcement of stricter government regulations regarding manure runoff. Many of the dairymen had freestall barns for their housing and were interested in the use of loose housing (manure pack) facilities.
