The Missouri Dairy Association (MDA) has joined a coalition of 27 dairy farmer organizations supporting the Dairy Security Act in the 2012 Farm Bill. In a letter to Senators Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; and Pat Roberts, Ranking Member of the Committee, the coalition stated: “It is time to reform federal dairy policy by enacting the Dairy Security Act (DSA) as part of the next Farm Bill. Over the past several years, the dairy farmers represented by these organizations have suffered financially because of extreme margin volatility - dramatic swings in the difference between milk prices and feed costs. Our current dairy safety net policies are simply unable to be effective in this roller coaster of volatility.

The hot, dry Arkansas summer last year affected cattle farmers across Arkansas. But thanks to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Illinois River Sub-Basin and Eucha-Spavinaw Lake Watershed Initiative, Craig and Jay Oliphnant’s operation has been able to effectively weather the drought.

Many livestock producers continue to make hay while the sun shines, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service reports.

With rains and warmer-than-average weather, cool-season grasses and small grains continued to show rapid growth, according to the reports. Producers throughout the state were taking advantage of the situation to bale as much as they could and rebuild hay supplies depleted in the 2011 drought.

Many livestock producers continue to make hay while the sun shines, according Texas AgriLife Extension Service reports.With rains and warmer-than-average weather, cool-season grasses and small grains continued to show rapid growth, according to the reports. Producers throughout the state were taking advantage of the situation to bale as much as they could and rebuild hay supplies depleted in the 2011 drought.

A much warmer than normal spring in the Northern Plains and in other areas, as well, has grass greening up earlier than normal. So, given the volatile prices that have been occurring, what is the profit potential for grazing calves this summer?