As some efforts that effect Canadian dairy policy are making an impact, others are just at the starting point.

August trade data showed exports continued at a double-digit pace, increasing 15 percent over August 2016. This marks the third month in a row of double digit export increases and extends the year-to-date lead to 15 percent over last year.

A proposal under discussion to change the method of calculating federal milk marketing order (FMMO) minimum prices for Class I (fluid) milk could have a significant impact on producer milk prices, according to John Geuss, dairy consultant from Naples, Florida.

More than 208,000 jobs could disappear if we were to eliminate the immigrant work force in the dairy industry. These hard-working folks are performing jobs that, year after year, go unfilled by our domestic workforce.

I received a call while stuck in the Cleveland, Ohio, airport from a farmer who was having some serious employee issues. He drove into his farm one afternoon to find two employees literally fist fighting in the parking lot.

Digest Highlights: Hurricane Irma damage to Florida dairy industry estimated near $12 million. Profitability is mixed in the Northwest. Find a summary of these stories and updates on previous Progressive Dairyman news stories here.

A financial assessment of Hurricane Irma’s impact on the Florida forage industry has been set at more than $60 million, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Jerry Cherney, researcher with Cornell University and a New York forage specialist, said, “We know forage quality is being improved; the question is how much,” as he addressed members of the National Hay Association in Canandiagua, New York.

It’s become a tradition for the Progressive Dairyman team to scope out new products, ideas and innovations to share with readers following World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. The 2017 show, with a theme of “Discovering New Dairy Worlds,” had plenty to offer.