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Milk prices were strong at the end of 2019, and 2020 looked like it was going to be smooth sailing. But COVID-19 changed the equation as exports declined, the dollar strengthened and – most crucially – the foodservice channel collapsed. Amid such demand destruction, prices only had one way to go – down.
The COVID-19 crisis has caused great disruptions in the labor market. One of the few opportunities for dairy farms in this crisis may be to attract well-qualified candidates who would not have previously been available.
Dairy producers cannot control the effect of low milk prices on the dairy economy, but they can control how farm resources are utilized to make their dairies more efficient. Properly managing these resources can help reduce the struggle brought on by current market conditions.
Generational conflict isn’t new. Depending on which generation you belong to, you may have rebelled against your parents’ age group by changing your fashion choices, protesting against the Vietnam War, rallying for women’s rights, advocating for gay marriage or protesting school shootings.
As dairy producers continue to look for ways to cut expenses, animal health programs often come under intense scrutiny. Is this vaccine necessary? Are there cheaper alternatives? How can we reduce the vet bill?
Guardians of the Galaxy was a fun superhero movie in which a group of unlikely characters were thrust into the impossible task of guarding the galaxy against certain doom. While Drax the Destroyer, Groot and Rocket Raccoon are not dairy farmers, dairy farmers too have faced their own supervillains in the form of an extended period of low prices and now COVID-19.
We would like to start this letter by introducing ourselves. Our names are Mireille Chahine and Mario de Haro-Martí. We are husband and wife, and we both work at the University of Idaho Extension, supporting you and the dairy industry.
The COVID-19 global pandemic is bringing new meaning to what we previously thought of as a crisis. Milk prices plummeted, packing plants closed temporarily, and there may be more strains on our food supply chain in the weeks and months to come. With so much out of our control, maintaining our mental health and developing grit are essential to becoming better versions of ourselves on the other side of this health crisis.
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