The Animal Ag Alliance recently attended the 2019 Animal Rights National Conference in Alexandria, Virginia. The nonprofit organization, which helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork, wrote a summary report about the conference for its members and other industry stakeholders.

With the closing of the 2019 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program sign-up period in late September, the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has been finalizing enrollment figures.

Progressive Dairy magazine asked online readers how often they listen to podcasts. More than 350 readers responded online. Half of them said they at least occasionally listen to podcasts.

The year-end holiday season is an important time for dairy, especially for retail eggnog and cheese sales:

The USDA’s December World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report left milk production estimates for both 2019 and 2020 unchanged from a month ago, with expectations milk prices will increase.

Digest Highlights

• 2020 DMC enrollment deadline is Friday
• Comments sought on Dairy FARM Workforce Development evaluation tool
• California: STOP QIP files lawsuit
• Pennsylvania seeks dairy intern host farms
• GENYOUth’s annual Gala generates nearly $2 million
• Maryland covering 2020 DMC premiums
• Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturns local nutrient management ordinance
• Fewer cows are ‘dry’

The weather is getting colder, but U.S. dairy-related exports are warming up.

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) will pay $220 million in a settlement agreement to close a class action lawsuit concerning a herd retirement program that ended in 2010.

Digest Highlights

• Minnesota attorney general, DFA reach agreement on school milk bids
• Wisconsin considers dropping annual rbST-free affidavit requirements
• Farm Workforce Modernization Act advances
• USDA to conduct ‘organic’ survey
• Global Dairy Trade index dips
• Second round of ‘no-match’ letters mailed
• Idaho Milk Products donates school milk dispensers
• 400 trees planted on Pennsylvania farm to restore waterways

Ten National Football League (NFL) players will vividly showcase their passion for the farmer-created Fuel Up to Play 60 program during games played on Dec. 8.