A decline in cow numbers and a modest gain in milk output per cow helped limit July 2018 U.S. milk production growth to just 0.4 percent compared to a year earlier. Reviewing the USDA estimates for July 2018 compared to July 2017: U.S. milk production: 18.35 billion pounds, up 0.4 percent U.S. cow numbers: 9.396 million, down 8,000 head U.S. average milk per cow per month: 1,953 pounds, up 10 pounds 23-state milk production: 17.3 billion pounds, up 0.4 percent 23-state cow numbers: 8.735 million, up 1,000 head 23-state average milk per cow per month: 1,980 pounds, up 8 pounds Source: USDA Milk Production report, Aug. 20, 2018

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency announced the long-awaited launch of the Dairy-Revenue Protection (Dairy-RP) milk revenue insurance program. Developed by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), American Farm Bureau Insurance Services and other collaborators, the program is now in the hands of authorized crop insurance agents, who are attending workshops and preparing spreadsheets and actuarial tables for the start of the application period, Oct. 9. Here’s what we think we know so far. Watch Progressive Dairyman for additional information.

When it’s 105ºF outside, it’s 105ºF in the hutch – that’s the reality of raising calves in Arizona according to Tim Dugan, co-owner of T&K Red River Dairy in Stanfield, Arizona.

Digest Highlights June fluid milk sales slump, but not all the news is bad Italian mozzarella maker to build plant in northeast Indiana California doubles down on digester projects FMD detection possible through bulk milk sample Pennsylvania unveils Dairy Development Plan

Meeting Aug. 1, the Federal Reserve board voted to hold off on raising interest rates again. Recent reports from Federal Reserve district banks in major agricultural regions indicate interest rates on fixed- and variable-rate loans increased (Table 1), reaching levels last seen in 2010-12.

It is imperative for the success of a robotic milking operation that its cows consistently have healthy legs and hooves with minimal lameness. After all, they need to stand and move about the barn for things to work, regardless of the cow flow system in use.

National Brown Swiss ConventionJune 27-30, Coralville, Iowa

Getting cows bred in a timely manner and pregnant at first service is impacted by their ability to show a heat. If your cows’ environment isn’t conducive to expressing heats with physical indicators like mounting, chin resting and sniffing – it could impact your herd’s bottom line.

Editor’s Note: This column is submitted by Chuck Nicholson, an adjunct associate professor in the college of agriculture and life sciences at Cornell University and a former clinical associate professor of supply chain management at Penn State University. Nicholson is one of three economists who contributed to the 2017 “Study to Support Growth and Competitiveness of the Pennsylvania Dairy Industry,” commissioned by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Center for Dairy Excellence.

I knew this conversation during milking was going to happen eventually, but when it did, I was not totally prepared. “I think Beth needs to go on the truck,” my husband, Sam, said during Tuesday morning milking. He was referring to Beth, who was the oldest cow in the barn and occupied stall number 45 for as long as I could remember.