Safety plays a vital role on every dairy farm because the ideal goal is to end each day with safe and healthy employees and animals. Safety is a role that continues to be evaluated and improved in order to better the industry and the experiences of those who work in and are a part of it.

It has been said the greatest need of any person is to feel appreciated. With low milk prices and the decline of dairy farms, many farmers are left feeling underappreciated, but the Wisconsin-based restaurant chain Culver’s has been thanking farmers personally.

Since the dawn of time, no food has been upheld as greatly as milk – until now. A recent collaboration between EAT Foundation and The Lancet (EAT-Lancet) produced a report on sustainable diets, which wants people to cut animal-sourced foods like milk and meat from their diets and instead fill their plates with more fruits, nuts, vegetables and grains in order to be healthier and reduce their environmental impact.

Regular readers of the Progressive Dairyman Extra enewsletter know we provide regular updates on Dairy Revenue Protection (Dairy-RP) program sales activity. This week, we take an additional look at the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) data: the percentage of milk by coverage level; and preview the timeline as the first quarter of 2019 comes to a close.

Digest Highlights

• Cows not so dry
• England, Wales losing dairy farms too
• Danone North America expands plant-based ‘yogurt’ alternative facility
• Global dairy price index jumps
• TMP fluid milk bid deadline is near
• NYFB argues against farm worker collective bargaining rights
• Proposal requires overtime pay for all ag workers
• Maryland to fund margin insurance premiums
• Livestock groups seek hauling regulation exemption

• Dairy products: Smaller shipments to China, Asia
• Dairy replacement export outlook promising
• Demand from Japan supports hay exports
• U.S. ag trade surplus grows
• Other trade developments

Mrs. O’Leary’s cow may have gotten a bad rap, but the folktale reminds us fire safety is an important part of farm life. People, animals and property are in danger when fire breaks out on the farm. Inspect your barn and outbuildings for fire hazards to reduce the risk of tragic loss.

Dairy cows spend 12 to 14 hours a day lying down. Ensuring they have adequate space and comfort for lying leads to healthier, cleaner cows producing higher-quality milk. Dairy farmers can achieve this by focusing on goals related to cows, management and comfort:

Citing declining milk cow numbers and slower growth in milk per cow, the USDA trimmed its 2018 milk production estimate and also cut the 2019 production forecast, lending support for somewhat higher prices.

Right-sizing the heifer population to fit replacement needs not only reduces raising costs, but it can also provide an opportunity for the best future milking females to thrive.