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This week, the USDA announced that it will issue a second round of payments through the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program (PMVAP) to use the final $100 million of $350 million in original funding. They have also created a program that helps provide better assistance to organic dairy farmers that experienced monetary losses during the pandemic. This second round of payments will enable USDA to better support small- and medium-sized dairy operations who weathered the pandemic and now face other challenges.
The USDA has not announced the exact timeline, so we'll continue to share updates as soon as they are announced.
If you haven't signed up already, we hope you'll join us for the FREE Dairy Innovation Forum on Tuesday, February 7 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in State College. Titled “Engaging in Export Opportunities,” the event helps kick off the 2023 PA Dairy Summit. You’ll learn about export opportunities for Pennsylvania dairy products and the potential to grow our market share through moving product overseas.
The event is free thanks to support from the PA Preferred program, but you must pre-register. 👇 Sign up here!
🎙️ Making the decision to invest in new technology like a robotic milking system or a compost barn can be exciting, but it often comes with a learning curve and new maintenance requirements. In our new episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Phoebe Bitler of Vista Grande Farms in Berks County shares both the benefits and learning curves they have experienced with their robotic milking system and compost barn. Enhanced cow comfort, soil health, and efficiency were a few of the benefits, while bedding costs, weather-related factors and maintenance responsibilities were all part of the learning curve. She also offers her perspective on the five key elements to calf care and how to remove stressors for the youngest members of the herd. Phoebe also discusses transition planning and forging mutual respect between each generation.
🎙️ Podcast Highlight: “We knew it would require daily maintenance. We use a smaller rototiller in the morning before the first side gets fed. We also have a bigger tiller that digs much deeper. That’s a very important piece of the maintenance – you need to get the compost turned under enough to get it heated up enough to kill all the bugs. That’s what will lead to mastitis and somatic cell problems. You want the compost to be nice and dry. If the bedding is sticking to the animal, it’s not being maintained properly.”
🎙️ LISTEN NOW:
www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/podcast
2023 Dairy Market Outlook: Where Are We Headed? with Rob Goodling
If you have questions, leave a comment!
❄️ If you're inside over lunch because of the snow, join us for a great discussion on dairy markets starting at 12 p.m.!
HOW TO JOIN:
Visit
www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/JanuaryPYP today (January 25) at 12 p.m. to launch the webinar. We'll also be live streaming it here on Facebook.
Individuals who would prefer to connect via conference call can dial the following number at noon:
Dial: 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 848 3416 1708
Passcode: 474057
We're hosting a special edition of our monthly “Protecting Your Profits” webinar THIS Wednesday, January 25 from 12-1 p.m. The free webinar will feature Rob Goodling, agricultural business consultant with Horizon Farm Credit, who will provide an overview of dairy markets in 2022 and his thoughts on the market outlook heading into 2023.
Want to receive a simple reminder the morning of the webinar? Consider signing up for text alerts. Text “Sign up” to 717-585-0766.
👇 Get connection details!
Whenever something goes wrong on the farm, we often find ourselves reciting the words, “If Only,” as we look back on the situation. “If only I let that fresh cow in the box pen one more night.” “If only I made sure that calf had colostrum within the first four hours.” “If only I reminded the morning milker to make sure she is stripping quarters and checking for mastitis.”
A protocol is something defined as a procedure that must be followed to ensure things are done properly and thoroughly each time they are done. On many small dairy farms and even some larger ones, we carry our protocols in our heads. We know inherently what to do in a specific situation to make sure the animal receives the care she needs. Unfortunately, though, having them written down and posted somewhere everyone can access them is where we fall short.
👇 In our monthly Center Focus Column, Jayne Sebright shares some simple guidelines for writing and posting protocols on your farm.
This is a great list, especially because our Executive Director, Jayne Sebright, is on it! Thanks to her passion and leadership, we’re able to support the dairy industry and provide resources to Pennsylvania dairy farmers every day.
Brett Reinford from Reinford Farms in Mifflintown, PA is featured in this Forbes article that discusses the recycling of food waste in their on-farm digester. They process enough food and manure waste to create enough energy for about 600 homes in their community!
DAIRY JOB OPPORTUNITY: Crop and Field Manager (Full-Time)
Yippee! Farms in Lancaster County, PA is hiring a Crop and Field Manager. This individual is responsible for maintaining and repairing all farm equipment, managing planting, harvesting, manure hauling, and soil testing. They are looking for a forward, independent thinker with excellent communication skills for managing and working with others.
➡️ Learn more and share with someone you know:
www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/dairy-job-opportunities
The Lancaster County Cattle Feeders Day is happening next Tuesday, January 24! The event provides annual updates on current educational information to Pennsylvania feedlot producers. You'll learn:
✔️ How to better understand market and political actions that may affect your beef operation in the coming year
✔️ How to make better decisions on feeding beef on dairy crosses if you utilize these in your operation
✔️ Why biosecurity plans may be necessary for any indemnity payments due to a foreign animal disease and the importance of having a plan for your feedlot
Register here:
https://extension.psu.edu/cattle-feeders-day
We can’t control milk prices, Mother Nature, feed prices and many other elements of the dairy business. However, you can take action to manage your cortisol levels – just like you address cow comfort. Stress is what it is. The key is releasing cortisol from your body so you’re not suffering the consequences of chronic stress.
Find out how you can integrate stress management tactics into your dairy's business plan.
Happy National Milk Day! If you haven’t been following along with the Calving Corner this week, a special thank you to the four dairy farm families and interns who are spending their week talking to consumers.
Even though we're in the heart of winter and you might not be doing fieldwork or working with as much machinery, electrical accidents are all too common on the farm. Working with electrical equipment and boxes can pose various dangers, especially if there are missing shields. Stray voltage can also be an issue for both you and your animals.
In this new "Seconds for Your Safety" video, learn quick tips on how to be safe around electrical boxes.
We hope to see you at the PA Dairy Summit on February 8-9 in State College! Several dairy producers from Pennsylvania and New York will lead panel discussions and breakout sessions on real-time topics focused on farm finances, herd management, diversification and more.
Registration costs are steeply discounted for dairy producers from ANY state! Register today:
www.padairysummit.org
Thinking about getting started as a dairy farmer? Individuals who are considering getting started in this field often have a few questions: What kind of initial investment do I need? Will I get a return on that investment? Will I enjoy working long hours with relatively few days off? This 11-step guide was created to help you answer these questions and find the next steps forward.
No matter what your path might look like — whether your family is helping you get your start or you are beginning from scratch — this guide provides 11 starting points and links to industry resources that should help you eventually own and manage your own herd of dairy cows.
📖 View the guide and share with someone you know:
www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/getting-started
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