Hello everyone, from south-central Wisconsin. Several important issues are developing in the dairy industry. As of August 1, there are numerous dairy plants looking for milk. The milk supply has tightened up in just about every region of the country.
This is directly attributable to heat, drought and flooding. With supplies tightening, we expect it will put pressure on milk prices, moving them higher. Every dairy farmer knows that our costs have increased substantially, from repairs to crop inputs, machinery and the list goes on.
Inside the organization, thanks to our great staff, we have added more than several hundred new National Farmers members so far this year.
This follows a successful membership year in 2023. Our dairy staff has been fortunate to find additional markets for producers to be able to bring on this growth. A good percentage of this expansion has originated in the Northeast, but there also has been good growth throughout all regions across the country.
The lions share of new members come from family farms of all different sizes which goes along with the history of National Farmers supporting family farmers.
Of course growth gives us more power in the marketplace to influence commodity prices in a positive way. We continue to work with other groups to spread our costs and their costs as well. It really is a win-win situation for both participating groups.
When dairy, livestock and grain producers don’t generate a profit you can see how it trickles down in the economy. Big layoffs from our agriculture equipment manufacturers and the smaller companies that supply them with products get hurt too.
I hope many of you were able to attend a dairy breakfast on the farm this summer. I know there were at least four member events in the Midwest alone, with breakfast and educational activities on our member farms.
In some regions staff got involved in the planning of the event and donating their time. I want to give a big thank you to all of our producers for sponsoring these events.
I would also like to recognize our farmers for producing a quality product our buyers have come to expect. Thanks for all the hard work.
In this edition of the magazine, you’ll want to read about using herding dogs as helpers on the farm. And, check out the feature article on the Tom and Sharon Rossiter dairy operation in Ellisburg, N.Y.
Here’s wishing everyone a safe and bountiful upcoming harvest.
