HD Notebook

Any doubt that the U.S. is once and for all a major player in global dairy exports can be put to rest by its record achievements in 2010. According to the U.S. Dairy Export Council:

• Total milk solids exports were 3.04 billion pounds, up 40 percent from 2009.
• Total export value was $3.71 billion, up 63 percent. Read more

Today, we are expecting at least 150 visitors at the Hoard’s Dairyman Farm as part of a tour sponsored by M & I Bank for its dairy clients. At the suggestion of M & I loan officers and because of the current dairy situation, we will be focusing on how we have made use of some of our older facilities to expand our herd and provide better care for our close-up cows. Read more

We are globally connected. The earthquake, tsunami, and pending nuclear crisis in Japan have reminded us of that. Read more

Hoard’s Dairyman’s third webinar was a great success! Dr. Mark Stephenson, Director of Dairy Policy Analysis for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, presented “How milk production control plans compare.” He focused on three of the control plans, the Costa/Sanders bill(s), NMPF’s Foundation for the Future, and Marginal Milk Pricing. Read more

Last Tuesday, the Hoard Jersey herd which now numbers 147 cows was appraised by AJCA appraiser, Leah Johnson. We purchased the Jerseys from three Wisconsin herds, one Illinois herd, and one in Ohio. Most Jerseys are housed in our old tie stall barn that recently made a complete transformation into a free stall facility; a few dozen can be found in the new free stall barn, as well. Read more

Higher milk prices and the optimism they inspire are translating into a large, positive crowd this week at the 10th Western Dairy Management Conference in Reno, Nevada, that concludes today. Read more

Even though costs, especially feed costs, are climbing, so are milk prices, and the prospect of higher milk prices have put many dairymen and their suppliers in a more positive mood. That is evident in the hallway discussion at the 10th bi-annual Western Dairy Management Conference being held this week at Reno. Read more

With all the recent discussion around possible dairy legislation in 2011, it is no wonder that there are so many different opinions, and dollar figures, on the subject. Read more

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the seventh Young Dairy Leaders Institute in Albuquerque, New Mex. Read more

The financial divide stands at nearly $3.8 billion. That is a substantial pay gap when it comes to milk checks for the nation’s dairy producers during 2009. Read more