The USDA’s August World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report raised the milk production forecast for 2020, while scaling back the large jump in milk prices projected last month. However, the feed outlook should also translate into lower costs.

Digest Highlights

• School uncertainty likely to extend retail dairy sales trends
• Fiscal year 2021 milk donation program application period opened
• USDA gearing up for 2021 cheese purchases
• USDA buys nonfat dry milk, seeks fluid milk bids
• USDA announces changes to CRP emergency haying and grazing provisions
• Saputo merges U.S. cheese, dairy foods divisions
• FARM Program animal welfare standards receive ISO recognition
• August update: California QIP

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a number of updates to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), including an extension of the sign-up period and a timeline for the final payment installment.

Globally, many family farms fell back on “DIY self-sufficiency” in the wake of infrastructure disruptions of transporting agriculture goods due to COVID-19 economics. The adage, “make due with what’s on hand,” is an undisputed fact acknowledged across all demographics this spring.

Small tweaks to facilities can get a dairy operating at its full potential, with cow well-being and comfort at the forefront. However, there are some common bottlenecks that can interfere with achieving success.

I grew up not too far from Six Flags Great America. The American Eagle is the tallest and fastest racing wooden roller coaster in the world. Its first drop gives me the feeling most dairy farmers must have felt this spring, not exhilarating, but gut-wrenching. Mandates to dump milk and cut production combined with plummeting milk prices and uncertainty as far as the eye could see were enough to give anyone that nauseous feeling.