California Ag Network

Category: Livestock

  • USDA Announces Feral Swine Eradication & Control Pilot Program

    USDA announced it is offering $75 million in funding for the eradication and control of feral swine through the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP) in a joint effort with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The 2018 Farm Bill included this new pilot program to help address the threat that feral swine pose to agriculture, ecosystems and human and animal health.

    NRCS will direct up to $33.75 million of the allocated FSCP funds toward partnership efforts to work with landowners in identified pilot projects in targeted areas. Applications are being accepted through Aug. 19, 2019, for partners to carry out activities as part of these pilot projects in select areas of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. APHIS has determined that these states have among the highest feral swine population densities and associated damages in the country.

    “NRCS​ state conservationists and APHIS state directors, in coordination with state technical committees, have identified pilot projects that can be carried out within these target states,” NRCS​ Chief Matthew Lohr said. “Our agencies stand ready to work with partners at the state and local levels to respond to the threat of feral swine.”

    Pilot projects will consist broadly of three coordinated components: 1) feral swine removal by APHIS; 2) restoration efforts supported by NRCS; and 3) assistance to producers for feral swine control provided through partnership agreements with non-federal partners. Projects can be one to three years in duration.

    “The projects selected for funding will allow APHIS and NRCS to collectively reduce the damage and disease caused by one of the most destructive and formidable invasive species in the United States,” said APHIS Administrator Kevin Shea. “Overall, this pilot program builds upon and expands work already underway by APHIS’ National Feral Swine Damage Management Program to both manage feral swine and eliminate populations in partnership with local government, the private sector, industry and academia.”

    NRCS is now accepting proposals from non-federal partners to provide landowner assistance for on-farm trapping and related services as part of the pilot projects described above.  NRCS will provide funding for these services through partnership agreements. The funding limit for a single award is $1.5 million. Awardees will be required to provide at least 25 percent of the partnership agreement budget as a match to NRCS funding.

  • United Dairy Families of California Forms to Resolve Quota Dispute

    On March 29, 2019 the Department received a petition to terminate the Quota Implementation Plan (QIP). Per the procedures for handling petitions, the Department has performed a review of the petition signatures and has determined that the twenty five percent (25%) threshold has not been achieved. Therefore, the petition will not be referred to the Producer Review Board.

    In calculating the qualified signatures, the Department utilized producer data from February 2019 as it was the most current producer information available. The review identified 1,197 dairy farms with various producer ownership status. When farms with common ownership were combined and counted as one producer, the Department identified 992 producers eligible for participation in the petition process.

    June Dairy Story

    The Department performed a review of the 283 signatures submitted as part of the petition. Of those, 243 signatures were validated. During its review, the Department utilized a variety of source documents to determine if the signatures submitted were valid under the requirements of the QIP and various Food and Agriculture Code sections (62716, 62717, 61834, 61836) pertaining to referendums. Signatures disqualified included Grade B shippers, dairy farms that had gone out of business, signatures that did not have the petition text included, signatures that did not match Department producer files, and signatures from individuals that were not listed as an owner per Department ownership files. When the 243 signatures were merged for common ownership, this resulted in signatures from 197 producers.

    The result of the petition review process revealed that nearly twenty percent (20%), or 197 of the 992 market milk producers submitted valid signatures.

    Regarding the announcement, Western United Dairymen shared, “Where does that leave us? Well for one, there is no restriction on when another petition can be submitted. So the same group or another can submit a petition to CDFA. With the petition in the rearview mirror, we can only hope this will give an incentive for the Stop QIP, United Dairy Families of California, or any other group that desires to take a leadership role on this challenging issue to get involved in effecting quota change, to sit down and discuss how to deal with the future of the QIP.”

    Geoff Vanden Heuvel from Milk Producers Council added, “A process is needed that will enable the California producer community to evaluate its options for the future with regards to quota. The existence of the STOP QIP movement has spawned the creation of another group of producers who organized specifically to focus on the quota issue.  That group is named the “United Dairy Families of California.” This group is committed to a process that seeks to find an equitable resolution to the quota issue. The existing cooperatives and trade associations have been understandably reluctant to get involved in this debate because its splits their membership. It would be in the best interest of the industry if a process emerged that would facilitate a long-term resolution of this issue. Ultimately this is a producer issue and for many producers a very personal one.”

  • Judges Named For 2019 All American Jersey Shows!

    The judges have been selected for The 67th All American Jersey Shows, sponsored by the American Jersey Cattle Association of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

    The largest exhibition of Registered Jersey™ cattle in the world, the three shows of The All American, will be held November 9, 10 and 11, 2019 in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky.

    Keith Topp, Botkins, Ohio, will judge The All American Jersey Show on Monday, November 11. This is his second time officiating in Freedom Hall having placed the National Jersey Jug Futurity in 2017. Topp has judged multiple Jersey and colored breed shows across the U.S. including the 2017 World Dairy Expo Brown Swiss Show; the Big E Brown Swiss Show in 2015; and the Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota and New York State Fair shows that same year.

    Judging the 65th National Jersey Jug Futurity on November 10 will be Phillip Topp, Botkins, Ohio. This will be his first time to officiate one of the most prestigious Jersey shows in the world. Three years ago, he debuted in Freedom Hall judging the All American Milking Shorthorn Show. His other credentials include serving as associate judge of the 2018 World Dairy Expo Jersey Show; judging the Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin State Fairs that same year; and the 2015 Expo Melgar in Peru. He has also judged various district and county shows.

    The National Jersey Jug Futurity is the oldest and richest class for dairy cattle in the world. There are 259 cows currently eligible for the 2019 show. Last year, the show offered a grand total of $7,540 in premiums.

    Judge for The All American Junior Jersey Show on Saturday, November 9 will be Brady Core of Salvisa, Ky. He was the show’s associate judge in 2017. That year he also judged the Appalachian and Tennessee State Fairs as well as the Indiana State Fair Holstein Junior Show. Other shows he has judged include the Indiana and Ohio Junior Jersey shows, Dixie National Junior Roundup and the Tillamook County (Ore.) Fair, among others. This year he will also be officiating at the Dixie National Livestock Show.

    The first and second place winners in each class of these shows will become the 2019 All American and Reserve All American honorees of the American Jersey Cattle Association.For information on show entry fees and deadline, visit www.livestockexpo.org.

    For over 150 years, the American Jersey Cattle Association has maintained identification and performance records for dairy herd owners and delivered services that support genetic improvement and greater profitability through increasing the value of and demand for Registered Jersey™ cattle and genetics, and Jersey milk and milk products. For more information, contact the American Jersey Cattle Association by writing 6486 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-2362, visit USJersey.com, or connect at Facebook.com/USJersey.

  • February Income over Feed Cost Margin Triggers Second 2019 Dairy Safety Net Payment

    USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that the February 2019 income over feed cost margin was $8.22 per hundredweight (cwt.), triggering the second payment for dairy producers who purchase the appropriate level of coverage under the new but yet-to-be established Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program.

    DMC, which replaces the Margin Protection Program for Dairy, is a voluntary risk management program for dairy producers that was authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill. DMC offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all milk price and the average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer.

    Sign up for DMC will open by mid-June of this year. At the time of sign up, producers who elect a DMC coverage level between $8.50 and $9.50 would be eligible for a payment for February 2019.

    For example, a dairy operation that chooses to enroll an established production history of 3 million pounds (30,000 cwt.) that elects the $9.50 coverage level on 95 percent of production would receive $3,040 for February.

    Sample calculation:

    $9.50 – $8.22 margin = $1.28 difference$1.28 x 95 percent of production x 2,500 cwt. (30,000 cwt./12) = $ 3,040DMC premiums are paid annually. The calculated annual premium for coverage at $9.50 on 95 percent of a 3-million-pound production history for this example would be $4,275.

    Sample calculation:3,000,000 x 95 percent = 2,850,000/100 = 28,500 cwt. x 0.150 premium fee = $4,275

    The dairy operation in the example calculation will pay $4,275 in total premium payments for all of 2019 and receive $6,626.25 in Dairy Margin Coverage payments for January and February combined. Additional payments will be made if calculated margins remain below the $9.50/cwt level.All participants are also required to pay an annual $100 administrative fee in addition to any premium, and payments will be subject to a 6.2% reduction to account for federal sequestration.

    Operations making a one-time election to participate in DMC through 2023 are eligible to receive a 25 percent discount on their premium for the existing margin coverage rates. For the example above, this would reduce the annual premium by $1,068.75.

    “The Dairy Margin Coverage program will provide an important financial safety net for dairy producers, helping them weather shifting milk and feed prices,” FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce said. “We continue to work diligently to implement the DMC program and other FSA programs authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill.”

    On December 20, 2018, President Trump signed into law the 2018 Farm Bill, which provides support, certainty and stability to our nation’s farmers, ranchers and land stewards by enhancing farm support programs, improving crop insurance, maintaining disaster programs and promoting and supporting voluntary conservation. FSA is committed to implementing these changes as quickly and effectively as possible, and today’s updates are part of meeting that goal.

    Additional details about DMC and other Farm Bill program changes can be found at farmers.gov/farmbill.

  • Effects of Heat Stress on Dry Cows & Their Next Lactation

    New research out of the University of Florida shows that cows subject to heat stress during their dry period will produce 8-10 lbs/day less milk on their next lactation. Other health impacts were also explored. Watch this brief interview with Geoffrey Dahl, professor at the University of Florida for more details, and read more about mitigating heat stress in California Dairy Magazine.

  • Study Examines Contribution of American Lamb Checkoff Program

    Denver, Colo. – The American Lamb Checkoff Program has positively contributed to American lamb demand and industry profits, according to the Texas A&M University 2019 report “Return on Investment in the American Lamb Checkoff Program” conducted by agricultural economists Gary Williams, Ph.D., and Dan Hanselka.

    After extensive econometric modeling, researchers concluded that the American Lamb Checkoff Program added from 2.4% to 2.7% of the annual value of retail lamb. The study measures 2002 to 2018, the time period during which the American Lamb Board (ALB) has been conducting programs. This new study has similar results compared to five years ago, when the last study was released.

    This white paper covers both traditional and nontraditional US lamb markets and compiles relevant data from the Livestock Marketing Information Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, industry reports on lamb sales, and other reputable sources. The paper discusses factors that affect seasonal supply, the role of US and imported lamb, impact on all industry segments, opportunities to alter the US seasonal supply, and case studies of producers who have shifted season of production to meet the needs of their customers.

    Researchers went on to write: “With modest funds available for promotion, the ALB succeeded in substantially enhancing the annual value of U.S. lamb consumed.” The American Lamb Checkoff Program’s promotion program is about $1.5 million a year, with another $0.5 million invested in education and research programs. Administration costs must be less than 10 percent of yearly collections.

    The new study indicated that this 2.4% to 2.7% “lift” is the result of increased consumption of lamb and a more modest increase in retail price. ALB promotion programs have helped increase the U.S. production share of lamb consumption to “some extent over time.”

    “These results are a win for every member of the American lamb industry,” says ALB Chairman Dale Thorne, a Michigan lamb producer and feeder. “The purpose of our checkoff is to increase demand for American Lamb and enhance opportunities for all segments to profit. This extensive analysis tells us that we remain on the right track with our promotion programs.”Price of American lamb is of particular interest to the industry. While the effect of lamb price on product demand has declined in recent years, a 10 percent increase in the price of lamb leads to a decline of about 6 percent in lamb demand. When it comes to competitive meats, a 10 percent decline in the price of beef results in about a 5 percent decline in the quantity of lamb demanded while the price of pork is insignificant as a driver of lamb demand. As for poultry, U.S. consumers do not consider it to be a substitute for lamb, said the report.

    Consumers’ “habit persistence” has a statistically significant effect on U.S. lamb consumption and has increased among current lamb eaters during recent years. Habit persistence means that past consumption influences current preferences and demand. So, according to this study, the more that U.S. consumers can be enticed to choose American lamb, the more likely they are to continue doing so.

    Another measure of checkoff program contribution to the industry is the cost-to-benefit ratio. The Texas A&M study reported that the average return to industry stakeholders for every $1 invested into the American Lamb Checkoff Program is approximately $14.20.By law, the checkoff program must undergo an economic return on investment analysis every five years.

    About the American Lamb Board

    The American Lamb Board is an industry-funded national promotion, research and information organization (national checkoff program) that represents all sectors of the American Lamb industry including producers, feeders, seedstock producers, and processors. The 13-member Board, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, is focused on increasing demand by promoting the freshness, flavor, nutritional benefits, and culinary versatility of American Lamb. The work of the American Lamb Board is overseen by the U.S

    The program is funded through mandatory assessments collected under the federally mandated Lamb Checkoff program. There is a live weight assessment of $0.07 per pound paid by the seller of sheep or lambs and a first handler assessment of $0.42 per head assessment paid by the entity who owns sheep or lambs at the time of slaughter. The assessments are remitted to the American Lamb Board. The Board’s expenditures for administration are limited to 10 percent or less of projected revenues. All remaining revenues are expended on programs related to promotion, research and information for the lamb industry.

  • Dairy Producers Previously Enrolled in the Livestock Gross Margin Program Now Eligible for 2018 Margin Protection Program

    WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that dairy producers who elected to participate in the Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Cattle Program (LGM-Dairy) now have the opportunity to participate in the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) for 2018 coverage. Sign-up will take place March 25 through May 10, 2019.

    Producers enrolled in 2018 LGM-Dairy, administered by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), previously were determined by the 2014 Farm Bill to be ineligible for coverage under MPP-Dairy, a safety net program available through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).

    “The 2018 Farm Bill included substantial changes to USDA dairy programs,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “This includes the ability for producers with LGM coverage to retroactively enroll in MPP-Dairy for 2018. It also integrated recent improvements to the MPP-Dairy in the new Dairy Margin Coverage program, beginning with the 2019 calendar year.”

    The MPP-Dairy program offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the national all-milk price and the national average feed cost — the margin — falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producers in a dairy operation. LGM-Dairy is an insurance product that provides protection when feed costs rise or milk prices drop. The gross margin is the market value of milk minus feed costs.

    This retroactive sign-up is only for dairy producers with 2018 LGM coverage who produced and commercially marketed milk in 2018 but did not obtain full year MPP-Dairy coverage. FSA will notify eligible producers by postcard and provide a one-time payment for all of the months in 2018 that had margins triggering MPP-Dairy assistance.

    “I’m pleased that dairy producers will now be able to take advantage of enrolling in both Livestock Gross Margin and the Margin Protection Program for 2018 coverage,” RMA Administrator Martin Barbre said. “The 2018 Farm Bill gave dairy producers more options like these and when combined with the new Dairy Protection Program offered by RMA, that means more overall coverage for dairy producers.”

    Eligible producers can enroll during the sign-up period at their local USDA service center. To locate your office, visit farmers.gov.

  • Animal Agriculture Alliance debuts Sustainability Impact Report

    Report Highlights Animal Agriculture’s Commitment to Continuous Improvement

    Yesterday, the Animal Agriculture Alliance released its “Sustainability Impact Report” focusing on animal agriculture in the United States. The report highlights how the animal agriculture industry shares the same values as today’s consumer with its never-ending commitment to animal care, environmental stewardship, responsible antibiotic use, food safety and nutrition. To access the report, go to https://www.animalagalliance.org/engage/#sustainability.

    The 33-page report covers nine industries: dairy, beef, veal, pork, chicken, turkey, egg, sheep and aquaculture. “Animal agriculture has made great strides in environmental stewardship, animal welfare and overall sustainability over the years,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “As new technology and research become available, the industry will continue to innovate and improve.”

    Environmental stewardship highlights:

    • According to the Environmental Protection Agency, agriculture accounts for a total of 9 percent of U.S. GHG emissions while livestock production is only 3.9 percent.
    • Dairy farmers decreased their carbon footprint by 63 percent from 1944 to 2007.
    • Since 1977, cattle ranchers have reduced their carbon footprint by 16 percent.
    • Pig farmers decreased their carbon footprint by 7.7 percent and their water use by 25.1 percent from 1960 to 2015.
    • The egg industry reduced its carbon footprint by 71 percent and its water use by 32 percent since 1960.

    Animal welfare highlights:

    • Hens under the United Egg Producers Certified program account for 95 percent of all the nation’s laying hens.
    • The National Chicken Council (NCC) developed the NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines and Audit Checklist, which have been widely adopted within the chicken industry. These guidelines were updated in 2018.
    • As of January 2019, more than 72,000 pig farmers and farm employees were Pork Quality Assurance Plus certified.
    • By 2016, 98 percent of the U.S. milk supply came from dairy farms and cooperatives enrolled in the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management program.

    Nutrition highlights:

    • Milk provides nine essential nutrients and is also the number one food source of calcium, vitamin D and potassium for all Americans ages 2 years and older.
    • Today’s pork is 16 percent leaner and 27 percent lower in saturated fat compared to 20 years ago.
    • Lamb is an excellent source of vitamin B12, selenium, zinc and niacin.
    • One 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides about 50 percent of the recommended daily value of protein.
    • One large egg has varying amounts of 13 essential vitamins and minerals, six grams of protein and only 70 calories.

    About the Alliance:
    The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry-united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation. Find the Alliance on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  • CDFA’s Work to Regulate Antibiotics in Livestock

    A report issued last week by a consortium of environmental groups on antibiotics in the meat supply chain highlights the importance of work being undertaken by California Department of Food and Agriculture as the first state in the nation to regulate the use of antibiotics in livestock. The report touched on CDFA’s efforts but it is important to clearly state what is being done to implement the legislation in collaboration with sister agencies and a broad, diverse set of stakeholders.

    As of January 1st, 2018, California became the first state in the nation to require veterinary oversight for the use of all medically important antibiotics used in livestock (not just in feed or water). The state law also prohibits growth promotion use and goes above and beyond the federal requirements to prohibit the use of medically important antibiotics in a regular pattern for disease prevention unless necessary for surgical or medical procedures. This is currently the only legislation that requires data collection from willing participants to monitor antibiotic use practices, assess trends in antibiotic resistance, and to inform the development of antimicrobial stewardship guidelines and best management practices to effect change in antibiotic usage.

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture has hired experienced and qualified staff to work with multiple state and federal partners, as well as university researchers, to collect information across California’s diverse livestock production types, coordinating with existing systems and efforts where possible. In less than two years, the Antimicrobial Use & Stewardship program’s efforts, through in-house surveys and contracted studies, have developed data from  nearly 1,400 operations, representing more than half a million animals across 55 counties in California, and- reflecting antibiotic use and management practices across beef and dairy cattle, sheep, and backyard poultry operations.

    Additionally, the Antimicrobial Use & Stewardship program has initiated on-farm sampling, covering a population of more than 50 operations and 128,000 animals in California that will voluntarily be sampled over time. Data collection efforts are ongoing and will continue to expand as the program moves forward.

    CDFA is committed to fulfilling the requirements of state law and continuing to work with all stakeholders to achieve a safe, secure, and bountiful food supply, while reducing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.

  • New AgTech Startups from Portugal Share Services at Fresno State

    Technological Innovations in Agriculture are playing a key role in helping American farmers succeed in adapting to meet today’s challenges and remaining sustainable well into the future. But these new technologies need to start somewhere, and sometimes ‘somewhere’ can be far away in distant lands. Check out this video featuring several AgTech Startup Companies out of Portugal who visited the Jordan Collage of Agriculture at Fresno State recently, as they each shared a little bit about what new technologies their companies have to offer U.S. farmers.

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