eCALS

The dairy situation has changed a lot over the past month. Strong cheese prices resulted in Class III prices averaging well over $18.00 from January through July. But, cheese prices declined in August. On July 28th, CME cheddar barrels were $2.0225 per pound, but declined to $1.70 as of August 18th. CME cheddar blocks were $2.0825 per pound on July 29th, but declined to $1.76 as of August 18th. With dry whey prices only in the $0.26 to $0.29 per pound range the Class III price for August will be about $17.15 compared to $18.24 for July and could fall below $17 for September. (more…)

News from the UW-Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources program:

• UW-Extension hosts Integrated Pest Management workshops for grape growers
• Field Day Series to help farmers understand soil quality
• Workshop offers information for rural landowners, horse enthusiasts and farmers
  (more…)

Milk production continues to run above year ago levels due to additional milk cows and more milk per cow. June milk production for the 23 reporting states was 3.4 percent above a year ago and the second consecutive monthly increase of more than 3 percent. While cow numbers continue to increase month-to-month and were1.9 percent higher in June than a year ago, increases in milk per cow of only 1.5 percent lessens the increase in total milk production and has helped to maintain higher milk prices. (more…)

The website for the UW-Madison Day at the Fair is now up and running. This site will give all the information on what is happening, along with links to the Fair itself. The page also has information for those interested in volunteering and a registration form where people can learn about the shifts and reserve bus transportation or parking pass. The site is: http://www.statefair.wisc.edu/

Milk prices have held higher through the first half of the year than what was earlier predicted. While dry whey prices have weakened to less than 30 cents per pound cheddar cheese prices near or above $2.00 per pound has kept Class III prices well above a year ago. The Class III price averaged $18.22 per hundredweight for the first half of the year compared to $16.11 for 2007. (more…)

A new website by CALS agricultural economists offers information on the Livestock Gross Margin - Dairy Program. The LGM-Dairy Program is a federally reinsured, dairy insurance program operated through the U.S. crop insurance program that provides protection against unexpected declines in gross margin (market value of milk minus feed costs) on target quantity of marketed milk. The website is available at future.aae.wisc.edu/lgm_dairy.html.

With the heavy and widespread rains over the weekend of June 7-8, 2008, Cooperative Extension faculty and staff are providing information on resources to deal with flooding, damage to crops and general disaster assistance. That information available through the Extension Reponds - Floods website.

USDA’s milk production report shows milk production for the 23 reporting states for April was up a strong 2.5% from a year ago. But an even stronger increase was held back by poorer performance per cow. While milk cow numbers stood 1.8% higher than a year ago, milk per cow was up only 0.7%. This relatively low increase in milk per cow may be attributable to reduce use of rBST and high feed prices. Fifteen of the 23 states reported less milk per cow and 15 reported more or the same number of milk cows as last year. But, while feed costs are substantially higher current milk prices still result in favorable returns over feed costs.

(more…)

How can management and the cooperative board build an effective relationship that supports good strategic planning and decision-making? What are the emerging trends in equity management and capitalization? What are board “best practices” for evaluation, monitoring risk, and planning? What are the implications of changes in accounting and auditing standards? Join other board directors, CEOs, and managers from across the cooperative business community for a one-day workshop to examine, discuss, network, listen and share ideas on current issues critical to a cooperative business. (more…)

Perspectives on immigration will be the focus of a one-day, community educational summit to be held on February 29, 2008, at the West Square Administration Building in Baraboo from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Rural Immigration Summit is designed to bring south central Wisconsin community residents together to learn about impacts of immigration.

(more…)