EU intervention stocks harmed U.S. dairy
An economic analysis shows the European Union’s (EU) Skim Milk Powder (SMP) Intervention Program had a severe negative financial impact on the U.S. dairy industry and farmgate milk prices. Leaders of U.S. dairy organizations want to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
Farmers Get Billions in Virus Aid, and Democrats Are Wary
As the administration sends up to $16 billion in additional subsidies, critics are concerned that the funds could be used to ensure that the president maintains the backing of one of his key voting blocs.
Millions in federal aid given to Midwest meat and dairy distributors
Meat and dairy companies in the Midwest are being rescued by funding for the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, which has the USDA partnering with meat distributors across the country whose workforce was significantly impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns.
Tough times on the farm: Why Midwest agriculture was on the ropes before coronavirus
All in all, 2019 was a terrible year for farmers across the Midwest. And 2020 doesn’t look much better.
USDA approves contracts for ‘Food Box’ program; dairy purchases to top $317 million
The USDA has approved $1.2 billion in contracts to support U.S. farmers and communities in need through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. The funding includes $317 million specifically for dairy products, more than $700 million for fruits, vegetables and meat products, and another $175 million in combination boxes of fresh produce, dairy or meat products.
Benchmark milk prices plummet
The Agriculture Department announced the April Federal order Class III benchmark milk price at $13.07 per hundredweight, down $3.18 from March, $2.89 below April 2019, and the lowest Class III price since May 2016.
Wasted milk, euthanized livestock: Photos show how coronavirus has devastated US agriculture
KEY POINTS
As the coronavirus pandemic disrupts supply chains across the country, farmers are being forced to destroy their crops, dump milk and throw out perishable items that can’t be stored.
Dairy farmers grappling with low prices and a sudden drop in demand from the lockdown are dumping out as many as 3.7 million gallons of milk every day, according to estimates from Dairy Farmers of America, the country’s largest dairy cooperative.
Chicken processors dealing with staffing problems related to the virus have been forced to euthanize chickens because of the reduced capacity in plants.
Jones asks for more aid to cattlemen, dairy producers and farmers amid COVID-19
Doug Jones and a group of senators wrote a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to remove limits on aid for various producers.
Can Farmers Do Something With Unsold Milk Besides Dumping It?
Researchers are suggesting using it as fertilizer.
Is COVID-19 the dairy industry’s ‘Black Swan’ event?
On the outskirts of the Twin Cities, a dice throw from Mystic Lake Casino, the Kreuger Farm might seem like the biggest gamble of all.
