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 …

TRACY, Calif.— May 21, 2019 — Newly elected 2019 officers of the California Milk Advisory Board Executive Committee are (top row, left to right): Treasurer David Vander Schaaf of Stockton, Member-at-Large Renae DeJager of Chowchilla. Shown in the bottom row (left to right): Member-at-Large Megan Silva of Escalon, Chairman Josh Zonneveld of Laton, Secretary Essie Bootsma of Lakeview, Member-at-Large Kirsten …

MERCED, Calif., May 21, 2019 – A Merced dairy family is playing a key role in protecting imperiled Tricolored Blackbirds, a California-native species federally listed as a Bird of Conservation Concern and as a State of California Threatened Species. A large colony of the birds has been nesting at Diamond J Dairy since late March, and Luciana and Wiebren Jonkman …

Fiddleneck (Amsinckia spp.) is a native plant in California. It occurs in grasslands and open, disturbed areas (DiTomaso, Kyser et al. 2013) and is sold as a pollinator plant in native plant seed mixes. Its bright yellow flowers catch the eye of those looking for wildflowers. However, it is important to note that fiddleneck is toxic to livestock. Fiddleneck seeds …

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 …

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, established under the leadership of dairy farmers and leading companies, announced its eighth annual U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award winners during a May 8 ceremony in Rosemont, Illinois. The program recognizes dairy farms, businesses and partnerships whose practices improve the well-being of people, animals and the planet. Award winners represent U.S. dairy’s commitment to sustainability, demonstrating how transparency …

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2019 — USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced last week that the March 2019 income over feed cost margin was $8.85 per hundredweight (cwt.), triggering the third payment for dairy producers who purchase the appropriate level of coverage under the new Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. DMC, which replaces the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), offers …

Krysta Harden, former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has been named Executive Vice President of Global Environmental Strategy of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI). At a time when telling the story of U.S. dairy’s positive environmental contributions has never been more important, Harden will be tasked with driving the dairy checkoff’s environmental sustainability strategy.   “Dairy farmers …

Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. entered into an agreement to sell its Turlock milk powder facility to California Dairies, Inc. (CDI). The asset sale agreement allows both parties to begin due diligence in preparation to complete the transaction.  The sale is part of Hilmar Cheese Company’s new Strategic Plan 2021 announced last month. The Plan’s three strategies focus on people, operational …

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 …