Interested in having National Holstein Convention attendees stop by your farm on their way to or from St. Louis? Fill out the form below to be included on the Breeder Map available to National Holstein Convention attendees via our website and official convention program. holsteinconvention.com/breeder-map
JUNE
Membership dues received after June 1 are not eligible for Association Sponsored Awards
State Dairy Expo
JUNE 2025 SUMMER SOCIAL
January 24, 2025
I hope you were able to make it to this year’s Missouri Dairy Expo the end of January. We had a fantastic trade show grouped with a top-notch lineup of speakers on many of the hot topics in the dairy world. Combine that with the breed meetings and awards, Missouri Dairy Growth Council, and State Milk Board meetings, it was a one stop shop for the Missouri Dairy industry. We are already looking forward to next year. If you have any comments or suggestions to make it even better scan the QR code on the bottom of this page to let us know.
Contact 2025
We want you to be a part or Missouri Dairy. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Alfred Brandt
Missouri Dairy Executive Director
www.MODairy.org
573-680-9564 cell
Twin Knobs dairy, of Van Zant, will host Missouri Dairy’s 5th annual Summer Social. Fourth generation dairy farmers, Kaleb and Erin Rodgers began with only 100 acres the family has farmed with resilience to amass 1000 in their operation. Kaleb and Erin have recently made major investments in the operation, showcased as a model of opportunity.
In 2021 they began the process of seeking approval to improve the living conditions of their herd. Through partnership with USDA NRCS, they found common goals of limiting runoff while creating comfortable barn conditions maximizing production.
A portion of the project was afforded through cost-share enabling this young dairy couple to maximize each dollar invested therefore enabling them to build a new parlor at the same time. The Rogers will explain the specific cost share programs used, while transparently discussing the hurdles, so other dairy producers can anticipate possible roadblocks.
Additionally, we’ll discuss farm succession and how this farm has seen several generational transfers.
We are eager to offer this learning opportunity to help dairymen become stronger together.
Holstein USA: 2024 BAa Herds
Missouri Holstein Association
110TH ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
January 24-25, 2025, Oasis Hotel & Convention center, Springfield, MO
• NW MO State Univ. Dairy - The new creamery being built by the university is expected to go online in March or April. Products will be available locally and throughout the school. Currently looking to have fluid milk, butter, ice cream and cheese in the future. Newly offering a Food Technology minor.
• Univ. of MO – The dairy is supposed to be increasing to 300 head in the future. There is an Endowed Dairy Nutrition position open and they have built a new heifer barn. State FFA Dairy Judging contest to be held April 24th.
• Holstein USA – National board member – Alfred Brandt, Linn, MO. Previous technology issue has been fixed and association services back to normal. National Holstein Convention to be held in St. Louis in June and National is responsible for the event. Seeking volunteers from MO and IL to help with items at the function. Marketplace sires has some bulls on sale for $5 for less. New bulls coming on board.
• MO State Fair – Some barns have received updates. Looking for donations of milk barn supplies for August fair.
• State Heifer Tag Sale – Sale date: May 23, Freistatt, MO. Seeking consignments now.
• 100th Anniversary History Book – The book was published 12 years ago and we are going to be giving away the remaining books in the next year for members to have, give to local FFA chapters, libraries, use as gifts/ awards, etc. Seek out Jodi at events throughout the year to get your copies.
•New Officers - President: John Schoen, VP: Shannon Kleiboeker; Director at Large: Ed Wittorff
•Pulsator- Looking for an individual to procure advertisements and write editorial on commission basis!
Top L to R: Barry Steevens recognizing Rex Ricketts for his lifetime in Dairy Service-presented to his daughter, Neysa Kleinman, everyone enjoying the cornhole tournament, members and vendors talking, Hope McClellan receiving Holstein Princess, more cornhole, the juniors with their All-Missouri awards, and vendors join the 2025 dairy convention.
110TH STATE CONVENTION
2025 Junior Holstein Officers: Secretary- Raygan Dougherty Central Reporter- Molly Melzer VP- Sophie Geppert President- Case Melzer
• We will be looking for donations of food/money for this event. Watch Facebook/Website for details
quilt Raffle
• Our very own junior member, Raygan Dougherty, has graciously volunteered to make a quilt for the junior fundraiser. Details to come.
Jr. T-Shirt Contest
• We are getting t-shirts made this year for a fundraiser. Get your design sent to Bailey by May 23 for online voting! Orders will be placed mid July for availability at State Fair.
national convention
2025 Convention will be in St. Louis, MO. If you were unable to make it to the meeting please let Bailey know as soon as possible if you are interested in competing. She will be reaching out to families in March.
DICK LITTLE Memorial GrantAPPLICATIONS DUE
Juniors are asked to write and essay and fill out an application to earn a grant to use towards the purchase of a new Holtein calf. Applications are on website or contact Bailey Keltner: bskeltner@gmail.com
Missouri Holstein Members at State Convention!
Cow Camp AN ANNUAL TRADITION SINCE 1997
For the past 28 years, Missouri Dairy Cow Camp has been an annual tradition for youth ages 8 to 18 who want to learn more about the dairy industry in a fun, hands-on, engaging way. The three-day camp provides campers with an opportunity to learn a variety of life skills, including teamwork, cooperation and responsibility. The camp draws attention to the importance of farming and its important role in Missouri’s economy. It provides youth a “hands-on” opportunity to care for dairy animals and learn many aspects of dairy production while learning life-skills at the same time.
Campers work in pairs under the direction of adults and take part in workshops to learn about fitting dairy animals, judging dairy animals, dairy management, animal care, ethics and showmanship. Persons working in the dairy industry visit with campers about careers in the dairy industry as well. In addition to educational workshops on dairy heifer nutrition, showmanship, dairy cattle judging and quiz bowl, campers participate in skill-a-thon sessions enabling them to be certified in Show Me Quality Assurance. A judging contest and showmanship competition provide the culmination for the camp. Campers compete with the animal they have cared for, clipped and prepared throughout the camp.
Cattle are provided through the Missouri All-Breeds Heifer Sale, which gives campers the opportunity to actively participate in the sale. Campers care for the cattle, feeding, grooming and leading them in preparation for the sale on Friday evening. An educational workshop on the various types of auctions is provided, and youth are eligible to purchase animals if they choose.
Campers from a number of states have participated in the camp throughout its history, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, New Mexico, Washington, Texas, Kansas, and of course, Missouri. Other states have utilized the cow camp model to implement similar programs in their states. 2025 is shaping up to be an outstanding camp, so don’t miss your chance to participate as a camper or sponsor! Camp Sign-Up Information on facing page.
Deadline for application is May 1
Enrollment is limited and will be first come first serve. Registration may be completed via 4-H online. Check or cash payment must be mailed to PO Box 388, Mount Vernon, MO 65712. No credit card payments will be accepted for this event.
Camp fee:
$100 in-state 4-H Member
$130 Out-of-state/non 4-h member
Objectives:
1. Increase the knowledge of youth about care and management of dairy animals.
2. Develop awareness of the ethical issues in care of dairy animals.
3. Increase the awareness of issues in the dairy industry.
4. Increase life skill development of participating youth.
5. Certify youth in Show-Me Quality Assurance.
For more information, contact Karla Deaver 417-466-3102 Or deaverk@missouri.edu
Parents and family members are invited to watch the showmanship competition at 10 am on Friday, May 23. Lunch will be served following the contest. Lunch is provided for cow campers, helpers, and workshop presenters. Additonal lunch options may be available for purchase. Parents and others will need to pre-purchase a lunch ticket for $10 each Cow camp entry and health information can be found on missouriholstein.com
Cow Camp:May 21-23,2025
Schedule of Events
Wednesday, May 21
12:30 pm Registration at Fair Grounds
1:30 pm Orientation
8:00 p.m Depart Fairgrounds
Thursday, May 22
7:30 am Begin day workshops/Meals/Speakers
Friday, May 23
7:00 am Begin Day/prepare for showmanship contest 10:00 am Showmanship Contest-guests invited to attend LUNCH Guests invited- pre-purchase lunch ticket
1:00 pm Awards-wash/clean-up (campers may leave or continue to participate)
2:30 pm Cattle for show may arrive
7:00 pm Tri-Tip Dinner (must purchase ticket) 8:30 pm MO Holstein Tag Sale Closes
Saturday, May 24
10:00 am All Breeds Heifer Show (optional event for cow camp attendees )
Accomodations: Cow Camp and Heifer Show
Quality Inn
1125 E Daniel Dr., Mount Vernon, MO 65712
Lodging is provided in camp fee for 2023. A block of rooms has been reserved for those who need hotel accommodations. To reserve your room, contact the hotel above at 417-466-4511. Ask for dairy cow camp rate of $77. Please contact Karla Deaver if you require further assistance or have any questions.
SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2025, 10AM
FRIDAY, MAY 23
7:00 PM TRI-TIP DINNER (must purchase ticket)
In-state and out-of-state exhibitors welcome. Pre-Entry encouraged, but not required must enter by Friday, May 23rd, entry fee $20 per head
SATURDAY, MAY 24
Friday Evening Tri-Tip Dinner
Tickets may be pre-purchased, or purchased night of. Tickets will be Adults- $12 8 and under-$8
Marilyn Brown:
For the Love of Dairy and the Next Generation
by: Shannon Kleiboeker
Marilyn Brown grew up on a dairy of mainly Guernseys and Ayrshires in Northern, MO. She enjoyed the dairy but, “always knew they could have been doing it better.” It was this inner thought that allowed her to take steps to improve and to help others with their operation. She graduated with a degree in Dairy Science as an undergrad and then graduated vet school from Iowa State University. With the intention of practicing her veterinary work with dairy cattle she moved to Wisconsin and worked with dairies near Lacrosse for 18 years.
In 2007, after finding a job opening, Marilyn reached out and applied with Clearview Animal Hospital in Bloomfield, IA. Marilyn soon got the position and moved back home to work in the clinic, with focus on the dairy herds. The need for a dairy vet in this area was increasing as the number dairies in Northern MO and Southern IA was growing. This was a need that Marilyn could fulfill.
In Wisconsin, Marilyn worked with larger dairies 700 cows plus, whereas northern Missouri and southern Iowa offered up much smaller dairies averaging around 80 head. These smaller dairies gave her the opportunity to work more on “whole herd management,” working on herd health, vaccine protocols, and feeding issues.
Marilyn’s work in the dairy industry expands far past her veterinary work. She not only grew up on a dairy, but she grew up showing cattle as well. Between her vet work and showing cattle, she has developed a passion for sharing the dairy industry with youth. In 2010 a gentleman from IL moved to Northern MO and started a dairy. He had cattle from a nationally known herd and some quality ET heifers that he felt “needed to be shown.” Busy with his farm, he didn’t have the time or opportunity to work with the heifers. After speaking to Marilyn, they devised a plan to find youth to work with the cattle and help on the farm. She started a 4-H group and gathered kids to work with the heifers. In the first year they worked with four kids, who then attended the Lewiston show and the Iowa State Fair.
As things continued, Marilyn began purchasing her own cattle from another local herd, and has added to it throughout the years, purchasing Guernseys and Holsteins from high pedigreed, show winning dams. She keeps the heifers on her farm and sells many as springers, even though it can be, “hard to let them go.” She does keep a few of the of the better cattle and they are housed with Jamison Vos in Newton, Iowa and Anthony Musser in Arebela, MO.
“I wish I could say it was all for them, but I enjoy it to.”
Currently, the Clearview clinic has 3 and a half vets, who focus mainly on large animal work. Over the years, the practice has evolved. The practice used to be a “fire engine” practice, running from one fire to the next. Over time, herds have developed relationships with vets and let them take more herd health and management roles on the operations, working with vet checks, feed, production. This has really allowed the farmers to maximize their operations and they are seeing improvements in milk quality, cow comfort and overall cow health.
She enjoys several aspects of her veterinary work, especially the reproductive side of things. Working with herds, beef and dairy, on synchronization and implanting embryos is a highlight of her job. This along with the growing demand of ultrasounding has really made an impact on the direction a herd can take. In addition, she finds fulfillment in “being a detective and solving problems in herds.” A recent case included a feedlot where many calves were losing their hair on their legs, sides, and tails. In order to diagnose the problem, she took tissue samples and sent them to a diagnostic lab. She then found that it was zinc toxicity in the feed. The feedlot then just had to switch brands to lower the available zinc.
Marilyn has developed a working relationship with many of the 4-H kids she has helped throughout the years. With the cattle housed at her house, the kids visit and do all the work, including washing, clipping, and general care of the calves. Some years she has had more kids than cattle to work with. Which she describes as “a great problem to have!” So, she began working with other dairymen including Dennis Martin to loan show age calves to her 4-H students.
The work the kids have done has taken them to various shows. One of her favorites is the scholarship show that is held at Cattle Congress in IA every year. She says it really focuses on the kids and gives them a unique opportunity to earn some money, other favorite shows include the Iowa State Fair and the Missouri State Fair. Some of the youth she has worked with have even graced national shows, exhibiting
Marilyn Brown with one of her biggest helpers at World Dairy Expo
at World Dairy Expo and the North American in Louisville, KY. One particular cow, Miss Aristocrat Kandi-Red, exhibited by Aries Derby, was named Honorable Mentioned Junior All-American Junior 2 Year Old in 2023. This stands as a major highlight for Marilyn.
As the years have passed, many of her students have aged out of the program, and Marilyn is beginning to work her way out as well. She is hoping that some of the 4-H girls she has worked with will take over working with the county fair and other responsibilities she has had. She hopes they will pass it forward. She truly enjoys working with kids and has fun, she says, “I wish I could say it was all for them, but I enjoy it too.”
Top: Aries Derby, Jacklyn Derby, Nicole Derby; Nicole Derby; Aries Derby at Cattle Congress with Aristocrat Kandi-Red; youth prepping their heifers
Farm Income Making the Most of your Farm Income Potential
Farmers are eternal optimists believing that next year will be better. However, opportunities exist that can be taken advantage of to improve the current year and the following year.
The fundamental need for every business is to be profitable and dairy farmers must realize they are a business. Milk and feed prices have increased in volatility and will continue to do so. Managing that volatility and protecting prices for commodities grown, purchased, and sold is as important as managing other aspects of the farm operation such as milk quality, cow comfort, the breeding program, nutrition, feed quality, feeding, ventilation, calf management, etc. Efficiency is important for profitability, but profitability may be enhanced by making the most of your farm income potential.
The crops grown on the dairy farm such as corn, soybeans, and wheat are thought of as feed or bedding for the dairy cows. Planting those crops reduces or eliminates the need to purchase the crop for feed or to provide another source of income to purchase other feed for the dairy. Corn is utilized for either silage or grain. Soybeans are often sold and in return, soybean meal is purchased. Wheat is sold and the straw is used for adding to the ration or bedding. However, these are not viewed as crops that are as valuable to the dairy on the same basis as the grain farmer. There is a cost to plant, maintain, and harvest whether planting to feed the cows or planting to sell to the elevator.
The historical pattern has been that the value of those crops is higher at planting than at harvest. This is seen in 2024 when looking at the corn and soybean price charts.
This pattern has been similar over the past four years. Implementing the simple strategy of establishing a price floor under the crop in spring by utilizing simple put options can maintain the value of the crop until harvested for feed or to sell and use the income to purchase alternate feeds for the dairy. Over the past four years, the corn price declined over $1.00 per bushel from the spring high while soybeans declined over $2.00 per bushel. Protecting the value of your crops can cover your cost of production and enhance your farm income significantly and you still have the crop to feed or exchange for another feed to fit your ration.
AgMarket.Net has developed an app that can help track your cost of producing the crop and allow you to run scenarios of various pricing potentials and option levels to determine which options might be best for the farm. It will show income potential based on various price scenarios. Here are some examples of what was done last year.
Example 1
In this example (see Example 1 above) of the production of 35,000 bushels of corn, the purchase of a $4.80 December put option for 30 cents and then offset a harvest netted $38,000 and you still harvested the corn to feed the cows. It did not have to be sold or delivered anywhere. It was just utilized as a price protection for the value of your crop.
Example 2
In this example (see example 2 above) of the production of 11,000 bushels of soybeans, the purchase of a $12.00 November put option for 52 cents and then offset a harvest netted $38,000. You may sell the soybeans and buy back other feed to feed the cows. In this case, it was used to protect the value of the crop you will sell.
Another aspect of the farm that has been very important for improving income is beef-on-dairy. The value of beefon-dairy calves has added much to the income of the dairy operation. Along with protecting the value of the crops you plant, and the milk you produce, the value of those calves that will be born can also be protected. Livestock Risk Protection insurance (LRP) allows the farm to protect the price of the calves that will be born up to a year in advance. Rather than waiting for the calves to be born and selling them at the current price that is available at that time, LRP provides options to protect those prices, adding another area of risk management to protect and build equity.
Three categories can be chosen to protect beef-on-dairy calves. These choices are for steers weighing from 100599 pounds, heifers weighing 100-599 pounds, and unborn steers and heifers weighing from 100 – 599 pounds.
The choice will be determined by how many calves you expect to have at any chosen period and the mix of bulls and heifers you expect to have.
LRP insurance provides much flexibility and a large window of time to sell those calves. The farm can protect the price of only a few calves or up to 25,000 calves per crop year which runs from July 1st through June 30th. LRP prices are quoted daily except for holidays and major report days. (see figure to the right)
The farm also has the ability to insure dairy animals weighing from 100-599 pounds and unborn dairy weighing from 100 – 599 pounds which would work well for the farm that would like to protect those calves that are not beef-on-dairy crosses.
LRP is a flexible program that provides a price floor for calves while allowing for the ability to sell at higher prices if they increase.
Farms now can manage the price risk for many areas of the farming operation Utilizing these tools is an important part of maintaining and building equity in the operation. It allows for better cash flow planning to achieve your goals for the future.
Written by Robin Schmahl
AgDairy Dairy Division of JSA 877-256-3253 rschmahl@agdairy.com “Speaker at 2025 Dairy Expo”
Our Services
Full-Service Commodity Brokerage Firm Specializing in Dairy, Grain, and Livestock Risk Management
Dairy, Grain, and Livestock Market Hedging and Consulting Services
Dairy Revenue Protection Insurance
Livestock Risk Protection Insurance the AgMarket My Farm App Access to Protect Crop Values
Daily Dairy Market Commentary through DTN
Contact Robin Schmahl at 877-256-3253 email: rschmahl@agdairy.com or rschmahl@agmarket.net
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Dairy Farmer Resources
UNDENIABLY DAIRY GRANTS: Turn great ideas for promoting the dairy community to consumers into reality.
PROMO CENTER: Bring dairy to life at your next event with a wide variety of FREE promotional materials including poster sets, coloring books, farm tour booties, and more.
LEADERSHIP GRANTS: Interested in furthering your skills to become a leader in the dairy industry and to better share your dairy story with consumers? Apply for a leadership grant!
Dairy Hall of Honors
Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors recognizes five dairy leaders COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors announces their 2024 award winners. www.missouridairyhallofhonors.com
Jon Bebermeyer of Kansas City, Missouri is a recipient of the Dairy Leadership Award. Jon is currently the Chief Operating Officer for the Central Area of Dairy Farmers of America. His dad’s family has two fourth-generation farms outside of Abilene, Kansas. Jon was raised in Wichita, Kansas, graduating from Wichita South High School in 1979. He then attended Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, pursuing an AAS in Purchasing in the School of Business.
In 2012, Jon joined Dairy Farmers of America, starting as a Director of Operations of the Southeast Area in Knoxville, Tennessee. After seven years, Jon was offered the chance to move back to Kansas City to become the Chief Operating Officer for the Central Area of DFA. With DFA, he has been involved in raw milk marketing for over 2,000 dairy farm families across the Midwest and Southeast U.S. (21 states). Jon has served as the Past President of Missouri Dairy Products Association, is a current MDPA Board member, and a Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors Trustee as well.
Marilyn Calvin of Mount Vernon is a recipient of the Dairy Leadership Award. The 200, mostly registered, dairy herd utilizes a 160-acre intensive grazing platform and 160 replacement heifers housed onsite to ensure a vibrant future for the herd. The farm has been advancing their genetic base through artificial insemination, the Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) milk testing for 50-years, and participates in the U.S. Holstein Tristar premiere program. The family was honored as a Missouri State Fair Farm Family in 2002.
Marilyn has been a dedicated leader for the Missouri dairy industry for many years. Her leadership was exhibited locally as a 20-year member of the Lawrence County FSA committee, first as minority advisor and nine years as committee chair. Her service to dairy cooperatives has been most noteworthy, serving both Mid-America Dairymen and Dairy Farmers of America for over 30 years. Marilyn also served as chairman of Advisory Council for MU’s Southwest Center. In 2014, Marilyn was inducted into Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame and was the first woman inductee in the Missouri Institute of Cooperatives Hall of Fame. She is also an ALOT Class II alumni where they traveled to South Korea, Hong Kong, China and Japan.
James L. “Jimmie” and Novalee Coats are the recipients of the Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder Award. The Coats’ started dairying in 1975 in Texas County purchasing 176 acres and over time building a new milk barn and acquiring grade cattle. In the 1980s, they attended a DHIA meeting with speaker Dave Norman. This sparked an interest in registered cattle, and they started attending registered sales.
Ja-No-Co has been enrolled in Holstein DHIR, testing, classification and is a 100% Registered herd utilizing only 100% RHA Holstein sires in their AI program. Combining not only type, but production and genetic advancement, the Coats’ have received Holstein USA’s highest honors being awarded the Progressive Breeders Registry award for 8 years. In addition to this honor, they received the Progressive Genetics Award for the 18th year with an average CTPI of 2,294. The Coats’ also received the 40-Year Holstein USA member award in 2022.
Jimmie and Novalee have been heavily involved in the South-Central Holstein district since its inception. Jimmie has served as the first district President and Novalee was the secretary and treasurer for many years. Jimmie also helped revitalize the Young Farmers Association in Houston and Mountain Grove.
Dr. Stacey Hamilton of Greenfield is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Award. He has been a state dairy specialist with MU Extension since 2009. Stacey received a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in 1987 and then earned his Master’s in 1989 and PhD in 1993 from the University of Missouri, both in Animal Science with an emphasis on reproductive physiology. Stacey was one of the primary people responsible for the development of the Missouri grazing wedge application, an on-line program has assisted numerous producers with pasture management decision making. He was also a leader in the development of PaddockTrac, a proximal data sensor that measures the height of forages and via calibration the biomass of forage in a pasture. Stacey has been involved in numerous research endeavors covering a broad range of topics including forage production and management, evaluation of an accelerated milk replacer program, and evaluation of estrous synchronization protocols for dairy herds. He has been an invited speaker nationwide on pasture-based dairy production and collaborated with Dr. Scott Poock on estrous synchronization comparing different protocols on over 5,000 dairy cows.
Mike Wilson, of Neosho, is the recipient of the Pioneer Leader Award. He was the founder of Mi-Wil Farms. Mike graduated from Neosho High School in 1975 and continued his education by attending Crowder College and later SMSU where he earned his degree in Animal Science.
In 1966, Mike’s parents bought the current farm where he was raised and fell in love with dairy cattle. Mike’s love of showing and fellowship with other breeders has now passed down to his children as they have gotten interested in all breeds of cattle and continue showing at state and national shows. Mike produced seven 93-point, four 94-point and three 95-point cows; and one 94-point Guernsey. Mike served in state leadership roles in both breed associations. He dedicated his time to coaching dairy judging teams and judging numerous cattle shows. Not only did he coach his own children on the Neosho FFA Dairy Judging Team, but coached many other FFA teams through the years, including at least four state champions and a national championship. Michael Lee Wilson passed away on February 16, 2024.
Drivers for 2025 Dairy Markets
One of the drivers that hit individual dairy producers in 2024 and continues to be impactful has been Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) impacting milk per cow on their operations. It really did not negatively impact nation national milk production until November. Then in California numerous herds were infected and as a result milk per cow recorded a drop of 9.2% in November and that resulted in an overall drop in milk production in the state of 9.2%. The decline in California helped contribute to a 1% decline in US milk production that month. The revised November milk per cow showed a decline of 7.9%, bringing over all milk production in California to a revised decline of 8%. The upward revision in California November milk per cow pulled US milk production to a revised 0.4% decline. Preliminary data for December shows milk per cow in California down 6.7%. The reduced milk per cow for California in December helped contribute to a 0.5% drop in overall US milk production.
Over the past 30 days California and Michigan have recorded confirmed cases of HPAI. In total, 16 states have confirmed cases of HPAI. Fortunately, so far Missouri is not one of the 16 states. But it is probably only a matter of time before we see a confirmed case in the state. So far, there has been a negligible impact on US dairy product prices. That could change as we see the increased migration of wild birds as spring approaches in the northern hemisphere.
Another economic factor that will impact US dairy prices is the recently announced federal milk markets order final decision. Impacts on milk prices will be mostly lower for dairy producers. Although over the past five years the return to the “higher of” Class I milk price formula would have been $0.53 per hundredweight higher on average over the current formulas. Most of that increase is due to the impact
of high block cheddar cheese prices during 2020 when the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was distributing Farmers to Families Food Boxes that included cheddar cheese in every box. Over the past six months the current Class I milk price formula would have resulted in higher Class I milk prices. Overall, there will probably not be much change in the Class I milk price average over time.
The Class II milk price would have been $0.55 lower over the past five years with the new formulas. This is due to a higher make allowance offsetting higher component values. It is more of a mixed bag for the Class III milk price. That is due to the elimination of the barrel cheddar cheese price in the new formulas. When combined with the higher make allowance and milk component values, the new Class III milk price formula over the last five years would have been two cents lower. This is due the periods when barrel cheddar cheese prices have been above the block cheddar cheese price. Normally the spread between block and barrel cheddar cheese favors blocks by 3-5 cents per pound, but due to the increasing independent supply/ demand factors of the two forms of cheddar cheese barrels have spent a fair amount of time over blocks the past few years. Due to the close nature of the Class II and Class IV milk prices, the declines for Class IV milk prices will be the same $0.55 per hundredweight that impacted the Class II milk price.
The popularity of beef on dairy breeding practices due to high beef prices has impacted the number of replacements heifers available to dairy producers over the past few years. The total number of milk cow replacement heifers expected to calve in 2024 were the lowest since USDA started publishing that data set. With just over 27.5% of the overall dairy herd available as replacements. The low levels of replacements heifers have contributed to an increase in replacement milk cow prices to a record high level during the fourth quarter of 2024 at $2,600 per head.
(Reference Graph 1 below)
Graph 1
The strength in the US dollar will be another economic factor for the dairy industry to watch as we now export around 15-17% of our overall milk production. With the strengthening of the dollar since the US national election this past November it makes US dairy products less competitive in the international market which could cause more of our production to stay in the country.
Feed inputs for US dairy producers had been moving in a generally favorable direction until the harvest lows were put in during September 2024 for corn and since then the corn price has added around $1 per bushel. Fortunately, that increase in corn prices has been somewhat offset by lower soybean meal prices which have been on a downward to sideways trend since June of last year. If the weather remains favorable in South America and we see a good start to row crop planting in the upcoming season for the US, feed inputs should drop slightly from 2024 helping US dairy producers’ bottom line. Using the milk margin over feed costs formula in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, 2025 margins are looking to be slightly higher than in 2024 when using CME Class III milk, corn, and soybean meal futures prices, and my forecast for premium alfalfa hay at $12.17/cwt. Of course, there is a lot of time between now and harvest this fall so prices will fluctuate quite a bit and if the growing season is not positive those margin forecasts could shrink. But, at the moment it does not look like we will revisit the very tight margins of 2023 in 2025.
US dairy cow slaughter has been lower all of 2024 as we seen a fair number of dairy cows go to federally inspected plants in 2023. With fewer animals to sell and increasing milk margins, dairy producers were less inclined to keep culling at previous years’ levels. As a result, 2024 dairy cow slaughter will be below 3.0 million head for the first time since 2017.
Both USDA and I are forecast to see a slight increase in the dairy herd during 2025, but only by 35,000 to 50,000 head. With relatively unchanged milk per cow in 2025, the slightly higher herd size will help push overall milk production up slightly to 226.1 billion pounds in my estimation. USDA is a bit more aggressive with their milk production forecast at 227.2 billion pounds.
(Reference Table 1 above)
Relatively speaking, dairy remains a good value for consumers as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for dairy products has flattened out over the past year or so after a period of quick appreciation in 2022. Even with the good value provided to consumers, our overall usage of milk has struggled in 2024. The struggle is mainly due to a drop off in American cheese consumption, which has partially offset other than American cheese usage to limit gains in total cheese usage. NFDM/SMP has also struggled in 2024 due to a lack of production to sell and the higher dollar value we have seen over the past year. There are a couple of bright spots for dairy commodities though, with cottage cheese usage having a banner year with disappearance up 11.0% through November and fluid milk sales have increased 0.4% during the same period. Overall disappearance of milk should rebound in 2025 after a down year in 2024.
Looking at prices, the Class III milk price looks to increase in 2025 over 2024 due to higher cheddar and dry whey prices, although I might very well be too aggressive on the dry whey price forecast. As a result, my forecast for 2025 Class III milk prices is $19.96/cwt. which is 26 cents above USDA’s projection of $19.70 and a gain of $1.07 over 2024. On the butter/powder side of US pricing, butter prices are expected to be weaker in 2025 as farm level milkfat production continues to move higher while NFDM prices are expected to add onto 2024 gains and move higher. The
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diverging underlying commodity prices will put my Class IV milk price forecast close to 2024 levels at $20.53/cwt. down 22 cents from 2024’s level. USDA has a slight rise in their Class IV milk price projection at $20.80/cwt., up 5 cents from 2024.
Overall, 2024 was a good year for dairy producer profitability with higher milk prices and lower feed input prices. For 2025, the strong margins for dairy producers should continue as both milk and feed prices are not currently expected to move much in either direction. Areas of concern for the forecasted margins are poor weather negatively impacting grain/forage production pushing feed prices higher and on the revenue side a slowdown in economic growth could slow consumption by consumers. But at the moment, 2025 looks like a good year for dairy producer profitability which should allow producers to strengthen their balance sheets
Congratulations to Hope McClellan of Willow Springs, MO on becoming are 2025 Missouri Holstein Princess and the 2024 winner of the MO Distinguished Junior – Senior Division award.
Kylie Scrivner
Congratulations to Kylie of Ava, MO, She is in the Missouri Farmers Care: Top 7 Youth You Should Know.
MISSOURI NEWS
Donald John Brandt
Donald John Brandt, age 82, of Linn, passed away Saturday evening, December 7, 2024, at his home. Don was born September 28, 1942, in Freeburg, to Alfred and Josepha (Reinkemeyer) Brandt. He was married on August 14, 1965, to Christy Marie Thomeczek, who survives at the home. Don was the fifth generation to live on the Brandt Dairy Farm, which was established in 1840.
Don attended St. George School in Linn, and Fatima High School in Westphalia. He was active in 4-H and FFA during his young years. Don had to take on an adult role at an early age when his father was killed on the farm by a dairy bull. Don was twelve at the time, the oldest boy in the family with an older sister and four younger brothers and a younger sister. His mother was pregnant with his youngest sister at the time of the accident. The family continued to farm, milking cows to support the family. He became a state FFA officer in 1960, the first state officer in the Fatima chapter. He earned the American Farmer Degree in the fall of 1963, one of only eleven young men in the state to do so.
Besides running a successful dairy farm for 43 years, Don remained active in many other organizations. He was a life-long member of St. George Parish in Linn where he served on the Parish Council numerous times, including when the church was built. He and Christy were members of the Osage Squares, a square-dancing group, in Linn. They were also named Young Cooperators of the Mid-Am Dairy Coop in 1972 and served three years in that organization. This gave Don and his wife the opportunity to travel to the National Milk Producer conventions, held in New York, San Francisco, and Miami Beach, as well as other places. He also served as a state officer of the Missouri Young Farmers organization and was a chairperson of the State Tour held in Linn in 1981. At the time of his death, he was a board member and past president of the Osage County Historical Society and had volunteered many hours fixing things and with the monthly mailing. He was also the Chairman of the Board of Freedom Mutual Insurance Company for many years. Don was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus and a Fourth-Degree member of the Monsignor Kutz Assembly in Westphalia.
Don also had many hobbies, including playing his guitar with the Jammers, a country music group that meets weekly. He enjoyed making toys out of junk from around the farm and his shop. The toys include tractors, a steam engine, a bulldozer, pickup trucks, and other farm equipment. He got his great-grandfather’s broom machine from the old house, brought it home, and figured out how to get it to work. He made several brooms with it and enjoyed telling about it. He loved to cut grass but not work in the garden! Other hobbies include Sudoku, putting together puzzles, and watching Gunsmoke and Andy Griffith on TV. He enjoyed the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs. He enjoyed family history and all things farm-related. He also liked seeing his sons work together on the farm. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren and going to their sports activities. He was good at making Pon Haus and liked to give it to others.
Our Dairy Family
We are so honored to be able to share your lives through the Pulsator. If you have an announcement you would like to share with our dairy family across the state please contact Jodi Wright or Shannon Kleiboeker, so we can include you in our next Pulsator.
Mary Lou Veraguth, 86, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
She was born October 8, 1938 in Hamilton, Missouri to Glen and Marguerite (Shartzer) Stewart.
Mary Lou married Richard A. Veraguth on December 27, 1959. They shared 62 years together before he preceded her in death on May 31, 2022. She had a lifelong career in nursing and dairy farming. She loved her time working at the Gower Convalescent Center until retirement in 2021.
Mary Lou loved her dog, Bella, horses and sports, especially her beloved Chiefs.Her joy in life was her family and caring for others. She was lovingly known as Grandma Mary Lou. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; and her parents.
Survivors include her children Jim Veraguth (Erin), John Veraguth (Carol), Jeff Veraguth (Erica), and Jeannette Stookey (JW); grandchildren, Josh Veraguth, Jourdan Veraguth (Mark), Hailey and Hayden Stookey, and Mason Milek; great-grandson, Memphis Courtney; grandchildren, the Kellys and the Jacksons; a large extended family and many good friends.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dennis Jones and the Hospice caregivers with Freudenthal Hospice. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions to Freudenthal Hospice or the Gower Convalescent Center. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
Putting the Puzzles Pieces Together: SS Debs 929
Wby: Shannon Kleiboeker
inning shows is no easy task, and finding the cows that can do so can be even more difficult, but sometimes all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place and magic happens. This is exactly what happened with SS DEBS 929, the Grand Champion Brown Swiss at the 2024 World Dairy Expo. SS Debs 929 was bred top and bottom side by Rollan and Debbie Stewart of Ava, MO and is currently owned by Knapps and Muse.
Rollan showed cows his whole life, Guernsey’s and Brown Swiss, gracing many showrings around the country including Expo and Louisville. His last year to exhibit at the Missouri State Fair was in 1997. He says we “swept the show that year, going home with a trunkful of trophies.” It was around this time that Rollan and his wife transitioned to an all Brown Swiss herd, milking around 170180 head.
SS Debs 929 was born in December of 2014, and Rollan describes her as a “stand out heifer in the group. I felt like she could have done well in the showring, we just weren’t showing anymore.” They needed to be on the farm fulltime, and showing just wasn’t in the books for them anymore.
In 2019, Rollan and Debbie decided to disperse the herd. With help from the Brown Swiss association, they began planning their sale. 929 was somehow overlooked. Rollan says, “they told me she wasn’t good enough for the sale, take her to town.” He instead took her to Michael Diehl’s dairy to be milked. It was while she was at Diehl’s that Knapps found “Debs”, a now five-year-old. Knapps were looking to expand their Brown Swiss herd and “Debs” caught their eyes and they soon asked if they could purchase her along with others from the farm. Rollan agreed.
This purchase by the Knapp family snowballed the career for this cow. She gained numerous show titles including Grand Champion Swiss at the Iowa state fair in 2021 and was named Grand at the 2021 Heart of America Southwestern Swiss show in Stillwater, OK. She is now scored Excellent 95 with a 96 mammary. Rollan says Knapp describes her as “one of the easiest cows to work with,” implying it takes very little extra work to get her ready. She just goes out and does her thing.
Rollan has made it up to World Dairy Expo for all three years that “Debs” has been shown there. Each year she did well in her class, being 2nd or 3rd, until this year. The Knapps keep Rollan well updated on her status and encouraged him to be up there to watch her show. Rollan was on the sidelines this past year to watch a cow that he bred top and bottom be named Grand Champion. He says, “it felt good, I’ve shown up there before, but never knew what it felt like to win a grand. It was quite a deal.”
Austin, Jenna, and Mackenzie Knapp World Dairy Expo with SS Debs 929
Rollan Stewart, breeder of SS Debs 929
POLICY CORNER
This week marks the fourth week of the Trump Administration. The last few weeks have been marked by breakneck action from the White House and the executive branch. This time period has also been critical for the Senate to complete one of its designated Constitutional functions of going through the process of confirming the President’s Cabinet Appointees. As of this moment, none of President Trump’s nominees have failed their confirmation votes, and this has proven true this week as well, as both Robert F Kennedy, Jr. and Brooke Rollins have both been confirmed by the Senate. Health and Human Services Nominee RFK Jr’s confirmation vote was 52-48 with the only dissenting Republican vote coming from Senator Mitch McConnell (KY), the previous Senate Majority Leader. The confirmation vote for USDA Secretary Nominee Brooke Rollins was far more bipartisan, as her vote concluded in a tally of 72-28. Rollins received votes from many Democratic Senators as well, receiving both votes from the states of Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and New Hampshire. There are controversial nominees still left to be voted on. In terms of their relevance to the dairy industry, the Senate has yet to vote on the confirmation of Jamieson Greer, US Trade Rep. nominee. Lee Zeldin, Trump’s nominee for EPA Administrator, was also confirmed with a vote of 56-42.
In a slight pivot to the Farm Bill, there is consensus from House Ag Committee chairman GT Thompson that there will be a Farm Bill this year, that it will be House-led, and that it will be marked up by
the committee this spring. There were previous news reports that the Farm Bill would be marked up by the Ag Committee in the summer. The content of the House version that was voted on by the committee a year ago would likely be the blueprint for this year’s base text for the Farm Bill. Here is the link for last year’s House version.
Onto dairy related legislation, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, or H.R. 649, sponsored by House Ag Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA), has been heard and voted out of the House Education and the Workforce Committee with a bipartisan vote of 24-10 and will be sent on for full consideration, debate, and passage by the whole House of Representatives. 4 Democrats voted in favor of the bill with all 20 Republicans in attendance. The bill has been co-sponsored by two Missouri congressmen, Congressman Mark Alford (R-MO-04) and Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO-06).
Contact your representatives urging them to support this important legislation. It takes just a few minutes to ensure that students have access to whole milk.
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