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www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — DECEMBER 11/DECEMBER 18, 2020
October cheese and butter production up over September MIELKE, from pg. 13 Dairy Products report shows that more milk went into powder and butter. Cheese output totaled 1.13 billion pounds, up 3.2 percent from September, but 0.6 percent below October 2019. Year-to-date total cheese sits at 10.96 billion pounds, up just 0.4 percent from a year ago. Wisconsin produced 286 million pounds of that October total, up 2.8 percent from September, but 0.9 percent below a year ago. California output hit 200.6 million pounds, up 4.1 percent from September but 7.1 percent below a year ago. Idaho, with 86 million pounds, was down 1.2 percent from September and 1 percent below a year ago.
Italian-type cheese totaled 469.2 million pounds, up 1.3 percent from September but 3.4 percent below a year ago. Year-to-date, Italian was at 4.7 billion pounds, down 1.2 percent. American-type cheese totaled 461.1 million pounds, up 6.1 percent from September and 3.5 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, American was at 4.4 billion pounds, up 2 percent. Mozzarella output was at 366 million pounds, down 4.8 percent from a year ago, with year-to-date at 3.7 billion pounds, down 1.4 percent from 2019. Cheddar, which trades daily at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, climbed to 326.9 million pounds, the highest October volume ever. It is up 19.9 million pounds or 6.5 percent from September and 17.3 million or 5.6 percent above October 2019. Year-to-date, cheddar is at 3.2 billion pounds, up 2.7 percent from a year ago. Butter churns produced 164.9 million pounds, up 13.3 million pounds or 8.8 percent from September and 2 million pounds or 1.2 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, butter is at 1.7 billion pounds, up 5.9 percent from 2019. Yogurt production totaled 382.9 million pounds, up 7.1 percent from a year ago, with the year-to-date total at 3.8 billion pounds, up 2.3 percent.
Whey totaled 80.2 million pounds, up 5.4 million or 7.2 percent from September, but 10.6 million or 11.8 percent below a year ago, with year-to-date at 810.6 million, down 1.5 percent. Dry whey stocks totaled 68.1 million pounds, down 14.3 percent from September and 14.2 percent below a year ago. Nonfat dry milk climbed to 138.4 million pounds, up 12.4 million pounds or 9.8 percent from September and 5.7 million or 4.3 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, powder sits at 1.6 billion pounds, up 2.1 percent from 2019. Stocks, at 234.9 million pounds, were up 1.6 million or 0.7 percent from September, but 17 million or 7.8 percent above a year ago. Skim milk powder output fell to 57.2 million pounds, down 15.3 million pounds or 21.1 percent from September, but 9.8 million pounds or 20.7 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, skim milk powder is at 510.2 million pounds, up a hefty 11.7 percent from a year ago. StoneX called the report “bearish on cheese and non-fat dry milk and neutral butter. Cheese and nonfat dry milk were bearish for different reasons. Cheese production has been weak this year, which would not normally be bearish except it is currently See MIELKE, pg. 16
Are your livestock ready for winter? Animals in general have three different processes to prepare themselves for winter. Livestock can grow long, thick coats to provide insulation against cold weather. If livestock are not exposed to the cold such as in a warm barn, they acclimate to the temperature of their given environment. The hair coat needs to stay clean and dry to provide the best insulation protection. Also, livestock tend to put on more weight in the winter months. Be sure to talk with your nutritionist ahead of time to make sure your livestock have enough energy in their diet to help protect them from the cold weather. Lastly, animals naturally adjust their metabolic rate to help produce more heat to help maintain their core body temperature. This need for energy takes these resources away from other body functions — such as milk production — if a higher energy diet is not provided. What are some things that we can do as farmers to get ready for winter? Think about the basic needs of all living things and apply them to your livestock: Food, water and shelter. Nutrition — Livestock need more calories to keep themselves warm — especially during some of the bitter cold winters we experience in Minnesota. Discuss with your nutritionist or feed dealer the ideal options for your herd and facilities. You may consider sorting out thin animals in order to provide them more specialized care such as a higher energy ration and less crowded, draft-free shelter.
Water — Be sure to be checking your waterer or water tanks regularly for frozen water. Frozen water or excessively cold water significantly limits water and feed intake of livestock. Animals, like humans, prefer the temperature of the water to be between 40 and 65 F. Consider utilizing a thermometer to determine if tank heaters and waterer heating elements are in proper working order. Shelter — Provide a shelter for livestock to get them out of the elements. A wind break is one solution; providing a roof is ideal. Providing deep, clean, dry bedding is essential to help keep the animals warm. Remember that a clean dry hair coat provides significantly better insulation than a dirty, wet hair coat. Also take time to evaluate your building for drafts which can create a problem. Look around doors, windows and curtains for areas that should be sealed. Keep in mind livestock which remain healthy throughout winter can fare cold temperatures more efficiently. Work with your veterinarian to keep livestock in tip top shape and up-to-date on their vaccinations. The other thing to consider is that with cold temperatures comes ice! Ice creates unsafe walking surfaces for both your livestock and yourself. Consider ruffing up the surface and adding sand or gravel for traction. This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v
