Posted: November 30, 2010 at 7:48 pm
By News Editor
The Christmas season is upon us, and this year for the first time, there is a nativity scene sculpted from butter!
“This is actually the first year I’ve sculpted a nativity scene. This is one of my first sculptures I’ve done outside of the fair actually, so I’m really excited to be doing this,” Sarah Pratt, the West Des Moines sculptor, said.
Pratt said Sunday she has been single handedly sculpting the famous cow each summer since 2006 and is just now finishing up her very first butter sculpted nativity scene.
The sculpture will soon join forces with several other hand crafted nativity scenes as part of the Nativity Exhibition which will take place December 4th and 5th as part of a fundraiser for St. Joseph’s Family Shelter.
Sarah’s sculpture includes each member of the Holy Family; Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. Sarah said Sunday she hoped to be finished by the end of the night.
“It’s very rewarding, just as it starts as wire and butter and turns out as a piece of art. It’s really rewarding,” she said.
You can see Sarah’s sculpture Saturday, December 4th anytime between 9 a.m. and noon or on Sunday, December 5th between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at 601 Grand Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa.
Source: 13WhoTV.com; Megan Brown
Posted: November 30, 2010 at 7:36 pm
By News Editor
Outstanding leaders from across the international dairy industry are being sought for World Dairy Expo’s annual recognition awards.
“We’re encouraging people to nominate someone who has demonstrated exceptional leadership,” says general manager, Mark Clarke. “Recognizing these individuals during World Dairy Expo showcases the leadership present in the dairy industry and adds to the excitement of Expo.”
Nominations will be accepted through February 15, 2011 in the four following categories: Industry Person of the Year, Dairyman of the Year, Dairy Woman of the Year and International Person of the Year.
The Industry Person of the Year award is presented to an individual in recognition of excellence in research, development, education, marketing or other fields that are part of the dairy industry.
The Dairyman and Dairy Woman of the Year awards are presented to individuals who are active dairy producers and whose primary source of income is derived from their dairy operation. His/her farming operation needs to demonstrate and excel in efficient production and breeding of quality animals. Progressive management practices, along with involvement in community, government activities, breed organizations and other aspects of the dairy industry, will also be considered.
The International Person of the Year will be recognized for significantly contributing to international relations, business development, trade or cooperation in the dairy industry.
Individuals will be honored at the Dinner with the Stars during World Dairy Expo, October 4-8, 2011, in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Nominations are due Tuesday, February 15, 2011. Official applications are available online . Click on the About Expo tab at the top of the page; then select Recognition Winners on the left side of the page. Applications may also be requested from the World Dairy Expo office by calling 608-224-6455 or via email at wde@wdexpo.com.
During the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasters convention the Dairy Farmers of America exhibited during their Trade Talk session. This provides farm broadcasters with an opportunity to interview representatives and learn about what’s new with their company or organization. I spoke with Jackie Klippenstein, VP, Industry and Legislative Affairs.
Jackie says that priorities for DFA include making sure new legislators are familiar with the needs of dairy farmers. She says the industry lost some long time supporters in the recent election. Looking ahead she says that dairy farmers need farm policy reform quickly and cites margins as the biggest challenge facing them.
You can listen to my interview with Jackie here: DFA Interview
Posted: November 29, 2010 at 7:39 pm
By News Editor
Cornell University’s Department of Food Science is offering an Advanced Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Workshop for the dairy industry, Jan. 25-27, 2011 in Ithaca, N.Y.
This workshop is designed to provide comprehensive instruction on the development of HACCP-based food safety programs in dairy operations (e.g., pasteurized and aseptic dairy and juice beverages, cream/sour cream products, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, ice cream, butter and powder).
For Grade “A” processors, this course will incorporate the core training requirements of the NCIMS Voluntary HACCP program alternative for dairy plants, including the NCIMS HACCP training modules. FDA Juice HACCP compliance requirements and advanced HACCP topics will also be covered. Successful completion of this workshop will equip attendees with the tools necessary to build a new or re-invigorate an outdated HACCP program that should meet NCIMS HACCP and FDA Juice HACCP requirements. It should also serve as a foundation for the Global Food Safety Initiative’s third-party certification schemes such as SQF, BRC, IFS and FSSC 22000.
Primary instructors for the program will be Allen Sayler (vice president of food safety, technology and regulatory solutions for Randolph and Associates, Inc. and member of NCIMS HACCP Committee, SQF & BRC Technical Advisory Committees) and Steve Murphy (Milk Quality Improvement Program, Cornell University; NCIMS HACCP Committee).
Pre-registration is required. Enrollment is limited to 35 participants and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. The registration fee is $375 for the first registrant, with a sliding scale for each additional person per plant/company location. Materials, breaks and lunch are included. The course will be held in B82 Morrison Hall on the Cornell University Campus.
Since CWT reactivated the Export Assistance program in March 18, 2010, it has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheese totaling 31,068 metric tons (68.5 million pounds) to 26 countries on four continents. In addition, sales of butter and anhydrous milkfat totaling 14,968 metric tons (33.0 million pounds) have been made to nine countries on three continents. Nearly 50% of the product will be delivered between now and April 2011.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term and long-term by helping member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products.
CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.
The 2011 Milk and Dairy Beef Drug Residue Prevention Manual is a revision of the Milk and Dairy Beef Residue Avoidance manual that was previously published by the Dairy Quality Assurance Center that NMPF purchased in 2008. As a new area of focus for the National Dairy FARM Program, the manual can be found online under the Residue Prevention tab of the site. The manual is only available free through the website.
The Milk and Dairy Beef Drug Residue Prevention Manual is a concise review of appropriate antibiotic use in dairy animals. The manual is a quick resource to review those antibiotics approved for dairy animals, and can also be used as an educational tool for farm managers as they develop their best management practices necessary to avoid milk and meat residues.
“I encourage all dairy farmers to sit down with their veterinarian and all employees to review this manual because I think they will find the information useful, practical, and easily applied to their farms,” said Karen Jordan, DVM, Chair of the NMPF Animal Health and Welfare Committee and a dairy producer from Siler City, NC.
“The dairy industry is committed to producing safe, abundant, and affordable milk and dairy beef of the highest quality. Healthy animals help make for safe food and disease prevention is the key to keeping cows healthy,” Jordan said.
The National Dairy FARM Program was created by NMPF to demonstrate and verify that U.S. milk producers are committed to providing the highest levels of quality assurance including animal care, residue prevention, and other on-farm practices.
The Residue Prevention manual was sponsored by Charm Sciences, IDEXX, Neogen Corporation, and Pfizer Animal Health. No dairy check-off finds were used in the development and distribution of this manual.
Posted: November 26, 2010 at 9:25 pm
By News Editor
The second Jersey Youth Academy will be held from Sunday, July 17 through Friday, July 22, in Columbus, Ohio. Applications are solicited from Jersey youth who will be enrolled in their junior or senior years of high school in the fall of 2011, and those who will have at least one year remaining in their studies at a two-year program, vocational school, college or university.
Selection will be based on an evaluation of merit, motivation and preparation for the program as reflected in the youth’s background, experience and goal statement. Applicants must be available to participate in the entire program.
All expenses, including round-trip transportation to Columbus plus meals and housing, are paid from the Academy’s endowment. Jersey Youth Academy is a 501(c)(3) private foundation dedicated to educating talented young people for careers in the Jersey dairy business.
The application is available by request to academy@usjersey.com. Applications will be accepted until the close of business at the AJCA office on Monday, December 27. Notification of selection for the second Academy class will occur by January 15.
Posted: November 25, 2010 at 1:13 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
If you have food on your table today – thank God and thank our nation’s fabulous farmers and ranchers for the affordable, safe and abundant food supply they produce for the world.
I found this poem online that gives good reasons to give thanks today for those who produce the food, fuel and fiber that we all enjoy:
I’m Just a Farmer, Plain and Simple
By Bobby Collier
I’m just a farmer,
Plain and simple.
Not of a royal birth
But rather, a worker of the earth.
I know not of riches
But rather, of patches on my britches
I know of drought and rain,
Of pleasure and pain.
I know of the good and the bad,
The happy and the sad.
I am a man of emotions.
A man who loves this land,
And the beauty of its sand.
I know of a spring’s fresh flow
And autumn’s golden glow,
Of a newborn calf’s hesitation,
And the eagle’s destination.
I know of tall pines,
And long, waiting lines.
Of the warmth of campfires,
And the agony of flat tires.
But I am a man who loves his job
And the life I live.
I am a man who works with God,
I cannot succeed without his help,
For you see,
I’m just a farmer
Plain and simple.
Posted: November 23, 2010 at 9:52 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to ten Jersey Juniors who were honored by the American Jersey Cattle Association in the National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest.
The contest recognizes outstanding achievement by junior Jersey breeders in four areas: work with Registered Jerseys™, related dairy activities, relative progress, and future goals. They were selected from 17 outstanding youth nominated by state Jersey associations, based on their cumulative record through December 31, 2009.
The American Jersey Cattle Association presented cash awards totaling $3,000, including $600 to the contest winner, at the Junior Banquet held in conjunction with The All American Junior Jersey Show in Louisville, Ky.
Winners are Brittany Core, Salvisa, Ky.; Kelli Ann Carstensen, Petaluma, Calif.; Logan Horst, Mercersburg, Pa.; Kyle Schirm, West Salem, Ohio; Amber Ettinger, Kinards, S.C.; Cassandra Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y.; Stacey Theobald, Waymart, Pa.; Avery Lutz, Mocksville, N.C.; Julie Ann Ozburn, Nolensville, Tenn.; and Daniel Fugate, Whitesburg, Tenn.
Posted: November 23, 2010 at 9:47 pm
By News Editor
Nine professional technicians, Select Mating Service™ (SMS™) evaluators, Select Reproductive Solutions™ (SRS™) specialists, and sales and marketing staff participated in Select Sires’ employee orientation held on October 28 and 29, 2010, at Select Sires’ headquarters office in Plain City, Ohio. Employees from three member cooperatives and Select Sires Inc. were present for the two-day event, where they received advanced education in serving Select Sires’ customer-owners.
“Serving dairy and beef customers with the highest level of professional service is Select Sires’ main ambition,” said Lyle Kruse, vice president of U.S. market development for Select Sires. “This process begins with well-trained and well-versed representatives in the field.”
The participants received in-depth information about Select Sires’ programs, including the Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™), Program for Fertility Advancement™ (PFA™), SRS and SMS. They also received advanced training on the topics of reproductive solutions, fertility research, beef and dairy sire programs, cattle evaluation, herd-management products and Select Sires’ gender SELECTed™ process.
Attendees included: Minnesota/Select Sires—Paul McCormick, St. Cloud, Minn.; NorthStar Cooperative—Denise Martin and Michelle Haarer, Lansing, Mich.;
Prairie State/Select Sires—Mark Kerndt, Waukon, Iowa; Select Sire Power—Heath Spatz, Lititz, Pa.; Mike Kunkle, Jonestown, Pa.; Steve Furrow, Rocky Mount, Va.; and Jack Lomeo, Lowville, N.Y.; and Select Sires Inc.—Hannah Thompson, Walkersville, Md.
Posted: November 23, 2010 at 5:14 pm
By John Davis
Dairy farmers are looking for more ways to get their story out to the public … and some of that is starting with school kids.
The dairy industry has a good story to tell … one of hard-working farmers and their families, who are producing quality, nutritious products that build strong bodies and strong minds. In this episode of the Milking Parlor, we talk to Brad Scott, a fourth generation family dairy farmer from Southern California and a member of the National Dairy Board, and get his thoughts on the training the dairy checkoff has made available to dairy producers like him to better communicate that good news to the public, using many methods, including social media. In addition, Bridget Sheehan, a registered dietitian and program manager in the Kansas City area with the Midwest Dairy Council, talks about how the dairy industry has teamed up with the National Football League to offer the “Fuel Up to Play 60″ program … a program where kids are encouraged to get an hour of play every day, fueled by nutritious meals, such as ones with milk and dairy products.
Posted: November 22, 2010 at 6:15 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Joe Coburn, Craig Walter and Nik Sutter for being elected to serve three-year terms on World Dairy Expo’s Commercial Exhibitors’ Committee. World Dairy Expo 2011 will take place Tuesday through Saturday, October 4 – 8 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Commercial Exhibitors’ Committee members act as an advisory council, drafting policies and assisting fellow exhibitors during the show. Coburn will serve as a livestock supplies/services representative, Walter will fill an at-large position and Sutter will serve as a dairy producer representative on the 23-member committee.
Coburn is an owner and head of sales and marketing for The Coburn Company, Inc., a family-run business established in 1925. Based in Whitewater, Wisconsin, the company developed the first mass-produced electric fencer in the United States. Today, they manufacturer and distribute a wide array of livestock supplies and milking equipment. Coburn Company products can be found in dairy equipment and farm supply stores in every state as well as over sixty countries throughout the world. The Coburn Company has been an exhibitor at World Dairy Expo for over 30 years. Coburn has witnessed significant growth in the tradeshow during that time, and looks forward to examining ways to improve the industry’s premier trade show.
Walter grew up on a small family dairy in southern Wisconsin. With a degree in Ag Economics and Dairy Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he worked for five years at Wisconsin Dairy Herd Improvement Cooperative (now AgSource) developing hand-held solutions for milk testers in the field and related on-farm computer software. During the next three years AgSource and Valley Ag Software forged a relationship and Walter became responsible for the support and sales of Valley Ag Software products. When the partnership was dissolved in 1997, Walter became a regional representative for Tulare, California-based Valley Ag Software. Walter began exhibiting at World Dairy Expo in 1994 and hasn’t missed a show since.
Sutter is a partner in Fertile-Ridge Dairy LLC, a 680-cow dairy farm in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he spent eight years in the financial services industry, worked as a marketing specialist for Novus International, and was a marketing executive with Filament Marketing prior to returning to the home dairy operation. His involvement in World Dairy Expo has been diverse. He has coordinated commercial exhibits, fitted cattle for the shows, attended producer seminars, hosted farm tours for international visitors, participated in the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest and served grilled cheese sandwiches for the Badger Dairy Club.
Posted: November 22, 2010 at 6:05 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted three requests for export assistance from Darigold and Dairy Farmers of America to sell a total of 264 metric tons (582,000 pounds) of Cheddar cheese to customers in the Middle East and Asia. The product will be delivered November 2010 through March 2011.
Since CWT reactivated the Export Assistance program in March 18, 2010, it has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheese totaling 30,433 metric tons (67.1 million pounds) to 25 countries on four continents. In addition, sales of butter and anhydrous milkfat totaling 14,968 metric tons (33.0 million pounds) have been made to nine countries on three continents. Nearly 50% of the product will be delivered between now and April 2011.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term and long-term by helping member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products.
CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.
“We are excited about this opportunity to double our large-size yogurt business with this strong brand,” said Becky O’Grady, president of the Yoplait division at the Golden Valley-based food company.
The acquisition from Dean Foods comes at an unsettled time. General Mills has spent 33 years building Yoplait into the top-selling yogurt in the United States. But now, as a longtime licensee, General Mills faces the possible loss of that lucrative brand.
The French dairy Sodima has told General Mills it will sever their licensing deal in 2012. General Mills is fighting that effort.
And Yoplait’s other 50-percent owner has put its stake up for sale, drawing strong interest from rival food companies, who might want to sell the brand themselves.
Kirstie Foster, a spokeswoman for General Mills, said the company was interested in Mountain High to expand its reach into the all-natural and large-size yogurts, carried in 32-ounce and 64-ounce containers.
Asked whether Mountain High Yoghurt also represented a Plan B for General Mills, Foster said no.
“Mountain High is an exceptional brand that is experiencing exceptional growth,” she said.
Earlier this year, General Mills discontinued its Colombo yogurt brand, saying it wanted to focus its resources on national brands.
Source: The Pioneer Press
Scoop up some extra cash for the holiday season by filling out the World Dairy Diary Survey. By participating in our fast, easy survey, you could win $250 to spend on yourself or to help spread the joy to your friends and family.
Here’s all you need to do. Click on this link to complete the survey that will help the blogging team bring you more stories that are of interest to you. Once you’ve answered all the questions, enter to win $250 in cash. Each month, one winner will be chosen from all of the survey’s entrants. Non winners will be put into the drawing for the next month so there is no need to fill out the survey multiple times.
While you’re at it, weigh in on our monthly poll question. Considering the state of the dairy industry, is now a good time to increase production? You can sound off by posting a comment to this story, or sending your response to WDDPoll@hotmail.com. Select answers will be used in an upcoming story for the blog.
Posted: November 19, 2010 at 3:33 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
The AgChat Foundation has come up with a unique idea for you to use during this upcoming week of Thanksgiving. It’s called #foodthanks. It’s a way to show your thanks for the food we enjoy every day and the people who produce it.
So what you’re encouraged to do is go to the webpage where you’ll find images for your Twitter accounts and other web purposes. Tweet with the hashtag, #foodthanks, especially on November 24.
Remember that all this week is National Farm-City Week, always the week before Thanksgiving, to celebrate the important partnership between farm and urban residents in providing the nation with a bounty of food, fiber, fuel and a growing list of other other products. Chuck Zimmerman, president of World Dairy Diary’s parent company ZimmComm New Media, took part in a panel discussion to kick off Farm City Week held Thursday in Lancaster, PA. The panel addressed the urban media’s coverage of agriculture in the annual Farm-City Week Symposium “Agriculture: A Growing Story” and explored ways to promote the positive news about farming and ranching.
The symposium was broadcast live on AgriTalk and can be viewed here:
Milk production in the 23 major States during October totaled 14.8 billion pounds, up 3.3 percent from October 2009 and higher than the previous month as well. The September production numbers were revised by six million pounds to 14.5 billion pounds. Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,767 pounds for October, 47 pounds above October 2009. The number of milk cows on farms last month was 8.37 million head – 52,000 head more than October 2009, but unchanged from September 2010.
A slow down in the herd expansion caused USDA to back off some on earlier forecasts for higher production next year. USDA Outlook Board Chairman Gerry Bange says they now expect production to increase about 1.4 percent next year, down just a fraction from the previous forecast. “The reason we came off on that is we’re seeing a slower rate of growth in cow numbers at the moment,” said Bangee. “As a matter of fact, it looks like we might actually see lower cow numbers” by the end of 2011.
The forecast also slightly lowered the all milk price is forecast to average $16.30 to $16.40 per cwt for 2010 and $15.95 to $16.85 per cwt for 2011. “Non-fat dry milk prices have been running a little higher but butter prices have been running a little lower,” said Bange.
Posted: November 18, 2010 at 5:10 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA’s Dairy Industry Advisory Committee is expected to make recommendations soon on how to address the issues of milk price volatility and dairy farmer profitability.
“They are on track to make some preliminary recommendations in December or January,” said Vilsack during a press conference with farm broadcasters last week. “Obviously dairy prices have improved a little bit over where they were last year. I hope that doesn’t take away from the urgency of doing something because we can just as easily dip back into historic low prices as we did in 2009.”
Vilsack says the recommendations from the committee could take many forms. “It may be something that’s done through a regulatory process, or it may be something that requires legislation, or it may be something that’s appropriate to fold into a 2012 Farm Bill discussion,” he said.
Listen to or download Vilsack’s comments here: Vilsack Dairy
Posted: November 18, 2010 at 2:50 pm
By News Editor
Pennsylvania has a new composting facility, Oregon Dairy Organics, which will use up to 20,000 tons of manure from a Lancaster County farm, Oregon Dairy.
The Hurst family, which operates the dairy along with an adjacent grocery store, partnered with the Environmental Defense Fund and Terra-Gro Inc. of Peach Bottom, Pa., on the project.
The 5-acre facility will initially use bedded packed manure from the farm to make compost. But the goal is to eventually open it up to other area farmers with excess manure to bring their waste in.
There are also plans to take in food waste and possibly green waste, including grass clippings and leaves, in the future.
There are five hoop houses on the site. One will be used for screening and loading waste coming into the facility. Another will be used for active composting. Two other buildings will be used for storage, and a fifth will be used as a utility building.
The facility has the capacity to produce 16,000 cubic yards of compost a year.
George Hurst, owner of Oregon Dairy, said the facility will enable the farm to better deal with bedded packed manure, which he said is not as useful on the farm because of its no-till plantings. Hurst said it will also allow for possible expansion of the current 1,000-head herd, 500 of which are milking.
It will allow us to export some manure and allow for continued expansion in the future, Hurst said, adding that the facility will process around 30 percent of the total manure currently produced at the farm.
The compost will be sold wholesale, Martin said, with most of it eventually ending up in landscaping, athletics fields and as specialized topsoil blends.
Hurst said there is a possibility in the future that some of the compost may be sold for retail at the Oregon Dairy store.
Posted: November 18, 2010 at 2:40 pm
By News Editor
Lely has introduced a new generation of robotic milking systems: the Lely Astronaut A4.
Although this new Astronaut is filled with innovating features, the most revealing is that Lely has taken its vision on dairy automation one step further creating a product that allows even more freedom for the cow, more control for the farmer with more milk as a result. The natural way of milking.
The main revolutionary feature of the Lely Astronaut A4 cow box is the walkthrough design called the I-flow concept. Allowing the cow to walk straight in and out of the box eliminates any unnecessary obstacles, further reducing the threshold for the cow to enter the cow unit at her own pace. The spacious cow friendly design and positioning of the cow unit, allows for continuous interaction with the rest of the herd and thus eliminating unnecessary stress on the cow.
The Astronaut A4 is set up in a modular concept. A central unit features a central vacuum and cleaning system for up to two cow units. It is self-contained and a configuration with two cow units can span a distance up to thirty metres which ensures much more freedom and space for the positioning of the units in the barn. Due to its modularity, it is a valid option both for family farms of 300,000 litres up to farms that produce well over 10 million litres of milk annually. The Lely Astronaut A4 comes in two models, the Manager and the Operator versions, both with additional options to configure the Astronaut A4 designed to the specific needs of the farmer.
Besides these innovations the new Lely Astronaut A4 is filled with new technology such as a new milk friendly pump transporting the milk to the tank without rotating impellers which can damage the milk. To reduce downtime as much as possible, key wear parts have been changed into easy to replace cartridge systems.
Lely has explicitly refrained from automating the actions of milking itself; instead the company continues to build a system around the cow to make sure that cows like to be milked within a low-threshold system.
Successful robotic milking is a new style of farm management, where the decisions shift from the farmer to the cow. Farmers can control many factors on an individual cow basis; factors that cannot be controlled in a conventionally milked herd. Through Lely’s dedicated management program for dairy farmers; Lely’s T4C, a quick overview is generated on the performance of the herd, the robotic milking system and the cows that require attention. It allows farmers to focus on the cows that need him/her the most. The T4C management program is now also available on the robot itself and therefore available for management on the spot. It comes with an optional dynamic feeding module (DLM). This system automatically changes feed allocations per cow based on optimum cost benefit ratio to maximize profits.
I’m just a farmer,
Milk production in the 23 major States during October totaled 14.8 billion pounds, up 3.3 percent from October 2009 and higher than the previous month as well. The September production numbers were revised by six million pounds to 14.5 billion pounds. Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,767 pounds for October, 47 pounds above October 2009. The number of milk cows on farms last month was 8.37 million head – 52,000 head more than October 2009, but unchanged from September 2010.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA’s Dairy Industry Advisory Committee is expected to make recommendations soon on how to address the issues of milk price volatility and dairy farmer profitability.
