Ag Briefs: Worried about bird flu? UW educators can help protect your livestock
MADISON, WI
UW Dairy educators provide resources to help farmers protect cattle from HPAI
The University of Wisconsin Division of Extension Dairy Program Area educators have created an HPAI factsheet with pertinent information and helpful resources outlining key action steps to help dairy farmers protect their animals from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
In response to the recent outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle, the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Division of Extension Dairy Program Area outreach educators have created an HPAI factsheet with pertinent information and helpful resources that outline what we know about HPAI and important action steps.
Dairy farmers and the industry should prioritize strategies aimed at prevention, early detection, biosecurity, and effective management to mitigate the spread of this disease. As of April 3, 2024, there are no changes to the Wisconsin state regulations concerning dairy cattle transport. To stay up to date, visit the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services website and sign up for updates from DATCP on their website.
MADISON, WI
State's corn stocks up considerably, while soybean stocks lower than 2023
Corn stored in all positions in Wisconsin on March 1, 2024, totaled 359 million bushels, up 14 percent from March 1, 2023, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Grain Stocks report. Of the total stocks, 54 percent were stored on-farm. The December-February 2024 indicated disappearance totaled 91.8 million bushels, 9 percent below the 101 million bushels from the same quarter the previous year.
Soybeans stored in all positions in Wisconsin on March 1, 2024, totaled 52 million bushels, down 1 percent from March 1, 2023. Of the total stocks, 37 percent were stored on-farm. Indicated disappearance for December-February 2024 was 30.2 million bushels, 18 percent below the 36.8 million bushels from the same quarter the previous year.
MADISON, WI
Wisconsin dairymen awarded World Dairy Expo recognition awards
Operators and owners of an Evansville dairy will be honored by World Dairy Expo as Dairy Producers of the Year at this year's Expo. Mike Larson, Ed and Barb Larson, Sandy Larson and Jim Trustem of Larson Acres will be formally honored during the Recognition Awards Banquet at World Dairy Expo on Oct. 2, 2024.
The Larson family has been farming in southern Wisconsin for nearly a century. Milking 2,800 Holsteins in both a conventional double-20 parallel parlor and a cross-ventilated double-22 parallel parlor, the herd averages 109 pounds of energy-corrected milk daily, with a 4.68% fat, 3.4% protein and 56,000 somatic cell count.
In addition to stellar production records, Larson Acres has bred 130 Excellent cows, 16 Gold Medal Dams, 40 Dams of Merit, four Gold Medal Sires and 16 regional and/or national Elite Performer Award recipients.
NECEDAH, WI
Marquis and United Coop announce the sale of Marquis’ Necedah ethanol facility
Marquis and United Cooperative announced the sale of Marquis’ Necedah, Wisconsin, ethanol facility to United Cooperative. The facility will operate under the new name of United Energy Necedah LLC. The asset sale will be effective May 31, 2024, ensuring a seamless transition for grain customers and staff.
The Necedah facility, which procures 36,000,000 bushels of regionally-grown corn annually, has an annual production capacity of 100 million gallons of ethanol, along with DDGs, high-protein animal feed, and corn oil. The ethanol facility employs more than 50 staff members and will continue to provide
SONOMA COUNTY, CA
California’s Sonoma County inches closer to ban on CAFOs
AgDaily reported that a ballot initiative in Sonoma County, California, aims to restrict the size of livestock and poultry farms. The initiative has earned enough signatures to be included on the November ballot or be enacted as an ordinance, sparking debate between supporters and the local agricultural community.
The Coalition to End Factory Farming, a group consisting of roughly 30 anti-animal activists and environmentalists who want to ban CAFOs, is behind the initiative, which received 37,183 signatures of the 19,746 required signatures or 652 verified signatures from a sample size of 1,115 names. The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters is currently validating the signatures.
After verification, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will decide the initiative’s fate ‒ they can either adopt the ordinance or present it to voters in November or during a special election. The board is currently within the allotted 30 days to make their decision.
PARIS, France
World food prices rebound from three-year low, says UN agency
World food prices rebounded in March from a three-year low, boosted by increases in vegetable oils, meat and dairy products, according to the United Nations food agency's latest price index.
Reuters reported that the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) index, which tracks the most globally traded food commodities, averaged 118.3 points in March, up from a revised 117.0 points the previous month.
International food prices have fallen sharply from a record peak in March 2022 at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of fellow crop exporter Ukraine.