Please give a hearty IDP welcome to Best Forage, our newest Gold Sponsor, and read about them below. You can also visit with them at our remaining IDP regional dairy meetings: 

We at Best Forage are proud to support Indiana Dairy Producers. Our history with the dairy industry runs deep as we are lifetime Indiana dairy farmers ourselves, being the 5th and 6th generation returning to our family operation. We share our passion along with our practical, hands-on experience of growing, storing, and feeding high quality forages to dairy cows while assisting our customers in achieving higher results on their farms. We distribute a full line of forage and cover crop seed while also working in field with farmers to help them achieve higher digestible yields by an average of 30-40%. Our efforts can positively effect 95% of your milk check by increasing the milk margin over feed costs. The bottom line is a more profitable dairy and a lasting partnership.

We are excited about our alliance with Indiana's hard working Dairy Producers. Feel free to contact us to set up an on farm introduction with a Best Forage representative and discover what we have to offer.  

You can reach us at (888) 836-3697 or by emailing us at info@bestforage.com.

Please welcome Merial to our list of Silver IDP Members and hear about their product line that is so valuable to the dairy industry! A Merial rep will be on hand at the IDP regional dairy meetings. 

Merial Inc. is a division of Sanofi with company headquarters based in Lyon, France and Duluth, Georgia. Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 6,200 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. In 1981, Merial had one of the largest breakthrough's in the animal health industry with its' line of IVOMEC� (ivermectin) brand products. This product revolutionized parasite control amongst a wide variety of domestic species and increased profitability for producers' worldwide, and is still on the market today.

   Still looking for that perfect New Year's resolution? While many people concentrate on weight loss, personal growth, or financial stability, the New Year is a perfect time to set goals and prepare a plan for growth and risk management within the dairy operation. Young and beginning farmers have ample opportunities with Farm Credit Mid-America (FCMA) to, prepare annual financial statements, walk through a business plan and attend Know to Grow, our educational program for young and beginning farmers to help set the stage for a successful year within the farm operation.

   "One of the most important things that a dairy farmer can do is sit down and create a year-end balance sheet," says Gary Book, business analyst from FCMA. "Setting a goal to create consistent, 12/31 balance sheets allows for us to calculate the true income of an operation and determine what options there are for financing, as well as identify strengths and weaknesses."  

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Protein markets top the voice, as Canola seed crush is not currently profitable, as Canadian farmers are sitting on seed, making seed expensive vs. products; giving less canola meal supply to the dairy user. As oil sales are weak at this time, this will continue for next six week or so. Basis values are softer, though supported by this idea, Basis levels are not projected to be the weaker levels that the dairies are used to seeing. Spot meal/pellet offers are available more, however, as railroads have improved service to the vendors. Check with merchandisers for quotes.

Soybean meal exports were high in fourth quarter. Here in Feb they slow down and basis levels are weakening some vs. March forward. As the meal CME futures are low, it may be a nice time to lock in some partial needs of soy or canola meals.

Cottonseed has found its way back into rations with the higher push on protein and are showing steady supplies and a weaker offering thru summer. A shorter planting this fall is predicted given cotton values.

Soyhulls stay a low cost therefore, they too stay in as a good fiber source and good value.  

DDGS (distillers w/soluble) was again bought up in volume by China and other countries for Feb - Mar. (began in Dec.), and now as some ethanol plants slow down a little, that too may keep the DDGs feed supplies tight thru spring.  

Gluten feed pellets seem to be holding steady to lower, with production at about half speed at processors, keeping pellet supply tighter and wet feed available readily, though a little higher in moisture than normal.  This ingredient will continue to soften and may fit more in rations going forward.

Hominy feed seems to be steady in rations as a good clean product is made, also as a good alternative to some north eastern corn that was showing some vomitoxins on farm.

Citrus pulp pellets are showing some weakness as well with exports slower, about a $20 disc. to recent offers. A good sugar/fiber source in rations. Offers are available thru Nov.

Seems as though the rations are again a little tricky this year with old corn silage and the transition occurs to new silage variance, as some froze early, not fermenting properly and maturity was off.   Some are also seeing "the better the corn and silage, the more attention to detail to get the high components up in milk, ration may need to be tweaked". Last year's corn quality was somewhat worse, but gave great components.  Everything needs a balance. Stay warm this winter and be safe. Ground hog has told his story.

At our IDP regional dairy meetings, questions surfaced multiple times about the new Fairlife milk and Coca Cola. Articles are all over about this new product launch, featuring milk from Fair Oaks Dairy in Indiana.  Here are a couple of links:

The CFO Guidance Manual is a tool for producers to understand the rule language and know what is expected to maintain compliance with IDEM regulations affecting their operation.

As we heard a number of suggestions for improvement from producers and commodity groups, we decided to make revisions and update the guidance manual.  You can find a download link to the new manual on IDEM's webpage here. 

Of particular note, the new guidance manual includes a more thorough explanation of the restriction on manure application to frozen and snow covered ground, perimeter tile drain systems, manure application calculations regarding phosphorous limits, as well as important information for the issues surrounding the marketing and distribution of manure.