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Dairy HorizonThe Numbers Game |
MIKE SCHOMMER
and DAVE WEINAND |
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A look at the numbers shows Minnesota's dairy industry faces challenges but has cause for hope, says Minnesota Department of Agriculture dairy specialist Dave Weinand. Weinand provided an updated snapshot of Minnesota's dairy industry at the September 17 Dairy Leaders Roundtable meeting. Some specifics: Good News! Class III milk prices were approaching $16 per hundredweight in early September. This is the highest level for milk prices in several years. Ouch. Minnesota lost 182 dairy farms from June through September, 561 total so far in 2001Ñmore than had been lost in each of the previous two years. While part of this is due to the fact that many dairy farmers are at or near retirement age, it's still less than encouraging. Good News! Higher milk prices could slow the loss of farms somewhat. Good News! Minnesota's overall milk production stayed consistent at 2.32 billion pounds from the first to the second quarter of 2001. Ouch. Because U.S. milk production during the second quarter rose from 41.3 billion pounds in the first quarter to 42.6 billion pounds in the second quarter, Minnesota's share of the nation's milk production dropped from 5.63 percent to 5.46 percent. Good News! The Dairy Leaders Roundtable has set a goal to build Minnesota's share of the nation's milk production to 6.7 percent. Good News! With your help, that's an achievable goal. |
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