If you’ve been wondering about the changes released in the FARM 5.0 Program and how they impact dairy producers, Beverly Hampton Phifer, Senior Director of Animal Care from the National Dairy FARM Program, joined us to talk through key changes and updates. From animal care standards to best practices for human resources, farm safety and overall workforce development, Beverly Hampton Phifer gave a detailed overview of some of these standards and how they can be part of producers’ day-to-day risk management strategies. With new versions (Version 5.0) of the Animal Care and Workforce Development Programs just released on July 1, 2024, she reviewed some of the key updates and how they impact dairy producers — including updates focused on refining and clarifying previous standards surrounding euthanasia, fitness for transport, calf management, and continuing education among others.

In our June "Protecting Your Profits" discussion, facilitated by Valerie Mason-Faith, Risk Education Manager at the Center, we featured Kathleen Noble Wolfley and Colin Kadis from Ever.Ag. They provide an overview of April’s Pennsylvania Scorecard numbers, Class III and Class IV prices and futures, milk production dynamics, domestic demand, dairy exports, macro markets, and Dairy Revenue Protection.

We held a special "Protecting Your Profits" webinar in March. Jayne Sebright, Executive Director at the Center, led the webinar and invited Cynthia Walters, Agricultural Program Specialist with the USDA, to provide an overview of changes in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program for 2024. With the Farm Bill extended through December, DMC enrollment is now open, with dairy farmers having until April 29 to enroll in the margin-based insurance coverage program.

Jayne Sebright also shared a short recap on where dairy markets are and what factors could influence the margins going forward in 2024.

We hosted a special edition of our monthly “Protecting Your Profits” webinar to kick off a new year. Rob Goodling from Horizon Farm Credit shared 17 performance indicators that have been gathered and analyzed by the Center, Penn State Extension, and Horizon Farm Credit as part of a joint project. A total of 220 herds of various sizes make up the data set in the findings that Goodling will share in the webinar. Ranging from herd performance metrics to financial performance metrics, the performance indicators can help Pennsylvania dairy farm families and the industry representatives who support them to compare their individual dairy performance against the “state” average.

Sebright also shared updates on dairy markets and market factors influencing dairy in early 2024.

December is a great time for planning, reflection, and looking at those controllables in your milk price . The Center’s Executive Director Jayne Sebright hosted the November “Protecting Your Profits” webinar. She shares her perspective on milk markets, supply factors, and what risk management programs are offering in terms of margin.

The Center’s Executive Director Jayne Sebright invited Zach Myers, who now serves as Director of Member Services for Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, back to the October “Protecting Your Profits” webinar. He shares his perspective on milk markets, supply factors, and what risk management programs are offering in terms of margin this fall.

The Center’s Executive Director Jayne Sebright invited Jacob Thompson, who serves as a Dairy Business Advisor for Land O’Lakes, back to the September “Protecting Your Profits” webinar. He shares his perspective on milk markets, supply factors, and what risk management programs are offering in terms of margin right now.

In our August “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, The Center’s Executive Director Jayne Sebright invited Jacob Thompson, who serves as a Dairy Business Advisor for Land O’Lakes, to share his perspective on milk markets, supply factors, and what risk management programs are offering in terms of margin right now.