Ag Alert Jan. 26, 2022

Dairy Continued from Page 43

79720 “Thedrive towards efficiency is evident no matter where the dairy is located,” SousaandLaMendolawrote. “California’s herd size, at just over 1,400 cows, is much larger than the national average of 300 but consistent with other Western states such as NewMexico at 2,357 cows, Texas at 1,653 or Idaho at 1,466.” What we see: The challenge is particularly tough for family dairy farmers, as the business has become dominated by a smaller number of exceptionally large operations. What you see: the nation in milk production, but their rate of growth during the past 10 years stood at 0.22%—far less than other pro- ducing regions such as the Southwest at nearly 3%or theMidwest at 2.5%, accord- ing to Sousa and LaMendola. “For two decades between 1988 and 2008, the state added over 760,000 cows,” their report noted. “Indeed, cow num- bers inCalifornia hit a peak of nearly 1.85 million head in 2008.” (Bob Johnson is a reporter in Monterey Coun t y . He may b e c on t a c t ed a t bjohn11135@gmail.com.)

What

Sousa and LaMendola wrote. “At the same time, diversification allows for an on-farm ‘hedge’ against potentially volatile milk markets.” Sousa and LaMendola forecast a tough feedmarket outlook forCaliforniadairies. “On top of higher transportation costs, the base price of corn and protein have also increased rapidly over the past year,” they wrote. “Demand has been solid, es- pecially from China, and hits to crops in other growing regions likeBrazil have cur- rent balance sheets tight. The outcome of the 2021 harvests will be key to California producer margins in the year ahead.” The cost of doing business as a dairy farmer is also higher in California be- cause of regulations designed to protect water and air quality. “Environmental issues are a signif- icant challenge for dairies operating in California. This has been a factor in the decline in the number of dairies and dairy cows in California,” Sousa and LaMendola wrote. “It has contributed to higher costs of production and frustra- tion with understanding and complying with a myriad of laws and regulations. “However, the industry has also come to understand this and has found ways to streamline compliance to reduce the

7972

What you see:

According to the “Current Trends and Challenges for the Western Dairy Industry” report, the base price for corn and protein has increased rapidly, and business costs are also higher in California.

cost, risk and frustration of doing busi- ness in California.” Nitrates in groundwater is one issue, and regulators are requiring dairy farm- ers find more environmentally sound— and often expensive—ways of managing their manure. California legislation requires dairy farmers and livestock producers to re- duce their manure methane emissions by 40% by 2030. The state has allocated $369 million to help accomplish that goal, the pair reported. “Dairies have used that funding to up-

grade their facilities and diversify their revenue streams with dairy digesters, turning lemons into lemonade,” the re- port said. Despite the higher cost of land and feed and environmental regulations, California dairy farmers continue to lead

What you see:

What we see:

What you see:

What we see:

Purina ® Omolene ® Fee The textured feed you’ Keep your horse perfor nutritious fuel sources for gastric support and retailer, or visit purinam

Purina ® Omolene ® Feeds, now with Outlast ® Supplement. The textured feed you’re used to has changed for the better. Keep your horse performing with confidence with the same nutritious fuel sources, now with Outlast ® Supplement for gastric support and proper pH. Talk to your local Purina retailer, or visit purinamills.com/omolene © 2019 Purina Animal Nutrition LLC. All rights reserved. Feed shown is Omolene ® 200 Horse Feed. Other feeds may vary.

Puri a ® Omolene ® Feeds, now with Outlast ® Supplement. The textured feed you’re used to has changed for the better. Keep your horse performing with condence with the same nutritious fuel sources, now with Outlast ® Supplement for gastric support and proper pH. Talk to your local Purina retailer, or visit purinamills.com/omolene

AGOURA HILLS WEST VALLEY HORSE CENTER 818-991-5210 www.westvalleyhorsecenter.com

HANFORD SANCHEZ FEED & SEED 559-582-1787 Find us on Facebook!

OROVILLE ADVANCED SOILAND GARDEN SUPPLY

2391A0012_PM_Omolene_8x10.5_AD_v2_REV_1

530-533-2747 asgsshop.com

Purina ® Omolene ® Feeds, now with Outlast ® Supplement. The textured feed you’re used to has changed for the better. Keep your horse performing with condence with the same nutritious fuel sources, now with Outlast ® Supplement for gastric support and proper pH. Talk to your local Purina retailer, or visit purinamills.com/omolene

2391A0012_PM_Omolene_8x10.5_AD_v2_REV_1

California Bureau size 4.5 x 5 FOLSOM

REDDING CROWN MOTORS 530-241-4321 www.crowndodgecalifornia.com YUBA CITY JOHN L. SULLIVAN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM 530-742-6406 www.johnlsullivandodgechrysler.com

FOLSOM LAKE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM 916-355-9999 www.folsomcdjr.com RED BLUFF RED BLUFF DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM 530-366-3166 www.redbluffdodge.com

44 Ag Alert January 26, 2022