06/24/08 Milk production

The USDA says that milk production for May was 3.4 percent ahead of a year ago, the dairy herd had 162 thousand more animals than a year ago and milk per cow up 25 pounds above May of 2007. However says Outlook Board Chairman Gerald Bange says things are changing, the cow herd is getting smaller as we speak. BANGE "In 2009 we will probably see lower cow numbers. This relates in part to an adjustment in the industry related to the higher feed costs. Also think there is some anecdotal evidence that lower BST use and that has slowed the rate of increase in the output per cow." That could mean 2009 milk production increasing only one half a percent with the all milk price holding at about 18.65 per hundredweight. BANGE "Milk producers are facing increased costs of production and their net returns certainly are being pinched by the higher cost of production." The Idaho Beef Council has named Traci O'Donnell as its new executive director. She has more than 15 years business experience most recently with Stoltz Group but previously with Pepsi and Simplot Foods. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott