9-13 NWR Dairy Going Up

"In a move United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack calls a "robust, comprehensive safety net," the U.S. Depart of Agriculture will purchase nearly 11 million pounds of cheese. That cheese, valued at $20 million, is part of a nationwide cheese surplus which hasn't been this high in 30 years. While the cheese will go to places like local food banks through USDA nutrition assistance programs, the reduction in surplus will help struggling dairy farmers across the country." Those are words from John Newton, who works for the American Farm Bureau Federation back in August when things looked a little bit bleak for members of the dairy industry. However, recent news coming from the heart of dairy country in Idaho, magicvalley.com, is a little more positive giving some sign that the USDA's cheese initiative may have stimulated something good.

"Dairy farm profit margins are really looking good for 2017," said Dave Kurzawski, a dairy analyst with FC Stone. Stronger demand for cheese coupled with three straight months of price increases in the global dairy auctions are providing hope that the slump is finally nearing the end.

Elsewhere, and in a story that is picking up steam thanks to San Francisco backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the Associated Press reports that supermodel Kate Upton has condemned the four Miami Dolphins players who knelt during the national anthem on Sunday, writing on Instagram that their actions are "a disgrace to those people who have served and currently serve our country."