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DAIRY ST R

Global markets create security for U.S. dairy Vilsack gives 10 reasons for export growth By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com

MADISON, Wis. – The global dairy industry is abounding with opportunity for U.S. dairy. That was the message Tom Vilsack reiterated throughout his presentation, “The Future of Dairy Exports: Responding to Challenges and Creating Opportunities,” Oct. 4 at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. Vilsack, president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, updated dairy farmers and industry representatives about the council’s 5% initiative and the opportunities that lie in the global dairy market, particularly in Asia, and Central and South American countries. “As long as we have this imbalance between consumption and production, domestically, it becomes very important for us to look for additional markets outside of the United States,” Vilsack said. “The reality is [the United States] represents roughly 5% of the consuming public, globally. Over the course of the next 10, 15 years, 97% of the world’s consumers will live outside of the United States.” In 2018, the United States sold 317,000 metric tons of dairy products more than in 2016, according to a report published by the USDEC; a value of $992 million of additional sales beyond 2016. This year’s data is not yet complete, but monthly numbers indicate another record year in exports, said Vilsack. To address this growing trend in consumer placement, Vilsack pointed to 10 reasons the nation’s dairy industry should be condent in the export market. No. 1, Japan: In late September, the United States conrmed a limited trade agreement with Japan, meaning it does not require Congressional approval to move forward. The partnership will put the United States on par with the European Union and New Zealand for dairy items sold to Japan. “By Jan. 1, 2020, we will begin to see the benets of this agreement,” Vilsack said. Market shares should remain Turn to VILSACK | Page 7

October 12, 2019

“All dairy, all the time”™

Volume 21, No. 16

Cumberland, WI bride to marry on pond that nearly cost her life

Change of fate

By Cassie Olson Contributing Writer

CUMBERLAND, Wis. – Booking vendors, inviting guests and preparing a ceremony are common stresses for a bride. Dora Hershberger’s biggest wedding stress, however, has been conquering her greatest fear: The pond that nearly claimed her life in August 2018. Hershberger and her ancé, Toby Borntreger, will marry on the 945-cow dairy CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR they both work at, Valley Vu Dan and Pam Schullo (leŌ) and their employees, Dora Hershberger and Toby Borntreger milk 945 cows on their farm near Cumberland, Wis. Hershberger and Borntreger will marry Turn to WEDDING | Page 6 on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the farm pond that nearly took Hershberger’s life in August 2018.

SCC reaches record low

Historical levels indicate a greater focus on milk quality By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com

NATASHA BARBER/DAIRY STAR

Jason Smelter milks 67 cows in Benton County near Foley, Minn. The dairy farmer maintains a somaƟc cell count below 100,000, which he aƩributes to clean and dry bedding, and a consistent milking rouƟne.

FOLEY, Minn. – Dairy farmers in the Upper Midwest Marketing Area are producing higher quality milk. In an analysis reviewing the values that make up milk production for Federal Order 30 in 2018, it was determined somatic cell count levels have dropped to a record low of 182,000 cells per milliliter. “The most surprising to note is the trend downward has continued for the entire time we have data,” said Dr. Corey Freije, agricultural economist with Federal Order 30. “The trend is milk is becoming a higher quality.” SCC was rst tracked in 2006 when analysis was used to compare Midwest dairy farmers’ pay price to that of other federal milk marketing orders. At the time, the weighted average SCC was 280,000 with a weighted standard deviation of 133,000, meaning those surveyed Turn to SCC | Page 5