Michael J. Haas, a research biochemist at the United States Department of Agriculture has demonstrated that it is possible to turn butter and other dairy byproducts into biodiesel fuel. “It was something we wanted to show could be done,†he said of his groundbreaking dairy-to-diesel research, which was published in the June issues of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Haas’ inspiration was an 800 pound sculpture of Ben Franklin and the Liberty made of butter and displayed at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, in Harrisburg. Following the show, the organizers requested suggestions for what to do with the sculptures. Haas suggested turning it into biodiesel, stating that, “It had never been reported in the scientific literature.†The 800 pound Ben Franklin eventually yielded 75 gallons of biodiesel.
“Rancid butter is a fat,†said Emily Landsburg, chief executive of BlackGold Biofuels, a Pennsylvania company that has developed a process of converting fats and oils into biofuel. The molecular structure of fats and oils consists of a tendrils of fatty acids connected to a molecule of glycerin. The biofuel conversion process replaces this glycerin molecule with a methanol molecule.
While neither Haas nor Landsburg suggest turning the United States’ one billion pounds of annual butter production into fuel, they do suggest reusing dairy farm and other agricultural waste. “We took the project on as a demonstration of just how robust our technology was, that it could handle all kinds of low-grade waste,†Landsburg said.
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As of May 1 farmers will earn eight cents more a gallon for milk according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Prices will then be increased to $1.33 per gallon, which is still lower than the cost to produce the milk in California. Butter, cheese and powdered milk prices will also increase in May, ultimately raising the price paid for milk as well. Analysts expect the demand for cheese to drop though which meals there is still no certain outlook for dairy producers.
While dairy producers struggle with prices, producers across the state are also looking for relief.
Going on the fourth year of drought-conditions, California producers are still dealing with tight water supplies in California.
Although the Sierra snowpack is at 130 percent average, the Department of Water Resources said the state has not recovered from three years of drought. Many storage areas in various reservoirs across the state still sit below average. Hydrologists believe the snow run off will just absorb into the dry ground. Water conservation is necessary by all California citizens.
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USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed a letter he received from a number of consumer and U.S. farm advocate organizations asking that the USDA tighten the standards for animals and beef products imported from Canada. A letter cites a variety of slip-ups and breaches of manufacturing controls that could greatly effect the export industry across the United States.
The biggest concern follows the 18th case of mad cow disease (spongiform encephalopathy) in February. The issue is not only relevant to the beef industry, but dairy industry as well. Many dairy organizations have joined the fight for stricter restrictions as well.
The letter was sent by the American Agriculture Movement, the National Farmers Organization, R-CALF USA, the National Family Farm Coalition and other advocate groups. The letter states, “Above all other considerations, the health and safety of the people of the United States and United States’ livestock must come first – first before trade and first before international relations.”
One of the biggest changes the groups want is to ban the imports of animals over 30 months old. This is the group that is at most danger of being diseased. “Canada’s detection of 11 BSE-positive cattle born after March 1, 1999, cannot be considered isolated. It’s epidemiologically significant, and it does contribute to the spread of BSE,” the letter read.
No decision has been made, but the entire letter can be read here.
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It’s no secret the recession hit the agriculture industry- hard. However, in the past months improvements over the industries and crop growths have left California producers optimistic for the future.
Dairy Farmers were one of the hardest hit throughout the economic problems. For many months these producers have been selling milk for below production cost and often sought out governmental assistance to make up for losses. Although times are hard even now, according to the California Farm Bureau, a number of farmers believe after April things will start looking up with a higher demand for milk.
Cattle ranchers across California are also seeing light at the end of the tunnel. After a rough year the beef markets are finally recovering with an increse in beef exports. Winter rains also helped rangelands recover, providing more grazing land for cattle.
Finally, Apricot farmers were hesitant when crops were behind a few days. However, crops bounced back with impressive numbers and quality product. California is responsible for 90 percent of the apricot crops across the United States.
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Tom Vilsack announced the requirements and steps to apply for The Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment and Idaho economists are skeptic to weather the plan will truly help farmers in the end.
Mike Brown, dairy economist for Glanbia Foods in Twin Falls, said the program is a one time payment to farmers that limits payments to no more than six million pounds annually. This covers only 40 percent of Idaho’s milk production.
He feels that the smaller farms in the northeast and Midwest states are the only ones who will really benefit from the new program. Idaho dairy will only receive 13 cents for every 100 pounds of milk produced.
Although the money will help, it is not nearly enough to help Idaho farmers in crisis.
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USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $290 million that will be available to struggling dairy farmers is on its way.
When the plan was announced many dairy farmers urged the USDA to release the money sooner to assist the ailing industry.
The good news is the program now has a name, rules and a sign-up procedure.
The Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment has no officially date of release. However Vilsack said the payments are to be used to “help stabilize their operations during these tough economic times.”
The eligibility will be based on milk production and marketing between February and July of 2009. Producers must present production records to their local Farm Service Agency county office to be considered for participation. Payments will be based on individual cases.
Eligibility requirements include:
*Producers must have an annual average adjusted non-farm income of $500,000 or less for calendar years 2006 through 2008
*Producers must comply with USDA provisions for highly erodible land and wetlands
*Producers must not have been convicted of a controlled substance violation.
Those interested in the program can apply until January 19, 2010. Click here for more information.
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Foodies are always looking for the most whole way to consume food, but this is not always the safest.
Although it is against regulations, some Wisconsin farmers are in the raw milk sales. This is milk directly from the cow, without any pasteurization. However, officials have closed down raw milk sales at an Elkhorn, Wisconsin farm after two dozen people fell ill from bad milk.
Zinniker Farm Inc., was given an order after as many as 35 people from Walworth, Waukesha and Racine counties fell ill with campylobacter jejuni since August 13. This is a bacterial infection that causes digestive problems.
The disease was traced back to the farm and its cows. Since April state officials have been working to prohibit the sale of all raw milk in Wisconsin.
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Dean Foods Co. and the Dairy Farmers of America(DFA) have been slapped with a lawsuit from farmers who think the two companies have monopolized milk distribution in the Northeast.
The class-action law suit was filed on October 8 in the U.S. District Court in Burlington, Vermont. The DFA made a statement regarding the case. “It is disappointing that although Dairy Farmers of America activities in the Northeast have improved prices for cooperative members and independent producers alike, these charges are being brought against us.”
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USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack is putting together a group of industry representatives to review and recommend policies and procedures for volatile milk prices and profitability.
Those interested in the committee must be nominated and will be placed in the Dairy Industry Advisory Committee.
“The Obama administration is committed to working with all sectors of the dairy industry to develop changes to the dairy pricing system to avoid the boom and bust cycle behind the crisis facing many dairy farmers this year,†Vilsack said. “The input provided by the members of this committee will play an important role in building a more stable market for dairy producers in years to comeâ€
The committee will have 15 representatives from different backgrounds including producers, processors, handlers, academia, consumers, retailers and state agencies. Vilsack would like both organic and non-organic producers involved.
The committee members will elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson who will each serve a two-year term. Brandon Willis, deputy administrator of the Farm Service Agency’s Farm Programs, will serve as the committee’s executive secretary.
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The USDA announced it is increasing the payments to farmers under the government’s dairy price-support program.
Until the end of October, producers will be paid 10 percent more for any milk and cheddar cheese produced. The USDA estimates that this increase will boost revenue by $243 million.
USDA Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack said the increase was made to help farmers continue to operate during the dairy crisis.
The change comes following the poor conditions many farmers are facing with the current economic crisis in the dairy industry. Lawmakers and legislators from high-producing diary states were pushed for the USDA to increase payments.
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