Author: Michael Ferrari, PhD
VP, Applied Technology & Research

We’ve been discussing how the La Nina driven pattern has exerted a positive influence on  US dairy production in 2010, limiting seasonal heat stress in California while at the same time contributing to a pattern that supported a strong grazing season in nearly all producing regions.  As the [...]

Author: Michael Ferrari, PhD
VP, Applied Technology & Research
For some time, we have known about the positive relationship between La Nina-like conditions and milk production for US herds.  During an El Nino, conditions for much of the US may tend to be warmer and wetter, and as dairy cows exhibit sensitivity to heat stress and/or muddy [...]

Author: Michael Ferrari, PhD
VP, Applied Technology & Research
We have noted in the weekly US updates to our clients that July US milk production and yield numbers may need slight revision as a result of the heat event which occurred early in the month.  Total seasonal numbers for the US and specifically California are still going [...]

From the Ohio State Univ. Beef Team:
 
Down Go the Cattle Numbers – Again – Chris Hurt, Extension Economist, Purdue University
The nation’s beef herd continues to decline. After several years of financial difficulty, producers show no interest in rebuilding the herd. As a result, beef supplies will continue to decline and prices will [...]

Author: Michael Ferrari, PhD
VP, Applied Technology & Research
Looking at the June heat which spread across California’s central and southern valley milk producing regions towards the end of last month, we are factoring in the temperatures as a negative production impact.  Many herd locations experienced between four and seven days where daily max temperatures were above [...]

Author: Michael Ferrari, PhD
VP, Applied Technology & Research
(excerpt from our weekly dairy report)
As we discussed last week, WTI is focusing on the current El Nino as one of the primary supply drivers for the dairy market in 2010/11. As seen on our SST anomaly map (contact Weather Trends for details), the major El Nino [...]