TheDairySite Newsletter - 17 September 2010

Friday 17th September 2010

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Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial: UK Consults on Badger Cull to Check Bovine TB

Proposals for additional measures to help control bovine tuberculosis in cattle in the UK have been put forward for public consultation by Agriculture Minister Jim Paice.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is consulting on a proposal to issue licences to farmers and landowners who wish to cull and/or vaccinate badgers at their own expense.

These licences would be subject to strict licence criteria to ensure badger control is done effectively, humanely and with high regard for animal welfare.

However, there is still growing frustration in the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) over the lack of action on bovine tuberculosis (TB) in wildlife.

The UFU says DEFRA's decision to progress a badger cull in England in an effort to control TB reinforces the need for similar action in Northern Ireland.

In Australia, a new report shows most Australian dairy farmers remain confident about the industry despite continuing uncertainty around grain and dairy prices, although there are significant regional differences.

Analysis undertaken by Dairy Australia as part of the Dairy Australia’s 2010 Situation and Outlook Update report has also revealed that international commodity prices have stabilised, with China’s increasing milk powder imports a driving force behind the continuing demand for dairy products.

There was also good news for some dairy farmers in the UK. Tesco is raising the price it pays to its preferred group of milk suppliers by just over a penny a pint.

The new rate of 28.18p per litre - a rise of 1.28p - will come into effect at the start of October.

Chris Harris

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 3 new features this week:

The Dry Cow Period Step-By-Step
Jantijn Swinkels and Rinse Jan Boersma, of Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health look at the dry cow period step by step, emphasising events and opportunities to maximise the next lactation.

US Feed Outlook - September 2010
A decrease in corn production for 2010 has been seen from last month, according to the USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS).

World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate - September 2010
The forecast for 2011 has been reduced as higher feed prices encourage cattle producers to keep cattle on forage longer and tempers pork, broiler, and turkey production gains, according to the USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Company News

Merial Statement On PETA Allegations Against PLRS
US - Merial has released a statement on allegations from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) against Professional Laboratory and Research Services Inc. (PLRS).

Global Dairy Cattle Industry News