What's the deal with milk right now?

The whole world is hurting right now. Over the last three weeks in the US alone, we lost more than 16 million jobs. I can't speak to every industry and business about how they are suffering, but I can shine a light on the current dairy market. And let me start by saying, it's not good. Even though farmers are "essential" and our work hasn't changed, our markets have. Our markets across all of agriculture are crashing. And dairy is being hit worse than most. While some farmers might be able to hold their crops or their livestock for a couple of days, weeks or even months, dairy can't do that. We can't tell our cows to stop producing milk. And since our product is highly perishable, we can't wait to sell it.

Sustainable Nutrition

Why are we dumping milk?

Currently, almost every area of the United States is dumping milk. Yes, dumping milk. Literally throwing it away. This may be a shock to you since most grocery stores are out of milk or limiting milk purchases. But because of Covid 19, our food supply has undergone a massive shift. Shifting from restaurants and schools to eating at home. So all the milk, cheese, sour cream, etc that was headed to restaurants and schools, no longer has anywhere to go. Yes, people are buying more dairy at the grocery stores, but our plants and systems can't make the change that quick. Creating a massive oversupply of milk.

Not only are our prices tanking to well below our break-even price, but it is extremely disheartening as a farmer to see your product go to waste when people need food. Farmers take pride in feeding people. Providing for our communities is at the heart of every farmer I know. These stresses are taking their toll on farmers across our countries. We will lose countless family farms and dairies in the months to come.In my opinion, one of our greatest strengths during this crisis has been our safe and abundant food supply. Yes, we may have seen some empty shelves. But overall, the American farmer has been able to provide for the American people. And that's something we should be proud of. Right now, our farmers need help. A lot of help, especially if we want to have any farms left when this is over.

What happens to the milk?

Let's talk about milk dumping and the environmental impact.As stories have come out across the country about milk being dumped, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive of dairy farmers. EXCEPT for the animal activists... Big surprise they are using this moment of stress and uncertainty to spread more lies about dairy farmers. An article was posted earlier this week about how dairies dumping raw milk could be killing fish. That is absolutely false.

When we "dump" milk, it actually goes down the drain and is stored in our lagoon along with the water used in the barn and manure. NOT dumped in rivers or streams. We sample the lagoon multiple times a year to see what the nutrient content is. We will monitor those nutrients and apply it to our fields at agronomic rates. (Meaning at a rate that the plants can take up the nutrients and utilize them properly.) And milk is actually 87% water. So we will be using it to water our crops along with the other water and manure mixed in the lagoon.

Managing our nutrients is nothing new for dairy farmers. We already sample, monitor, and analyze all aspects of our manure management system on a regular basis to protect our natural resources. And we will continue to do that throughout these challenging times.

Can the milk be donated?

A lot of people have asked if we could donate the excess milk to food banks. We would love to be able to provide for those in need, especially during these trying times. Unfortunately, it is so much more complicated than that. Right now, the milk bottling plants are full. There is no place to send the milk to be processed. And distribution systems are backed up to get the milk where it needs to go.

But we are not giving up! We know how important milk is for growing kids. And with schools out, many children are no longer getting their school breakfasts and lunches. We are working through the challenges. Dairy farmers across the nation are trying to get milk to those that need it especially children through programs like GenYOUTH and many others.

What are our other options?

We are trying to reduce our production to eliminate the waste. This is happening in a joint effort across the country. Dairy farmers are transitioning to feeding the milk directly to their calves. We are collaborating with local cattle ranchers and hog producers to supply their calves and pigs with extra milk. And we are even incorporating milk into our adult cows diets for added protein and fat.Farmers are amazing at adapting when faced with challenges. Hopefully, we will come out of this stronger and better together.

Udderly hopeful, New Mexico Milkmaid