Farm Horizons
•
tion sponsored a dairy management workshop in Hutchinson.
Speakers addressed a roomful of local dairy farmers from
four counties regarding factors that have affected the industry, pointing out reasons for the current low prices.
For instance, recent international tensions have resulted in
reduced US dairy exports.
When Russia invaded and annexed the Crimean peninsula
in Ukraine, western nations, including the US, voiced disapproval with political sanctions. In August 2014, Russia fought
back by banning many western imports – including dairy
products. The ban is still in effect. Here in the US, when supply swells, prices fall, and dairy producers feel the impact.
Around this time, China also reduced its imports of US
dairy products. Dr. Marin Bozic, assistant professor in dairy
foods marketing economics at the University of Minnesota,
explained that China had stocked up on enough dairy powders that it no longer needed any more, and dramatically reduced what it brought in from the US.
On the other hand, Bozic also pointed out that China
changed its one-child family policy to allow married couples
to have two children. “Expect dairy demands to go up as a
result,” Bozic noted.
There are other reasons for optimism. One is a renewed
interest in authentic dairy products in the US.
The June 2014 cover of Time magazine announced that
“Butter is Back.” This is good news for Minnesota dairy
farmers. The idea that saturated fat and cholesterol are unhealthy is beginning to change – and the June cover of Time
reflects the contrast from the magazine’s 1984 cover warning
about cholesterol.
Urgent
C A R E
health care. . .
when you need it.
Urgent Care Hours:
Mon.-Thurs. 8 a.m.-7 p.m.;
Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; &
Sat. 9 a.m.-Noon
3 Century Ave. | Hutchinson, MN | 320-234-3290 | 800-944-2690
www.HutchHealth.com
Equal Opportunity Employer
April 4
•
Page 27
As studies have produced more accurate dietary models,
there has been an epiphany. Fat is no longer seen as the root
of all evil. The dietary culprit is sugar.
As a result, fast food chain McDonald’s is bringing butter
back, too.
“McDonald’s is our number one supporter,” Rick Jeurissen
said.
Jeurissen has 150 cows on his Lester Prairie farm. A Minnesota dairy farmer his entire life, he learned the business
from his father. Jeurissen is on the board of the McLeod
County Dairy Association, and is familiar with the challenges local farmers face.
While McDonald’s does use milk products in items like
the McCafe series and cheese on its sandwiches, the decision to switch to butter was announced just a few months ago.
Large quantities will be required from the dairy community.
Another point made at the dairy management workshop
was that promotional approaches seem to be more effective
than advertising, and less costly.
One example is the NFL partnership called Fuel Up to
Play 60. Describing itself on fueluptoplay60.com, it is “an
in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched
by National Z\