MPO Milk Bulletin 24 November 2017

During the first ten months of 2017, 2 547 million litres of milk were delivered to dairies, 2,1% more than during the same period last year. Earlier calving, the more favourable milk-to-feed price ratio, the availability of roughage and fewer disease-related problems than in 2016 all contributed to the increase in production. Milk intake in October is estimated at 320 million litres, 5% more than in October 2016. Monthly actual and estimated milk intake is published by Milk SA after evaluation and approval by the Industry Information Workgroup, a group in which the MPO, Sampro and Milk SA are represented.

The Land Bank has launched a financing scheme for farmers in specific drought-stricken areas. The scheme provides soft loans to these farmers to enable them to recover from the effects of the drought. Click HERE for a presentation on this scheme.

Eleven South African cheeses were judged the winners at the 30^th annual World Cheese Awards in London. They certainly stood out from the crowd as over 3 000 entries were judged in a single day at Tobacco Dock on Friday, 17 November.
Dalewood Huguenot from Dalewood Fromage, sponsored by Agri Expo, has been named the Best South African Cheese and came joint third overall in this year’s competition. Dalewood also received a gold award for another entry.
Belnori Boutique Cheesery walked away with four awards – two bronze, one silver and one gold and Parmalatwith a bronze and silver award. Klein River Cheese and Meze Foods each received a silver award while Langbaken Cheese received a bronze award.
With entries from a record-breaking 35 different countries judged at the 30^th anniversary edition of the World Cheese Awards, which formed part of this year’s Taste of London Festive Edition, these cheese producers shone a spotlight on South African cheese on this truly international stage.
The MPO is proud of their outstanding achievements and congratulates them!
Watch the video HERE.

The National Animal Health Forum (NAHF) was established in 2006 by a group of concerned veterinarians and animal production groups.  There was a need for a forum where veterinarians and various animal production groups could liaise with government about matters relating to animal disease control.  The Animal Health Forum meets regularly with the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries. The agenda of the National Animal Health Forum meetings contains topics of discussion that vary from the Veterinary Strategy Plan and the northern livestock border fence to diseases such as brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, ovine Johne’s disease, African horse sickness, bovine malignant catarrhal fever and peste des petits ruminants.  Milk SA, the MPO and Sampro are playing an active role in the NAHF. Please visit the NAHF’s website at http://nahf.co.za/ and have a look at their activities.

 

Dairy farmers in KwaZulu Natal are invited by the MPO and WWF to a Water & Waste Information Day at the Association Hall on Thursday, 30 November from 09:30 to 13:00.
The programme includes step-by-step guidance to slurry dam registration and a practical guide to selecting and installing water meters. Click HERE for the programme.
RSVP to Sue Viljoen by 24 November at sviljoen@wwf.org.za or 033 343 1464. For more information, contact Barbara Bieldt at barbara@mpo.co.za or 012 843 5600.

Cabinet recently approved the proposed amendments to three B-BBEE sector codes, including the one for agriculture. The amended sector codes will be gazetted by the Minister of Trade and Industry shortly.
For advice on the implications of the amended Agri B-BEE sector code on dairy farmers, click HERE.

New Zealand dairy group Fonterra announced that its domestic milk output was 3% higher in October compared to 2016. The increase in production is expected to have a negative effect on international dairy product prices. Fonterra stated: “Weather conditions improved towards the latter part of the month (pushing up production).”
Global dairy prices increased in the second quarter, but have been volatile since. To read more, click HERE.

Senior associate director of dairy professional veterinary services at Boehringer Ingelheim, Linda Tikofsky, shared tips for using cultures to identify and treat mastitis based on the pathogen. Follow the following four principles:

• Take a sample before the cow is treated;
• culture the sample;
• treat according to results; and
• use a narrow-spectrum antibiotic.

To read more, click HERE.