Stepping out this morning to start chores under the light of the big waxing gibbous moon gave pause to consider the sounds of a cold January morning.
“Winter groans its morning greeting with each step on the frigid January snow.
Quieted, the soil beneath, each underfoot sound a winter’s gloat that it’s taken charge of our beloved rural landscape.
But every January sun rises higher to temper winter with reminders that, weeks from now, groaning snow will become bubbling streams.” — Scott Schultz
Some of the farm news highlighted by the day’s crispness:
— The U.S.-Canada-Mexico Trade Agreement got a step closer to ratification
yesterday, with the U.S. Senate’s Finance Committee voting 25-3 to move the
agreement for a full Senate vote. Republicans Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island voted against its approval. Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy
Baldwin said after the vote that she will vote with the full Senate to ratify the agreement. Baldwin had voted against the North American Trade Agreement, which was similar to the new agreement but which had been scrapped by President Trump. The full Senate vote is expected any time from the next few days to the next few weeks. Farm groups are praising the action, saying the ratification will re-start and possibily improve agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico.
— Wisconsin’s cheese production rebounded during November after a production reduction in October. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday that Wisconsin cheese plants produced 284.3 million pounds of cheese during November, which was a 0.3 percent increase compared with November of 2018. The state’s November production included 83.5 million pounds of American cheese, 58 million pounds of cheddar, 139.7 million pounds of Italian, and 90.5 million pounds of Mozzarella. Nationally, cheese plants turned out about 1.10 billion
pounds of cheese in November.
The dairy industry continues to react after this week’s news that another major dairy company announced its intention to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Borden Dairy Company Inc. officials say declines in milk consumption and profits make it impossible for the company to keep up with its debt load. The Chapter 11 filing in Delaware said the company has between $100 million and $500 million in assets and liabilities. Unlike Dean Foods, which two months ago declared its intent to file for Chapter 11 protection, Borden officials say they would like to find a way to continue business after more than 160 years of operation; normal production will continue during the process.
— Loyal auctioneer Mark Oberholtzer is one of three Wisconsin auctioneers who today are attempting to qualify for the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship. The Wisconsin auctioneers are among 36 seeking top-10 qualification spots during the WLAC regional in Overland Park, Kansas.
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