Dairy Today articles

I wanted to share these. I think you will find they are relevant, eye-opening, or at least, new information.

Need to know: WE EXPORT DAIRY

1.) The market fluctuates, but some examples are 2008: $3.8 billion. March of last year: $291 million.
2.) Products include: cheese, whey protein concentrate, dry milk, butter fat, and more
3.) Most goes to Asia (China, S. Korea, Japan) but also to the Middle East, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Need to know: What does somatic cell count mean?
The absolute basic explanation: somatic cells show up in milk when cow is fighting infection, an indicator of bacterial presence. SCC is used to grade milk. (This is very basic. There are easy places to learn more.)


==============The articles==============

The first is "Not Good Enough." If you read any of them, read this one. It's short but right to the point. http://www.agweb.com/article/dairy_talk__not_good_enough_/

Second: more about exports. This is facts and figures of the market. Who buys what, how much, and how it has fluctuated in recent years. Interesting if you like economy. *yawn* http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/article/export_bound_u.s._processors_respond_to_growing_global_market_/

Third: More related to the "Not Good Enough." If you want to know the history and nitty gritty about the EU standards, etc. http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/article/400000_by_default__/

Last: A brief accountability action being taken in CA. It made me think of Pollan and the idea of the name-on-the-bag, farmer's reputation, concepts. Keep in mind: CA has many practices, regulations and standards that differ from the rest of the U.S., most significantly with regards to cow care. http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/article/vouching_for_cow_care__/

I really hope everyone can read the first one.