Did We Run Out Of Cows??

Escargot wrote:
Higher fuel costs, and in the case of California, the drought is making produce prices rise.

I'd sure send you folks some of this water we here on the east coast have and continue to get if I could. For the last few years, we have had lots of rainfall. Summer, winter, etc. we've had it.

It's way too simple. FEED. Hay, grass, grain, takes water and good growing conditions without extremes of heat, cold, wet, etc. Check the weather and look back three months and check what was predicted to happen. They are shipping feed from Idaho to California right now, with a one or two cut reduction in production this season. Like milk, pay the price, like beef, pay the price, they are both more expensive than other food basics, and are now reflecting that cost.

DiskDoctr wrote:
Cows eat corn. Corn is being redirected to make fuel. Companies who use this food for fuel are subsidized AND get tax breaks.

There is more net profit in using food for fuel than for food.

If you think those prices are bad, hold onto your butt about Nov-Dec as the weather turns very cold.

Oil and tobacco get subsidies.

Remember the kid coming in need milk too, and you are buying it.

2012 drought in the Midwest caused a lot of cattle to be sold off for slaughter because we couldn't afford to feed them hay all summer and winter(we sold 2/3 of our herd off). Then the super cold last winter and blizzard conditions in Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota caused massive die offs last fall and winter. Fewer cows means higher prices for beef products.

was just at the store a gal of borden was 6.99

I'm aware of the market pressures, but this was somewhat sudden. I'm wondering if the drought in California is driving a lot of it?

rockhillmanor wrote:
I quit drinking milk years ago when I moved up North to Wisconsin and got to REALLY see all what they do to, and all what they give dairy cows. I.E. growth hormones, antibiotics and not adhering to the withdrawal dates before milking and the lack of actual testing before it goes into the gallon of milk we purchase. :(

Even at high milk prices that's a low co-pay for the antibiotics!

I quit drinking milk years ago when I moved up North to Wisconsin and got to REALLY see all what they do to, and all what they give dairy cows. I.E. growth hormones, antibiotics and not adhering to the withdrawal dates before milking and the lack of actual testing before it goes into the gallon of milk we purchase. :(

DiskDoctr wrote:
Cows eat corn. Corn is being redirected to make fuel. Companies who use this food for fuel are subsidized AND get tax breaks.

There is more net profit in using food for fuel than for food.

If you think those prices are bad, hold onto your butt about Nov-Dec as the weather turns very cold.

Hmmmmmm? I fed my cows hay.