In This Issue:

CDFA Data

The California Department of Agriculture recently published the annual dairy data for 1998. Some items have already been reported in the last "Milklines" and can also be found in the UCCE bulletin "The Dairy Industry in Tulare County," both of which are available at the Cooperative Extension office. There were several points of interest in the CDFA data. California leads the nation in milk production with 27.6 billion pounds and followed by Wisconsin and New York with 22.8 and 11.7 billion pounds, respectively. California had 1.4 million cows in 1998, second largest behind Wisconsin, on 2,246 dairies. California produced approximately 17.5% of the national milk and had an average yield per cow daily of 12% greater than the USA average.

Curiously enough, the CDFA data also noted that the California/cow/year milk yield average has slipped from 20,439 in 1994 to 19,442 lbs/head/year in 1998. Meanwhile, cash receipts from farm marketing of milk and cream rose in 1998 to $4.3 billion, compared to $3.6 billion for 1997. This resulted from increased cow numbers and relatively high milk prices. Between 1997 and 1998, total production rose only 0.1%. On a national basis, milk and cream sale receipts rose from $20.9 billion in 1997 to $24 billion for 1998. Meanwhile, cow numbers dropped nationally from 9.2 million in 1997 to 9.1 million for 1998. Approximately 12,700 people were employed on dairies in California, which included hired and family labor.

On a county basis, Tulare continues to lead the nation and be nearly double in milk production and cash receipts than the second and third nationally ranked counties of Merced and San Bernardino. If the 6.1 billion pounds of milk in 1998 from Tulare County was ranked as a state, it would be in sixth place nationally behind California, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania and Minnesota, but ahead of Idaho, Texas, Michigan and Washington. Tulare totals for 1998 were approximately the same as all counties together in Southern California.

Milk utilization in 1998 continued as in previous years with 38% into Class 4b cheese, followed by 28% in Class 4a butter and powder, then 23% in Class 1 fluid products, and 11% in Class 2 & 3 soft and frozen products. Between 1997 and 1998 manufacture of Monterey, cheddar, mozzarella, and Hispanic cheese rose 10, 5, 6 and 10%, respectively. Other Italian cheese decreased 9% during the time period. Total cheese production, other than cottage cheese, during 1998 was 29% greater than in 1994. Cottage cheese and low-fat cottage cheese rose 3 and 6%, respectively, and nonfat cottage cheese declined 4% during the 1997 to 1998 period.

California population in 1998 reached 33.5 million persons. This was a 1.6% increase over the 33.0 million for 1997. Per capita consumption of fluid milk products was 22.3 gallons. This consisted of 8.8 gallons whole milk, 6.9 gallons of 2% fat milk, 2.8 gallons 1% fat milk, and 3.4 gallons skim milk. Overall, this was a 2.4% decrease from the previous year and 4% decline from 1996. Cottage cheese consumption rose 1.4% and ice cream 0.6% during the 1997-1998 period. Approximately 14,100 persons are employed by dairy product processing firms.

California Agriculture

The following are excerpts from an article by the Agricultural Issues Center of the University of California:

The state of California is easily the national leader in agricultural production with gross farm sales of $26 billion yearly. One in every 10 jobs in California is closely tied to agricultural productivity. Fully one-third of all jobs in the Central Valley are linked to farming. Value added commodities from livestock, poultry and dairy in California is about $14.4 billion, and approximately 294,000 jobs are involved with these industries. Total California agriculture, including all other commodities, represents about $76 billion in value added items and involves 1.46 million jobs. California now produces seven times more farm value unit of irrigation water than in 1960.

Bio-Security

The summer often brings foreign visitors to the dairy, and these persons may come from places in which animal disease problems exist or may not be known if they do exist. Also, you may visit foreign places where animal disease problems might be prevalent. Information on where traveling to or from and veterinary precautions needed would be the first step. Provide disposable plastic or rubber boots for disinfection purposes. Common bleach is a useful disinfectant, but there are other products available. Handling of animals should be avoided, but if necessary, provide for adequate hand washing. Any doubts or questions should be mentioned to your veterinarian, or the UCVMTRC, or call the CDFA Animal Health office in Fresno (237-1843).