MD_DA902                                                                                  
DA                                                                                        
MD DA902 Organic Dairy Fluid Overview                                               

MADISON, WI.  May 17, 2013 (REPORT 20)                                                

ORGANIC DAIRY FLUID OVERVIEW
       News:  On Tuesday, May 14, Organic Valley Cooperative 
headquarters in La Farge, Wisconsin, was damaged by a major fire.  
Seven fire departments responded to the blaze and the Fire Chief for 
the La Farge department indicated that at least half of the building 
was a total loss.  The headquarters building was office space and none 
of Organic Valley's production occurs at this site.  Organic Valley 
plans to shift operations to their Cashton facility for the time being.  
       Weather conditions in the Northeast region of the nation have 
been conducive for fieldwork activities.  Corn, for silage, plantings 
in New England are 40% completed and significantly ahead of the 5 year 
average of 15%.  New York's corn planting is 42% completed and also 
ahead of the 5 year average of 34%.  Pennsylvania has 48% of the corn 
planted, just above the 5 year average of 45%.  
       A majority of pastures in the Northeast region are rated as 
either good or excellent.  

ORGANIC GRAIN AND FEEDSTUFF MARKETS:  
       National organic grains and feedstuffs prices were mostly steady 
this trading period.  Market activity on feed corn continued to be 
active as sellers look at moving inventories, especially in the Eastern 
Cornbelt region where a majority of the trade was between 13.00-13.50. 
Feed manufacturers continued to buy on an as need basis, due to heavy 
offerings of overseas product at lower prices. Soybeans trended steady 
on light to moderate demand and offerings. Wheat prices were steady to 
firm this period on moderate demand for light to moderate offerings. 
Several new crop contracts were reported this period.  Much warmer 
weather conditions across the Midwest and Eastern Cornbelt has farmers 
busy preparing fields for planting. However, conventional corn planting 
was in full swing. Furthermore, lack of moisture remains a concern, in 
several western states.  Alfalfa Hay: California: Large Squares, 
Supreme 295.00; Premium 285.00; Good/Premium 275.00.
       Additional livestock and grain market news information is 
available at: 
      http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/lsbnof.pdf
      
1100C rick.whipp@ams.usda.gov