Naerebout: Dairy Producers Have Concerns About 2022

While farmers by nature are optimistic about the future, Rick Naerebout CEO of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association has several concerns. Like many other Ag industries across the state, Naerebout says dairy producers growing very concerned about the lack of snowpack, which currently sits between 75%-80% of average. He noted the lack of water will most likely hurt corn silage and hay production, the primary crops used for dairy cow feed. And he added while 2021 was a dry year with tight water availability, he’s concerned 2022 will be more difficult.

“We’re getting to the end of the winter season, the end of the wet season, and we’re starting to get some real concerns about are we going to have enough water to have our typical cropping rotation and typical crops grown, or is there going to be and impact on that.  And if the entire west continues to stay as dry as it is, what’s that going to do to feed prices.”

Naerebout added with so many input cots higher than compared to a year ago, the prospects of feed prices moving up is not what dairy producers need.

"You’ve got fertilizer prices that are much, much higher than they were last growing season, and your cost of fuel and energy is much, much higher than it was last season, so it’s just one more thing to add to that already increased cost structure that worry dairy producers.”

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