With reports of milk being dumped from some farms across the state and nation, there are a few considerations to keep in mind should your farm or cooperative unfortunately end up in this situation. 

First, our colleagues on the North Country Regional Ag Team put together this 3 step info-graphic. 

1. Plan Where to Dump - Have an idea of the best place on your farm to dispose of milk, should you need to.

2. Follow All Regulations - Environmental regulations don't go out the window in these times, making it important to continue to comply with any nutrient management plans, CAFO guidlines, and local or state laws.

3. Record It - Track all weights of dumped milk to report to the USDA and possibly be included in your dairy risk management program.

This 3 point info-graphic nicely summarizes some of the longer pieces on this topic. 

Karl Czymmek and Peter Wright with Cornell PRO-DAIRY, wrote "Processors and Farmers: These are unprecedented times and we should be aware of a range of possibilities, including changes in milk demand."

The further discuss by saying: "While we hope that milk demand remains strong, should the situation change resulting in a surplus, farmers and handlers should review the items below to make sure surplus milk is managed appropriately.

Typically, when milk is long, haulers will continue to stop at farms to pick up milk so volume, quality and components can be measured. The tried and true process is to deliver this milk to farms with adequate manure storage capacity and unload the milk into the storage. Depending on the milk to manure ratio, there may be a higher than normal odor factor from this mix due to the high energy content of milk, especially during agitation and land application.

Receiving farms should have the capacity to inject or incorporate the resulting manure/milk mix in order to manage odors. This may reduce odor and potential fly issues resulting from land application. In some cases, milk could be mixed with manure and added to an anaerobic digester before being sent to storage. Farms with a renewable natural gas contract may have an agreement that prohibits offsite substrates from being added to the digester. If you have an agreement with an outside entity, double check that milk or other substrates are allowed. For all CAFO farms, importing milk could impact your nutrient management plan, so be sure to talk to your planner about how to manage additional nutrients coming to, or not being exported from, the farm."

Additionally, Progressive Dairy published an article discussing the various locations you can dump milk and having your dump milk count in more detail.

Should you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having to dump milk, following these considerations will help prevent further harm to your business. If you would like to discuss additional management decisions, contact Dairy Management Specialist, Alycia Drwencke at 517-416-0386 or amd453@cornell.edu. For economic considerations, reach out to our Farm Business Management Specialist, Katelyn Walley-Stoll.