Kraft and Philip Morris Scientists Caught Comparing Notes
In a follow-up report to an extensive three-part series on Kraft and obesity, the Chicago Tribune (Kraft is headquartered in Illinois) published an article entitled: “Where there's smoke, there might be food research, too: Documents indicate Kraft, Philip Morris shared expertise on how the brain processes tastes, smells.” Many people don’t realize that the company responsible for Oreos, Cheese Whiz, and Oscar Meyer wieners is owned by the same parent company (Altria) of the makers of Marlboro and Virginia Slims. The Tribune has dug into documents spanning the mid-1980s though 2001, made available through tobacco litigation against Philip Morris.
The documents reveal that Kraft and Philip Morris discussed investing jointly in brain scans to study how the brain processes tastes and smells. For example, a 1997 planning memo proposed investing in "neuroimaging," or brain scans, and research on sensory neuroreceptors, which are sites on brain cells that process smells and tastes. Also, a 1998 memo suggested that Kraft and Philip Morris collaborate on foods and drinks "engineered to influence" a customer's mood or sense of fullness. The paper said that because Philip Morris has released few documents since 2001, it’s difficult to determine if the cigarette maker and Kraft have collaborated in recent years.
Source: Chicago Tribune, 01/29/06 (with links to documents)http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0601290254jan29,1,3082179.story?coll=chi-business-hed
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I get this kind of information from COMFOOD-L. In particular the Informed Eating newsletter. I like getting it. I also get newsletters from:
MeatingPlace.com
Specialty Foods Newsletter
NY Farms!
I like to get information from all sides. I think it helps someone make more informed decisions.
I'll try to remember all of the other sites/groups I read. But this is a start.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Friday, February 10, 2006
Girl Day Out
Claire and I went to Clinton today. James came back from holiday and I got a 9am hair appointment. Combine that with getting paid by Bruce for milking his cows... Girl day. Should have been put into bank to pay bills, but Claire needed one on one attention and I thought it would be a great way to celebrate not wetting bed last night.
Hair cut went as usual, only with Claire questioning art work, pictures and James daughter, why a customer went into room and laughing hysterically about mommy getting hair cut. Poor James didn't know what to think of someone's enthusiasm over cutting and styling hair. I like the more liberal conversations at the hair shop. A wonderful diversion from the fundamentialism here in Madison.
Next to bank. Deposit my milk check (ok milking someone else's cows check) and Claire begging for lollipop. Back to truck where Claire questions me about children attending or not attending daiy care in the various church looking buildings in the commons.
Short drive (because my coat smelled of cow and barn dog) to other end of common. Go to breakfast at my anti-McDonalds... Bistro 7 or something. I ate Eggs Benedict and Claire two eggies (with wheat toast and potatoes). The later was an offence to Claire because she didn't ask for them, but I was able to concinve her that she only had to eat what she ordered and that it was nice for the lady (with sparkles in her shirt) to give her something she didn't ask for.
Another girl, of maybe 2 comes in. She is with her grandmother. After paying, Claire goes up to say hello. It is lovely how little kids have no inhibitions about approaching a total stranger (of same size) to say hello. Claire must have sensed the candy that grandma snuck to the little girl, because she askingly suggested that the little girl, who still barely noticed Claire, would liek to give her a piece of candy. As I pull Claire away, other patrons smile and chuckle, Claire gets gummy worm and we are out door.
Ah the shop between Bistro and truck has colourful toys in the window and is open. Ok, why not. You have to visit the Duane twins and need presents. Thank God the toys are up scale and cheap. Barbara will cringe and the kids will enjoy them. We had no money for X-Mas, but I was still able to get presentable toys for each child for their birthday. That and the lady at the shop was a joy to talk to. I am meeting intelligent people again with conversations that go above the general native talk of snow mobiles, bad mouthing neighbors and some NASCAR/country music...
I also ran into the market manager. Nice guy with a genuine passion for small business sucess in the town. He took my name down and I said something about considering attending the market. We talked about wholesale vendors at many markets that pretend they grow their crops and the unfairness of it and of Green Rabbit Farm and Suzanne's ability to make a damn good mesculine mix and her new bread making venture. We both agreed that her raisin bread is awsome. I used it for French Toast.
Back home. Dave is learning how to use internet (blood pressur emedicine getting workout on his part). I just finished Bait and Switch by my favorite author Barbara Ehrenreich. I also downloaded last draft of Tim's b.plan to highlight the last bit of info I needed. After I'm done with that, tea and biscuits, turn cheeses in cooler and to Bruce's to milk them long tailed beasts...
Hair cut went as usual, only with Claire questioning art work, pictures and James daughter, why a customer went into room and laughing hysterically about mommy getting hair cut. Poor James didn't know what to think of someone's enthusiasm over cutting and styling hair. I like the more liberal conversations at the hair shop. A wonderful diversion from the fundamentialism here in Madison.
Next to bank. Deposit my milk check (ok milking someone else's cows check) and Claire begging for lollipop. Back to truck where Claire questions me about children attending or not attending daiy care in the various church looking buildings in the commons.
Short drive (because my coat smelled of cow and barn dog) to other end of common. Go to breakfast at my anti-McDonalds... Bistro 7 or something. I ate Eggs Benedict and Claire two eggies (with wheat toast and
Another girl, of maybe 2 comes in. She is with her grandmother. After paying, Claire goes up to say hello. It is lovely how little kids have no inhibitions about approaching a total stranger (of same size) to say hello. Claire must have sensed the candy that grandma snuck to the little girl, because she askingly suggested that the little girl, who still barely noticed Claire, would liek to give her a piece of candy. As I pull Claire away, other patrons smile and chuckle, Claire gets gummy worm and we are out door.
Ah the shop between Bistro and truck has colourful toys in the window and is open. Ok, why not. You have to visit the Duane twins and need presents. Thank God the toys are up scale and cheap. Barbara will cringe and the kids will enjoy them. We had no money for X-Mas, but I was still able to get presentable toys for each child for their birthday. That and the lady at the shop was a joy to talk to. I am meeting intelligent people again with conversations that go above the general native talk of snow mobiles, bad mouthing neighbors and some NASCAR/country music...
I also ran into the market manager. Nice guy with a genuine passion for small business sucess in the town. He took my name down and I said something about considering attending the market. We talked about wholesale vendors at many markets that pretend they grow their crops and the unfairness of it and of Green Rabbit Farm and Suzanne's ability to make a damn good mesculine mix and her new bread making venture. We both agreed that her raisin bread is awsome. I used it for French Toast.
Back home. Dave is learning how to use internet (blood pressur emedicine getting workout on his part). I just finished Bait and Switch by my favorite author Barbara Ehrenreich. I also downloaded last draft of Tim's b.plan to highlight the last bit of info I needed. After I'm done with that, tea and biscuits, turn cheeses in cooler and to Bruce's to milk them long tailed beasts...
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Kerry Cows
I've been talking. To breeders and organizations in Canada and US about my beloved Kerry Cows. There is often a problem with rare breeds. Lack of population control. What that means is that there isn't a strong network of breeders in the different gene pool areas (UK, Canada, US and Ireland). There are Societies and the like, but we don't have a clear plan or vision. We don't even know who all of the players are!
What I had proposed to Jane Mullen in Canada and ALBC was the establishment of two things
1) a stronger network of breeders and
2) a better handle of the genetic resources that we have on hand.
Jeannette gave me an run down of the computer programs that can be used, organizations that use them and costs/tech support offered. I emailed the Cleveland Bay Cociety in UK to see what their experience has been with Sparks, a program from ISIS. Apparently they like it a lot. It has helped them control the gene pools in UK and US. Breeders Assistant is another program that appears popular, only it isn't very exportable into other programs - say if it becomes obsolete or something.
I hope to send a letter off to Ireland. We need their approval on anything we do. I'd also like to see if we can get bi-yearly inspections of herds by Ireland if we can and do more promotions/fundraising. Canada and US also need semen.
I started a Kerry Cow group on yahoogroups to see if we can get a discussion of breeders going.
What I had proposed to Jane Mullen in Canada and ALBC was the establishment of two things
1) a stronger network of breeders and
2) a better handle of the genetic resources that we have on hand.
Jeannette gave me an run down of the computer programs that can be used, organizations that use them and costs/tech support offered. I emailed the Cleveland Bay Cociety in UK to see what their experience has been with Sparks, a program from ISIS. Apparently they like it a lot. It has helped them control the gene pools in UK and US. Breeders Assistant is another program that appears popular, only it isn't very exportable into other programs - say if it becomes obsolete or something.
I hope to send a letter off to Ireland. We need their approval on anything we do. I'd also like to see if we can get bi-yearly inspections of herds by Ireland if we can and do more promotions/fundraising. Canada and US also need semen.
I started a Kerry Cow group on yahoogroups to see if we can get a discussion of breeders going.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
More snow and brine
I have to get thos lugs that I keep promissing myself for brine. This putting bring in 5 gal. buckets thing is absurd and takes up a lot of space. Great for storing brine I'm not using, but not so good for brining as there are only so many cheeses I can fit per pail. Don't want to stack the cheese in the brine. Don't get proper salt penetration. I already threw one cheese out that didn't get turned enough. Tried dry salting every day for a week and then every other day for another week, but threw out after battling mucor a month later. A 12# wheel! That was plain careless and will NOT happen again.
Dave is getting me a proper stir rod for Velentine's Day. Shiney and useful. The later suites Dave and the former satisfies some odd need for something shiney for me. Not going to get bling from him in my lifetime, so may as well settle for stainless steel! It'll save on my back as well, so I will be happy. I just hope he puts a pink bow on it or something ;~>
I have to order the Enlgish cheese book that I had before for that old Lancashire recipe I took notes on. When we get to 2X week processing in March, I'm going to work on perfecting my English cheeses. I'll start with a Caerfili, go to Cheddar and after I like what I'm making, go for the Lancashire in the summer. I have a number of 40# molds. May as well use them right? I think the 20# molds will suite a cheddar and I'll use the Tomme molds for the Cearfili.
I also like to make Cacciocavallo. So many cheeses.... I do have to do 2 makes of that for opening day of markets.
Claire and I have to make beds and vacuum the 2nd floor before going to the library.
Dave is getting me a proper stir rod for Velentine's Day. Shiney and useful. The later suites Dave and the former satisfies some odd need for something shiney for me. Not going to get bling from him in my lifetime, so may as well settle for stainless steel! It'll save on my back as well, so I will be happy. I just hope he puts a pink bow on it or something ;~>
I have to order the Enlgish cheese book that I had before for that old Lancashire recipe I took notes on. When we get to 2X week processing in March, I'm going to work on perfecting my English cheeses. I'll start with a Caerfili, go to Cheddar and after I like what I'm making, go for the Lancashire in the summer. I have a number of 40# molds. May as well use them right? I think the 20# molds will suite a cheddar and I'll use the Tomme molds for the Cearfili.
I also like to make Cacciocavallo. So many cheeses.... I do have to do 2 makes of that for opening day of markets.
Claire and I have to make beds and vacuum the 2nd floor before going to the library.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
More snow and Gouda
Made a batch of Gouda. Dave had two Ayrshire 2nd claf heifers calve last week. Their milk looks good and is in the tank. I made a batch of Gouda. Looked like 42 gal. Made 5 wheels of cheese. Lost some curd due to stupidity during draining whey, but it wasn't half a baby Gouda. It will sit on the press until 3pm and I'll turn one more time to right pH. I tend to brine right off and rest after. These will be clear waxed.
More lake effect snow. About 6" fell overnight. Seemed to warm a bit, and the snow is blowing around mroe than falling now. Tom is trying to dig out. Bad timing. Trying to get Claire to take a nap while his Belarus wails up the driveway. Dave dug us out right after milking. Milk truck came for the last 3 milkings (I took 4th).
Breeder came and bred Clara. Used the Russell Basil semen from Plimoth Plantation. She is on the fat side and I think I finally have Dave convinsed to lay off the silage. At least for the Kerry group. Moose looks like she took and possibly Eva. Siobhan is still to breed, only she seems to come into heat when relief breeder is on. Mmm.
Time for another cuppa. Dave just said the water is on and I can just start to feel the wood heat coming up the stairs to the landing (computer area). Looks like a good time to sit in my rocking chair in front of the stove reading another recipe chapter I found (Stocking Up book from Rodale Press. Good cheese chapters).
More lake effect snow. About 6" fell overnight. Seemed to warm a bit, and the snow is blowing around mroe than falling now. Tom is trying to dig out. Bad timing. Trying to get Claire to take a nap while his Belarus wails up the driveway. Dave dug us out right after milking. Milk truck came for the last 3 milkings (I took 4th).
Breeder came and bred Clara. Used the Russell Basil semen from Plimoth Plantation. She is on the fat side and I think I finally have Dave convinsed to lay off the silage. At least for the Kerry group. Moose looks like she took and possibly Eva. Siobhan is still to breed, only she seems to come into heat when relief breeder is on. Mmm.
Time for another cuppa. Dave just said the water is on and I can just start to feel the wood heat coming up the stairs to the landing (computer area). Looks like a good time to sit in my rocking chair in front of the stove reading another recipe chapter I found (Stocking Up book from Rodale Press. Good cheese chapters).
Monday, February 06, 2006
Arapawa Goats
Al got the Arapawa goat society web site up. I think it is www.arapawagoats.org . I looks good. We are listed as breeders. Marilyn in OR is going on February 10th to see Betty on the island and view her goats. Wouldn't that be awsome. Attached is a family photo of some of mine.
It is Knick with Lynn (younger doe) and Heather. They are in the lower pole shed near the outdoor cubby hole.
I get to change bucks this year. I have Kool as well, but I've requested this other senior buck with genetics that don't match the ones I have as much. Hopefully Marilyn can get some semen as well. Woo hoo! These are awsome goats.
January thaw, February Freeze
Well, so the old adage holds. Lake effect off Lake Eirie today with little snow. Tomorrow there will be more. a foot or better according to Dave. It is finally cold. Bruces barn wasn't so warm and two sweatshirts was adaquate. Better than milking in a tee-shirt in February. THat wasn't right.
The kerry/aryshire bull is not a good drinker. Tongue off the side of his mouth. Kicking with front feet. Needed two of us to feed him. You get that sometimes. They on occassion cannot drink off the mother too. This one stayed with mommy too long and refused to drink off a bottle. Depending on the cow, we try to keep calves on cow at least all night or if outside during the day until the next milking. Seems both do better.
The cattle dealer picks up both bulls this morning. Claire finally understands that it is a fact of life that "girl calves" stay and "boy calves" go to the cattle dealer. She cried when the twin bull went. We haven't had to explain the part about what happens to the bull when it goes and what will happen to the free-martin heifer that stayed. When she asks, we'll tell her though.
Taxes to work on today. Revise Tim's plan and send out the letter and invoice to the Guild. I also have to email Mark to see if the Guild sent him anything to close the grant out. Silly people. I don't know why they have to get so greedy. I was the one being nice about things. They got ugly for no reason at all. A mentor of mine once said that people who do mean things have it come around. If they do it often, it comes quicker. Considering the history of the group...
The kerry/aryshire bull is not a good drinker. Tongue off the side of his mouth. Kicking with front feet. Needed two of us to feed him. You get that sometimes. They on occassion cannot drink off the mother too. This one stayed with mommy too long and refused to drink off a bottle. Depending on the cow, we try to keep calves on cow at least all night or if outside during the day until the next milking. Seems both do better.
The cattle dealer picks up both bulls this morning. Claire finally understands that it is a fact of life that "girl calves" stay and "boy calves" go to the cattle dealer. She cried when the twin bull went. We haven't had to explain the part about what happens to the bull when it goes and what will happen to the free-martin heifer that stayed. When she asks, we'll tell her though.
Taxes to work on today. Revise Tim's plan and send out the letter and invoice to the Guild. I also have to email Mark to see if the Guild sent him anything to close the grant out. Silly people. I don't know why they have to get so greedy. I was the one being nice about things. They got ugly for no reason at all. A mentor of mine once said that people who do mean things have it come around. If they do it often, it comes quicker. Considering the history of the group...
Sunday, February 05, 2006
It's awful grey
The day that is. My mood too. It was windy last night and I don't sleep well with the wind blowing. Claire woke up early. She brought her pillow into the bedroom. That wasn't bad, only her knocking everything off the side table wasn't a great way to start the day. I later burned myself while sitting in the rocking chair next to the woodstove. It wasn't the woodstove that burned me, it was the tea.
I will be looking through my cultures in the freezer. I have to use up all of the funny stuff I bought for the workshops and for earlier experiments before they go off. Funny stuff only refers to cultures that aren't 400.1 or Aroma B lately. EZAL also switched to Danisko or something and I have to adjust all of my recipes to account for this change. I need to borrow a gram scale and weigh out stuff and get a plan of action for spring make season.
Tuesday and Wedneday look like my make days this week. I may go with Tim to see a dairy in the north country. He is keen on goats. $100 for registered does and he wants to wait! Oof. I'd be interested in starting some if my cash flow warranted.
I'll be writting letters to all customers this week. Right after I finnish getting tax information ready. I also have to ring accountant and get appointment.
A VT ayrshire had a kerry/ayrshire bull calf last night. I felt bad for Claire because she waited patiently all morning to watch and the cow had it after she came in for the night. My white Ayrshire is next. It should be another kerry cross and I hope it is a heifer.
I will be looking through my cultures in the freezer. I have to use up all of the funny stuff I bought for the workshops and for earlier experiments before they go off. Funny stuff only refers to cultures that aren't 400.1 or Aroma B lately. EZAL also switched to Danisko or something and I have to adjust all of my recipes to account for this change. I need to borrow a gram scale and weigh out stuff and get a plan of action for spring make season.
Tuesday and Wedneday look like my make days this week. I may go with Tim to see a dairy in the north country. He is keen on goats. $100 for registered does and he wants to wait! Oof. I'd be interested in starting some if my cash flow warranted.
I'll be writting letters to all customers this week. Right after I finnish getting tax information ready. I also have to ring accountant and get appointment.
A VT ayrshire had a kerry/ayrshire bull calf last night. I felt bad for Claire because she waited patiently all morning to watch and the cow had it after she came in for the night. My white Ayrshire is next. It should be another kerry cross and I hope it is a heifer.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Spring Cleaning in February
I'm in a light sweatshirt today. Unseasonably warm. Little snow left and the crocusus are starting to come up. Makes me want to sweep out the dirt and grime and start fresh.
I start the commercial cheesemaking season Wednesday. I ordered the clear cheesewax that I needed and the extra cheesecloth. Today I scrubbed down walls, replaced gaskets and cleaned the windows.
Marcia and Ken left for home today. Only a few more days until Jen and Cecil are due back.
Heard coyotes singing all night. Opened the window at 4am and they quieted down. Dave checked on sheep. Everyone ok.
I start the commercial cheesemaking season Wednesday. I ordered the clear cheesewax that I needed and the extra cheesecloth. Today I scrubbed down walls, replaced gaskets and cleaned the windows.
Marcia and Ken left for home today. Only a few more days until Jen and Cecil are due back.
Heard coyotes singing all night. Opened the window at 4am and they quieted down. Dave checked on sheep. Everyone ok.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Two Hearts Farm
David and I went to Lisa's to see about helping them with vaccinations. Lisa and John have had a bad time of it lately and we figured we'd help them out. It goes so much faster if there are 3-4 people there.
They have a flock of sheep, some Dexters, a family Jersey, a couple of hogs, and awsome donkey named Fiona and a flock of laying hens. I've attached some photos of that day. The Dexter photo's didn't come out well.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Long Drives
Well, Lisa and I went down to L's to get the packaging, books and labels. Books weren't there. No one was around. Didn't think I'd find anyone. I don't like going into places when I don't see anyone around. Guess I have to email an invoice to J.
I decided that if I wanted things done correctly, I'd have to do them myself. I don't mind helping people out, but I don't like being taken advantage of. I paid for the crap cheese and the decent quark, but everything else in that whole package deal wasn't right. Too many underlying agenda's for my taste. That and no one had the balls to say it how it is. Even me...
Why does age make people woosies? I don't think it is a true spinal fracture, but why DID I tell J my deal with the beeswax? I don't care for being bullied after I bend over backwards for people. I am too tired and have now decided that organizaed associations and groups are not in my best interest.
I had this need to take Lisa for a drive. The poor soul. He father isn't well, her daughter isn't is a good way and there are so many changes that I don't know how she can awake every day and face all of it! I offered help to vaccinate the sheep and trim hooves if they needed it.
I decided that if I wanted things done correctly, I'd have to do them myself. I don't mind helping people out, but I don't like being taken advantage of. I paid for the crap cheese and the decent quark, but everything else in that whole package deal wasn't right. Too many underlying agenda's for my taste. That and no one had the balls to say it how it is. Even me...
Why does age make people woosies? I don't think it is a true spinal fracture, but why DID I tell J my deal with the beeswax? I don't care for being bullied after I bend over backwards for people. I am too tired and have now decided that organizaed associations and groups are not in my best interest.
I had this need to take Lisa for a drive. The poor soul. He father isn't well, her daughter isn't is a good way and there are so many changes that I don't know how she can awake every day and face all of it! I offered help to vaccinate the sheep and trim hooves if they needed it.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
processors and retailers guaranteed profits
The U.S. government guarantees a profit for processors. The irony is that the dairy case is a profit center for a retail grocer. They can return to the processor the dairy products that do not sell. But that is okay for the processor because the US government guaranteed a profit for the processors. And the dairy cooperatives allow this? They think the changes in pricing to favor processors is good? What for the dairy farmer? Our pay price goes down again! Why is it that farmers are always the ones that can be disposed of at the whim of an ignorant consuming public? Isn't it time that the consumer realizes that it only sets presidence for their own lives if we dairy farmers are disposable and allowed to be taken advantage of? They are being treated in much the same way only cannot look and see that they are disadvantaged just like us. Heck, Mitt Romney - Gov of MA - even said that there isn't enough of a distance in income between haves and have nots. Are we the average American to pay for their luxuries? I'd forgo diamonds and designer outfits for something as simple as a health insurance plan.
See the article below!
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Weekly Dairy Market Outlook
By Ken Bailey
Penn State University
January 20, 2006
Headline: USDA To Hold a Public Hearing on “Make Allowances”
· Processors facing higher costs
· Make allowances expected to increase
· Farm-gate milk prices could decline $0.25-$0.46/cwt
USDA announced in the Federal Register earlier this month that they will hold a public hearing on January 24, 2006, to consider amending Class III and IV milk price formulas (see URL: http://www.ams.usda.gov/dairy/proposals/classIII_IV_make_all.htm ) . This hearing will focus on receiving testimony to potentially adjust what processors pay dairy producers for their milk. USDA will do this by making changes in the make allowances to reflect processing costs for butter, cheese, nonfat dry milk and whey. My preliminary analysis indicates that using the changes in make allowances presented by USDA in the Federal Register will lower farm-gate milk prices roughly $0.25-$0.46 per cwt in 2006.
Processors located in federal orders must pay dairy producers class prices for milk depending on how it is used. These class prices are based on formulas that set minimum prices for milk components (milk fat, protein, other dairy solids) which are in turn based on the wholesale value of dairy commodities (cheese, butter, nonfat dry milk and whey). The formulas include “make allowances” that reflect the cost of processing various dairy products. According to Agri-Mark, current make allowances used in federal orders are based on an outdated cost survey and should be updated to reflect higher processing costs.
If the hearing results in make allowances being raised to reflect these higher processing costs, processors will end up paying dairy producers less for their milk. The opposite is also true; if make allowances are reduced, farm prices will rise.
USDA conducted a preliminary analysis of the impact of three scenarios that reflected changes in make allowances. For all three scenarios make allowances were raised 36 percent for butter production, 15 percent for nonfat dry milk, and 10 percent for dry whey. The cheese make allowance was increased successively in each scenario by 1 cent per pound (6 percent) in Scenario 1, 2.5 cents per pound (15 percent) in Scenario 2, and 4 cents (24 percent) in Scenario 3.
I applied these make allowances to formulas I use to forecast 2006 milk prices. Federal order blend prices were then estimated by using class utilization rates from 2004. The results of my one year analysis are in Table 1. They indicate that depending on the scenario, farm-gate milk prices will likely decline $0.25-$0.46 per cwt in 2006. (this study is preliminary and does not reflect simultaneous changes in supply and demand over time).
The current formulas used in federal orders are designed to basically guarantee processors a profit margin. These formulas look at wholesale market prices for basic dairy commodities and then set a cost for the milk. Inside that formula is the processors fixed profit margin. Assuming the margin is set right, high cost processors will be able to process dairy products, and low cost processors will make an above-average profit. Dairy farmers, of course, have no such guaranteed profit margins. However, there is no other good way to run federal orders without these formulas. One can make the argument that these formulas and make allowances are necessary if dairy producers are to receive federal order protection.
Milk cooperatives are proposing these changes in light of escalating energy costs, as well as higher costs for labor and insurance. Also, they argue that make allowances used in California are higher than they are in federal orders.
There is no such thing as make allowances and guaranteed margins in the rest of the U.S. economy. Input costs and sale prices for products change over time, thus margins fluctuate. Companies that face such variability use contracts and forward pricing tools to lock in their margins. They also rapidly adopt technology and expand market share in order to protect margins and increase sales volumes. In fact, that is exactly what has happened to U.S. dairy producers over the past 20 years.
The national hearing is simply a meeting to gather data. If dairy processing costs have risen, then it is possible and even likely that higher make allowances will be adopted. This in turn will directly lower farm-gate milk prices. But it should also be understood that dairy producers don’t have such protection and are expected to adopt new technology, expand production, lower production costs, and even relocate their operations in order to remain competitive. U.S. dairy processors should ultimately face these same competitive pressures.
Table 1. Impact of Changes in Federal Order Make Allowances on Class
Prices and Uniform Blend Prices, 2006 1/
Estimated Changes Relative to a 2006 Baseline:
----USDA Proposals----
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
Federal Order Prices:
Class I mover
-0.21
-0.35
-0.50
Class II price
-0.36
-0.36
-0.36
Class III price
-0.21
-0.35
-0.50
Class IV price
-0.36
-0.36
-0.36
Federal Order Uniform Blend Prices:
Northeast
-0.25
-0.35
-0.46
Appalachian
-0.25
-0.35
-0.46
Southeast
-0.24
-0.35
-0.47
Florida
-0.23
-0.35
-0.48
Mideast
-0.24
-0.35
-0.47
Upper Midwest
-0.23
-0.35
-0.47
Central
-0.24
-0.35
-0.46
Southwest
-0.26
-0.35
-0.45
Arizona-Las Vegas
-0.25
-0.35
-0.46
Pacific Northwest
-0.27
-0.36
-0.44
All markets
-0.25
-0.35
-0.46
Assumptions used in analysis: 1) used 2004 utilization rates, 2) 2-week average
commodity price forecasts used monthly average forecasts from the prior month,
3) based on commodity forecasts by Ken Bailey, Penn State as of January 2006.
NOTE: this is a preliminary analysis that is subject to change. The spreadsheet used to generate these numbers can be downloaded on my website: http://dairyoutlook.aers.psu.edu/ .
Want to get a friendly weekly reminder via email that my dairy outlook report is available? Subscribe to my email service. To subscribe, send a blank email to join-dairyoutlook@lists.cas.psu.edu.
See the article below!
************************************************************************************
Weekly Dairy Market Outlook
By Ken Bailey
Penn State University
January 20, 2006
Headline: USDA To Hold a Public Hearing on “Make Allowances”
· Processors facing higher costs
· Make allowances expected to increase
· Farm-gate milk prices could decline $0.25-$0.46/cwt
USDA announced in the Federal Register earlier this month that they will hold a public hearing on January 24, 2006, to consider amending Class III and IV milk price formulas (see URL: http://www.ams.usda.gov/dairy/proposals/classIII_IV_make_all.htm ) . This hearing will focus on receiving testimony to potentially adjust what processors pay dairy producers for their milk. USDA will do this by making changes in the make allowances to reflect processing costs for butter, cheese, nonfat dry milk and whey. My preliminary analysis indicates that using the changes in make allowances presented by USDA in the Federal Register will lower farm-gate milk prices roughly $0.25-$0.46 per cwt in 2006.
Processors located in federal orders must pay dairy producers class prices for milk depending on how it is used. These class prices are based on formulas that set minimum prices for milk components (milk fat, protein, other dairy solids) which are in turn based on the wholesale value of dairy commodities (cheese, butter, nonfat dry milk and whey). The formulas include “make allowances” that reflect the cost of processing various dairy products. According to Agri-Mark, current make allowances used in federal orders are based on an outdated cost survey and should be updated to reflect higher processing costs.
If the hearing results in make allowances being raised to reflect these higher processing costs, processors will end up paying dairy producers less for their milk. The opposite is also true; if make allowances are reduced, farm prices will rise.
USDA conducted a preliminary analysis of the impact of three scenarios that reflected changes in make allowances. For all three scenarios make allowances were raised 36 percent for butter production, 15 percent for nonfat dry milk, and 10 percent for dry whey. The cheese make allowance was increased successively in each scenario by 1 cent per pound (6 percent) in Scenario 1, 2.5 cents per pound (15 percent) in Scenario 2, and 4 cents (24 percent) in Scenario 3.
I applied these make allowances to formulas I use to forecast 2006 milk prices. Federal order blend prices were then estimated by using class utilization rates from 2004. The results of my one year analysis are in Table 1. They indicate that depending on the scenario, farm-gate milk prices will likely decline $0.25-$0.46 per cwt in 2006. (this study is preliminary and does not reflect simultaneous changes in supply and demand over time).
The current formulas used in federal orders are designed to basically guarantee processors a profit margin. These formulas look at wholesale market prices for basic dairy commodities and then set a cost for the milk. Inside that formula is the processors fixed profit margin. Assuming the margin is set right, high cost processors will be able to process dairy products, and low cost processors will make an above-average profit. Dairy farmers, of course, have no such guaranteed profit margins. However, there is no other good way to run federal orders without these formulas. One can make the argument that these formulas and make allowances are necessary if dairy producers are to receive federal order protection.
Milk cooperatives are proposing these changes in light of escalating energy costs, as well as higher costs for labor and insurance. Also, they argue that make allowances used in California are higher than they are in federal orders.
There is no such thing as make allowances and guaranteed margins in the rest of the U.S. economy. Input costs and sale prices for products change over time, thus margins fluctuate. Companies that face such variability use contracts and forward pricing tools to lock in their margins. They also rapidly adopt technology and expand market share in order to protect margins and increase sales volumes. In fact, that is exactly what has happened to U.S. dairy producers over the past 20 years.
The national hearing is simply a meeting to gather data. If dairy processing costs have risen, then it is possible and even likely that higher make allowances will be adopted. This in turn will directly lower farm-gate milk prices. But it should also be understood that dairy producers don’t have such protection and are expected to adopt new technology, expand production, lower production costs, and even relocate their operations in order to remain competitive. U.S. dairy processors should ultimately face these same competitive pressures.
Table 1. Impact of Changes in Federal Order Make Allowances on Class
Prices and Uniform Blend Prices, 2006 1/
Estimated Changes Relative to a 2006 Baseline:
----USDA Proposals----
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
Federal Order Prices:
Class I mover
-0.21
-0.35
-0.50
Class II price
-0.36
-0.36
-0.36
Class III price
-0.21
-0.35
-0.50
Class IV price
-0.36
-0.36
-0.36
Federal Order Uniform Blend Prices:
Northeast
-0.25
-0.35
-0.46
Appalachian
-0.25
-0.35
-0.46
Southeast
-0.24
-0.35
-0.47
Florida
-0.23
-0.35
-0.48
Mideast
-0.24
-0.35
-0.47
Upper Midwest
-0.23
-0.35
-0.47
Central
-0.24
-0.35
-0.46
Southwest
-0.26
-0.35
-0.45
Arizona-Las Vegas
-0.25
-0.35
-0.46
Pacific Northwest
-0.27
-0.36
-0.44
All markets
-0.25
-0.35
-0.46
Assumptions used in analysis: 1) used 2004 utilization rates, 2) 2-week average
commodity price forecasts used monthly average forecasts from the prior month,
3) based on commodity forecasts by Ken Bailey, Penn State as of January 2006.
NOTE: this is a preliminary analysis that is subject to change. The spreadsheet used to generate these numbers can be downloaded on my website: http://dairyoutlook.aers.psu.edu/ .
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Friday, January 20, 2006
feed and balers
Dave and I talked to out cow nutritionist yesterday. We were waiting for him. Well, not like the check I want in the mail, just had questions...
Bruce switched to GMO corn. There was that drought, so we had to buy and feed a lot more corn than we usually do. The corn for this planting is $160/bag and we don't feel comfortable feeding it. We didn't know it was GMO until it was in the silo. It was average feed with low minerals. It cost us too much money for the milk we produce. About $5000! We cannot do that this year. We like Bruce very much, but we need to go back to our principles and feed the cows baleage or haylage or dry hay or something...
In talking to Peter and other cheese technitions, dry hay is the best feed. Baleage is next. Corn silage is the last choice for good cheese. We need to make some volume of milk to pay the bills monthly, so we are going to aim for second best, baleage.
I was impressed with Dave's desire to learn more about the internet. He wanted me to show him how to look for used balers. We need a specific size bale to fit into the barn we have. Ideally a 3' bale. The baler has to be able to handle heavier (wetter) feed. Out Hesston baler is too weak and doesn't make a good heavy bale (the core is too soft). He is looking for a Vermeer.
We have a couple of more months to figure something out. We have enough equipment to get dry hay or chop the first cut if we need to. The one thing Dave also likes about the baleage is that we need less equipment and fewer passes in the field (less petrol used).
Bruce switched to GMO corn. There was that drought, so we had to buy and feed a lot more corn than we usually do. The corn for this planting is $160/bag and we don't feel comfortable feeding it. We didn't know it was GMO until it was in the silo. It was average feed with low minerals. It cost us too much money for the milk we produce. About $5000! We cannot do that this year. We like Bruce very much, but we need to go back to our principles and feed the cows baleage or haylage or dry hay or something...
In talking to Peter and other cheese technitions, dry hay is the best feed. Baleage is next. Corn silage is the last choice for good cheese. We need to make some volume of milk to pay the bills monthly, so we are going to aim for second best, baleage.
I was impressed with Dave's desire to learn more about the internet. He wanted me to show him how to look for used balers. We need a specific size bale to fit into the barn we have. Ideally a 3' bale. The baler has to be able to handle heavier (wetter) feed. Out Hesston baler is too weak and doesn't make a good heavy bale (the core is too soft). He is looking for a Vermeer.
We have a couple of more months to figure something out. We have enough equipment to get dry hay or chop the first cut if we need to. The one thing Dave also likes about the baleage is that we need less equipment and fewer passes in the field (less petrol used).
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Cheesemaking Supplies
Well, I have to order my own curd harps. I've been using the ones from the College all winter. With the changes over there, I've decided that I should have my own set. $660 for a set apparently. Oof.
I got a pH meter for Christmas. I want a TA set as well. I think is a great thing to use both in the beginning of this whole deal. The TA set is cheaper.
Elmond has my brick molds in exchange for his Tomme molds for a bit. I'll have to get the ones Margaret has on hand pretty quick here.
Need more labels and some vacuum pump oil from Bush pumps. Cryovac ran out of oil.
Need to get on the list for the Hamilton Farmers Market and the Cazenovia Farmers Market this year. Darn it, I have a great product and I need to focus on education and marketing to make them worth while. If Green Rabbit can clear $40,000 at Hamilton with their stuff, so can I! It just means more tents, better tables, a sign and the like...
I got a pH meter for Christmas. I want a TA set as well. I think is a great thing to use both in the beginning of this whole deal. The TA set is cheaper.
Elmond has my brick molds in exchange for his Tomme molds for a bit. I'll have to get the ones Margaret has on hand pretty quick here.
Need more labels and some vacuum pump oil from Bush pumps. Cryovac ran out of oil.
Need to get on the list for the Hamilton Farmers Market and the Cazenovia Farmers Market this year. Darn it, I have a great product and I need to focus on education and marketing to make them worth while. If Green Rabbit can clear $40,000 at Hamilton with their stuff, so can I! It just means more tents, better tables, a sign and the like...
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Rain and Sheep
There was another lamb this morning. Just when I think they stopped, another one. A little black female lamb out of one of the first lambers. I like this dab of Romney. Makes the ewes a little more agressive about the welfare of their lambs. The Romanov gives them that rapid growth and number of lambs in subsequent lambings. The Tunis gives them a decent body and some milk. Dave Sauter laughs at me about my odd crosses, but I think I have one on him here.
The flock is doubled in size. I have two, maybe three lambings to go. I do hope that Peggy doesn't lamb. Poor think is 20 years old this year. Wow!
Raining hard today. Should be snow. I don't care for the extra work that snow involves, but I think that in winter, there should be snow and in the other three seasons... rain. Am I harking to my mothers favorite... everything has a place, put everything in it's place... theory in life? I think that for me it is easier to try to organize things like a cupboard, clean the bathroom, rewrite a budget that you cannot pay unless people pay you... little things that really mean nothing in the grand scheme of things but make you feel like you are achieving something.
Too much wind overnight. I cannot tell if it is the wind that makes me loose sleep or the fact that we tend to get the wind in the winter and that corresponds with a significant lack of money every winter (cows cost us money in winter and Dave drops number of cows calving to avoid the problems with calving inside in the winter).
I started milking down the road. Cannot remember if I said that before. Trying to get money to pay Dave cash for the milk as I use it so that I can build up inventory for farmers markets this summer. We cannot afford to loose cash flow while cheese is aging. I don't want to loose out on sales over the summer like last year. I make a good cheese, but add lack of aging capacity and my own issues about fearing success/failure and I undersold product last year. Or rather, I didn't make enough of product last year and kept selling out of lower value fresh cheeses rather than focus on higher margin aged cheeses.
Waiting for money for projects last year. I hate looking at mailboxes and making bets with myself that the check(s) will actually be there. I have this bad feeling about the US economy and want to eliminate all debt under $5000 this year. I just have to hash out freelance work, a book maybe, more business plans, more workshops... sell more cheese... It is easy to forget that the main focus is suppose to be cheese.
The flock is doubled in size. I have two, maybe three lambings to go. I do hope that Peggy doesn't lamb. Poor think is 20 years old this year. Wow!
Raining hard today. Should be snow. I don't care for the extra work that snow involves, but I think that in winter, there should be snow and in the other three seasons... rain. Am I harking to my mothers favorite... everything has a place, put everything in it's place... theory in life? I think that for me it is easier to try to organize things like a cupboard, clean the bathroom, rewrite a budget that you cannot pay unless people pay you... little things that really mean nothing in the grand scheme of things but make you feel like you are achieving something.
Too much wind overnight. I cannot tell if it is the wind that makes me loose sleep or the fact that we tend to get the wind in the winter and that corresponds with a significant lack of money every winter (cows cost us money in winter and Dave drops number of cows calving to avoid the problems with calving inside in the winter).
I started milking down the road. Cannot remember if I said that before. Trying to get money to pay Dave cash for the milk as I use it so that I can build up inventory for farmers markets this summer. We cannot afford to loose cash flow while cheese is aging. I don't want to loose out on sales over the summer like last year. I make a good cheese, but add lack of aging capacity and my own issues about fearing success/failure and I undersold product last year. Or rather, I didn't make enough of product last year and kept selling out of lower value fresh cheeses rather than focus on higher margin aged cheeses.
Waiting for money for projects last year. I hate looking at mailboxes and making bets with myself that the check(s) will actually be there. I have this bad feeling about the US economy and want to eliminate all debt under $5000 this year. I just have to hash out freelance work, a book maybe, more business plans, more workshops... sell more cheese... It is easy to forget that the main focus is suppose to be cheese.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Free Money
Okay, so I didn't get free money, but I did get a phone call last Friday to say I got the Farm Viability grant. Thank you, thank you, thank you Ag & Markets.
It is to complete Phase II. I'll go into details about it in the newsletter.
Mike J. got one as well. I didn't get Tom or Tim their's. Mmm. I'll have to email Steve and see if we can get a b.plan done through Farm Start...
Cecil is trying to work on the Farmstand building. This may have to become a chicken shed now and have another one made for the grant... Mmm.
It is to complete Phase II. I'll go into details about it in the newsletter.
Mike J. got one as well. I didn't get Tom or Tim their's. Mmm. I'll have to email Steve and see if we can get a b.plan done through Farm Start...
Cecil is trying to work on the Farmstand building. This may have to become a chicken shed now and have another one made for the grant... Mmm.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Land
We bought this farm in 2002. We moved the cows November 2nd. I came with Dave and then spent the next few weekends traveling back and forth to MA to get things and make sure the due-diligence on property there was moving forward.
Dave, Claire and I spent the greater part of the day doing our due diligence on the triangle piece on the east side of Center Rd. Public Health to get the Declination, Tax paid reciept and filing the Mylar copy of the property in the County Clerks office.
We also got the papers on the Easment for the Wetlands today. Finally. This is part of our wetland restoration project. The swamp is partially existing. They are going to enhance it as best NRCS can. My only stipulation will be that they use native vegetation, nothing invasive. These projects are riddled with invasive species. This one is pretty good already. I'm not sure how they can enhance it. We'll see.
The other property deal is with Jen and Cecil. They complete the terms of our agreement and we procede with the land swap. It is a piece we do not use. If it was possible to purchase a piece of our neighbors fields or wooded bits, it would be valuable to us. The neighbors to our east have a value only God can afford and the one to the south has family interests that I think will prevent our ability to purchase anything. So this triangle piece is Jenny and Cecil's. Fair enough.
Sounds like everyone wants the Gouda. Third inquiry this week. Oof. I know I should have listened to Dave, but how when I have to pay him cash for the milk as I use it so that the farm keeps working. There is hope at the end of the tunnel. Mum is investing a little and one customer bought most of the inventory.
Dave, Claire and I spent the greater part of the day doing our due diligence on the triangle piece on the east side of Center Rd. Public Health to get the Declination, Tax paid reciept and filing the Mylar copy of the property in the County Clerks office.
We also got the papers on the Easment for the Wetlands today. Finally. This is part of our wetland restoration project. The swamp is partially existing. They are going to enhance it as best NRCS can. My only stipulation will be that they use native vegetation, nothing invasive. These projects are riddled with invasive species. This one is pretty good already. I'm not sure how they can enhance it. We'll see.
The other property deal is with Jen and Cecil. They complete the terms of our agreement and we procede with the land swap. It is a piece we do not use. If it was possible to purchase a piece of our neighbors fields or wooded bits, it would be valuable to us. The neighbors to our east have a value only God can afford and the one to the south has family interests that I think will prevent our ability to purchase anything. So this triangle piece is Jenny and Cecil's. Fair enough.
Sounds like everyone wants the Gouda. Third inquiry this week. Oof. I know I should have listened to Dave, but how when I have to pay him cash for the milk as I use it so that the farm keeps working. There is hope at the end of the tunnel. Mum is investing a little and one customer bought most of the inventory.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
I'm on fire
That should mean that I've accomplished a lot today, but in fact, it meant that I accidently caught myself on fire. I was just finnished hooking up the dishwasher and started to look at the piles of paper that accumulated on top of that dishwasher. That in itself wouldn't cause a fire. The left front lid on the stove that was on to boile water for cous cous was the cause. My favorite green sweater with the paint stains and holes ignited on my back.
Claire was in the bath tub. She was playing with the plastic sheep and Polly Pocket dolls. I'm trying to figure out how to get the fire out without alarming her, catching my house or myself on fire and without getting caught in my sweather without being able to get out of it.
The later I found is a new fear of mine.
Instead of doing the drop and roll (my house is old, It'll catch on fire I tell my self) or running and jumping into a snow bank outside (you only think about after), I try first putting it out with the sink spray attachment (cannot get lower back). I think of shower, Claire in there. Take sweater off. It hits floor (there goes my house is too old for drop and roll theory). I pick it up by arm (sweater is in serious flames). With Joey rumbling in his crate (he just came in from mud) I run for door and throw into snow bank (I should have been in). Claire is asking in teh backround - why are you on fire Mommy?? So much for not alarming her...
My back isn't blistered. It is a little red and my shoulders of all things are crazy sore. I'm not sure if that is because of the Surge automatic take off arm weights that I use at Bruce's to milk his cows or because I either slept on my sides too much or maybe because I took that sweater off too fast...
Ooof, what a way to end a day.
Claire was in the bath tub. She was playing with the plastic sheep and Polly Pocket dolls. I'm trying to figure out how to get the fire out without alarming her, catching my house or myself on fire and without getting caught in my sweather without being able to get out of it.
The later I found is a new fear of mine.
Instead of doing the drop and roll (my house is old, It'll catch on fire I tell my self) or running and jumping into a snow bank outside (you only think about after), I try first putting it out with the sink spray attachment (cannot get lower back). I think of shower, Claire in there. Take sweater off. It hits floor (there goes my house is too old for drop and roll theory). I pick it up by arm (sweater is in serious flames). With Joey rumbling in his crate (he just came in from mud) I run for door and throw into snow bank (I should have been in). Claire is asking in teh backround - why are you on fire Mommy?? So much for not alarming her...
My back isn't blistered. It is a little red and my shoulders of all things are crazy sore. I'm not sure if that is because of the Surge automatic take off arm weights that I use at Bruce's to milk his cows or because I either slept on my sides too much or maybe because I took that sweater off too fast...
Ooof, what a way to end a day.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
lazy sunday mornings
Well, I'd like it to be lazy. The sun was shining for most of the morning. The Arapawa goats and the NC Ceviot ram, Ben, were sunning themselves. The pigeons that Cecil claimed dead were strong in number. I counted 33 while folding bed clothes. The brown one is gone, but there are more non-descript grey ones than we had in the pole barn before.
Dave closed the main barn up last month. He bought chicken netting and covered the doors and windows. Starlings and sparrows (allong with the pigeons) were contributing to the general chores by leaving piles of manure in the grain bin and on the hay in the mow. The last thing we need is cows ingesting this distusting mess from the birds. Starlings in particular have wreaked havoc on some calf crops back home by carrying a virus that causes a bad pneumonia and I believe scours.
I started milking for a farm down the road to help with the loss in income from so many dry cows and lowering of milk prices. Not a bad afternoon. They are good people and it is nice to get off the farm and have some conversation with someone. Sometimes I think this is the sort of thing Dave should do, but I think he is of the class of farmers that think it is okay from him to putter about the farm all day, but the woman is the one to go off to work when money comes slow.
I've had to lay off cheese production for a couple of months. We are down in milk volume due to dry cow numbers and have to ship a minimum volume to the Cooperative. I do steal a volume or two (after I pay my own husband cash) to make a batch to meet a number of loyal customers.
Dave is off to the grain store to get vacuum pump oil. An hour and a hald later, I think he also ordered lunch. It is one of the few hardware/grain stores I know of that you can get nuts, gas, mastitis treatment and 2 eggs over easy with a side of potatoes and a cup of coffee. An odd little place, but it serves its purpose by providing the little communities in the area with some off the farm comforts. I miss going there on Sunday mornings. Guess I'll have to go to a church or something to keep a routine.
Dave closed the main barn up last month. He bought chicken netting and covered the doors and windows. Starlings and sparrows (allong with the pigeons) were contributing to the general chores by leaving piles of manure in the grain bin and on the hay in the mow. The last thing we need is cows ingesting this distusting mess from the birds. Starlings in particular have wreaked havoc on some calf crops back home by carrying a virus that causes a bad pneumonia and I believe scours.
I started milking for a farm down the road to help with the loss in income from so many dry cows and lowering of milk prices. Not a bad afternoon. They are good people and it is nice to get off the farm and have some conversation with someone. Sometimes I think this is the sort of thing Dave should do, but I think he is of the class of farmers that think it is okay from him to putter about the farm all day, but the woman is the one to go off to work when money comes slow.
I've had to lay off cheese production for a couple of months. We are down in milk volume due to dry cow numbers and have to ship a minimum volume to the Cooperative. I do steal a volume or two (after I pay my own husband cash) to make a batch to meet a number of loyal customers.
Dave is off to the grain store to get vacuum pump oil. An hour and a hald later, I think he also ordered lunch. It is one of the few hardware/grain stores I know of that you can get nuts, gas, mastitis treatment and 2 eggs over easy with a side of potatoes and a cup of coffee. An odd little place, but it serves its purpose by providing the little communities in the area with some off the farm comforts. I miss going there on Sunday mornings. Guess I'll have to go to a church or something to keep a routine.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
bikes in barn
When we have to get chores done early, we bring Claire to the barn and all try to work together. Claire has a special potty, a tricycle and a couple of all plastic dolls in a purple pail. She alternates between taking hay from the bigger heifers to give to claves and sheep and taking handfulls of grain and giving to special cows in the barn. Brindle heifer and her Rose coloured heifer primarily, but others get special attention from her as well.
For the most part, Claire has never been able to figure out how to pedal a bike. She has been able to move it along by walking it (while sitting). Last night we actually pedaled the bike! She cannot take corners yet. Something about the sharpness of the angle and a narrow front end. She didn't land in the gutters, but she did take one header and sat there trying to decide if crying would be worth it. Instead she righted the bike and took another spin.
For the most part, Claire has never been able to figure out how to pedal a bike. She has been able to move it along by walking it (while sitting). Last night we actually pedaled the bike! She cannot take corners yet. Something about the sharpness of the angle and a narrow front end. She didn't land in the gutters, but she did take one header and sat there trying to decide if crying would be worth it. Instead she righted the bike and took another spin.
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