Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:05 pm
By Chuck
I promised I’d provide you with an online photo album from World Dairy Expo and I finally got it done. I took 262 photos during Expo and uploaded 201 of them. So there’s a lot to look at. Many of them were posted to World Dairy Diary but these are larger and unedited.
This link – World Dairy Diary Photo Album – will take you to the Flickr photo album. You can look at them individually or as a slideshow. You can download them too. If you use them, just give us credit please.
I hope you enjoy them. It was fun taking them.
Posted: October 29, 2005 at 10:05 am
By Chuck
Are you a college student looking for a summer internship? Here’s an opportunity. If you’re not a college student, maybe you know one you could pass this opportunity on to!
Select Sires Inc. has announced plans to offer two summer internships at its headquarters facility in Plain City, Ohio, during the summer of 2006. Positions are available within the dairy-sire and communications departments, with applications due by Monday, Nov. 21, 2005. “Both practical work experience within the industry and networking are extremely important in helping college students prepare for full-time employment upon graduation,” says Dave Thorbahn, Select Sires general manager. “That’s why Select Sires and several of its 10 member cooperatives offer hands-on internship opportunities each year. These internships help introduce top students to the industry side of agriculture, while they contribute to the day-to-day operation of the Select Sires federation.”
College students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in dairy science, animal science, agricultural economics, agricultural communications or related agricultural fields may apply for these internships. Applicants must be familiar with cattle pedigree information. Previous judging-team experience is an advantage. While important for all internships, strong writing and computer skills are a requirement for students working in corporate communications. Sire-department interns must have experience working with cattle, and the ability to clip and prepare animals for still or video photography.
For more information about these internships or to submit a resume for consideration, visit http://www.selectsires.com/internship.html or send an e-mail message to info-line@selectsires.com.
Posted: October 27, 2005 at 8:35 pm
By Chuck
This is a two blog post. That means that it will appear on AgWired and on World Dairy Diary. Why? Because these folks did a great media relations event at World Dairy Expo and they have new product news.
They are Virtus Nutrition & Lallemand. Now I don’t know about you but it’s not easy to understand and write about what these folks make. However, they did what it took to get the media there and “explain” it. We were invited to a wine tasting/product discussion. I missed the introduction so I never did fully understand the relationship between Virtus and Lallemand, except that Lallemand manufacturers and Virtus distributes.
However, Lallemand makes yeast and yeast is used in wine making. In fact, we learned that most of the wine made in the world uses Lallemand manufactured yeast! Yeast is also used in animal nutrition and there are different kinds of yeast that produce different kinds of results.
So, what they did was have us taste 3 different kinds of wine that were made with all the same ingredients except that the yeast for each was different. They all tasted different and this demonstrated the whole point of the presentation that followed on animal nutrition! Very creative and very well done. Besides, they brought in a wine expert, Lallemand’s own Bob Charley, who is a forage products manager. He was excellent. In fact, the wine was excellent.
The best part was leaving though and receiving a 2-bottle wine holder with corkscrew and a bottle of red and white inside! I only have the white left. They stocked the holders with New Glarus Primrose Winery products, which was also a good idea since we were in Wisconsin and the winery is located in New Glarus, WI. Let’s do it again Lallemand & Virtus.
Virtus Nutrition, headquartered in Fairlawn, Ohio, today introduced Strata G™ with Omega-3 Fatty Acids, the first in a line of new products to appear under the new Strata G brand name. “Strata G products feature specific fatty acids, such as omega-3’s, that are meant to be strategically fed at a specific time for a specific result,” said Scott Sorrell, Director of Marketing for Virtus Nutrition.
Virtus Nutrition, headquartered in Fairlawn, Ohio, today announced a new, patented manufacturing process — Engineered Fatty Acid Conversion Technology (EFACT™) — that enables the company to produce calcium salts from virtually any fat source. “Science is just beginning to discover and understand the power of certain specific fatty acids,” said Dr. Steve Koenig, President and CEO of NutriScience Technologies, holding company of Virtus Nutrition. “EFACT gives us the ability to build new products with virtually any fatty acid profile from a wide variety of fat sources”.”
Posted: October 26, 2005 at 7:41 pm
By Chuck
Now’s the time to get your dairy holiday shopping done online and help out a good cause. It’s the first ever Holstein Foundation online Art Sale!
The high-quality paintings, ceramics, and sculptures, all relating to dairy cattle make the perfect holiday gifts! All proceeds from the Holstein Foundation Art Sale benefit Foundation programs. The Foundation will accept bids on these special art pieces until December 1, 2005. Make sure your bid is the last one!
Posted: October 26, 2005 at 7:21 pm
By Chuck
National animal ID is heating up as various systems and government certification programs are starting to be implemented. In the dairy business there’s a new coalition of groups working together to create a system. One of those is iDAIRY of which Holstein Association USA is a founder.
Holstein Association USA, Inc. is a founding member of IDairy, the new coalition of six leading dairy industry organizations working to facilitate a national animal ID system.
“The Holstein Association believes there is an urgent need for a mandatory national animal ID system in the United States to allow the government to respond quickly and effectively to an animal health emergency,” said John M. Meyer, Chief Executive Officer of the Holstein Association USA, Inc.
Announced Thursday, October 6, 2005 at the World Dairy Expo, IDairy unveiled a three phase approach to secure the dairy industry’s role in the national animal ID system. The first phase is for all dairy and livestock producers to register their premises; the next step is for each animal to be identified and the final phase is the transfer of data from individual systems to a national database. The IDairy group hopes to have all dairy cows identified prior to the 2009 goal set by USDA.
Dairy and livestock producers can visit the newly launched IDairy website: www.idairy.org to complete the first phase of the coalition’s plan: registering all agricultural premises. The IDairy website is the industry’s source for the most up-to-date information about national animal ID and the founding organizations: Holstein Association USA, Inc., American Jersey Cattle Association, National Association for Animal Breeders, National Dairy Herd Improvement Association, National Milk Producers Federation and Professional Dairy Heifer Growers Association.
Posted: October 26, 2005 at 6:58 pm
By Chuck
USDA is using nonfat dry milk to help those in need. This announcement was just made at the end of last week.
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced that USDA will donate an additional 25 million pounds of nonfat dry milk (NDM) to help care for the needy throughout the U.S., including those affected by the 2005 hurricanes.
“This initiative builds on the president’s Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and promotes USDA’s efforts to meet nutritional requirements of individuals in need,” said Johanns. “Distribution of nonfat dry milk and its products to faith-based and community organizations is just one of many avenues through which USDA supports those in need.”
Nonfat dry milk can be used in manufacturing dairy products such as ready-to-eat pudding, ready-to-eat milk-based soups, nutritional bars and ultra-high temperature shelf-stable milk. The faith-based and community organizations exchange USDA’s nonfat dry milk for such manufactured products for distribution within the 48 contiguous states.
Johanns made the donation possible by extending the current deadlines under the National Nonprofit Humanitarian Initiative (NNHI) through December 31, 2005.
The following nonprofit organizations have participated in the FY 2005 NNHI.
America’s Second Harvest
Believer’s Sanctuary
California Emergency Foodlink
Calvary Baptist Church
Cascade Blue Mountain Food Share
Central Wisconsin Community Action Council, Inc.
City Team Ministries
Comlinks
Convoy of Hope
Cooperative Care Center
Cumac/Echo
Farm Share, Inc.
Feed the Children, Inc.
Feed the Hungry
Goodness Outreach Depot
Harvesting International Ministry Center, Inc.
Heartland Family Services
His Hands Extended
Hope In Action
Hosanna Daycor & H.P.W. Church
Hunger Task Force, Milwaukee, WI
Jeffco Action Center, Inc.
Jerico Faith Center
Las Cruces Gospel Rescue Mission
Love, Inc.
Midwest Mission Distribution
Newcap, Inc.
Operation Blessing Relief & Development Corp.
Operation Compassion
Racine/Kenosha Community Action Agency
Shilo Ministries
Springs Rescue Mission
St. Paul’s Community Development Corporation The Mission, Inc.
The Salvation Army, Long Beach, CA
The Salvation Army, Lancaster, CA
The Salvation Army, Phoenix, AZ
United Christian Ministries, Inc.
Westcap
Westside Food Bank
With Love From Jesus Ministries, Inc.
Word of Faith
Posted: October 25, 2005 at 8:50 pm
By Chuck
I’ve written before about the Southwest Plains Dairy Directory here on World Dairy Diary. I just got to interview the CEO of McCormick Company, the advertising agency that created the directory which was on display and available at World Diary Expo. I thought it was very interesting that an advertising agency did a project like this. The printed directory is also available in an online, searchable database.
The interview I did with Kathy Cornett was used for a regular weekly program I do on our sister website, AgWired. It’s called the ZimmCast. You can listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: 
(5MB MP3 File)
Podcast: Play in new window
| Download
Posted: October 25, 2005 at 8:33 pm
By Chuck
It has been interesting to see some consumer-oriented websites do a story about the computerized robotic milking machine from DeLaval (their Voluntary Milking System).
One story was on Engadget today called “Cow Milking Robots,” and it linked to the page on the DeLaval website where you can see video of the machine in action.
Another story about it appeared on LinuxDevices.com since the computer software to run the machine uses, Linux.
Posted: October 24, 2005 at 8:23 pm
By Chuck
Major League Baseball may not be very happy about the new Got Milk tv ads but I say, “Get a life.” They’re funny and created by the California Milk Processor Board.
It’s a series of ads that look like a breaking news story about players “pouring” a performance enhancing product. I think it’s very well done. It’s all in fun says the agency. “Goodby, Silverstein & Partners Co-Founder Jeff Goodby whose agency created the campaign says Brosnan needs to get a sense of humor, “It’s just milk. Believe me, we know parody is based on a serious topic. So we wanted to make sure that it was goofy enough so that people didn’t get upset.”
They apparently did as this statement by MLB’s Brosnan shows. “There is nothing humorous about steroid abuse. I would think that the California Milk Processor Board and their advertising agency would know better regarding an issue that threatens America’s youth.”
Posted: October 23, 2005 at 7:56 pm
By Chuck
Some lucky mom is going to win a 3 Day Spa Getaway. It’s a contest offered on 3-A-Day from Dairy Management, Inc.
It’s obvious why they have an image of 3 women since everything’s 3 on 3-A-Day!
Posted: October 21, 2005 at 5:57 pm
By Chuck
Let’s give Ken a big round of applause. Yaaaay! It sounds like this guy does some travelling. Pictured are: Alto field representatives from left to right: Don DeMotts, Jeff Montsma, Mike Mountain, Jeff Briese, Ken Beutler, Matt Hartwig and Alan Philibeck.
Alto Dairy Cooperative field representative Ken Beutler was named the 2005 Field Rep of the Year by the Wisconsin Association of Dairy Plant Field Reps at their annual convention in September.
Since he began working with Alto in 1981, Beutler has called on dairy producers in over 15 counties. Prior to working for Alto Dairy, he worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at a fish hatchery near his home in Westfield.
Posted: October 20, 2005 at 8:57 pm
By Chuck
Everyone else in the media seems fixated on Hurricane Wilma, why not us? There are already stories being done by the weather speculators about how the hurricane that no one yet knows where it will land, might affect the dairy industry in south Florida. Of course they speculate about the vegetable and citrus industries too.
We’ll keep an eye on it as well and pass along any dairy related hurricane effect, if any.
The photo is courtesy of The Weather Channel and is today’s location.
Posted: October 20, 2005 at 8:41 pm
By Chuck
The National Dairy Council distributes an emailed newsletter called the NDC Update. You can keep up with all the promotional work they’re doing including: fast facts on calcium, free tools for patients, expert advice and information on updated dairy nutrition resources and emerging studies.
An example is a link to “Look At The Science” on dairy.
Posted: October 19, 2005 at 9:59 pm
By Chuck
In case you’re wondering what the situation is on “dairy” in the world there’s a report available now (70 euros) from the International Dairy Federation called, “World Dairy Situation 2005.”
Results of annual survey presented by the Chair of the Standing Committee “Dairy Policies and Economics” at the IDF World Dairy Summit, Vancouver, September 2005. The 2005 edition of the World Dairy Situation report includes the customary collation of figures and comments from IDF National Committees and other sources.
Th organization also announced the appointment of Mr. Christian Robert as IDF Director General effective October 18.
Posted: October 18, 2005 at 9:31 pm
By Chuck
Do you need a calendar for next year? Want to stick with the dairy theme? Just check out the new Animart Calendar!
Animart, Inc. has released its annual customer appreciation calendar with a unique theme. The 2006 Animart calendar features 14 outstanding artists that have chosen to use dairy cattle as a means of artistic expression in one or more of their paintings. Each year, Animart strives to develop a new, creative theme to feature in their annual calendars and product catalogs – appropriately known as “Cowlendars” and “Cowtalogs” by Animart staff and customers. Each page of this 13-month calendar (starting with December 2005) features a different artist’s work, and a short biography.
The prestigious list of artists featured in the 2006 Cowlendar include:
Catherine Anderson; Houston, Texas
Lynn Bean; Vancouver, Washington
Rollie Brandt; Webster, Minnesota
Leah Dockrill; Toronto, Canada
Steven Kozar; McFarland, Wisconsin
Corrie Hofstra; Snohomish, Washington
Mia LaBerge; Harrisonburg, Virginia
Ken Marsden; Marinette, Wisconsin
Bonnie Mohr; Glencoe, Minnesota
Dick O’Brien; Blanchardville, Wisconsin
Denise Rich; San Diego, California
Sue Skowronski; Woodstock, Illinois
Ruud Spil; Amsterdam, Netherlands
Jeanne Tuman; Hutchinson, Minnesota
Posted: October 18, 2005 at 8:25 pm
By Chuck
At the Sunbelt Ag Expo today a Florida dairyman received a big award. He’s Red Larson from Okeechobee, FL.
Larson was selected for the honor by a panel of judges in competition among eight state finalists in the Southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Larson, who has been a dairy farmer for over 57 years, has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2005 Lancaster/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award. His selection was announced today at the Willie B. Withers Expo Luncheon during the opening day of the 28 th annual Sunbelt Expo. The announcement was made by officials of Swisher International of Jacksonville, FL, and the Sunbelt Expo of Moultrie, GA, sponsors of the Southeastern Farmer of the Year award for 16 years.
Dairy farming has been the backbone of Larson’s distinguished agriculture career that started in 1948. His first operation was a 160-acre dairy farm that he rented in Dade County, FL. “I heard about that farm for rent so I quit school, got married, sold the house and had enough money to rent it,” said Larson. “I had a dairy farm – something I had always wanted.”
Today, his massive operation in Okeechobee County covers 10,000 acres with the focus still on the dairy industry. There are over 6,000 milking cows that produce 120,000,000 pounds of milk annually. The average per cow is 21,000 pounds. Grass and hay used for silage covers 3,000 acres and yields 20-25 tones per acre.
“One of the smartest things I did was marry my wife Reda,” said Larson. “I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in life.” They have four grown children – sons Woody and John, who operate their own farming operations and daughters Barbara Stuart of Orlando and Kathy Cooley of Okeechobee.
Once upon a time I lived and worked in Florida and got to know the Larsons, especially Red’s son Woody. They are great people and we congratulate Red Larson on his award!
Posted: October 17, 2005 at 7:02 pm
By Chuck
I don’t know too many blogger who send out a news release when they post something to their blog but Alex Avery did today. It’s about his latest post on “Milk is Milk.”
As the release states, “The latest entry for Alex Avery’s Milk is Milk blog concerns consumer attitudes about milk. The blog’s author warns retailers and dairy producers to “beware ‘consumer research’ that claims to know what consumers demand when it comes to production standards for animal agriculture.” The second entry of this two-part article, to be posted later in the week, reviews the impact on dairy consumption of these marketing issues.”
So there you have it. Check out the blog for the rest of the story.
Posted: October 17, 2005 at 5:23 pm
By Chuck
I saw this story in the Aberdeen American News about Donna Sharp of Bath winning the Dairy Woman of the Year award. We posted that information here when announced and it’s good to see the winners getting some recognition for their “recognition” awards! The story says she’s the first person from South Dakota to win any of the 4 World Dairy Expo recognition awards.
The other award winners this year were:
Marvin L. Nunes, Windsor, California, Dairyman of the Year; Maurice Mix, Brattleboro, Vermont, Industry Person of the Year; and Shinichiro Nosawa, Tokyo, Japan, International Person of the Year.
Posted: October 17, 2005 at 5:15 pm
By Chuck
More companies are showing their pride in World Dairy Expo winners. Take Croplan Genetics which just made the announcement about Jacob Kamps and his achievement.
Jacob Kamps, of Darlington, Wis., took Grand Champion honors in the 2005 World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl. Kamps is a Croplan Genetics customer and seeded his winning entry with LegenDairy YPQ.
For his efforts, Croplan Genetics will give Kamps $3,440 in cash, or $10 for each Relative Forage Quality point in his winning entry. Croplan Genetics will also provide World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl jackets to all the Champions in other categories and to Kamps as the Grand Champion.
“The Kamps name is familiar to a lot of people because they’ve been consistent qualifiers and winners in competitions,” says Dennis Gehler, forage products manager. “Their big win demonstrates the genetic potential of Croplan Genetics alfalfa combined with excellent harvesting management and agronomic practices.”
More information on Croplan Genetics LegenDairy YPQ is available online at www.croplangenetics.com.
Posted: October 15, 2005 at 7:13 pm
By Chuck
You can see all the champions on the World Dairy Expo website.
Here’s the Junior Supreme Champions though.
SMART REMAKE ENCHANTMENT (Jersey)
Exhibited by Craig A. Martin of Olivet, Michigan
Production: 2-11 288d 18,488 4.5% 835F 3.4% 629P
World Dairy Expo Junior Show Reserve Supreme Champion
JOLEANNA WHITE RAIN -ET (Holstein)
Exhibited by Derek Johnson of Unadilla, New York
Production: 2-01 305d 19,297 3.5% 3.0%
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