Posted: October 31, 2006 at 10:29 pm
By Chuck
I’d like to welcome a new advertiser to World Dairy Diary. It’s Commodity Update. Here’s what the company’s latest announcement says about the service. By the way, I’ve been subscribing myself on my Palm Treo Sprint phone and I’m getting my market prices every day just like promised.
Commodity Update of Saint Paul, MN has successfully launched the first fully customizable cell phone delivery service for commodity markets. Commodity Update is the first service of its kind that delivers critical market data and other information instantly and directly to a user’s cell phone wherever they are. The service works on virtually any cell phone. It requires no new equipment and no cumbersome web browsing on your phone.
For any producer who has ever wished they had a market data terminal in their pickup, tractor, or pocket, Commodity Update provides the solution. Commodity Update CEO Joel Jaeger, who is a farmer himself, says their goal is to get farmers the information they need when they need it.
“It’s very difficult to get timely and accurate market information when you are sitting in your tractor out in the field. So, in many ways this service was born out of necessity for us and we found an opportunity to deliver information to the cell phone that the farmer carries in his pocket.”
Jaeger says the service was designed to be fully customized. “We call it on schedule or on demand so the farmer has full discretion over when they want the information delivered to them and what kinds of information they want delivered to them.”
Posted: October 31, 2006 at 6:57 pm
By News Editor
Well, the Halloween witches and wizards haven’t even stopped knocking on my door yet, but our favorite holiday’s official drink is already in the news! New England based, HP Hood, annouced two “limited-edition flavors” of eggnog for the holidays. Pumpkin EggNog and Cinnamon EggNog will join Hood’s product line of eggnog flavors. Can’t wait to try them!
Posted: October 31, 2006 at 6:35 pm
By News Editor
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), today announced that sign-up begins Nov. 1, 2006, for the $17 million 2005 Dairy Disaster Assistance Payment Program (DDAP-II), which will help dairy producers recover from 2005 hurricane losses.
Eligible DDAP-II counties are those declared a natural disaster by Secretary Johanns or designated a major disaster or emergency by President Bush for 2005 calendar year hurricanes Katrina, Ophelia, Wilma or Rita. Counties contiguous to an approved county are also eligible. Counties declared disaster areas by Hurricane Dennis are ineligible for DDAP-II because the legislation did not provide for disaster losses resulting from Hurricane Dennis. A list of eligible counties can be found in the DDAP-II fact sheet.
To be eligible, a dairy producer must have suffered dairy production and spoilage losses from August through December 2005 due to the 2005 hurricanes or related conditions, and suffered the losses in an eligible DDAP-II county.
Posted: October 31, 2006 at 6:29 pm
By News Editor
Good news for those of us who love dessert, but are watching our sugar intake! Two U.S. food technologists, Drs Bruce Tharp and Steven Young, have developed what is believed to be the first dairy based dessert that contains no sugar, trans fat or lactose. Wonder if it tastes any good?
Two top scientists claim to have developed a frozen dairy dessert that contains no sugar, trans fats or lactose, heralding new opportunities for dairy firms to target consumer health trends. The formulation, thought to be one of the first of its kind in the world, claims to use commercially available ingredients and traditional ice cream manufacturing processes without the need for high intensity sweeteners. The dessert contains around 0.5g total sugars per serving, 3g of fat (or 90 calories) and is completely free of trans fatty acids, harmful ‘hard’ fats which must now be flagged up on product labels in the US.
Posted: October 30, 2006 at 9:38 pm
By Chuck
Do not tell my wife about these. She feeds all my good leftovers to our two house dogs. If we’re going to get ice cream sandwiches around here, they’re mine, all mine!
Now, two of the biggest names in the ice cream and dog food industry – Good Humor and PEDIGREE Brand – have come together to create the first real ice cream sandwich formulated especially for dogs. The new PEDIGREE Ice Cream Sandwich Treats for Dogs from Unilever Ice Cream’s Good Humor brand give pet owners the crème de la crème of treats they can reward to their loyal, four-legged friends.
Like humans, some dogs are lactose-intolerant and cannot enjoy ice cream. While PEDIGREE Ice Cream Sandwich Treats for Dogs are dairy-based and have a creamy texture like regular ice cream, they are 99 percent lactose free. They also have added protein and there is no sugar added. When the dairy mixture is placed between two wafers it creates a very fetch-friendly treat and the perfect reward for training, good behavior or as a refreshing snack.
PEDIGREE Ice Cream Sandwich Treats for Dogs are now starting to appear in the freezer section of supermarkets nationwide. Packages contain six (6) 3 fl. oz. ice cream sandwich treats for a total of 24 bite-sized perforated pieces and have a suggested retail price of $3.99.
Posted: October 30, 2006 at 9:27 pm
By Chuck
A couple of Northwest U.S. dairy groups are getting together. If you’ve got common interests you can probably do more with your combined budgets, eh?
The Oregon Dairy Products Commission and the Washington Dairy Products Commission have entered a joint venture to better serve the marketing interests of Oregon and Washington dairy farmers. The effort represents the first formal agreement between the two entities in specific targeted marketing on a regional basis.
With the new agreement, the commissions will assist retail grocers and foodservice in developing increased dairy product sales including milk, cheese and yogurt within the two-state region. Planned promotional activities through the next 12 months include sponsorship tie-ins with regional and major league sports teams, nutritional campaigns focusing on healthy kids, and support for new product introductions.
Combined, Oregon and Washington have 860 dairy farms representing 356,000 milking cows, with a total on-farm value of approximately $1.2 billion.
Posted: October 30, 2006 at 9:15 pm
By Chuck
Here’s the definition of the word “Dairy” according to Wikipedia. A dairy is a facility for the extraction and processing of animal milk (mostly from cows, sometimes from buffalo, sheep or goats) and other farm animals, for human consumption. A dairy farm produces milk and a dairy factory processes it into a variety of dairy products.
Read the whole online encyclopedia entry.
Posted: October 30, 2006 at 8:53 pm
By Chuck
Tillamook Cheese has awarded their advertising business to Leopold Ketel & Partners. Here’s where you can buy their products. They also have a webcam at their facility that updates every 15 minutes. So back to Leopold:
“LKP prevailed after competing against 12 other Northwest agencies,” said Kathy Holstad, Tillamook County Creamery Association marketing director. “Leopold Ketel impressed us with their creativity and approach to Tillamook Cheese branding,” she said. “We also have a great chemistry with the agency team members, which is very important to us. We look forward to a long relationship.”
Posted: October 30, 2006 at 6:15 pm
By Chuck
Making a peat moss substitute from manure looks like it might be a new alternative for dairies looking at environmentally friendly ways to manage the waste. Organix has announced the completion of its peat moss replacement pilot in Rupert, Idaho.
The pilot used the Company’s patented FibeRite™ process which takes dairy solids (fiber) from an anaerobic digester and converts it into a high value, peat moss substitute designed for the horticulture industry. The test took place at the Whitesides Dairy biogas plant in Rupert, built and operated by Intrepid Technology and Resources. A full-scale production facility is expected to be operating by early 2007.
“This concept has been five years in the making and we feel that we have created a system that a dairyman can appreciate, regulators can approve and an end-user can depend on,” explains Russ Davis, President of Organix. “With the current interest in renewable energy projects, biogas capture remains one of the best ways for a dairy to participate in the market while increasing manure management capabilities. The FibeRite™ system enhances a digester project by creating a high-value product out of the solids while simultaneously addressing many of the environmental concerns associated with dairies.” (more…)
Posted: October 30, 2006 at 6:04 pm
By Chuck
At the All American Jersey Show & Sale that’s coming up in Louisville, KY you can show your support for the AJCA Scholarship Fund by bidding on a custom print of “Wide Load Ahead” painting that was unveiled at World Dairy Expo.
Two 16” x 20” archival prints on canvas of the original oil painting have been made by artist Denise Rich of El Cajon, Calif.. She has personally hand-embellished these prints, turning each into a one-of-a-kind artwork. The professionally framed prints will be the first lots to be auctioned at the 54th All American Jersey Sale, starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky on November 5 in Louisville, Ky. (more…)
Posted: October 29, 2006 at 6:47 pm
By Chuck
It looks like Truffle Media Networks has their Dairycast program up and running. It got started in conjunction with World Dairy Expo just a few weeks ago. The farm podcasting choices continue to grow.
DairyCast is an audio program specifically designed to meet the needs of today’s Dairy professional. We’ll talk about production practices, environmental stewardship, animal welfare and a lot more. We’ll tell you what others in the Dairy industry are thinking about and doing. DairyCast is:
* Convenient. Subscribe to DairyCast at home or office. Transfer it to your MP3 player to listen whenever and wherever best for you.
* Timely. DairyCast is delivered via the Internet, or “podcast,” twice a week. The targeted approach with this programming format ensures topical interest and allows for in-depth segments to more completely communicate the information.
* Interest-driven. DairyCast provides an overview of the stories that drive the market, including interviews with experts in the field. You’ll quickly discover that DairyCast does not waste your valuable time with unimportant or obvious information.
* Interactive. The input and experiences of dairy professionals are an important part of each program. DairyCast bridges the distance between dairy professionals and industry insiders by building a community of shared experience.
* International. DairyCast looks beyond the U.S. borders at production practices and economic factors around the world, as well as import/export requirements and legislative trends. DairyCast cuts through the clutter and covers the issues critical to economic success. We invite you to subscribe to DairyCast and join the conversation! It’s easy and free.
Here’s where you can join in the conversation.
Posted: October 27, 2006 at 6:32 pm
By News Editor
If you’ve never had the opportunity to treat yourself to this unique ice cream experience, you are really missing out! I’ve delighted in both Cold Stone and MaggieMoo’s, and believe me, just like Starbuck’s Gingerbread latte, this ice cream is worth a few extra dollars!
Marble Slab Creamery, Cold Stone Creamery and MaggieMoo’s International, sell various flavors of premium ice cream, which is defined by the industry as having more than 12 percent butterfat. Moreover, they allow customers to choose from an assortment of “mix-ins” like crumbled cookies, candies, fruits and nuts. Employees then blend the ingredients into the ice cream on a cold granite or marble slab before packing it into a cup or freshly baked waffle cone. The cost escalates with the number of mix-ins and can easily top $5 for a medium serving.
Part of the experience is waiting in line and watching employees prepare concoctions. “It’s entertainment,” Ms. Barry said. “I myself get intrigued by what other people order,” like peanut butter ice cream with bananas, marshmallows and brownie chunks.
Posted: October 27, 2006 at 6:08 pm
By News Editor
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner today announced 35 appointments and one interim appointment to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. All appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning Feb.3, 2007. The interim appointee will serve a 2-year term.
Appointed members representing cattle producers by state and unit are: Judy E. Prosser, Ariz.; I. Jack Cowley and Richard L. Nock, Calif.; Roger L. Evans, Colo.; Jeffrey L. Clausen and Robert L. Johnson, Iowa; Jerald L. Bohn and Don H. Hullman, Kan.; T. Barrett Porter, La.; Charles E. Markley, Mich.; Aquilla M. Ward, Mid-Atlantic; John C. Schafer, Minn.; Charles R. Hull, Miss.; Jerry R. King, Mo.; Kristy L. Lage and David C. Lamb, Neb.; Preston T. Wright, Nev.; Margaret D. McKeen, N.M.; Roger M. Pendleton, N.C.; Lucinda M. Williams, Northeast; Bill D. Boyer, Okla.; Allen L. Walth and Myron J. Williams, S.D.; Jennifer A. Senn, Southeast; Robert J. Reviere, Jr., Tenn.; Peter F. Case, Justin P. Dauer, Charles A. Kiker III, and Walter E. Lasley, Texas; Richard V. Nielson, Utah; Mark E. Riechers and Nancy L. Thomas, Wis.; Dianne S. Kirkbride, Wyo.
The 104-member board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985. The secretary selects the appointees nominated by beef, veal, dairy and importers certified organizations. The board oversees collection of $1-per-head on all cattle sold in the United States, and $1-per-head equivalent on imported cattle, beef and beef products. In addition, the board contracts with established national, non-profit, industry-governed organizations to implement programs of promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications.
Posted: October 27, 2006 at 6:05 pm
By News Editor
Farmers are the original stewarts of our great land. In these changing times in agriculture, some farmers are stepping up and using so called “green” farming methods.
Hybrids vehicles aren’t replacing one-ton pickups in mid-America, but many in the agriculture industry are reacting to the potential effects of global warming, developing new technology and farming methods to brace for the possibility of widespread drought and crop-pounding storms. The industry has been especially aggressive in breeding and developing crops that more efficiently use soil moisture and nutrients. Such crops can ward off disease and pests that stress plants trying to cope with increased temperatures.
Others in the industry are using improved soil management methods to reduce greenhouse gases. That includes no-till farming, where farmers plant crops without using machines to plow or turn over the soil. That method cuts down on energy use and traps organic material that breaks down to fertilize the soil. The method also keeps carbon in the ground instead of releasing it to build up in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. In addition to aiding the environment, such energy conservation also helps farmers’ bottom line.
Posted: October 27, 2006 at 1:24 pm
By Chuck
Dairy Markets Week in Review
The cash cheese market gave back much of the previous week’s gains this week. The block price closed Friday at $1.24 per pound, down 4 cents on the week, and 16 cents below that week a year ago when it dropped almost 7 cents. Barrel closed Friday at $1.2475, down 1 1/4-cents on the week, and 10 1/4-cents below a year ago. Eight cars of block traded hands on the week and only one of barrel. The NASS U.S. average block price slipped 2.5 cents, to $1.2216. Barrel averaged $1.2340, down 3.4 cents.
Cash butter closed Friday at $1.2750, down 8 cents on the week, and 30 1/4-cents below a year ago when butter dropped almost 6 cents. Only eight cars were sold on the week. NASS butter averaged $1.3146, up 2.4 cents.
Provided courtesy of Dairyline.
Posted: October 26, 2006 at 10:46 pm
By Chuck
There are plenty of internship opportunities available at Accelerated Genetics. Actually three of them:
Public Relations & Advertising Intern:
The Advertising & Public Relations Intern is based at Accelerated Genetics’ Administrative Headquarters in Baraboo, WI. In this position the intern will be responsible for a variety of projects within the areas of public relations, print advertising, audio visual, web and written communications, as well as receive a broad-range of experience with all Accelerated Genetics programs and services.
Interested candidates should be proficient in both written and oral communication as well as have good computer skills. Training will be given in all areas. Send Resume & Cover Letter to: Kari Stanek, Accelerated Genetics, E10890 Penny Lane, Baraboo, WI 53913. The application deadline is November 15, 2006. For more information, please contact Kari at 1-800-451-9275 ext. 222 or kstanek@accelgen.com. (more…)
Posted: October 26, 2006 at 10:32 pm
By Chuck
The FFA Convention is underway in Indianapolis. The theme is Blue Jackets – Gold Standards.
I don’t know if they have always had a musical theme song but they do this year.
If you like a rocking tune then listen to it here: 
FFA Convention Theme Song (3 min MP3)
Podcast: Play in new window
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Posted: October 25, 2006 at 7:29 pm
By Chuck
Among silage corn issues, vitreousness generates more noise than it deserves, says Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer Hi-Bred. This is the hard starch on the outside of the corn kernel that develops late in maturity, contributing to high test weight. Bill says research based solely on dry corn at 15.5% moisture is not relevant to high-moisture and silage corn. From processing to digestibility, he cites comprehensive Pioneer research involving multiple hybrids and feeding methods to put vitreousness in perspective.
Dr. Bill Mahanna on vitreousness (4:45 min MP3)
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Podcast: Play in new window
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Posted: October 25, 2006 at 6:40 pm
By News Editor
A New York City based dairy, Elmhurst Dairy, is now offering a fluid milk with a shelf life of 16-17 days. Using a bacterial centrifuge, the dairy spins milk at 4,000 revolutions per minute during processing for a finished product with 90-95% less bacteria than conventionally processed milk. The product, “UltraPure” is currently only available in about 150 stores around the city and Canada – for a reasonable price of $2.49 a half gallon. That’s compared to $4.00 a half gallon for organic milk.
“The milk lasts longer, tastes better and is healthier,” Cyrus Schwartz, president of Elmhurst Dairy’s subsidiary Mountainside Farms said. “There are the customary fat-free, 1% lowfat, 2% reduced fat and whole milk varieties.”
Posted: October 25, 2006 at 6:24 pm
By News Editor
Earlier this month at World Dairy Expo, Dr. Dave Galton of Cornell University was named president of the National Dairy Shrine and Linda Hodorff was named president-elect. In other Shrine news, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board gifted the Wisconsin Cow Parade “Sun in the Mornin’ Moon at Night” painted by Greg Zeszotarski as a permanent loan for display at the newly renovated Shrine Museum in Fort Atkinson, Wisc.
National Dairy Shrine brings together dairy producers, scientists, students, educators, marketers, and others who share a desire to preserve our dairy heritage and keep the dairy industry strong. Founded in 1949 by a small group of visionary dairy leaders, National Dairy Shrine now has over 18,000 members encompassing virtually every facet of the industry.
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