Posted: October 31, 2007 at 5:17 pm
By News Editor
Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) has announced a new scholarship program for college students pursuing a career in the dairy industry. Says DFA, “We recognize the importance of developing future leaders in the dairy industry, and are committed to investing in their educations.” Applications are due January 15, 2008 - to learn more visit DFA’s website.
Scholarships are available for the following studies:
* Dairy Herd Management/Production
* Large Animal Veterinary Medicine
* Marketing/Economics/Finance
* Processing/Manufacturing
* Communications/Journalism
* Quality Assurance
* Dairy Nutrition
* Dairy Foods
* Education
* Engineering
* Policy
* Genetics
* Law
* Others
Posted: October 31, 2007 at 5:12 pm
By News Editor
The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) has teamed up with Bucky Badger, the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s mascot to encourage students to drink milk.
The got milk? Bucky Does! promotional campaign includes school promotional kits and live Bucky Badger appearances at five Wisconsin middle schools. The campaign focuses on the health benefits of milk highlighting calcium and the eight other essential vitamins and minerals found in milk.
“The goal of this campaign is to draw attention to milk in school cafeterias and to make school cafeterias a fun place to eat,” explains Laura Wilford, Director of the Wisconsin Dairy Council, the nutrition education department of WMMB.” It helps us work towards our goal of having every Wisconsin student drink at least one serving of milk at school each day.”
“WMMB is sponsoring Bucky Badger appearances at select Wisconsin middle schools because these students are at a key age for developing life-long milk drinking habits,” explains Wilford.
In addition to the live appearances, over 1,000 got milk? Bucky Does! promotional kits have been sent to schools across the state. The kit includes a life-size Bucky Badger standup along with promotion tips and ideas for school foodservice directors. The cardboard cut-out features Bucky Badger holding a glass of chocolate milk and a glass of white milk to remind students that they need 3-4 servings of dairy products each day for strong bones and good health.
Posted: October 30, 2007 at 6:23 pm
By News Editor
The National Dairy Shrine has elected Linda Hodorff, Eden, Wis. as the organization’s new president. Kevin Stiles of Ankeny, Iowa is the new president-elect.
Also elected to the board are Dr. Roy Ax, Tucson, Arizona and Dr. Roger Neitzel, Beloit, Wisconsin. Re-elected for their second three-year term to the board were Corey Geiger, Fort Atkinson; Michele Ruby, Portland, Oregon; Kevin Stiles, Ankeny, Iowa; David Thorbahn, Plain City, Ohio; and Evans Wright, Gamaliel, Kentucky.
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.
Posted: October 30, 2007 at 5:44 pm
By News Editor
National Milk Producers Federation has offered some insights into the Senate farm bill, claiming that they like some of the provisions and dislike others.
Chris Galen with NMPF says the dairy provisions of the Senate bill are similar to those in the House bill with a couple of exceptions.
One difference is that the Senate bill does not assess the dairy promotion checkoff on dairy imports. “We thought we had that fixed with the last farm bill,” says Galen, “Now we’re trying to correct it technically and get it done in this farm bill.” Dairy producers have complained for years that importers benefit from dairy promotion yet importers don’t contribute to that promotion.
The other notable difference in the Senate bill is in the Milk Income Loss Compensation (MILC) program. The House version basically extends the program as it is currently while the Senate version reinstates the original payment rate of 45% and raises the annual production cap from 2.4 million pounds to 4.1 million pounds. Galen also points out that these increases would not be implemented until F.Y. 2009. Of course, “Looking at the futures markets, there are not going to be any MILC payments at least for the next six months.”
Next up for National Milk, Galen says they will work to get the import checkoff put in the bill on the Senate floor or in the conference committee. “We also want to make certain that the other things we have been fighting for don’t get tinkered with including a revised dairy price support system that shifts the target price to product prices and away from an all-milk price.”
Posted: October 29, 2007 at 8:57 pm
By News Editor
A new study conducted by General Mills, the maker of Yoplait yogurt, points to a link between healthier body weight and better nutrient intakes among those who consume yogurt.
The food manufacturer has announced results of a 14-day study conducted by the General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition in Minneapolis. The researchers investigated the diets of approximately 3,000 women aged 19 and older. The research found that those women who consumed three or more servings of yogurt over the two-week period had a 15 percent lower body mass index (BMI) than those who did not eat any yogurt.
The initiative opens another health pathway along which yogurt can be marketed. The product is increasingly being proffered to consumers as delivery of friendly bacteria for gut and immune health, probiotics.
“Obesity continues to be a leading health risk for Americans of all ages,” said the research leader, Ann Albertson, senior nutrition scientist at the Bell Institute. “Our findings build on previous studies and offer good news for yogurt eaters.”
The weight management potential of yogurt likely comes from the fact that while it can be high in calories, it is still a relatively healthy snack food that promotes satiety. The study found that the participants mainly eat yogurt at breakfast. Among the women who ate yogurt, 34 percent did so at breakfast, 38 percent at lunch, 19 percent did so as a snack and nine percent at dinner. The women who ate yogurt regularly were also more like to have higher overall intakes for nutrients including calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B-12, magnesium and phosphorous.
Posted: October 28, 2007 at 6:26 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Dairy Markets Week in Review
The cheese market strengthened the week of October 22, with block cheese closing Friday at $2.00 per pound, up 15 1/4-cents on the week, and 76 cents above a year ago. Barrel closed at $1.91, up 3 1/4-cents on the week, and 66 1/4-cents above a year ago. Twenty eight cars of block traded hands on the week and two of barrel. The NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price fell to $1.8719, down 2.5 cents. Barrel averaged $1.8996, down 2.6 cents.
Butter closed Friday at $1.29, unchanged on the week, but 1 1/2-cents above a year ago. Eleven cars were sold. Cash Grade “A” nonfat dry milk lost 11 cents, dipping to $2.00, on an offer. It was the first price movement since June 1.
NASS butter averaged $1.2734, down 2.1 cents. NASS nonfat dry milk averaged $2.0696, down 1.6 cents, and dry whey averaged 41.51 cents, up 0.5 cent.
Provided courtesy of Dairyline.
Posted: October 26, 2007 at 3:54 pm
By News Editor
The state of Pennsylvania has taken an industry-leading step - notifying processors that sell milk in the state that false or misleading labels must be changed. The Pa. Department of Agriculture has authority over food labeling through the Pennsylvania Food Act and the milk sanitation law. Specific to milk and dairy products sold in the state, the department has the authority to disapprove any label deemed false or misleading.
Of the 140 dairy companies whose labels have been reviewed to date, 16 use labels that are considered inaccurate or misleading because they contain claims that cannot be verified or implying that their product is safer than others through ‘absence labeling’ – telling consumers what is not present in the milk as opposed to what is. The 16 permit holders whose products are mislabeled are located in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts and will have until Jan. 1 to correct the labels.
Pa. Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said claims such as “antibiotic-free” and “pesticide-free” are misleading because all processed milk sold in Pennsylvania is tested a minimum of 10 times to guarantee that it is free of such substances, which are illegal for milk to contain.
“Consumers rely upon the labeling of a product to make decisions about what they buy and what to feed their families,” said Wolff. “The department must approve the labels for milk sold in Pennsylvania and we’re seeing more and more marketing that is making it hard for consumers to make informed decisions.”
Label claims that are inaccurate or that cannot be verified are also being seen in the marketplace. For example, some milk labels contain statements such as “hormone-free,” but all milk contains hormones. Some labels also claim the absence of synthetic hormones, but there is no scientific test that can determine the truth of this claim.
In addition, Wolff said some of the mislabeled products cost more than those labeled correctly. This has become a degrading factor for low-income families who want to buy safe food for their children but cannot afford more expensive milk that is misleadingly or inaccurately marketed as a safer product.
“Consumers are concerned or confused about product labeling,” said Wolff. “It’s a subject the department continues to receive many calls about.”
Posted: October 26, 2007 at 3:30 pm
By News Editor
According to AccuWeather chief long-range forecaster, Joe Bastardi, much of the U.S. will experience a very warm winter, with only the Northwest receiving average or above average cold and snow.
“November into December and March and April will be closest to what we consider winter weather, with the chance of cold and snowy conditions. But once we’re into the heart of winter, from mid and late December into February, we may see one of the top-10 warmest winters ever recorded for the southeastern U.S.,” Bastardi says, adding that the core of the warm weather will be centered over the Tennessee Valley and the Carolinas.
In fact, the 2007-08 winter may be as warm as the winters of 1998-99 and 2001-02, both warmer-than-average seasons. “More than 75% of the days this winter may have temperatures above normal in most of the nation, southeast of a line that runs from the Great Lakes to the Southwest. Only the Pacific Northwest should experience cooler-than-normal temperatures,” Bastardi says.
AccuWeather.com believes that the combination of what may be a top-five La Niña event combined with a cycle of warming water temperatures in the Atlantic are the key signals to the coming winter season.
Posted: October 25, 2007 at 5:27 pm
By News Editor
Starting as early as 10 years of age, self-imposed restriction of dairy foods because of perceived milk intolerance is associated with lower spinal bone mineral content values, according to the results of a study published in the September issue of Pediatrics.
“Increasing evidence indicates that the development of osteoporosis is in part related to inadequate calcium intake and that high calcium intake may slow the loss of bone mass observed in postmenopausal women,” write Leann Matlik, MS, RD, from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and colleagues. “The purpose of this study was to determine associations among lactose maldigestion status, perceived milk intolerance, dietary calcium intake, and bone mineral content in early adolescent girls.”
“These results suggest that, starting as early as 10 years of age, self-imposed restriction of dairy foods because of perceived milk intolerance is associated with lower spinal bone mineral content values,” the authors write. “The long-term influence of these behaviors may contribute to later risk for osteoporosis.”
“Individuals who perceive themselves to be milk intolerant and therefore limit their consumption of high-calcium products are compromising their bone health,” the authors conclude. “Because early adolescence is a period when calcium intake has a significant effect in increasing bone mineral accrual in girls, PMI [perceived milk intolerance] and its consequent effects on calcium intake and BMC [bone mineral content] at this young age are especially threatening for bone health.”
Posted: October 25, 2007 at 5:19 pm
By News Editor
Pfizer Animal Health has some advice to help producers develop prevention management practices. Using systematic and comprehensive monitoring programs for facility layout, animal flow and employee training can dairy producers increase profits.
“A good fresh cow management program is critical to the success and profitability of a dairy,” says Mark Kirkpatrick, DVM, Manager, Dairy Veterinary Operations, Pfizer Animal Health. “When fresh cows are kept healthy and comfortable, dairy producers also benefit from increased performance and revenue.”
Kirkpatrick says early diagnosis and treatment are critical to preventing serious fresh cow health problems and avoiding economic loss. He recommends that proper treatment protocols are followed consistently and producers work with their veterinarians to set up a fresh cow program that fits the needs of the individual dairy. Simple steps used when evaluating fresh cow health include:
* Allocate fresh pen space exclusively for fresh cows and stock at no more than 80 to 85 percent of total stocking density;
* Lock up time should not exceed two hours a day – according to Nigel Cook, MRCVS, University of Wisconsin – Madison;
* Avoid moving fresh cows in and out of the hospital pen
Posted: October 24, 2007 at 4:50 pm
By News Editor
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is offering a Dairy Industry Orientation Workbook to help familiarize people with the industry’s main dynamics, including consumer trends, farm production, manufacturing and government regulations. The workbook offers clear and concise descriptions of complex policies and offers valuable insight and analysis. Dairy professionals who are new to the industry or who want to expand their knowledge of the industry will find this workbook useful. The cost is $95 for members and $145 for nonmembers. To order, visit IDFA’s website.
Posted: October 24, 2007 at 4:47 pm
By News Editor
Wawa, Inc., a convenience store, has announced that the company will only process and sell rBST free milk at its 570 stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. The artificial hormone rBST supplements a natural hormone cows use to direct the energy they gain from their feed. The Food and Drug Administration has found no significant difference between milk derived from supplemented cows and non-treated cows.
To ensure that all products processed and packaged by Wawa and under the Wawa label are free of artificial growth hormone, Wawa will now only purchase raw milk from farmers who will pledge, and sign legal affidavits, that they will not use artificial growth hormones in their cows. Customers will be able to see this “Farmers Pledge” through a seal on the label of all Wawa dairy products. Wawa is offering this choice to customers who, in recent years, have shown increasing interest in natural products and a greater commitment to overall health and wellness.
“Our commitment to selling the safest and highest quality products goes back to the opening of Wawa Dairy Farms in 1902, when we offered bottled milk that was certified safe from cows that were guaranteed to be healthy and disease-free,” said Howard Stoeckel, Wawa President and CEO. “Offering artificial hormone-free milk furthers our commitment to offering our customers the quality and security they have come to expect from Wawa.”
Regional milk producers are well-positioned to supply Wawa’s demands, said Amber DuMont, spokeswoman for the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association. “We produce 3 billion pounds of milk per year. A significant portion of our milk supply is rBST-free, and the producers market it that way.” While the cooperative takes no stand on the hormone — except that it is legal and FDA-approved — it does accommodate both sides of the debate over its use.
Posted: October 24, 2007 at 7:42 am
By Cindy
Does corn silage really need to be that much different for heifers versus cows? According to Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional science for Pioneer Hi-Bred, the answer is yes since high fat deposits in growing heifers can cause havoc and production issues down the line. Hear how producers can potentially manage this problem and their crops to reduce starch levels. Bill highlights some of the challenges and potential solutions for managing corn silage when feeding heifers.
Bill Mahanna on Corn Silage for Heifers (4:00 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.
Posted: October 23, 2007 at 5:34 pm
By News Editor
And the news from the Holstein Association USA is also outstanding - the Association is one of the first to be recognized by USDA as an official Animal Tracking Database.
A cooperative agreement has been signed between USDA and Holstein Association USA giving National FAIR (Farm Animal Identification and Records) official approval as a compliant Animal Tracking Database under the USDA Animal Trace Processing System (ATPS). The Association is among the first in the U.S. to be recognized by USDA/APHIS as an official Animal Tracking Database.
Through National FAIR, Holstein Association USA has one of the largest animal databases in the world, totaling over five million animals. If an animal health emergency were to occur in the U.S., the USDA would post a request for pertinent animal tracking information. Holstein would query the National FAIR database to determine where the animals in question have been. Information that would be provided to USDA would be the animal identification number, the premises ID and the event type and date. This system will help ensure data is shared quickly and confidentially with USDA only in the time of need.
Posted: October 23, 2007 at 5:28 pm
By News Editor
Eight Jersey youth have been awarded scholarships totaling $11,450 to support their studies in the agricultural industry. The scholarships are paid from permanent endowments administered by the American Jersey Cattle Association. The scholarships will be presented November 3, 2007, at a banquet concluding Junior Day events at The All American Jersey Show & Sale in Louisville, Ky.
The Russell Memorial Scholarship, was awarded to Claire Laurel Stanley, East Fairfield, Vt. The Russell-Malnati Scholarship for Advanced Studies was awarded to Bruce Flint Richards, Savoy, Ill.
The Jack C. Nisbet Memorial Scholarship Fund was awarded to Tyler Lee Boyd, Parrottsville, Tenn. The V. L. Peterson Scholarship was awarded to Renee Elizabeth Norman, Liberty, Pa. The Cedarcrest Farms Scholarship was awarded to Aaron Michael Horst, Chambersburg, Pa.
The Bob Toole Youth Award was awarded to Jessica Louise Stiles, Boonsboro, Md. The Paul Jackson Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Emily Ruth Waggoner, Pendleton, S.C. The Rueben R. Cowles Youth Award was awarded to John Franklin Hoffner, Mooresville, N.C.
Posted: October 22, 2007 at 5:04 pm
By News Editor
Two cheese manufacturers in Wisconsin have announced expansion projects. Masters Gallery and Sartori Foods, both of Plymouth, Wis. are planning $8 million and $15 million expansions respectively. Plymouth has been known for years for quality cheese production, earning the city the well-deserved title of “Cheese Capital” of the world.
Masters Gallery’s expansion will eventually add about 40 new jobs. Sartori’s plans don’t specify just how many new jobs will be added to the local economy, but it’s safe to say that there will be significant economic benefit once both expansions are completed. Masters Gallery and Sartori both expect things to be done by the end of 2008.
The art and science of cheese production, packaging and distribution has changed dramatically over the years and Plymouth cheese makers — including Sargento — have been the leaders. While the milk these manufacturers use comes from Wisconsin cows, the cheeses they make wind up on tables, in food products and in restaurants around the world.
Expansions, such as those at Masters Gallery and Sartori, allow companies to keep pace with changing technology and meet the demand of a worldwide marketplace. The rise in demand for specialty cheeses — and the ability of Plymouth cheese makers to meet it — has no doubt led to the expansion decisions.
The future is bright for Wisconsin and cheese making.
Wisconsin made a record 2.5 billion pounds of cheese in 2006, accounting for 26 percent of the national cheese market. And Wisconsin cheese exports are on a record pace through the first half of 2007. At this year’s United States Cheese Championships, Wisconsin manufacturers accounted for 60 percent of the best-in-class awards.
Posted: October 22, 2007 at 4:54 pm
By News Editor
The American Butter Institute (ABI) elected new officers at its annual meeting held this month in Arizona.
ABI’s new president is Rich Stammer of Agri-Mark in Methuen, Massachusetts. The ABI first vice president is Deborah Van Dyk of Schreiber Foods, Green Bay, Wisconsin, and ABI’s second vice president is Kris McFarland of California Dairies, Inc., Artesia, California.
ABI’s immediate past president, Jim Bleick of Graf Creamery, was presented a plaque for his two years of leadership that ended with the selection of Stammer as the incoming president.
ABI Board members, in addition to officer elections, conducted several other items of business at last week’s meeting, including reviewing ABI’s finances, getting an update on economic and market outlook, learning about butter promotional programs, and reviewing potential labeling and standards changes.
ABI’s next meeting will be held April 27-29, 2008 at the Marriott Downtown in Chicago, IL.
Posted: October 22, 2007 at 1:27 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Here’s the latest announcement from Cooperatives Working Together:
Cooperatives Working Together announced today that it accepted two export assistance bids last week for the sale of whole milk power.
The bids were from Humboldt Creamery of Fortuna, CA, for the export of 250 metric tons (550,000 pounds) of whole milk powder to the Bangladesh, and another 60 tons (132,000 lbs.) to Mexico. This is the first CWT-facilitated export of to Bangladesh.
CWT will pay an export bonus to the bidder, only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.
This accepted bid increases CWT’s total 2007 export obligations for cheese to 5,595 metric tons (12.3 million lbs.), its YTD anhydrous milkfat export obligations to 4,385 tons (9.6 million lbs.), its YTD export obligations for butter to 10,975 metric tons (24.1 million lbs.), and its YTD export obligations for whole milk powder to 560 metric tons (1.23 million lbs.).
Posted: October 19, 2007 at 5:14 pm
By News Editor
The Fairview Swiss Cheese Plant soon will be partially powered with biogas made from its own waste products.
The plant, owned by John Koller & Son Inc. broke ground on the renewable energy project, which converts food waste into gas, said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. The $2.2 million project involves constructing an anaerobic digester that will use cheese whey from the plant and cone batter waste from the Joy Cone Co. to make 40 million cubic feet of biogas annually — the equivalent of 28 million cubic feet of natural gas.
“The Fairview Swiss Cheese Plant is just one more exciting example of how Pennsylvanians are developing ways to tap into a growing renewable energy market,” said Wolff during the ceremony. “This project will not only save the company money on energy bills, it will help decrease overall dependency on foreign oil.”
Wolff said this renewable energy project falls in line with Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Energy Independence Strategy, which is designed to cut the commonwealth’s reliance on imported oil and support development of homegrown energy sources.
The biogas will be used in a boiler to produce steam and electricity for processing milk into cheese that in turn will offset the purchase of fuel oil and electricity produced from fossil fuels. The wastewater from the digester will flow to a treatment facility where the solids will be removed and clean water discharged.
Posted: October 19, 2007 at 5:08 pm
By News Editor
Sounds like the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association conference will have something for everyone. The 8th Annual DBA Business Conference, “Transforming the Dairy Industry,” will be held November 28 – 29, 2007 in Madison, Wis. at the Marriott West. Visit DBA’s website for full conference details, more information about DBA or to register for the conference, visit
Highlights include a presentation from Dr. Terry Etherton, Department of Dairy and Animal Sciences Chair at Penn State University, about rbST-free milk labeling and how false and misleading information on product labels impacts consumers and producers. Trent Loos, a popular radio broadcaster and well-known agriculture advocate, returns to the conference this year to present the environmental impact of DHMO.
DBA will hear from DATCP Siting Coordinator, Mike Murray, about the challenges, but also all of the successes of siting legislation and David Jelinski, also from DATCP, will present some of the lessons learned by local government and producers. Attendees will receive an immigration update from Jose Olivieri of Michael, Best & Friedrich and a political update from Bill McCoshen of Capitol Consultants, Inc.
Dennis Frame, co-director of Wisconsin’s Discovery Farms, will moderate a panel discussion exploring the NE Wisconsin Karst Task Force Report. Panelists include Maureen Muldoon, from UW Oshkosh; Fred Madison, from UW Discovery Farms and Kenn Buelow, a DBA dairy producer. Panelists will speak to the specifics of the hydrology, geology and manure recommendations cited in this report.
David Crass of Michael, Best and Friedrich will provide a candid overview that will address the Midwest Environmental Advocates’ (MEA) agenda and their unrealized role in helping to mobilize the dairy industry against radical activists, such as themselves. David Crass will also facilitate a presentation by Jeffrey Voltz of WDNR about DBA’s Green Tier Advancement Project.
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