Posted: December 31, 2007 at 4:44 pm
By News Editor
John M. “Jack” Byrne, 88, the part owner of Byrne Dairy, has died. Jack’s father, Mathew V. Byrne founded the company in 1933. Jack served as president from 1946 until 1972. During this time, he presided over the expansion of the dairy from a small retail business with home delivery to a major wholesale and retail operation including the establishment of the first dairy stores in 1957.
Jack was born in 1919 in Syracuse, N.Y. to Matthew V. and Elizabeth McCarthy Byrne. He graduated from Most Holy Rosary High School and Holy Cross College class of 1940 in Worchester, Mass. Mr. Byrne was a communicant and active parishioner of Most Holy Rosary Church and school while in Syracuse. After moving to Florida, he was a member of the Prince of Peace Church in Sun City Center.
Well known for his involvement in sports throughout his lifetime, Jack started speed skating at the age of 12. He won many skating events and titles in his youth and continued skating while attending Holy Cross College as speed skating was a collegiate sport. Jack supported and volunteered in what organization he or his children were involved. He was a rules official at golf tournaments, referee at local and national speed skating meets and always involved in the booster clubs with any program his children were involved. Jack’s love for speed skating lead to his involvement with head governing bodies on speed skating to its highest level, Being on the Board of Directors of the United States Olympic Committee. (USOC). He was involved in 5 winter Olympic Games (Lake Placid ‘80, Sarajevo ‘84, Calgary ‘88, Albertville ‘90 and Lillehammer ‘94). Jack was very instrumental in establishing the Charitable Foundation to provide funds to support speed skaters.
In May 1994 Jack was inducted into the U.S. Speed Skating Hall of Fame. Jack was also inducted into the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in October 1998. Jack passed his love of the sport on to his children and grandchildren, as well as his great-grandchildren.
Posted: December 31, 2007 at 4:36 pm
By News Editor
The Jersey Marketing Service (JMS) leaves 2007 with a bang – reporting that the total value of Registered Jersey™ cattle and genetics marketed by the company exceeded $13 million. The previous record of $10.3 million was set in 2004.
- Revenue from sales of 5,896 live animals and 186 embryos totals $13,089,073, up 42% from 2006.
- Average price per lot—$2,152.10—also sets a record, up by $245 per lot over the previous high.
- Since January 1, 2000, Jersey Marketing Service has generated $74 million in revenue for the Jersey owners using its services.
“2007 was a year of incredible demand for Registered Jerseys™ all across the country,” commented JMS manager Herby D. Lutz, “and that demand did not depend on a particular kind of milk market.”
For current year private treaty sales, JMS staff assisted 36 buyers from 14 states in purchasing 3,129 animals and embryos from 76 different sellers. The company also managed 20 public auctions, selling 2,953 lots for just over $6.6 million. The All American Jersey Sale on November 4 in Louisville, Ky., was the year’s top auction sale, averaging $5,345.18 on 109 lots.
2007 is the third time in the past four years that the company has recorded annual sales in excess of $9 million. Company growth in the ’00 decade has been nothing short of spectacular. Compared to the ‘90s, JMS has increased its business by 72%, from annual average sales of $5,367,258 for the years 1990 to 1999, to an annual average of $9,235,908 for the period 2000 to 2007.
Key components are large-volume auction sales, verifiable identification and strong health protocols adding value to all animals sold through JMS, and making real-time information available to buyers. Registration certificates issued by the American Jersey Cattle Association are provided to all buyers along with current performance pedigrees listing production and genetic evaluations. Cattle selling in JMS auction sales are tested negative for brucellosis, tuberculosis and BVD-PI. Milking females must test negative for Staph. aureus and Mycoplasma.
Posted: December 28, 2007 at 6:47 pm
By News Editor
The Public Service Business Solutions Center of Wisconsin wants to remind dairy farmers that a standby generator is a must have on any size operation. Be sure to have a quality generator as an insurance policy during this winter season!
Standby power units for the farm are available in two basic categories, power takeoff (PTO) or self-contained engine-driven units. A PTO unit may be all many farms need; however, self-contained units can be activated much quicker than PTO units or even be made to automatically come on-line in the event of a power outage.
When choosing a generator, it must be sized to handle the farm’s total electric load. To determine a generator’s size, farmers should add up the wattage of all equipment that will be operating, keeping in mind that motors require three to five times more wattage to start than to run continuously. Damage can occur to a generator that is overloaded, as well as to electrical equipment and appliances on the farm.
For added safety, any standby power system should contain a double-throw transfer switch that disconnects the farm from the power line and connects the farm to the generator. This type of switch prevents the generator from feeding electricity back to the power line, protecting the utility line crews who may be working to restore service. It also keeps the generator from overloading by trying to supply electricity to the whole neighborhood.
Posted: December 28, 2007 at 6:42 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations are in order for the top sales representatives at Accelerated Genetics. Recognized for their achievements in sales and service at the annual Top Achievers Banquet in Madison, Wisconsin, these thirty-seven sales representatives service customers across the U.S. and Mexico. Many other members of the Accelerated Genetics team were also honored at the banquet.
Five individuals took home the top honor bestowed upon each sales position, the prestigious President’s Award given by Accelerated Genetics President and CEO Roger Ripley. Winning the President’s Award from each sales position included: A.I. Technician – Jason Goke, Belleville, Wis.; Membership Sales Representative – Todd Wenzel, Menasha, Wis.; District Sales Manager – John Merrill, Sulphur Springs, Texas; Independent Sales Representative – Scott Brim, Roswell, N.M. and International Sales – Juan Martinez, Torreon, Mexico.
President’s Award Runner’s Up were presented to: A.I. Technician – Gary Hansen, Richland Center, Wis.; Membership Sales Representative – Dennis Thompson, Mondovi, Wis.; District Sales Manager – Ivan Smith, Middleton, Idaho; and Independent Sales Representative – Frank Cody, Farwell, Texas.
The Award of Excellence recognition was given to District Sales Managers – Tim Clark, Howell, Mich.; Cesar Silveira, Arlington, Wash.; and Larry Kimball, Jerome, Idaho. A.I. Technicians – Dave Holzinger, Lancaster, Wis.; Bruce Patnode, Arkansaw, Wis.; and Ken Montsma, Brandon, Wis. Independent Sales Representatives – Benny Cotta, San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Edwin Correia, Patterson, Calif.; and Wallace Garcia, Merced, Calif.
Many Accelerated Genetics sales representatives were also presented with Top Achiever Awards for the following Individual Categories: 100,000 Unit Achievement Awards – Ivan Smith, Middleton, Idaho – District Sales Manager; John Merrill, Sulpher Springs, Texas – District Sales Manager; and Terry Gowin, Marana, Ariz. – District Sales Manager; Greatest Retail Dollar Increase Awards – Todd Wenzel, Menasha, Wis. – Membership Sales Representative, Ivan Smith, Middleton, Idaho – District Sales Manager; and Frank Cody, Farwell, Texas – Independent Sales Representative; Largest Product Sales Volume Awards – Richard Johnson, Canton, Minn. – A.I. Technician; Todd Wenzel, Menasha, Wis. – Membership Sales Representative; John Merrill, Sulpher Springs, Texas – District Sales Manager; and Edwin Correia, Patterson, Calif. – Independent Sales Representative; and Crystal Bull – Largest U.S. Sales Volume Awards – Ken Montsma, Brandon, Wis. – A.I. Technician and Todd Wenzel, Menasha, Wis. – Membership Sales Representative; International Sales Excellence Awards – Dr. Eduardo Herrera, Torreon, Mexico; Carlos Cortes, San Jose Iturbide, Mexico; Dr. Ricardo Garnica, Lagos de Moreno, Mexico; Juan Martinez, Torreon, Mexico; and World-Wide Sires, Ltd., Visalia, Calif. NAAB 500,000 Unit Award – Todd Wenzel, Menasha, Wis. – Membership Sales Representative; and Terry Gowin, Marana, Ariz. – District Sales Manager; NAAB 1,000,000 Unit Award – John Merrill, Sulphur Springs, Texas – District Sales Manager; NAAB 150,000 Cow Club Recognition – Leonard Allemann, Abottsford, Wis. – A.I. Technician;
In addition to the above awards, other A.I. Technicians, Membership Sales Representatives and District Sales Managers were honored for their sales achievements throughout the year, they included: A.I. Technicians –Steve Bolduan, Caledonia, Minn.; Kenneth Kohlmeyer, Reedsburg, Wis.; Benjamin Slack, Viroqua, Wis.; and Darin Klevgard, Osseo, Wis. Membership Sales Representatives: Marty Tesch, Waldorf, Minn; Tony Mayer, Chili, Wis.; Harvey Stieve, Dodgeville, Wis.; and Jim Iverson, Mindoro, Wis.; and Dan Esch, Dodgeville, Wis. District Sales Manager: Gerald Feikema, Brookings, S.D.
Posted: December 28, 2007 at 2:52 pm
By Chuck
Dairy Markets Week in Review
The cash cheese market ended 2007 on a positive note and staged a last minute rally, with prices topping $2.00 a pound for the fourth time this year. Block closed Friday December 28, at $2.03, up 8 cents on the three-day holiday-shortened week, and 70 cents above a year ago. Barrel closed at $1.98, also up 8 cents on the week, and 69 cents above a year ago. Five cars of barrel was all that was traded on the week. The NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price dropped to $2.0840, down 5.6 cents. Barrel averaged $2.0951, down 2.4 cents.
Cash butter closed Friday at $1.25, down 7 1/4-cents on the week but 5 cents above a year ago. Fourteen cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.3206, down 0.4 cent. NASS nonfat dry milk averaged $1.8438, down 2 cents, and dry whey averaged 44.64 cents, down 1.2 cents.
Provided courtesy of Dairyline.
Posted: December 27, 2007 at 5:48 pm
By News Editor
Alto Dairy Cooperative has two new members on its board of directors – congratulations to Rod Zietlow, Berlin, Wis. and John Ruedinger, Van Dyne, Wis. The cooperative also elected new executive officers for the board: Howard Zellmer, Montello, Wis. was elected chairman; John Jorasz, Wilson, Mich. was elected vice chairman; Dan Vandertie, Brussels, Wis. was elected treasurer; and David Goers, Shawano, Wis. was elected secretary.
“The volatility of the industry markets continue to make it a demanding time for dairy farmers and the industry,” says Howard Zellmer, Alto’s Board of Directors Chairman. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to help lead the cooperative.”
Alto Dairy’s previous Chairman, Barrie Tenpas, and Southeastern representative, Jeff Bradley, have retired from Alto’s Board of Directors. Both Tenpas and Bradley have served as directors for many years and their hard work and dedication to Alto Dairy is greatly appreciated.
“The Board of Directors play a very important roll in the strategic direction of the cooperative representing what is in the best interest of Alto’s members-owners,” stated Rich Scheuerman, Alto Dairy’s President and CEO. “I am certain that the new leadership team will represent our members well.”
Posted: December 27, 2007 at 5:34 pm
By News Editor
Dairy products company Grupo Lactalis Iberia, a branch of dairy firm Lactalis, has entered into an agreement with food and beverages company Kraft Foods to acquire the Mama Luise cheese brand for an undisclosed sum.
According to media reports, the deal also includes the acquisition of Kraft Foods’ manufacturing facility in Zamora, Spain, which employs approximately 90 staff. This acquisition is expected to strengthen Lactalis’s position in the Spanish cheese market.
Posted: December 27, 2007 at 5:28 pm
By News Editor
The annual meeting of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is open to professionals from all sectors of the dairy industry — producers, processors, cooperative leaders and suppliers — to discuss and debate the hottest policy issues in the industry. The Dairy Forum meeting is January 20-23, 2008 in La Quinta, Calif. The meeting’s agenda is packed with informative sessions – be sure to register today!
Momentum is building to reform the Federal Milk Marketing Orders. Many industry leaders believe the current federal order system is hurting the industry’s performance and competitiveness. Congress wants to create a commission to study the system and recommend solutions, and industry organizations have developed task forces to do the same. The question is: How can we reach consensus? At Dairy Forum four industry leaders will discuss the need for reform and consider approaches to change that will garner industry agreement and support. Andy Novakovic, professor of agricultural policy at Cornell University, will serve as moderator for a lively discussion between panelists Dave Fuhrmann, president and CEO of Foremost Farms; John Kaneb, chairman of HP Hood; and Lee Davis, senior director, Global Dairy Buying Group, Kraft Foods.
Posted: December 26, 2007 at 7:12 pm
By News Editor
Dairy producers in the Mid-west will want to make time for the University of Minnesota Extension Dairy Days. The days will take place at eight different locations around the state from Dec. 28 through Jan. 18.
Minnesota Dairy Days are an opportunity for producers and advisors to hear the latest research-based information from University scientists and educators. Cost is $15 per person and registration opens one-half hour before the program begins.
The eight locations are as follows:
Pipestone — 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28 at Pizza Ranch,108 W. Main St. Topic is “Labor Management” with Chuck Schwartau, Extension dairy educator.
McIntosh — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at McIntosh Community Center, 115 Broadway Street N.W. The topics are “Feeding Dairy Cows in 2008” by Jim Paulson, Extension dairy educator, and “Milk Quality” by Jeff Reneau, Extension animal scientist.
Cologne — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9 at Carver County Extension Office, 11360 Highway 212 W., Suite 4. The topic is “Reproduction” by Jim Salfer, Extension dairy educator, and Gary Neubauer of Pfizer Animal Health.
St. Rosa — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at St. Rosa City Park building, 28835 County Road 17. The topic is “Reproduction” with Jim Salfer, Extension dairy educator, and Gary Neubauer of Pfizer Animal Health.
Ottertail — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at City Community Center 93 Lake Avenue S. Topics are “Feeding Dairy Cows in 2008” by Jim Paulson, Extension dairy educator and “Milk Quality” by Jeff Reneau, Extension animal scientist.
Zumbrota —12:30 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the 4-H building, Goodhue County Fairgrounds, 44217 County 6 Blvd. one-half mile north of Zumbrota. The topic is “Milk Quality” by Jeff Reneau, Extension animal scientist.
St. Charles — 12:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, at St. Charles Community Center, City Hall, 830 Whitewater Ave. The topic is “Feeding Dairy Cows in 2008” with Jim Paulson, Extension dairy educator.
Worthington — 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at Pizza Ranch, 1132 Oxford St. The topic is “Feeding Dairy Cows in 2008” by Jim Paulson, Extension dairy educator.
Posted: December 26, 2007 at 7:05 pm
By News Editor
The Jersey Association wants to remind high school graduates pursuing a career in managing and/or marketing Registered Jersey™ cattle to apply for the 2008 Fred Stout Experience award. Applications and letters of support must be postmarked no later than February 1, 2008
The award is presented annually in memory of Fred J. Stout Jr., Mt. Carmel, Ill., a lifelong Jersey breeder and member of the Jersey Marketing Service staff from 1978 to 1997 who believed that the best learning experiences happen in the everyday world. This award provides partial support for a two- or three-month internship with Jersey Marketing Service, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
To apply, submit a one-page resume listing previous work experience, skills and other qualifications, plus a separate cover letter stating your ambitions, goals and career aspirations, including plans for achieving them. The letter must also explain how and why the Fred Stout Experience will be of benefit in achieving future goals. A summary of involvement with and interest in Registered Jersey™ cattle is required.
Applicants must request two letters of support, one from an active breeder of Registered Jersey™ (excluding immediate family members), and the other from a teacher, mentor or past employer. These must be mailed directly by the supporters to the AJCA office.
Posted: December 24, 2007 at 2:46 pm
By News Editor
Wishing you and your family a joyous and peaceful Christmas holiday!
Enjoy your time with family and friends, be safe, have fun, and stop back to World Dairy Diary in a few days for the most up-to-date dairy industry news!
Merry Christmas!
Posted: December 21, 2007 at 10:35 pm
By News Editor
More than 15 Washington 4-H members and their parents came to the aid of Cindy and Pete Dykstra – helping the family deal with the aftermath of the devastating storms that hit the area earlier this month. That meant shoveling lots and lots of mud! It great to hear such a positive story!
Word that the Dykstras had lost all 100 of their cows to the flooding came through a text message to Ann Marie Magnochi, co-owner of Two Sisters Dairy in Carnation, from the Dykstras’ grandson, Cody Branch. “The farm’s flooded out,” the message said. “It’s a total loss.”
The group met at Two Sisters Dairy and started on their way to the Dykstra dairy, taking shovels, water, sandwiches, cups of noodles, fruit, pastries, coffee, hot chocolate, cookies and whatever else might be needed. A tractor was also hauled to the farm. When the day was over, the entire 100-foot-long barn had been cleared of mud, no easy feat since most of it had to be cleared with shovels. To make matters worse, there was no running water at the farm.
Dykstra had been out milking when the floodwaters began rising. In the more than 30 years he’s been farming there, the water had never come into the barn. With that in mind, he put the cows in what he thought would be a safe place in the barn and headed for the house. But when he started moving things to the second floor and looked out the window, he saw that the water was already up over the tractor. That was when he realized his cows were doomed.
When the floodwaters receded, a foot of silt and mud covered everything – the fields, the lawn, the equipment, the barn and the house. In talking with Pete, she learned that the floodwaters had risen 8 feet in two hours. De Jong’s daughter, Katherynn Dunham, 12, a member of Hoofs and Paws 4-H Club, said that going to help the Dykstras didn’t require any second thoughts on her part.
“They needed the help, and I had the time to give,” she said. “It was the right thing to do.”
For Pete, their help meant a lot because it lifted his spirits. “I knew we’d be back,” he said, “but I didn’t know how we’d get the barn cleaned out. It was amazing to watch them. I don’t think they stopped to eat lunch, or if they did, they were eating and working at the same time.”
Posted: December 21, 2007 at 10:22 pm
By News Editor
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Here’s a great opportunity for a young person interested in learning more about production management – a dairy internship in Hilmar, Calif. Applications are due Feb. 15, 2008. The Hilmar Dairy Internship program is a management level experience focused on large-scale Jersey dairy operations. The internee will: gain a deeper understanding managing a west coast style dairy, develop important hands-on experience and create a network of contacts in which participants can build their career.
“One of our goals was to create a more formalized, yet flexible, management level internship program focused on large-scale dairy operations,” explained Richard Clauss, owner of Clauss Jersey Farms.
The program has eight modules to be completed throughout a two-month internship. In addition to basic cow and dairy operations skills, the program highlights management issues, such as employee relations, government regulations and fiscal responsibility. One of the program goals is to develop on-farm employee decision-making skills critical to the long-term success of any dairy business.
“This program will differ from other internships as there are eight dairies working together. Interns will have the opportunity to learn from each other’s experience at the various farms,” noted Charles Ahlem of Ahlem Farms Partnership.
“We are looking for students who want the experience necessary to manage a large-scale dairy operation in the future,” concluded Jim Ahlem.
Posted: December 21, 2007 at 1:40 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
Dairy Markets Week in Review
Checking the price front; cheese continues to confound. After losing 26 1/4-cents the previous week, the block price fell another 12 1/2-cents this week to $1.8050, and surprise surprise; reversed gears Friday and shot back up to $1.95 per pound, up 2 cents on the week and 62 1/2-cents above that week a year ago.
Barrel plunged 22 2/3-cents on Tuesday, a record single-day loss, following the previous week’s 16 1/4-cent plunge, but also rallied and closed Friday at $1.90, down 9 3/4-cents on the week and 61 cents above a year ago. Eleven cars of block traded hands on the week and six of barrel. The NASS U.S. average block price hit $2.1402, up 1.1 cent, while barrel averaged $2.1186, up 4.1 cents.
Butter closed Friday at $1.3225, down 1 1/4-cents on the week, but 9 1/4-cents above a year ago. Thirty one cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.3162, up 0.3 cent. NASS nonfat dry milk averaged $1.8235, down 1.5 cents. Dry whey averaged 45.84 cents, up 0.3 cent.
Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk plunged 12 cents Friday, to $1.73. Extra Grade was down 13 cents, to $1.72, on one offer of each. The markets are closed until December 26.
Provided courtesy of Dairyline.
Posted: December 20, 2007 at 10:09 pm
By News Editor
Wells’ Dairy Inc., Le Mars, Iowa is going to sell its milk plant to Dallas-based Dean Foods Co.
By divesting its fresh dairy business, Wells’ CEO Mike Wells said the family-owned company can concentrate solely on the production of its Blue Bunny ice cream and frozen novelties.
“Following extensive analysis, we have made a strategic decision to focus all of our efforts and resources on our core business of making quality ice cream,” Wells said. “This committed focus puts us in the best position to reach our goal to become a top 3 national brand in ice cream and frozen novelties and to ensure the long-term viability of the company.
Dean, a publicly traded company, is the largest U.S. processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products. Wells’ spokesman Dave Smetter said Dean plans to continue to operate the Le Mars milk plant, which has about 130 production workers and 50 employees who work in sales, drive trucks and provide other support functions.
Smetter said the sale of the fluid dairy and cultured dairy business also could affect as many as 15 corporate jobs at Wells’ new $26 million headquarters on the south end of town. Wells’ also operates two ice cream plants in Le Mars, where it is the largest employer, with more than 2,000 jobs.
“We’re in very sound financial condition. This is very much a strategic decision,” he said. “We see it as a very positive thing, both for Wells’ Dairy and its future and the LeMars community.”
Posted: December 20, 2007 at 9:48 pm
By News Editor
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported Tuesday that a 13-year-old beef cow from Alberta has been confirmed with bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The agency said no portion of the carcass entered the human food chain. In May of this year, the World Organization for Animal Health designated Canada as a controlled-risk country for BSE, acknowledging the effectiveness of its controls and effectively allowing the export of beef from Canadian cattle of any age.
Posted: December 19, 2007 at 6:25 pm
By News Editor
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle reported that at current pace, Wisconsin farmers will produce 24.1 billion pounds of milk in 2007, the greatest amount since 1990. He also announced his Next Generation Agriculture Plan for the state.
The record-setting milk production is in addition to dramatic growth in the state’s dairy exports, a small but steady increase in the number of dairy cows, and dramatically fewer dairy farms leaving the business.
Governor Doyle recently announced his Next Generation Agriculture Plan that includes several initiatives to help dairy plants modernize and expand into growing markets. The plan includes a whey initiative to help plants invest in the growing national and international market for whey, a dairy plant investment tax credit to help processors modernize and a cheese cooperative tax credit to help cheese cooperatives streamline and modernize. It also includes a nutrient management program to help farmers better manage nutrients and protect water, a grazing lands conservation initiative to help farmers practice more effective land management and a meat modernization tax credit to help the state’s meat processing plants streamline and modernize.
Wisconsin’s 14,000 family dairy farms have invested about $1 billion to modernize in the past 5 years to expand and become more efficient. The Next Generation Agriculture Plan builds on that momentum. Milk production climbed 3 percent in 2007, driven by strong demand for dairy products, according to figures released by the Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics Service on Tuesday. Milk production per cow has set a record every month in 2007 compared to the same month the year before.
Dairy exports reached record levels for the first nine months in 2007, driven by soaring demand in developing countries in Asia and Latin America. The dollar value of Wisconsin dairy exports increased from $59 million in the first nine months of 2006 to $127 million in the first nine months of 2007 – a 114 percent increase. Exports of whey, a by-product of cheese making, increased by 179 percent.
The number of milk cows continued to trend upward for the second year in a row. The average number of dairy cows in the state increased to 1,248,000 in 2007 – up by 5,000 head. The number of dairy cows in the state was higher every month in 2007, compared to the same month the year before. The decrease in dairy farms has slowed. Ten years ago, herds were declining at more than 1,000 a year. The annual decline in the number of herds in 2007 was only 416.
Posted: December 19, 2007 at 6:15 pm
By News Editor
The beef checkoff, through the Dairy Beef Quality Assurance (DBQA) program, is proud to be one of the Platinum Level sponsors of the upcoming Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) profit seminars that highlight the latest industry developments. The seminars bring together managers, producers, owners and leading experts in the dairy calf and heifer industry to present the latest dairy calf and heifer production developments, and enables producers to meet fellow growers and share knowledge. A local DQBA speaker will be on the program at each location.
The 2008 fall/winter seminar schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, Jan. 29, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Thursday, Jan. 31, Lansing, Mich.
Monday, Feb. 4, Modesto, Calif.
Wednesday, Feb. 6, Phoenix, Ariz.
Friday, Feb. 8, Tillamook, Ore.
Tuesday, March 4, Gainesville, Fla.
Thursday, March 6, Hagerstown, Md.
Posted: December 18, 2007 at 7:15 pm
By News Editor
The Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence announced a new plan to help grow the state’s dairy industry during the group’s Dairy Task Force meeting held last week. The meeting included members who represent all facets of the industry.
“Project: Grow Dairy 2012,” initiated by the task force steering committee, was developed after reviewing current task force programs and shaping a long term plan to continue supporting and growing the dairy industry in the commonwealth, said Executive Director John Frey.
“The initial phase of this project is identifying key components that need to be part of a strategic effort to grow Pennsylvania’s dairy industry,” Frey said. “We have begun the process of building a long-term plan for further developing dairy in the state, with an aggressive agenda to increase profitability among the state’s dairy producers.”
Two key committee recommendations brought before the task force were approved. The business management committee’s “milk quality” work group recommended the task force request support from the Pennsylvania Animal Health Commission to establish a “Milk Quality Commission” in response to an immediate need to improve milk quality and lower somatic cell count levels in the state. This new producer resource would serve as a central contact point for dairy producers to find help in improving milk quality.
The second approved recommendation came from the government and community relations committee that identified the need for full support of the center to be included in future state budgets. The committee asked that the task force play a lead role in advocating for this support. As a result, the task force agreed to make a formal request for renewed funding for the center in next year’s executive budget for the state.
The task force also voted to approve a belief statement relative to milk, dairy production and the recent discussions about product safety and the use of technology. The statement was introduced by Tioga County dairy producer and task force member Erick Coolidge.
“The task force represents a collective voice for Pennsylvania’s dairy industry,” said Frey. “The belief statement represents the group’s passion for the industry and the families that support it. Their hard work motivates all of us to continue working for the success of all dairy producers in the commonwealth.”
Posted: December 17, 2007 at 9:15 pm
By News Editor
An amendment that would have banned fatty foods and high-calorie beverages from school vending machines was dropped from the Senate version of the Farm Bill.
The National School Nutrition Standards Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), would have been the first legislation to update the nutrition standards since 1979, a period in which scientific opinion on what foods are appropriate has drastically shifted.
” ‘Disappointed’ doesn’t begin to describe how we feel,” said Margo Wootan, director of nutrition policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “There’s a remarkable amount of consensus for national school nutrition standards. It seems it just got caught up in the complications of the farm bill.”
The measure, the result of months of negotiations, ultimately garnered the support of more than 100 public health and education organizations and food industry giants, including Coca-Cola, Nestle and Frito-Lay. Proponents had hailed it as a crucial step toward addressing the dismal state of school nutrition: A CSPI report card last month found that schools in two-thirds of the states had either weak or no nutrition standards in place. The District of Columbia got a C; Maryland a D-plus; Virginia scored a D.
Concerns on both sides of the aisle held up the vote, an aide to Harkin said. Some Democrats objected to federal preemption of stricter state standards, while Republicans had concerns about restrictions on snack foods, he said. Harkin indicated that he is not giving up. “We’re coming back with that,” the senator said. “We have a lot of support for it.”
The amendment would have banned most candy, cakes and cookies, staples of today’s school snack bars. Sugary beverages, considered one of the main causes of teenage obesity, would also have been restricted. Serving sizes and calories for all drinks, with the exception of bottled water, were to be capped.
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