The folks over at Turkey Hill are “giddy with anticipation” for National Ice Cream Month. Well, the wait is over, America’s favorite month started today, along with a chance to win a year’s supply of Turkey Hill ice cream. To enter, visit the company’s blog, the Ice Cream Journal, and leave a comment on one of their July posts. Good luck, and remember, ice cream is a perfect way to end a summer day!
Each Wednesdays in July we’ll write about something right here in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Those weekly entries will include an authentic Lancaster County prize, which we’ll give away to one comment chosen at random from that entire week. At the end of the month, we’ll give away our grand prize: a package that includes a year’s supply of Turkey Hill ice cream, a one-night stay at a local Lancaster County bed & breakfast AND a personally guided tour of Turkey Hill Dairy by everyone’s favorite ice cream expert, Ernie!
Turkey Hill will be at some great 4th of July events this holiday weekend. If you happen to be close to one of these, stop by for some fun, and for some free samples.
* July 1st - York, PA - York Revolution Sampling
* July 4th - Frederick, MD - An Independence Day Celebration
* July 4th - Fredericksburg, VA - Heritage Festival
* July 3rd - Columbus, OH - Red, White and Boom
* July 3rd, 4th - Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh Regatta
* July 6th - Philadelphia, PA - Phillies
* July 4, 5, and 6 - Philadelphia, PA - Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival at Penn’s Landing. Admission is only five dollars and all proceeds benefit the Joshua Kahan Fund to fight pediatric leukemia and the Children’s Hospital Oncology Division.
Cooperatives Working Together announced today that it accepted ten export assistance bids last week for the sale of butter, anhydrous milkfat and cheese.
The bid for cheese was from Foremost Farms of Baraboo, WI, for 190 metric tons (418,000 pounds) of Cheddar cheese to the Netherlands.
A bid for butter from Darigold of Seattle, WA, was accepted in the amount of 48 metric tons (105,600 lbs.) for export to Japan.
The bid for anhydrous milkfat was from Dairy Farmers of America of Kansas City, MO, for 60 metric tons (132,000 lbs.) of AMF for export to Mexico.
Seven bids were accepted from United Dairymen of Arizona of Tempe, AZ, for butter: three separate bids for exports of 93.5 metric tons (205,700 lbs.) to Egypt; one bid for 93.5 metric tons (205,700 lbs.) for Morocco; 54 metric tons (118,800 lbs.) destined for Singapore; and two bids in identical quantities of 46.75 metric tons (102,850 lbs.) for export to Libya and Poland.
The sale to Libya is a new market for CWT-assisted bids. CWT will pay an export bonus to the bidders, only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.
With these accepted bids, CWT’s total 2008 export obligations are: whole milk powder, 170 metric tons (374,000 lbs.); butter, 2,599 metric tons (5.7 million lbs.); cheese, 399 metric tons (877,800 pounds); and anhydrous milkfat, 270 metric tons (594,000).
The Summit was held in conjunction with the University of Arkansas’ Applied Sustainability Center, and is the first major step in a comprehensive dairy industry-wide initiative bringing together producers, processors, and others to identify and address sustainability opportunities.
Over 250 dairy industry leaders representing a wide cross-section of the industry were invited to participate in forming an action plan to reduce fluid milk’s carbon footprint while increasing business value, from farm to consumer. Among the participants were Wal-Mart, Dean Foods, Land O Lakes, Monsanto, Waste Management, Organic Valley, Sustainable Conversation as well as many other industry leaders.
“Sustainability is a challenge that requires industry-wide solutions, and our efforts establish a new standard for industry collaboration,” said Thomas Gallagher, chief executive of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), the nonprofit organization that manages the national dairy checkoff program on behalf of America’s dairy producers. “Decision makers from across the dairy value chain are working together to commit to concrete, innovative solutions. This will ensure an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable industry.”
“Sustainability practices have long been part of common practices on dairy farms, from recycling water and manure to crop technologies that improve soil and prevent erosion,” said Jerry Kozak, NMPF’s chief executive officer.
The innovative ideas and initiatives advanced by the Summit participants will be further refined for possible testing and evaluation. The goal, according to Gallagher, will be to field-test several prototype projects to determine their real-world viability as ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Summit attendees recommended a number of actions, including to:
Reduce energy use in the milk supply chain by developing technologies for next generation milk processing on the farm and in the plant.
Establish a mechanism to optimize returns to the dairy industry from a carbon credit trading system that encourages the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency for dairy farmers and processors through financially viable best management practices and tools that calculate individual farm energy and alternative energy opportunities.
Supply green power to communities by expanding the use of methane digesters.
Stimulate development of low-cost, low-carbon, consumer-acceptable packaging.
Reduce cooling costs and emissions associated with refrigeration by expanding economically feasible, environmentally responsible and consumer-accepted dairy products.
The Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA) is seeking nominations for Ralph Keeling Leadership Award. The award, given annually since 1967 is open to educators, industry, and producers in the dairy field who have significantly contributed to the progress of Iowa’s dairy industry. Nominations are due Monday, July 21, 2008.
The award is in honor of the late Ralph Keeling. Mr. Keeling operated a successful dairy farm and business, devoting much of his time and talents to help the progress of Iowa’s dairy industry.
Presentation of the award will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 8, 2008 during the Iowa State Fair. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Iowa State Dairy Association President Wayne Dykshorn will present the award.
Researchers found that adults who had at least one serving of low fat milk or milk products each day had 37 percent lower odds of poor kidney function linked to heart disease compared to those who drank little or no low fat milk.
To determine heart disease risk, researchers from several universities in the United States and Norway measured the kidney function of more than 5,000 older adults ages 45 to 84. They tracked eating patterns and tested albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) — a measure that when too low, can indicate poor kidney function and an extremely high risk for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that people who reported consuming more low fat milk and milk products had lower ACR, or healthier kidney function. In fact, low fat milk and milk products was the only food group evaluated that on its own, was significantly linked to a reduced risk for kidney dysfunction.
The study authors cited other research suggesting milk protein, vitamin D, magnesium and calcium may contribute to milk’s potential heart health benefits. An overall healthy diet, including low fat milk and milk products, whole grains, fruits and vegetables was also associated with a benefit — 20 percent lower ACR or healthier kidney function.
Posted: June 27, 2008 at 2:41 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Dairy Markets Week in Review
Block cheese closed the last full week of June Dairy Month at $1.92 per pound, down 4 cents, and 2 cents below that week a year ago. Barrel closed Friday at $1.96, up a penny on the week, and 5 cents above a year ago. Thirteen cars of block traded hands on the week and two of barrel. The NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price hit $2.1519, down 6.1 cents. Barrel averaged $1.1765, down a nickel.
Cash butter, which saw twelve consecutive sessions of gain, closed Friday at $1.5450, up 4 1/4-cents on the week and 6 cents above a year ago. Eight cars traded hands on the week. NASS butter averaged $1.4690, up 1.6 cents. NASS nonfat dry milk averaged $1.3610, up 2.9 cents, and dry whey averaged 27.69 cents, down 0.1 cent.
Market analyst, Alan Levitt said in Tuesday’s DairyLine that, over the last year the cheese price had six runs over $2.00 per pound but backed off once demand started to slow. In the five previous run ups, the block price fell to the $1.80s or lower, he said, so he expects that to happen this time as well.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed another case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a cow in the Province of British Columbia. An ongoing investigation into the case will reveal more information.
This case poses no risk to human or animal health since Canada’s stringent BSE safeguards prevented any part of the animal’s carcass from entering the human food chain or any potentially infective parts of the animal’s carcass from entering the animal feed chain.
The animal was detected through Canada’s national BSE surveillance program. The CFIA has launched a comprehensive investigation in an effort to determine the birth farm of the animal. The detection of this animal does not affect Canada’s status as a BSE controlled risk country as recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
Canada’s enhanced feed ban, introduced last summer, virtually eliminates the potential spread of BSE through the animal feed chain and places Canada on an accelerated path to eliminate BSE. As the level of BSE continues to decline, the periodic detection of a small number of cases is fully expected in line with the experience of other countries. Concurrently, Canada’s food safety system maintains the highest levels of human health protection.
The national surveillance program, which targets the highest risk animals, has tested more than 220,000 cattle since 2003. The program continues to benefit from very strong producer participation.
Midwest Dairy Association is inviting consumers to enjoy dairy treats with South Dakota Dairy Princess Stephanie Nussbaum July 1 at the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds. Nussbaum will be serving dairy products and visiting with consumers from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in conjunction with the Central Plains Open Holstein Show.
Because of the show underway that day, those attending will also have the opportunity to see how cows are milked and pet a cow.The first 200 children ages 4-10 will enjoy free shakes just for coming to the event. Additional shakes will be available for purchase throughout the evening. Children can also have their photo taken with the princess to remember the day they met royalty and learned about the importance of dairy products in their daily diet.
Congratulations to Kasey Osborn, Genoa, New York, for winning the 2008 Robert H. Rumler Scholarship. The scholarship is administered by the Holstein Association USA and was established in 1984 to honor former Association Executive Secretary Mr. Rumler. Kasey certainly has already built an impressive resume in the industry and is much deserving of this award.
Osborn is currently enrolled in the HEC MBA Program at the HEC School of Management in Paris, France with an anticipated May 2009 graduation date.
Osborn’s vision is focused on making a positive impact on the dairy industry and he realizes significant changes will be required to make the industry competitive on a worldwide basis. To build on his dairy management and animal health expertise gained in the U.S., he is one of only two Americans in his MBA class, made up people mostly from Europe, Asia and South America. At age 27, Osborn has achieved academic and professional excellence well beyond his years. As an animal science undergraduate student at Cornell University, his talents were noticed quickly.
“Due to Kasey’s acedemic prowess, he was admitted into Cornell’s School of Veterinary Medicine, the top ranked veterinary school in the U.S., as a third year undergraduate student.” said Michael E. Van Amburgh, Associate Professor, Cornell University. “He is one of less than eight of our undergraduate students in the last ten years to achieve such a feat, and that demonstrates his tremendous intellectual capacity and maturity.”
After completing veterinary school, Osborn continued on to his true passion in broader dairy management consulting with Linwood Management Group. They hire outstanding professionals to go into currently operating dairy facilities to improve their management, labor, productivity and profitability. On the 2,000-cow dairy, Osborn managed everything from cow care to personnel, while also serving as staff veterinarian.
To further challenge himself, Osborn then accepted a lecturer position at Cornell. He developed and taught the undergraduate class “Evidenced Based Decision Making on Farms” that integrated financial and production management aspects of dairy farm management. He even worked as a large animal emergency clinician for Midstates Veterinary Clinic on nights and weekends.
Fonterra, based in New Zealand, has purchased the Nestle Australia based yogurt and dairy dessert business. The agreement will be effective September 1.
Fonterra Australia New Zealand managing director John Doumani said the agreement represented a significant step towards achieving the company’s growth strategy in Australia.
“We currently do not have a national presence in Australia’s yoghurt and dairy dessert sector,” he said.
“By acquiring Nestle’s yoghurt and dairy dessert business, it provides us with a national position and complements our existing portfolio where we hold leading national positions in cheese and spreads through our Mainland, Bega and Western Star brands.”
Other brands marketed by Fonterra include Brownes Fresh n Fruity yoghurt and CalciYum dairy dessert, while Nestles brands include Nestle Diet and All Natural yoghurts, Milo Mousse, Blissful and Munch Bunch.
Dairy producers and professionals in Pa. are invited to a series of two meetings this July. A great opportunity to meet with your neighbors, exchange information and learn more about the dairy industry.
“Open Houses & Dairy Tours,” hosted by the Center for Dairy Excellence and Penn State Cooperative Extension. All dairy farm families within the local dairy community are welcome to attend the Open Houses and Dairy Tours. Pre-registration is requested by calling 717-346-0849. The open houses run from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and offer tours, information sharing with lunch included.
Friday, July 11, at Skyline Acres, owned by John and Donna Hixs, 381 Skyline Drive, Bernville, Berks County
Thursday, July 17, at the Flannery Farm, owned by the Flannerys, 9899 Garnes Road, Mercersburg, in Franklin County
Thursday, July 24, at Irishtown Acres, owned by the Paxtons, 902 Springfield Church Road, Grove City, Mercer County
Wednesday, July 30, at Butler Farms, owned by Oliver Butler, 151 Butler Road, Wellsboro, Tioga County
Dairy Advocacy and Resource Team (DART) July meetings will showcase alternative energy resources for today’s dairy operations. Hosted by the Dairy Task Force, the meetings will be held on progressive dairies that have on-farm renewable energy resources. The meetings will feature dairy checkoff-funded programs in Pennsylvania and risk management opportunities that could benefit their dairy producer clients. Any dairy professionals directly involved with producers in Pennsylvania are encouraged to attend.The meetings qualify for continuing education credits from the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) and in veterinary medicine.
Juanita County, July 14 - Reinford Farms, Inc., owned by Steve and Gina Reinford, Mifflintown at 1 p.m.;
Blair County, July 15 - Penn England Farm, owned by Fred England in Williamsburg at 1 p.m.
Lancaster County, July 21 - Brubaker Farms, owned by Luke, Mike and Tony Brubaker, Mt. Joy at 1:30 p.m.
Bradford County, July 22 - Gorrell Dairy, owned by Glenn and Robin Gorrell, Milan at 1 p.m.
Cumberland County, July 23 - Mains Dairy, owned by Daniel and Francis Mains, Newville at 1:30 p.m.
Mercer County, July 24 - Fairview Cheese, owned by John Koller & Son, in Mercer at 8:30 a.m.
As we head into the summer months and temperatures begin to rise, producers need to monitor feed rations. Inevitably, dairy cows will go through an intake depression. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer, says we need to pay close attention to our starch digestibility – how much effective fiber is in the ration. Producers need to have a ration balanced properly at that lower-level intake.
Bill Mahanna on Heat Stress (4:15 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.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, is conducting a unique and interesting program, the Precision Feed Management Program. Helping N.Y. dairy farms implement cow feeding methods that will keep the state’s watersheds free of pollution and improve the quality of the farm’s milk is the goal of the program.
In Delaware County, New York the program is led by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County along with a multi-agency team that includes the Corps’ New York District, Delaware County, the New York City Watershed Agricultural Council and the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District.
The program is showing dairy farms ways they can reduce the amount of phosphorous and nitrogen in their cow’s feed. Phosphorous and nitrogen can runoff into the water sources from cow excrement in the farm’s soil. So far the program has reduced phosphorous and nitrogen levels in the watersheds on
participating farms by over fifty percent.
To reduce phosphorous and nitrogen in the cow feed, the program is encouraging dairy farms to create better feed mixes for their dairy cows. The program is showing dairy farmers how to create more balanced blends that contain less phosphorous. One way they are doing this is by encouraging the farmers to purchase less commercial feed, which can be expensive, and grow more of their own home grown crop to feed their cows.
To grow their own feed, the program works with farms to adopt crop production methods that are beneficial to the farms in many ways, including no-till crop planting. This method eliminates the need to use gas guzzling machinery that requires expensive fuel. Doing less soil tillage also reduces soil erosion from the watershed. This is soil that may contain phosphorous and nitrogen.
“The real strength of the Precision Feed Management Program is that by working with farmers this closely we’re achieving quantified benefits for the environment and the farms - it’s a win-win situation.”
The employees working at the Fort Morgan, Colo. Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) plant can now brag about the safe of their dairy plants - five years with no lost-time accidents. This is a great achievement, especially since the plant doubled its capacity during that period. Congratulations!
Since 1998, the plant has manufactured sweet cream, condensed milk and nonfat dry milk – ingredients used to make cheese, yogurt and ice cream. The plant is supplied by dairy farmers in northeastern Colorado, and is planning another expansion that will be completed in 2009.
“Employee safety is our number-one goal, and I am very proud of our employees for reaching this milestone,” says Tom Cotter, Fort Morgan’s plant manager. “Safety training and procedures are critical to our success, but it is the daily commitment to safety from each of our employees that makes the difference.”
DFA provides a comprehensive safety program for employees, including new employee education, annual training on a variety of topics, an active safety committee, certification programs and many printed materials throughout the plant. A commitment to the safety policies and procedures and good employee communication are other critical components of Fort Morgan’s safety program.
Four employees lead the plant’s safety committee: Shawn Garrett, production manager; Jerry Gaskill, production supervisor; Ted Lawson, mechanic; and Art Soto, dryer operator. These employees are responsible for monthly committee meetings and detailed plant safety inspections, and keeping safety foremost on the employees’ minds every day.
Posted: June 23, 2008 at 10:57 pm
By Laura McNamara
The idea of gaining two extra hours in dairy farm management each day without working extra hours seems like a dream, right? What about cutting the time employees spend searching for animals… in half? Well, Scott Haag at Box Canyon Dairy in Wendell, Idaho says a set of MobileDemand rugged tablet PC’s makes those dairy farm dreams an everyday reality.
MobileDemand is a rugged tablet PC manufacturer based out of Idaho and they’ve just put the power of the PC in the hands of the field staff at Box Canyon.
MobileDemand says its partnership with ProfitSource enables dairy farms to bring both wireless computing and specialized DairyQuest software into the cattle pens, streamlining operations, saving time, and reducing error.
I spoke with MobileDemand CEO Matt Miller about how he found the agriculture industry to be optimal match for the rugged PC company. You can listen to my interview with Matt here.
MobileDemand also offers a video summary of its case study with Box Canyon Dairy. The video further illustrates how the tablet PC and DairyQuest Software have helped one dairy farm increase efficiency in both the breeding and health monitoring of its 8,000 cows. You can watch the video here:
Posted: June 23, 2008 at 8:33 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
I really like the idea of Rabobank producing an audio podcast of their news releases. Then I can subscribe and get them automatically to listen to whenever and wherever I want.
Here’s what the latest RaboCast is about:
Since 1937 June has been Dairy Month: an annual tradition to celebrate the dairy industry. A new Rabobank podcast examines some causes for this celebration, such as growth in specialty products and an increase in dairy exports.
In the podcast, Rabobank Dairy Analyst and Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory Managing Director Debbie Perkins, explores the current U.S. dairy market, the growth of specialty products and export opportunities. (The full podcast is available online at www.RabobankAmerica.com/Rabocast.)
Posted: June 23, 2008 at 8:08 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
Here’s the latest announcement from Cooperatives Working Together:
Cooperatives Working Together announced today that it accepted five export assistance bids last week for the sale of butter.
Two of the bids were from Foremost Farms of Baraboo, WI: 1,370 metric tons (3,014,000 pounds) of butter to Iran, and 38 metric tons of butter (83,600 lbs.) to Japan.
The other three bids were from United Dairymen of Arizona of Tempe, AZ: two separate bids were accepted for butter exports to Morocco, one in the amount of 140 metric tons (308,000 lbs.), and another for 120 metric tons (264,000 lbs.). The last bid was for 70 metric tons (154,000 lbs.) of butter to Egypt.
CWT will pay an export bonus to the bidders, only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.
With these accepted bids, CWT’s total 2008 export obligations are: whole milk powder, 170 metric tons (374,000 lbs.); butter, 2,029 metric tons (4,464,240 lbs.); cheese, 209 metric tons (459,800 pounds); and anhydrous milkfat, 210 metric tons (462,000).
Devin Albrecht, Director of Marketing for Prairie State/Select Sires, Hampshire, Ill. He was a member of the steering committee that established the Midwest Regional Dairy Challenge and now serves as its Vice Chair.
Gary Hay, Dairy Extension Specialist for the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, La. He served as local organizer of the 2007 Southern Regional Dairy Challenge contest.
Tami Tollenaar, an owner and manager of Tollenaar Dairy, Elk Grove, Calif. She served as chair for the Western Regional Dairy Challenge events of 2007 and 2008.
Mike Van Amburgh, Associate Professor of Animal Science at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. He was chair of the 2006 Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge contest.
They succeed retiring directors Matt Budine, Progressive Dairy Solutions Inc., Oakdale, Calif.; Linda Hodorff, Second Look Holsteins, Eden, Wis.; and David C. Thorbahn, Select Sires, Inc., Plain City, Ohio.
Elected to his second three-year term on the NAIDC Board was Rob Sheffer, Regional General Manager of Cargill Animal Nutrition, Albany, NY. Todd Kranz of Dublin, Ohio, Division Manager with ABS Global Inc., was elected to complete the unexpired term of board member Hap Allen, Shawano, Wis.
Members of the NAIDC Executive Committee for 2008-09 are Chair Larry Muller, Penn State University professor emeritus, University Park, Pa.; Vice Chair Barry Putnam, with Genex, Ithaca, N.Y.; Finance Chair Bruce Clark of Northstar Cooperative, Coldwater, Mich.; Program Chair Kas Ingawa, North Carolina State University and DRMS, Raleigh, N.C.; and Media and Public Relations Chair Cherie Bayer, American Jersey Cattle Association, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
Continuing NAIDC board members include Miriam Weber-Nielsen of Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.; JoDee Sattler of DairyBusiness Communications, National DHIA and National Mastitis Council, Hartland, Wis.; Jean Conklin, Yankee Farm Credit and dairy producer, Haverhill, N.H., and Luciene Ribiero, APC Inc., Visalia, Calif.
Posted: June 20, 2008 at 12:09 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Dairy Markets Week in Review
Checking the CME cash dairy markets; cheese saw its fourth consecutive week of loss. Block closed Friday at $1.96 per pound, down 8 cents on the week and 14 cents below a year ago. Barrel closed Friday at $1.95, down 20 cents on the week and 9 3/4-cents below a year ago. Ten cars of block traded hands on the week and seven of barrel. The lagging NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price hit $2.2129, up a nickel. Barrel averaged $2.2265, up 1.1 cent.
Cash butter gained 2 1/2-cents on the week, closing Friday at $1.5025, 1 1/4 cents above a year ago. Only three cars traded hands on the week. NASS butter averaged $1.4531, down 2.1 cents. NASS nonfat dry milk averaged $1.3305, down 3.1 cents, and dry whey averaged 27.81 cents, up 0.1 cent.
Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Friday at $1.45 per pound, down a half-cent on the week. Four cars traded hands on the week. Extra Grade also closed Friday at $1.45, down a penny on the week.
Londa Johnson, LaCrescent, Minn. has been named summer intern for the industry relations team of Midwest Dairy Association, serving in the St. Paul, Minn. office.
Johnson is pursuing a degree in dairy science with a communications minor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. As intern, Johnson will assist with distributing promotional materials, organizing Princess Kay events at the Minnesota State Fair and writing news releases. Johnson will also help extend the organization’s “People Behind the Product” initiative, helping consumers realize the pride and dedication dairy farmers have for producing wholesome dairy products.
Growing up on her family’s 120-cow dairy farm helped Johnson develop a strong background and passion for the dairy industry. As a past Houston county dairy princess and runner-up for Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Johnson is very familiar with dairy checkoff programs. Her experience also includes serving as a 2006 Minnesota FFA state officer and 2007 National Beef Ambassador, and she is currently president of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Dairy Club.
“I am excited to expand my knowledge of the dairy industry,” said Johnson. “I look forward to working with producers, consumers and staff at Midwest Dairy Association to promote an industry I love.” Johnson’s internship began in late May.
The folks over at Turkey Hill are “giddy with anticipation” for National Ice Cream Month. Well, the wait is over, America’s favorite month started today, along with a chance to win a year’s supply of Turkey Hill ice cream. To enter, visit the company’s blog, the Ice Cream Journal, and leave a comment on one of their July posts. Good luck, and remember, ice cream is a perfect way to end a summer day!
Dairy Markets Week in Review
As we head into the summer months and temperatures begin to rise, producers need to monitor feed rations. Inevitably, dairy cows will go through an intake depression. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer, says we need to pay close attention to our starch digestibility – how much effective fiber is in the ration. Producers need to have a ration balanced properly at that lower-level intake.
I really like the idea of Rabobank producing an audio podcast of their news releases. Then I can subscribe and get them automatically to listen to whenever and wherever I want.
Here’s the latest announcement from 
