Posted: September 18, 2008 at 7:24 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
Hubbard Feeds recently launched a webinar to educate dairy producers on feeding distillers grains to replacement heifers. The webinar is presented by Alvaro Garcia, DVM, MS, PhD, and dairy specialist for South Dakota State University Extension.
Topics covered include heifer feeding program objectives, nutritional benchmarks, climate and heifer performance, and using alternative feeds and crop residues in heifer rations.
To view the webinar program, visit www.hubbarddairy.com.
Posted: September 17, 2008 at 7:29 pm
By News Editor
The two Chinese producers who tainted their fresh milk that was then used in the production of infant milk formula have been arrested and could face death if convicted, according to China Daily, the state-run newspaper.
China’s Health Ministry said that two infants have died and 1,253 babies were sickened by the tainted formula, including 340 who are hospitalized and 53 are considered to be in serious condition. The illnesses include malnutrition and kidney stones.
While 19 people were detained for questioning, the only ones arrested so far are two brothers who supplied about three tons of milk each day to the Sanlu Group, which manufactured the baby formula, the paper said.
Investigators said the brothers — surnamed Geng and residents of the city of Shijiazhuang — confessed to watering down the raw milk and mixing in tripolycyanamide, also known as melamine. They said they did it to recover losses suffered when the factory rejected earlier milk shipments, the paper reported.
Sanlu Group has recalled more than 8,200 tons of the tainted formula following reports of babies developing kidney stones, Xinhua said. Sanlu, one of China’s leading dairy producers, has also sealed off more than 2,100 tons of contaminated product, and another 700 tons still need to be recalled, the news agency said.
Chinese officials said none of the tainted formula was exported, except for “a fraction of the milk powder sold to Taiwan for food processing.”
Posted: September 17, 2008 at 1:31 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
High-moisture corn (HMC) offers growers some benefits that dry corn may not. Leo Brown, Pioneer Hi-Bred livestock information manager, says high-moisture corn is increasing in popularity because growers have a longer window of time for optimum harvesting, which reduces their field losses. Also helping to reduce losses is the availability of L. Buchneri inoculants specifically designed for HMC at the fermentation stage. When is the right time to harvest? Brown suggests when corn has reached black layer and when moisture is about 28 percent to 32 percent moisture content. Harvesting when corn is at the right moisture content is important.
pioneer-podcast-41-wdd.mp3
Leo Brown on Harvesting High Moisture Corn (5:00 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.
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Posted: September 16, 2008 at 11:13 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has completed the farm audits of its fifth herd retirement round conducted earlier this summer, resulting in the removal of 24,860 cows representing 436 million pounds of milk.
At the end of the on-farm auditing process, CWT removed 203 herds in 37 states. It had received 607 bids from 41 states during the bidding process. As has been the case with its previous herd retirement rounds, most of the cows removed were in the western regions of the country. This round also removed 275 bred heifers. The average accepted bid in this round was $6.10 per hundredweight.
The totals for each region in this round include:
Northeast: 55 million pounds of milk; 29 farms accepted; 13% of total milk reduction; 2,776 number of cows; $6.06 average bid
Southeast: 64 million pounds of milk; 35 farms accepted; 15% of total milk reduction; 3,987 number of cows; $6.25 average bid
Midwest: 70 million pounds of milk; 76 farms accepted; 16% of total milk reduction; 4,124 number of cows; $6.01 average bid
Southwest: 85 million pounds of milk; 36 farms accepted; 19% of total milk reduction; 5,180 number of cows; $5.98 average bid
West: 162 million pounds of milk; 27 farms accepted; 37% of total milk reduction; 8,793 number of cows; $6.35 average bid
TOTALS: 436 million pounds of milk; 203 farms accepted; 100% of total milk reduction; 24,860 number of cows; $6.10** average bid
** = Represents an average of all 203 bids, not just the mean obtained by averaging the five regional averages.
Posted: September 15, 2008 at 3:40 pm
By News Editor
TyraTech Inc., the pioneer of safer, effective natural pesticide products and automated manure management systems, announces that the Rancho Teresita Dairy has signed an agreement to purchase and install the TyraTech WasteSolver™. This will be one of the first systems to be installed in California.
With ever-tightening environmental regulations, it is increasingly difficult for dairy producers to manage their cows’ manure. This new system is designed to provide an automated solution that efficiently and cost-effectively turns manure into ready to use bedding and organic horticulture ready growing media, which generates incremental profit opportunities for dairies.
The patent-pending WasteSolver is an automated manure management system that efficiently reduces environmental problems and lagoon maintenance by capturing 50% to 70% of suspended manure solids, and then naturally treating the solids in 24 hours through a method similar to pasteurization. The continuous and rapid process is designed to reduce the production of methane by avoiding composting and by aerating liquids that are returned to the lagoon.
Cornell Kasbergen, owner of Rancho Teresita Dairy, commented: “The automated WasteSolver system appealed to me on several levels. First, it replaces the need to devote labor and land to drying manure for bedding. Also, the income streams for bedding sales and potentially greenhouse credits provides incremental profit for our dairy. Lastly, I believe this system is environmentally efficient, which should help us effectively manage an increasingly cumbersome regulatory environment.”
Posted: September 15, 2008 at 3:22 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has announced their updated export bids for the past week.
Two of the bids were from California Dairies Inc., of Artesia, Calif., for the following butter exports: 2,000 metric tons (4.4 million pounds) to Iran, and 115.2 metric tons (253,973 lbs.) to Honduras.
Four bids were accepted from Dairy Farmers of America of Kansas City, Mo., for the following anhydrous milkfat exports to Mexico: 54 metric tons (119,050 lbs.), 54 metric tons (119,050 lbs.), 54 metric tons (119,050 lbs.), and 36 metric tons (79,366 lbs.).
Finally, one bid was accepted from Land O’Lakes of Arden Hills, Minn., for the export of 36 metric tons (79,366 lbs.) of Cheddar cheese to South Korea.
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: butter, 18,514 metric tons (40.8 million lbs.); cheese, 1,351 metric tons (2.9 million lbs.); whole milk powder, 170 metric tons (374,000 lbs.); and anhydrous milkfat, 4,872 metric tons (10.7 million lbs.). The milk equivalent total of these products is 1.22 billion pounds.
Posted: September 13, 2008 at 3:25 am
By Chuck
Dairy Markets Week in Review
Cash block cheese gained another 11 3/4-cents the second week of September, closing Friday at $1.9025 per pound, but that’s 8 3/4-cents below a year ago. Barrel closed at $1.8825, up 10 3/4-cents on the week but 10 3/4-cents below a year ago. Only one car of block traded hands on the week and four of barrel. The NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price fell to $1.7353, down 1.7 cents. Barrel averaged $1.6898, down 3.8 cents.
Butter closed at $1.66, unchanged on the week, 28 3/4-cents above a year ago. Only two cars traded hands on the week. NASS butter averaged $1.6090, up 2.2 cents. NASS nonfat dry milk averaged $1.3255 down 4.2 cents, and dry whey averaged 22.7 cents, down 0.8 cent.
Cash Grade A and Extra Grade nonfat dry milk lost 6 cents on the week and dipped to $1.30 per pound each.
Provided courtesy of Dairyline.
Posted: September 11, 2008 at 4:56 pm
By News Editor
Sonic Restaurants have announced that they will now offer string cheese as a side item in their Wacky Pack kids meal. Sonic is the first quick-service restaurant chain to introduce this side item.
“String cheese is a perfect food item to maintain a healthy balance, especially if your kids are picky about what they eat,” says Paul Macaluso, vice president of marketing for Sonic, America’s Drive-In. “Kids love string cheese and it’s a fun way to help them get the calcium, protein, and other nutrients they need as part of a balanced diet.”
SONIC is a partner in the 3-A-Day of Dairy program, an educational campaign from Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) and the American Dairy Association. In accordance with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 3-A-Day of Dairy helps educate consumers on the importance of consuming three servings of calcium-rich foods such as milk, flavored milk, cheese or yogurt to help build strong bones among young people.
String cheese is the first product introduced as part of an overall initiative to increase meal options for kids. Sonic plans to launch additional wholesome foods throughout the next year including fresh bananas this fall.
Posted: September 11, 2008 at 4:42 pm
By News Editor
There’s a new milk on the market, and it’s the perfect drink to enjoy on a Sunday as you cheer on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, in conjunction with Dean Dairy and the Steelers, introduced the milk last year and are excited to bring it back for a second season.
The official milk of the “Black and Gold” returns for another season in creamy chocolate, scrumptious strawberry and victorious vanilla everywhere Dean’s milk is sold in the Pittsburgh region.
“There’s always room on my team for Smash Mouth,” said Hines Ward, wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who appears in a commercial for Smash Mouth Milk.
“Dean’s dairy products have been a long-time Pittsburgh tradition,” said Bob Jennings, director of sales for Dean Dairy in Sharpsville. “With Smash Mouth Milk we created a new tradition that Steelers fans, both young and old, can use to fuel their bodies on game day and every day.”
Named in honor of the Steelers’ trademark playing style, Smash Mouth Milk is available in 16-ounce bottles of lowfat chocolate, strawberry or vanilla. The eye-catching labels feature the Pittsburgh Steelers logo and a 3-A-Day™ of Dairy logo, which reminds families to get three servings of dairy each day, as recommended by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Smash Mouth Milk contains 9 essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium, potassium and vitamin D, which will help fuel fans to cheer the Steelers to victory.
Posted: September 10, 2008 at 8:52 pm
By News Editor
Green Meadows Foods, LLC and the Dairy Foods-Industrial Division of Land O’Lakes, Inc. have entered into a long-term milk supply agreement.
“We are excited about our agreement with Land O’Lakes,” said Sjerp Ysselstein, president of Green Meadows Foods. “This milk will supply our cheese manufacturing capacity set to come online in early November.”
“This agreement affords our dairy cooperative another local outlet for member milk,” said Jim Sleper, director of Milk Supply at Land O’Lakes. “This is a win-win agreement. Green Meadows gains access to a consistent supply of high quality milk, and we gain another market for our dairy members’ milk.”
“This milk supply agreement will primarily affect parts of our current and future milk supply in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota.”
Green Meadows Foods, LLC is a new cheese and fractionated whey product manufacturing facility with a startup capacity to process 2.5 million pounds of milk per day, which includes a master plan design to accomplish an expansion capability to 5.0 million pounds per day in the near future. Geographically poised to absorb the rapidly increasing milk supply of the southern I-29 corridor, Green Meadows is positioned for growth and offers a new milk market for the region’s dairy producers.
Initial production from the plant is scheduled for November 2008, the American and Italian cheese varieties will be marketed to Masters Gallery Foods, Inc. of Plymouth, Wis. and the various whey products will be marketed domestically and internationally.
Posted: September 10, 2008 at 8:45 pm
By News Editor
Dean Foods will be closing its Pet Dairy plant in Hickory, N.C. on November 21. The plant produces ice cream and employs 120 people.
A Dean Foods spokesman said the plant is being closed in an effort to optimize the company’s supply chain in an increasingly competitive environment. Production will shift to other Dean Foods plants.
Dean Foods said affected employees at the Hickory plant will receive severance and benefits extension. Information about available job opportunities throughout the Dean Foods network will be shared with the employees, the company said.
Dean Foods is the largest processor and distributor of dairy products in the United States.
It sells milk, ice cream and other dairy products under more than 50 regional brands and private labels.
Posted: September 9, 2008 at 8:55 pm
By News Editor
The American Farm Bureau Federation has launched a new initiative aimed at consumer concerns. The Conversations on Animal Care initiative will help consumers understand the care farmers and ranchers take of their animals during the production of meat, milk and eggs.
Conversations on Animal Care is a comprehensive effort that helps livestock producers share positive and personal insights on the care they provide farm animals.
In a national survey conducted online in January 2008 by Harris Interactive on behalf of AFBF, nearly 3,500 likely voters were asked if they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: “Farmers and ranchers in your state treat their animals humanely.”
A majority of voters, 57 percent, said they agreed or strongly agreed with the statement. However, 34 percent of those surveyed responded “not sure.”
Survey participants were then exposed to a series of educational statements and messages about food-animal production. At the conclusion of the survey, participants again were asked if they agreed or disagreed that farmers and ranchers in their state treat animals humanly. This time, 72 percent agreed or strongly agreed — a jump of 15 points.
“This tells us that, when presented with basic information about the practical and ethical standards farmers and ranchers maintain, consumers respond positively,” AFBF Public Relations Director Don Lipton said. “The Conversations on Animal Care program is intended to give farmers and ranchers the confidence and tools to do just that.”
A major component of the Conversations on Animal Care initiative is a training program that teaches producers to share their stories effectively, help them find an audience and amplify their message of dedicated care of livestock. During two days of training, participants hone skills in sharing their personal stories with local audiences, the media and in one-on-one opportunities. They also learn of the important role on-line tools play in communicating to consumers.
Posted: September 8, 2008 at 4:31 pm
By News Editor
According to a study released recently called the Wisconsin Cheese Plant Capacity and Future Milk Production report, increases in the state’s milk production may exceed the state’s ability to process it by 2012.
For years, milk production has lagged behind the statewide capacity of dairy processing plants, creating a deficit that was fulfilled by trucking in various forms of milk for the cheesemaking process, including condensed milk and nonfat dry milk. America’s Dairyland needs a large amount of milk to make its signature cheeses: in 2007 cheesemakers poured 24.5 billion pounds (2.8 billion gallons) of milk into their cheese vats.
Wisconsin milk production is growing. Both the number of cows and the amount each cow produces has increased in recent years. In 2007, Wisconsin cows produced 24.1 billion pounds of milk and 90 percent was made into cheese. If this increase continues, Wisconsin dairies could produce two billion more pounds of milk by 2012, Dr. Cropp estimates, positioning the state to reach its greatest peak in milk production in twenty years.
“The growth in Wisconsin’s milk production can be attributed to a positive business environment for the dairy industry. A recent survey of our own dairy producer members shows plans to invest $116 million this year alone in dairy building, expansion and modernization projects,” said Laurie Fischer, executive director of the Dairy Business Association.
According to the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, investments are occurring on the processing side as well. Three new cheese plants entered production this year alone, and several other makers upgraded facilities. Growing milk supplies could push plants across the state to peak capacity, according to John Umhoefer, executive director, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.
Posted: September 8, 2008 at 4:15 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (cwt) has announced its updated export bids.
The sole bid was from Dairy Farmers of America of Kansas City, MO, for the export of 18 metric tons (39,683 lbs.) of anhydrous milkfat to Panama.
CWT will pay an export bonus to the bidder, only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.
With this accepted bid, CWT’s total 2008 export obligations are: butter, 16,400 metric tons (36 million lbs.); cheese, 1,315 metric tons (2.9 million lbs.); whole milk powder, 170 metric tons (374,000 lbs.); and anhydrous milkfat, 4,674 metric tons (10.3 million lbs.). The milk equivalent total of these products is 1.11 billion pounds.
Posted: September 5, 2008 at 4:28 pm
By News Editor
The National Dairy Council and the National Football League (NFL) are teaming up to promote healthy eating and exercise in schools across the country. A huge touchdown for America’s dairy farmers!
A marketing pact between the two groups will be announced next week, and its goal will be to tackle childhood obesity by educating kids about exercise and good nutrition. The dairy council, working with the league, will deploy the five-year, $250 million national school health program.
While the NFL will pocket a sponsorship fee, “The vast majority (of the money) is really tied to running these programs in schools and also tied to the National Dairy Council providing grants to schools that adopt these programs,” says NFL marketing director Peter O’Reilly.
Part of the deal is that NFL players will make school visits to tout exercise. The groups will also create a “playbook” that outlines activity ideas such as flag football.
This school year, the program will be launched in about 50 schools in seven test markets. It will expand to about 40,000 schools in the next few years, says Jean Ragalie, council executive vice president.
For five years, the group has worked with individual NFL teams to promote nutritionally sound fare such as low-fat and no-fat dairy products. The new agreement is broader and more “comprehensive,” says Ragalie. “We’ll work with all 32 teams plus the National Football League organization.”
Posted: September 5, 2008 at 4:17 pm
By News Editor
Swiss food and drinks giant Nestle SA Americas chief Paul Polman has resigned.
Polman is leaving to become chief executive of rival company Unilever PLC, the Netherlands-based company said in a separate statement.
The 52-year-old Dutchman was tapped as a possible successor to Nestle CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, but lost out to Paul Bulcke last year.
Nestle said its Europe chief Luis Cantarell will take over the Americas region from Polman, who had been with the company for 29 years.
Posted: September 5, 2008 at 4:13 pm
By News Editor
Baskin-Robbins is joining in on the 2008 presidential election with two new flavors you can vote on! Straight Talk Crunch or Whirl of Change – which is your “flavorite”? Vote today!
Baskin-Robbins said in a press release: “Beginning Sept. 3, Americans can vote for their “flavorite” candidate in any Baskin-Robbins store nationwide or online. Flavor polls will close midnight, Oct. 20. Votes will be tallied and the winner of Flavor Debate ’08 will be announced on Oct. 21, possibly providing a taste for which candidate Americans will choose as the next president of the United States in November.”
The flavor that represents McCain, is Straight Talk Crunch, whose ingredients include caramel ribbon, chocolate pieces, candy red states, and crunchy mixed nuts swirled into white chocolate ice cream, Baskin-Robbins said.
The Obama flavor is Whirl of Change, which includes peanut-nougat ice cream whirled with chunks of chocolate-covered peanut brittle and a caramel ribbon, the chain said.
Posted: September 5, 2008 at 11:44 am
By Chuck
Dairy Markets Week in Review
The cash dairy markets gained ground the first week of September. Block cheese closed Friday morning at $1.7850 per pound, up 8 1/4-cents on the week, but 35 1/2-cents below that week a year ago. Barrel closed Friday at $1.7750, up 14 1/4-cents on the week but 29 1/2-cents below a year ago. Seven cars of block traded hands and 18 of barrel. The NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price fell to $1.7522, down 7.4 cents. Barrel averaged $1.7278, down 3.4 cents.
Butter closed at $1.66, up 4 3/4-cents on the week and 24 cents above a year ago. Two cars traded hands. NASS butter averaged $1.5870, down 3.9 cents. NASS nonfat dry milk averaged $1.3682, down 2.8 cents, and dry whey averaged 23.52 cents, 0.8 cent.
Provided courtesy of Dairyline.
Posted: September 5, 2008 at 10:56 am
By Chuck
AgNite at the RNC was all about showcasing American food and agriculture.
One of the most interesting displays included 3 large blocks of cheese. These were donated by Associated Milk Producers Incorporated. They’re not something you’d have room in your refrigerator for since each block weighs 690 pounds!
The people working the display got a serious workout slicing off the blocks all evening long. I tried a little of each and it was delicious.
Be sure to check out the AgNite Photo Album for 200 pictures from the event.
Posted: September 4, 2008 at 4:30 pm
By News Editor
The National Dairy Council has released recommendations to help parents decipher the new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) “Lipid Screening and Cardiovascular Health in Childhood,” in particular, the guidelines on the correct milk choice.
One change the report recommends is to consider the use of reduced-fat dairy foods, such as reduced-fat (2%) milk, for children between 12 months and 2 years of age for whom overweight or obesity is a concern or who have a family history of obesity, dyslipidemia or cardiovascular disease.
“Research continues to show that for infants and children, milk and milk products are fundamental to a healthy diet,” said Karen Kafer, Vice President of Nutrition Affairs/Health Partnerships at the National Dairy Council (NDC). “We are working in partnership with the AAP to educate parents with children of different ages and health circumstances how to choose the milk products best for them. We want parents to understand that milk is more than just an important source of calcium for their children; it also contains eight other essential nutrients that help build and maintain strong bones, muscles and teeth.”
The AAP continues to emphasize calcium recommendations from its 2006 Report on Bone Health which promotes 3 servings of dairy foods daily for children and 4 servings for adolescents.(2) Likewise, the Dietary Guidelines encourage children from ages 2-8 to consume 3 child-size servings from the milk group each day for a total of 2 cups; children age 9 and older should consume 3 cups per day.(3) Whole, reduced-fat (2%), low-fat (1%) and fat-free milk all provide the same package of vitamins and minerals; the only difference is the amount of fat.
Of the five important nutrients cited in the Dietary Guidelines as nutrients of concern because of inadequate intake by children and adolescents (calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium and vitamin E), dairy foods are a major source of three — calcium, potassium and magnesium.(2)
“Since the overwhelming majority of children do not get the recommended 3 servings of low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products, increasing their consumption to recommended levels is key to improving their overall diet quality,” Kafer said.
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