Posted: May 29, 2009 at 4:26 pm
By News Editor
Holstein Association USA is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2009 Herd of Excellence recognition. An elite group of eleven members from around the United States have met the strict criteria to qualify for this prestigious award.
The herd standards for the award include: Must be 25 percent above breed average Mature Equivalent (ME) for milk, fat, and protein; must have classified within the last year and have an actual average classification score of 83 points or higher; must have at least 70 percent of the herd homebred; and must be enrolled in the Association’s TriStar program. Congratulations to all of the hard-working winners!
Tim and Jennifer Baker
Star-Summit Holsteins, Byron Center, Mich.
Tim Baker took over managing his 75-cow operation from his parents, Henry and Ruth, in 1997. Today, the herd is 92.21 percent homebred, with ME production averages of 32,010 pounds of milk, 1,170 pounds of fat, and 1,005 pounds of protein, and has an average classification score of 87.76 points. This is the second year that Star-Summit Holsteins has been honored as a Herd of Excellence, and they have been named a Progressive Breeders Registry herd for 26 years. Tim and his wife, Jennifer, have three children, Gerrit-10, Jack-8, and Elise-4.
Joseph Brantmeier
Hilrose Holsteins, Sherwood, Wis.
Hilrose Holsteins is a family farm, managed by Joe Brantmeier, and sons Andy and Jeff. They have received the Progressive Breeders Registry award for 19 years, and been named a Progressive Genetics Herd twice. The herd is 83.5 percent homebred, with an average classification score of 85.5 and ME production averages of 32,827 pounds of milk, 1,265 pounds of fat, and 957 pounds of protein. They also received the Herd of Excellence award in 2008. Joe’s wife, Chris, is a long time school teacher, and daughter Sarah works for Pfizer.
Jeffrey and Kate Hendrickson
Jeffrey-Way Holsteins, Belleville, Wis.
Jeff and Kate Hendrickson have a 75-cow herd, of which 97.44 percent are homebred. Their average classification score is 85.26, and ME production averages are 31,506 pounds of milk, 1,173 pounds of fat, and 953 pounds of protein. Jeff has been working with Registered Holsteins for almost 30 years, having grown up on a dairy farm. He worked as a herdsman for a few years, and purchased a cow when that herd dispersed, which was the beginning of his own herd. All of the Hendrickson’s five children are involved on the farm in some aspect. Brandon, 32, works for the county and assists with field work when he can, Kelsi, 22, works as an assistant editor for Agri-View newspaper and helps in her free time, and Trent, 21, is in college and comes home on the weekends and during the summer to work. Breinne, 17, and Brooks, 15, both help with chores on a daily basis.
Jay and James Houser, Barbara Kerstetter, and Karen Aumen
Penn-Dell Farms, Spring Mills, Pa.
Jay Houser has been operating Penn-Dell Farms since 1963. The herd is 96.05 percent homebred, with an average classification score of 85.07 points, and ME production averages of 32,518 pounds of milk, 1,359 pounds of fat, and 972 pounds of protein. The herd is enrolled in Holstein COMPLETE and uses Tag ID to register their calves. Penn-Dell has received the Progressive Breeders Registry award for 37 years and have been a Progressive Genetics Herd for 18 years. Jay is very proud to have all five of his children involved in the dairy industry. His son James and daughter Karen Aumen take care of milking their 70 cows twice a day. Daughters Barbara Kerstetter and Sandra Haagen help Jay with the bookkeeping and finances for the farm. Another daughter, Mary Ellen Storm, lives in Wisconsin on a dairy farm. Jay’s grandchildren are taking an interest and enjoy being involved with the dairy as well.
Allen Johnson
Jafral Holsteins, Hamptonville, N.C.
Jafral Holsteins is a 40-cow herd owned and operated by Allen Johnson. Their average classification score is 84.04, with ME production averages of 34,354 pounds of milk, 1,301 pounds of fat, and 1,009 pounds of protein on twice daily milking. The herd is 100 percent homebred, with most of the cows tracing back to two cow families, Rilara Mars Las Ravena EX-91 2E GMD and Bonnyside Bova Brenda EX-90 2E GMD. This is the second year that Jafral has been honored as a Herd of Excellence. They have also received the Progressive Breeders Registry award for 11 years, and the Progressive Genetics Herd award for 14 years, with a 2008 average CTPI of 1578. The herd has been on Holstein COMPLETE for three years. Working alongside Allen is his nephew, Kevin Huie. The two are responsible for all of the day-to-day labor on the farm.
Jan Jurbala
Spotlite-J Holsteins, Orangeville, Pa.
Jan Jurbala started Spotlite-J Holsteins in 1977, and is now milking 46 cows twice daily. The herd has ME production averages of 32,220 pounds of milk, 1,173 pounds of fat, and 995 pounds of protein, is 79.63 percent homebred and has an average classification score of 83.2 points. Friend Sandi Hock assists with milking, raises the calves and heifers for the farm, and owns some cattle with Jurbala. Jan’s daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren all live at the farm and enjoy being involved.
Bruce and Brenda Long
B-Long Holsteins, New London, Wis.
Bruce and Brenda Long own and operate B-Long Holsteins with their sons, Bryant-19, and twins Bret and Brandon-17. Currently milking 55 cows twice a day, the herd’s ME production averages are 35,190 pounds of milk, 1,219 pounds of fat, and 1,025 pounds of protein, with an average classification score of 83.66. The herd is 96.23 percent homebred.B-Long Holsteins was also recognized as a Herd of Excellence last year, and has been named a Progressive Genetics Herd for 13 years. Bruce and Brenda received the Distinguished Young Holstein Breeders Award in 2007. The Longs enjoy working together as a family and exhibiting their cattle at shows. They take pride in their homebred animals, and have not purchased any replacements in several years.
Paul, Tom, and Tim Schmitt
Morningview Holsteins, Durango, Iowa
Morningview Holsteins is an 88-cow operation that is 83.8 percent homebred. The herd has an average classification score of 84.8, and ME production averages of 32,046 pounds of milk, 1,202 pounds of fat, and 948 pounds of protein. Morningview was also recognized as a Herd of Excellence last year, and has been named a Progressive Breeders Registry herd for 12 years. The Schmitts have been a Progressive Genetics Herd for 14 years and had the highest average CTPI in the country in 2008, at 1669.
Jake and Sallianne Tanis
Ideal Holsteins, Centre Hall, Pa.
At Ideal Holsteins, the Tanis family is currently milking 100 Registered Holsteins with ME Production Averages of 33,725 pounds of milk, 1,247 pounds of fat, and 1,004 pounds of protein. The herd is 100 percent homebred, has an average classification score of 83.37, and is milked twice a day in their tie-stall barn. Ideal Holsteins has been recognized with the Progressive Breeders Registry award for 13 years, and this is the second year they have qualified as a Herd of Excellence. Jake is quick to credit his wife and children for the success that they have attained with their farm. All of his children helped growing up, and his son, Adam, works there full-time now.
Benjamin and Carolyn Turner
Maplelane-Manor Farm, Apulia Station, N.Y.
Ben and Carolyn Turner have a 93.44 percent homebred herd of 120 cows, the largest herd of this year’s honorees, with ME production averages of 32,558 pounds of milk, 1,278 pounds of fat, and 1,053 pounds of protein. Their average classification score is 83.16. Ben is a full-time veterinarian, and Carolyn helps on the farm daily. They have two key employees – John Young, Carolyn’s son, who manages the farm’s field and crop work, and also milks, and Jay Liddington, who has been with them over 15 years and works mainly with the animals. The cows are milked twice a day in their tie-stall barn.
Clint and Heidi Zank
Ridge-Place Holsteins, Neillsville, Wis.
Ridge-Place Holsteins, owned by Clint and Heidi Zank, is a 40 cow herd milked twice a day, with ME production averages of 32,851 pounds of milk, 1,155 pounds of fat, and 968 pounds of protein. The herd is 97.78 percent homebred with an average classification score of 85.41 points.
The herd is enrolled in Holstein COMPLETE and has received the Progressive Breeders Registry award for five years. Clint is responsible for the majority of the labor on the farm. His wife, Heidi, works in the medical field, and they have a son, Brayden, who is five. Zank’s father still assists with the farm’s crops.
Posted: May 29, 2009 at 3:53 pm
By News Editor
Dairy Markets Week in Review
Wholesale dairy product prices remain depressed but are showing a little strength. While retail dairy product prices are down from a year ago, to the delight of consumers, dairy farm milk prices remain far below the cost of production.
The Memorial Day holiday-shortened week saw block cheese close at $1.1525 per pound, up a penny and a quarter on the week, but $1.0775 below a year ago. Barrel closed Friday at $1.10, up 2 cents on the week, but $1.10 below a year ago. Thirty seven cars of block traded hands on the week and 24 of barrel. The NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price fell to $1.1485, down 1.7 cents. Barrel averaged $1.0994, down 0.7 cent.
Butter closed at $1.2650, unchanged on the week, but 21 1/2-cents below a year ago. Fourteen cars were sold on the week. NASS-surveyed butter averaged $1.2374, up 2.1 cents.
Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Friday at 90 cents per pound, up a penny on the week, and Extra Grade closed at 87.50, up a half-cent.
NASS-surveyed nonfat dry milk averaged 83.13 cents, down 0.4 cent, and dry whey averaged 23.90 cents, up 0.4 cent.
Price support purchases for the week totaled 1.5 million pounds of nonfat dry milk, raising the cumulative total to 239.8 million, compared to none a year ago.
Posted: May 29, 2009 at 2:38 am
By Amanda Nolz
With May Beef Month coming to a conclusion, it’s time to start celebrating the wonderful product of dairy. Each year, Dairy Month highlights the dairy producers and the healthful dairy products to consumers around the country. So, how can you get involved and promote the benefits of dairy, while also giving a face to dairy producers? According to Associated Content, the National Dairy Council and the Midwest Dairy Association are both working hard to put dairy products and farmers first.
The National Dairy Council promotes its 3-a-day program to encourage Americans to reduce risks of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, obesity, and colon cancer through consumption of dairy foods. It is estimated that most Americans are not getting enough calcium from their diets, and are thus not benefiting from optimal calcium absorption and nutrition. The Midwest Dairy Association raises public awareness on behalf of dairy farmers, dairy producers, and the dairy industry in the media. Its focus is on the “Milk-Making Mission”, and it shows us how businesses and producers affect the American dairy market, and consumer.
June Dairy Month first became part of American culture in 1937. It started as National Milk Month, and many chain stores sponsored events to promote drinking milk. The programs were a success, and likely contributed to American’s habit today of drinking milk. The National Dairy Council first began these promotions with businesses in mind, and stores quickly ran offers and highlighted their dairy sales during this time. In 1939, the campaign increased to promoting all dairy products, not just milk. This slowly increased the promotion and sales of butter, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. However, the war era quickly reduced the publicity efforts.
See the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc. for details on June Dairy Month in Wisconsin.
Crayola.com also offers educational materials for June Dairy Month. Check it out for some fun activities for kids!
Posted: May 28, 2009 at 8:26 pm
By News Editor
Minnesota Milk Producers Association and University of Minnesota Extension will team up with industry partners to host a six farm dairy tour in Southwestern Minnesota and Eastern South Dakota on June 16th and 17th. The overnight trip will provide a terrific opportunity for participants to learn as they tour these farm facilities, receive insight on new technologies and labor practices and have the chance to network with other producers at the same time.
The cost of the tour is $200 per person and only $125 for additional registrants from the same farm. Registration is due June 8th, 2009 and includes transportation, meals, snacks, hotel stay, and informational packet. While the tour is open to everyone, members of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association will receive a $30 scholarship.
This year the tour will include the Goblirsch Dairy operation where they have milked their 200 cow herd with four robots since 2006. Dick Kidman and his two sons renovated a stanchion barn into a low-cost parlor at Kidman Dairy. M&M Livestock custom raises 2,000 heifers on 2 sites for nine dairies in Minnesota and South Dakota. After growing up in the Netherlands, John and Berlinda Vander Wal with Newalta Dairy moved to Canada to dairy farm. Randy Gross and his wife are the managing partners of Prairie Gold near Elkton, SD. Randy grew up in Washington and worked in California and Wisconsin before starting Prairie Gold in 2005. Randy Pater, also uses a flush flume system with sand lanes in his cross-ventilated barn equipped with evaporative pads for cooling.
Two buses will be providing transportation from Minnesota. One will make stops in Melrose, St. Cloud, and Sleepy Eye. The second bus will stop in Zumbrota, Rochester, and Worthington before arriving at the first operation.
This tour is made possible with the support of Extension and the producer and associate members of Minnesota Milk Producers Association
including: AgStar Financial Services, Land O’Lakes, Inc, Bongards Creamery, Davisco Foods International, Inc, Elanco Animal Health, First
District Association, Nelson Dairy Consultants, Inc, Tiry Engineering, Inc, Central Minnesota Federal Credit Union and Midwest Machinery.
Posted: May 28, 2009 at 8:12 pm
By News Editor
Penn State University student Sarah Caldwell of Beaver Falls will serve as summer intern for the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence.
Caldwell will assist the center in meeting the goals of the Pennsylvania Dairy Task Force and its five committees by coordinating programs, activities and events such as the Dairy Advocacy and Resource Team (DART) meetings and the June Dairy Month celebration at the Capitol. She will also provide communications support to the center throughout the summer.
Caldwell’s family operates a seasonal grazing herd of about 100 cows in Beaver County. She is the president of the Pennsylvania Junior Holstein Association and is a former Pennsylvania Dairy Princess. Also an accomplished dairy judge, Caldwell was a member of the first place 4-H team at World Dairy Expo last fall and will travel with the team to Europe this summer to compete in an international judging contest.
An active junior at Penn State University majoring in agribusiness management, Caldwell is an Ag Advocate and member of the Dairy Science Club, Alpha Zeta Fraternity and the National Agri-Marketing Association at Penn State. She will serve as chair of the OsteoChallenge Race at Penn State this fall, a 5K race that raises money for the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
Posted: May 28, 2009 at 10:15 am
By Amanda Nolz
Ann Perry at the USDA summarizes a study done by the USDA Agricultural Research Service the pros and cons of solid and liquid dairy manure as fertilizer. Here is a brief excerpt from that study…
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have found that solid dairy manure is better than commercial fertilizer in mitigating the amount of phosphorus that can accumulate in water percolating through the soil. But using liquid dairy manure can make it worse.
These findings could help farmers in the semiarid western United States protect local watersheds from agricultural pollutants. Idaho is now the second-largest milk producer in the western United States, and farmers there are using substantial amounts of dairy manure for fertilizing irrigated crop fields. Phosphorus can fuel the excessive growth of algae and other plant matter in freshwater ecosystems.
To read the entire summary, link to USDA ARS.
Posted: May 27, 2009 at 9:25 pm
By News Editor
Attention Pennsylvania 4-H dairy members! Are you between the ages of 15-19? Do you want to attend the National 4-H Dairy Conference Sept. 27-30 in Madison, Wis.? Then you need to apply for a special grant from the Center for Dairy Excellence and the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. Penn State’s Department of Dairy and Animal Science is coordinating Pennsylvania’s delegation to the National 4-H Dairy Conference. Each county 4-H program can nominate two 4-H members. All nominations must be submitted to Penn State through local county extension offices by July 21.
The conference draws about 200 youth from across the country and Canada. Last year’s Pennsylvania delegates were Lauren Kinkade from Crawford County and Mitchell Bauer from Erie County. “The event was an amazing experience for me,” Kinkade said, and Bauer added, “this experience confirmed that the dairy industry is for me.”
“The National 4-H Dairy Conference gives young people the opportunity to develop leadership skills and dairy knowledge while seeing first-hand the scope of our nation’s dairy industry,” says John Frey, executive director of the Center for Dairy Excellence. “By working closely with the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association and Penn State, we can help more Pennsylvania young people benefit from this outstanding event.”
Finalists will be interviewed by a selection committee at Penn State’s 4-H Achievement Days on July 29. Any finalist not attending Achievement Days will be interviewed by phone during that week. Delegates interested in attending this year’s conference should plan to miss an entire week of school to attend the conference.
The event will include tours of local dairy farms and other facilities, including the Hoard’s Dairyman farm, the Dairy Shrine and Nasco. Workshop topics from last year included dairy product marketing, biotechnology, herd mating strategies and artificial insemination.
Posted: May 27, 2009 at 8:51 pm
By Amanda Nolz
Improved milk quality on the farm can reduce costs, increase profits, improve animal health and give pride to producers. Pfizer Animal Health now offers a Dairy Wellness Plan that focuses on the health of the dairy cow and her calf, the economic health of the dairy operation and appropriate use of animal health products leading to a safe and healthy food supply. Interested? Ag Weekly Online recently published an article on this program, and here is a little bit of information about it and how it can assist you.
Improved milk quality on the farm can often enhance the profitability of your dairy through premiums paid by your milk processor, reduced veterinary bills and fewer treatment expenses. Reviewing your milk quality efforts can help improve your bottom line over time and help you produce better dairy products for consumers to enjoy.
“Milk quality can be measured through somatic cell counts (SCC) or standard plate counts,” said Bradley Mills, DVM, Pfizer Animal Health. “When reviewing your milk quality program, look at the milking machine cleanup routine as well as the cow’s care and environment. These all play a factor in improving milk quality.”
Posted: May 27, 2009 at 8:04 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
Silage evaluation can be a timely process. Following harvest, a sample needs to be bagged and sent to a lab for evaluation. At Pioneer Hi-Bred, experts are using near-infrared technology (NIR) on research choppers which offers a much faster turnaround time for evaluating the nutritional value of silage hybrids. Kevin Putnam, Pioneer dairy specialist, discusses the benefits of Pioneer using NIR on their research choppers.
pioneer-podcast-55-wdd.mp3
Kevin Putnam on Using NIR on Choppers (5:28 min MP3)
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Podcast: Play in new window
| Download
Posted: May 27, 2009 at 3:47 am
By Amanda Nolz
Dairy producers, your opinions are wanted! I ran across an article written by Ray Lilley with the Associated Press in Forbes Magazine, “US Dairy Subsidy Move Seen as Backward Step,” and I want your thoughts on this issue.
Australia and New Zealand on Monday condemned a U.S. decision to reintroduce export subsidies on dairy products as a step toward trade protectionism. The move under the U.S. Dairy Export Incentive Program followed the European Union’s reintroduction of export subsidies in January, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Saturday, adding that the program applied to 112,000 U.S. tons (102,000 metric tons) of mainly milk powder, butter and cheese.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the “very unhelpful move” was at odds with Obama’s position that the U.S. opposed protectionism. While the U.S. and EU may be acting within their current WTO commitments, their moves on dairy subsidies sent a negative signal to other WTO members.
Posted: May 26, 2009 at 7:07 pm
By News Editor
There is still time to pull out your photos or run out and take some new ones to enter in the Jersey Journal Photo Contest! Log on to the Jersey Journal website for an entry form to enter your photos. Entries are due in the office by midnight Monday, June 1. Or if you are mailing them, they must be postmarked no later than June 1.
The contest is open to all amateur photographers and there is even a Junior Division for those youth that have snapped pictures of their favorite cows out in their working clothes! The winning photos will appear in the Jersey Calendar, Jersey cards and/or other printed material for the AJCA.
There are five categories to enter:
Kids and Calves
Hard Working Girls
Change of Seasons
Scenic Photos
Miscellaneous
Posted: May 26, 2009 at 6:57 pm
By News Editor
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced allocations under USDA’s Dairy Export Incentive Program for the July 2008 through June 30, 2009 period, as allowed under the rules of the World Trade Organization. The program helps U.S. dairy exporters meet prevailing world prices and encourages the development of international export markets in areas where U.S. dairy products are not competitive due to subsidized dairy products from other countries.
“These allocations illustrate our continued support for the U.S. dairy industry, which has seen its international market shares erode, in part, due to the reintroduction of direct export subsidies by the European Union earlier this year,” said Vilsack. “The Obama Administration remains strongly committed to the pledge by the Leaders of the Group of Twenty to refrain from protectionist measures. Our measured response is fully consistent with our WTO commitments and we will make every attempt to minimize the impact on non-subsidizing foreign suppliers.”
The Dairy Export Incentive Program allocations of 68,201 metric tons of nonfat dry milk; 21,097 metric tons of butterfat; 3,030 metric tons of various cheeses and 34 metric tons of other dairy products, as well as individual product and country allocations will be made available through Invitations for Offers. Country and region quantities may be limited by the invitation.
Administered by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, this program was reauthorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. As part of its World Trade Organization commitments resulting from the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture, the United States has established annual export subsidy ceilings by commodity with respect to maximum permitted quantities and maximum budgetary expenditures.
Posted: May 26, 2009 at 6:41 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Kristin Natzke of Fond du Lac, Wis. – she has been selected as the Accelerated Genetics Public Relations and Advertising Intern, and will be working in Baraboo, Wis. this summer. Kristin is studying at University of Wisconsin-Madison where she is majoring in Dairy Science and Life Science Communications. At the university Kristin is an active member of the Dairy Club, Association of Women in Agriculture and is on the Dairy Judging Team.
Kristin will be responsible for interviewing, researching and writing feature articles for the Genetic Trends newsletter, writing news releases, designing promotional brochures, updating the company website, working with the Accel-Link electronic newsletter, helping with the development of advertising campaigns, and representing Accelerated Genetics at various conferences, conventions, shows and events throughout the summer.
Kristin has been extremely involved with her family’s registered cattle–Crestbrooke Holsteins and Jerseys. She has been active in developing and working with the calf and show heifer programs, maintaining accurate breed registrations, vaccinations and health records, and is extremely involved with the show string at the various shows throughout the year. Also, Kristin has been active in the Junior Holstein and Junior Jersey Associations, along with being involved in 4-H and FFA. In January, she was honored as the Wisconsin Holstein Outstanding Girl and more recently has been named a National Holstein Distinguished Junior Member Semi-Finalist. Kristin has also been honored as the 2008 Overall Judi Collinsworth Award Recipient and served at the 2007 Fond du Lac County Fairest of the Fair.
Besides her farm-related activities, Kristin has experience working for the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotion Board as the Board intern and Wisconsin House of Moo Coordinator. In this role, she supervised and led the House of Moo volunteers, created signage, posters, and displays for a newly remodeled exhibit, and educated thousands of urban fairgoers on the importance of Wisconsin’s $20.6 billion dairy industry. Kristin has also done cattle care for Semex Alliance for their Walk of Fame during World Dairy Expo in 2007 and 2008. She has worked with the Great Northern Land & Cattle Company assisting with sale cattle preparations and presenting cattle in the ring during sales. In 2006, Kristin was the Family Farm Adventure intern for the Wisconsin Farm Technology Days where she developed news releases and organized a hands-on educational tent for kids about Wisconsin’s Agriculture.
Posted: May 26, 2009 at 3:39 pm
By Amanda Nolz
There is nothing better than icecream on a late summer night, when the chores are done and a long day of hard work is completed. It’s no secret that late night Dairy Queen visits are pretty popular in many towns, and it doesn’t take much marketing to get people in to enjoy their tasty treats. Yet, this Dairy Queen goes above and beyond to reach out to their customer base. This is a pretty interesting event I found in the Salisbury Post. Check it out!
The West Innes Street Dairy Queen, built in 1950, will celebrate its annual ” ’50s Day” Saturday, May 30. On that day, Dairy Queen will have curb service with waitresses in poodle skirts and other 1950s attire. Dairy Queen will offer half-price malts all day and have other special promotions.Members of area car clubs often spend time at the ’50s Day with their older cars and trucks. Owners Melissa and Robert Utley have been having the ’50s Day for more than 20 years.
“Curb service is the fun part, I think,” Melissa Utley said.
Posted: May 22, 2009 at 4:29 pm
By News Editor
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement opening the full allocations under the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) for the July 2008 – June 2009 year. On behalf of America’s dairy industry, NMPF and USDEC expressed deep appreciation to Secretary Vilsack for his dedication to supporting dairy producers at this time of dire economic difficulties.
“We are very pleased to see USDA make fully available this important component of the full support system provided for dairy producers in the 2008 Farm Bill,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. “We are grateful to the Obama Administration and the several members of Congress who championed this program’s usage for understanding the impact this program will have in providing much needed assistance to America’s dairy farm families. Full usage of DEIP will remove more than 1.5 billion pounds of milk from the U.S. market. Coupled with the actions being taken by our own Cooperatives Working Together program, this will help to address in a meaningful way the imbalance currently present in our market.”
Kozak went on to say that, “We would like to also express our appreciation for the hard work done by many other dairy organizations throughout this country to drive home this message to Congress and the Administration as well.”
Tom Suber, President of USDEC added that, “The full elimination of all export subsidy programs around the world remains a priority goal of ours. However, until that goal is achieved, and especially during extremely challenging times like those we are currently facing, we must employ all available tools to assist our industry to compete against the active export subsidy programs of the European Union. Our industry has worked hard to establish commercial relationships over the past few years and the DEIP program will sustain U.S. market presence until global demand in dairy products recovers.”
“In addition to the negative role of EU export subsidies, our exporters also face unfair trading practices and lowered world prices as New Zealand pushes to eliminate its own record-high surpluses at all costs,” said Suber.
Now that DEIP has been announced, NMPF and USDEC urged USDA to quickly open the process, given the limited time remaining before the end of the 2008-2009 DEIP year in order for bids to be awarded. Both organizations asked that careful consideration be given to swiftly approving as many bids as possible in order to fully utilize the allocated amounts for each of the covered products.
“We look forward to working with USDA as it makes these careful deliberations in the next few weeks,” expressed Kozak. “USDA should target its awards broadly to address the anti-competitive challenges caused by both the EU and by New Zealand in the global dairy market.”
Posted: May 22, 2009 at 11:44 am
By Chuck
Dairy Markets Week in Review
The cash dairy markets showed little reaction to the April milk production data although the block cheese price closed Friday at $1.14 per pound, up three-quarters of a cent on the week, but almost half of what it was a year ago when it hit a record $2.2850. Barrel closed Friday at $1.08, unchanged on the week, but $1.17 below a year ago. Twenty six cars traded hands on the week and 16 of barrel. The NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price fell 1.4 cents, to $1.1654. Barrel averaged $1.1064, down 0.6 cent.
Butter closed Friday at $1.2650, unchanged on the week, but 22 1/2-cents below a year ago. 23 cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.2153, up 1.7 cents.
Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed at 89 cents per pound, up a penny on the week. Extra Grade closed at 87 cents, also up a penny on the wee.
NASS-surveyed nonfat dry milk averaged 83.49 cents, up 0.7 cent. Dry whey averaged 23.47 cents, up a half-cent on the week.
Price support purchases amounted to 2.5 million pounds of powder for the week. The Agriculture Department announced Friday that it will re-open the Dairy Export Incentive program. The last DEIP export was January 2004.
Provided courtesy of Dairyline.
Posted: May 21, 2009 at 4:56 pm
By News Editor
Leaders of the two major dairy industry groups jointly rejected a suggested federal excise tax on flavored milk drinks, such as chocolate and strawberry, that contain sugar-based sweeteners. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) say flavored milk is part of the solution to the child obesity problem, not a cause, and its consumption needs to be encouraged among kids, not discouraged by a new tax. If you feel the same way, contact your legislators and let them know!
A tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, including flavored milk, was included in a list of revenue options released May 18 by Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman and ranking Republican, respectively, on the Senate Finance Committee. While no rate was specified, a tax of three cents per 12 ounces could raise as much at $50 billion over 10 years, according to a congressional estimate.
“Milk is a nutrient-rich beverage that is good for kids,” said Connie Tipton, President of IDFA. “We need to encourage them to drink more and it’s no secret kids love flavored milk. Processors have developed low-fat flavored milk options that don’t have excessive calories, but switching to no-calorie sweeteners has proved problematic. Still, flavored milk is an excellent way to increase milk consumption and make children’s diets more nutritious.”
Added Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF: “Milk is unique in that it provides nine essential nutrients, including calcium and other nutrients kids don’t get enough of. Limiting consumption of flavored milk could easily reduce intakes of nutrients kids need, and that come in a package they enjoy. In addition, research has shown that children who drink flavored along with unflavored milk don’t have higher body mass indexes than non-milk drinkers.”
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans—the official government diet advice—bolsters the argument for flavored milk, Tipton and Kozak said. According to the guidelines, adding a small amount of sugar to nutrient-rich foods such as reduced-fat milk enhances their appeal and improves diet without adding excessive calories.
Likewise, Tipton and Kozak said, the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages consumption low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, as an alternative soft drinks.
“Taxing flavored milk because it includes a small amount of sugar is penny-wise and pound-foolish, from a nutritional standpoint” said Tipton. “Studies show that low-fat chocolate milk is kids’ nutritious beverage of choice. It would be ridiculous to discourage kids from drinking it.”
“It’s both bad nutrition policy and bad tax policy to lump milk in with other beverages,” added Kozak. “Kids need more calcium and flavored milk provides it without adding too many calories. Why would anyone discourage consumption of flavored milk with a new tax?”
Kozak represents the farmers who produce the nation’s milk, while Tipton represents the processors who pasteurize it and turn it into yogurt, cheese and other finished products.
The sugar-sweetened beverage tax was one alternative in a 41-page paper listing options for funding a $1 trillion healthcare overhaul.
Posted: May 20, 2009 at 8:40 pm
By Amanda Nolz
Mmm…ice cream. There is nothing better is there? I wish I could have been at the MooFest, where participants worked to make new ice cream flavors. Last year’s winner, Alex Minge, has teamed up with Mayfield Dairy Farms to produce his prize flavor, “Moo-lonaire’s Java. MooFest, a celebration of the dairy industry that brought in more than 12,000 people to downtown Athens in 2008, will be held this year on Saturday, May 30. The festival will again feature the Homemade Ice Cream Contest.
Coffee-flavored ice cream with hand roasted hazelnuts and espresso-flavored chocolate pieces imported from South America — that was the winning combination of yummy ice cream and delicious ingredients, judges decided at the 2008 National MooFest Homemade Ice Cream Contest.
Judges awarded Oak Ridge resident Alex Minge’s entry, Moo-ionaire’s Java, the grand prize at last year’s National MooFest in Athens, Tennessee. In addition to taking home $500 in cash, a Mayfield Dairy Farms gift basket and an ice cream churner, Minge’s winning flavor is being produced this year by Mayfield Dairy Farms.
To read the entire article, link The Cleveland Daily Banner.
Posted: May 20, 2009 at 8:05 pm
By Amanda Nolz
Teaming up with the Indy 500 is a pretty sweet promotional deal for the dairy industry. Check this out!
Indiana agriculture has been a part of Indianapolis 500 tradition for many years, starting with the winner’s bottle of milk that marks fifty-four consecutive years this Sunday. During another long standing 500 event Tuesday, thirty-five straight years, Indy’s fastest rookie was honored by the Hoosier dairy industry at an IMS luncheon.
Raphael Matos picked up the $5,000 fastest rookie prize presented by Milk Promotion Services of Indiana. The Brazilian driver logged a four-lap average speed of 223.429 mph and will start Sunday’s race from the outside of row four. Matos is proud of the speed that put him 7th fastest overall in qualifications. “It is a huge accomplishment for me and the whole Luczo Dragon Racing’s US Air Force No. 2 team. It’s certainly a huge boost for us going into the race, and I’m very honored to be representing my team here today.”
Matos said drinking the bottle of milk in victory circle would be a dream come true. “It’s certainly something I have been dreaming about for the past three years.”
Link here for the entire article printed in Hoosier Ag Today and to listen to corresponding podcasts.
Posted: May 20, 2009 at 6:00 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Andrew and Jodene Stuewe of Hamburg, Minn. for the amazing achievements of their Registered Holstein cow, Stuewes FB Giddy-ET. “Giddy” has been named the Holstein Association USA 2008 Star of the Breed! This award recognizes the complete Holstein cow – an animal that excels in both the show ring and milking parlor. Giddy is the second cow to be honored with this distinction.
Owned by the Stuewes, Giddy makes her home at Flower-Brook Registered Holsteins, and was bred by David Stuewe, Andrew’s father. Flower-Brook Registered Holsteins is enrolled in Holstein COMPLETE, and currently milking 70 Registered Holstein cows with a Rolling Herd Average of 26,300 pounds of milk.
Sired by Boulet Charles-ET, Giddy was born on June 14, 2003. She is classified EX-94, and has a record of 3-03 365 42,270 5.6%F 2369 3.3%P 1407. Her dam is Stuewes Milan Gabrielle EX-93 2E. Gabrielle is having a lasting impact on the Flower-Brook herd, with 32 descendants on the farm. Her best record is 8-06 365 33,970 4.0%F 1363 3.4%P 1151. Behind Gabrielle are three more Very Good dams, making Giddy a fifth-generation VG or EX.
Of Giddy’s twelve maternal sisters that are classified, three are scored Excellent, including a full sister at EX-92. Six of her sisters are classified Very Good. In 2008, Giddy was the second place five-year old at the Midwest Spring National Holstein Show, and fourth place five-year old at the Midwest Fall National Holstein Show.
To be eligible for the Star of the Breed award, a cow must place in the top five in her class at a National Holstein Show, be in a herd enrolled in the TriStar program, and have an official classification score. Once the eligible cows are determined, the following calculation is used to decide the recipient: Combined ME Fat and Protein + Age Adjusted Classification Score x (Breed Average ME CFP/Breed Average Age Adjusted Score).
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