Posted: November 30, 2009 at 7:32 pm
By News Editor
Registered Holstein show management across the U.S. can now access new lists of national and qualified judges. Created by the Holstein Association USA, the list will help in the selection of judges for shows.
“These lists were developed to showcase the best judges the United States has to offer,” says James Burdette, Holstein Association USA director from Mercersburg, Pa. and Show Committee chairman. “We encourage all shows to pick their judges from this highly talented group.”
Individuals on the National Judges List are approved by Holstein Association USA to serve as judges at National Holstein Shows. Beginning with the 2010 show season, all National Holstein Shows will be required to select their judges from this list if selecting a judge from the United States. Nationally-sanctioned Junior Holstein Shows must select their judge from either the National Judges List or the Holstein Association USA Qualified Judges List.
Nationally-sanctioned Junior Holstein Shows must select their judge from either the National Judges List or the Holstein Association USA Qualified Judges List.
Source: Holstein Association USA and Dairy Herd Management
Posted: November 30, 2009 at 7:23 pm
By News Editor
If you are a Minnesota dairy farmer looking for a fun, family outing, then you should join the Midwest Dairy Association at a Timberwolves (Minnesota’s NBA team) game.
A promotion effort that will bring 250 dairy producers to a Timberwolves game Saturday, Dec. 5, also rewards consumers who buy $10 worth of dairy products at Rainbow Foods. Midwest Dairy has offered free Timberwolves tickets to dairy producers for the Dec. 5 game against the Utah Jazz. Producers will also receive a cap and a refreshment voucher. Groups of producers will be seated together, and four lucky winners will be escorted in the spotlight to front-row seats at courtside. The Timberwolves provided the tickets as part of the Midwest Dairy sponsorship.
Remaining tickets are available to producers on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Midwest Dairy Producer Services Center at 1-877-360-FARM (3276). Callers are asked to limit their requests to dairy producer families.
The promotion is part of Midwest Dairy’s campaign to reinforce the value of dairy’s nutrition at a time when consumers are making food choices that save them money. The effort, called Dairy Makes Sense, utilizes a Web site, retail partners, radio advertising, social media and other tactics. The Timberwolves partnership adds another layer of activity, focusing not only on the free ticket with dairy purchase, but utilizing the Timberwolves Web site, electronic signage at the game and in-game advertising to extend the dairy value concept. Kemps LLC, in partnership with Rainbow Foods, provided in-store point-of-sale materials. Shoppers received register vouchers on qualified purchases as claim checks for game tickets at the Target Center box office.
Source: Midwest Dairy Association
Posted: November 30, 2009 at 11:19 am
By Chuck
It sure sounds like Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica did very well in the cattle market with their acquisition of a portion of Ft. Dodge Animal Health. To tell us about is Tim Bettington, Director Livestock Marketing. I spoke with him at their recent media day in St. Joseph, MO. He says that although BIVI has been a long standing player in the cattle business it has only been in certain segments like the stocker and feedlot sector. But now he says they have great opportunities in the cow/calf and dairy sectors.
According to Tim, the stand out products will be Cydectin, Today and Tomorrow Mastitis Tubes and newer vaccines like Triangle. He says that although there is an integration of staff, customers will see the same look and feel of the products and deal with the same representatives they were dealing with.
You can listen to my interview with Tim below.
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Posted: November 27, 2009 at 8:46 pm
By News Editor
The dairy checkoff has taken dramatic steps to increase dairy sales in the short term, while building for the long term, in response to dairy farming’s 2009 economic crisis, according to Tom Gallagher, chief executive officer of Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI), which manages the national dairy checkoff. Gallagher spoke at the 2009 National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB)/United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA)/National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Joint Annual Meeting in Grapevine, Texas.
The checkoff responded to the economic challenges by redirecting $35 million of the budgets of DMI and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) to efforts that would affect immediate sales, Gallagher reported. DMI eliminated $9 million of fixed administrative, consulting and other costs and moved that money to programming. It entered into key strategic partnerships to drive short-term sales, while advancing the dairy checkoff’s long-term goals, he said.
To help reignite the pizza category, the dairy checkoff and Domino’s Pizza have a multi-layered partnership focused on more cheese, on more pizzas. To impact the specialty beverage market, the dairy checkoff has a three-year partnership with McDonald’s to support dairy-friendly menu development. And, to capitalize on the enormous potential in the lactose-free milk market, the checkoff is partnering with HP Hood, the marketers of Lactaid®.
In addition, Gallagher also cited the formation of a critically important partnership that affects all of dairy’s future consumers. DMI and the National Dairy Council (NDC) formed a partnership with the National Football League (NFL) to offer a unique program where kids are directly involved in making better food and fitness choices at school.
“We have taken the power of NDC and coupled it with the NFL, resulting in ‘Fuel Up to Play 60’, a full package of nutrition and physical fitness options, with dairy front and center,” Gallagher said. Now, DMI and the NFL are working toward a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) because they, too, see the positive impact this program can have on kids.
Source: Dairy Management Inc.
Posted: November 25, 2009 at 7:04 pm
By Chuck
Dairy Markets Week in Review
The cash cheese market showed more strength during the shortened Thanksgiving week. The blocks gained five cents, to close at $1.65 per pound, but that’s still 15 1/4-cents below a year ago. Barrels gained a penny, to close at $1.51, 28-cents below a year ago and 14 cents below the blocks. Three cars of block traded hands on the week and five of barrel.
Butter remained unchanged at $1.5250. That’s cents 2 1/2-cents above a year ago. Sixteen cars traded hands on the week. Cash powder was quiet with Grade A and Extra Grade both remaining at $1.40.
Provided courtesy of Dairyline.
Posted: November 25, 2009 at 9:56 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
Today is #thankafarmer day on Twitter.
Many agriculture advocates are taking part in tweeting the hashtag #thankafarmer today from 10 am through 12 pm CST. Twitter users are also expressing their gratitude with a #thankafarmer twibbon.
The twitter efforts are just a small way to recognize and thank farmers for the abundant food they provide that is both safe and affordable. They are also completely committed to the land on which they farm and care very deeply about their communities, environment, land and animals, something that is often overlooked.
If you are a Twitter user and unable to tweet because of previous commitments, please sign yourself into Twuffer, a twitter service where you can time your tweets. This document contains links to different websites that are advocating for US Farmers and some tweets to get you started.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Posted: November 25, 2009 at 9:37 am
By Amanda Nolz
I’m really excited about this new mini-documentary series that was recently launched by the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB). In 15 videos, which can be viewed here, dairy producers share their stories, their hopes and dreams, their struggles and the one thing they all have in common, pride. Check it out!
To give consumers a clearer understanding of where dairy products come from and showcase the people who produce them, the CMAB developed 15 “mini-documentaries” profiling dairy families throughout the state. The series also includes two companion pieces – one highlighting sustainability practices and the other on cow comfort.
From 14-year-old Tyler Regli’s goal of becoming a fifth-generation dairy producer to Johan Bartelink’s love of hosting educational school tours and Bob Giacomini’s dream of turning his milk into farmstead cheese, these documentaries demonstrate the diversity behind the state’s dairy industry – an industry responsible for producing more than 41 billion pounds of milk and creating approximately 435,000 jobs each year.
“These documentaries will help consumers connect with the California dairy families that put the food on their tables and create a better understanding of the standards and practices in place on today’s modern dairy operations,” said CMAB’s Vice President of Advertising, Michael Freeman. “While the Happy Cows “Auditions” ad campaign continues to be our primary tool in driving awareness and purchase intent, these documentaries allow us to tell a deeper story and engage consumers in a way no 30-second ad could.”
Source: Business Wire
Posted: November 25, 2009 at 5:43 am
By Amanda Nolz
Molly Line at Fox News recently posted a report on a new brand of organic milk called MooMilk. MooMilk will be sold in Maine and New Hampshire to start but, the farmers hope to eventually distribute throughout New England. Check it out!
In the midst of a crisis hitting the nation’s dairy industry a group of organic farmers in Maine, dropped by their big distributor, are joining together to create their own brand and save their family businesses. Mark McKusick, a fourth generation dairy farmer out of Dexter, Maine signed on to the ambitious effort.
“We’re gonna give the consumer, the real organic consumer, the real product. It’s fresh, it’s local and we’re going to strive on quality and taste,” McKusick said. “The best part of this is we’ve got control over our product.”
Dubbed MooMilk- short for Maine’s Own Organic Milk- the new brand will hit store shelves by mid-December. Ten farms have signed on to the start-up operation along with a local processor and a distributor.
Source: MooMilk
Posted: November 24, 2009 at 7:26 pm
By Amanda Nolz
What do you think about this recent bill introduced to assist dairy producers and help eliminate milk hauling fees? This bill was introduced by Congressman Chris Carney, who supported a House measure earlier this year to secure $350 million in assistance for the dairy industry, legislation that was signed into law by the president on October 21, 2009. As reported by PoconoNews.net, here are the details about this new bill…
Congressman Chris Carney is an original co-sponsor of a bill introduced this week that would eliminate all hauling costs for milk producers in efforts to protect dairy farmers from paying unfair fees to milk processors. The legislation was introduced by Congressman Michael Arcuri (D-NY) and Congressman Chris Lee (R-NY) to offer immediate relief to family dairy farmers that have suffered tremendous losses over the past year due to low milk prices.
“I am committed to doing everything I can to assist our dairy farmers, who have been hard hit by a combination of factors outside of their control,” said Carney. “This legislation will help dairy farmers keep down costs by eliminating burdensome hauling fees, stop fees and fuel surcharges. It is a crucial step toward ensuring that our local dairy farmers can recoup their costs of production and stay on the farm. Our family farms are the economic engines of our small towns and rural communities and this legislation will help reduce some of the high production costs that prohibit their profitability.”
Source: PoconoNews.net
Posted: November 24, 2009 at 6:31 pm
By News Editor
The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and Wisconsin Cheese have launched a new, interactive website for cheese-lovers! Called “Cheese for Me”, the site takes your answers to several questions and will select a cheese for you based on your flavor preferences, style and sense of adventure. My cheese selection was “Wisconsin Monterey Jack,” because it is a versatile but reliable standby cheese. Yum! What’s your cheese?
Be adventurous. Try something new. Discover the cheese that’s just for you.
Posted: November 24, 2009 at 6:14 pm
By News Editor
Are you a Jersey cattle enthusiast, with great writing skills? The Jersey Journal is seeking an Assistant Editor-Production. Apply today!
The successful candidate will provide breeders of Registered Jersey™ cattle with informative editorial content and effective, efficient cattle marketing through the Jersey Journal and Jersey Journal website, and also the services of Jersey Marketing Service (JMS) in an integrated publishing environment. This is a full-time position. Benefits include health and life insurance, and 401k plan. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Submit letter of application and résumé to Kimberly A. Billman, Editor, Jersey Journal, American Jersey Cattle Association, 6486 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-2362. Applications may also be submitted by fax at 614.861.8040 or by email with “Assistant Editor” in the Subject Line of the message.
Objective: To provide breeders of Registered Jersey™ cattle with newsworthy editorial and effective, efficient cattle marketing through the Jersey Journal and Jersey Journal website, and also the services of Jersey Marketing Service (JMS) in an integrated publishing environment.
Source: US Jersey
Posted: November 24, 2009 at 2:15 pm
By Amanda Nolz
Make plans to attend the Minnesota Dairy Leaders Roundtable, to be held on Thursday, Dec. 3 at the St. Paul U-M campus. The event is free and offers a wide range of topics for producers to consider including sustainability and agriculture technology. As printed in The Farmer, here are a few details about the event:
The meeting will be held from 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM in the Cherrywood Room and North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center, St. Paul campus. The meeting will be held in conjunction with the CFANS Solution Driven Science Symposium “Sustainable Animal Agriculture in the 21st Century.”
Lunch (dutch treat) will be offered through food service in Student Center. Then from 1:00 – 5:00 PM, the symposium, “Sustainable Animal Agriculture in the 21st Century will be held in the North Star Ballroom.
For more information on the symposium, link here.
Source: The Farmer
Posted: November 23, 2009 at 7:56 pm
By News Editor
More and more agricultural companies are joining the social media platform. Now Novus International Inc., announces the launch of a bi-weekly podcast series titled, “What’s New with Novus.”
The topics of “What’s New with Novus” will focus on issues facing the global agriculture community today. These issues include the global food crisis, Stratum Nutrition (Novus’s human division), sustainability and key industry events. Every other podcast will focus on ALIMET® feed supplement, Novus’s leading product. These topics include the benefits in various species and the importance of ALIMET® for animal nutrition.
The first podcast features Dr. Giovanni Gasperoni, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Novus International. Dr. Gasperoni discusses ALIMET® and Novus’s 30 year commitment to the product and 25 years of production in Texas. “Novus is a company whose products, programs and services are based on science and technology,” said Tricia Beal, Director of Global Communication, Novus International. “These podcasts are designed to embrace technology, while educating our stakeholders on relevant issues within animal agriculture.”
The next edition of “What’s New with Novus” will be available November 30, 2009 on iTunes, Zune and www.novusint.com/podcasts. Novus’s Global Ruminant Market Manager Stephanie Gable will be discussing oxidative balance in the cow.
Source: Novus International, Inc.
Posted: November 23, 2009 at 7:48 pm
By News Editor
The World Dairy Expo is seeking nominations for its annual recognition awards. Nominate the outstanding dairy leaders from your life!
Nominations will be accepted through February 1, 2010 in the four following categories: Industry Person of the Year, Dairyman of the Year, Dairy Woman of the Year, and International Person of the Year. Individuals will be honored at the Dinner with the Stars during World Dairy Expo, September 28 – October 2, 2010, in Madison, Wis.
The Industry Person of the Year award is presented to an individual in recognition of excellence in research, development, education, marketing or other fields that are part of the dairy industry.
The Dairyman and Dairy Woman of the Year awards are presented to individuals who are active dairy producers and whose primary source of income is derived from their dairy operation. His/her farming operation needs to demonstrate and excel in efficient production and breeding of quality animals. Progressive management practices, along with involvement in community, government activities, breed organizations and other aspects of the dairy industry, will also be considered.
The International Person of the Year will be recognized for significantly contributing to international relations, business development, trade or cooperation in the dairy industry.
Source: World Dairy Expo
Posted: November 21, 2009 at 7:13 pm
By Chuck
With the acquisition of Ft. Dodge Animal Health products and facilities, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has really expanded their business in the dairy industry. The head of the U.S. cattle business is Colin Meyers. He spoke at the media event I attended in St. Joseph, MO.
Colin says the main thing the acquisition of Ft. Dodge Animal Health means to the company is that they now have a much broader range of products to offer. For the dairy sector they now offer Pyramid, Triangle, Presponse, Today and Tomorrow mastitis therapy, Cydectin and more.
Colin says they’ll have a larger sales and veterinarian force to reach out to customers and a bigger distribution network. They’ve spent the last three weeks bringing in new staff, distributors and others to help enable a smooth transition for customers.
You can listen to my interview with Colin below.
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Media Day Photo Album
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Posted: November 21, 2009 at 4:49 pm
By Chuck
Now that Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has taken over a significant portion of Ft. Dodge Animal Health you may be wondering what it means to the company and dairy producer customers. To help us find out, BIVI brought a group of media representatives into St. Joseph, MO to hear the story.
I spoke with BIVI President, George Heidgerken (pictured on left), about changes in the company after the acquisition. He says the purchase is a big deal for BIVI here in the United States and globally since it essentially doubles their business including their ability to innovate in the future. While merging the two company cultures he says they will maintain the BI vision and mission and how they achieve them.
George says they can take the best of both companies, put them together and get excited about what they can achieve. They’re calling it the “new BIVI.” He says that full integration may take a couple years although they hope to achieve that sooner. The products they’ve acquired fit in perfectly with their existing portfolio and expand their cattle, dairy and pet business. The vision for the future of the company he says, is “value through innovation.”
You can listen to my interview with George below.
Here’s a group of photos from the media event last Thursday Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Media Day Photo Album
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Posted: November 20, 2009 at 11:26 pm
By News Editor
Dairy Markets Week in Review
The cash dairy markets showed little reaction to the milk production data which appeared bullish; but concern over the October Cold Storage report, may have kept the markets from moving much, though block cheese gained almost 2 cents Friday morning and the barrels jumped 5 3/4 cents.
Block cheese closed the third Friday of November at $1.60 per pound, up 2 1/2-cents on the week, but still 17 cents below a year ago. Barrel closed at $1.50, up 5 3/4-cents on the week, 24 cents below a year ago, and a dime below the blocks. Seven cars of block traded hands on the week and three of barrel. The NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price hit $1.5044 per pound, up 3 cents. Barrel averaged $1.5113, up 0.8 cent.
Butter closed the week unchanged at $1.5250, but 6 1/2-cents below a year ago. Thirteen cars were sold on the week. NASS butter averaged $1.4004, up 8.6 cents.
Both cash Grade A and Extra Grade nonfat dry milk closed Friday at $1.40 per pound, up 2 cents on the week for the Grade A. NASS powder averaged $1.1115, down 0.7 cent, and dry whey averaged 34.68 cents, up 0.3 cent.
Provided courtesy of Dairyline.
Posted: November 19, 2009 at 9:34 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has reported the results of an independent study showing that the program has generated a return on investment of $1.54 per hundredweight so far in 2009.
That evaluation was released by Dr. Scott Brown of the University of Missouri, a nationally-known farm policy expert who is regularly called on by the U.S. Congress to assess agricultural economic issues. Brown evaluated the impact of CWT’s two completed herd retirements in 2009, along with the lingering effect of the two conducted in 2008, as well as the herd retirement in 2007. He also noted positive contributions to price because of the bred heifer option that CWT has offered in recent years, along with CWT’s Export Assistance program, which while dormant this year, was active in 2007 and 2008.
Brown’s analysis showed that the combined effect of CWT’s cow-removal programs, as well as its export assistance program, helped raise farm-level milk prices by $1.54 per hundredweight this year, and added $2.4 billion to farm-level milk receipts in a year when dairy income is expected to shrink by more than $10 billion because of the global recession.
The program has produced an average return of $0.67/cwt. since 2004, Brown reported. CWT has been funded by a 10 cents/cwt. membership fee since 2007; prior to that, membership was 5 cents/cwt.
Brown noted that his estimate of the 2009 CWT impact will likely change again, since CWT is in the middle of executing its third herd retirement of 2009. This current round is in the middle of removing an additional 26,000 cows, but the final results of that effort have yet to be tallied. Brown said that each herd retirement has an impact that lasts several years, and that the two herd retirements of 2008, and the three this year, will continue to produce significant gains for farmers into 2010.
Source: Cooperatives Working Together (CWT)
Posted: November 19, 2009 at 4:07 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
Have you ever wondered where the heat comes from in silage?
This really cool infrared camera can read the temperature of a silage bunker and provide a color picture of the variations in heat levels on the face. The camera has gotten cheaper since it first came out a couple of years ago, but it still retails for several thousand dollars.
A great way to measure silage heat, but not practical for most producers, so Pioneer ruminant microbiologist Scott Dennis suggests using a thermometer to quickly and easily determine whether heat is physiological or microbial.
Dennis explains more about this topic along with management techniques to reduce heating in this edition of Forage Forum, recorded at the Pioneer Forage Media day held in September at the Livestock Nutrition Center in Johnston, IA.
Listen to the podcast here:
pioneer-podcast-66-wdd.mp3
Scott Dennis on Silage Heat (5:00 min MP3)
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Posted: November 19, 2009 at 10:33 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
As we prepare for the holiday season, the Beef Checkoff is reminding people to give thanks for our abundant food supply.
In giving thanks, you may also receive. Leaving a message of thanks for our farmers and ranchers on the Pasture to Plate website enters you into a drawing for an Omaha Steaks Ideal Gift Collection of steaks and burgers valued at $135.
At the National Association of Farm Broadcasting meeting last week, Massachusetts dairy farmer and Cattlemen’s Beef Board chairman Lucinda Williams talked about giving thanks and the simultaneous campaign to get producers to be active in telling the real story about food production in this country by engaging in the “Food Fight” effort.
She says they are encouraging producers to get out an tell that story on Facebook and Twitter and email, (as well as traditional methods like actual face to face communication!) and encouraging everyone to give thanks for the safe and abundant food supply we enjoy in this country. Lucinda has just started on Twitter and you can follow here here @mcwillclan.
Listen to an interview with Lucinda from NAFB here:
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