The Board of Directors of the Holstein Association USA, Inc. held its Spring meeting in Brattleboro, Vermont on March 25-26. President Larry A. Tande of Medford, Minnesota presided over the two-day session.
The Business Plan portion included updates on all 2010 objectives. The Board also heard reports from the Audit, Association Nominating, and Legislative Affairs committees as well as presentations on National FAIR and the Holstein Foundation. Over the last year, the Holstein Association developed and promoted its Dairy Price Stabilization Program (DPSP) from coast to coast. The plan continues to gain recognition and support.
Recognizing the need to stabilize milk prices long term, the Holstein Association Board formally acted to continue milk marketing efforts. The Association plans to keep working with Congressional leaders to introduce legislation for the DPSP. Responding to members’ requests to improve the Association’s Cattle Merchandising and Advertising Policy, the Board approved significant changes to the policy and Terms and Conditions for Public Sales. The revised policy and terms and conditions will replace the current versions. The revisions bring new focus to major issues of concern to Association members.
In another member-driven move, the Board approved the release of more than 30,000 prefixes which have not been used for more than 20 years. This release makes it easier for new members to select prefixes for their herds. If a member wishes to request the use of a specific prefix being released on March 31st, please contact C. Peter Cole at the office: 802.451.4127, via email at pcole@holstein.com, or via fax at 802.254.8251 beginning on April 1st. Specific requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The next Board of Directors meeting will be held June 25-26, in Bloomington, Minnesota, in conjunction with the Association’s 125th Annual Meeting and Convention. The Fall Board meeting will take place in Chicago, Illinois, November 18-19.
Posted: March 30, 2010 at 8:29 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
In collaboration with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) and the National Dairy Shrine, AgriLabs has introduced two new awards for young veterinarians actively working with beef and dairy operations.
“The increasing gap between the number of veterinarians available to serve dairy and beef producers, and the actual need is a much-discussed trend,” says Steve Schram, president and chief executive officer, AgriLabs. “By introducing these grants for deserving young veterinarians, AgriLabs is thrilled to provide significant resources for self-directed professional development while encouraging these veterinarians to remain in large-animal medicine.”
Named as a tribute to Dr. Bruce Wren, each award will provide a $5,000 grant for professional-development training to help the veterinarians better serve their producer-clients. Schram says Schram is highly regarded for his commitment to both practical and formal continuing education for veterinarians.
“Bruce’s service to the profession as a practitioner, a teacher, a veterinary pathologist and a technical-services veterinarian has been exemplary,” says Schram. “AgriLabs is so pleased to give back to the profession in his name with this significant award. Whether the young veterinarians receiving these $5,000 continuing-education grants come from single-veterinarian or multi-practitioner practices, or from areas with high or low beef and dairy concentrations, this investment will be good for bovine medicine.”
The first two grants will be awarded in August 2010, with completed applications due June 15, 2010. Application form is available here on the AABP website.
The Hoard’s Dairyman Notebook has released a new video blog featuring Steve Maddox, Riverdale, Calif. Steve and Hoard’s took a few minutes to talk about recent dairy checkoff initiatives. Maddox currently serves on the Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI) board.
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted four bids from Darigold and two bids from Foremost Farms for export assistance for a total of 959 metric tons (2.1 million pounds) of Cheddar cheese to the Middle East. Product will be delivered in April and May 2010.
CWT reactivated the Export Assistance program on March 18, 2010. Economic analysis clearly indicated that implementing the Export Assistance program focusing on cheddar cheese could provide the most immediate positive signal to address low producer milk prices. Sizeable inventories of cheese are hampering a recovery in milk prices and using CWT’s export program will address that situation.
CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.
Wisconsin dairy producers looking for a special family outing have the opportunity to receive discounted tickets to see the Milwaukee Brewers. “Dairy Day at Miller Park” on Sunday, May 16, 2010 is sponsored by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB).
The Brewers will host the Philadelphia Phillies for a night game beginning at 7:05 p.m. that will be nationally televised on ESPN. The expected sell-out crowd of 42,000 fans who visit Miller Park will have the opportunity to taste dairy products before the game, learn why dairy is one of our state’s most important industries and take home a dairy-themed souvenir.
All active Wisconsin dairy producers will be offered discounted tickets in reserved sections. Discounted ticket options include Terrace Reserved seats for $11.00 each (regularly $15) and Loge Outfield Box seats for $26.00 each (regularly $30). All active dairy producers were mailed a postcard with ordering instructions and a discount code.
If you are a Wisconsin dairy producer with an active license number and did not receive a postcard but would like to order tickets, contact WMMB at 1.800.383.9662 ext. 232 or e-mail producer@wmmb.org. Tickets for this offer must be purchased by April 24, 2010. They are available in limited quantities, so call today! Tickets are not available for this special discount offer at the ticket windows or from the Brewers Website.
“Dairy Day at Miller Park” will start in the afternoon with what’s gearing up to be a mini-festival outside the stadium. Prior to game time, fans will sample milk, ice cream and cheese products from a number of Wisconsin companies. The fun and education will continue inside the stadium as each fan is given a souvenir that celebrates the 1970′s as part of 40 seasons of the Milwaukee Brewers – a collectible Brewers Bobble Head doll, featuring Hank Aaron, complete with the Wisconsin Cheese logo. This collector’s item will remind people for years to come of the important role the dairy business plays in Wisconsin.
Chinese scientists have reported that the world’s first genetically-modified cow with high level of Omega-3 fatty acid has turned nine-months old, is healthy and expected to produce milk rich in the fatty acid essential for human health.
According to Li Guangpeng, chief of the program, two embryo-cloned and genetically-modified dairy cows were born on June 23 last year.
One of the cows has been found to have an Omega-3 fatty acid level 10 times higher than a normal cow.
“We did not announce the birth of the clone cows until now because it has taken time to check the cows’ effective genetic traces,” said Li, head of the Biological Technology Lab at Inner Mongolia University.
Li said that it takes 14-15 months for a cow to become sexually mature, and another nine months to produce milk.
“We expect the cow to be able to produce milk with high Omega-3 content next year,” he said.
He said that the cows have been fed with normal cow feed.
Dubbed a “good fat”, Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid necessary for human health.
But, it cannot be made by the human body. It is abundant in walnuts and coldwater fish like herring, mackerel and sturgeon.
“Another two cloned cows with the ‘fish oil’ gene were born on Tuesday. It will take time to see whether they are healthy,” Li said.
Li said that the program involved a team of experts from China and the United States, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Lai Liangxue and the University of Pittsburgh’s Yifan Dai.
They’ve recently begun running a campaign that talks about how bad their pizza used to be. But now Domino’s Pizza is starting to see some payoff to its self-deprecating ads … which is also paying off for the dairy industry.
In this edition of the Milking Parlor, we hear from the man behind the campaign, Brandon Solano, who plays the pizza company’s head chef but is more accurately its Vice President-Brand Innovation, as he tells a recent gathering of dairy producers about how Domino’s has implemented new lines of pizzas and used more cheese to make all their products better.
“We all want to sell more dairy, and working together, we’re going to do it,” Solano says. “I know things are tough in the dairy industry, but we are absolutely doing our part to make sure that we are going to drive demand, that we’re going to have products out there that have a lot of cheese on them, and people are choosing to be in the pizza category. We’re working hard for you guys, and we appreciate your partnership.”
You can hear more of Solano’s presentation in this episode of the Milking Parlor in the player below.
To subscribe to the Milking Parlor podcast, click here. Listen to or download this episode in the player below.
Posted: March 27, 2010 at 2:35 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
Cash dairy prices remain a key focus among farmers, processors, bankers, and related industry suppliers and the news was good this week. The block cheese price gained 5 1/2-cents, closing at $1.3250 per pound, 3 1/2-cents above a year ago. Barrel closed Friday at $1.3125, up 4 3/4-cents on the week, and a penny and a half above a year ago.
Eight cars of block traded hands on the week and 26 of barrel. The lagging NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price fell 5.6 cents, to $1.3344. Barrel averaged $1.3018, down 3.5 cents.
Butter closed Friday at $1.49, up 2 cents on the week, and 30 1/4-cents above a year ago. Only five cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.4569, up 2 cents.
Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk gained 3 1/2-cents on the week, hitting $1.15, while Extra Grade held at $1.12. NASS powder averaged $1.0446, up 0.3 cent, and dry whey averaged 37.03 cents, down a penny.
The All-American Dairy Show is accepting nominations for the 2010 Obie Snider Award through May 31.
The award was established to honor a dairy leader who follows in the footsteps of Snider’s character, ethics, service, leadership and professionalism. The award will be presented at the 47th All-American Dairy Show, Sept. 18-23, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg.
“Obie’s staunch commitment to Pennsylvania’s dairy industry was manifested through the All-American Dairy Show,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding. “The past recipients share his passion in every way, especially for this premier dairy show that features the best cattle, top-notch youth competitions and a unique sense of fellowship unlike any other show. We expect this year’s nominees and winner to be no exception.”
Past winners of the award are Donald Seipt of Easton, Pa., Creedin Cornman of Carlisle, Pa., David Patrick of Woodbine, Md., Berneta Gable of New Enterprise, Pa., Dieter Krieg of Lititz, Pa., and the 2009 winner George Cashell of Shippensburg, Pa.
Congratulations to Randy Mooney, Mo. for being named the new chairman of Dairy Farmers of America’s (DFA) board of directors.
Mooney takes the position formerly held by Tom Camerlo, who passed away in December. Also at the election meeting, the Board named Wayne Palla first vice chair.
Mooney, of Rogersville, Mo., most recently served as first vice chair of the DFA Board. He also is a member of DFA’s Executive Committee and chair of the Southeast Area Council. In addition, Mooney is chair of National Milk Producers Federation and serves on the boards of several dairy organizations, including Missouri Dairy Association, Missouri State Milk, Southern Marketing Agency, Dairy Cooperative Marketing Association, Inc., Milk Processor Education program and Dairy Promotion, Inc.
Palla, of Clovis, N.M., previously served as vice chair of DFA’s Board. He also is a member of DFA’s Executive Committee and chair of the Southwest Area Council. He is on the National Milk Producers Federation Board and the U.S. Dairy Export Council.
“Randy has a strong history of leadership in the dairy industry, and I know that he will continue that tradition as he takes on this new role for the DFA Board,” said Rick Smith, DFA president and chief executive officer. “With continued volatility pressing our farmer owners, there promises to be many challenges ahead, but I’m confident that Randy and Wayne’s combined knowledge, experience and sound judgment will serve the Cooperative and our members well.”
The complete slate of elected Board officers also includes:
* Mickey Childers, Somerville, Ala. – Newly elected as a Board officer, Childers will serve as vice chair of the Board and chair of the Audit Committee.
* Tom Croner, Berlin, Pa. – Croner will continue his roles as secretary/treasurer of the Board and chair of the Finance and Budget Committee.
* Jerrel Heatwole, Greenwood, Del. – Heatwole will continue serving as vice chair of the Board and chair of the Government, Member and Public Relations Committee.
* George Mertens, Sonoma, Calif. – Mertens will continue serving as vice chair of the Board and chair of the Fluid Marketing and Public Policy Committee.
* Bill Siebenborn, Trenton, Mo. – Siebenborn will continue serving as vice chair of the Board and chair of the Value-Added Committee.
In addition, two new Directors took seats on the Board as a result of recent elections in their Areas. They are Eugene Robertson of Pine Grove, La., and Pete Olsen of Fallon, Nev.
Congratulations to Dave Forgey of Logansport, Ind. for being named the 2010 Indiana Dairy Producer of the Year! Given by the Indiana Professional Dairy Producers each year, the award recognizes dairy producers that have positively impacted the dairy industry in Indiana over and above their immediate dairy operations.
Dave and his wife Helen, along with partners Scott and Darla Foerg, milk around 200 cows on a pasture-based seasonal dairy farm. Dave is certainly no stranger to the Indiana dairy industry. Having been born and raised on a dairy farm, Dave moved into a partnership and eventually took over his home dairy. In 1990, Dave moved to pasture-based dairy production. He has worked hard not only to make that system work very well at his home farm, but to help others make the switch. He authored a dairy column for Hoards Dairyman magazine, Graze magazine and other publications. Dave has also used the innovative share milker arrangement to allow Scott and Darla Foerg, former employees, to become partners in Riverview dairy. Their story was recently featured as the cover story in Hay and Forage Magazine.
Having dedicated partners has allowed Dave to practice his leadership skills. Dave was one of the first to volunteer to assist in the establishment of Indiana Professional Dairy Producers, and he served as its first secretary, putting in countless hours toward IPDP development. Currently, Dave is on the IPDP board and serves as the dairy industry representative to the Indiana Beef Cattle Association. He serves on the American Forage & Grassland Council and Milk Promotion Services of Indiana board, and he has served on the Foremost Farms USA and Mideast Milk Marketing Agency boards. Dave is actively involved in Beacon Credit Union, his bank’s governing body. Dave is truly a visionary dairy producer and has a passion for moving the Indiana dairy industry forward by embracing innovation and technology, as well as leadership, integrity and stewardship.
The Western Regional Dairy Challenge hosted more than 40 students from four western universities and one Canadian university to competed in the fifth annual Challenge, March 4-6, 2010 in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Hosted by the University of Idaho-Twin Falls, the Western Regional Dairy Challenge is an innovative management analysis competition developed by industry and university professionals from across the U.S.
Students from the different universities are partnered in teams of four or five. Each team conducts a comprehensive evaluation of a working dairy farm; evaluating everything from cow comfort and herd health to reproduction and finances looking for opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability. After the evaluation each team presents their analysis and prioritized opportunities for improvement to a panel of expert judges and dairy owners.
Participating universities at this year’s competition included: the University of Alberta (Canada), University of Idaho, Washington State University, California Polytechnic State University, and the California State University at Fresno.
Receiving Platinum awards were:
Nicole Hurt, University of Alberta; Carl Betts, University of Idaho; Jennifer Trice,Washington State University; Robert Thommen, California Polytechnic State University; Brian Waymire, California Polytechnic State University;
Brian Medeiros, California Polytechnic State University; Jennifer Spencer, University of Idaho; Stewart Russell, University of Idaho; and Alex DeJager, California State University-Fresno.
Receiving Gold awards were:
Amanda McIntosh, University of Idaho; Micah Kuiper, California Polytechnic State University; Jennifer Onken, Washington State University; Jesse Ruvalcaba, California Polytechnic State University;
Jared Carmo, California Polytechnic State University; Crystal Burke, University of Idaho; Erin Fosler, Washington State University; Jami Lady, California State University-Fresno; Michael Stewart, California Polytechnic State University;
Andy Gray, Washington State University; Anthony Martin, California Polytechnic State University; Tyler Reynolds, University of Idaho; Meagan Kelm, University of Alberta; and Jackie Wuebben University of Idaho.
Receiving Silver awards were:
Wendy Hudson, University of Alberta; Chloe Dixon, Washington State University; Jeff Blickenstaff, University of Idaho; Megan Bettencourt, California State University-Fresno; Brian Schoch. Washington State University;
Torry Shepherd, Washington State University; Alexia Hoy, University of Alberta; Katherine Rector, California Polytechnic State University; Justin Nickerson, California State University-Fresno; Elizabeth Russell, University of Idaho;
Kelsey Blagg, California Polytechnic State University; Marissa Weleschuk, University of Alberta; Edward DeJager, California State University-Fresno; Ann Marie Stickney, Washington State University; Jeanene Russo, University of Idaho;
Michael Wesselink, California Polytechnic State University; Daric Ameye, California State University-Fresno; Carolyn Parsons, Washington State University; and Stephanie Dehner, California Polytechnic State University.
I admit to being a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. Not a fanatic but a fan. Albert Pujols has been one of my favorite players in recent history and I’m glad to see him wearing the mustache.
They may represent completely different sports, but when it comes to the health and fitness of America’s youth, these athletes play on the same team. Today, MVP baseball slugger Albert Pujols joins fellow Milk Mustache athletes, NBA All-Star and Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams and gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson, as part of the Milk Mustache “Dream Team” to inspire teens to “Drink Milk for a Change.” They know that drinking milk can help make a difference – for their bodies and now through a special community service opportunity in their world.
Lowfat milk has nine essential nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D for strong bones and protein for lean muscle. Studies suggest being active, eating right and drinking three glasses of fat free or lowfat milk each day may help maintain a healthy weight.
Pujols ad, which reads, “Want muscle? got milk?” reinforces the importance of milk’s high quality protein. Along with regular exercise, protein can help build and maintain lean muscle – essential for athletes like Pujols to perform their best on the field.
“For me, I drink lowfat chocolate milk after a long day on the field,” said Pujols, who was on hand to unveil his new ad at the St. Louis Cardinals spring training facility in Jupiter, Fla. “It’s a natural source of protein plus it has carbs so it helps me rebuild and refuel my tired muscles after being active. It’s an important part of my recovery routine to get ready for the next nine innings, season after season.”
World Dairy Expo has announced the winners of their annual Recognition Awards. The award recognizes four individuals for their contributions to the global dairy industry.
World Dairy Expo’s 2010 Recognition Award Winners include: Dairyman of the Year – Donald Bennink, North Florida Holsteins, Bell, Florida; Dairy Woman of the Year – Liz Doornink, Jon-De Farms, Baldwin, Wisconsin; Industry Person of the Year – Horace Backus, Backus Pedigree Company, Mexico, New York; and International Person of the Year – Tadanaga Komori, Japan Livestock Trading Corporation, Obihiro-shi, Hokkaido, Japan.
The four recipients will be honored during World Dairy Expo at a special “Dinner with the Stars” banquet, held on Wednesday, September 29, in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Tickets for the event are $30. Reservations are required by Tuesday, September 21.
Jersey youth interested in academic scholarships are reminded that the deadline for submissions is July 1. The 2010-11 academic scholarships are administered by the American Jersey Cattle Association, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
The AJCA Scholarship Program provides over $15,000 in annual financial support for Jersey youth enrolled in colleges or universities or, in some cases, youth seeking hands-on experience in the development and management of Registered Jersey™ cattle.
Applicants must be a junior or life member of the American Jersey Cattle Association upon submitting their application. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) is required to apply for these scholarships. A copy of the applicant’s high school or college transcript must be included with the application form.
A Russell–Malnati Scholarship for Advanced Studies of $5,000 will be awarded. Undergraduate students who have completed at least one-half of coursework credit hours required for a degree in dairy science, animal science (dairy emphasis), large animal veterinary practice, dairy production or manufacturing, or dairy product marketing, and graduate students in those program areas are eligible to apply.
The William A. Russell Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 will be presented to a student who will begin a program of study at an accredited college or university in the fall of 2010.
The Cedarcrest Scholarship of $1,500 will be awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student seeking a degree in large animal veterinary practice, dairy production, dairy manufacturing, or dairy product marketing.
Also to be awarded is the $1,500 Bob Toole Jersey Youth Award, which can be used for either college expenses or a well-defined practical experience related to breeding, developing and showing Registered Jerseys™.
The V. L. Peterson Scholarship and Paul Jackson Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to students who have completed at least one year of college or university work. The award amount for each scholarship is $1,000.
Residents of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia who are at least high school graduates, but not older than 36 years of age as of January 1, are eligible to apply for the Reuben R. Cowles Jersey Youth Award. Applicants must state whether the award money will be used for to support their education or to fund a trip to the All American Jersey Show and Sale, the AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings or other Jersey educational activities. The value of this award is variable; for 2009, it was $1,000.
In addition, a Jack C. Nisbet Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,500 will be presented to a youth selected from nominees for the current year’s National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest.
About 1,200 dairy farmer members and industry leaders have gathered in Kansas City for the Dairy Farmers of America’s 12th annual meeting. The room for this afternoon’s general session is really filling up in anticipation of today’s talks, including sessions on the value of cooperatives, opportunities in the global marketplace, partnerships with the food industry, and, of course, the state of the dairy industry.
It should be quite the afternoon, and I’ll have more updates for you later.
An international panel of expert judges recently named a Swiss Gruyere cheese as the 2010 World Championship Cheese. The World Championship Cheese Contest is the largest international cheese and butter competition in the world, held biennial in Wisconsin.
Cédric Vuille, cheesemaker at Fromagerie de La Brévine in La Brévine, Switzerland, took top honors out of 2,318 entries from 20 countries for his Gruyere. Out of possible 100 points, the Gruyere scored 98.79 in the final round of judging, during which judges re-evaluated all gold-winning cheeses to determine the champion.
First runner-up in the contest, with a score of 98.52, is Andeerer Traum, a smear-ripened hard cheese made by Sennerei Andeer company in Switzerland. Second runner-up is Gmundner Berg Premium, a semi-soft cheese, made by Alois Pesendorfer Crew, of Gmunden, Austria, which scored 98.46.
“Cheesemakers from around the world have participated in the largest international cheese and butter competition ever held. Every medalist should be extremely proud of their accomplishment,” said John Umhoefer, executive director of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, which hosts the biennial competition.
Overall, U.S. cheesemakers dominated the competition, earning gold medals in 51 of the total 79 cheese and butter categories judged. Canada and the Netherlands came in second among the countries, with five golds apiece. Denmark earned four gold medals, while Austria, Spain and Switzerland all took three. New Zealand won two gold medals, and Australia, France and Ireland each captured one apiece.
Among U.S. states, Wisconsin dominated with 21 gold medals. New York took six golds, while Idaho earned five and California four. Vermont capture three golds, Georgia and Pennsylvania two, and Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, New Jersey, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon and South Carolina each took one gold medal.
Are you active on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube as a way to stay connected with family and friends? Did you know that these websites can also be an effective way for dairy producers to become advocates for their industry? To learn more, sign-up for a free free 90-minute webinar on Thursday, April 15. Sponsored by Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI), which manages the national dairy checkoff program, the webinar will show you how these applications can be used to share positive dairy stories and communicate with consumers about modern dairy farming practices.
Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI), which manages the national dairy checkoff program, launched the myDairy Social Media program in 2009 to help dairy producers and dairy enthusiasts use social media proactively to share their dairy stories and counter negative or misleading information about the dairy industry. The myDairy program currently mobilizes over 1,000 dairy enthusiasts from across the country to engage in social media networks, building a strong, positive online dairy presence to help counter misinformation and maintain public confidence in dairy foods and the people who produce them. The myDairy program provides tips to navigate and use popular social media sites, along with key messages to incorporate into dairy stories, and opportunities to connect with other dairy enthusiasts and the general public.
The myDairy webinar will discuss why social media is a powerful communication tool, highlight the most popular applications and provide examples of dairy enthusiasts’ online conversations.
To register for the webinar and/or to become a myDairy advocate and learn more about the program, email myDairy@rosedmi.com.
The cash dairy markets were anticipating last Thursday’s milk production report. The block cheese price, after holding steady for five straight sessions, inched up a quarter-cent Friday, despite the milk production data, and closed at $1.27 per pound, up a quarter-cent on the week, but 2 1/4-cents below a year ago. Barrel closed at $1.2650, also up a quarter-cent Friday and on the week, and 3 1/4-cents below a year ago. Sixteen cars of block traded hands on the week and 22 of barrel. The latest NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price hit $1.3901, down 4.8 cents. Barrel averaged $1.3370, down 6 cents.
Butter closed at $1.47, up 1 1/2-cents on the week, and 28 3/4-cents above a year ago. Six cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.4367, up 2.8 cents.
Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed the week at $1.1150, up a half-cent. Extra Grade held all week at $1.12. NASS powder averaged $1.0490, down 0.6 cent, and dry whey averaged 38.02 cents, down 0.4 cent.
Wondering what your cows are thinking? Well, a group of Candain Holsteins is telling the world through Twitter, exactly what they are mooing about. Called “The Teat Tweet“, the project comes from the University of Waterloo’s critical media lab. You can visit this website to follow all 12 Holsteins on Twitter.
“As far as we know they’re the only cows tweeting,” said former LaSalle and Windsor resident Marcel O’Gorman who is behind the University of Waterloo’s critical media lab project.
The tweeting cows are poking fun at the popular Twitter network and are meant to push people to think about where their food comes from and the high-tech nature of farming.
“Hey human, I just pumped out 9.3 kg for your pleasure. Show me some love,” says a recent tweet of dairy cow Attention Please referring to her milk output.
It’s obviously impossible for the hoofed animals to tweet without the aid of a computer but by approaching the robotic milker, the cows do trigger a tweet. The Holstein cows have radio frequency ID tags which tell the computer whether the cow is ready for milking and the computer records how much, how fast and even which teat pumped out milk the fastest. The actual milking data is added to a variety of pre-written messages that are rotated in the tweets.
The messages in the Teat Tweet Dairy Diary are the work of O’Gorman and Ron Broglio, a visiting artist researcher to the critical media lab which does projects to explore the impact of technology on society and the human condition.
A cow in line for milking could generate “That robot still won’t let me in there. What is it thinking? I’ll explode!” Sometimes the tweets say Vote for Nixon or quote poetry from Virgil as the computer adds their milking stats.
O’Gorman, a 39-year-old associate English professor who attended the University of Windsor, is the founder and director of the University of Waterloo’s critical media lab. He says the project considers how technology changes our perception of animals.
“We have this very romantic kind of understanding of what a dairy farm is all about. People have this general idea that the farmer gets up at five in the morning, trudges out to the barn with a pail and milks the cows.”
Chris Vandenberg, the 28-year-old dairy farmer in Brant County who agreed to pick 12 of his 70 cows to go online, said he’d like to see the tweets used in schools. He thought the idea strange at first but said it’s a new way to convey information to the public about the technology farmers use every day.
The Board of Directors of the Holstein Association USA, Inc. held its Spring meeting in Brattleboro, Vermont on March 25-26. President Larry A. Tande of Medford, Minnesota presided over the two-day session.
In collaboration with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) and the National Dairy Shrine, 
