Posted: April 29, 2010 at 3:57 pm
By News Editor
National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) took a stance this week, a decade after it first asked the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to crack down on the misappropriation of dairy terminology on imitation milk products. Not only did NMPF send another petition to the FDA, asserting that the practice has gotten worse in the past 10 years, it also reached out for support through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
In its petition submitted April 29th, NMPF contends that not only have the terms “soy milk” and “soymilk” continued to proliferate, but also other dairy-specific terms like “yogurt,” “cheese,” and “ice cream” are now being used by products made out of a wide variety of non-dairy ingredients.
“The FDA has allowed the meaning of ‘milk’ to be watered down to the point where many products that use the term have never seen the inside of a barn,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. “You don’t got milk if it comes from a hemp plant, you can’t say cheese if it’s made from rice, and faux yogurt can’t be made from soy and still be called yogurt,” he said.
This matter was originally brought to the attention of the FDA in February 2000, when NMPF sent a letter asking that the agency make clear to manufacturers of imitation dairy products that product names permitted by federal standards of identity, including dairy terms such as “milk,” are to be used only on foods actually made from milk from animals like cows, goats, and sheep. The FDA has failed to act on that petition, so NMPF “is again asking our regulators to defend the letter and the spirit of regulations intended to prevent false and misleading labeling on consumer products,” Kozak said. “The use of these terms shouldn’t just be determined by the common and convenient vernacular that marketers prefer; they should be used according to what the law allows.”
As NMPF had predicted ten years ago when it first brought this issue to the attention of FDA, soy “milks” continue to be marketed and sold right along with dairy milks, and now, a bevy of new artificial dairy products has reached store shelves in the past decade. In many cases, these products don’t contain the equivalent levels of nutrients that real milk does.
NMPF’s petition cites examples including imitation milks made from hemp, rice, almonds, and other plants, legumes and vegetables; yogurts made from soybeans and rice; and cheeses made from soy, rice, and nuts. In some cases, marketers use superficial word changes, such as “cheeze,” in an apparent attempt to skirt the standards of identity regulations.
Non-dairy products “can vary wildly in their composition and are inferior to the nutrient profile of those from dairy milk – although they are marketed as replacements for foods that consumers are familiar with and which have a healthful image,” Kozak said. “Although some phony dairy foods may have a passing resemblance to their authentic counterparts, they are very different in nutritional value, composition, and performance from standardized dairy products.”
Source: National Milk Producers Federation
Posted: April 29, 2010 at 3:56 pm
By News Editor
Dairy processor Land O’ Lakes is closing its cheese plant in Tulare, Calif. and laying off 80 employees.
The competition for milk among the region’s larger dairy processors played a role in the company’s decision, milk industry officials said.
“Idling the Tulare cheese plant was a difficult decision that was driven by a variety of factors,” said Jerry Kaminski, Land O’Lakes executive vice president and CEO, Dairy Foods Industrial. “We recognize that the plant’s idling will impact employees and the Tulare community, and we are working to ease the transition as much as possible.”
Tulare and Kings counties are home to several major milk, cheese and butter processors, including California Dairies Inc., Leprino and Saputo Cheese USA.
William Van Dam, CEO of the Sacramento-based Alliance of Western Milk Producers, said Land O’ Lakes had a challenge in getting an adequate supply of milk for its cheese plant.
“Some of the cheese plants they compete against can handle five times more milk than they can,” Van Dam said. “And milk goes where there is room to be processed.”
Land O’ Lakes plans to wind down production at the cheese plant later this year but will continue to operate its butter factory on the same site.
No decision has been made about the future of the cheese plant, officials said
Source: The Fresno Bee, Robert Rodriguez
Posted: April 28, 2010 at 7:08 pm
By News Editor
No sunshine today? Too much work to get outside? Need more vitamin D? Drink a glass of milk, and problem solved!
America needs more vitamin D. It’s one more reason to grab another glass of milk, according to new research presented at the Experimental Biology conference in Anaheim, California. Milk is the primary source of vitamin D in the American diet, supplying nearly half of all of the much-needed vitamin D.
Using the latest national data (NHANES 2003-2006) on what more than 16,000 Americans ages two and older eat, researchers investigated the contribution of each food group to the total vitamin D intake. No other food item came close to the vitamin D contribution of milk. In fact, for kids ages 2 to eighteen, milk provided nearly two-thirds of all vitamin D in the diet.
“There are few true replacements for the nutrient package you find in one glass of fat free or lowfat milk,” said Dr. Keith Ayoob, a registered dietitian and pediatric nutrition expert. “Without milk in the diet, it’s hard to meet a number of nutrient needs – most notably vitamin D.”
Many Americans are not getting enough vitamin D, and this D-ficiency may put their health at risk. Well known for its role in keeping bones strong, vitamin D is now being hailed for so much more. Emerging science suggests vitamin D may also help protect against diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and certain cancers. It also supports a healthy immune system.
Despite a potential upside of boosting vitamin D levels, Americans of all ages still fall short of their vitamin D needs. In fact, current deficiency levels prompted the American Academy of Pediatrics to double the vitamin D recommendations for children and teens. The Academy estimates that up to half of adolescents have low vitamin D levels.
Experts recommend 400IU of vitamin D each day – the amount in four glasses of fat free or lowfat milk.
Source: PR Newswire
Keast DR, Fulgoni VL, Quann EE, Auestad N. Contributions of milk, dairy products, and other foods to vitamin D intakes in the U.S.: NHANES, 2003-2006. FASEB Journal. 2010;24:745.9.
Posted: April 28, 2010 at 6:59 pm
By News Editor
A new yogurt facility broke ground in Brattleboro, Vermont this week. Commonwealth Dairy yogurt ompany will make yogurt for other companies under private label and will sell its own all-natural “Mountainberry” brand product.
“This is an exciting and critical milestone in the evolution of our project” stated Dieter Dobousek, Commonwealth Dairy’s vice president and chief technical officer. “It has taken over two years to get to this point, and everyone involved in the project is excited to finally see some real activity on the site.”
The biggest selling point for Commonwealth Dairy’s yogurt is it will be branded with the Vermont Seal of Quality, said Dobousek, which means 85 percent of its milk will come from the Green Mountain State.
Though no contracts have yet been signed, Commonwealth expects to get its milk supply from St. Albans Cooperative Creamery and Agri-Mark.
Because Commonwealth will be purchasing a large amount of Class II milk, which is used to produce ice cream, frozen desserts, yogurt, eggnog, cottage cheese, and cream cheese, the demand should drive prices up for Vermont dairy farmers.
The new 40,000-square-foot building will have an output capacity of 50 million pounds — or 130 million cups — of yogurt annually. To do so, it will need 32.5 million pounds of skim milk and 400,000 pounds of butterfat annually.
To achieve that, the factory will need up to 24,000 gallons of milk every day from 3,000 cows.
Source: Brattleboro Reformer
Posted: April 27, 2010 at 4:23 pm
By News Editor
Young dairy farmers and professionals are urged to apply to the Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI). A program of the Holstein Foundation, YDLI is an innovative leadership and communication skills development program that has touched the lives of over 400 young adults since the program’s inception.
The next class, Class 7, will begin in March 2011. Applications can be downloaded from the Holstein Foundation Web site and must be postmarked by August 2, 2010 to be eligible for consideration. The class will meet in Albuquerque, N.M. for Phase I, March 2-5, 2011 and for Phase III, February 29-March 3, 2012.
YDLI is a three-phase program that takes place over thirteen months, and is open to young adults (ages 22-45) with an interest in the dairy industry. The class will meet in Albuquerque, N.M. for Phases I and III, with a series of projects to complete in the months between meetings. The program is designed to be both relevant and edgy, covering the hot topics facing today’s industry.
“YDLI is a program that is all-encompassing,” said Kathryn Walker, Class 6 graduate from Oregon. “It is so much more than learning how to be an advocate for the dairy industry. It taught me how to be a better member of the organizations I belong to and has allowed me to create a national network of colleagues.”
Phase I focuses on individual leadership and personal development. Workshops cover topics such as working with different personality types, developing an understanding of consumer relations and building media communication skills through hands-on practice.
During Phase II, participants complete a series of assignments in their community, which emphasizes the advocacy and outreach skills gained during Phase I.
The final on-site training, Phase III, features sessions on advanced media training, meeting and board skills, influencing public policy and continued advocacy. Throughout the program, an emphasis is placed on communication and networking amongst peers, a benefit that carries on long after a YDLI class is complete.
Source: Holstein Foundation
Posted: April 27, 2010 at 9:27 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
About a dozen students along with some of their advisors toured the Novus International headquarters in the St. Louis suburb of St. Charles and the company’s research farm last week as part of Novus’ 2nd annual “Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers” days, where students who have received Missouri Colleges Fund scholarships (funded, in part, by Novus) get to see firsthand how they might be able to apply their science degrees in the future.
“Our hope is really for them to get a glimpse of what a science and math degree can do for them out in the ‘quote-unquote’ real world,” said Dr. Joyce Cacho, Chief Sustainability Officer for Novus, during an interview with Agwired’s John Davis who covered the event.
Dr. Cacho says Novus supports these students through the Missouri Colleges Fund because of the nature of the students’ degrees.
“The largest plank in our relationship with the Missouri Colleges Fund is Novus’ commitment to encouraging a pipeline of young people to innovate in science and mathematics as it relates to health and nutrition for livestock, as well as the human area. [The] fund offers us a structure to reach out to young people to attract them to our industry and to attract them to our mission and vision of feeding the world sustainable food and improving the quality of life.”
She adds, however, Novus welcomes more than just people with math and science degrees. Dr. Cacho points out there are lots of employees who come from marketing, business, and even physical training backgrounds who have found homes at Novus. The key is to find people who want to innovate.
Listen to or download John’s interview with Dr. Cacho in the player below.
2010 Novus International Science: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers Photo Album
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Posted: April 26, 2010 at 7:16 pm
By News Editor
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s announcement that $2 million will be made available to dairy, beef, poultry and swine producers to help cut energy-related production costs is a positive step that can produce long-term savings for dairy farmers, according to Richard Clauss, vice chair of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and a dairy producer from Hilmar, Calif.
“In these tough economic times, anything we can do to cut energy costs will improve our bottom line and help keep producers in business,” Clauss said. “Today’s announcement is a step forward in making energy evaluations more broadly available to producers.”
The new agriculture energy conservation and efficiency initiative, announced in conjunction with a meeting of the Innovation Center’s Sustainability Council here today, will provide funds for on-farm energy audits in fiscal year 2010 and will cover approximately 1,000 energy evaluations in 29 states. Funding for this initiative is being made available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
“This new energy conservation and efficiency initiative is an example of the kind of support envisioned in the memorandum of understanding between the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and the USDA,” said Thomas P. Gallagher, CEO of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and Dairy Management Inc.™ “It makes good business sense for producers and is good for the environment.”
The first step of the new initiative is funding on-farm energy evaluations that can help producers identify how their operations can become more energy efficient. Producers will select an independent, certified Technical Service Provider who will conduct the audits. Energy savings recommendations identified in the evaluations may be implemented by producers at their discretion. Partial funding may be available from the USDA to assist producers in cost-effective implementation of audit recommendations.
“The energy assessments and management plans provided for in this initiative will give producers tools they can use to reduce on-farm energy costs at a time when they are being squeezed financially,” said Jerry Kozak, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. “Producers who choose to take advantage of this program can benefit by identifying measures they can implement to cut on-farm production costs.”
States participating in the initiative are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Source: Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy
Posted: April 26, 2010 at 6:52 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted one bid from Darigold, one bid from Land O’Lakes, two bids from Foremost Farms, and two bids from Dairy Farmers of America for export assistance for a total of 2,452 metric tons (5.4 million pounds) of Cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack to the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The majority of the product will be delivered May through July 2010 with a quarter of the total quantity extending delivery into September.
Since CWT reactivated the Export Assistance program on March 18, 2010, it has assisted members in making export sales of cheddar cheese totaling 8,600 metric tons (19.0 million pounds) to 15 countries on four continents.
The Export Assistance program was reactivated when economic analysis indicated that sizeable cheddar cheese inventories overhanging the market are hampering a recovery in producer milk prices. Assisting CWT members in exporting cheddar cheese will provide the most immediate way to positively impact producer milk prices.
CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.
Source: Cooperatives Working Together (CWT)
Posted: April 25, 2010 at 8:59 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease that causes loss of production and abortion in beef cattle and significant decreases in milk production in dairy cattle.
Alpharma Animal Health has just come out with a new “Answer Book for Anaplasmosis” that provides straightforward answers to common questions about the disease, such as: What is anaplasmosis? How does anaplasmosis spread? How are infected animals diagnosed? and How can the disease be managed? Much of the information is based on advancing technology that has shed new light on the lifecycle and diagnosis of anaplasmosis.
Request a free copy of the Answer Book for Anaplasmosis by emailing uscattlemarketing@alpharma.com.
Posted: April 23, 2010 at 4:21 pm
By News Editor
A new study has suggested that there may be little nutritional difference between conventional and organic milk. Writing in the Journal of Dairy Science, scientists at Cornell University set out to compare the nutritional profile of organic and recombinant bST (rbST)-free milks in the US with that of conventional milks.
They pursued this research because of concern that consumers may be misinterpreting organic and rbST-free labelled milks – which are an increasingly common sight in grocery stores.
“Consumers have little knowledge of the how milk is produced, and the information search for most Americans rarely extends beyond package labelling and retail marketing,” stated the scientists.
“Of particular concern is that some consumers may perceive that this type of specialty labelling indicates differences in the quality, nutritional value, or safety of dairy foods.”
To investigate the nutritional values of the different milk types, the researchers looked at a sample of 292 milks, and narrowed their investigation to an assessment of their fatty acid composition.
They only found statistically significant differences between the fatty acid profile of organic and conventional milk, but none of these were judged meaningful. The milks were all considered “similar in nutritional quality and wholesomeness.”
In addition, the differences were ambiguous. “From a public health perspective the direction for some of these differences would be considered desirable and for others would be considered undesirable.”
To improve the nutritional profile of a milk drink, the scientists concluded that dietary components and formulation are much more relevant than production management practices. For example, the scientists cited research indicating that feeding cows supplements of fish oil or other products rich in EPA and DHA can improve the fatty acid profile of milk.
Support for the study was provided by Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station, the Monsanto Company and the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, USDA.
Source: Journal of Dairy Science; Dairy Reporter.com
doi:10.3168/jds.2009-2799
Survey of the fatty acid composition of retail milk differing in label claims based on production management practices
Authors: M. O’Donnell, K.P. Spatny, J.L. Vicini and D.E. Bauman
Posted: April 23, 2010 at 4:13 pm
By News Editor
The block cheese price ended the third week of April at $1.3675 per pound, down 3 cents on the week, but still 18 3/4-cents above a year ago. Barrel closed at $1.3475, down 1 3/4-cents on the week, but 24 cents above a year ago. Fifty nine cars of block traded hands and 23 of barrel. The NASS U.S. average block price jumped 7.5 cents, to $1.3917. Barrel averaged $1.4330, up 7.3 cents.
Butter closed the week at $1.57, up a penny, and 34 3/4-cents above a year ago. Nothing was sold all week. NASS butter averaged $1.4958, up 2.1 cents.
Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Friday at $1.2975, up a half-cent on the week. Extra Grade closed at $1.25, up 4 cents. NASS powder averaged $1.1428, up 3.2 cents, and dry whey averaged 36.48 cents, up 0.2 cent.
Provided courtesy of Dairyline.
Posted: April 22, 2010 at 8:31 pm
By News Editor
A new line of milk with probiotics has been introduced by Guernsey Farm Dairy and Ganeden Biotech, Inc. The new line includes half-gallon reduced fat and fat free varieties fortified with GanedenBC30, a patented probiotic strain created by Ganeden.
The new products are currently available at a variety of southeast Michigan grocery retailers, including: Arbor Farms, Busch’s Markets, Hiller’s Markets, Plum Markets, Holiday Markets, Hollywood Markets, Oakridge Markets, Nino Salvaggio Marketplaces and Value Center Markets, with further expansion planned for the near future.
“With this new line, we are excited to have the opportunity to not only provide new high-quality dairy products to the public, but products that can also play a role in promoting improved digestive and immune health when incorporated into a healthy diet,” said Tom Rice, marketing director for Guernsey Farms Dairy. “Now consumers who enjoy our milk can have the added health benefits of probiotics without having to take a supplement.”
Probiotics are “good bacteria” that have been shown to improve digestive health and support immunity. Unlike many probiotic strains, GanedenBC30 is unique in its ability to survive harsh manufacturing processes, including those used in milk processing. The survivability and viability of GanedenBC30 can be attributed to the naturally-occurring layer of organic material that protects the genetic core of the bacteria.
“We have been interested in collaborating on a probiotic-enhanced milk line for some time, and have found the perfect partner in Guernsey Farms Dairy,” said Ganeden Biotech CEO Andrew Lefkowitz. “We look forward to continuing to work with Guernsey Farms Dairy to expand distribution of this new probiotic milk line to make these delicious and healthy products available and accessible to an even greater number of consumers.”
Source: Guernsey Farms Dairy
Posted: April 22, 2010 at 2:10 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
Two different dairy industry groups won national recognition from the National Agri-Marketing Association for being the “Best of the Best.”
The NAMA Best of Show for Advertising went to:
Client: Midwest Dairy Association, St. Paul, MN – Gregg Fogleman
Agency: Sullivan Higdon & Sink, Kansas City, MO – Parc Masterson accepting for agency
Message: To remind consumers that everything is better with cheese on it.
Audience: Mothers 25-54 with children 18-years-old and younger in the Ozark region.
NAMA Best of Show winner for Public Relations was awarded to:
Client: Dairy Management Inc.., Rosemont, IL – Jolene Griffin
Agency: Weber Shandwick , Minneapolis, MN – Polly O’Grady
Message: To use social media to tell the dairy industry’s story, reinforce and build its positive image and respectfully counter inaccurate or uninformed online commentary about modern farm practices.
Audience: Consumers, age 17-29 and dairy consumers.
(photo credit: Denny Eilers)
2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album
Posted: April 22, 2010 at 1:48 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
Alfalfa is an important part of Pioneer’s forage portfolio. In this edition of Forage Forum, Pioneer director of alfalfa research David Miller, discusses the company’s variety development. When it comes to choosing an alfalfa variety, he says growers should consult their local sales professional and university data to match the right product to the right acre.
Listen to the podcast here:
pioneer-podcast-73-wdd.mp3
David Miller on alfalfa varieties (5:00 min MP3)
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Subscribe to Forage Forum here.
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Posted: April 21, 2010 at 11:23 pm
By John Davis
The Milking Parlor podcast is sponsored by:
He’s best known as “Big Al, your beverage pal,” but Alex Conti, Senior Director, U-S Menu Management for McDonald’s has been more than just a friend for the dairy industry … his innovations to expand the amount of dairy the food giant uses has made him a major benefactor for dairy farmers throughout the country.
In this edition of the Milking Parlor, we get to meet Conti (trust me, I tried to get a picture of him when he spoke to a recent gathering of dairy farmers … but that’s a whole other story!) and listen in as he details how McDonald’s works more milk, cheese and ice cream into the tasty treats the company offers. From the old standbys … Big Macs, Quarter Pounders with Cheese, Egg McMuffin … to the new line of McCafe and Frappe drinks, the Golden Arches continues to be a major buyer and seller of dairy products.
Top hear Conti’s presentation, just click on the latest 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.
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Posted: April 21, 2010 at 8:04 pm
By News Editor
The Professional Dairy Producers Foundation was pleased to announce a donation of $12,150 for dairy education programs through the proceeds of seven auction items and an additional $14,500 toward dairy education through the proceeds of a Silent Auction.
The Professional Dairy Producers Foundation raises funds and awards grants for educational programs and initiatives. For the past six years, the Foundation has helped fund such programs as Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW)’s Youth Leadership Derby, mentor program, and community education about dairying.
An elite genetics Holstein calf topped the auction at $3,700. Ripp’s Dairy Valley LLC of Dane, Wis. purchased Jenny-Lou Million 2069, donated by the Mitch Breunig family of Mystic Valley Dairy.
Other items sold include:
· A GEA WestfaliaSurge Rotating Cow Brush sold for $2,200 to Warmka Holsteins of Fox Lake, Wis.
· 100 units of Semex semen with a tank, donated by Semex and ai24, sold for $2,100 to Merry-Water Farms, Inc. of Lake Geneva, Wis.
· A Wisconsin Golf Package featuring gift certificates to five of Wisconsin’s premier golf courses sold for $1,800 to Dic-Wisco Farms, Inc. of Dorchester, Wis. The package was donated by the five participating courses, plus AgStar, Stewart-Peterson and Diamond V Mills.
· ANIMART donated a Door County Walleye Trip, which sold for $1,000 to Maple Ridge Dairy, Stratford, Wis.
· A Pheasant Hunt package sold to Quality Liquid Feeds of Medford, Wis. for $650. It was donated by Sharon Brantmeier of Ameriprise Financial and Don Meyer, Rock River Laboratory.
· A handmade quilt crafted by Karla Zimmerman was purchased by Badgerland Financial for $700.
JoAnn Maedke, Foundation board member and coordinator of the Live and Silent Auctions, thanks donors and buyers. “The Foundation is truly a blend of industry and dairy producers working together for future education. I am extremely grateful to be part of an industry with such great cooperation and commitment to education.”
Source: Professional Dairy Producers Foundation
Posted: April 21, 2010 at 7:59 pm
By News Editor
The Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence has launched a new “Dairy Decisions Consultant” program. The goal of the new resource is to assist dairy farm families in the decision-making and planning processes that come in the wake of 15 months of low milk prices and negative margins. The program will offer professional consulting resources to help producers make informed decisions to shape their farm’s future.
Funded through grants received by the center, the consulting program will cover a maximum of 15 hours, or $1,500, of time for the Dairy Decision Consultant to spend with each individual farm business.
Participating farms can choose their consultant from a list identified by the center, and have a maximum of two consultations. In the first visit, the consultant will assess the farm’s current business status and financial condition, decision making process, and cost of production. During the second visit the consultant will offer observations of the farm business and provide a list of potential strategies and options for moving the business forward.
Together the consultant and producer will explore scenarios to strengthen the farm’s balance sheet and improve financial performance, and to identify strategies for making the effective future decisions.
To participate in the program, dairy producers must submit an application with a current balance sheet and income statement. All information will be kept confidential. A $175 application fee must also be submitted with the application, which will be returned if the application is not approved.
Farms applying to the program must demonstrate a need for unique consulting services and show sincere interest in improving herd performance and financial position. To download an application or for more information about the Dairy Decision Consultant program, visit the Center’s website.
Source: Center for Dairy Excellence
Posted: April 20, 2010 at 6:25 pm
By News Editor
In conjunction with World Dairy Expo, the 27th Annual World Forage Analysis Superbowl will award over $20,000 in cash prizes. Special thanks goes to Mycogen Seeds, the contest’s Platinum Sponsor. Case IH is the contest’s newest sponsor and will award the Grand Champion Forage Producer with a check for $2,500. The Grand Champion First Time Entrant will receive $1,500 from Kuhn North America. Each of the six category champions will receive a check for $1,500.
o Champion Dairy Hay sponsored by Syngenta Seeds
o Champion Dairy Haylage sponsored by Kent Feeds
o Champion Commercial Baleage sponsored by W-L Research
o Champion Commercial Hay sponsored by Bridon Cordage
o Champion Standard Corn Silage sponsored by AgBag
o Champion Brown Mid-Rib Corn Silage sponsored by Mycogen Seed
In addition to the above categories, two other categories will also be given, Quality Counts Hay/Haylage and Quality Counts Corn Silage sponsored by Croplan Genetics. The winners of the Quality Counts categories will each receive a $1,000 prize. =The Quality Counts category will be based on a predetermined quality factor, but will not be announced until World Dairy Expo. Additional sponsorship is provided by the National Hay Association.
The 27th Annual World Forage Analysis Superbowl is organized in partnership with AgSource Laboratories, DairyBusiness Communications, Hay & Forage Grower, U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, University of Wisconsin and World Dairy Expo.
Source: World Dairy Expo
Posted: April 20, 2010 at 6:13 pm
By News Editor
A new facility that will compost manure from local farms, food waste from local schools and restaurants, and leaves and yard waste is being built in Lancaster County, Pa. Called Oregon Dairy Organics, the one-of-a-kind facility had its official ground breaking this week, and is set to be selling finished compost by this fall.
Most manure composting takes manure from the host farm only and is managed by the host farmer, which usually results in low quality final compost, with higher emissions of ammonia, and compost that is only suitable for on farm use. While many townships operate larger regional composting facilities for greenwaste, few of them accept manure because of the odor and transporting manure can be expensive beyond about 10-15 miles. These municipal facilities must add commercial nitrogen to make the composting work because greenwaste contains very little nitrogen, which is a required ingredient to make compost.
“The Oregon Dairy Organics composting facility will play an important role in helping Pennsylvania meet the co-equal goals of clean water and viable farms,” said Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding. “Knowing the important role Pennsylvania plays in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, we must find innovative ways to protect our natural resources and increase the profitability of our farms. The Oregon Dairy Organics team has created a model that will benefit the community, the farms and our waterways.”
“By working together and embracing a new approach to an old technology — composting — Oregon Dairy Organics has been able to develop a program that will benefit farmers, the community and water quality,” said Suzy Friedman, the project’s manager and deputy director of the Center for Conservation Incentives at Environmental Defense Fund. “Oregon Dairy Organics is an example of farmers stepping forward to improve water quality in local creeks, the Conestoga River, and all the way to the Chesapeake Bay.”
Oregon Dairy Organics brings together an innovative partnership to demonstrate how composting can play a bigger role in improving water quality in southeastern Pennsylvania and other areas of the Chesapeake Bay by giving farmers expanded options for nutrient management. The project combines the efficiencies and professional management of composting multiple waste streams at one site, with the need to avoid the size, traffic, and hauling expenses of a large-scale regional composting facility.
“This project is another example of the positive steps farmers can and are taking to clean up both Lancaster County streams and the Chesapeake Bay in an economically sustainable way,” said George Hurst, owner of Oregon Dairy in Lititz, Pennsylvania five miles north of Lancaster. “As a result of this project, manure, yard waste, and food waste will become an asset to agriculture and the Chesapeake Bay region.”
Oregon Dairy Organics has the diversity of partners and stakeholders needed to make it work: Oregon Dairy and the Hurst Family to provide a farm site for the project; a professional composting company, Terra-Gro, will help manage the facility and market the finished compost; a local agricultural consulting company, TeamAg Inc., to coordinate farmer participation in the project; and a nonprofit conservation organization, Environmental Defense Fund, to coordinate the overall project and secure needed funding.
Source: PR News Wire
Posted: April 19, 2010 at 5:57 pm
By News Editor
The Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) have approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget.
The $31,405,000 budget total is $1,840,000 larger than the previous year reflecting a record level of milk production in the state. The budget will support WMMB’s in-state and national dairy promotion, marketing and education programs from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.
WMMB’s FY2011 budget continues to support cheese marketing in all 50 states in the national retail grocery and foodservice market segments. Activities include trade show promotions, educational tours, cheese usage training/education and special events showcasing Wisconsin’s award-winning cheese industry. Next year’s budget supports increased activity in the national food retail and foodservice channels with more in-store promotions and product demonstrations and brand equity partnering with Wisconsin manufacturers and marketers. Increased activity in the pizza category is also planned. The budget also supports the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research, which administers the Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker® Program and provides research and technical assistance to cheese and dairy processors.
Communications activities in the budget include national advertising, nutrition education programs conducted by the Wisconsin Dairy Council and statewide promotion programs for fluid milk and other Wisconsin dairy products. Also included are June Dairy Month activities and other in-state seasonal promotions such as fall chocolate milk and holiday promotions. Support for Wisconsin’s Alice in Dairyland program and the year-round grassroots promotion activities conducted by County Dairy Leader Groups in 63 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties are also part of the FY2011 budget.
Other communications activities include the Wisconsin Chef Ambassador Program, which enlists support of nationally-recognized chefs in telling the Wisconsin cheese story, and national product publicity activities aimed at placing stories about Wisconsin cheese in consumer food magazines. The budget also includes increased use of online and social media technology and the Dairy Impact Initiative, which includes the Dairy Doing More online e-magazine which communicates the economic importance of the dairy business to our communities and our state.
Source: The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc.
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