Posted: April 5, 2010 at 2:54 pm
By News Editor
Take a moment to read the recent CEO comment by National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Jerry Kozak. It contains important information about the future of the dairy product price support program (DPPSP). Read the full column here.
In the 12 years I’ve been CEO of NMPF, we have vigorously defended the function and importance of the price support program. It’s been as essential a focus for NMPF as any other single policy item. In the 2008 Farm Bill, we actually worked to make improvements in it, shifting the focus away from supporting a milk price, and toward supporting key commodity prices.
But at the end of the day, this question remains: is the dairy product price support program the best use of federal resources to establish a safety net to help farmers cope with periods of low prices? Is it effective? I believe, the answer today on both counts, is no. Here are the major reasons why:
1. It reduces total demand for U.S. dairy products and dampens our ability to export, while encouraging more foreign imports into the U.S.
2. It acts as a disincentive to product innovation.
3. It supports dairy farmers all around the world and disadvantages U.S. dairy farmers.
4. It isn’t effectively managed to fulfill its objectives.
5. The price levels it seeks to achieve aren’t relevant to farmers in 2010.
For all of these reasons, what NMPF is now focused upon is a transitional process that shifts the resources previously invested in the dairy product price support program, to the income protection program that I have discussed previously.
In summary, discontinuing the DPPSP would eventually result in higher milk prices for U.S. dairy farmers. By focusing on indemnifying against poor margins, rather than on a milk price target that is clearly inadequate, we can create a more relevant safety net that allows for quicker price adjustments, reduced imports and greater exports. As a result of our DPPSP, the U.S. has become the world’s balancing plant. As time marches on, so, too, must our approach to helping farmers.
Source: National Milk Producers Federation
Posted: April 5, 2010 at 2:48 pm
By News Editor
Hooded figures, mysterious notes and intrigue – all surrounding the Cornell University Dairy Bar mascots – two fiberglass bovines named Cornellia and Cal. Back in 2006, both were stolen from the Dairy Bar. In December of that same year, Cornellia reappeared, but Cal remained missing until just a few weeks ago.
Cal and its mother, Cornellia, the Dairy Bar’s mascots, were stolen in August 2006; Cornellia was returned to the Hoy Field pitcher’s mound in late November that year.
Anonymous witnesses reported to The Cornell Daily Sun that they saw a group of people, all wearing hoods that completely covered their heads, carry Cal across Tower Road at 12:15 a.m. March 29, depositing it at the Dairy Bar entrance.
A Dairy Bar custodian discovered the calf in the morning with a note hanging from its neck, claiming that the calf was recovered from 350 miles away. The note also said:
“A team of student citizens tracked down the cow’s location, and after a tense hostage negotiation, arranged for the cow’s safe return to Cornell, where it belongs. Long live, Cornellia. [Signed] Narby Krimsnatch ’59.”
Krimsnatch is a fictional character created in 1956 by a group of students who managed to get him elected to class office, tapped for the Quill & Dagger secret honor society and even put his picture in the yearbook, according to Corey Earle ’07, associate director of student programs in Alumni Affairs and Development and a Cornell trivia buff.
The Dairy Bar will feature a special ice cream sundae to commemorate the mascot’s return during the week of April 5th. The type of sundae “will be a surprise, given the calf’s return was a surprise,” said Jason Huck, general manager of Cornell’s dairy operations.
To protect Cal and Cornellia from future theft, the mascots have been moved to a more secure location “within the confines of our dairy operation’s walls,” said Huck.
Before they were stolen, Cornellia and Cal were chained outside the old Dairy Store inside Stocking Hall.
Stocking Hall staffers are considering where to keep the mascots during Stocking Hall renovations later this year. One suggestion has been to “disguise Cal as a sheep,” said Huck.
Cornellia and Cal became the Dairy Bar’s mascots in 2005, following Cornellia’s previous theft from the roof of Stocking Hall and its return two weeks later to a pen at the College of Veterinary Medicine, according to the Sun.
Source: Cornell Chronicle Online; By Krishna Ramanujan; Lindsay France/University Photography
Posted: April 5, 2010 at 8:43 am
By Chuck
I don’t know how many of our World Dairy Diary readers are aware of AgChat or have participated but perhaps it’s time you check it out. AgChat is a weekly Twitter conversation from 8-10pm eastern. All you have to do is follow the Twitter hashtag, #AgChat, and feel free to join in. AgChat is nearing its one year anniversary and it has helped energize and inspire many farmers to engage online to agvocate for their industry using social networking tools like Twitter and Facebook. There are a number of dairy farmers who already participate in AgChat. Join in and add to the online conversation.
Last week the AgChat Foundation was announced. This farmer led group “is designed to empower more farmers to leverage social media as a tool to tell agriculture’s story. The Foundation will educate and equip farmers and ranchers with the skill set needed to effectively engage on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, YouTube, Linkedin and other social media services. It will give them knowledge to unlock new tools to effectively tell their story. Research shows that social media is a growing opportunity for farmers to have a stronger voice in educating people about the business of growing food, fuel, feed and fiber.” You can find more information on the AgChat Foundation website. I have the honor of being on the initial board as an agribusiness liaison.
Let’s meet board member Mike Haley. Mike is a fifth generation grain and cattle farmer in northern Ohio. Mike believes not only in raising healthy crops and animals, but also working to ensure that future generations will be able to continue to do the same. This not only means that Mike must continuously work to ensure that his farm is operating in a sustainable way, but also that others understand what farmers are doing on a daily basis to ensure that they are acting in a socially acceptable manner. “Social media is a valuable tool that allows us to communicate with others across the country about our farming operation while we are working on daily tasks.” In my interview with Mike we talk about farmer use of social media and what we hope to accomplish with the AgChat Foundation.
You can listen to my interview with Mike here.
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Posted: April 3, 2010 at 3:42 pm
By Chuck
Cheese prices started April on an upswing. The blocks closed Thursday at $1.43 per pound, up 10 1/2-cents on the Good Friday holiday shortened week, and 15 cents above a year ago and that’s no “April fools.” The barrels closed at $1.3750, up 6 1/4-cents on the week, and 11 1/2-cents above a year ago. Only two cars of each traded hands. The NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price lost 3.3 cents, slipping to $1.3019. Barrel averaged $1.2895, down 1.2 cents.
Butter closed at $1.4950, up a half-cent on the week and 31 1/2-cents above a year ago. Seven cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.4511, down 0.6 cent.
Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed the week at $1.2250, up 7 1/2-cents on the week. Extra Grade closed at $1.1650, up 4 1/2-cents. NASS powder averaged $1.0534, up 0.9 cent. Dry whey averaged 36.89 cents, down 0.1 cent.
Provided courtesy of Dairyline.
Posted: April 1, 2010 at 8:19 pm
By News Editor
Jersey youth – June 1 is the deadline for you to enter the fifth edition of the national Jersey youth presentation competition, TalkJersey.
All AJCA junior or lifetime members, ages 7 through 20 as of January 1, 2010, are eligible to enter the live public speaking contest or the recorded presentation division. Judging will be held Friday morning, June 25 during the Annual Meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. at the DoubleTree Hotel Portland, Portland, Ore. Cash awards sponsored by ABS Global Inc., DeForest, Wis., and prizes offered by the American Jersey Cattle Association will be presented in all divisions.
Demonstrations or speeches are to focus on any phase of the Registered Jersey™ business, including current affairs and dairy industry trends. Judges will evaluate the speaker’s personal interest in the topic, as well as its appropriateness for a general dairy audience.
Participants will be divided into groups by their age on January 1, 2010 as follows: Division I, 7 to 10 years; Division II, 11 to 13 years; Division III, 14 to 16; and Division IV, 17 to 20 years. Division I contestants present demonstrations between four (4) and six (6) minutes in length. Posters may be used in addition to demonstration materials.
Participants in Divisions II, III and IV present speeches between five (5) and seven (7) minutes in length. Visual aids are not allowed. Speaker notes are permitted. No more than four (4) 4″ x 6″ notecards may be used. Judges will ask questions after each presentation is completed. Judging will be open for viewing by interested parties.
Contestants will be scored on the basis of 50 points, as follows: topic selection and content, 15 points; organization of speech, 10 points; vocal presentation, 10 points; presentation and effectiveness, 10 points; and response to questions, 5 points. One (1) point will be subtracted from the total point score for each 30 seconds over or under the required speaking time.
Entries may also be made in the category of narrated video or PowerPoint presentations. This presentation must be the contestant’s own production and have been created between September 1, 2009 and June 1, 2010.
The topic must be a subject directly related to Registered Jerseys™. Entries must be between five (5) and seven (7) minutes long, and feature the contestant as the only speaker. No costumes may be used, and no interviews with other persons are allowed. Musical tracks or background music cannot be used in these presentations.
Entries will be divided into three groups by contestant age on January 1, 2010: Division I, ages 7 to 12 years; Division II, ages 13 to 16; and Division III, age 17 and older.
The finished presentation must be saved in PC format and recorded for playback on either a CD/DVD or USB flashdrive/thumbdrive. Entries must be received in the AJCA office on or before June 10.
Source: National Jersey Youth Program
Posted: April 1, 2010 at 8:14 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Emily Jungemann for being named the 55th South Dakota State Dairy Princess! Emily was crowned on March 31 in Sioux Falls during the Central Plains Dairy Expo.
Jungemann, 20, is the daughter of Russell and Janet Jungemann and is a student at South Dakota State University majoring in dairy production and pre-veterinary studies. Throughout the coming year, she will represent South Dakota dairy farmers at a variety of appearances, helping consumers to understand how milk is produced in a wholesome and responsible way. She receives a $1,000 scholarship from Midwest Dairy Association’s South Dakota Division.
Natalie Thyen, 18, Waverly, was named runner-up. Her parents are Dan and Becky Thyen and she is a student at Lakes Area Technical Institute in Watertown studying to become a medical assistant. She was awarded at $500 scholarship from the Central Plains Dairy Expo.
Larissa Neugebauer, Dimock, the 19-year-old daughter of Jim and Ellen Neugebauer, was named Miss Congeniality.
The six candidates for the title were judged on their general dairy knowledge and enthusiasm for the industry, communications skills and ability to reach key consumer audiences. The Dairy Princess program is sponsored by Midwest Dairy Association through the dairy checkoff.
Source: Midwest Dairy Association
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