Cooperative Network President and CEO Bill Oemichen commended Governor Doyle for bills signed into law today at a farm in north central Wisconsin. Three of the bills signed by the governor enjoyed the support of Cooperative Network during the legislative session, and were among the bills that received strong bi-partisan support in both houses of the Legislature.
The bills supported by Cooperative Network are:
· AB 756, which extends the dairy farm investment tax credit for tax years 2010 and 2011 and expands the “pocket value” for claimants to $75,000. Cooperative Network was the primary originator and promoter of the prior dairy investment tax credit, which was in place from 2004-2009. More than $500 million in dairy farm facility modernization has taken place as a result of the credit, resulting in increased cow numbers, greater milk production, and a more vibrant and competitive dairy industry in Wisconsin.
· AB 757, which creates a food processing modernization tax credit for food processing and distribution businesses.
· SB 527, which amends the agricultural producer security (APS) program to provide greater flexibility and lessen the cost of compliance for some contractors who are participants in the program.
Oemichen stated, “Cooperative Network is very proud of the positive financial impact the original dairy farm investment tax credit has had on the dairy industry and believes the second installment will have a continued and significant positive impact on the modernization of our dairy industry.”
Posted: May 12, 2010 at 7:53 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
The Dairy Price Stabilization Act was introduced on the House floor today by Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and co-sponsors Peter Welch (D-VT), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Rick Larsen (D-WA), and John B. Larson (D-CT).
Costa says the bill promotes market stability and individual dairy farmers’ ability to grow their own business. “While periods of boom and bust are not new to the dairy industry, our dairy families cannot afford another year of low milk checks that don’t even cover the cost of production,” said Costa. “The dairy price crisis is devastating our local economy and ability to create and sustain jobs. This bill will help the dairy industry get back on track and curb the milk price volatility that is driving dairy farmers in the Valley and our nation out of business”
Watch Costa introduce the bill here via YouTube:
The Dairy Price Stabilization Act would help stabilize dairy prices by better aligning supply and demand. Under the program, individual dairies would have the choice of either maintaining their current production level (plus an allowable year-over-year growth rate based on market indications) or expanding their production and increasing their share of the market.
Dairies choosing to increase their market share would pay a fee during the first year of expansion which is paid out to their fellow dairy farmers who are maintaining their current share of the market. This creates a rational system that allows the market to absorb increases in production by providing a tangible financial incentive for most dairies to manage their production growth.
The structure of the bill is based on unbiased economic analysis and modeling conducted in the past 18 months. Both the growth rate and market access fee would be determined based on market indicators including feed costs which are the largest cost factor for producers in states like California. A producer board of directors would be established to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on any necessary adjustments to program operations. The bill empowers farmers by allowing them to vote on whether to enact the program and, three years after it commences, to vote on whether to continue it.
Troy Hudgson has been named the Vice President, Category Development for Fonterra Ingredients North America. Fonterra is a cooperative based in New Zealand.
Mr. Hudgson will be based at Fonterra North America’s corporate headquarters in Chicago, Ill. He will oversee Fonterra’s regional growth strategies for categories, including bars and snack foods, ingredients for cheese, cheese for meals, cultured foods, pediatric nutrition, organics and functional beverages. In addition, he will create annual marketing and innovation plans to support consumer and customer insights in the United States.
Mr. Hudgson is transitioning from his role as the Marketing and Channel Development Manager for Fonterra’s Global Foodservice division, and will report directly to Martin Bates, President of Fonterra Ingredients North America.
“Troy has been recognized as playing a key role with his successful work in global foodservice that align well to our category development strategies in the United States,” said Martin Bates, President, Fonterra Ingredients North America. “His work has resulted in the creation of a marketing strategy that has resulted in the growth of the global foodservice business. We are confident that Troy will effectively be able to implement this knowledge into his new position and positively support Fonterra’s innovative products development pipeline.”
Prior to his foodservice role at Fonterra, Hudgson worked in business development at Genesis Research and Development, and CSIRO Health Sciences and Nutrition in Australia.
Holstein Association USA Juniors – have you gotten your unique advertisement entry in? The deadline is quickly approaching!
Entries must be received by June 1, 2010 to be considered. The contest is open to any Junior Holstein member, and entries will be split into three age divisions. The grand prize winner will have their ad printed in the August 2010 issue of Holstein World magazine!
The ad must be the original work of a Junior member. Prizes will be awarded in the following divisions (all ages are as of January 1, 2010): Junior (ages 9 to 13), Intermediate (ages 14-17) and Senior (ages 18-21). Entries will be judged on organization and clarity, layout and deign, appropriateness, as well as a brief essay describing the target audience and intended purpose of the ad.
The good news – kids love yogurt, and are snacking on it in higher numbers! Grab a yogurt today!
While fresh fruit remains the most-consumed kids snack, refrigerated yogurt showed the largest growth in number of units consumed per child last year as compared with 2008, according to a kids’ snack category growth ranking released by The NPD Group.
Yogurt wasn’t the only healthier snack showing growth. Fresh fruit ranked third in per-capita consumption growth, and string cheese/pre-packaged cheese cubes or shapes ranked fourth, according to NPD’s SnackTrack, which continually monitors the consumption of snack foods both at home and out-of-home.
However, potato chips showed the second-largest consumption growth among kids’ snack categories.
And the categories ranking fifth through 10th in consumption growth were, in order: hard candy, ice/fudge/cream pops, chewy candy, corn chips, donuts, and snack pies/pastries.
Dean Foods Co. announced it will be cutting jobs in its processing plants after profit losses.
The discounting prompted Dean’s chief executive to describe prices as dropping “beyond sustainable levels.” Dean, the nation’s largest dairy processor, said that its profit fell 43 percent to $43.15 million, or 24 cents a share. That compares with profit of $76.25 million, or 48 cents a share, a year ago.
Dean shares closed Monday at $10.47 – a tumble of 28.43 percent, the largest one-day decline in at least six years. The company blamed its poor profit picture on retailers taking “zero profit” on their own store-brand milk.
“Our most profitable brands, the ones with the highest [price] premiums, suffered the most,” said Gregg Engles, chairman and CEO. He called the pressure on milk prices intense. The retail price wars could strip more than $100 million from company margins this year, he said.
To shore up the bottom line, Dean said it will cut up to 400 jobs in its largest division, Fresh Dairy Direct/Morningstar, which sells milk and other traditional dairy products under private labels and regional brand names. The cuts, expected to save the company $25 million, are on top of 150 jobs eliminated earlier this year. The cuts will come nationwide throughout the year.
First-quarter sales were $2.97 billion, up nearly 10 percent from a year ago, thanks to increased sales at its division that sells organic and soy milk. Also, as the prices Dean pays to dairy farmers increase, Dean is permitted by the government to pass those costs on to customers, including retailers.
One unique part of World Dairy Expo is the annual virtual tours of dairy farms. The 2010 list has been released.
Free tours will be presented daily, Tuesday through Saturday, September 28 – October 2, in the Mendota 1 meeting room in the Exhibition Hall. Managers will present a half-hour pictorial view of their operation, including general operation information and highlights of exceptional management practices. Time for questions and discussion will follow. The tours will be available for viewing on World Dairy Expo’s website after the show.
Tour hosts include:
Valley-Drive Holsteins, LLC, Campbellsport, Wisconsin
Managed by Jeff & Merlene Hayes family and Daryl Winter
200 Milking – Adaptation Leads to Longevity
Sponsored by: Structures Unlimited LLC
Stewart Farms Inc., Nampa, Idaho
Managed by Joe, Jere, Jim & Marcella Stewart
630 Milking – Innovative Reproductive Tools
Sponsored by: Semex
Clover Patch Dairy, Millersburg, Ohio
Managed by Alan & Sharon Kozak
420 Milking – Grazing Benefits
Sponsored by: American Jersey Cattle Association
Ripp’s Dairy Valley, Dane, Wisconsin
Managed by Gary, Troy & Chuck Ripp and families
860 Milking/Managing Transition Cows
Sponsored by: AgSource Cooperative Services
University of Minnesota Teaching & Research Facility, St. Paul, Minnesota
130 Milking – A Research Dairy Herd
Sponsored by: Quality Liquid Feeds
Cycle Farm, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Managed by Bill, Clarice, Jacob, Tony & Moriah Brey
240 Milking – Family Succession
Sponsored by: Grow Wisconsin Dairy Team
Royal Farms Dairy, Garden City, Kansas
Managed by Kyle Averhoff & the Irsik Family
6150 Milking – Environmental Stewards
Sponsored by: Kansas Department of Commerce
Sandy Acres Dairy, Elk Mound, Wisconsin
Managed by Jeff & Marie Pagenkopf
480 Milking – Robotic Calf Feeders
Sponsored by: Land O’Lakes Purina Feed
Borden Milk has announced an exciting contest in Texas and Louisiana for kids who like to read and drink milk! Get your coloring pencils, books and milk ready!
Joining Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), Borden Milk introduces the “Elsie the Cow’s Reading Adventures” Art Contest. Borden and RIF have teamed up to promote the joy of reading for local children throughout Texas and Louisiana and to encourage families to fuel up for learning. Borden understands the importance of providing kids with essential nutrients to help develop sharp minds and is supporting education by donating books and reading materials to schools.
As part of a multi-year commitment to support children’s literacy, the contest will offer 10 lucky winners a chance to win a $1,000 literacy grant for their local school or a non-profit organization of their choice as well as a prize package, including a year’s supply of fresh and delicious Borden Milk, $50 book-retailer gift card, Borden T-shirt, Elsie the Cow stickers, Borden pencils, Borden growth chart and a certificate from RIF.
“RIF is pleased to partner with Borden Milk to promote reading as an essential key to success,” says Carol H. Rasco, president and CEO for RIF. “These literacy grants will provide books and reading materials to help children throughout Texas and Louisiana discover the joy of reading.”
Entrants can submit an original drawing inspired by the theme “Elsie the Cow’s Reading Adventures.” The art should convey the joy of reading and can include images of books, milk and Elsie the Cow. The contest begins on May 10 and ends on June 30. It is open to children ages 6-12 in the following cities in Texas: Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Laredo, McAllen, San Antonio, and Texarkana as well as the following markets in Louisiana: Baton Rouge and Lafayette.
“Borden understands the importance of providing kids with the essential nutrients needed to develop sharp minds and is honored to partner with RIF,” said Rick Beaman, president for Borden. “We are excited to give back to our local communities and we want to encourage children across our area to fuel up to be smart with a good book and Borden milk.”
Source: Borden Milk
Since CWT reactivated the Export Assistance program on March 18, 2010, it has assisted members in making export sales of cheddar cheese totaling 11,228 metric tons (24.8 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.
More congratulations are due to Colorado dairyman Les Hardesty, for being elected chairman of the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Hardesty will fill the seat made vacant by Tom Camerlo’s unexpected passing last fall.
Hardesty is the third elected chairman in the organization’s history, following Elwood Kirkpatrick (1995-2004) and Tom Camerlo (2004-2009). Paul Rovey has served as interim chairman since Camerlo’s passing.
Hardesty milks 700 cows on the Painted Prairie Dairy in Greeley, Colo., and also owns the smaller showcase Cozy Cow Dairy educational facility. Hardesty is chairman of the Mountain Area Region of Dairy Farmers of America and of the National Dairy Council, and serves on the board of National Milk Producers Federation and United Dairy Industry Association. He has been an active member of the USDEC board for the last seven years.
“USDEC is a great organization managed by quality people with incredible support from the membership,” Hardesty said. “As incoming chair, I have an opportunity to continue the tradition of helping influence how U.S. dairy reaches our worldwide customers and consumers.”
He will preside over the 94-member organization, which is made up of U.S. dairy producers, proprietary processors and cooperatives, ingredient suppliers, export traders and industry affiliates. The group is focused on market development, resolving market access barriers and advancing the industry’s trade policy goals, supported by the dairy check-off, U.S. Department of Agriculture funding and membership dues.
Congratulations to Hawaiian dairy farmers! For the first time in 11 years, they posted an increase year-over-year in milk production!
Hawaii milk production increased 15 percent in 2009, the first time in 11 years the state has seen a year-over-year production increase, according to a report released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Hawaii’s total milk production in 2009 was 21.3 million pounds, according to the USDA.
Milk sales increased 38 percent from the previous year to $7.5 million.
The state has 15 farms with dairy cows and two commercial dairies licensed to sell milk — Island Dairy on the Big Island, which sells under the label Hawaii’s Fresh Milk, and Meadow Gold Dairies of Honolulu, according to a 2009 USDA report.
NDPRB, through Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), annually awards up to 19 $1,500 scholarships to eligible undergraduate students (sophomore through senior) enrolled in college/university programs that emphasize dairy. Majors include: communications/public relations, journalism, marketing, business, economics, nutrition, food science, and Ag education. In addition, the NDPRB awards a $2,500 James H. Loper Jr. Memorial Scholarship to the outstanding scholarship recipient.
Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, an interest in a career in a dairy-related discipline, and demonstrated leadership, initiative and integrity. Candidates are expected to complete an application form, submit a transcript of all college courses, and write a short statement describing their career aspirations, dairy-related activities and work experiences. The application information is evaluated by a NDPRB Scholarship Committee composed of an external review panel and at least two Board members. The recommendations of the Scholarship Committee are summarized by NDPRB staff and the scholarships are then awarded.
Students may be awarded scholarships in multiple years. Scholarship winners must be enrolled during the entire academic year for which the scholarship is awarded. Announcement of winners will be made to both awardee and university department chairman on or about July 30, 2010.
Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:
1. Academic performance.
2. Courses related to dairy.
3. Apparent commitment to a career in dairy.
4. Involvement in extra-curricular activities, especially those relating to dairy.
5. Evidence of leadership ability, initiative, character and integrity.
The cash block cheese price closed the first Friday in May at $1.38 per pound, down three-quarters on the week, but 24 1/4-cents above a year ago. Barrel closed at $1.3725, also down three quarters, but 31 3/4-cents above a year ago when the barrels bottomed out at $1.0550. Eight cars of block traded hands on the week and 10 of barrel. The lagging NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price lost 1.3 cents, slipping to $1.4257. Barrel averaged $1.3939, down 2.7 cents.
Butter inched 2 cents higher Monday and Tuesday, plunged 6 cents Wednesday, regained 2 on Thursday, and a half-cent Friday, and closed at $1.6050, down a penny and a half, and reversed 12 weeks of gains, but it’s 36 1/2-cents above a year ago. Eight cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.5491, up 3.4 cents.
Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed at $1.3275, up 3 cents on the week. Six cars were sold. Extra Grade closed at $1.30, up a nickel. NASS powder averaged $1.2174, up 4 cents. Dry whey averaged 35.74 cents, up 0.5 cent.
Planning to visit the 2010 World Dairy Expo? Before you pack the car, take some time to visit the new interactive website where you can learn more about each of the 750-plus companies participating in this year’s show. Mark your calendars – the show will take place September 28 through October 2 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis.
World Dairy Expo Sales Manager, John Rozum says “We are really excited to provide this year-round resource. In addition to a full listing of our exhibitors, you can now search our site for very specific information about each one. Dairy producers are sure to find this tool valuable before, during and after the show.”
Rozum notes, “Each year World Dairy Expo’s trade show features the best tools, products, equipment and technology to manage a dairy operation. We’re hoping our new search function and interactive maps help connect dairy producers with our exhibitors all year long.”
Interactive options include:
• Up-to-date lists of World Dairy Expo’s exhibitors, featuring company name, product category, booth location and web address.
• Individual maps of the grounds, including the Outdoor Trade Mall, Exhibition Hall, Coliseum, Arena Building and Grazing Pavilion, that allow you to scroll over booth locations and see the name of the company occupying that space as well as their address and contact information.
• Dairy producers who are looking for specific products or equipment will appreciate the search function of the site. For instance, if you are looking for products to treat mastitis, simply type the word into the search bar and an instantaneous list of all exhibitors supplying mastitis treatments appears along with their booth location and website link. Click on individual maps, and these same exhibitors’ booths are highlighted.
Congressman Bill Owens from New York State has announced his appointment to the House Committee on Agriculture.
He will join colleagues on the panel that has general jurisdiction over federal agriculture policy and oversight of various federal agencies.
“Upstate N.Y. agriculture is a major driver of our entire state’s economy, and now our region has a larger role in the decision making process,” Owens said. “As we continue to work our way out of the recession, we need to provide every opportunity to our farming community and small business owners to succeed.”
In his first few months in office, Owens has fought tirelessly for local agriculture interests. In January, he pressed U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to protect Upstate dairy from the negative effects a U.S.-New Zealand trade agreement would have on the industry. Owens also fought to keep the Market Access Program (MAP) funded at its highest level to help local dairy farmers and wine producers continue to play a large role in local economic development.
Owens is currently working with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s office to address the financial challenges that many farms face as a result of the recession by ensuring access to credit through the USDA Farm Service Agency’s loan guarantees and direct loans.
“As the largest segment of agriculture in New York, dairy is critical to the Upstate economy, with approximately 6,800 farms across the state. Nationwide, New York ranks third in milk production. These dairy farms are essential to their local economies and share a commitment to producing safe, nutritious and affordable products,” said Owens.
Last Month, Owens reintroduced a previous effort by former Congressman John McHugh to allow Upstate New York maple syrup producers greater access to federal resources for maple research, education, and promotion.
“The more opportunity we provide for our local agriculture leaders and small business owners, the better chance our community has at a complete economic recovery,” said Owens. “We have an abundance of untapped maple trees and providing resources for our maple producers to expand their operations will benefit our entire area.”
Source: Congressman Bill Owens
Congratulations to the Wisconsin dairy farmers named to the 2010 Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) board of directors.
There were 21 candidates running for eight board member positions. Of the 4,187 dairy producers in the election districts, 25.6% returned mail-in ballots. That number is up from 16.7% during the 2009 elections. Each licensed dairy operation within the affected district received one vote. WMMB directors guide the organization’s finances, formulate and set its policies and long-range business plan, and maintain its mission: To help grow demand for Wisconsin milk by providing programs that enhance the competitiveness of the Wisconsin Dairy Industry.
Commencing July 1, the following dairy producers will begin to serve a three-year term as elected members of the WMMB:
Ed Jasurda, District 3 Director representing Lincoln, Oneida, Price and Taylor counties
Vivian Thompson, District 6 Director representing Chippewa and Eau Claire counties
Jeff Strassburg, District 9 Director representing Menominee, Shawano and Waupaca counties
Ken Heiman, District 12 Director representing Portage, Waushara and Wood counties
Mary Cook, District 15 Director representing Adams, Juneau and Monroe counties
Dean Strauss, District 18 Director representing Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha counties
Judith Wubbenhorst, District 21 Director representing Crawford and Vernon counties
Tina Hinchley, District 24 Director representing Dane and Jefferson counties
In this edition of Forage Forum, Pioneer livestock information manager Steve Soderlund discusses the benefits of dual-purpose hybrids, which can allow a producer greater flexibility, depending on environmental conditions and feed needs.
As reports of internal parasite resistance to deworming treatments are on the upswing, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) is urging herd managers to test first, then treat, to avoid both the overuse and underuse of anthelmintics that can lead to a resistance problem.
Overuse is the result of producers deworming too often, and underuse occurs when too little product is administered, according to Dr. Mac Devin, professional services veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. “In a closed population, if you treat too frequently, the remaining worms are the only ones left to breed,” he says. “Resistance increases with each generation. And if less than the labeled dose is given, again, this leaves too many survivors to pass on their resistant genes to the next generation.”
To establish a resistance management program in your herd, Devin recommends, with the help of your herd veterinarian, first conducting a fecal egg count reduction test to detect if you have parasite resistance in your herd. Two tests are taken; after the first test, treat the entire herd, then come back in 14 days to take another count and then calculate the loss. “Do this test on 20 percent of your herd, or 20 animals, whichever is less,” he says. “We want to see a 90 percent fecal egg production reduction.” Less than that would suggest a resistant population is present.
Secondly, herd managers should do a coproculture. Samples are incubated and then evaluated by a parasitologist to determine the composition of the nematode population.
With this information, cattle producers can determine the most effective program that will minimize the risk of resistance.
The National BQA Award will recognize one outstanding beef and dairy farmer that best demonstrate animal care and handling principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective operations. A common trait among all contest entrants must be a strong desire to continually improve BQA on their operations while encouraging others to implement the producer education program.
The National BQA Award is funded by Safeway’s Rancher’s Reserve beef brand and Cargill, and supported by The Beef Checkoff Program. The program promotes beef quality assurance in all segments of the industry, including commercial cow-calf, seedstock, stocker operators, feedlots and dairy operations.
“We’re in the business of caring for animals, and cattlemen and women understand that animal care and producing delicious, wholesome food go hand-in-hand,” noted John Maas, DVM, MS, veterinarian with the University of California at Davis Cooperative Extension, seedstock producer from Northern California and chairman of the Producer Education Committee. “The BQA program is just one example of the many ways that we, as an industry, stand behind this principle.”
Two National BQA award winners will be selected by a committee of representatives from universities, state beef councils and affiliated groups. Nominations can be submitted by any organization, group, or individual on behalf of a U.S. beef producer. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves, however the nominees are expected to be involved in the preparation of the application.
Nikkel Iron Works introduces a new tool for hay and forage producers. Dur-Adjust™ features a dual spring and rod system for DARF Hay Rakes to help harvest a better quality crop.
As an option for the spring and chain assembly, the new system:
• Prolongs the life of key components
• Provides precise height control
• Reduces unwanted wheel lift
• Creates a smoother transport ride.
“Dur-Adjust™ allows growers and producers to harvest a better quality crop, while prolonging the life expectancy of the hay rake. Ultimately, farmers save time and money,” said Bruce Shannon, national sales manager for Nikkel Iron Works. “We’re always trying to improve our products, and the Dur-Adjust™ system makes life easier for farmers.”
Dur-Adjust’s™ dual spring and rod system is easy to adjust and has shock absorption, making the ride smooth during transport, Shannon said. In addition, providing precise height control and reducing unwanted wheel lift are key features of the product.
“Dur-Adjust™ makes sure your raking depth is precise, so foreign materials don’t make it into your crop and deteriorate the quality of your product,” Shannon said. “At the same time, it’s keeping pressure on your wheels to make sure that every inch of your crop is collected – that’s where the money is.”
In this edition of Forage Forum, 
As reports of internal parasite resistance to deworming treatments are on the upswing, 
