During most of Monday I’ll be on the agriblogging highway to Lexington, KY for the Alltech Global Dairy 500. The theme is “Sustainability in a Changing World.” The program has been so successful that this year they’ve added a “Global Beef 500″ as well!
I’m looking forward to seeing my Alltech friends and enjoying a frosty Kentucky Ale! My coverage should be starting on Monday evening. On Thursday, I’ll share the stage with Alltech’s Billy Frey to discuss social media. I’m really looking forward to that. I’ll also be assisting David Butler who will be managing the Alltech blog, Alltech Innovations.
So follow along here or on Twitter with the hashtag #Global500.
Posted: October 29, 2010 at 9:56 pm
By News Editor
The late James P. “Tom” Camerlo, a dairy producer from Florence, Colo., was honored by the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) recently at the Joint NDB/National Milk Producers Federation/United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) Annual Meeting in Reno, Nev. Camerlo was named the 2010 recipient of the Richard E. Lyng Award for his dedication and service to dairy promotion.
The award is named after former U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Richard E. Lyng, who played a key role in implementing policies that led to the establishment of the NDB 25 years ago. The Lyng Award honors dairy industry leaders who have made a significant contribution to dairy promotion that benefits the entire dairy industry.
“Tom Camerlo leaves an unprecedented legacy and commitment to America’s dairy producers,” said Paula Meabon, Pennsylvania dairy producer and NDB chair. “He was a champion of (helping) dairy producers control their own destiny, and was a true leader within the dairy promotion and policy arena, both domestically and internationally.”
Camerlo was a leader in dairy promotion for more than four decades. He first became involved in 1965, when he was elected to the board of the Western Dairy Association and, subsequently, to the National Dairy Council®. He played a key role in the formation of UDIA in 1970 and held a seat on the UDIA board through last winter.
In 1983, Camerlo and other producer leaders worked to arrange for a referendum that led to the formation of the national dairy checkoff program and NDB. In 1995, he worked to further unify dairy promotion with the creation of Dairy Management Inc.™, which united NDB and UDIA.
“He knew the best way for dairy producers to promote their products for their own betterment and the betterment of the industry was through a unified checkoff program,” Meabon said.
Camerlo also played a critical role in the formation of the U.S. Dairy Export Council® (USDEC), where he became one of the early board directors of USDEC and the first chairman of its Trade Policy Committee.
In 2004, Camerlo was elected chairman of USDEC. In the five years that he served as chair, he led policy and promotion programs that supported his long-standing belief that expanded export trade would benefit America’s dairy producers and the industry.
In addition to his role on the DMI board, Camerlo also served as a founding board member of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and was a strong ambassador of the Innovation Center’s mission to grow sales by working with and through the dairy industry.
As part of the Richard E. Lyng award, the NDB also will make a $2,500 contribution to the Colorado State University on behalf of Camerlo and his family.
Posted: October 29, 2010 at 9:49 pm
By News Editor
Select Sires Inc. has announced plans to offer a veterinarian internship at its headquarters facility in Plain City, Ohio, during the spring and/or summer of 2011.
The veterinarian intern will be responsible for a variety of projects within the areas of animal health, export regulation and husbandry, as well as receive a broad-range of knowledge of Select Sires’ programs and services. They will be responsible for a wide-range of tasks, including working with the veterinary department on special projects, animal health procedures, blood testing, semen collections, semen processing, paperwork and record-keeping. Besides having an understanding of dairy and beef genetics, a successful candidate should be proficient in handling cattle and have some experience with basic animal health procedures.
This internship is open to all individuals interested in food animal medicine. The candidate may be a junior or senior in high school, college undergraduate or graduate student interested in attending veterinary school, or a current veterinary student. Activities will be commensurate with level of experience. The internship will be available in both the spring and/or summer with applications due February 1, 2011 for the spring session, and April 1, 2011 for the summer session. The intern must work for a minimum of four weeks.
For more information about this internship or to submit a resume for consideration, visit the website or send an email message to tgood@selectsires.com.
It was a much more upbeat mood than in the past few years in Madison, Wisconsin earlier this month for World Dairy Expo, the dairy industry’s premier event.
More than 65,000 people attended this year’s event, including 2,468 from 87 countries outside of the U.S. The good turnout and the increased optimism was music to the ears of the 770 companies from 26 countries represented at this year’s show, including the 135 first-time exhibitors.
In this edition of the Milking Parlor, we talk to several people at this year’s expo, including World Dairy Expo Sales Manager John Rozem; Dr. Lance Fox, Alpharma’s Director of Technical Services; Senior Manager of Technology for Arm and Hammer Animal Nutrition, Dr. Elliot Block; Dr. Larry Chase with Cornell University; Novartis Animal Health Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Doug Scholz; Dave Hartford, dairy operations manager of the award-winning Oakridge-Bahler Farm in Connecticut; and Dr. Andy Skidmore with Schering-Plough Animal Health, who serves as the Secretary of the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council, a group formed a few years ago to help improve fertility in the industry.
Posted: October 25, 2010 at 5:46 pm
By News Editor
The AJCC Research Foundation has issued a request for research proposals to be funded in 2011 addressing significant issues for the Jersey breed and Jersey milk producers.
Current priorities for research funding are:
· Nutrition of high-producing Jerseys, particularly practical feeding methods to maximize production of valuable milk components;
· Factors affecting management of Jersey calves;
· Factors affecting yield and/or quality of products manufactured from Jersey milk;
· Factors affecting economic impact of Jerseys: efficiencies, net income, longevity, and lifetime profit;
· Optimizing the genetic basis for improving animal health and/or enhancing product quality;
· Enhancing environmental impact associated with Jerseys;
· New technologies for safe and sustainable food production from Jersey cattle; and
· Feasibility of adding value and increasing consumer acceptance of Jersey-derived products through enhanced product quality and branding.
Application deadline is Wednesday, December 1, 2010. The Research Advisory Committee of the American Jersey Cattle Association will evaluate the proposals, then forward its recommendations to the AJCA Board of Directors, which will award funds at its meeting in March 2011.
Submissions are evaluated for (a) merit (e.g., potential to advance practical knowledge, creative approach to the problem); (b) competence (i.e., high probability of successful completion within the proposed time frame); and (c) relevance (e.g., problem derived from one of the areas of research priority).
Detailed information about the Competitive Grants Program can be found online.
Posted: October 25, 2010 at 1:04 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that final Phase III payments under the Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment (DELAP) program began the week of Oct. 12, 2010. The program is funded by $290 million from the 2010 Agricultural Appropriations Bill to provide loss assistance payments to eligible dairy producers.
“We know that dairy producers have been experiencing difficult economic circumstances, but with this assistance, producers have been able to offset a portion of their financial losses,” said Vilsack.
Payments to eligible DELAP program producers were issued in three payment phases. Phase I payments were issued in mid-December 2009 to eligible dairy producers with production records from previous participation in dairy programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Dairy producers who did not have production records at the FSA county office but submitted a request for DELAP benefits before the application deadline of Jan. 19, 2010, were issued payments in Phase II beginning June 18, 2010.
DELAP Phase III will be disbursed to eligible dairy producers that received DELAP benefits under Phase I or Phase II.
Of the $290 million budgeted for DELAP, a total of $273 million was dispersed to eligible dairy producers under DELAP Phase I and Phase II. The remaining $17 million minus a reserve established by FSA will be dispersed during Phase III.
Posted: October 22, 2010 at 7:48 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted two requests from Dairy Farmers of America, one request from Land O’Lakes, and one request from Foremost Farms for assistance in selling a total of 630 metric tons (1,388,912 pounds) of Cheddar and Gouda cheese to customers in the Middle East. The product will be delivered October 2010 through December 2010.
Since CWT reactivated the Export Assistance program in March 18, 2010, it has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheese totaling 23,524 metric tons (51.9 million pounds) to 23 countries on four continents. In addition, sales of butter and anhydrous milkfat totaling 14,968 metric tons (33.0 million pounds) have been made to nine countries on three continents.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term and in the long-term by helping member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products.
CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.
Posted: October 21, 2010 at 3:11 pm
By News Editor
Does your school coach encourage you to include chocolate milk in your post-workout? Nominate them today for the chance to win a $1,000 grant!
Lowfat chocolate milk can help rebuild, replenish and rehydrate your body after a strenuous practice or game. Does your coach make chocolate milk part of your team’s winning game plan? If so, nominate him/her for a chance to win one of ten $1,000 Refuel Grants between August 11th and November 1st.
If you’re coach is selected, your school will win a Refuel Rally that includes a check presentation and some serious chocolate milk sampling!
Posted: October 21, 2010 at 2:56 pm
By News Editor
Are you a college student with an interest in Pennsylvania’s dairy industry? Then the internships offered by the Pa. Center for Dairy Excellence, based in Harrisburg, Pa. may interest you. Internship opportunities exist for the spring and summer of 2011.
The center is a non-profit organization launched in 2004 to enhance the profitability of dairy in the commonwealth. An initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the center provides coordination of Pennsylvania Dairy Task Force initiatives, working closely with allied trade and industry organizations.
Interns will provide assistance and support for the Center for Dairy Excellence in meeting goals identified by the center’s board of directors and by the Pennsylvania Dairy Task Force. Applicants should have strong communications and interpersonal skills and be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite programs. Extensive knowledge and understanding of the dairy industry is also preferred.
Interested applicants should contact John Frey, executive director for the center, at 717-346-0949 or c-jfrey@state.pa.us.
Posted: October 20, 2010 at 6:56 pm
By News Editor
Cheese, six different delicious types, will be the showcase of Domino’s Pizza newest addition to its line-up.
The Wisconsin 6 Cheese is the first extension to the American Legends specialty pizza line, which showcases iconic tastes from across the country. The pie features tomato sauce and a blend of six cheeses: mozzarella, feta, provolone, cheddar, parmesan and asiago, according to a company statement.
As with last fall’s pizza overhaul, the new product also will usher in new TV spots. The national advertising campaign, which began Oct. 13, aims to show consumers the true source of the 100 percent real cheeses used on all Domino’s Pizza products.
Shot on location in Blanchardville, Wis., the campaign focuses on the source of Domino’s cheese – America’s dairy farms. In the spots, real consumers thinking they are attending a focus group are shocked when the “office building” walls collapse, revealing they are actually in the middle of a dairy farm. The campaign will include a social media component and an interactive site called “Behind the Pizza.
McIntyre said the introduction of the Wisconsin 6 Cheese pizza is focused on two things: First, the company wanted to add to its popular American Legends line of premium pizzas. Second, the product is being launched as part of Domino’s partnership with Dairy Management Inc., the association that represents America’s dairy farmers.
“This is one way that we can support dairy farms across the country: by selling a pizza featuring an abundance of their products,” he said. “We think that’s a good thing.”
Source: Pizza Marketplace.com
Photo Source: The Washington Post – Photo provided by Domino’s Pizza Inc. (AP Photo/Domino’s Pizza Inc.) NO SALES (AP)
Posted: October 19, 2010 at 7:43 pm
By News Editor
The finest Registered Jerseys™ will take center stage when The 58th All American Jersey Show & Sale returns to the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky., November 6 to 8.
The All American Junior Jersey Show is scheduled for Saturday, November 6. Craig Padgett, Waynesburg, Ky., is the judge with Dale Turner of Danville, Ky., serving as his consultant. This is one of the richest junior shows in the world with nearly $14,000 awarded to exhibitors.
The 57th National Jersey Jug Futurity on Sunday, November 7 offers an estimated $11,000 in premiums. It will be judged by Robert Jarrell, Corbyville, Ontario. His consultant will be Michael Hurst, Waynesville, Ohio.
The open division of The All American Jersey Show is set to take place on November 8 and will be judged by Hank VanExel, Lodi, Calif. His consultant will be Tom McCauley, Lowell, Mich.
The first and second place entries in each class of all shows will be named the All American and Reserve All American winners for 2010 by the American Jersey Cattle Association.
The shows will be streamed live from Freedom Hall via webcast from the NAILE website at www.livestockexpo.org.
Two sales, both managed by Jersey Marketing Service of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, will also occur that same weekend.
The 58th All American Jersey Sale, the premier showcase for Registered Jersey™ genetics in the United States, will offer 80 lots on the evening of Sunday, November 7.
A total of 35 Registered Jersey™ heifers—all genomically tested—will be offered to youth between seven and 20 years of age in the 53rd Pot O’Gold Sale. Cow’s Match® Jersey Blend is the Presenting Sponsor of this sale on Saturday, November 6.
Posted: October 19, 2010 at 7:32 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) for been recognized by the National Dairy Shrine with the newly established Cornerstone Award for industry support.
National Dairy Shrine — an American dairying group that promotes the dairy industry and records its history in the Dairy Hall of Fame — honored DFA during its annual banquet held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo.
“The Cornerstone Award recognition is a great honor for DFA,” said David Darr, DFA vice president of sustainability and public affairs, who attended the banquet and serves as a National Dairy Shrine board member. “We believe strongly in investing in the future of the dairy industry. This is reflected in our ongoing support of National Dairy Shrine and the students who participate in collegiate judging contests at World Dairy Expo each year.”
National Dairy Shrine representatives also presented more than $40,000 in scholarship awards to two- and four-year college students who are interested in pursuing a career within the dairy industry.
Here’s a little social media marketing for you. It’s Yeo Valley Group’s rap video to promote their products. How many of you agribusiness companies are brave enough to try it? Thanks to Lindsay at Corn Scoops for the heads up.
I really like the name of their YouTube channel which is Yeotube.
Posted: October 18, 2010 at 7:59 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted five requests from Dairy Farmers of America and one request from Land O’Lakes for assistance in selling a total of 1,226 metric tons (2,702,868 pounds) of American cheese to customers in the Middle East and Asia. The product will be delivered October 2010 through April 2011.
Since CWT reactivated the Export Assistance program in March 18, 2010, it has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheese totaling 22,894 metric tons (50.5 million pounds) to 23 countries on four continents. In addition, sales of butter and anhydrous milkfat totaling 14,968 metric tons (33.0 million pounds) have been made to nine countries on three continents.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term and in the long-term by helping member cooperatives to gain and maintain market share thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products.
CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.
Posted: October 18, 2010 at 11:35 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
It has been a busy year for Novus International when it comes to acquisitions in the ruminant market.
“In February, we acquired the animal nutrition division of Albion, which brought us a second line of minerals that we can sell to the dairy and beef market,” said Ruminant Sales Manager Gary Winter during an interview at World Dairy Expo. “More recently, we acquired IQF, which is primarily in Spain and Mexico, but it does have some products that will apply into the dairy and beef industry in the U.S. as well.”
Posted: October 15, 2010 at 5:15 pm
By News Editor
Looking for a new cookie recipe to try this weekend? Do you like peanut butter and bacon? Then this is your recipe! Thank you to the Wisconsin Cheese website for posting this great combination!
Peanut Brittle Bacon Cookies
Servings: 4 dozen
Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup peanut brittle, cracked into 1/4-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups bacon, crisply cooked and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
Cooking Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Mix in eggs, one at a time. Add peanut butter and mix until incorporated.
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, salt and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients one cup at a time to the butter mixture, scraping the bowl as needed. Stir in peanut brittle and bacon.
Roll dough into 1/2-inch balls and place on parchment-lined cookie sheets. Flatten each cookie with the palm of your hand to about 1-inch in diameter. Bake about 15 minutes or until the edges begin to lightly brown. Remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
Posted: October 15, 2010 at 5:08 pm
By News Editor
More than 60 representatives from more than 20 national food and agricultural organizations today agreed to incorporate a U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) to focus on working together to enhance U.S. consumer trust in modern food production that ensures the abundance of affordable, safe food.
“Today represents a start toward a unified voice for U.S. agriculture,” says Rick Tolman, chief executive officer of the National Corn Growers Association and chair of the USFRA Steering Committee. “While the results of today’s organizational meeting represent the culmination of six months of planning, it is only the beginning of a process designed to create a coordinated effort by and on behalf of U.S. farmers and ranchers. Several participants have stepped forward to officially join the Alliance. Others need to return to their boards to determine whether they will join.”
Listen to an interview with Rick Tolman about the new alliance: Rick Tolman Interview
USFRA plans to incorporate this week. Organizations have been asked to respond about affiliation no later than Nov. 1. After that date, a board of directors will be established and will elect an executive committee.
Members of the USFRA Board, its executive committee and its affiliated organizations will be announced formally in mid-November.
Source: Dairy Herd Management; U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance
Posted: October 15, 2010 at 1:06 pm
By News Editor
BASF Plant Science has established the “Michael F. Hutjens BASF Graduate Student Travel Awards” scholarship fund with a $2,000 donation to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Animal Sciences. The fund recognizes retiring professor Dr. Michael Hutjens for his contributions to the dairy industry.
The “Michael F. Hutjens BASF Graduate Student Travel Awards” fund will grant $500 travel scholarships to exceptional graduate students, two each in 2011 and 2012, whose research and career interests are in dairy cattle nutrition and management. The funds will cover travel and other expenses associated with attendance at the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) meetings.
“We are pleased to support dedicated students in the University of Illinois Department of Animal Sciences and demonstrate our appreciation of Dr. Hutjens’ service to the dairy industry. The scholarships will allow Dr. Hutjens’ contributions to continue to grow even after his retirement.”
Dr. Hutjens, professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008 American Dairy Science Fellow and 2008 World Dairy Expo Industry Person of the Year, has provided significant developments in dairy nutrition and research. In his 2010 World Dairy Expo seminar, Dr. Hutjens discussed strategies for evaluating forage inputs, building rations for optimal performance in high-producing cows, and determining nutrient levels and forms.
Posted: October 15, 2010 at 1:00 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Scott Munes the new Business Development Manager for Dairy Business Milk Marketing Cooperative (DBMMC).
DBMMC is a newly formed cooperative which recently received qualification from the USDA that recognizes them as a bargaining (testing) cooperative.
In his new position, Scott will direct member recruitment and retention within the cooperative promoting efforts within the state of Wisconsin and nationwide. Munes will help formulate and execute a business development program and will contact current and prospective DBMMC farmer members to coordinate and execute membership.
Prior to joining DBMMC, Scott worked for Accelerated Genetics. With over ten years of sales and service in the AI Industry, he also has three years herd experience and two years experience within the biotechnology/ pharmaceutical industry. Munes earned a Dairy Science Degree from University of Wisconsin in Madison and currently resides in Sun Prairie, Wis. He has a passion for dairy cattle genetics, owns registered Holsteins and hopes someday to be able to market them.
Source: Dairy Business Milk Marketing Cooperative
During most of Monday I’ll be on the agriblogging highway to Lexington, KY for the Alltech Global Dairy 500. The theme is “Sustainability in a Changing World.” The program has been so successful that this year they’ve added a “Global Beef 500″ as well!
Agriculture Secretary 
Finally finished the last post from the 2010 World Dairy Expo today – here are some of the highlights, in case you missed it.
It has been a busy year for 
