I’m borrowing from the Alltech blog, Innovations, here. They produced a short video to answer a question very important to dairy farmers. How would you answer the question?
What is the most important thing for a dairy farmer to consider with regard to economic sustainability?
Sustainability means many things to many people. Geoff Frank is CEO of Improcrop, an Alltech Regional Sales Manager and a dairy farmer. I asked Geoff to describe the most important issue for dairy farmers as the industry strives for economic sustainability.
I think the comment I’ve heard most often at the Alltech Global 500 is how important and rewarding the interaction with other dairy and beef producers from around the world is. We’ve got 29 countries represented here. One of our international visitors that I met today was George Strang, Scotland.
George is a dairy farmer with 250 cows and it’s a family run farm. He actually won an Alltech competition and the prize was this trip. He’s loving his first visit to the USA. He admits that he hasn’t embraced technology as much as he should so he’s planning on getting a Facebook account to help keep in touch with other farmers he’s met here. He says he has found that farmers face the same kinds of challenges regardless of what country they are from. However, he says his country is one of the few that doesn’t grow corn so he’s hoping some varieties will be created that can be grown in Scotland.
Posted: November 3, 2010 at 11:35 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
Novus International’s Green Acres Farm is the place to be this Saturday when they hold a ribbon cutting at the facility in Montgomery City, Missouri. The ceremony will be followed by a Fall Festival with food, entertainment and fun activities for the whole family.
The research farm, located about an hour or so from Novus global headquarters in St. Charles, has been under development for over a year. Novus purchased and renovated the 15 acre farm to serve as a multi-functional facility that will allow for research on swine, poultry, ruminants and equine. During a tour of the facility in April, Novus’ manager of product research Skip Hampton said the goal of the farm is to do real world research. “We’re trying to mimic things that are done in industry so it’s comparing apples to apples, to make sure that what’s relevant here is relevant in the industry.”
The Ribbon Cutting and Fall Festival will be held this Saturday from noon to 4 pm.
At the Alltech Global 500 feeding efficiency was the subject of a presentation by Mike Hutjens, University of Illinois. He says that to survive we’re going to have to become more feed efficient and since feed can make up half the cost of producing milk it’s very important. He says that with corn getting to $6/bushel we’re going to have to look at more forage in the diet. That means a closer look at the nutrition plan to control variation. He uses a term, “precision feeding” which he says is “everyday delivering the same ration, if it’s higher in forages it means you have to take that variation out based on variety selections and types of forages you’re feeding.”
This year’s Alltech Global 500 includes a full program for beef producers. As we’ve said many times before, if you’re in the dairy business, you’re in the beef business. So, I spoke with one of the beef farmers here, Charles Miller. He’s a Kentucky cattleman so he didn’t have as far to go as many who are here from 29 different countries.
Charles says he’s an Alltech customer and he’s glad to see the company placing a greater emphasis on beef lately and here at this conference. He sees the interaction with international farmers as a great opportunity. He says that one of the most interesting things he has seen and learned so far is the importance and perspective on social media. He said, “As we go forward as an industry, if we fail to utilize that tool to our best advantage we’re going to be left behind.”
This video is what set the stage for the Alltech Global 500. We’re talking innovation, sustainability, risk management, feeding efficiency and much more.
Posted: November 2, 2010 at 5:50 pm
By News Editor
Houston-based Castro Cheese Company, Inc. has been acquired by Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA). Castro Cheese is a highly respected Hispanic cheese brand.
Castro Cheese owns the La Vaquita brand product line, which includes Queso Fresco, Panela, Queso Quesadilla and other artisanal cheeses commonly used in Hispanic dishes. La Vaquita is a strong national brand in the Hispanic cheese market with a wide variety of customer channels.
“DFA is well positioned to support the continued growth and profitability of Castro Cheese and its La Vaquita branded products,” said John Stephens, chief operating officer for the Consumer Brands Division of DFA’s Global Dairy Products Group (GDPG). “La Vaquita is an established national brand with a reputation for quality that complements DFA’s dairy farmer ownership, and the farm-based heritage of many of its cheese and butter brands.”
The acquisition aligns with DFA’s overall growth strategy of expanding its commercial businesses and brands portfolio for GDPG. Castro Cheese will become a wholly owned subsidiary of DFA and will operate as a separate business unit within the GDPG Consumer Brands Division.
DFA will retain the company’s current 72 employees, who will continue to be led by Alberto Bandera, the current operating executive.
“Our new relationship with DFA is an exciting new chapter in our history,” said Alberto Bandera, operating officer for Castro Cheese. “For nearly four decades, our focus on quality has earned a strong following, and we’re looking forward to developing the La Vaquita brand with a farmer-owned cooperative that shares our commitment to superior dairy products.”
The authentic Latin flavor offered by the La Vaquita product line makes it the second largest Hispanic cheese brand in the nation, available at popular retailers such as H.E.B., Walmart, Fiesta Mart, Kroger and CostCo.
Posted: November 2, 2010 at 5:47 pm
By News Editor
Attention Holstein Association USA members! Mark your calendars now for your upcoming regional member meeting.
These sessions are an ideal forum to get updated on Association activities and programs, and provide an excellent opportunity for members to give their elected directors and Holstein Association USA staff input. Following are the dates and locations for 2010-2011 regional member meetings:
Region 1: Brattleboro, Vt.
December 2, 2010
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Holstein Association USA headquarters
RSVP by 11/29/10 to Kelli Dunklee at kdunklee@holstein.com
Region 8: Grand Ronde, Ore.
December 4, 2010
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Spirit Mountain Casino
In conjunction with the Oregon Holstein Convention
Region 4: Staunton, Va.
December 10, 2010
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn Staunton Golf & Conference Center
In conjunction with the Virginia Holstein Convention
Region 9: Bass Lake, Calif.
January 28, 2011
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Pines Resort on Bass Lake
In conjunction with the California Holstein Convention
Region 7: Springfield, Mo.
January 28, 2011
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
University Plaza Hotel
In conjunction with the Missouri Holstein Convention
Region 3: Indianapolis, Ind.
January 29, 2011
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Park 100-NW Ag Complex
In conjunction with the Indiana Holstein Convention
Region 2: Scranton, Pa.
February 17, 2011
2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
In conjunction with the Pennsylvania Holstein Convention
Region 5: Beaver Dam, Wis.
February 18, 2011
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Best Western
In conjunction with the Wisconsin Holstein Convention
Region 6: Dubuque, Iowa
February 25, 2011
2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Holiday Inn
In conjunction with the Iowa Holstein Convention
A forward looking panel of experts spoke to the Alltech Global 500 today. Their topic, “Forecast 2025: A vision for the future.” Now that’s not an easy task!
I spoke with one of the panelists, Mandi McLeod, Dunvegan Farms, Ltd, New Zealand. Mandi says the future is about doing what you do well and focusing on the resources you have, in fact, “use them to the absolute maximum.” She says that you have to make sure your profits and people are sustainable and that profits come before production. She was very clear that by 2025 she hopes there will be no subsidies. I asked her what sustainability means to her. She provides a very common sense definition. Too bad there are so many that aren’t! She says farmers here are curious about prices and controls and how to become more profitable.
The first dairy breakout session at the Alltech Global 500 focused on “Value Added Dairying: The Future of Sustainability.” Our presenter was Jim Ostrom, Rosendale Dairy, USA. I missed the opportunity to interview Jim but spoke with session moderator, Steve Elliott, Alltech. Steve is the global director for the company’s organic minerals division. He says that Jim addressed sustainability in his dairy of about 16,000 cows taking into account his local community. After the presentation Steve moderated a question and answer session where the questions focused on how he relates to his community and his workers since half of them are multi-cultural.
Steve says the appeal of this conference is the ability to network with people from all over the world. It’s an opportunity to find out what is similar and not similar in other parts of the world. He says there are attendees here from more than 20 countries!
Let’s just say that social media has been very, very good to ZimmComm New Media, publishers of World Dairy Diary. It is also the hottest topic in agricultural communications of the last year. At the Alltech Global 500 it was also a key topic during our morning general session.
I joined Alltech’s, Billy Frey, on stage to present what social media is and encourage and beef and dairy farmers to use these new channels of communications to help re-connect consumers with the farm and promote their own businesses. We used a series of slides and YouTube videos which I can’t show you but I did record our presentation. I said and will continue to say that dairy farmers seem to be some of the most engaged of any commodity group I know when it comes to social media.
Billy had some great quotes like the following:
Social media is the biggest revolution since the industrial revolution. It offers us new ways to stay informed and it can simplify information overload. It can fundamentally change agriculture if we use it.
We have a lot of great story tellers in our industry because we have the best story ever. Agriculture allowed civilization to develop. Before agriculture we were hunter gatherers. We have a great story to tell. We just have to tell it.
I can’t agree more. After our presentation a woman from France approached me to say that she “felt like I know you” since she is a regular visitor to World Dairy Diary. That kind of anecdotal evidence is great since it shows how truly connected we are globally thanks to social media.
Dr. Karl Dawson, Alltech, says he’s got the greatest job in the world since he heads up research for the company. That research, which now includes, nutrigenomics, is finding ways to improve animal and human health through nutrition. It’s fascinating to hear him discuss not only how the company is finding that its products improve animal health but from that work they’re now seeing applications in humans which will have an impact in the future on diseases like alzheimer’s and cancer!
During his presentation Dr. Dawson looks back on some of the accomplishments of Alltech and then takes a look forward so we get a glimpse of what the future will hold. I recorded Dr. Dawson’s Global 500 opening general session comments for you. Dr. Karl Dawson Presentation
Posted: November 2, 2010 at 10:08 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
Hopefully everyone reading this will be wearing one of these “I Voted” stickers by the end of today – well, assuming your polling place has them. Mine didn’t this morning and I was quite disappointed. It’s kind of like getting ashes on Ash Wednesday – wearing it is a reminder to others of what day it is.
Much is being made about this year’s election, with many calling it one of the most significant in our lifetime. Fact is, every election year is significant. Voting is the single most important act we can perform as citizens of a free country.
The Alltech Global 500 is underway at the Lexington Convention Center. Welcoming us was Geoff Frank (pictured) once again.
I caught up to Geoff after our morning session. He is Managing Director for Improcrop, a division of Alltech. They have over 20 products to deal with a range of crop and foliar applications. Geoff says this is the 3rd year for the Global 500 which has been expanded this year to include beef farmers in addition to dairy. He says that it’s interesting how these farmers come from countries all over the world and then find that they share common challenges. The conference provides a good forum for them to discuss and share ideas. You can listen to my interview with Geoff here: Interview with Geoff Frank
Cotton Incorporated is asking dairy producers to get creative with their video cameras.
A free truckload of whole cottonseed is just one of the prizes dairy producers will have a chance to win by participating in Cotton Incorporated’s new video contest, dubbed “Innovative on-farm storage solutions for cottonseed.” Launching November 1, the contest invites dairy producers to grab their cameras and show off their cottonseed storage savvy.
While fun at heart, the video contest was created with purpose: to educate fellow dairy producers about innovative and cost-effective storage solutions for the feedstuff, supplies for which are forecast to double in 2010-11. The contest will live on Cotton Incorporated’s recently launched website, www.wholecottonseed.com. The new website and contest coexist to engage progressive dairy producers with whole fuzzy cottonseed in a new and interactive way.
The video contest entry requires dairy producers to demonstrate in three minutes or less an innovative storage solution for cottonseed. Entries must be submitted at www.wholecottonseed.com/contest by December 10, 2010. Cotton Incorporated will select the top five videos, based on the following criteria weighed at 25 percent each: originality, maintenance of seed quality, economic feasibility and presentation (clarity of message, creative, professional delivery). The five finalists will receive a $500 Visa® gift card and a Kodak® flip camera and digital picture frame. The public will subsequently have the opportunity to vote and elect the winning video. The recipient of the grand prize shall receive a free truckload of cottonseed worth approximately $5,000.
Posted: November 1, 2010 at 7:33 pm
By News Editor
Members of Cooperatives Working Together (CWT), the dairy farmer-funded self-help program, have voted to focus the seven year-old program exclusively on building export markets after 2010.
At the annual meeting of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) – which manages CWT – CWT’s management committee determined that an export-centered program was the most appropriate course to follow in the future. This means that CWT will no longer fund any herd retirement rounds, through which CWT member farms are paid to reduce their herds. CWT conducted its 10th and final herd retirement this past summer.
“CWT has undergone several shifts in how it has been operated since it started in 2003,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. “The decision to drop the herd retirement program, but to maintain the basic structure of CWT with an exclusive focus on helping sell U.S.-made dairy products in foreign markets, allows CWT to continue making positive contributions to dairy farmers’ bottom lines.”
NMPF’s Board of Directors voted Tuesday to support a CWT program that will be funded at two cents per hundredweight, starting Jan. 1, 2011, and running through 2012 (the program currently collects 10 cents/cwt. on its members’ milk volume). Members also determined this week that 75% of the nation’s milk supply must be contributing at that level in order for the program to continue. They also voted to take the remaining funds not allocated so far in 2010, and shift those to the export assistance program in 2011.
A presentation by Dr. Scott Brown of the University of Missouri showed that the Export Assistance program has provided an excellent return on investment. For every one dollar spent assisting CWT member cooperatives in making export sales, U.S. dairy farmers received $15.53 in additional revenue. CWT’s export activity in 2010 has returned 18 cents per hundredweight, according to Brown’s analysis.
“The analysis shows that refocusing CWT’s efforts to maintaining U.S. participation in export markets will positively impact U.S. dairy producer margins,” said Kozak. “While reducing the milk supply through herd retirements has positively impacted producer prices, utilizing funds going forward in the export assistance program will allow CWT to respond more positively and more quickly to market conditions that can negatively impact producer margins.”
Kozak said that the membership commitment will be 24 months for both cooperatives and individual dairy farmers. This will allow CWT to develop an export assistance strategic plan as to how and when to best utilize the funds committed, he noted.
Posted: November 1, 2010 at 7:23 pm
By News Editor
Nearly 1,000 dairy producers and industry representatives gathered last week in Reno, Nevada at their joint annual meeting, where they learned more about the success of dairy checkoff partnerships in driving sales of milk and dairy products. Brian Baxter has more on the powerful partnerships the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) has formed with McDonald’s and Domino’s.
Today’s national dairy checkoff program is helping lead the industry on a “path to prosperity” through strategies that work with and through the industry to grow sales, both the long and short and long term. Strategic partnerships are key to the dairy checkoff’s success, according to Bill Siebenborn, Missouri dairy producer and chair of UDIA, the federation of 20 state and regional dairy promotion organizations that work to implement a consistent, unified marketing plan to build sales across the country.
“The checkoff’s dramatic change in course several years ago through strategic partnerships has directly led to our successes today,” Siebenborn said. “Over the past 12 months, these partnerships have resulted in more than one billion additional pounds of milk sold.”
The dairy checkoff has three key core criteria in determining partners:
· Companies whose strategies have shared vision and goals with dairy producers
· Companies whose actions can lead to long-term sales growth across an entire category, not just for a specific brand for a specific period of time
· Companies that are industry leaders – and whom other brands and companies will follow, leading to increased sales
Both McDonald’s® and Domino’s Pizza® fit these criteria, Siebenborn noted.
“As producers, we benefit from industry resources that build on our checkoff investment to grow sales. Consider that for every dollar that producers invest, our partners contribute more than six dollars,” he said.
Through Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), which manages the national dairy checkoff through funding from UDIA and NDB, producers can form partnerships and bring in additional resources, Siebenborn said. “Through our state and regional dairy promotion organizations, we bring the local connections and relationships that are crucial to implementing programs,” he said.
We’ve known it as the Alltech Global Dairy 500 and this year they’ve added Beef! Now that just makes sense. So, we’ll just call it the Alltech Global 500 to make it simple.
We kicked off this fall’s conference with a Kentucky Ale reception this evening and things get into high gear tomorrow with a general session on which I’ll be participating in a presentation on social media which will include a look at World Dairy Diary. If you’re on Twitter then feel free to send us a message using the hashtag #Global500. If you don’t know what that means then post a comment and I’ll explain.
During the next several days I’ll be featuring interviews and photos from the conference. In fact, you can find my photo album here: Alltech Global 500 Photo Album.
Posted: November 1, 2010 at 7:12 pm
By News Editor
The Joint Annual Meeting of National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) and the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) recently wrapped up their fall meeting. The meeting’s theme was “Creating a Path to Prosperity” and was held October 26 – 28 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. Dairy producers, member cooperatives, Young Cooperators (YCs), industry representatives, staff, and others from all over the country arrived for a few days of speeches, reports, banquets, general sessions, town hall meetings, and award ceremonies.
One of the highlights of the meeting was Former NFL star and Fox Sports commentator Howie Long. Long served as the keynote luncheon speaker Wednesday. And, over the past year, the NFL partnership with dairy producers has grown stronger, as Brian Baxter reports. Listen in as dairy farmer and National Dairy Board Chair, Paul Meabon, explains the Fuel Up to Play 60 program.
“Schools are incredibly important to the dairy industry,” said Paula Meabon, Pennsylvania dairy producer and NDB chair. “We aim to sell more dairy in schools and also to reach 100 percent of our future customers.”
The checkoff’s Fuel Up to Play 60 program helps protect and promote dairy’s place in schools. Fuel Up to Play 60 is an unprecedented, in-school program that works to combat childhood obesity through an integrated approach that focus on good nutrition – including dairy – and physical activity. The program help protect sales by building a positive image of dairy through education and information to 55 million school children, 180 days a year.
“What’s good for childhood nutrition is good for dairy,” Meabon said. Fuel Up to Play 60 promotes dairy’s place in schools by providing the best possible dairy experience in the cafeteria and beyond, not just the school lunch line, but also at breakfast, snacking and after-school activities, she said.
“Partners are critical to our success. We cannot do it alone,” Meabon said.
To that end, the dairy checkoff is working with high-level partners in the business, government and nutrition world to activate Fuel Up to Play 60.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is a unique partnership between National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Meabon said. “NFL brings ‘star power’ and their experience regarding physical activity”, she said.
Other critical supporters of Fuel Up to Play 60 are core health and nutrition organizations – - including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dietetic Association and the School Nutrition Association – - as well as food and dairy companies.
Together, all of these organizations can offer incentives for students to make changes needed to create healthier schools, Meabon said.
Posted: November 1, 2010 at 6:50 pm
By News Editor
The Dairy Business Association is excited to announce their 11th Annual Business Conference entitled “Reaching New Heights…A Journey for Learning.” Make plans now to join more than 300 dairy industry friends and partners on Tuesday, November 30th and Wednesday, December 1st at The Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin.
This two-day event brings together dairy leaders ready to tackle the tough issues facing our industry. This year’s conference will cover timely topics ranging from the forthcoming immigration battle, OSHA’s proposed Wisconsin enforcement program, future livestock expansion in the state, and a segment on milk pricing offering insight on the US Farm Bill. Expert speakers and panelists will provide valuable insight to what the future holds for these topics…and much more. The registration fee is $175 with a special rate of $99 for dairy producers. All are welcome to attend.
The first day kicks off with an overview of the proposed H-2A Improvement Act S.3858 with Visas for dairy workers. Our action-packed first day continues with an expert panel of immigration attorney/experts taking the stage to answer your specific immigration questions. Panelists include Leon Sequeira from Seyforth Shaw in Washington DC, Jose Oliviera from Michael Best & Friedrich in Milwaukee, and Eric Straub from Straub Immigration in Milwaukee.
Rounding out the line-up for Tuesday’s afternoon is a one-stop training class on OSHA regulations, laws and analysis. DBA producer members Lee Jensen of Five Star Dairy, LLC and Roxanne Solum of Minglewood, Inc. will share their firsthand experience when OSHA and the Dept. of Labor came knocking at their door. Jeff Carter (Loss Control Program Director for WI AgriService Association) will show insight on OSHA requirements for dairy operations and Chuck Palmer from Michael Best & Friedrich in Waukesha will offer expertise to help protect you should OSHA come knocking at your door.
The evening speaker will be Wall Street’s own Stephen Moore to once again provide an insider’s look at the nation’s economic situation. A year after the health care law passed, Moore will share how it will impact you.
David Crass from Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP in Madison starts out Day Two with an update on the 8+ years’ case of Larson Acres. Conference attendees will hear how this Supreme Court case will set the course for all future livestock expansion in Wisconsin.
We conclude our conference with Ben Yale (Senior Partner of Yale Law Office in Waynesfield, Ohio and nationally recognized as an expert on dairy law, regulation and policy) will discuss the US Farm Bill, the primary Ag policy tool of the Federal Government.
Hopefully everyone reading this will be wearing one of these “I Voted” stickers by the end of today – well, assuming your polling place has them. Mine didn’t this morning and I was quite disappointed. It’s kind of like getting ashes on Ash Wednesday – wearing it is a reminder to others of what day it is. 
