Posted: December 31, 2010 at 3:31 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
Compared to 2009, things were looking up for the dairy industry in 2010.
World Dairy Diary was on an upswing this year, with traffic increasing 35 percent to over 98,000 unique visitors. Our Twitter feed surpassed 1000 followers a few months ago and continues to grow. As of today, 1114 followers are watching tweets from WDD.
Our WDD reporters were busy in 2010, posting a total of 633 stories, including 79 with audio interviews or podcasts. The most popular podcasts of the year were Pioneer’s Forage Forum on Alfalfa Research and the Milking Parlor on NCBA Governance Changes
According to page views, the most popular stories of the year on World Dairy Diary were:
Dairy Producer Urges Congress to Address Estate Tax
Ever-Green-View New Production Record Holder
Meat Out Day Fall Out in Michigan
NY State Fair Unveils Butter Sculpture
2010 World Dairy Expo Recap
Thanks to our readers, our sponsors and clients, our freelancers and other friends for making 2010 great! Best wishes to all for a healthy, happy, prosperous and blessed 2011!
Posted: December 31, 2010 at 12:25 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
Today is the last day of 2010 and the last chance to enter and win $250 in the ZimmComm web pub survey contest this month.
If you read World Dairy Diary and want to have a voice in what we cover here in 2011, fill out our survey today. After the ball drops in Time Square tonight, we’ll be taking the names of everyone who has filled out an on-line survey in the past two months and putting them all in the hat to draw one winner for the month of December. Everyone, that is, except our lucky winner from last month Jamie Wilson with the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan. She already got her $250.
Right now you have about a 1-500 chance of winning – not bad odds at all. Start out the new year right – with an extra $250 in your pocket – or at least the satisfaction of helping to make World Dairy Diary the best dairy industry news source it can be!
World Dairy Diary survey link
Posted: December 30, 2010 at 8:54 pm
By News Editor
Accelerated Genetics invites dairy farmers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois to the 2011 Young Producer Winter Get-Away themed ‘YPCC Rodeo Finals’, January 29-30 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
This weekend get-away is designed for producers and herdspeople–individuals, couples and families. It is a great way to get rid of the winter blahs, get off the farm to spend time enjoying life, learn something new and stay warm inside with fellow producers. For this year’s theme ‘YPCC Rodeo Finals’ everyone is to dress up for Saturday’s dinner in Cowgirl/Cowboy or Rodeo Clown wear. Prizes will be awarded for Best Dressed during dinner Saturday night!
Besides relaxing during the weekend, adults can attend educational sessions one of them will feature Corey Geigor of Hoard’s Dairyman. He will be about ‘Top 10 Issues Facing the Dairy Industry’. Youth will be able to check out the Kalahari’s NEW Indoor Theme Park and get involved in fun indoor activities. On Sunday there is an adult and youth combined break out sessions on General Farm Safety. Individual sessions will be held on: Liquid & Barn Hazards; Big Equipment Hazards; Safety Around Farm Animals; and Basic First Aid. There will also be plenty of time for everyone to network and enjoy the waterpark. Closing out the Winter Get-Away this year are the Rodeo Final Olympics that producers won’t want to miss.
Accelerated Genetics thinks all producers deserve an opportunity to sit back, spend time with others and enjoy time away from the farm business at the 2011 Winter Get-Away.
Reservations are needed by January 4, 2011! For more information about the Winter-Get Away and to register call 1-800-451-9275 ext. 5422 or email kstanek@accelgen.com. All meals, speakers and activities are paid for by Accelerated Genetics. The only cost is a hotel room at $139.00/night. (This includes wristbands for entry into the waterpark for four (4) people. Additional wristbands can be purchased for $20.00/person.)
The Accelerated Genetics Young Producer Program is open to any producer or herdsperson (individuals or couples), in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa or Illinois, who are interested in expanding their horizons, meeting other producers, and having fun doing it.
Source: Accelerated Genetics
Posted: December 30, 2010 at 8:38 pm
By News Editor
The Sacramento Bee and Phil Lempert, a food trends expert known as the “Supermarket Guru”, are predicting that milk will be a hot trend in 2011, in fact it made number 5 on their list!
The new year is just about here, and we’re looking at which food trends are in store for 2011. Some foodstuffs never seem to go out of style, like bacon being included in everything from ice cream to chocolate. What else can we look forward to in food for 2011? We asked national and local experts for their predictions, and provided a couple of The Bee’s own.
5. Milk
Got milk? Lempert predicts that more of us will start drinking milk regularly for dietary reasons.
“I’m predicting the rise of milk, not as flavored or sugar-added but plain old milk,” said Lempert. “It’s about really touting the whole aspect of vitamin D deficiency. People understand the solution isn’t to overdose on supplements, but getting those vitamins naturally from foods.”
1. Breakfast pizza
2. Humane foods
3. iPad wine lists
4. Cooking with locally sourced foods
5. Milk
6. Nostalgic ethnic foods
7. Food vacations
8. Locally sourced airport food
9. Goat
10. New soda sweeteners
Source: The Sacramento Bee
Posted: December 30, 2010 at 8:27 pm
By News Editor
January 15 is the deadline to apply for the Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.’s (DFA) annual DFA Cares Scholarship program.
Since the program’s inception, DFA has awarded 28 scholarships totaling $42,000. Currently in its fourth year, the program is open to students planning a career in dairy, either as a producer or in numerous related fields, such as veterinary medicine or dairy nutrition.
“Encouraging promising students who intend to bring their skills and passion to dairy is an important investment in the future,” said David Darr, vice president of sustainability and public affairs, who oversees the DFA Cares Scholarship. “Rewarding these students for their hard work is one way we can ensure that we continue to bring young people into the industry.”
Any dairy-oriented student enrolled in a two- or four-year accredited college, university or trade school is eligible to apply for the scholarship. The program is open to high school seniors and post graduates, as well.
Award recipients will be selected based on their commitment and passion to a career in the dairy industry, extracurricular activity involvement, academic achievements, prior work experience and financial need. Applicants must include two letters of recommendation and their most recent high school or college transcript.
Source: Dairy Farmers of America
Posted: December 30, 2010 at 7:00 pm
By John Davis
Dairy farmers are moving to more sustainable operations, and Novus International, sponsor of this program, has opened a research farm that tests its products and ways to be sustainable.
In this edition of the Milking Parlor, we take a look at Green Acres, Novus’ research farm that uses several sustainable features, including collecting the wastewater and composting and a soon-to-be-operational solar array that will help provide power while Novus tests its products in a real-world environment. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 15-acre Green Acres, we talked with Novus CEO and President Thad Simons; manager of Product Services for Novus, Skip Hampton; and Missouri Director of Agriculture Jon Hagler about the facility, as well as catching up with Novus’ Director of Product Management Wendell Knehans, who explains Novus’ “triple bottom line” concept.
See photos from the event in our Flickr photo album.
It’s an interesting conversation, and you can hear more of what they have to say or download the podcast here:
Milking Parlor Podcast on Novus International's Green Acres farm
To subscribe to the Milking Parlor podcast, click here.
The Milking Parlor podcast is sponsored by:
Posted: December 29, 2010 at 9:23 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
Midwest Dairy Association has announced an “organizational realignment” to enable the checkoff organization to better meet the needs of the dairy industry in the Midwest.
Under the new structure, Chuck Cruickshank has been named to serve as the new Senior Vice President of Industry Relations to the staff. The Industry Image and Relations program will be realigned into two program areas, including Industry Relations and the newly-created Integrated Communications. Cruickshank, who brings more than 35 years of agricultural experience and was most recently with Dairy Management Inc., will be responsible for the organization’s producer and board relations strategies as well as implementing industry relations activities in Minnesota and acting as the lead relationship manager for a number of Midwest co-ops and other cheese and ingredient processors.
The Integrated Communications team, which will primarily be responsible for inspiring consumer confidence in dairy products and practices, will be led by Senior Vice President Donna Moenning, who brings with her 25 years of agricultural and communications experience, including five with Midwest Dairy.
In other changes, the organization has merged the Nutrition Affairs and School Nutrition programs to become the Health and Wellness Team led by Senior Vice President and registered dietitian Molly Pelzer, who has more than 26 years with the organization. Brenda Goldman, who joined the organization in March, has become the Vice President of Human Resources and Planning and will facilitate the strategic planning process. The Marketing Team will continue to be managed by Senior Vice President Kevin Stiles and Mike Kruger, who has been with Midwest Dairy for 25 years, remains as CEO.
Midwest Dairy represents more than 11,000 dairy producers, about 20 percent of all U.S. dairy operations. Midwest Dairy programs reach nearly 35 million consumers through marketing, promotion, nutrition education programs and public relations campaigns. Offices are located in St. Paul, Minnesota; Ankeny, Iowa; and Overland Park, Kansas.
Read more from Midwest Dairy here.
Posted: December 29, 2010 at 8:27 am
By Chuck
It looks like agriculture has a ways to go to change public perceptions according to our latest ZimmPoll. In answer to the question, “Do you think the general consumer perception of agriculture changed in 2010?” 43% say “No it didn’t really change,” while 30% say “Yes, it got worse,” and 27% said “Yes, it improved.” Where do you fall in those categories? That’s 73% of our respondents who think it didn’t change or got worse. Sounds like we really do need some campaigns to reach out to consumers doesn’t it?
The new poll is now live and the question is, “What do you think will have the biggest influence on ag in 2011?” There are no doubt many factors that will have an influence. We’ve picked a couple. When I post the results next week you can add any others you’d like to the discussion.
Remember, you can submit your questions for us to pose and add your feedback anytime by using the comment feature.
ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.
Posted: December 28, 2010 at 3:03 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted seven requests for export assistance from Darigold, Foremost Farms and Dairy Farmers of America to sell a total of 772 MT (1.702 million pounds) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese to customers in North Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The product will be delivered January 2011 through March 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 35,183 metric tons (77.6 million pounds) to 27 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.
Source: Cooperatives Working Together (CWT)
Posted: December 28, 2010 at 3:01 pm
By News Editor
Scientists have found that lactoferrin, a whey protein found in milk, could be an anticancer agent for breast cancer. Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein that has been reported to inhibit several other types of cancer.
According to a study that will be published in the January 2011 issue of the American Dairy Science Association’s Journal of Dairy Science, scientists in Portugal found that breast cancer cells treated with lactoferrin decreased the cancer cells’ viability by 47-54 percent and decreased the growth rates of the cancer cells by 40-64 percent.
“There is overwhelming evidence that biologically active food components are key environmental factors affecting the incidence of many chronic diseases,” says Lígia Raquel Rodrigues, author of the study. “However, because the full extent of such components in our diet isn’t known, nor is the understanding of their mechanisms of action, we undertook this study for a closer look.”
While additional studies will be needed to establish a clear role for lactoferrin as a potential tool in fighting breast cancer, the results from this study suggest that lactoferrin interferes with some of the most important steps involved in cancer growth.
Source: Dairy Herd Management; American Dairy Science Association
Posted: December 28, 2010 at 2:54 pm
By News Editor
Producer leaders of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) and the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) announce the following dairy producers as officers.
Current DMI officers:
Chair – Paul Rovey, Glendale, Ariz.
Vice Chair – James Ahlem, Hilmar, Calif.
Secretary – Paula Meabon, Wattsburg, Pa.
Treasurer – Sanford Stauffer, Nicholville, N.Y.
DMI, which manages the national dairy producer checkoff program, is funded by the NDB and the UDIA.
Current NDB officers:
Chair – Ryan Anglin, Bentonville, Ark.
Vice Chair – Stephen Maddox, Riverdale, Calif.
Secretary – Kenton Holle, Mandan, N.D.
Treasurer – Ron Koetsier, Visalia, Calif.
The 36-member NDB, formed in May 1984 under the authority of the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 and Dairy Promotion and Research Order, carries out coordinated promotion and research programs to help build demand and expand domestic and international markets for U.S.-produced dairy products and ingredients. NDB oversees the national dairy producer checkoff.
Current UDIA officers:
Chair – William Siebenborn, Trenton, Mo.
1st Vice Chair – Neil Hoff, Windthorst, Texas
2nd Vice Chair, American Dairy Association (ADA) Chairman – Billy Travis, Princeton, Ky.
2nd Vice Chair, National Dairy Council® (NDC) Chairman – Lester Hardesty, Greeley, Colo.
2nd Vice Chair, UDIA Member Relations – Paul Broering, St. Henry, Ohio
Secretary – Steve Frischknecht, Manti, Utah
Treasurer – Allen Merrill, Parker, S.D.
The UDIA is a federation of state and regional dairy producer-funded promotion organizations that provide marketing programs that are developed and implemented in coordination with its members. The UDIA is overseen by a board comprised of dairy producers elected by their respective boards of their member organizations.
Current ADA officers:
Chair – Billy Travis
Vice Chair – Jerrel Heatwole, Greenwood, Del.
Secretary – Earl Horning, Manchester, Mich.
Treasurer – John Larson, Okeechobee, Fla.
ADA, founded in 1940, is the domestic marketing arm of DMI.
Current NDC officers:
Chair – Lester Hardesty
Vice Chair – Bob Strasser, Nashville, Tenn.
Secretary – Joan Smith, Sauquoit, N.Y.
Treasurer – Lynn Ramsey, Emory, Texas
NDC, founded in 1915, is the producer-funded nutrition education and research arm of DMI and provides nutrition information through national, state and regional dairy council organizations.
Source: Dairy Management Inc.
Posted: December 27, 2010 at 9:34 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has announced that it has successfully reached an out-of-court settlement with the defendants in the civil action entitled Kessler v. Greenville Livestock, Inc., which was filed in the Circuit Court for St. Clair County, Illinois on September 1, 2010.
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), which manages CWT, had joined with Illinois dairy farmer Kevin Kessler, and Kessler Dairy Inc., as a plaintiff in the action. The dispute involved transactions related to CWT’s herd retirement program.
By agreement with defendants, the terms of the settlement will not be disclosed. However, all parties are satisfied that the settlement resolves the case fairly. Jerry Kozak, NMPF President and CEO, said: “We have always fully investigated every report involving allegations about the proper operation of Cooperatives Working Together, and we felt, in this situation, that we needed to take legal action. The settlement agreement we have made with the defendants preserves the integrity of the CWT program and protects dairy farmers’ investment in CWT.”
Kessler and National Milk Producers Federation were represented in this action by its outside general counsel, Kevin J. Brosch of DTB Associates, LLP, Washington D.C.,; James A. McGurk of Chicago, Illinois; and Russell K. Scott of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., Belleville, Illinois.
Source: Cooperatives Working Together (CWT)
Posted: December 27, 2010 at 9:32 pm
By News Editor
Today Northeast Dairy Farmers reached a settlement agreement with Dean Foods Company in their class action antitrust lawsuit against Dean, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and Dairy Marketing Services (DMS). The agreement will include $30 million in monetary damages and injunctive relief that calls for Dean to purchase a portion of its raw milk from multiple Northeast sources.
“This is a major win for dairy farmers in the Northeast who have been squeezed by monopolization and price-fixing,” said Benjamin Brown, an attorney at Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, PLLC, which represents the plaintiff dairy farmers. “We are pleased that Dean Foods is working with plaintiffs to put this practice behind them.”
DFA and DMS have been named in the suit for engaging in monopolization, price-fixing, and other anticompetitive conduct.
“The fact that Dean has agreed to purchase raw milk from multiple sources is a big step in the right direction,” said Robert Abrams of Howrey, LLP, which also represents the plaintiff dairy farmers. “What dairy farmers want is a choice between different bottlers. They have been living in a world that is monopolized and they pay the prices that are offered to them or they don’t sell milk. What we want is choice and competition.”
The next step is for the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont — where the lawsuit was filed inAugust 2009 — to grant preliminary approval of the settlement agreement. Notice will then go out to the estimated 5,000 to 10,000 Northeast dairy farmers who could be eligible to file a claim for monetary damages.
Abrams added, “We are pleased that a settlement with Dean has been reached and look forward to a timely court approval.”
Source: Northeast Dairy Farmers
Posted: December 25, 2010 at 1:00 am
By Chuck
Posted: December 22, 2010 at 11:02 am
By News Editor
Readers of World Dairy Diary, please be aware of the agenda of the Human Society of the United States (HSUS), and be sure to pass the message along to your friends.
A full-page ad from HumaneWatch.org, a watchdog project of the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), appeared in this Sunday’s New York Times, criticizing the recent claim of Wayne Pacelle, the President of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), that convicted dog abuser Michael Vick “would do a good job as a pet owner.” The ad condemns HSUS for supporting the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback’s ownership of dogs and urges all recurring HSUS donors to cancel their memberships and stop giving to the organization. The ad ran this past Sunday as the Eagles suited up against the Giants in the Meadowlands.
HumaneWatch.org points to the Eagles’ $50,000 donation to HSUS in 2010 as one possible motivation for Pacelle’s indefensible suggestion that Vick should be allowed to own more dogs. Despite the words “humane society” in its name, HSUS is not affiliated with local humane societies anywhere in America. It spends tens of millions every year supporting a staff of more than 700, lobbyists in all 50 states, and an $11 million executive pension plan. Yet during the past two years, HSUS shared less than 1 percent of its money with hands-on pet shelters.
“It’s absolutely shocking that the leader of America’s biggest animal rights group would side with a convicted dog fighting felon instead of with helpless pets,” said David Martosko, CCF’s Director of Research and the editor of HumaneWatch.org.
Within 24 hours of Michael Vick’s arrest for running a Virginia dog fighting ring, HSUS began raising money online to “care for the dogs seized” at Vick’s home. Wayne Pacelle later admitted to The New York Times that HSUS was not caring for the dogs. Pacelle also recommended that officials “put down” (kill) the animals. Despite HSUS’s wishes, most of those dogs have since been successfully rehabilitated.
The ad reads:
The Eagles wrote the Humane Society of the U.S. a GIANT check. Guess who now says Michael Vick can own a dog? The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has lost all credibility.
The Philadelphia Eagles made a $50,000 donation to HSUS this year. And now the animal rights group’s leader says Eagles’ quarterback Michael Vick should be allowed to own dogs again.
Michael Vick was a dog fighting kingpin. He went to federal prison for participating in the unbelievably cruel deaths of (at least) eight dogs. Encouraging him to own more animals makes as much sense as hiring a bank robber to be a security guard.
If you donate monthly to HSUS and you’re disgusted by the organization’s willingness to trade its principles for money, contact HSUS’s Membership Department at 1-866-720-2676 to cancel your pledge.
It’s critically important to support pet shelters in your own community, but HSUS isn’t affiliated with any real “humane societies.” Hands-on pet shelters typically share in less than 1% of the money HSUS raises.
Source: Dairy Herd Management
Posted: December 22, 2010 at 10:46 am
By News Editor
This is an interesting new study, and good news for dairy farmers. As consumers become even more time strapped, many are looking to dairy snack foods as a source of nutrition.
The international market for dairy snacks, such as cheese strings and yogurt tubes, grew by 7% in 2009 and is heading for a 6% rise this year. The first major study on this sector, by leading food and drink consultancy Zenith International, estimates total volume at 217,000 tonnes in 2010 across 26 countries in North America, Latin America, West Europe, East Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
Currently, the majority of dairy snack products are cheese-based and targeted at children. In some countries, however, manufacturers are increasingly looking at innovations for adults. Although many dairy snacks are designed to be eaten on the move, some recent launches have been designed for at-home snacking, reflecting continuing changes in consumer eating habits.
Of the total dairy snack volume identified in 2009, the US accounted for almost two-thirds. The UK was the second largest market, with other key countries including France, Canada, Germany and Japan. The most developed regions are North America, West Europe and Australasia, with Latin America and East Europe presenting the next opportunities for companies to be first to market.
The most successful dairy snack products have come from leading international players in the overall dairy market, who command brand recognition and marketing power. Key players and brands include Bel with Mini Babybel, Kraft with Dairylea, and Yoplait yogurt tubes. In countries where dairy snacks have been available for longer and are more established, retailer private labels have been introduced, but these have yet to make a material impact.
“Dairy snacks, although a relatively recent phenomenon, have firmly established themselves as an important segment within both the dairy market and the wider market for snacks,” commented Zenith Market Analyst Laura Knight. “As modern on-the-go lifestyles have left consumers time poor, many people are increasingly looking for a convenient snack that delivers on health and nutrition, also one that tastes good and provides a pleasurable eating experience. Dairy snacks are well placed to meet these consumer demands and manufacturers have begun to capitalise on the opportunity this presents.”
Although dairy snacks are undeveloped as a snack segment, compared to more traditional snacking foods such as crisps and bars, it is clear that there is considerable long term potential for the market and Zenith expects the market to reach over 260,000 tonnes by 2014.
Source: Australian Food News
Posted: December 22, 2010 at 10:37 am
By News Editor
Congratulations to the new elected and re-elected members of the Dairy Business Association (DBA) board of directors.
Two seats for dairy producers and one seat for a corporate member were up for election this year. John Pagel of Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy, LLC was re-elected, Mike Gerrits of Country Aire Farms, LLC was elected for the first time and Mike North, a corporate member with First Capitol Ag, was also re-elected. All will serve a three year term.
At the new board’s first meeting on December 8, 2010 the first order of business was the selection of officers. The results are as follows.
Jerry Meissner, Norm-E-Lane, Inc – President
John Pagel, Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy, LLC – Vice President
Greg Steele, AgStar Financial Services – Treasurer
Jen Keuning, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, Inc (CRA) – Secretary
Source: The Dairy Business Association
Posted: December 22, 2010 at 10:35 am
By News Editor
Even dairy farmers need to set resolutions for the new year – make your resolutions help to improve cow health and profitability on the dairy. Milk quality resolutions that can help you capture greater return from your milking herd.
“There is always room for improvement when it comes to milk quality, and small steps taken today can reap rewards tomorrow through increased production, higher premiums and reduced labor and treatment costs,” says Dr. Bradley Mills, DVM, senior veterinarian, Pfizer Animal Health Dairy Veterinary Operations. “In addition, progressing your mastitis management is part of doing what’s best for the health of your cattle and dairy operation.”
Like any resolution, milk quality improvement efforts must become a way of life for everyone on the dairy. Dr. Mills offers these milk quality resolutions to help advance your mastitis management programs and produce higher-quality milk.
Keep better culture records.
Strive for complete cure.
Pay more attention to your dry cows
Increase parlor routine consistency
Work more closely with your veterinarian
By establishing milk quality goals now, you can set yourself up for successful mastitis management throughout the coming year. Visit our website for more milk quality resolution ideas and ways to improve your milk quality in the new year.
Source: Pfizer Animal Health
Posted: December 22, 2010 at 9:23 am
By Chuck
Here are the results of our latest ZimmPoll. In answer to the question, “Do you participate in social media?” the majority say they do. According to the numbers, 53% say yes and they post regularly, 28% say yes but they rarely create their own posts, 27% say no and they never will and only 1% say no but plan to start participating soon. Thanks to all our poll takers. Quite a few more did in our second week!
It is possible, as has been pointed out to me, that our results might be skewed slightly since so much of this particular poll question is being seen by those who already participate in social media. I can see that. However, we have a lot of website visitors who I’m sure are not yet social media savvy.
The new poll is now live and the question is, “Do you think the general consumer perception of agriculture changed in 2010?” This should resonate since the whole topic of consumer perception of farming is so top of mind right now. In fact, it has given rise to new agricultural organization efforts like the USFRA and of course it is one of the goals of the AgChat Foundation to help consumers better understand where their food comes from and who is producing it and how. Can’t wait to see the results from this one!
ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.
Posted: December 21, 2010 at 4:33 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently got a pile of postcards from Dairy Farmers of America members stressing the importance of cooperatives.
Delivery of the cooperative message was made by DFA members Lee Ramsburg of Gettysburg, Pa., (left) and David Crowl of Street, Md., (center) following the last in the series of workshops conducted this year by the USDA and the Department of Justice on competition in agriculture. That final workshop was held December 8 in Washington, DC.
The two DFA representatives delivered thousands of postcards signed by DFA members expressing support for their cooperative and the Capper-Volstead Act, also known as the Co-operative Marketing Associations Act of 1922 which allowed exemptions from antitrust laws for agricultural cooperatives. They also presented Vilsack with a petition signed by DFA employees describing the importance of cooperatives to the dairy industry.
«Past Entries
