Posted: February 28, 2011 at 10:10 pm
By News Editor
Our condolences to the family of Stan Bennett, longtime president of Oakhurst Dairy, who died Wednesday. He was 64-years-old.
His family tells NEWS CENTER that he passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Bennett was most recently Chairman of the Board, CEO and Vice President of Strategic Planning at Oakhurst.
After receiving his law degree from the Boston University School of Law in 1972, Bennett began working for Oakhurst Dairy — the company founded by his grandfather.
By 1983, Bennett was president of the company, a job he would hold for 28 years. In 1999, after the passing of his father, Bennett became Chairman of the Board.
Bennett is survived by his three children and former wife as well as six brothers and sisters.
Full obituary here.
Source: WCSH6, Portland, ME
Posted: February 28, 2011 at 10:05 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Denise Athy of Visalia, Calif. on her new position with AgriTech Analytics (ATA) as a marketing representative.
In her role, Denise will be responsible for promoting and providing support for ATA sales and services to dairy producers, DHIA and other industry partners.
“Denise’s previous experience with ATA will make her a real asset to the organization, as she knows the customers and knows the system,” said ATA General Manager Bill ver Boort. “We are looking forward to having a fulltime person to promote ATA services on the farm, and Denise brings a lot of enthusiasm to the job.”
Athy obtained her B.S. from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo, were she studied agribusiness. Prior to accepting the ATA marketing representative position, Athy worked as a sales representative for the Wilbur-Ellis Company since 2007, and previously served as a dairy records processing technician with ATA from 2001 to 2007.
AgriTech Analytics is a certified Dairy Records Processing Center (DRPC) located in Visalia, Calif. ATA is the second largest DRPC, processing production records for over 900,000 cows monthly, and is owned by Holstein Association USA, Inc. Part of the U.S. DHIA System, ATA provides data to dairy producers for management, genetic improvement and pedigree purposes. For more information about ATA, visit www.agritech.com. Denise Athy may be reached at 559.827.3464 or dathy@agritech.com.
Source: AgriTech Analytics (ATA)
Posted: February 28, 2011 at 10:00 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted two requests for export assistance from Darigold to sell a total of 276 metric tons (0.608 million pounds) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese to customers in Asia. The product will be delivered in April.
In 2011, CWT has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheese totaling 6,899 metric tons (15.2 million pounds) to 15 countries on three continents.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term and 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.
Source: Cooperatives Working Together (CWT)
Posted: February 24, 2011 at 6:46 pm
By News Editor
Being a former YDLI class member myself, World Dairy Diary knows how valuable this program is to young dairy leaders. Good luck to all of the new class members!
Holstein Foundation staff is now making final preparations for Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) Class 7! The class will meet March 2-5 in Albuquerque, N.M.
YDLI, a cornerstone program for the Holstein Foundation, is a three-phase program which takes place over a 12-month period of time. Open to anyone in the U.S. or other English-speaking countries, 53 young adults have been selected to be a part of Class 7. This year’s class is very diverse, comprised of individuals from 22 different U.S. states, as well as two Canadian provinces, Italy and Mexico. The first class of YDLI was held in 1994, and has since graduated over 400 alumni.
Phase I includes several hands-on workshops aimed at improving attendees’ leadership, communication and advocacy stills, while providing opportunities for networking and building general enthusiasm for the dairy industry. The four-day schedule is packed full of a variety of topics, covering personality styles, personal leadership, media and presentation training, current issues and more.
Phase II takes place in the year between Phase I and III. Class members put their new skills to use through a community outreach project of their choice, as well as other projects aimed at further developing and utilizing their skills. Phase III will be held February 29-March 3, 2012, and will focus on group leadership skills. Workshops will cover topics such as advanced media training, meeting and board skills, and public policy. Class members will also give presentations on their Phase II projects.
YDLI would not be possible without the support of many generous donors. The following organizations have shown their commitment to the future of the dairy industry as YDLI sponsors:
Institute Leaders include Allflex USA, Inc.; Cargill, Inc.; Dairy Management, Inc.; Elanco Animal Health; Farm Credit System Foundation; Holstein Association USA, Inc.; and the Northeast Agricultural Education Foundation.
Organizations at the Institute Supporters level include Cooperative Resources International; Dairy Business Communications; Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.; GEA WestfaliaSurge, Inc.; Hoard’s Dairyman; Land O’Lakes Foundation; and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
Institute Friends include the International Food Information Council; Center for Dairy Excellence; CHS; COBA Select Sires; Dean Foods Company; Hilmar Cheese; KeyBank; Northeast Farm Credit AgEnhancement Program; Robert L. Cain Memorial Fund; Select Sires Canada, Inc.; Select Sires, Inc.; The Country Today; US Dairy Export Council; and Walco International, Inc.
Follow along on the Holstein Foundation’s Facebook page for updates live from Albuquerque the first week of March.
Source: Holstein Foundation
Posted: February 24, 2011 at 6:40 pm
By News Editor
Here’s another job opportunity for our readers:
Midwest Dairy Association is seeking a full-time Industry Relations Program Manager supporting the Nebraska division. This person will be responsible for providing leadership to and representation of Midwest Dairy Association and the dairy check off in the state of Nebraska. Responsible for establishing and maintaining sound relationships with division board members, dairy producers, dairy industry representatives and other key dairy and agricultural organizations/business in Nebraska to enhance support and understanding of the dairy check off. Assist producers and program staff in communicating about the value and science of on-farm production practices with consumers and other influencers.
The ideal candidate will be a high energy individual who is self directed and able to handle multiple tasks and priorities with a professional demeanor. Competitive wages and benefits are offered. Send resume and cover letter to resumes@midwestdairy.com by March 1 for consideration.
Source: Midwest Dairy Association
Posted: February 24, 2011 at 6:34 pm
By News Editor
National All-Jersey Inc. is seeking a Manager for its wholly owned subsidiary, Jersey Marketing Service. The successful candidate will provide hands-on leadership meeting high ethical standards for all company activities, including on-site and online public auction sales, private treaty transactions, cattle and herd appraisal services, and export marketing.
This is a full-time position based in the Reynoldsburg, Ohio office, requiring constant, nationwide travel. The position description has been posted on the USJersey web site. Benefits include health and life insurance, and 401k plan.
Persons with degrees or equivalent experience in dairy or animal science, agricultural marketing or ag business are encouraged to apply. In-depth knowledge of the Jersey breed, genetic and performance evaluation tools, and dairy cattle management are essential. Excellent organizational and computer skills are required, as are superior public speaking and writing skills.
Submit letter of application and résumé to Neal Smith, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, National All-Jersey Inc. 6486 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-2362. Applications may also be submitted by fax at 614.861.8040 or by email with “JMS Manager” in the Subject Line of the message.
Applications will be accepted through Friday, April 1, 2011.
Source: National All-Jersey Inc.
Posted: February 23, 2011 at 4:22 pm
By News Editor
Think that opening your farm to visitors; or speaking to consumers about your on-farm practices might not be effective? On the contrary, new research shows these types of activities are very effective.
But just how much good do events on the farm do in building goodwill with consumers? I mean, can opening the doors to a dairy once a year in this day and age actually help inform our non-farm neighbors of what we’re all about?
In a word, yes. Especially if it’s part of a larger communication effort.
Michigan State University researchers recently unveiled results from an exit survey taken from three Breakfast on the Farm (BOTF) events last year to find out more about attendees and their familiarity with farms.
Over the three locations, 37 percent grew up in an urban area; 14 percent grew up in an urban area not near a farm; 11 percent grew up in a rural area not near a farm; 23 percent grew up on a farm, and, 18 percent grew up in a rural area near a farm. (Click here for more results)
But perhaps more interesting was the fact that they didn’t have much experience with farms. At the three locations, 46 percent had not been on a farm before and 25 percent had been on a farm one to five times. Yet, they were willing to drive an average of 32 miles to attend a BOTF event.
The researchers theorize that it seems that these events provide another mechanism to educate the public. It’s likely there will be a greater impact with events located near large metropolitan areas, they note, “but we also can have significant impact in rural regions where the population is also unconnected with modern farming but may encounter it more often in their daily lives.”
Of course, any success depends on how well we present ourselves. Information from the Center for Food Integrity suggests that “early adopting” consumers — those who drive social change — are key to our future. When it comes to the areas of nutrition, food safety and humane treatment of farm animals, this critical segment has a higher level of concern than other societal segments, according to the Center’s research. However, these individual are also information seekers who are willing to consider credible sources.
And that means you, because dairy farmers live these principles every day. Consumer events like BOTF are just one way to open that dialogue.
“Our understanding of what the consumer/public really thinks, wants and why will lead us to better communication about how we manage animals and produce healthy food,” say the Michigan State University researchers. “Now more than ever we all need to be involved in ‘telling our story’ but not just in supporting media marketing of our products, we need to market ourselves. To do this we need to reconnect with our consumers and the public to rebuild trust in our industry. Perhaps BOTF along with a number of other industry efforts will help make this happen.”
Source: Dairy Herd Management
By: Shannon Linderoth, associate editor
Posted: February 23, 2011 at 4:17 pm
By News Editor
National Milk Federation is working to bring Foundation for the Future to the attention of the new lawmakers.
Increased feed prices are eating up any improved returns farmers see for their milk, the National Milk Producers Federation has said. So the group is pushing Congress to consider a new type of program well before next year’s rewrite of federal farm policy.
The federation, which represents farmers’ bargaining cooperatives, has proposed a margin insurance program to be supported with a combination of government money and fees charged to farmers and administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program would pay farmers when high feed prices or low milk prices — or both — undermine their typical operating margins.
The program has been in development since last year, but the NMPF now is dealing with a different cast of lawmakers in the House, dominated by Republicans who are sour on farm subsidies, government-sponsored insurance and many other domestic programs. Any program that increases federal spending is a tough sell to the new majority, although the NMPF figures the government can pay for its proposal by dismantling subsidies now paid to farmers when milk prices are low. The current dairy program costs about $102 million annually.
“We’re optimistic that we will get the stars and planets aligned to rewrite dairy policy this year,” said Christopher Galen, a spokesman for the federation. The organization represents co-ops such as Dairy Farmers of America and Agri-Mark Inc., which dominate in Northern New York.
Farmers would receive payments when the difference between milk prices and the cost of feed falls below $4 for every 100 pounds of milk. Farmers could buy additional insurance for protection when margins are greater than $4.
The program would be optional, as is the current support program called the Milk Income Loss Contract. The MILC program pays farmers when milk prices fall below a federal target, with a slight adjustment for feed prices.
Mr. Galen said the NMPF has discussed the proposal with the new chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Rep. Frank D. Lucas, R-Okla., as well as with the top Democrat, Rep. Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn. They have not necessarily promised it will be approved, Mr. Galen said, but the NMPF was pleased by the reception.
On the other side of the Capitol, Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., has supported programs that help farmers manage risk. After a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing last week with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Mrs. Gillibrand submitted written questions to the USDA, asking about a margin insurance program — called the livestock gross margin dairy program — already offered that only recently has begun to attract interest.
That program, she said, is in danger of running out of money for the year.
“As you know, Mr. Secretary, dairy farmers have not had very good tools to help manage price risk in a global market. Can you assure us that dairy farmers who sign up in the next few months will get into the LGM Dairy program?” Mrs. Gillibrand wrote. “Are there other ways that we can partner together to help protect profitability margins for dairy producers?’
A spokeswoman in Mr. Vilsack’s office had no immediate information on the program Tuesday afternoon.
The dairy cooperatives’ lobbying group is dealing not only with new congressional leadership but also with big changes in the Agriculture Committee’s rank and file. The committee has 24 new members, out of a total of 45, many of whom are new to dairy policy. Education will require a heavy effort, said Robert Gray, executive director of the Council of Northeast Dairy Cooperatives.
The biggest predictor of the proposal’s success, he said, will come after it is written into legislative language and the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicts its cost.
Source: Watertown Daily Times
By Marc Heller, Times Washington Correspondent
Posted: February 23, 2011 at 7:50 am
By Chuck
It’s hard to believe we’ve been conducting the ZimmPoll for almost 3 months now! We’re always looking for question ideas so please feel free to use comments here to suggest one or just email me. These polls are all archived so that you can easily review them anytime by clicking on the ZimmPoll Category. Over time they will become a good historical resource and we can’t thank Rhea + Kaiser enough for helping make it possible.
In the last couple weeks we’ve been very involved in two of the main biofuels events of the year, the National Biodiesel Conference and National Ethanol Conference. Last week’s question was very timely and received the most activity of any ZimmPoll to date.
We asked the question, “Which biofuel feedstock do you think has best future?” This is a very important question that is hotly debated and the answer will have a major impact in the biofuels industry and agribusiness as well. So what did you say? Energy Crops (Switchgrass, etc.) received the most votes at 26% followed by, Waste Material 24%, Corn 23%, Other 13%, Woody Biomass 10% and Soybean 4%. I really would not have predicted these results. If you clicked on “Other” what was on your mind? Something yet to be discovered? Feel free to post your comments.
Our next ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Is agricultural marketing and communications a profession?” Let us know what you think and thank you for participating.
ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.
Posted: February 22, 2011 at 6:59 pm
By News Editor
New research suggests that whole-fat dairy products — generally shunned by health experts — contain a fatty acid that may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The fatty acid is called trans-palmitoleic acid, according to the study in the Dec. 21 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, and people with the highest blood levels of this fatty acid reduce their odds of diabetes by 62 percent compared to those with the lowest blood levels of it.
In addition, “people who had higher levels of this fatty acid had better cholesterol and triglyceride levels, lower insulin resistance and lower levels of inflammatory markers,” said study author Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, co-director of the program in cardiovascular epidemiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard School of Public Health.
Circulating palmitoleic acid is found naturally in the human body. It’s also found in small quantities in dairy foods. When it’s found in sources outside the human body, it’s referred to as trans-palmitoleic acid. Whole milk has more trans-palmitoleic acid than 2 percent milk, and 2 percent milk has more of this fatty acid than does skim milk.
“The amount of trans-palmitoleic acid is proportional to the amount of dairy fat,” said Mozaffarian.
Dr. Joel Zonszein, director of the Clinical Diabetes Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, concurred, noting, “this was a very nice, and very robust, association. Maybe whole milk isn’t so bad, but I don’t think there’s enough evidence to show that we should start drinking whole milk. We need to understand the mechanism behind this association. Dietary changes in this country tend to be to extremes, but this study should not be used to make changes in the diet; it’s just an observation right now.”
Source: HealthDay; Reporter: Serena Gordon
Posted: February 22, 2011 at 6:46 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted 10 requests for export assistance from Darigold, Dairy Farmers of America, and Foremost Farms to sell a total of 669 metric tons (1.475 million pounds) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese to customers in Europe, the Middle East, Central America, and Asia. The product will be delivered March through May 2011.
In 2011, CWT has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheese totaling 4,880 metric tons (10.8 million pounds) to 15 countries on three continents.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term and 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.
Source: Cooperatives Working Together (CWT)
Posted: February 18, 2011 at 11:39 am
By News Editor
Canadian cheese maker Saputo Inc. will acquire the parent company of DCI Cheese Co Inc, one of the largest U.S. specialty cheese marketers, for $270.5 million to expand its presence in the lucrative market.
DCI’s product portfolio includes more than 100 types of specialty cheeses. It sells products under brand names such as County Line, Great Midwest, Joan of Arc and King’s Choice.
DCI, which employs about 475 people, recorded sales of $460 million in 2010.
The deal is expected to close in March.
Fairmount Cheese Holdings Inc is DCI’s parent.
Source: Reuters
Reporting by S. John Tilak, editing by Gerald E. McCormick
Posted: February 18, 2011 at 11:35 am
By News Editor
Congratulations to the winning college teams of the seventh Annual Midwest Dairy Challenge! Held February 9-11, 2011, the contest had 68 students from 16 universities and colleges.
The Dairy Challenge is an innovative competition developed by industry and university professionals, which exposes students to opportunities in a vibrant dairy industry. This year is the tenth anniversary of the national contest, the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge, which will be held March 31-April 2 in Hickory, North Carolina. The regional competitions allow students to gain experience in dairy analysis. Working in four- or five-person, mixed-university teams, students at the Midwest Dairy Challenge assessed all aspects of a working dairy farm and presented recommendations for improvement to a panel of judges and the participating farm families.
This year’s contest was held in Menomonie, Wisc. It drew students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Iowa State University, the University of Minnesota, Michigan State University, the University of Illinois, South Dakota State University, The Ohio State University, Kansas State University, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Purdue University, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Northeast Iowa Community College, UW Farm and Industry Short Course, Lakeshore Technical College, Chippewa Valley Technical College, and Northcentral Technical College.
The students were led on farm tours of two dairies located in the Menomonie area by Midwest Dairy Challenge Committee members. After the tours, the students had time to meet with their teams and develop questions for the herd owners. Armed with detailed production and financial paperwork from the farms, as well as their own observations, the participants developed a presentation about what they saw and suggestions for improvement.
Judges chose two teams as platinum winners, the contest’s highest distinction. The individuals who comprised these teams are: Wesley Vanderstappen – Northeast Iowa Community College; Danielle Brown – UW-Madison; Ethan Ulness – UW Farm and Industry Short Course; Melissa Schmitt – Iowa State University; Karen Anderson – University of Minnesota; Heather Lammers – Lakeshore Technical College; Eric Sneller – Michigan State University; Scott Felten – UW Farm and Industry Short Course; Joseph Ploeckelman – UW-River Falls.
Source: North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge
Posted: February 18, 2011 at 8:09 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
Dairy producers could see increase in the availability for cottonseed this year, according to new estimates of planting intentions in 2011.
A bull market for cotton lint could drive 2011 cottonseed production and supplies available to dairies to levels not seen since 2007, says Tom Wedegaertner, director of cottonseed research and marketing, Cotton Incorporated. In the meantime, old crop cottonseed remains a “competitive value, despite rising prices.”
U.S. average spot prices for cottonseed fluctuated between $200 and $250 per ton in 2010, but began creeping higher toward the end of the year and closed in on $250 per ton in early 2011, according to a recent report from the National Cotton Council.
“Competing feed prices tend to move together and everything is moving up right now,” Wedegaertner says. “When you consider $7 corn, cottonseed is still a very good buy.”
He adds that some relief may be on the horizon with higher cotton acres expected in 2011.
According to the National Cotton Council’s planting intentions survey released February 4, cotton is expected to reclaim more than 1.5 million acres this spring – a 14 percent increase over 2010 – and produce a crop that could net 6.5 million tons of cottonseed, up from the 6.2 million tons produced in 2010 and up sharply from 2009’s 4.1 million tons.
Read more here.
Posted: February 18, 2011 at 7:59 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
The dairy economy was a topic of discussion during a full House Agriculture Committee hearing Thursday where Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack testified about the outlook for the farm economy.
“The livestock and dairy industries could face some financial pressures in 2011 and bear watching,” Vilsack told the committee. Getting more specific in his written testimony, Vilsack noted that dairy receipts are forecast to increase in 2011, but remain below 2007 and 2008 levels.
While livestock prices are expected to remain strong and further improvement in milk prices is likely in the months ahead, higher feed costs could lead to below average margins for livestock and dairy producers in 2011. Milk production is estimated to increase by 1.8 percent in 2011 to 196.1 billion pounds. While feed costs are up considerably in recent months, a decline in cow numbers may not occur until later this year because of the large number of replacement heifers available. Milk per cow is forecast to increase again this year but at less than the pace for 2010. The gain in output per cow last year was due to good weather in addition to moderate feed prices. In recent weeks, both the domestic and international markets for dairy products have tightened considerably leading to a sharp increase in wholesale dairy product prices and futures prices for milk. Milk output has been affected by cold weather in the U.S. and Europe and heavy rains in New Zealand and Australia. Since early January, the wholesale prices of cheddar cheese, butter and nonfat dry milk have increased by 25-50 percent. The all-milk price is forecast to average $17.70-$18.40 per cwt. this year, compared with $16.29 in 2010 and $12.93 in 2009. While milk prices are forecast to be higher in 2011, increasing feed costs could continue to put financial pressure on dairy producers, especially those producers that purchase feed at current price levels.
Vilsack was asked specifically when USDA’s Dairy Industry Advisory Committee, which has been meeting for over a year, would be releasing a report. “We anticipate a report the first week of March,” Vilsack said. “They have finished their meetings and they are in the process of finalizing the draft of the report.”
Vilsack says there is a good deal of agreement, although not unanimous consensus, within the committee which was charged with trying to determine how best to address the issue of volatility in dairy markets.
Posted: February 17, 2011 at 3:04 pm
By News Editor
Have a camera? Love Select Sires? Then their new photo contest is for you!
Select Sires is looking for new, exciting photos of Select-sired offspring and customers to use in promotions such as calendars, posters, brochures, on the website and much more. The contest is open to all amateur photographers including Select Sires customers, employees and employee family members. Contestants can enter as many photos as they wish.
The first place dairy and beef photos will be featured on the covers of the 2012 Select Sires Dairy and Beef Calendars.
Entries are due June 1, 2011, and photos can be mailed or submitted digitally. Please include the photographer’s name, address, phone number, location where the photo was taken, a brief description of the photo and identification of specific animals or subjects within the photo. Preference will be given to photographs that include cattle, and entries will be judged on composition, quality and character of the image, suitability and/or creativity and overall impression of the photo.
Photo categories are:
* People and their Select-sired offspring
* Landscapes with Select-sired cattle
Visit the Select Sires website to access full contest rules and guidelines.
Source: Select Sires
Posted: February 16, 2011 at 5:38 pm
By News Editor
A new television PSA entitled “Huddle” features Tony Romo, Quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, and encourages youth to get healthy and be active by joining the Fuel Up to Play 60 movement. The PSA was developed by the Ad Council in collaboration with Let’s Move!, USDA, NFL, NFL Players Association, National Dairy Council, and Brunner advertising.
Gen YOUth Foundation will work with schools, communities and business partners to develop and support programs that create lasting changes in the child health and wellness arena, including Fuel Up to Play 60. The mission of the Gen YOUth Foundation is to create a movement that will inspire youth to change their behavior.
Today, over one-third of American children are either overweight or obese. If the trend continues, today’s children may be the first generation with shorter life expectancies than their parents. In response to this epidemic, Gen YOUth Foundation was founded to inspire youth behavior change. Gen YOUth Foundation gives leaders in health, business, government and communities nationwide the opportunity to create a movement that relies on participation, collaboration and action to reverse childhood obesity rates. Gen YOUth Foundation will demonstrate that when youth are given a voice, change can happen.
Watch the video here!
Posted: February 16, 2011 at 10:24 am
By Chuck
When it comes to smartphone platforms our audience is using a mix with iPhone/Android/Blackberry on top. According to our poll 32% say they use iPhone, 32% are using Android, 28 % are using Blackberry and way back we have 5% saying Other and only 3% saying Windows. Interesting and I think we’ll have to ask this question again later this year since there are going to be a lot of changes in mobile phone carrier systems and phones. So, does this surprise you? About what you expected?
Our next ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What biofuel feedstock do you think has best future?” Let us know what you think and thank you for participating.
ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.
Posted: February 15, 2011 at 8:36 pm
By News Editor
ACHIEVE is the newest in the AgriLabs line of products designed specifically to support the natural immunity of calves.
“ACHIEVE with Cryptex is an all-natural formula developed to bolster the ability of newborns to withstand disease stressors like scours, the leading cause of neonatal loss accounting for up to 46% of calf deaths. ACHIEVE bolsters their immunity to scours pathogens so that they start strong and stay strong,” reported Adam Yankowsky, AgriLabs Business Unit Manager.
ACHIEVE is a highly palatable, easy-to-use and extremely digestible paste that is scientifically formulated for newborns with:
• Targeted egg-yolk proteins, combating common pathogens that cause malnutrition and scours.
• Lactic acid-producing bacteria, glutamine and inulin, combining to crowd out harmful bacteria in the gut, support intestinal health and foster the growth of beneficial bacteria.
• Cryptex, a precisely formulated polysaccharide and thermally-activated carbon mixture, gives ACHIEVE its characteristic black color. It removes pathogenic toxins from the intestine and creates a hostile environment for pathogens such as Cryptosporidium, a major cause of protozoal diarrhea.
“Although calves are born with sterile intestinal tracts, within a few hours disease-causing bacteria from the environment begin colonizing their digestive systems, ” remarked Dr. Joel Ehrenzweig, head of the AgriLabs Technical Services team. “Colostrum can provide the maternal antibodies needed to produce immunity through passive transfer, but the newborn’s ability to absorb these large immunoglobulin proteins drops to almost zero within 24 hours of birth. Since it takes weeks for a neonate to develop a functional immune system, an immunity gap can result, making it difficult to fight disease if adequate, high-quality colostrum is not received within the first 24 hours,” he further explained.
Because not every newborn is provided with the best quality colostrum in a timely way, providing ACHIEVE 24 hours after birth and longer is a significant benefit to the calf’s sustained growth and health.
ACHIEVE with Cryptex is available from AgriLabs distributors and local dealers.
Source: AgriLabs
Posted: February 15, 2011 at 10:38 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
The latest farm financial forecast is brighter and even the dairy sector is expected to be a little higher this year, despite increased feed costs.
According to the USDA report, net farm income is forecast to be $94.7 billion in 2011, up $15.7 billion (19.8 percent) from the 2010 forecast. The 2011 forecast is the second highest inflation-adjusted value for net farm income recorded in the past 35 years. The top five earnings years for the past three decades have occurred since 2004, attesting to the profitability of farming this decade. Net cash income, at $98.6 billion, is forecast up $7.3 billion (8%) from 2010, and $26.8 billion above its 10-year average (2000-2009) of $71.8 billion.
Dairy receipts are expected to increase by 2.8 percent in 2011 as milk prices received by farmers increase slightly by $0.20/cwt. Dairy cow numbers are expected to increase slightly in 2011, as is the milk-per-cow ratio. U.S. milk exports are projected to be lower in 2011 due to competition from Australia and New Zealand, despite strong demand from Asian and South American countries.
“Today’s report predicting strong financial performance in the agriculture sector for 2011 is good news for producers and indicates that economic improvement is underway in much of rural America. Potential record or near record prices for commodities like corn, wheat, soybeans and cotton reflects the fact that our trading partners continue a strong demand for food and fiber produced by America’s farmers,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack of the report. “While overall the report is positive, especially for producers of grains and fiber, it is a concern that farmers continue to face an increase in expenses for key inputs, including feed, fertilizer and fuel. Additionally, after a strong recovery in 2010, the report projects a revenue decline for livestock farm businesses in 2011 and continued income and loan repayment concerns for dairy farmers. Higher feed costs are a primary factor.”
The value of crop production is expected to be up over 30 percent this year, while the value of livestock production is projected to be less than five percent higher, with dairy products up less than one percent.
«Past Entries
