Great tradition in Indiana! Read this blog post from Winners Drink Milk to learn more about the winner of the Indianapolis 500 celebrating with a glass of milk!
For those of you who haven’t spent time in Indiana during Memorial Day weekend, you may not know that the Indianapolis 500 is celebrated far and wide throughout the Hoosier state. And you also may not realize that in most parts of Indiana, the race is broadcast live via radio, not television. And, finally you also may not understand the importance of certain Indy 500 traditions, the most important one being the drink of milk by the winning driver at the end of the race (also dubbed the “Sports World’s Coolest Prize” by sportsillustrated.com).
The American Dairy Association of Indiana is in charge of providing the milk that gets handed to the winning driver. Each year, an Indiana dairy farmer is selected to be the person who gets to hand over the bottle of ice cold milk to the winning driver. This is a two year commitment with the first year being a “rookie” year, and the second year being a “mentor” year. The rookie hands a bottle of milk to the winning driver’s chief mechanic and team owner; the “mentor” hands a bottle of milk to the winning driver. Richard Thomas was the mentor and Dave Forgey was the rookie.
The Milkmen had to be at a designated parking lot in downtown Indy by 7:00 a.m. on race day or else the police escort would leave without them. What would have been a two to three hour drive through traffic became a less than 10 minute zip through traffic. Once inside, the milkmen had to take the milk and secure it in their suite. They came back down and talked with fans, handed out Indy 500 pins, and held several interviews on television stations.
Once the milkmen were done giving interviews, they were able to relax and enjoy the pre-race festivities a bit. Again, for you non-race fans, the pre-race festivities are steeped in tradition, including the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana”, balloons being released before the start of the race, the singing of the national anthem, a fly over by a U.S. military aircraft, the famous line “Ladies and gentlemen start your engines”, and finally the official start of the race—the pace lap. As the green flag waved, the cars take off.
At lap 175, the milkmen were escorted to Victory Circle where they waited to greet the 100th Indy 500 winner, Dan Wheldon, the team owner and the chief mechanic with a cold bottle of milk. The race was over, the milk was delivered, and Richard and Dave were homeward bound to go back to their dairy farms to continue to produce that wholesome, nutritious product – milk- that will be given to next year’s winner of the Indy 500.
Congratulations to Caitlin Patrick of Woodbine, Md., and Kelsey Smith of Paris, Tenn.! Both are the new summer interns at Select Sires Inc. Patrick has been chosen as the summer communications intern for Select Sires. During her time at Select Sires she will be responsible for creating the 2012 dairy and beef breeding calendars along with assisting the sales and marketing team with promotion and communication materials.
Patrick is a senior majoring in professional writing at The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University located in Blacksburg, Va. She is a member of the Dairy Club at Virginia Tech where she is active in the Showcase Sale and several other club activities. Patrick will be the first vice president of the Dairy Club and editor of the club’s yearbook, The Milky Way, for the 2011-2012 school year.
She grew up on her family’s fifth generation, 160-cow dairy farm, Maple Dell Registered Ayrshires and Holsteins, where she developed a strong agriculture background and love for the dairy industry. Over the years she has been active in dairy judging and showing both Ayrshires and Holsteins on a local, state and national level.
Smith has been selected as the summer dairy-sire marketing intern for Select Sires. While at Select Sires, Smith will be responsible for preparing cattle for photography and helping choose appropriate animals. She is also responsible for helping the dairy-sire marketing department coordinate and execute in-house projects.
Smith is a junior at The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where she is majoring in dairy science with a minor in horticulture. At Virginia Tech, Smith is active in the Dairy Club, the Horticulture Club and Sigma Alpha professional sorority where she holds various leadership positions within each organization. Smith will be a member of the dairy judging team at Virginia Tech for the 2011-2012 school year.
She grew up on her family’s 100-cow dairy farm, Future Visions Registered Holsteins, where she developed a strong passion for the dairy industry and Holstein cattle. Smith has participated in numerous local and state 4-H and FFA activities over the years including showing and judging cattle, and attended National 4-H Congress, National FFA Convention and 4-H Dairy Conference to further enhance her awareness of the agricultural industry.
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted 10 requests for export assistance from Darigold and Dairy Farmers of America to sell a total of 2,579 metric tons (5.686 million pounds) of Cheddar, Gouda, and Monterey Jack cheese to customers in Asia, South America, and the Middle East. The product will be delivered June through November.
In 2011, CWT has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheese totaling 17,756 metric tons (39.1 million pounds) to 20 countries on four continents.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term by reducing inventories that overhang the market and depress cheese prices. In the long-term, CWT’s Export Assistance program helps 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.
The study used the Integrated Farm System Model, a computer program that simulates the major biological and physical processes and interactions of a crop, beef or dairy farm. The scientists collected a range of field data on grazing systems, manure management and their effects on nutrient loss to the environment. Then they used their farm model, supported by the field data, to evaluate the environmental dynamics of four different dairy farms in all types of weather over 25 years.
The model generated estimates for ammonia emissions from manure, soil denitrification rates, nitrate leaching losses, soil erosion and phosphorus losses from field runoff. Estimates for emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide from both primary production and the secondary production of pesticides, fuels, electricity and other resources were also considered.
Compared to high confinement systems, keeping dairy cows outdoors all year lowered levels of ammonia emission by about 30 percent. The model results also indicated that the total emissions for the greenhouse gases methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide were eight percent lower in a year-round outdoor production system than in a high-production confinement system.
Posted: May 31, 2011 at 8:39 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is turning to social media to get its message out about the Environmental Protection Agency’s potential regulation of coarse particulate matter, more commonly called dust. A new animated video, themed Over Regulation All Across the Nation, was launched today on NCBA’s You Tube channel.
NCBA notes that U.S. Representative Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) introduced, with bipartisan support, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011 (H.R. 1633) that would block dust regulation by EPA in rural areas where state dust laws are in effect and the organization is strongly urging members to contact their Congressional representatives and ask them to stand firm for family farmers and ranchers by supporting this legislation.
Last week I attended the Alltech International Symposium. Of course dairy is a big part of the educational topics offered at this annual event. I’ve got a couple of interviews to share with you starting with this one.
Disruptive change sounds disturbing. However, perhaps it’s more of a challenge. Mandi McLeod, System Insights, Ltd., New Zealand, talked about it and its impact on the dairy industry during the Alltech International Symposium. She’s seen here being interviewed by Ireland’s RTE voice Damien O’Reilly. I spoke with Mandi after Damien to learn what is going on with dairy farming in her country and how she coaches family business strategy.
Mandi says the New Zealand dairy model is still working but needs to evolve further in light of disruptive changes in the industry. She says that their level of productivity hasn’t kept up with the price of their product which makes them vulnerable at the moment. The current pricing of dairy products is just not financially sustainable and it looks like that isn’t going to improve soon. Mandi is a family business strategist and advises dairy farmers to take a look at their business and make sure they’re using resources wisely. Sounds like common sense advice for any business. She wants people to enjoy what they are doing by finding a balance in their life and business. Having a good plan would help a family business tremendously. Perhaps you should give Mandi a call if you need help. Mandi McLeod Interview
Leading experts from the fields of dairy sustainability, genomics and veterinary medicine will share their knowledge and insights at the upcoming annual meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ). The meetings run from June 22 to 25, 2011 at the Kalahari Waterpark and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
The co-author of groundbreaking Jersey sustainability research presented at last July’s animal science meetings in Denver, Colo., will address the NAJ Annual Meeting on Saturday, June 25.
Dr. Jude Capper, assistant professor at Washington State University, will report findings from the life-cycle assessment conducted with Dr. Roger Cady, Elanco Animal Health. “Not only does the Jersey population conserve finite resources needed for cheese production,” Capper observed, “the total environmental impact is lower.” Per unit of Cheddar cheese manufactured, Capper and Cady determined that the Jersey carbon footprint (total CO2-equivalents) is 20% less than that of Holsteins.
Two seminars will open the AJCA-NAJ annual meeting schedule on Wednesday, June 22, starting at 4:00 p.m.
Dr. Katie Olson will take the audience behind the scenes at the Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory to discuss some of the new directions being taken in dairy cattle genomics research. This program will be broadcast live as part of the ongoing webinar series, “This Month in Jersey Genomics.”
The issue of dairy drug residues has been top-of-mind for producers these past few months, prompted by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s plans to increase monitoring. David Rhoda, D.V.M., will provide a practical perspective on issues and corrective strategies.
As June Dairy Month approaches, did you know that dairy checkoff has tools and resources to help you share your story with consumers?
A valuable resource is the checkoff-funded www.dairyfarmingtoday.org website. The site is for consumers looking for information about the industry or who have concerns about the on-farm practices of modern U.S. dairy farms, including animal care and environmental stewardship.
Among the website’s features are:
· A virtual dairy farm tour
· Dairy-related fact sheets for the media, thought leaders and consumers
· Stories from real dairy producers about their farms
· A “day in the life” feature that demonstrates the 24/7 nature of the typical dairy farm family
Congratulations to the nine teenage girls who have been chosen by America to don a Milk Mustache and appear together in a national “got milk?®” ad. It will be the first time in Milk Mustache history that “real” teens will star in the iconic campaign. Check out their winning video entries here!
In February, actress, singer and dancer Julianne Hough unveiled her own Milk Mustache ad and launched a search for The 9 – an elite group of teen girls to become the next Milk Mustache stars and serve as milk ambassadors, having the chance to make a positive impact on their peers across the country throughout 2011. Hundreds of teens from around the country submitted videos showing how the power of milk’s nine essential nutrients helps them look lean and strong on the outside and feel confident and strong on the inside.
Julianne and a panel of judges narrowed down the entries to 27 diverse semi-finalists before America voted on the winners per contest rules and criteria. Now, nine teen girls have been chosen as the next Milk Mustache stars and will appear in a national got milk? ad in the pages of Seventeen magazine this fall. The 9 are:
Michelle Lassen (Philadelphia, PA)
Bailey Amaden (Little Rock, AR)
Allison Freeman (Oklahoma City, OK)
Elaine Mann (Baltimore, MD)
Victoria Leggett (Tampa, FL)
Lauren Zimmermann (New Orleans, LA)
Mina Burnside (Nashville, TN)
Kimberly Rosen (Salt Lake City, UT)
Alyssa Collopy (Detroit, MI)
America voted and nine girls from around the country got to experience what it’s really like to be a Milk Mustache celebrity – just like Julianne Hough. They were flown to a photo shoot in New York City where they met the other winners from across the country before posing together for their Milk Mustache ad. This elite group of nine girls will continue to make a positive impact on other teens throughout the year via their own Power of 9 blog on Seventeen.com and on Facebook. They’ll also have the chance to experience other milk “insider” opportunities, such as attending other “VIP” milk events – and some of them may get a chance to interview an upcoming Milk Mustache celebrity.
“The 9 girls chosen really understand the importance of drinking milk,” said Lisa Drayer, M.A., R.D. “It’s such an easy way to get nine essential nutrients – and it provides so many benefits, inside and out – like vitamin A and niacin for smooth, healthy skin and calcium and vitamin D for strong bones and healthy teeth. And along with exercise, the protein in milk can help build lean muscle to help you be toned and fit. The 9 girls will now have the opportunity to spread this message to their peers to help inspire them to live healthier lives!”
Adding a solar power system can give dairy operations a double-benefit. Solar can reduce you utility bills while at the same time helping your business become more sustainable. One dairy farm in Hanford, California has added a 891 kilowatt solar energy system designed and constructed by SPG Solar. It is comprised of 3,240 Suntech solar modules and two Solaron inverters. It is estimated that the system will generate more than 1.7 megawatt hours annually – enough to offset the dairy’s utility power usage by at least 75 percent.
The dairy installed a new solar energy system to power its milking barn and other dairy operations. The family-owned dairy has 7,000 head of cattle and a custom farming business. I don’t know about you but I’m thinking a California cow is a happy cow!
“The recent volatility of milk prices has underscored the importance of hedging our input costs,” said Mike Monteiro, the dairy’s owner. “The solar energy system will help us fix our energy costs and hedge against long term increases in utility power rates.”
The solar system spans four-acres and is robust enough to power Lakeside’s entire dairy operation including an 11,000 square foot milking barn, heifer corral lighting and fans, manure separator equipment and well and irrigation equipment. This is just one effort engaged by the diary operation to become more sustainable. The farm’s manure-handling equipment removes nearly 50 tons of solid manure a day, thus preventing it from going into the lagoon or giving off gases from decomposition.
“Lakeside Dairy continues to show its commitment to solar that positively impacts their operations today, reducing future electricity costs and investing in the community through the creation of green jobs,” said CEO and President of SPG Solar, Chris Robine. “They are laying out a long-term strategy towards the sustainable production and quality of food produced.”
Rabobank provided the construction and term financing for the solar project and will work with Lakeside to help them manage their finances as they pay off the loan. Gianluca Signorelli, Vice President of Renewable Energy Finance for Rabobank added, “By combining the savings from lower utility power bills with federal and state incentives, Rabobank structured the term loan to potentially be cash flow positive throughout the lifetime of the loan. Once the loan is repaid, the solar system is likely to create even larger savings for Lakeside Dairy.”
Well there is certainly a healthy dose of skepticism shown in our latest ZimmPoll in answer to the question, “Will USDA forecast for record 13.5 billion bushels of corn come true?” An overwhelming majority (61 percent) say NO. Only 30 percent say yes and 9 percent say maybe. In light of the weather we’ve had so far this year I don’t find this surprising at all. Do you?
Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “What is your opinion about the Farm Bill?” The political rhetoric is already heating up. Chime in with your thoughts.
And if you have any questions you want to suggest for future ZimmPolls please let us know.
ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.
Posted: May 24, 2011 at 5:43 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
With the hot days of summer nearly here, Novus International has developed a complete nutrition program to help dairy cows deal with heat stress while improving milk production, overall cow performance and profitability.
It’s all about keeping oxidative balance and avoiding oxidative stress due to heat.
Oxidative balance describes the normal amount of free radicals and levels of oxidation in an animal’s system. Free radicals are compounds in the body that alter cells and cause oxidation, a part of a cow’s life. When an animal is under stress, free radicals accumulate beyond the normal level, damage cells and cause inefficiencies.
Stephanie Gable, Ruminant Global Marketing Manager, explains why Novus pays attention to oxidative balance: “Oxidative stress is displayed through a number of clinical signs that reduce profitability, from mastitis to reproductive inefficiency. Dealing with that stress requires energy that cows could use for milk production, growth, reproduction and overall productivity. A good nutrition program with an antioxidant can reduce stress, maintain oxidative balance, and improve milk production and milk fat levels.”
Geoff Zanton, Novus Ruminant Nutrition Manager, compares the oxidative balance of a cow to the building blocks of a house. “Not everything will manifest itself in production loss because a cow can deal with a certain amount of stress, or a few blocks taken away. But heat stress is a major challenge, and milk production can tumble, unless we reinforce other parts of the house.”
To maintain oxidative balance, the Novus program includes a regimen of supplements with highly bioavailable chelated trace minerals, methionine and antioxidants.
This program was introduced to a large dairy herd in Washington state when the daily temperatures reached as high as 110 degrees. Because of the extreme heat, milk production collapsed. When the cows were supplemented with MINTREX, MFP and AGRADO Plus—each part of the Novus Oxidative Balance Program—their milk production recovered, even when temperatures climbed higher.
“Managing oxidative stress when a cow is under heat stress is challenging and needs to start before the temperature climbs,” explains Zanton. “The antioxidants, trace minerals and amino acids that she needs take time to take effect and prepare the cow to deal with additional stress.”
To start your own nutrition program before your herd’s milk production suffers from heat stress, talk to your nutritionist or contact a Novus representative. Learn more about oxidative balance in dairy cows by visiting www.dairybalance.com.
Posted: May 24, 2011 at 5:14 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
The King Farm Dairy MOOseum in Montgomery County, Maryland will be a featured part of the county’s Heritage Montgomery celebration next month. The historic dairy barn showcases the history of local dairy farming when more than 300 dairy farms operated in the county to serve Washington DC.
The MOOseum, which opened last fall, is located in the South Germantown Recreational Park and has educational exhibits for all ages including a life-size milking Holstein cow, a scale model replica of the King farmstead, as well as exhibits and tours related to the production, processing, and marketing of milk and milk products. The collection includes milk coolers, cream separators, milk bottles and cans, butter churns, milking machines, and other dairy industry artifacts.
Other fun features at the MOOseum include a life-size replica of Astronaut, one of the world’s most famous dairy bulls that was purchased by Montgomery County agricultural interests in 1968, and became internationally acclaimed for dairy breed excellence and productivity, a milkable replica of a Guernsey cow and a bulk milk tank and pipeline demonstration.
The Heritage Montgomery celebration will be held June 25-26.
The Midwest Dairy Association North Dakota Division is seeking candidates to participate in this year’s North Dakota Dairy Princess contest on June 22 and 23, 2011, in Bismarck.
The North Dakota Dairy Princess serves as the official goodwill ambassador for the state’s dairy industry, helping the dairy checkoff program communicate with consumers regarding dairy farmers’ stewardship for animals and natural resources, the safety and wholesomeness of dairy products, and the economic importance of dairy to North Dakota’s economy.
Eligibility includes young women from 17-23 years old with a strong interest in and affiliation with the dairy industry. Candidates must be a high school graduate and unmarried. They will be judged on their communication skills, personality, general knowledge of the dairy industry and enthusiasm for dairy promotion.
The North Dakota Dairy Princess receives $900 in scholarships and the first runner-up receives $500 in scholarships. An additional $500 scholarship is available to one candidate regardless of who wins the crown.
For complete rules and an application form, contact Seena Glessing, coordinator, at (320) 282-6337 or email seena.glessing@gmail.com. Potential candidates may also visit www.midwestdairycheckoff.com for more information on the program.
Congratulations to Amy Maxwell, Donahue, Iowa, and Joseph Fjarlie, Stratford, Wis. for being selected as the 2011 recipients of the Fred Stout Experience Awards!
The award fund was created in 2000 in memory of Fred J. Stout Sr., Mt. Carmel, Ill., a lifelong Jersey breeder and member of the Jersey Marketing Service (JMS) staff from 1978 to 1997. Stout was instrumental in the growth of the company’s marketing activities, and later added duties as a type evaluator and in customer field service for the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA).
Stout believed that the best learning experiences happen in the everyday world. These awards honor that conviction by providing financial support for on-farm and JMS internship experiences.
Farm Experience Recipient: Amy Maxwell
Amy Maxwell, Donahue, Iowa, has started her on-farm Stout Experience at High Lawn Farm in Lenox, Mass. She received her B.S. degree in agricultural business and economics on May 7 from Iowa State University.
Amy’s roots are in the diversified farming and marketing operations of Cinnamon Ridge Inc., owned by her father, John. She has shown Registered Jerseys™ since the age of 8. Amy has taken advantage of numerous work and educational opportunities as she prepares for a career in the dairy business. These include working as an assistant herdsman at Bohnerts’ Jerseys in East Moline, Ill., and last summer at an 80-cow Holstein dairy.
JMS Internship Recipient: Joseph Fjarlie
Joseph Fjarlie begins his internship with Jersey Marketing Service June 1 assisting with the complete dispersal of K&K Jerseys LLC, Newton, Wis. The experience also includes work on the crew for the 54th National Heifer Sale, June 25 in Arlington, Wis.
Growing up on his family’s farm in the Tillamook, Ore., area, Joseph developed a passion for dairy cattle genetics and registered cattle sales for three breeds. When his family moved its herd to Wisconsin last summer, Joseph relocated with his six Registered Jerseys and began considering career options in addition to breeding and developing an elite herd of cows.
Joseph has extensive work experience on various Oregon dairy operations, including full-time employment at Wilsonview Dairy, Inc and Matejeck Dairy. He also worked as a weekend milker at Kilchona Farm, owned by his grandparents, and in retail at the Tillamook County Creamery Association Farm Store.
Posted: May 24, 2011 at 9:36 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
Dairy cows on a University of Kentucky research farm have been accessorized with tags to measure everything from health to behavior in a new study to advance precision dairy farming.
A research and extension team led by dairy systems management extension specialist Jeffrey Bewley, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Department of Animal and Food Sciences, is embarking on the two-year study at the UK Coldstream Dairy Research Farm.
Using several different technologies, the team will gather biological and observational data that indicate health status and estrus behavior. Detection of heat stress, the onset of calving, lameness, and early detection of mastitis, metritis, and metabolic disorders are also areas of interest.
A milking system will measure drops in yield in each quarter of the cow’s udder, and in particular, electrical conductivity of the milk at the quarter level during milking. There is an indirect connection between electrical conductivity and mastitis. Tags will measure rumination, or cud chewing, providing an opportunity to react quickly to, say, onset of illness or disadvantageous feeding changes, at the single-animal and herd level. A second set of tags will take the surface temperature of the inside of the right ear of each fresh cow every five minutes. Another technology will monitor lying behavior and activity. And a passive bolus system will monitor animal core temperature, which provides information for early disease detection, ovulation detection and parturition. Finally, an eartag will monitor ear temperature and activity to identify potential peripheral shock (cold extremities), which may be particularly useful for early identification of milk fever.
Combined, these devices will provide data that measures cow comfort, which can then be extrapolated to make changes in the dairy’s facilities. Cow comfort can lead to better overall health, which lowers the cost of animal care and/or treatment and can increase animal longevity and boost milk yield.
The top 25 SAMMY winners have been chosen! Now it’s YOUR turn to help choose the MVP! The MVP will have a $5,000 donation made to the not-for-profit organization of their choice.
The SAMMY Awards recognize 25 outstanding high school senior student athletes who represent excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership and also refuel with lowfat chocolate milk after tough workouts. USA TODAY and a panel of Milk Mustache celebrity athletes, including Apolo Ohno, Chauncey Billups, Dara Torres, Andy Roddick and Lindsey Vonn, chose the 25 scholarship winners.
Now it’s your turn to help name one of the scholarship winners become the 2011 “SAMMY MVP.” The “SAMMY MVP” award sets out to recognize the student athlete who not only represents the program and is active in their community, but also refuels their athletic accomplishments with chocolate milk. Based on your votes, a “SAMMY MVP” will be named, and a $5,000 donation will be made to the organization of their choice.
Congratulations to all of the finalists in the competition for the 2011 title of Princess Kay of the Milky Way. Each of the 12 will be sculpted in butter during the 2011 Minnesota State Fair. Princess Kay is crowned each year the night before the State Fair opens.
For the first time in the contest’s 58-year history, two sisters are among the finalists. April Johnson, 21, and Chelsey Johnson, 19, both from Heron Lake and representing Cottonwood County, are the daughters of Dean and Elizabeth Johnson.
Princess Kay serves as the official goodwill ambassador for the state’s dairy farmers, and makes appearances to help explain their commitment to taking care of the animals and resources while providing wholesome, nutritious and affordable dairy products. Midwest Dairy Association manages the program.
The finalists also include:
Erin Daninger, 19, Forest Lake, representing Washington County, daughter of Pat and Sharlene Daninger;
Chaneen Haler, 18, Norwood, representing Carver County, daughter of Rick Haler and Connie Helget;
Jennifer Janak, 19, Northfield, representing Dakota County, daughter of Roger and Julie Janak;
Stephanie Kasper, 19, Owatonna, representing Steele County, daughter of Peter and Karen Kasper;
Emily Krekelberg, 20, Le Sueur, representing Le Sueur County, daughter of Patty Krekelberg and Dale Krekelberg.
Emma Motl, 19, Browerville, representing Todd County, daughter of Mike Motl and Kim Harff;
Janet Oelfke, 19, Hamburg, representing Sibley County, daughter of Jim and Jody Oelfke;
Kelsey Sellner, 19, Sleepy Eye, representing Brown County, daughter of Mike and Judy Sellner;
Theresa Twohey, 20, Stewartville, representing Olmsted County, daughter of Edward and Sherri Twohey; and
Mary Zahurones, 17, Pierz, representing Morrison County, daughter of Chuck and Pat Tax.
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted four requests for export assistance from Darigold, Dairy Farmers of America, and United Dairymen of Arizona to sell a total of 688 metric tons (1.517 million pounds) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese to customers in Asia and North Africa.
The product will be delivered June through September.
In 2011, CWT has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheese totaling 15,177 metric tons (33.4 million pounds) to 19 countries on four continents.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term by reducing inventories that overhang the market and depress cheese prices. In the long-term, CWT’s Export Assistance program helps 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: May 23, 2011 at 9:55 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
International journalists recently had the opportunity to see DeLaval’s first automatic milking rotary, the DeLaval AMR™, in action at a 400 head dairy operation in Sweden that has been testing the technology since last year.
Karin and Stefan Löwenborg of Gamleby, Sweden say they can milk 390 of the dairy’s cows in a 24-stall rotary parlor and it has been a time saver for them. “You have more time to take care of the sick animals,” said Karin. “You can milk 90 cows an hour, 900 cows in 10 hours, twice a day,” adds Stefan.
A few of the cows are still milked by hand, but the Löwenborg’s say they have kept all of their help. “They can do other things during the milking time,” Karin said.
Watch a DeLaval video featuring comments from the Löwenborg’s here:
An 
Last week I attended the Alltech International Symposium. Of course dairy is a big part of the educational topics offered at this annual event. I’ve got a couple of interviews to share with you starting with this one.
It’s all about keeping oxidative balance and avoiding oxidative stress due to heat. 
A research and extension team led by dairy systems management extension specialist Jeffrey Bewley, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Department of Animal and Food Sciences, is embarking on the two-year study at the UK Coldstream Dairy Research Farm.
International journalists recently had the opportunity to see