Posted: May 9, 2011 at 6:02 pm
By News Editor
The Annual Summer Meltdown Celebration set for Saturday, June 18, 2011 at the University of Wisconsin’s Arlington Agricultural Research Station in Arlington, Wis.
This year’s event will begin at 10:00 am with tours of the Agronomy and Vet Sciences areas. At noon lunch will be served in the Public Events Facility followed by a short program. Then at 1:30 pm the tours continue with the Beef and Dairy Units. Finally the day will rap up with Ice Cream treats at the Public Events Facility.
The Young Producer Summer Meltdown Celebration is truly a celebration of agriculture and annually features farm and agricultural industry tours for the whole family and is a part of the Accelerated Genetics Young Producer Program. This program is open to any dairy or beef producer or herdsperson, in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa or Illinois, who are interested in expanding their horizons, meeting other producers, and having fun doing it. Also at this event, individuals, couples and their families are welcome to attend. Anyone interested in becoming involved is encouraged to attend any or all of the Young Producer activities throughout the year! For more information about Young Producer events go online.
To make a reservation for the Summer Meltdown Celebration, call 1-800-451-9275 Ext. 5422 or email kstanek@accelgen.com by June 10th, 2011. Once reservations are received, more information including a map and agenda will be sent. The day’s activities are compliments of Accelerated Genetics.
The Arlington Agricultural Research Station is used by almost all disciplines in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The 2,000-acre complex is composed of 14 crop and livestock units. These include the Agronomy, Beef Nutrition, Beef Physiology, Dairy Herd Replacement, Emmons Blaine Dairy Center, Headquarters, Horticulture, Plant Pathology and Entomology, Poultry, Sheep, Soils, Swine, Turkeys, and Veterinary Science units. The Forestry Department maintains approximately 55 acres of trees for research. There is no single focus to the station’s research; rather, the station supports a wide cross section of research.
Source: Accelerated Genetics
Posted: May 9, 2011 at 5:59 pm
By News Editor
Ben Brancel, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), certified today the results of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) 2011 Board of Directors election.
There were 12 candidates running for nine board member positions. Of the 4,672 dairy producers in the election districts, 14.6% returned valid mail-in ballots. That number is down from 25.6% in 2010 and 16.7% during the 2009 elections. Each licensed dairy operation within the affected district received one vote.
WMMB directors guide the organization’s finances, formulate and set its policies and long-range business plan, and maintain its mission: To help grow demand for Wisconsin milk by providing programs that enhance the competitiveness of the Wisconsin Dairy Industry. Through these initiatives, a WMMB director has the opportunity to represent Wisconsin dairy farmers and products, as well as to become involved in activities that inform and educate consumers.
Commencing July 1, the following dairy producers will begin to serve a three-year term as elected members of the WMMB:
District 1: Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Rusk, Sawyer and Washburn Counties
Benjamin Peterson, Four Cubs Farm, Grantsburg, Wis.
District 4: Barron and Polk Counties
Lyle Jensen, Jens-Gold Farm, Amery, Wis.
District 7: Clark County
David Bangart, Viaduct Holsteins, Greenwood, Wis.
District 10: Brown, Door and Kewaunee Counties
John T. Pagel, Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy, Kewaunee, Wis.
District 13: Buffalo, Pierce and Pepin Counties
Lanette Harsdorf, Trim-Bel Valley Dairy, Beldenville, Wis.
District 16: Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Marquette Counties
David Schmitz, Schmitz’s East Branch Dairy, Fond du Lac, Wis.
District 19: Columbia and Dodge Counties
Michael Scott Zastrow, West Crest Dairy, Mayville, Wis.
District 22: Grant County
Mary Wackershauser, Wack-E-View Registered Holsteins, Lancaster, Wis.
District 25: Green, Rock and Walworth Counties
Stacy Eberle, Eb-Acres, Monroe, Wis.
Source: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
Posted: May 6, 2011 at 1:05 pm
By News Editor
Take a minute to listen to the interview Brownfield conducted with Jim Tillison from NMPF, regarding the question: “Should federal marketing orders be changed?”
As the groundwork is being laid for the 2012 Farm Bill, the National Milk Producers Federation is promoting its Foundation for the Future plan to be the basis for federal dairy policy. One of the things National Milk looked at is an alternative to the current federal order system; Jim Tillison is Senior Vice President, Marketing & Economic Research for NMPF.
Click here to be directed to the audio file.
Source: Brownfield Ag News
Posted: May 6, 2011 at 1:00 pm
By News Editor
The Midwest Dairy Association is seeking two candidates to fill the following positions:
Health and Wellness Program Coordinator: Midwest Dairy Association is seeking a Health and Wellness Program Coordinator in Ankeny, Iowa.
Health and Wellness Program Manager – Arkansas: This position is responsible for marketing, implementing and evaluating programs to positively position dairy products within the total diet and increase dairy sales to school and education based audiences in the Ozarks area.
Click here for more information.
Source: Midwest Dairy Association
Posted: May 5, 2011 at 6:42 pm
By News Editor
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has selected Validus as the third-party verifier for the National Dairy FARM Animal Care program. Validus is an ISO 9001: 2008 certified auditing and verifying company, with over 10 years of experience verifying on-farm animal care.
Validus documents and verifies socially-responsible animal welfare, environmental, on-farm security, and worker care production practices through audits and assessments, environmental planning, and consulting services. All Validus staff and verifiers conducting third-party verification for the National Dairy FARM Program have an extensive background and experience in the dairy industry.
“After an exhaustive request for proposals and review process, NMPF selected Validus for their outstanding capabilities demonstrated through years of experience in completing on-farm verifications for animal care. Third-party verification demonstrates the integrity of our program, and provides assurances to our customers and consumers that dairy producers are committed to the well-being of their animals,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF.
Third-party verification of the FARM Animal Care Program is expected to begin this summer, and be completed by the end of the year.
The National Dairy FARM Program was created by NMPF to demonstrate and verify that U.S. milk producers are committed to providing the highest levels of quality assurance including animal care, residue prevention, and other on-farm practices.
Source: National Dairy FARM Program
Posted: May 5, 2011 at 6:37 pm
By News Editor
Delegates to the bi-annual National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments yesterday narrowly defeated a proposal to reduce the somatic cell count (SCC) legal limit from the current 750,000 cells per milliliter of milk to 400,000 by 2014.
The NCIMS meets every other year to discuss points in the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) which serves as the basis of inspections and quality control for dairy farms and dairy plants that handle Grade A milk. Action taken by NCIMS is advisory to the FDA which is responsible for inspections and milk safety.
The current upper legal limit of 750,000 has been in place since 1993. Under the PMO, milk from each dairy farm must be tested for SCC at least four times every six months. Most plants test every tank from every farm. If a farm has two samples out of four that are over the 750,000 limit, it receives a notice. If a farm has three samples out of five that are over the limit, it gets degraded and no longer can sell Grade A milk. Before 1993, the legal limit was 1 million cells. Before 1986, it was 1.5 million.
Many in the industry have thought that the SCC limit in the U.S. should be reduced to 400,000 to bring the U.S. regulations more in line with those from other countries, especially those countries that serve the growing global dairy product market. Recently, the U.S. has exported the equivalent of up to 12 percent of its milk production.
The issue came to a head, in part, because of stepped-up enforcement of the European Union’s long-standing regulation that dairy products imported from the U.S. be from sources with SCCs below 400,000. This now was deemed to apply to each individual farm, not just the average of a group of farms.
Proposals to lower the SCC limit to 400,000 have been submitted by the National Mastitis Council several times. The proposals primarily have been rejected on the basis that SCCs/mastitis constituted an animal health issue, not a human health or milk safety issue. There was more support for lowering the SCC limit at this week’s NCIMS meeting. USDA’s Dairy Industry Advisory Committee recommended that a farm-level, Grade A SCC limit of 400,000 be implemented over a 48-month period or less.
Both National Milk Producers Federation and the National Mastitis Council submitted “400,000” proposals with full implementation by 2014. According to Anne Saeman, executive director of NMC, the NMC and MNPF proposals were similar enough that they both were revised slightly and submitted as one to improve chance of passage.
In the end, the proposal to lower the SCC legal limit for Grade A milk to 400,000 by 2014 was defeated by a vote of 26 to 25. NCIMS will not meet again for another two years. Undoubtedly, there will be attempts to change the SCC limit in the 2012 Farm Bill or through some other legislation.
Source: Hoard’s Dairyman Blog Post
Posted: May 4, 2011 at 5:59 pm
By News Editor
Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo, and cheese is the perfect way to celebrate the day!
With so many Hispanic cheeses to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming to know which to select and what the proper usage is for home cooking. The California Milk Advisory Board makes it easy with an at-a-glance tip sheet on Hispanic cheeses found online and recipes for using these delicious ingredients at home. Try your hand at infusing your next fiesta or gathering with Latin flair with this recipe that features a classic Hispanic cheese in an updated savory version of a traditional dish. Oaxaca French Toast with Salsa offers a large quantity size recipe that is perfect for in-home celebrations, such as Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Mother’s Day brunch, graduation fiestas or the family barbecue.
From Manchego and Queso Freso to Cotija and Oaxaca, you don’t have to get on a plane to explore the flavors of Mexico. Hispanic dairy products are designed to add flavor, salt and in some cases, cooling properties to the fiery flavors often associated with Latino cuisine. Try crema tossed with your favorite fruit for a light and tangy salad. Calcium-rich drinkable yogurts in flavors like Mango and Pineapple are an easy, portable way to add a delicious tropical Latin flavor to your diet. Real California dairy products, including Hispanic cheeses and dairy products such as drinkable yogurt and crema, are distributed throughout California and nationally.
Source: California Milk Advisory Board
Posted: May 4, 2011 at 5:44 pm
By News Editor
Industry experts with a vast array of expertise will converge at World Dairy Expo to help increase dairy operations profitability and efficiency as part of the 2011 Expo Seminars. Eight free seminars will be offered during the week of October 4 through 8 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Learn more about: Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy, genomic testing, communicating with consumers, robotic milking, calf nutrition, somatic cell counts, feed costs and carbon emissions.
Seminars will be showcased each day, Tuesday through Saturday, in the Mendota 2 meeting room, in the Exhibition Hall. APC, Inc., Aspen Dairy Solutions, Badgerland Financial, BASF Plant Science, Dairy Management Inc., DeLaval, Jamesway and Select Sires, Inc. are sponsors of this year’s seminars. Following is a brief synopsis of each Expo Seminar.
Tuesday, October 4, 1:00 p.m.
“Is Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) for Dairy Right for Your Dairy”
Dr. Chad Hart, Assistant Professor, Iowa State University
Sponsored by: Badgerland Financial
Wednesday, October 5, 11:00 a.m.
“Making Genomic Testing Work for You”
Dr. Tom Lawlor, Director, Research and Development, Holstein Association USA
Sponsored by: Select Sires, Inc.
Wednesday, October 5, 1:00 p.m.
“Leading the Conversation”
Jane Hillstrom, President, Hillstrom Communications
Michele Ruby, President, Ruby-Do, Inc.
Sponsored by: Dairy Management Inc.
Thursday, October 6, 11:00 a.m.
“Automatic Milking: Current Status and Future Options”
Dr. Douglas Reinemann, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Sponsored by: DeLaval
Thursday, October 6, 1:00 p.m.
“Baby Calf Nutrition: Getting Your Future Off to a Good Start”
Dr. James Drackley, Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Sponsored by: APC, Inc.
Friday, October 7, 11:00 a.m.
“Managing Your Margins: Practical Ways to Reduce Feed Costs and Increase Milk Price”
Dr. Normand St-Pierre, Professor, The Ohio State University
Sponsored by: BASF Plant Science
Friday, October 7, 1:00 p.m.
“Improve Your SCC, 400K Beat It!”
Dr. Ynte Hein Schukken, Professor and Director Quality Milk Production Services, Cornell University
Sponsored by: Aspen Dairy Solutions
Saturday, October 8, 11:00 a.m.
“Dairies, Air Quality & Climate Change – Where the Industry Stands”
Dr. Frank Mitloener, Associate Professor and Air Quality Extension Specialist, University of California-Davis
Sponsored by: Jamesway
Source: World Dairy Expo
Posted: May 4, 2011 at 7:00 am
By Chuck
Improving nitrogen/nutrient utilization (45%) was the top choice in answer to the ZimmPoll question, “What should the next seed traits focus on?” That was followed by drought tolerance at 23%, improve food/fiber profiles 14%, improve current traits 9% and other 9%. If you selected “other” what would you suggest? So there you go researchers. Let’s get with it and bring on some new traits!
Our next ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Do you believe in man made climate change?” I was going to use the term global warming but now we have found out that cooling is going on too so the current buzz term on this is climate change. Let us know what you think and thank you for participating.
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 3, 2011 at 5:19 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted five requests for export assistance from Bongards Creamery, Dairy Farmers of America, Darigold, and Foremost Farms to sell a total of 428 metric tons (943,579 pounds) of Cheddar cheese to customers in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. The product will be delivered May through July.
In 2011, CWT has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheese totaling 12,328 metric tons (27.2 million pounds) to 17 countries on three 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.
Last week, CWT incorrectly reported that it had assisted with export sales of 826 metric tons equal to 2.152 million pounds. The correct number is 1.821 million pounds. CWT apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.
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: May 3, 2011 at 5:13 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Queen-Acres Barber Booper, for being the new leader in The American Jersey Cattle Association’s Living Lifetime Production Contest.
After ranking second in the two previous contests, Queen-Acres Barber Booper moved into first place with lifetime totals on December 31, 2010 of 306,145 lbs. milk, 14,664 lbs. fat and 10,520 lbs. protein. Average daily production was 81.4 lbs. milk, 3.9 lbs. fat and 2.8 lbs. protein.
Bred and owned by Rebeccah Lippy, Keymar, Md., “Booper” is a Very Good-88% daughter of WF/L&M Duncan Barber-ET. Three of her 10 lactations have exceeded 30,000 lbs. milk, with the highest being 40,616 lbs. milk in 365 days beginning at 8 years of age. That record ranks twenty-first all-time in AJCA production testing history.
The AJCA Living Lifetime Production Contest recognizes Registered Jersey™ cows alive as of December 31 of the contest year. Twenty-six cows met the minimum nomination requirements for the 2010 contest of 200,000 lbs. milk, 9,500 lbs. fat and/or 7,500 lbs. protein.
The previous contest winner, Duncan Hibrite of Family Hill, holds the all-time records for official lifetime production with 343,620 lbs. milk, 16,070 lbs. fat and 12,601 lbs. protein. She was owned by Ryan Lancaster, Tillamook, Ore.
Source: The American Jersey Cattle Association
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