Posted: June 2, 2011 at 7:36 pm
By News Editor
The 2011 All-American Dairy Show will welcome 10 judges to place classes in 14 youth and open shows Sept. 17-22 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.
- Lee Barber of DeWitt, Iowa, will judge the All-American Brown Swiss show on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 20-21.
- Ted DeMent of Kenney, Ill., will place the All-American Milking Shorthorn show on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 20-21.
- Theodore Halbach of Madison, Wis., will judge the Premier National Junior Holstein Show on Monday, Sept. 19.
- Ronald Heffner of Middletown, Md., returns to judge at the All-American and will place the Premier National Junior Red & White show on Monday, Sept. 19 and the Eastern National Holstein show Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 21-22.
- Matthew Lawrence of Mercer, Pa., will make his All-American Dairy Show judging debut by placing the All-American Red & White show Wednesday, Sept. 21.
- Daniel Sivesind of Waukon, Iowa, will work triple-time by judging the Premier National Junior Ayrshire and Milking Shorthorn shows on Monday, Sept. 19, and the All-American Guernsey Show on Wednesday, Sept. 21.
- Larry Schirm of Laurelville, Ohio, will return to place the Jersey Show at the All-American for the third time on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 21-22.
- Steve Wagner of Quarryville, Pa., will place the Premier National Junior Guernsey Show on Monday, Sept. 19.
- Eric Topp of Botkins, Ohio, returns to the All-American Dairy Show and will place the Premier National Junior Jersey show on Monday, Sept. 19, and the All-American Ayrshire Show Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 20-21.
- Laurie Winkelman of Appleton, Wis., will officiate the Premier National Junior Brown Swiss show on Monday, Sept. 19.
Source: The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Posted: June 2, 2011 at 7:27 pm
By News Editor
You may have heard the news today, regarding the USDA’s announcement of the new MyPlate. This tool is intended to educate Americans about the healthy choices they make regarding their diet. The shape may have shifted from pyramid to plate, but the message remains the same: dairy is an important part of the daily diet, for adults and children alike.
For that reason, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and other dairy organizations today praised the USDA’s new MyPlate education tool, which provides a clear and visual message that a healthy diet is comprised of a variety of nutrient-rich foods, including low-fat and fat-free milk, cheese, and yogurt.
America’s dairy farmers and processors commended the USDA for including a light blue circle depicting a serving of “Dairy” – milk, cheese, or yogurt – next to the dinner plate to illustrate how to build a healthy eating plan, including a serving of dairy at every meal.
“Dairy foods are rightfully being recognized — from the school house to the White House — as an important part of everyone’s diet,” noted NMPF President and CEO Jerry Kozak. “USDA’s new MyPlate, the simple visual metaphor of a serving of dairy products alongside a plate, says it’s vital to consume three servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods every day.”
Other dairy industry leaders similarly applauded the new graphic. “Knowing what we do about dairy’s ability to reduce the risk of conditions like osteoporosis, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes, we think it’s exciting that dairy is highlighted individually,” said Jean Ragalie, R.D., president of National Dairy Council. “The location of dairy on the graphic really helps it stand out as an essential part of a healthy eating plan,” she added.
“Milk provides a unique package of nine essential nutrients and dairy foods are a substantial contributor of many nutrients that are important for good health,” offered Vivien Godfrey, CEO of the Milk Processor Education Program. “We are firm believers in the importance of ‘pouring one more’ serving of dairy, and this tool will be a fresh reminder to all Americans as they sit down at their tables with their families.”
Dairy contributes beyond the glass, as well. A serving of nutrient-rich, low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese, or yogurt has, on average, at least as much protein as an egg. In fact, dairy foods contribute 18 percent of the protein to the American diet. Simple steps, like adding lower fat cheese to a veggie sandwich or topping a baked potato with fat-free plain yogurt can give any meal a nutrient boost.
Americans currently average about 2 daily servings of dairy foods, while USDA’s dietary guidelines encourage 3 daily servings of low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products for adults and children nine years and older. This underscores the importance of a direct, visual metaphor like the MyPlate tool in relaying this guidance to a population being urged to get more nutrients per calorie at every meal.
“We’re delighted that this new education tool makes it clear that milk and other dairy products are important for a nutritious diet,” said Connie Tipton, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association. “It highlights how beneficial a serving of dairy at every meal can be and helps to educate people about dairy’s role on the table and in the American diet.”
The new MyPlate will encourage a variety of dietary patterns that support a healthy lifestyle, and it will make clear that dairy foods are a nutritional fit for most everyone. Whether it’s flavored or lactose-free milk, Greek yogurt or frozen yogurt, or one of the many reduced-fat cheese options available, the dairy industry is committed to providing tasty, healthy and affordable options to help Americans consume essential nutrients that can be hard to get from other foods.
Source: National Milk Producers Federation
Posted: June 1, 2011 at 5:17 pm
By News Editor
Happy June Dairy Month! How will you be celebrating? Be sure to thank a dairy farmer!
Posted: June 1, 2011 at 5:14 pm
By News Editor
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) will be hosting a Summer Grassroots Tour: 12 meetings in July and August that will bring together dairy producers and other key industry representatives to discuss the dairy policy reform programs proposed in NMPF’s Foundation for the Future.
“The U.S. dairy industry has called for dramatic changes in dairy policy, and Foundation for the Future answers that call,” says Jerry Kozak, NMPF President and CEO. “Our summer meetings will explain how Foundation for the Future’s dairy policy reforms will safeguard dairy producers’ equity, ensure the future of their operations, and stabilize dairy markets.”
The meetings are slated to take place throughout the United States between July 12 and August 22. Each three-hour meeting will feature an in-depth presentation, and question and answer session led by NMPF’s Kozak, along with other staff. Meeting locations include:
Olympia, Wash., Red Lion Hotel – July 12
Visalia, Calif., Holiday Inn – July 13
Lubbock, Texas, Overton Hotel & Conference Center – July 18
Alexandria, Minn., Holiday Inn – July 20
Dubuque, Iowa, Grand River Center – July 21
Lansing, Mich., Ramada Lansing Hotel & Conference Center – July 26
Green Bay, Wis., Comfort Suites – July 27
Stevens Point, Wis., Ramada Hotel – July 28
Harrisburg, Pa., Holiday Inn Harrisburg – East – August 8
Syracuse, N.Y., Holiday Inn Syracuse/Liverpool Airport Hotel – August 10
Ocala, Fla., Hilton – August 12
Nashville, Tenn., Embassy Suites Nashville Airport – August 22
Dairy producers, milk processors, and other key industry stakeholders are encouraged to attend. Visit the website, email summermeetings@nmpf.org, or call NMPF at (703) 243-6111 for additional meeting and registration information. There are no fees to attend; however, space is limited, so register early.
Source: National Milk Producers Federation
Posted: June 1, 2011 at 5:12 pm
By News Editor
Here’s a fun way to celebrate June Dairy Month – Progressive Dairyman’s 2nd Annual Flavor Face-Off. Vote for your favorite ice cream in the bracket! (Although, this News Editor is sad to see a poor showing from the East Coast! Maybe next year…) Vote here.
This year, we asked dairy industry bloggers and Proud to Dairy members — along with returning and new faces to Progressive Dairyman — to join in Flavor Face-Off the fun. The result is a bracket of 16 flavors, pitted against one another in eight match-ups.
Voting for the first round will take place until June 14, at which point the eight winners will face-off to determine the final four, the top two and, finally, the 2011 Ice Cream Flavor Face-Off Champion. Vote today to make sure your favorite reigns supreme.
Over the next two weeks, we’ll also be posting features where you can learn more about two flavors going head-to-head.
Source: Progressive Dairyman
Posted: June 1, 2011 at 7:03 am
By Chuck
Dr. Jude Capper, Washington State University, Assistant Professor of Dairy Sciences (pictured on the left) is a myth buster. At the Alltech International Symposium she took on the myths about the carbon footprint of modern dairy production. Her presentation was titled, “Managing the media myth: What is the truth behind the carbon footprint of modern dairy production? Things you should know.” I spoke with her to find out what we should know.
Jude says that the main takeaway from her remarks is “If we improve productivity, we cut land use, we cut water use, we cut fertilizer and fossil fuel use and we cut the total carbon footprint.” Now how often have you heard modern dairy production portrayed in that light? But that’s the truth and a story that needs to be told. Compared to 1944 the carbon footprint of a pound of milk has decreased by 63 percent! She says we still have a lot of room for improvement too. Her research has focused on American dairy production but she says that this same trend is happening in countries around the world. I am glad we had her on the program! Dr. Jude Capper Interview
You can find more information about her research on the WSU website.
2011 Alltech Symposium Photo Album
Posted: June 1, 2011 at 6:51 am
By Chuck
Of course we planned our latest ZimmPoll to coincide with the first public hearings on the new farm bill. Uh. Right. But that’s how it worked out. This past week we’ve asked the question, “What is your opinion about the farm bill?” Early in the poll there was not a large gap in response but then things changed and the choice of Needs Overhaul zoomed out in front with 61% choosing it. That’s followed by 31% who said it Needs Minimal Change and then 8% with Leave as is. I guess the bottom line is that something needs to change, eh?
If you missed the first hearings by the Senate Ag Committee you can still watch them:
Food for Thought: The Role, Risks and Challenges for American Agriculture and the Next Farm Bill in Meeting the Demands of a Growing World
Opportunities for Growth: Michigan and the 2012 Farm Bill
Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “Have you ever used your smartphone to scan a QR code?” Well, have you?
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.
Recent Entries »
The 2011 All-American Dairy Show will welcome 10 judges to place classes in 14 youth and open shows Sept. 17-22 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. 