Posted: July 6, 2011 at 6:56 am
By Chuck
The ZimmPoll is not a scientific, statistically valid measurement of any demographic but rather a gauge of opinion and other information from interested readers. Never has that been more evident than this past week when our poll was highly influenced by a concerted campaign to do so by R-Calf in response to a post Cindy did, “GIPSA Dominates Senate Committee Hearing.” The R-Calf campaign helped generate most of the 112 comments posted there. Unfortunately, most of them are nothing more than personal attacks on Senator Pat Roberts. They do little to foster a constructive “debate.” I considered not approving many of them but figure common sense people will see them and realize the movement behind them and take them for what they’re worth. There are some good, reasoned comments mixed in from both sides of the issue at least. We’re just happy to provide a public forum for this very important issue.
So, the results of our last poll which asked the question, “What do you think of USDA’s proposed GIPSA Rule?” are as follows: 68% say Love it, 18% say Kill it, 10% say What’s GIPSA? and 4% say Good concept but needs changes. The R-Calf position is in favor of the proposal and I think that’s clearly reflected in the results. By the way, the poll generated the most responses we’ve had to a ZimmPoll to date. What do you think about this issue if you haven’t already weighed in? Feel free to make a comment.
Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “What’s the very first thing you check online each day?” Let us know what you think.
ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.
Posted: July 5, 2011 at 2:20 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted six requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America and Bongards Creamery to sell a total of 1,128 metric tons (2.487 million pounds) of Cheddar cheese to customers in the Middle East, North Africa and Central America. The product will be delivered July through November.
In 2011, CWT has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Gouda cheese totaling 22,024 metric tons (478.6 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.
Source: Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) Export Assistance program
Posted: July 1, 2011 at 3:16 pm
By News Editor
Officers and directors for the two USJersey organizations were elected during the Annual Meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ) held June 24 and 25, respectively, at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
Robert Bignami, Orland, Calif., was elected to a one-year term as President of the American Jersey Cattle Association. Bignami, co-recipient of the 2007 AJCA Master Breeder Award with the late Harlan Askeland, owns and operates Brentwood Farms, a 1,300-cow Registered Jersey™ herd enrolled on REAP (registration, Equity, type appraisal and performance programs).
Elected as Vice President for a one-year term was Richard Doran, Jr., Newberry, S.C. Doran owns and manages Bush River Jerseys, a 700-head operation that bottles and markets All-Jersey® brand milk with partner Peelers Dairy.
W. Phil Gordon, Syracuse, N.Y., was elected to a three-year term as AJCA Director from the Seventh District, succeeding two-term director and retiring Vice President James VanBuskirk, Carleton, Mich. Phil is a third-generation Jersey breeder and operates Gordon Farms with his wife Marty, daughter Mary, and son and daughter-in-law, Josh and Jennifer.
Three sitting Directors were re-elected to a second three-year term. They are Robin Denniston-Keller, Byron, N.Y. (Second District); Jerry Spielman, Seneca, Kans. (Ninth District); and Jim Quist, Fresno, Calif. (Twelfth District).
David Endres, Lodi, Wis., was elected to serve a third term as president of National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ). James S. Huffard III, Crockett, Va., was re-elected Vice President of the organization.
Re-elected to the NAJ Board from District 1 was Norman H. Martin, Tillamook, Ore.
Source: The American Jersey Cattle Association
Posted: July 1, 2011 at 3:14 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to all of the youth that participated in the National Dairy Bowl and Dairy Jeopardy contests during the National Junior Holstein Convention.
Dairy Jeopardy
Dairy Jeopardy had over 75 contestants in three age divisions; Junior, ages 9-13, Intermediate, ages 14-17, and Senior, ages 18-21. The lively and engaging competition is based on the popular television game show, but focuses on a vast array of dairy knowledge.
In the Junior division, first place honors went to Elisabeth Regusci from California. The Intermediate division winner was Tony Lopes from California, and in the Senior division contest, Nathan Ulmer of Pennsylvania bested the competition and was named champion.
Dairy Bowl
In the National Dairy Bowl contest, four-person teams compete within two age divisions – Junior, ages 9-15, and Senior, ages 16-21. Twenty Junior teams and 14 Senior teams competed this year.
The final round of the Junior division saw Indiana square off against Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania came out victorious in the championship match. Coaching the Pennsylvania team was Pat Kitchen, Amanda Wolfe and Randy Wolfe, and team members included Travis Holtzinger, Paula Holtzinger, Carrie Shuman and Taylor Wolfe. The runner-ups of Indiana were coached by Michelle Blough, with team members Annie Achen, Christy Achen, John Achen and Jennifer Fry.
Maryland claimed the national champion title in the Senior division with team members Carissa Doody, Mandi Ramsburg, Clayborne Zimmerman and Kristin Zimmerman. The team was coached by Clay Zimmerman. They defeated Indiana in the last round. The Indiana team was coached by David Blough, and competitors were Rachel Achen, Jason Fry, Jessica Fry and Joe Gardner.
Exemplary sportsmanship is also rewarded in each division to encourage courtesy and friendliness throughout the contest. The Missouri team received this honor in the Junior division. Team members were Austin Moreland, Steven Nelson, Jacob Peters and Lauren Whitehead, coached by Sherri Moreland Peters.
The Pennsylvania team was proud to be named the Senior division sportsmanship winners. Team members included Isaac Haagen, Tucker Hardy, Naomi Ulmer and Lisa Zimmerman, coached by Dr. Bob Cloninger.
Dairy Knowledge Exam
The Dairy Knowledge Exam is open to any youth attending that National Junior Holstein Convention who wants to test their skills. The top three in each age division were awarded with a plaque.
In the Junior division, first place went to Elisabeth Regusci, Calif.; second place was Tony Lopes, Calif.; and coming in third place was Travis Holtzinger, Pa.
Claiming top honors in the Senior division were, in first place, Hayley Potts, Va.; second place Isaac Haagen, Pa.; and third place Kirsten Beaudry, N.H.
Source: Holstein Foundation
Posted: July 1, 2011 at 2:11 pm
By Cindy Zimmerman
June Dairy Month is gone now, but not forgotten by thousands who received meals last month through Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA).
DFI put together a nationwide effort for June Dairy Month that resulted in nearly 100,000 meals provided for hungry Americans in several communities.
The Cooperative initially set out to provide 50,000 meals to those in need through a series of fundraisers, volunteer events and local food drives, the majority of which benefited affiliates of Feeding America, the nation’s largest network of food banks.
Ultimately, DFA members and staff doubled that goal, giving nearly 700 hours of volunteer time, donating more than 7,700 pounds of food, sorting and packaging another 65,000 pounds of food during volunteer events, and contributing more than $5,000 in cash and grocery gift cards.
The campaign was part of a larger DFA hunger and nutrition effort, which encompasses policy advocacy and legislative outreach, as well as collaboration with federal and local hunger and nutritional programs.
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