Posted: August 31, 2011 at 7:06 am
By Chuck
Last week we asked the question, “What is your opinion on ag-related sponsorships of sporting events?” 46% of you said Great way to reach certain audiences. 34% said Some are good, some not. 19% said Waste of money. Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments below. There are ag related sponsorships in just about every kind of sporting event that sells them. Which do you think are best? Which are the worst?
Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “How many years before cellulosic ethanol matches corn ethanol production?” Your input and thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.
Posted: August 30, 2011 at 7:13 pm
By News Editor
Entries for the 59th All American Jersey Show & Sale are due by September 20. The show will be held at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky., November 5 to 7. The headquarters for the All American is the Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Airport.
The All American Junior Jersey Show is scheduled for Saturday, November 5. Ted DeMent, Kenney, Ill., is the judge with Dean Dohle, Half Way, Mo., serving as his consultant. This is one of the richest junior shows in the world with $8,875 in premiums offered, plus an additional $5,000 in exhibitor support being provided by the American Jersey Cattle Association.
The 58th National Jersey Jug Futurity on Sunday, November 6 offers an estimated $10,000 in premiums. It will be judged by Chris Lahmers, Marysville, Ohio. His consultant will be John Erbsen, Lanark, Ill.
The open division of The All American Jersey Show is set to take place on November 7 and will be judged by Herby D. Lutz, Chester, S.C. His consultant will be Andrew Vander Meulen, Brighton, Ontario.
The first and second place entries in each class of all shows will be named the All American and Reserve All American winners for 2011 by the American Jersey Cattle Association. The shows will be streamed live from Freedom Hall via webcast.
Two sales, both managed by Jersey Marketing Service of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, will also occur that same weekend.
The 59th All American Jersey Sale, the premier showcase for Registered Jersey™ genetics in the United States, will offer 75 lots on the evening of Sunday, November 6.
A total of 35 Registered Jersey™ heifers—all genomically tested—will be offered to youth between seven and 20 years of age in the 54th Pot O’Gold Sale. Cow’s Match® Jersey Blend is the Presenting Sponsor of this sale on Saturday, November 5.
Source: The American Jersey Cattle Association
Posted: August 30, 2011 at 7:08 pm
By News Editor
Cattle exhibitors wishing to compete at World Dairy Expo 2011 should log on to World Dairy Expo website now and submit their entries.
According to Dairy Cattle Show Manager, Laura Herschleb, entry fees will increase at midnight (CDT) on Thursday, September 1. Paper applications must also be postmarked by that date to avoid late entry fees.
Animals may still be entered after September 1 and until check-in for the show. Late entries made between September 2 and September 6 may be made online or by paper at $50 per animal. After September 6, all late entries must be submitted on paper entry form at a cost of $100 per animal.
“Around the World of Dairy in 5 Days” is the theme for World Dairy Expo 2011, which will take place Tuesday, October 4, through Saturday, October 8 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Source: World Dairy Expo
Posted: August 30, 2011 at 7:06 pm
By News Editor
East Central/Select Sires awarded eight $250 scholarships to students enrolled in the UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC).
Scholarship recipients include: Brett Hildebrandt, son of Roger and Fay Hildebrandt of Hustisford; Matthew O’Connor, son of James and Theresa O’Connor of New Glarus; Deanna Sterman, daughter of Matthew and Rhonda of Hartford; Zachary Meyer, son of Dale and Kelly Schmuhl of Ripon; Brittany Kadlec, daughter of Mike and Wanda Kadlec of Big Foot; Megan Daluge, daughter of Peter Daluge and Katie Gunn of Janesville; William Solberg, son of Terry Solberg and Karen Chrostowski of Oregon; and Garrett Lederman, son of Dean and Dawn Lederman of Brodhead.
All of these students achieved academically and have shown outstanding leadership ability to qualify them for this scholarship. All were recognized at the recent East Central/Select Sires annual meeting in Madison. For more information about this scholarship program or for an application, contact the Farm and Industry Short Course office at 608.263.3918.
Source: East Central/Select Sires
Posted: August 30, 2011 at 7:01 pm
By News Editor
Seymour Dairy Products, one of the largest blue cheese producers in the United States, celebrated its second expansion in its six-year existence.
“Quite an undertaking for a small company like ours,” said Michael Brennenstuhl, the President and CEO of Seymour Dairy Products. “We aren’t a big corporate entity.”
The company’s $2.5 million expansion brought Governor Scott Walker to Seymour.
“The number one reason why they are growing and why we’ve seen in the last five years about a $2.5 billion investment in our dairy industry is because the quality stands out on a worldwide basis,” said Walker.
“This expansion opens doors for us to expand to many different areas of the blue cheese segment of sales in the United States,” said Brennenstuhl.
Seymour Dairy Products officials say adding 11,000 square feet to its facility should help with the growing demand for specialty cheeses. At this pace, they say another expansion could be needed in the future.
Company officials say while the expansion has meant more automation to its cheese-making process, it has not meant the loss of any employees. They say the expansion could bring an additional six to eight jobs to the plant in the coming years.
Source: Fox Online; Reporter: Ben Krumholz
Posted: August 27, 2011 at 12:32 pm
By News Editor
Robert Corbett, DVM, PAS, with Dairy Health Consultation, will present “Achieving Maximum Growth Potential of Replacement Heifers through Management and Nutrition,” at the next DCHA webinar on Wednesday,
Sept. 14 at 1:00 p.m. CDT. The webinar will offer practical advice on how an accelerated growth program can increase your operation’s productivity.
“There is a lot of practical information that needs to be conveyed to the heifer grower, including proper feeding practices for young calves on milk,” says Dr. Corbett. “Also, an area that is often ignored is heifer nutrition from breeding to calving. These animals are viewed as the garbage disposals of the dairy and do not receive a diet that is anywhere close to what they require.”
This webinar is sponsored by FERMENTEN, brought to you by Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition.
DCHA member registration is FREE, and non-members may register for a $25 fee.
Source: The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association
Posted: August 27, 2011 at 12:28 pm
By News Editor
White Wave Foods is testing a new line of fine-filtered milk, called Simply Pure, in the two Ohio markets.
Simply Pure, is available in local Kroger, Walmart, Meijer and Giant Eagle stores and has been on the shelves for about three weeks.
“There’s big difference between regular milk and fine-filtered milk,” director of innovation Linda Zink said. “Fine-filtered milk tastes better because all of the impurities found in regular milk are removed through the filtering process.”
“We’re getting a lot of good comments from people about it,” she said. “People like it.”
She said White Wave became interested in fine-filtered milk after it had been popular in Canada for 10 years.
Source: Lancaster Eagle Gazette
Posted: August 27, 2011 at 10:40 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
The South Dakota Dairy Producers (SDDP) are sponsoring a forum on National Dairy Policy and Immigration Reform August 30 in Sioux Falls.
According to SDDP, the forum will provide South Dakota dairy producers with the opportunity to learn more about the latest federal legislation to authorize foreign workers through presentations and question and answer sessions led by officials of the National Milk Producer Federation (NMPF). South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture, Walt Bones will also speak at the event.
Specific legislation to be discussed includes the proposed “Foundation for the Future” policy introduced by the House Agriculture Committee’s ranking member, Collin Peterson (D-MN) the week of July 18. In the area of immigration, NMPF will provide an update on the H-2A Improvement Act, which would authorize foreign dairy workers, sheep herders and goat herders to remain in the U.S. for an initial period of three years, and give the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services the authority to approve a worker for an additional three-year period.
South Dakota Dairy Producers encourage dairy producers, milk processors, and other key industry stakeholders to take part in the discussion by attending the forum, which will be held at the Best Western – Ramkota Hotel, in Sioux Falls, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. central time on August 30. The free forum is limited to 100 attendees. To pre-reregister for the forum, email sddairyproducers@gmail.com.
Posted: August 25, 2011 at 6:30 pm
By News Editor
St. Brigid’s Farm, a Registered Jersey™ dairy located near Kennedyville, Md., will be one of eight U.S. operations featured as a Virtual Farm Tour at the 2011 World Dairy Expo.
The program, which will be presented by owners Robert Fry, D.V.M., and Judy Gifford, will start at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5 in Mendota 1 meeting room in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis. The American Jersey Cattle Association is the program sponsor.
“The three cornerstones of St. Brigid’s Farm,” Judy explains, “are ecological soundness, economic viability and positive community influence with the Jersey cow the center of all three.”
The 55-acre farm is located on the scenic eastern shore of Maryland near the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay and planted in permanent pasture. It was named after St. Brigid, the patron saint of dairymaids and scholars who was renowned for her compassion and often featured with cows at her feet. She perfectly represents the pairing of Judy, the dairymaid, and Bob, the scholar.
Established in 1996 with the purchase of 69 heifers, the St. Brigid’s Jersey herd today includes 160 head consisting of milking cows, replacement heifers, steers and veal calves. The cows graze on perennial grasses, such as ryegrass, orchardgrass or endophyte-free fescue mixed with white clover, from April to mid-December.
Grass-fed Jersey beef and meadow-raised veal is sold directly to individuals and restaurants to offer consumers a delicious and healthy alternative to the options at the supermarket.
Other Virtual Farm Tours feature dairy businesses located in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and North Carolina. They are being sponsored by AgSource Cooperatives Services, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, Lely USA, North Carolina Dairy Advantage, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Quality Liquid Feeds, and Structures Unlimited LLC. There is no charge for these programs.
Source: The American Jersey Cattle Association
Posted: August 25, 2011 at 6:26 pm
By News Editor
The New York State Fair has unveiled its 2011 butter sculpture. See it now through September 5 in the NYS Fair Dairy Products Building.
The annual butter sculpture traditionally pays tribute to the state’s farm families who feed folks in their communities and beyond, but this year, New York’s farmers have turned the tables to publically thank another group dedicated to providing nutritious food: the School Nutrition professionals, who prepare more than 2.3 million meals for students every day in New York State.
Created from 800 pounds of unsalted butter, “Feeding our Future” features students selecting healthy breakfast items, such as milk, fruit, cereal and yogurt from a cafeteria line.
Fairgoers are invited to nominate their favorite school food worker for a day of pampering as an additional thank you. Details are available at the Dairy Princess Booth at the Dairy Products building or by visiting the website. The contest runs August 24-September 15th.
When the Fair is finished, the butter will once again find new life by turning corn’s best friend into fuel—biodiesel, to be exact—as part of a joint collaboration between American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc. (ADADC), and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF). The sculpture is expected to yield more than 90 gallons of fuel, which will be used to transport SUNY-ESF students.
The 800 pounds of unsalted butter are provided courtesy of Wegmans Food Markets. Artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Conshohocken created the sculpture for the 9th straight year.
Source: The American Dairy Association & Dairy Council, Inc.
Posted: August 25, 2011 at 7:25 am
By News Editor
Congratulations to Mary Zahurones, the 58th Princess Kay of the Milky Way! Zahurones is an 18-year-old college student from Pierz, Minnesota.
As Princess Kay, Zahurones, who represents Morrison County, will serve as the official goodwill ambassador for Minnesota’s nearly 4,500 dairy farmers. Mary is the daughter of Chuck and Pat Tax of Pierz, and will attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities this fall as a pre-med student studying biology and chemistry.
Twelve county dairy princesses competed for the Princess Kay of the Milky Way title. Stephanie Kasper of Owatonna, representing Steele County, and Theresa Twohey (TOO ee) of Stewartville, representing Olmsted County, were selected as runners-up. Twohey was also named Miss Congeniality. Scholarships were awarded to Erin Daninger of Forest Lake, representing Washington County, April Johnson of Heron Lake, representing Cottonwood County, and Emily Krekelberg of Le Sueur, representing Le Sueur County.
One of Zahurones’ first duties as Princess Kay will be to sit in a rotating cooler for about six hours on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair to have her likeness sculpted in a 90-pound block of butter. Each of the 11 other finalists will have her likeness carved in butter during the fair as well. This year marks butter sculptor Linda Christensen’s 40th year carving Princess Kay of the Milky Way and finalists at the Minnesota State Fair.
Throughout her year-long reign as Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Zahurones will make public appearances helping consumers make a connection with Minnesota dairy farm families who are dedicated to producing wholesome milk while caring for their animals and natural resources.
Princess Kay candidates are judged on their general knowledge of the dairy industry, communication skills, personality and enthusiasm for dairy promotion. The Midwest Dairy Association sponsors the Princess Kay program with funds provided by dairy farmers.
Source: Midwest Dairy Association
Posted: August 24, 2011 at 4:05 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Jayme Sellen for her recent promotion to Government Affairs Director at the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association (DBA). Ms. Sellen previously held the position of Deputy Government Affairs Director for the Association.
“Over the last year, Jayme has proven to be a great asset to DBA. We are so very happy that she will be leading our government affairs efforts,” said Laurie Fischer, Executive Director of DBA.
Jayme has a degree from St. Norbert College where she studied Political Science, Business Administration and Philosophy. She also worked both in the State Senate and Assembly before lobbying for the Wisconsin Counties Association.
Jayme will work with our legislators and regulatory agencies to help them understand the increasingly changing dairy industry and how it is vital to Wisconsin’s job creation efforts and the health of our economy. The dairy industry generates $26.5 billion in economic activity and employs over 146,000 Wisconsin residents each year.
Jayme comes from a family with strong roots in the agriculture industry. Her grandparents, Cliff and Edie Sellen, owned and operated a dairy farm in Oconto County and her father, Gary Sellen, has been a prominent agricultural lender in Wisconsin for 25 years.
Source: The Dairy Business Association
Posted: August 24, 2011 at 4:02 pm
By News Editor
The Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence Board of Directors has selected seven individuals to receive $1,000 Student Leader Scholarships.
The scholarships provide recognition, encouragement and financial assistance to outstanding students enrolled in academic programs that support the dairy industry.
Selection of the scholarship winners was based on the completed application within the following criteria: academic performance; apparent commitment to a career related to the dairy industry; evidence of leadership, character and integrity; and application compliance.
The recipients of the scholarship include:
Philip Bachman is the son of Mark and Melanie Bachman, Ulysses, Potter County, and is a senior enrolled in animal science at Penn State.
Sara Bechtel is the daughter of Gary and Claudia Bechtel, Martinsburg, Blair County, and a junior studying animal science at Penn State.
Maggie Harding is the daughter of Jeff and Cindy Harding, State College, Centre County, and is a sophomore majoring in food science at Penn State.
Destinee Horning is the daughter of Nevin and Denise Horning, Lititz, Lancaster County, and is a sophomore majoring in dairy science at Delaware Valley College.
Chad Horst is the son of Kirby and Sheryl Horst, Newmanstown, Lebanon County, and is a freshman studying animal science at Penn State.
Heidi Musshafen is the daughter of Nick and Margie Musshafen, Millerton, Tioga County, and is an agriculture systems and environmental resources management major at Penn State.
Hannah Wentworth is the daughter of Rob and Bonnie Wentworth, Quarryville, Lancaster County, and is a junior studying animal science at Penn State.
Source: Center for Dairy Excellence
Posted: August 24, 2011 at 7:26 am
By Chuck
The Dairy Goddess couldn’t attend the AgChat Foundation’s Agvocacy 2.0 Conference she passed along a video link to share around and I found it via the conference Facebook page. It’s a great video and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Where Them Cows At from Volt on Vimeo.
Here’s what the producer has to say about why he made the video:
So after watching a video a friend made about his “chicks” on his chicken farm(linked below). My friend Marcelo Alves and I decided we could not only make a similar video about my dairy farm but do it even bigger and better. So we decided to try and make a full on music video, and this video is the result.
Ok here is the video i was referring to at the beginning of this video: youtube.com/watch?v=MFjE0qeUOq4
2011 AgChat Agvocacy 2.0 Conference Photo Album
Posted: August 24, 2011 at 7:22 am
By Chuck
The AgChat Foundation just held it’s second annual Agvocacy 2.0 Conference. This is a full program of social media training for farmers to learn how to use social networking to reach out to consumers.
At the conference I met Twitter follower and now friend in person. Here’s @DairyCarrie Mess and her husband.
You’ll notice that Carrie is wearing a New Holland shirt! That’s because the dealership she works at sponsored her participation in the conference. I talked with Carrie to learn what drew her to AgChat and using social media. I think you’ll enjoy hearing her story and it will encourage farmers to get started with social media if they haven’t already. As she puts it “If you are serious about being in agriculture you need to consider this as part of your job.”
You can listen to my interview with Carrie here: Interview with Carrie Mess
2011 AgChat Agvocacy 2.0 Conference Photo Album
Posted: August 24, 2011 at 7:11 am
By Chuck
We’re nearing fall farm show time. So where are you going? Here’s the results from our latest ZimmPoll. We asked, “Which of these fall farm shows will you attend?” 29% of you said Farm Progress Show, 16% said Husker Harvest Days, 11% said Farm Science Review, 10% said World Dairy Expo, 8% said Sunbelt Ag Expo, 15% said Regional/Local Show and 11% said More than one. The ZimmComm team will be at a number of these shows the upcoming World Dairy Expo. We’ll see you from there.
Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “What is your opinion on ag-related sponsorships of sporting events??” Your input and thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.
Posted: August 23, 2011 at 7:09 pm
By News Editor
World Dairy Expo 2011 is just a few weeks away and dairy cattle show enthusiasts from across North America are making plans to parade their finest across the colored shavings in Madison, Wisconsin the week of October 4-8. The following slate of judges will crown the champions of each of the seven breeds on display during the five day event.
International Junior Holstein Show: Norm Nabholz, West Union, Iowa
Junior Holstein Associate: Bob Hagenow, Poynette, Wis.
International Ayrshire Show: Justin Burdette, Mercersburg, Pa.
Ayrshire Associate: Sean Johnson, Glenville, Pa.
International Brown Swiss Show: Chris Lahmers, Marysville, Ohio
Brown Swiss Associate: Jeff Brown, Jackson Center, Ohio
International Guernsey Show: Blaine Crosser, Marysville, Ohio
Guernsey Associate: Chris Lang, Big Prairie, Ohio
International Holstein Show: Gerald Coughlin, Jr., Peterborough, Ontario
Holstein Associate: Joel Phoenix, Cannington, Ontario
Central National Jersey Show: Hank Van Exel, Lodi, Calif.
Jersey Associate: Nathan Thomas, Cable, Ohio
International Milking Shorthorn Show: Paul Trapp, Taylor, Wis.
Milking Shorthorn Associate: Peter Coyne, Spring Valley, Wis.
International Red & White Show: Adam Liddle, Argyle, N.Y.
Red & White Associate: Adam Hodgins, Kincardine, Ontario
Judges’ biographies found here.
Source: World Dairy Expo
Posted: August 23, 2011 at 7:06 pm
By News Editor
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted seven requests for export assistance from Darigold and Dairy Farmers of America to sell a total of 829 metric tons (1.827 million pounds) of Cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese to customers in Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. The product will be delivered August through December.
In 2011, CWT has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Gouda cheese totaling 28,261 metric tons (62.3 million pounds) to 20 countries on four continents. That is the equivalent of 623 million pounds of milk, the annual production of 29,700 cows.
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 Export Assistance program
Posted: August 22, 2011 at 4:47 pm
By News Editor
The 2011 Championship Dairy Product Contest, sponsored by the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association (WDPA) and Dairy Foods magazine, received a record number of 705 entries for cheese, butter, fluid milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream, sour cream, sherbet, cultured milk, sour cream dips, whipping cream, dried whey and creative/innovative products from throughout the United States.
Babcock Hall Dairy Plant, Madison, Wis., was selected as the Cheese and Butter Grand Champion, while Gifford’s Dairy, Skowhegan, Maine, was chosen as the Grade A & Ice Cream Grand Champion.
On Oct. 4, the contest’s auction will be held at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis., where all category first-place winners will be auctioned off. A portion of the proceeds will be used to fund the Dr. Robert Bradley Scholarship Fund, which is awarded annually to a deserving student pursuing a career in the dairy industry. The auction will begin at 5 p.m. and will feature Doug Wilson, Cooperative Resources International, as the auctioneer.
Click here to see a complete list of first-place winners for each category.
Source: Dairy Foods
Posted: August 22, 2011 at 4:38 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Renee Wilson, who was crowned Maryland Dairy Princess on July 17! Sorry we missed this news Renee, and best wishes promoting dairy!
Wilson, 17, lives on her family’s 350-acre dairy farm in Parkton, where she helps with daily feeding and milking chores.
She is the daughter of Steve and Kelly Wilson and is the fourth generation of the family to work on the farm. It currently has 400 cows, 146 of which are milked. She owns 50 cows that she has shown at the Hereford Junior Farm Fair, Baltimore County 4-H Fair and the Maryland State Fair.
Wilson was named Upper Chesapeake Dairy Princess on May 29 as she competed against three other girls for the regional title. There were a total of six girls vying for the state title.
Wilson is on the honor roll at Hereford High School, where she is also president of the Future Farmers of America club. She helped create that group’s annual Ag Day for the community. She is also president of the Parkton 4-H Club.
Source: The Baltimore Sun
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