Posted: November 30, 2011 at 7:48 pm
By News Editor
The Holstein Association USA, Inc. board of directors held its fall meeting in Chicago, Ill. on November 17-18.
The board approved the 2012 Management-by-Objective Business Plan and associated budget, as presented by management. The Business Plan projects growth in sales of Holstein Association USA’s core products and services. New for 2012, herd owners enrolled in Holstein COMPLETESM will receive volume discounts for genomic testing.
Management is pleased to announce registrations through November 12 were 303,800, up 3 percent over 2010. Regular transfers, for the same period, were up over 7 percent.
Reporting through October, Holstein COMPLETE enrollment totaled 254,006 cows and 1,807 herds. This represents 6 percent more cows and 3 percent more herds since the end of 2010.
AgriTech Analytics (ATA) General Manager Bill VerBoort reported ATA has processed records on 882,377 animals through the end of October. This is a 2 percent increase in the number of records processed the same time last year at the Association’s dairy records processing center, located in Visalia, Calif.
Posted: November 30, 2011 at 7:41 pm
By News Editor
The University of Florida hosted the 2011 Southern Regional Dairy Challenge contest, with a total of 50 students from 10 southern colleges and universities participated in the sixth annual event.
A key objective is to present students with a real-life situation that stresses the importance of teamwork and professionalism. Teams of students from the different schools were formed to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of a working dairy farm. Afterwards, teams presented their analysis and prioritized opportunities for improvement to a panel of expert judges and the dairy owners. Hosts for this year’s Southern Regional Dairy Challenge were Keith Shiver, Shiver Dairy Farm, Mayo, FL and Ashley Bailey, Lafayette Dairy, Mayo, FL.
The 12 teams were named after major Dairy Challenge platinum sponsors: ABS Global Inc., Dairy Farmers of America, Dairy Production Systems, Dairy Records Management Systems, DSM Nutritional Products, Farm Credit, Genex Cooperative Inc., Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, Alltech Inc., Pfizer Animal Health, Select Sires Inc., and Southern States Cooperative.
Receiving Platinum Awards were:
Christie Burke, Louisiana State University; Alison Craine, Berry College; Erin Henley, Virginia Tech; Angela Stuart, Alabama A & M University
Rachel Manning, West Virginia University; Lauren Mayo, University of Florida; Lauryn Singer, Virginia Tech; Colton Turner, Alabama A & M University
Receiving Reserve Platinum Awards were:
Mae Dunn, Alabama A & M University; Ben Ketchie, North Carolina State University; Kaitlin MaGill, Berry College; Kaylee Quinn, Clemson University; Ben Smith, Virginia Tech
Elizabeth Eckelkamp, Louisiana State University; Chris Potts, Virginia Tech; Chase Rucks, Santa Fe College; Emma Schaffel, Clemson University
Receiving Gold Awards were:
Nikita Armstrong, Alabama A & M University; Sarah Burczynski, Virginia Tech; Andrea Steyer, West Virginia University; Claire Stuyck, Clemson University
Kaylene Lyons, Berry College; Cody Meyer, College of the Ozarks; Cory Robbins, North Carolina State University; Vaughn Stevenson, Clemson University
Janae Matthews, Alabama A & M University; Robin Nolan, Berry College; Abby Patch, Virginia Tech; Jodie Rose, West Virginia University
Lauren Clemency, North Carolina State University; Brenson Crenshaw, Alabama A & M University; Lindsay Hetrick, Virginia Tech; Nathan Leckie, Clemson University; Kenneth Sharp, Berry College
Receiving Silver Awards were:
Karl Paulson, Virginia Tech; Martha Peterson, Alabama A & M University; Carmen Riguero, Berry College; Alex Swain, University of Florida
Caitlin Coriasso, Alabama A & M University; Justin McEntyre, North Carolina State University; Ty Rowland, College of the Ozarks; Grace Skaff, West Virginia University
Alyssa Degreenia, North Carolina State University; Kelly Jo Johnson, Virginia Tech; Gairy Kimber, Alabama A & M University; Leah Moore, Berry College
Phillip Gunter, Clemson University; Michael Hemme, College of the Ozarks; Carrie Hoffner, North Carolina State University; Matthew Scott, Louisiana State University
Here’s a new product we just received an announcement for from Van Beek Natural Science. It’s a feed supplement that “protects newborn calves from stress induced scours with its unique mode of action,” called Tri-Pectate® Capsules.
Tri-Pectate Capsules are formulated with Axaphen®, a patented combination of essential oils and enhancers. Axaphen has powerful antimicrobial properties that eliminate bacteria on contact.
Pectin is dietary fiber in Tri-Pectate that swells up to hold fluid and normalizes gut flow. It also helps remove toxins while coating the intestinal wall, thus proactively working against GI problems before they start. The right balance of mineral bio-complexes help bind and inactivate harmful pathogens. They eliminate toxins from the body, stimulate the immune system, and soothe the intestinal tract.
All the power of the Tri-Pectate syringe formula has been packed into this convenient capsule. Tri-Pectate Capsules are available in 20ct and 100ct jars and 450ct pails. The product is sold through all major livestock & dairy distributors. Please visit www.vanbeeknaturalscience.com for more information.
It looks like Facebook is still the big dog with this community. In our latest ZimmPoll we asked the question, “Do you use Facebook or Google+?” 50% of you said Facebook while only 7% said Google+. However, 20% said Both while 23% said Neither. Interesting. Looks like Google+ has a ways to go.
Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “With net farm income up this year, how is your income?” USDA’s Economic Research Service released it’s Net Farm Income Forecast update yesterday showing a 28% increase over 2010. The report also states, “Net cash income, at $109.8 billion, is forecast up $17.5 billion (18.9 percent) from 2010, and $34.2 billion above its 10-year average (2001-2010) of $75.6 billion.” Wow. How about you? How’s your income doing this year compared to last?
ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.
Posted: November 29, 2011 at 8:32 pm
By News Editor
Body by Milk is offering 25 student athletes the chance to win a $7,000 college scholarship and be featured in a Milk Mustache ad! Do you have what it takes? Enter the 2012 Sammy Awards!
Are you a student athlete who excels in academics and community service? High school seniors who understand the importance of eating a balanced breakfast, with nutrient rich milk, can now apply for the 2012 SAMMY Scholarship!
Twenty-five accomplished teens will: Be featured in a Milk Mustache ad, Receive a $7,500 college scholarship, Attend an awards ceremony with celebrity guests at Disney World.
A super-star line-up of Milk Mustache celebrity athletes, including basketball all-star Chauncey Billups and gold medal winning swimmer Dara Torres will help select this year’s 25 winners.
Applications are due no later than 11:59 PM ET Friday, March 9, 2012. Winners will be selected by June 2012.
In 2011, CWT has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Gouda cheese totaling 40,071 metric tons (88.3 million pounds) to 25 countries on four continents. That is the equivalent of 880 million pounds of milk, the annual production of 41,900 cows.
The CWT Export Assistance program will continue into 2012 and 2013, having achieved participation equal to 70.1 percent of milk marketings. In total, 33 cooperatives and 177 independent producers will be investing two cents per hundredweight that will fund the program’s export efforts over the next two years.
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 and the farm milk that produces them.
CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.
Posted: November 28, 2011 at 9:50 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Jill Strangstalien on her recent promotion to Animal Health Products and Distribution Manager at Accelerated Genetics.
Strangstalien has been with Accelerated Genetics for over 24 years, most recently serving as the Farm Products Coordinator for 15 years.
In her now role, she will be responsible for providing an animal health product line that enables Accelerated Genetics customers to get optimum performance in their operations through calf care management, nutrition and feed quality, udder health and milk quality, and breeding supplies.
Strangstalien is a graduate of the University of Minnesota – Waseca, with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Agricultural Management. She began her career with Accelerated Genetics (then Tri-State Breeders Cooperative) in 1987 as the National Sales Secretary and was later promoted to National Sales Coordinator where she worked with sales representatives from across the nation.
Posted: November 28, 2011 at 9:43 pm
By News Editor
New findings published in the journal BMC Medicine suggest that regular consumption of a vitamin D-fortified yogurt drink improves cholesterol levels and biomarkers of heart disease, in diabetics.
Sakineh Shab-Bidar and colleagues at the National Research Institute and Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology and Tehran University of Medical Sciences said not having enough vitamin D affects the inner lining of blood vessels, endothelial cells, eventually leading to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
In a double-blind trial, researchers investigated the effect of vitamin D on the glycemic status, cholesterol levels and endothelial biomarkers of diabetics. Patients were given either a plain yogurt drink or the same drink fortified with vitamin D, twice a day for 12 weeks.
Patients who had taken the vitamin D yogurt also had improved cholesterol levels with lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein, the “bad,” cholesterol and an increase in high-density lipoprotein, the “good,” cholesterol.
All the improvements in cholesterol seemed to be due to the reduction in insulin resistance, the study said.
“Most of our patients were deficient in vitamin D at the start of the trial but the fortified yogurt drink elevated most of their levels to normal,” Abolghassem Djazayery said in a statement. “However, even amongst those who took the vitamin D supplement, about 5 percent remained deficient at the end of the 12 weeks. These people did not show the same improvements. Nevertheless for most diabetics with vitamin D deficiency this is an easy way to improve their outcome.”
The ZimmPoll is one year old! And you can re-visit all of them since they are all archived right here on AgWired. Thank you Rhea + Kaiser for your sponsorship and support.
In our latest ZimmPoll we asked the question, “Will higher cost (13%) of Thanksgiving dinner affect your meal?” Apparently it won’t for most of our respondents. 64% said, No, same as usual; 22% said Yes, Fewer items on table; 9% said Yes, Planning smaller portions and 5% said No, Bigger dinner this year. We hope you’ll have some cheese or milk on your dinner menu!
A story in yesterday’s USA Today seems to reflect this response. It says that some will be cutting back.
Some are holding potluck dinners instead of springing for the entire feast. Others are staying home rather than flying. And a few are skipping the turkey altogether.
Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “Do you use Facebook or Google+?” Google+ now allows company pages but so far they don’t seem to have attracted the kind of audience found by companies using Facebook. Which “house” do you live in? Feel free to chime in. We appreciate it.
ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.
Posted: November 22, 2011 at 2:06 pm
By News Editor
Domino Pizza has introduced a new variation of an existing product, cheesy bread. The newly remodeled cheesy bread will now be available in three temping tastes, spinach and feta, bacon and jalapeno and cheese only.
“Consumers’ palates are evolving to these kinds of tastes, and they’re not once-in-a-while things anymore,” said Domino’s CMO Russell Weiner, referring to ingredients such as spinach and feta. “When we looked to develop these we wanted to appeal to the broadest customer base. We wanted gourmet, and we wanted to have people like it.”
The hope, Mr. Weiner said, is that the new product, along with the artisan pizza line it unveiled earlier this fall, will generate interest in the chain’s standard pizza as well.
A national TV campaign from CP&B, Boulder, Colo.,will begin airing Nov. 28 and include Domino’s execs Brandon Solano, who recently became VP-franchise development, along with Tate Dillow, program leader-product research and development. In the ad they talk about how “under-cheesing” has swept the industry.
“In this economy, things are bad, people are cutting budgets,” said Mr. Weiner. “The normal thing to do is raise prices and reduce quality. We’re making a purposeful effort to be on the side of consumers. We could take cheese out, but we put more cheese in and added more gourmet-type flavors.”
Posted: November 22, 2011 at 1:42 pm
By News Editor
A new video, “U.S. Dairy Farmers Care,” has been making the rounds on social media today. Have you viewed it yet? If you like it, be sure to share it on your channels!
The video tells the story of dairy farmers and their commitment to their animals, the environment, local communities and consumers. Merck Animal Health, a company committed to the success of dairy farmers, created the three-minute, animated video to help dairy farmers share their positive stories with non-agricultural audiences.
“This video pays tribute to the more than 55,000 dairy farm families dedicated to providing our country and the world with high-quality, nutritious milk and dairy foods,” said Rick Cozzitorto, dairy marketing manager for Merck Animal Health. “And, they do so while caring for their animals, reducing the environmental footprint of dairy production and contributing to our local economies.”
The U.S. Dairy Farmers Care video includes more than 20 facts about the dairy industry, including information about animal care, the carbon footprint of dairying, the financial impact of dairies on their local economies and the industry’s role in feeding the world. The video also serves as a library of facts that dairy farmers can reference in talking to consumers about the dairy industry.
“In a world where people want to connect with local farmers, we believe this video can help bridge the gap with consumers who want to know how their food is produced,” Cozzitorto said. “We encourage dairy farmers and fellow dairy-industry supporters to share this video with their friends, family members, neighbors, social networks, business contacts and others.”
Posted: November 21, 2011 at 9:28 pm
By News Editor
The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy® has launched the SaveEnergy online resource that connects dairy producers to financial assistance programs and educational materials to help them reduce on-farm energy use and related costs. The tool is part of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Commitment, an effort established by dairy producers to reduce environmental impact and create business value across the supply chain.
Through an agreement with the Innovation Center, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) supported the development of the SaveEnergy tool to accelerate energy conservation and build awareness of the importance of on-farm energy audits, also known as Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMPs). SaveEnergy is part of the Farm Energy Efficiency project, one of 10 projects of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Commitment.
Dairy producers can achieve greater energy efficiency by taking an important first step — conducting an energy audit on their farming operation. An on-farm energy audit inventories a dairy’s current systems and equipment, identifies the cost of energy used and provides a detailed recommendation about actions, upgrades and potential savings that could most benefit the farm. It typically takes less than four hours of the producer’s time and can identify opportunities to reduce energy use by 10 percent to 35 percent.
The SaveEnergy tool follows an easy three-step process:
Learn how to cut costs of on-farm energy use
Decide if an energy audit is right for the dairy operation
Find financial assistance for on-farm energy audits and equipment updates.
Posted: November 21, 2011 at 9:23 pm
By News Editor
Seventeen Jersey youth between the ages of 9 and 20 from 11 states have been recognized by the American Jersey Cattle Association as the owners of the Junior All American winners for 2011.
The awards were announced November 5 during The 59th All American Junior Jersey Show in Freedom Hall, Louisville, Ky. Imprinted certificates were presented to the owner of each winner before a large ringside audience by AJCA President Robert Bignami and association Executive Secretary Neal Smith. The presentations were also broadcast worldwide on live streaming internet video provided by the North American International Livestock Exposition.
The Junior All American Four-Year-Old, Claessic Fields Vindicat Genie, was selected by judge Ted DeMent, Kenney, Ill., as Grand Champion of the 207-head show. “Genie” was exhibited by Ben Sauder of Tremont, Ill.
Sauder’s All American Junior Three-Year-Old, South Mountain Voltage Spice-ET, was named Reserve Grand Champion. In all, Ben exhibited four All Americans and three Reserve All Americans. He was the show’s Premier Exhibitor.
The Junior All American Summer Junior Yearling, Sunset Canyon Governor FP Belle-ET, was Junior Champion for Valery Silva, Beaver, Ore. Crestbrooke Socrates Madeline-ET, the Junior All American Junior Yearling, was Reserve Junior Champion for Kyle Natzke, Fond du Lac, Wis.
Premier Breeder honors went to George Colpetzer, Greenville, Penna., who exhibited a Junior All American and Reserve Junior All American during the show. Other exhibitors receiving multiple awards were Allison Massey of Wartrace, Tenn., and Megan Hill, Bristol, Vt.
Posted: November 21, 2011 at 9:16 pm
By News Editor
Holstein Association USA has updated the Pedigree Analysis of National Holstein Show winners to reflect the 2011 show season.
This section, which debuted last year, is provided for showing enthusiasts and contains various lists that provide a closer look at the genetics behind some of the most elite cattle in the Holstein breed.
Holstein females used in the compilation of the data were those that placed in the top three in their respective age class at the 11 National Holstein Shows held in 2011. This year, that included 217 heifers and 279 cows.
The lists will be updated annually, following the last National Show of the year. Three main areas will be featured: Leading Sires of 2011 National Holstein Show Winners, Leading Maternal Grandsires of 2011 National Holstein Show Winners and Most Common Sire Stacks of 2011 National Holstein Show Winners. Each area features separate lists for heifers and cows, along with an overall ranked list of bulls for the category. In addition, viewers will find other information that may be of interest, such as average classification scores for each class.
For the second year running, Braedale Goldwyn receives the honor of being the 2011 Overall Leading Sire of National Holstein Show Winners, siring 31 heifers in the top three in their classes and 50 cows, making him the top sire in both of those categories.
Also repeating in the 2011 Overall Leading Maternal Grandsire of National Holstein Show Winners is Regancrest Elton Durham-ET. Durham was found on the bottom side of the pedigree of 20 heifers and 26 cows, making him the number one maternal grandsire of cows. In the heifer category, he was bypassed by his son, Regancrest Dundee-ET, who was the maternal grandsire of 33 heifers, and ranks second in the overall list.
Not surprising, the most common sire stack of show winning animals in 2011 was a combination of the number one sires in the two previous categories, Braedale Goldwyn x Regancrest Elton Durham-ET, with 16 animals resulting from that mating.
Former NFL wide receiver Eddie Kennison attended the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk session to talk about Fuel Up To Play 60, a collaborative program between the NFL and National Dairy Council. I spoke with him to learn more about it.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council (NDC) and NFL, in collaboration with the USDA, to combat childhood obesity.
Fuel Up to Play 60 helps students make positive changes in their schools by improving opportunities to consume nutrient-rich foods and get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. The ultimate goal is to ensure changes made at school are sustainable and complements – not competes with – an academics-focused environment.
Eddie says they’re “trying to send a message across the nation really to help children and parents understand the things that need to go into their body to help them to stay healthy and to stay healthy for a long time.” Eddie has kids of his own so this program is very close to his heart. When it comes to milk he says that after a heavy duty workout a glass of chocolate milk helps him recover faster than any other drink out there.
Posted: November 17, 2011 at 9:42 pm
By News Editor
The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association Conference Committee has scheduled another great lineup of speakers and presenters, for the 2012 Dairy Calf & Heifer Conference, March 20-21, in Visalia, Calif. Online registration will open Jan. 9, 2012.
Presenters include Gary Sipiorski, Dairy Development Manager, VITA PLUS Corp., Kerry Scott, H2A Program Manager, Mid-Atlantic Solutions Inc., and Gary Conklin, Conklin Farms.
The breakout sessions, some of which will be available in Spanish, will cover topics such as:
• Low stress animal handling
• Economics of accelerated growth
• Estrus synchronization for heifers
• Preventing lameness
• Motivating employees
• Reducing feed shrink
There will be wet lab demonstrations by highly-respected veterinarians and discussions by experts on how you can implement DCHA’s Gold Standards III, animal welfare standards for rearing dairy calves and heifers, into your operation.
Posted: November 17, 2011 at 9:33 pm
By News Editor
At the Joint Annual Meeting of dairy-farmer funded promotion groups in San Diego this week, one focus was on Innovation – and the progress of a 3-year old effort to bring the dairy industry together to solve common challenges.
The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy was established by dairy farmers in 2008, as a forum to bring the entire industry together to focus on priorities such as health and welleness and consumer confidence. Arizona dairy farmer Paul Rovey, who chairs Dairy Management Inc, which manages the dairy checkoff, says the Innovation Center is driving change. Brian Baxter has more.
Posted: November 17, 2011 at 9:27 pm
By News Editor
From a deep valley caused by global economic recession in 2009, U.S. dairy exports have made a strong recovery. Brian Baxter has the story from Tom Suber, US Dairy Export Council (USDEC). Hear the entire interview here: Dairy Checkoff Export News
The idea of consistently working to build a sustainable U.S. dairy export presence in the global marketplace got it’s start with the founding of USDEC, the US Dairy Export Council. Today, the results speak for themselves. Just 16-years after USDE was founded, U.S. dairy export volume represents more than 13-percent of total U.S. milk production.
With the help of dairy farmer checkoff dollars, Suber says USDEC has gained ground in a number of markets including Korea, where early efforts could now reach even higher with the new U.S.-Korea free trade agreement. Korea is one of the top markets for U.S. dairy exports, along with Japan, Mexico and the Middle East.
It looks like there are a lot of Ron Paul supporters out there. In our latest ZimmPoll we asked the question, “Which Republican candidate for President is best for ag?” The big leader was Ron Paul at 41% followed by Newt Gingrich, 16%; Herman Cain, 13%; Rick Perry, 8%; Rick Perry, 8%; Mitt Romney, 7%; Jon Huntsman, 6%; Michele Bachmann, 5%; Gary Johnson, 3% and Rick Santorum, 2%. Does this surprise you?
Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “Will higher cost (13%) of Thanksgiving dinner affect your meal?” The increased cost of a traditional Thanksgiving meal comes from an announcement by the American Farm Bureau Federation last week.
AFBF’s 26th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $49.20, a $5.73 price increase from last year’s average of $43.47.
Posted: November 16, 2011 at 8:28 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
Nearly one thousand farmers and dairy industry leaders are gathered in San Diego this week for the joint annual meeting of farmer-funded dairy promotion groups. On the agenda is a review of dairy checkoff programs and their results over the past year.
Tom Gallagher, CEO of Dairy Management Inc., says the dairy checkoff has had great success with partnerships in the pizza category and in quick serve restaurants, moving billions of additional pounds of milk. “From July of 2009 to July of 2011, pizza cheese consumption increased almost 390 million pounds,” said Gallagher. “Think about that, that’s an enormous turnaround of a category that was really starting to slide downhill.”
In addition, Gallagher says a three-year partnership with McDonald’s has helped make that chain a “dairy destination” increasing consumption by over 1.7 billion pounds. “That’s milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products. And obviously, when McDonald’s does something, all the other quick serve restaurants follow, so the catalytic effect is just enormous,” he said.
Gallagher told dairy farmers at the meeting this week that these kinds of partnerships demonstrate that the dairy checkoff is working to increase sales, as it should.
The Holstein Association USA, Inc. board of directors held its fall meeting in Chicago, Ill. on November 17-18.
Tom Gallagher, CEO of