Concerns over drought-induced aflatoxin in milk has prompted the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey to call for state screening and testing of milk starting today and running indefinitely. This Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship news release says the order requires milk processors to screen all Grade A and Grade B farm bulk milk pickup tankers and farm … Read More
Missouri Dairy Farmers End Raw Milk Sale Case
Missouri dairy farmers Armand and Teddi Bechard have entered into a consent agreement with the State of Missouri, ending a case over their selling of raw milk in 2009. Three years ago, undercover agents from the Springfield-Greene County Health Department allegedly bought raw milk from the Bechard family at a central delivery point, a health food store parking lot in … Read More
USDA: Good Records Key for Natural Disaster Claims
Livestock producers hit by natural disasters, such as Hurricane Isaac, are being urged by the USDA to keep thorough records of their livestock and feed losses, including additional expenses like feed purchases because of lost supplies: “There are extraordinary circumstances caused by a variety of disasters from fires in the west, floods in Florida, Hurricane Isaac in the Gulf region, … Read More
Secretary Vilsack Calls for Farm Bill Now
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visited the 2012 Farm Progress Show in his home state of Iowa on Thursday to announce new USDA grants to support beginning farmers and call on Congress to pass a farm bill before the current one expires next month. He gave three reasons why agriculture needs a farm bill now. “One, because it includes the … Read More
Apply Now for Sustainability Awards
The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy®, established under the leadership of dairy farmers, is now accepting nominations for the second year of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards. The award program recognizes dairy farms, businesses and collaborative partnerships for their contributions to healthy people, healthy products and a healthy planet and showcases that sustainability makes good business sense. Nominations are open … Read More
New Dairysan Line
ANIMART, Inc. announces the recent launch of their Dairysan™ dairy sanitation product line. ANIMART’s Dairysan™ product line includes teat dips, bactericides and sanitizers, as well as CIP, manual, and laundry detergents and cleaners. Chuck Hutchens, Milk Quality Manager at ANIMART, will oversee the Dairysan line in addition to ANIMART’s Milk Quality Assessment services. The introduction of a dairy sanitation product … Read More
Poll Says Increased Feed Costs, Food Prices
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ”Beyond commodity prices, what will this year’s drought have a greater impact on?” Our poll results: Thirty-eight percent said feed costs; thirteen percent said food prices; eleven percent said fuel costs and crop insurance, respectively; nine percent said crop inputs; eight percent said land costs; and five percent said tillage practices and other, respectively. … Read More
WDE Entry Forms Due Sept. 1
Attention World Dairy Expo cattle exhibitors – entry forms are due at midnight (CDT) on Saturday, September 1! Complete your online entry form today. Paper applications must also be postmarked by that date to avoid late entry fees. Staff will be available to answer entry questions now and provide answers to show-related questions as Expo approaches. Animals may still be … Read More
CWT Export Update
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 14 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America and Foremost Farms to sell 4.581 million pounds (2,078 metric tons) of Cheddar and Gouda cheese to customers in Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and the South Pacific. The product will be delivered September 2012 through February 2013. In 2012, CWT has assisted … Read More
Schreiber Foods Closes Neb. Plant
Schreiber Foods has announced the closure of their Ravenna, Neb. plant, effective February 2013. Close to 80 employees will lose their jobs, some as early as October. “It’s going to hurt the community. The people who came here maybe they stopped and shopped here,” said Ravenna Mayor Peg Dethlefs. “The ones that are living here are they going to find … Read More