Posted: March 7, 2009 at 11:39 am
By Amanda Nolz
I thought I would highlight another great dairy blog for you to check out this weekend. It’s called, The Scoop, and it’s written by Ashley Messing, a senior dairy management and animal science student at Michigan State University. The Scoop is a blog that describes Ashley’s life in the dairy industry.
Ashley started this blog in 2007, and I had been following it in its early beginnings. I finally had the chance to meet her at the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference in Grand Rapids, Mich. She is certainly a dynamic person that is truly passionate about the dairy industry. This is a great way to share with others the ins and outs of dairy production to those that might not understand this industry. Here is a little description from her blog. Be sure to check it out!
I would like to welcome everyone to my blog. I am an enthusiastic, animal lover who respects everything animals give the human race. I have a passion for working with cows and I want to show it to everyone. I encourage you to ask me questions because I am willing to share my knowledge, especially if you have a non-agriculture background!
Posted: January 21, 2009 at 6:02 pm
By News Editor
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI) have announced the introduction of the National Dairy FARM Program: Farmers Assuring Responsible Management. A joint effort of the two organizations, Dairy FARM has been formed to bolster consumer trust and confidence in the U.S. dairy industry and demonstrate the industry’s commitment to the highest levels of animal care and quality assurance.
“Increasingly, consumers want to purchase products from sources they can trust to do the right thing,” said Jerry Kozak, president and chief executive officer of NMPF. “The National Dairy FARM Program was established to enhance the trust our industry has with consumers and demonstrate the commitment producers have to animal care and the production of wholesome products.”
According to Kozak, Dairy FARM’s first step in reaching this goal will be to introduce a national on-farm animal well-being program and make it available to all producers. The Dairy FARM animal well-being program will be consistent with the National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative’s (NDAWI) principles and guidelines. NDAWI is a producer-led effort to build consumer trust and confidence in the dairy industry’s commitment to animal well-being. More information on the NDAWI principles and guidelines can be found at www.dairywellbeing.org.
To accomplish this, NMPF and DMI are revising its “Caring for Dairy Animals” manual by incorporating the principles and guidelines into the new program. The “Caring for Dairy Animals” manual includes best management practices for a variety of animal care issues including animal health and on-farm environment, facilities/housing, nutrition, equipment/milking procedures, transportation and handling, and more. The manual will be updated to reflect current animal-health practices, innovations and technology.
The long-term plan of the Dairy FARM animal well-being program will be announced later this year. Co-ops and processors may choose to participate in the program to bring consistency to dairy animal care nationwide. NMPF and DMI will work with co-ops, processors and state and regional dairy producer organizations to implement it.
In order enhance the program’s validity, NMPF and DMI are also working together to develop third-party program verification to assure credibility and effectiveness. Additional Dairy FARM initiatives designed to assure the quality, safety and wholesomeness of dairy products will be introduced in the future.
NMPF and DMI have assembled an advisory panel to help guide the overall direction of Dairy FARM. The panel is comprised of dairy experts and industry professionals representing many facets of the industry. Members of the Dairy FARM advisory panel include:
* Stan Andre, California Milk Advisory Board
* Marguerite Copel, Dean Foods
* John Frey, Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence
* Mary Kamm, Safeway Inc.
* John Kennedy, Kraft Foods
* Shelly Mayer, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin
* Dr. M. Gatz Riddell, American Association of Bovine Practitioners
* Allen Sayler, International Dairy Foods Association
* Lynn Schmoe, Washington Dairy Products Commission
Posted: October 9, 2008 at 12:49 pm
By News Editor
Dairy producers have a strong, positive story to tell about how they care for their animals, the land and the environment. It is important for producers to share that story with their neighbors, their friends and the public to maintain and build consumer confidence in our product and our practices. Because, remember, if you don’t tell your story, someone else will!
There are many programs available to train you to speak out – contact your local dairy checkoff organization or your local cooperative extension to learn more.
Animal agriculture may be at the tipping point that could send it from social license to social control, Charlie Arnot, president of CMA Consulting, LLC, a Kansas City, Mo.-based consulting firm that manages the Center for Food Integrity, told attendees of the 41st Annual Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners last week.
Producing food for the vast majority not involved in food production is a noble pursuit, he says. But if we do not retain and broaden consumer trust in what we do, we will lose that social license and will be faced with increasing regulation and scrutiny, he cautions.
The recent videos of animal abuse may be a watershed moment. Primarily because for the first time, animal welfare has been connected with food safety via these visuals, Arnot explains.
That is complicated by the fact that agriculture generally operates in a science-based culture. However, science is no longer enough to communicate with consumers. “We need to be able to talk about value judgements — we must be able to ‘own’ the ethical obligation we have to our animals and their care,” he notes. Consumers sense a change in the way their food is raised, but do not understand modern agriculture.
“It is up to us to communicate that our commitment to doing what’s right has never been stronger,” says Arnot. “Until we do this, we’ll never earn consumer trust.” It goes back to the adage, they don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
“We’ve improved safety, efficiency and traceability, but not consumer trust,” he adds. “We need to stop talking about how we used to be. We are better than we used to be. Let’s talk about who we are today in a way that builds consumer trust and confidence.”
Posted: October 2, 2008 at 12:48 pm
By Chuck
At last year’s World Dairy Expo we heard about the announcement of the National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative. This morning they released the official principles and guidelines. The facilitator for the Initiative is Charlie Arnot. He described the process that got us to this point and says that now it’s time for the Initiative to move to the next step. He used a chart that he calls the “Continuous Improvement Cycle” to show each of them. Next in the cycle after today for example is “Apply Principles & Guidelines to on-farm well-being programs.”
The National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative is a producer-led Coalition that includes members from every sector of the dairy industry. On October 2, 2008 at World Dairy Expo, the Coalition introduced the broad Principles and Guidelines — a uniform umbrella of assurance that the industry is meeting its ethical obligation for dairy animal well-being. Our goal is to protect consumer trust and confidence in the dairy industry by demonstrating dairy producers’ commitment to animal well-being.
Also on the program today was Pennsylvania dairy producer Logan Bower. He talked about how they’re already beginning to use the Initiative’s principles and guidelines in their state. Here’s an example of some talking points provided to producers by the Initiative.
Dairy Producer Talking Points
Developed by the National Dairy Checkoff
* As a dairy farmer, caring for my animals is my No. 1 priority so that I can provide the public with safe and wholesome dairy products. I work hard every day ensuring the comfort and safety of my animals and providing them a nutritious diet.
* Farmers in my community oppose/are outraged by the inhumane treatment of animals, whether on or off the farm. Farmers support government investigations into any allegations of animal abuse, including those that occur at meat processing facilities.
* Dairy farmers support government regulations that prohibit non-ambulatory, or “downer,” cattle from entering the food supply.
You can listen to the presentation with Charlie and Logan here: wdx-08-well-being.mp3
World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album
Sponsors of World Dairy Diary coverage of this year’s World Dairy Expo include GEA Farm Technologies and BASF Plant Science.
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Posted: September 9, 2008 at 8:55 pm
By News Editor
The American Farm Bureau Federation has launched a new initiative aimed at consumer concerns. The Conversations on Animal Care initiative will help consumers understand the care farmers and ranchers take of their animals during the production of meat, milk and eggs.
Conversations on Animal Care is a comprehensive effort that helps livestock producers share positive and personal insights on the care they provide farm animals.
In a national survey conducted online in January 2008 by Harris Interactive on behalf of AFBF, nearly 3,500 likely voters were asked if they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: “Farmers and ranchers in your state treat their animals humanely.”
A majority of voters, 57 percent, said they agreed or strongly agreed with the statement. However, 34 percent of those surveyed responded “not sure.”
Survey participants were then exposed to a series of educational statements and messages about food-animal production. At the conclusion of the survey, participants again were asked if they agreed or disagreed that farmers and ranchers in their state treat animals humanly. This time, 72 percent agreed or strongly agreed — a jump of 15 points.
“This tells us that, when presented with basic information about the practical and ethical standards farmers and ranchers maintain, consumers respond positively,” AFBF Public Relations Director Don Lipton said. “The Conversations on Animal Care program is intended to give farmers and ranchers the confidence and tools to do just that.”
A major component of the Conversations on Animal Care initiative is a training program that teaches producers to share their stories effectively, help them find an audience and amplify their message of dedicated care of livestock. During two days of training, participants hone skills in sharing their personal stories with local audiences, the media and in one-on-one opportunities. They also learn of the important role on-line tools play in communicating to consumers.
Posted: July 21, 2008 at 6:46 pm
By News Editor
Want to increase the income of your cull animals? The Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Program can help you identify opportunities for improving the value of market cows and bulls from your operations through management, monitoring and marketing. Quality defects can rob dairy producers of almost $70 per head at market, according to the 1997 National Market Cow and Bull Beef Quality Audit.
Dairy cattle represent a significant source of the United States beef supply. Twenty percent of all beef comes from dairy cattle, including cull cows and dairy steers. This equates to 1.5 billion pounds of meat every year. In the western states alone, more than 800,000 head, worth $500 million, go to slaughter every year.
One of the most common misconceptions in the dairy industry is that all market cows become hamburger. “This is a misnomer,” says Ryan Ruppert, director of quality-assurance programs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Only a small percentage goes to ground beef, while the majority goes to whole-muscle cuts that are purchased by restaurants and casinos across the country. Whole-muscle cuts include rib eyes, New York strips, and tenderloins. In addition, 90 to 95 percent of the jerky marketed in the United States comes from cow rounds.
Beef from dairy cattle plays an important role in the food chain. Approximately one out of three cows currently in your milking string could be on a consumer’s plate in the next 12 months. Most dairy producers underestimate the value that this secondary profit center could bring them. And, that 4 percent income from market cows can be raised to 15 percent with proper care and marketing.
The safety and quality of beef produced is critical not only to the consumption of beef, but also milk.
A substantial economic incentive exists for dairy producers to care about beef quality. A premium of $5 to $10 per hundredweight can be realized if dairy cattle qualify for the “white-cow market.” Some beef packers offer incentives for cows that fit this market. The name “white cow” is derived from the practice of transitioning an animal’s fat color from yellow to white to produce a higher-quality carcass.
Posted: July 16, 2008 at 10:15 pm
By Chuck
One of the main dairy groups represented at today’s Joint Beef & Dairy Information Symposium here at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference was Dairy Management Inc. David Pelzer is Senior VP, Industry Image & Relations. DMI is a non-profit organization that manages the Dairy Checkoff.
I spoke to him today about dairy and beef producers getting together and discussing common issues. He says that on the dairy side of things it’s important for the industry to become more consumer driven instead of just production driven. As he puts it, “Give consumers what they want, when they want it and how they want it.”
He says that on-farm practices or the consumer’s perception of on-farm practices can affect buying habits. For this reason he says that all DMI related organizations are becoming increasingly focused on consumer perceptions. He wants to show consumers that it’s standard operating procedure for beef and dairy producers to care about their animals and the environment.
David thinks this Symposium is a great opportunity to get together.
You can listen to my interview with David here: cisc-08-pelzer.mp3
Cattle Industry Summer Conference Photo Album
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Posted: July 16, 2008 at 10:11 pm
By Chuck
Earlier this week the National Dairy Board met and like last year, that meeting ended just in time for attendees to meet with beef producers at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference, Joint Beef & Dairy Information Symposium. One of those people is Rob Byrne, Sr. VP Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, National Milk Producers Federation.
I spoke with Rob during today’s session. He was on the second part of the program that focused on animal care and welfare. Rob thinks that this joint meeting idea is fantastic. It’s an opportunity to discuss issues of common interest. Animal care just happens to be a primary one right now.
Rob says the dairy industry has actually worked on this issue for many years. Recently released videos have sensationalized what is a very uncommon practice though and that has brought this issue to the forefront. He says that the increased consumer interest probably won’t result in any significant changes since producers in general do take good care of their animals but the situation he says, has placed a renewed focus on it. Rob says that this is currently a primary focus for NMPF. To that end, he says they’re forming a national animal welfare and care program for the dairy industry.
You can listen to my interview with Rob here: cisc-08-byrne.mp3
Cattle Industry Summer Conference Photo Album
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