Posted: May 16, 2013 at 5:05 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Dr. Trevor Tomkins, founder of venture | dairy, for receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA).
In making the award, AFIA cited Tomkins’ achievements during his 30-year career as an active member of the U.S. Feed Industry, including his research contribution to the U.S. dairy industry, contributions to the National Research Council’s subcommittee that revised the Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle in 2001, and more recently his role in leading Milk Specialties Global to its position as one of the largest independent dairy companies in the U.S.
Following the profitable sale of Milk Specialties Global in 2011, Tomkins founded venture | dairy, using his industry experience, passion and connections to advance dairying in emerging global markets. venture | dairy is an innovative, for-profit impact investment company working with local partners in emerging markets to bring capital, technology, education and opportunity to producers and entrepreneurs throughout the dairy value chain.
Tomkins earned a Ph.D. in animal science at the University of Reading and emigrated with his family from the U.K. to the U.S. after living and working in Europe and South Africa for the first 10 years of his career.
Source: venture | dairy
Posted: May 14, 2013 at 3:50 pm
By News Editor
The Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) has announced a strategically refocus of the association’s priorities and industry role.
DCHA will be redefining the information and services provided to its members to ensure relevant and progressive training and educational resources are available. These changes will help to further advance the profitability, health and performance of young dairy animals, as well as the profitability potential of its members operations.
Additionally, the organization will seek to modernize its professional image and reputation across the industry, working closely with allied industry and research-focused entities to help drive product and service developments that will improve the livelihood of calf and heifer raising operations.
Realigning association operations with an industry partner that has a deep focus on the dairy industry is the first step DCHA has taken towards accomplishing its goals. In the upcoming months, programs and services will be carefully reviewed and enhanced as appropriate. Concentrated efforts will be placed on an industry-leading conference agenda for the 2014 DCHA Annual Conference, to be held April 1-3, 2014 in Green Bay, Wis.
Source: The Dairy Calf and Heifer Association
Posted: April 24, 2013 at 5:13 pm
By News Editor
The National Mastitis Council (NMC) will host its upcoming regional meeting July 23-24, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Portland, Maine.
Along with networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities, this two-day conference will consist of educational seminars in addition to specialized, interactive short courses. Individuals will be able to select specific topics of interest to them.
“This year’s regional meeting is shaping up to be a fun-filled educational event, with a little something for everyone,” says Anne Lichtenwalner, the 2013 NMC regional program chair and extension veterinarian with the University of Maine. “Portland Maine is a great place for excellent food, sight-seeing and outdoor activities. It is home to both biotechnology and agriculture, and we plan to integrate all of the above into this summer’s meeting.”
Professionals with a vested interest in high quality milk production including, but not limited to, milk quality specialists, veterinarians, milk plant field staff, dairy suppliers, dairy producers, university researchers, extension specialists and students are encouraged to attend.
Source: National Mastitis Council
Posted: April 10, 2013 at 6:24 pm
By News Editor
Advanced Animal Diagnostics (AAD), has announced that it has secured funds to launch an automated on-farm system and rapid on-farm test for mastitis.
Funds will be used to launch AAD’s QscoutTM automated on-farm lab system and QscoutTM MLD rapid on-farm test for mastitis in dairy cows. Proceeds will also develop new tests to detect disease-causing pathogens in hours instead of days required by current tests
Each test on the market or in development at AAD will be processed by the QscoutTM automated reader, so producers will be able to run multiple tests on the same instrument.
The first test marketed by AAD is the QscoutTM MLD, a new, rapid on-farm milk leukocyte differential (MLD) for faster, more accurate detection of subclinical mastitis in individual quarters. According to AAD, funds will also be used to study use of the Qscout MLD test at other times during lactation.
Source: Advanced Animal Diagnostics
Posted: April 5, 2013 at 1:57 pm
By News Editor
Get your cameras ready – Calf-Tel has announced its first Facebook photo contest. The year-long social media event will highlight calf management strategies and experiences for dairy producers of all scopes and sizes.
All followers of the Calf-Tel Facebook page are eligible to enter the photo contest. Participants can submit an entry by posting an image to the Calf-Tel Facebook page. All entries should relate to Calf-Tel, dairy calves and/or calf housing systems and be high resolution quality.
The top photo submissions as selected by Calf-Tel staff will be featured in the 2014 Calf-Tel calendar. Seasonal photo winners will also be selected based on the number of likes a photo receives and overall character of the photo. The top photo submissions will be announced on the Calf-Tel Facebook page.
Source: Calf-Tel
Posted: April 3, 2013 at 7:13 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Abigail Trotter, the newest member of the All-American Dairy Foundation communications committee. Trotter will serve as manager of the foundation’s Facebook page.
Trotter has been active in the All-American Dairy Show as a youth, showing Guernsey cattle with her family members from Trot Acre Farm. She also served as an alternate Pennsylvania Dairy Princess in 2008-2009. As a young adult, she has served the All-American Dairy Show as an announcer, a featured speaker and behind the scenes in helping with youth activities.
Trotter, a graduate of Westminster College, now works as a communications and public relations specialist for Heart Reach Ministries in Youngstown, Ohio.
As part of her duties for the foundation, Trotter will oversee posts and links shared on the All-American Dairy Foundation Facebook page. She will be responsible for sharing information about the foundation’s activities, including details of the Arthur W. Nesbitt All-American Dairy Foundation Scholarship Award application process.
Source: All-American Dairy Foundation
Posted: March 15, 2013 at 12:27 pm
By News Editor
The Center for Dairy Excellence in Pennsylvania has unveiled a new design for its website.
The new design offers a simplistic and intuitive approach to finding resources available from the center. Integration of social media and blogging technology into the new design allows web visitors to stay informed and engaged in the center’s programming.
The new website design has six main sections, including:
· Business Tools, where users will find information on the center’s on-farm resource programs, risk management tools, and business planning template. Case studies on dairy farm business transformation are also included in this section.
· Dairy Information, where links to the latest market and industry reports from the center are included. Users can subscribe to blog posts of Markets and Management Updates and Dairy Week in Review issues, as well as the latest columns from Center for Dairy Excellence Executive Director John Frey.
· Programs and Events, which will house a dairy events calendar that any organization can upload their dairy events to. Information on the center’s core events, including the “Dairy PROS Series” and the “Open House and Dairy Tours” can be found in this section as well.
· Advocacy and Outreach, where users can find resources to help them share their dairy story with their non-farm neighbors, key leaders in their communities and with students and educators.
· Students and Educators, which includes information on the center’s resources for dairy youth and its “Discover Dairy” Lesson Series for upper elementary and middle school classrooms. Links to the “Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow” curriculum and the center’s scholarship program are also here.
· Dairy’s Value, a section created for community leaders to learn more about the benefits dairy farms bring includes a map showing how much dairy is worth in each county and an overview of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry.
Source: The Center for Dairy Excellence
Posted: March 5, 2013 at 2:16 pm
By News Editor
More than 420 milk quality, mastitis and udder health researchers, dairy farmers and dairy industry partners attended the 52ndNational Mastitis Council (NMC) Annual Meeting held Jan. 27-29, in San Diego, Calif.
Discussions at this year’s meeting included dairy stockmanship, antimicrobial use and opportunities to improve residue avoidance efforts. Additional topics of discussion covered milk quality from around the world, whether somatic cell counts can fall too low and understanding the interactions between teats and liners during the milking process. In addition to these sessions, attendees had the opportunity to take nine different short courses with more 230 people enrolled in the additional learning opportunities.
Rounding out this year’s agenda was a technology transfer session where researchers shared cutting edge information and solutions for the future of mastitis control. Sixty-five posters were presented for review and knowledge sharing.
All of the sessions offered attendees an opportunity to network, discuss global milk quality challenges and share valuable experiences with others who are interested in quality milk production. Participants at this year’s meeting also had the opportunity to earn continuing education credits.
To support the NMC Scholars Program and the work of the NMRF, a team trivia fundraising event was hosted at the annual meeting. More than $3,000 was raised for the NMRF and will be used to host future graduate students as the council continues to grow.
NMC thanks its annual meeting sponsors who contributed to the program’s success. Diamond sponsors were Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica and Pfizer Animal Health. Platinum sponsors were DeLaval/West Agro, Ecolab, Elanco Animal Health, GEA Farm Technologies, IBA Inc., Land O’Lakes, Inc., Lauren Agrisystems and Merck Animal Health. Gold sponsors included A & L Laboratories, Advanced Animal Diagnostics, Alltech, Central Life Sciences and Hypred, SA.Silver sponsors were ABS Global, Ambic Equipment Ltd, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, BouMatic, Capitol Plastic Products, Dairy Farmers of America, Fight Bac/Deep Valley Farm, Foremost Farms USA and Grande Cheese. Sponsoring this year’s milk break were Alta Dena and Unilever.
Source: National Mastitis Council
Posted: February 28, 2013 at 8:33 am
By News Editor
Nebraska dairy producers, their families and dairy industry representatives can look forward to a schedule of wide-ranging presentations, exciting activities and annual business meetings at the 2013 Nebraska Dairy Convention on Tuesday, March 12, at Divots Conference Center in Norfolk.
Throughout the day, experts will provide information and opportunities for discussion on topics including checkoff updates, animal care, dairy economics, and farm labor.
Dave Hansen, a South Dakota dairy producer who traveled with his wife on a mission to Haiti, is the headline speaker at the convention banquet at 6:30 p.m. The crowning of the new Nebraska Dairy Princess will also take place during the convention banquet, which will be preceded by a reception at 5:30 p.m.
The convention includes a trade show that runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Nebraska Holstein Association meets at 11 a.m. and the Nebraska State Dairy Association Annual Meeting takes place at 12:30 p.m.
The 2012 Nebraska Dairy Convention is free to all Nebraska dairy producers, families and guests. Attendee registration forms are available online.
Source: Nebraska State Dairy Association
Posted: February 21, 2013 at 8:47 pm
By News Editor
More than 200 dairy producers and industry members gathered for the inaugural FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative Annual Meeting held Feb. 8-9 in Stevens Point, Wis. Members of the newly formed cooperative discussed future plans for the cooperative, shared industry research and recommendations and laid the framework for the first year of the Midwest’s largest milk marketing cooperative.
The two-day event kicked off with an afternoon of educational opportunities through the FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative Producer Discovery Workshops. The three educational workshops were presented by industry experts to help members best plan for profitability and efficiency.
Randy Greenfield, Vita Plus Corporation dairy specialist, spoke on feedstuffs and provided alternatives to challenges being faced following the 2012 drought. Brant Groen, director of dairy wellness at Form-A-Feed, Inc., followed with a discussion on udder care management and a dissection of the udder. The afternoon concluded as Mark Stephenson, director of dairy policy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, discussed the future of the Farm Bill and federal dairy policy.
Throughout the meeting, 39 scholarship recipients were recognized with nearly $30,000 awarded to cooperative members and their children. Katie Martin from Rubicon, Wis. then gave a special presentation on her experiences in an Africa dairy community – an international opportunity that allowed cooperative members a glimpse into dairy production across the globe.
Members also heard from Steve Etka, coordinator for the Midwest Dairy Coalition, who spoke on the 2012 Farm Bill and the challenges facing Congress. Following the presentations, the delegate members discussed and passed a number of resolutions which form the foundation on policy direction for the organization. Resolutions on federal milk order reform, international trade and standards, consumer awareness, dairy product utilization and promotion, dairy inspections, tax policies, environmental quality, power line siting, farm safety, animal health, right-to-farm laws, guest worker and raw milk were approved by delegate members.
The annual meeting concluded with Dennis Donohue, general manager for FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative.
Source: FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative
Posted: February 14, 2013 at 2:56 pm
By News Editor
The Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania’s scholarship fund has raised $4,460 from a silent auction held at the 2013 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit.
Proceeds from the auction will go directly to fund scholarships, with five $1,000 scholarships offered annually by the Center for Dairy Excellence and Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association to college-level students pursuing dairy-related careers. This was the first official fundraising event for the Center Foundation, which was established in 2010 to support education and research initiative advancing the future of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry.
The highest bidding item was a custom-made aluminum farm sign donated by Horst Signs and Meadow Springs Farms in Lancaster County, which was purchased by Reinford Farms in Juniata County. Jeff Ainslie from Lititz, Lancaster County, and Lloyd Holterman from Watertown, Wisconsin, purchased the next two highest bidding items, donated by The Hershey Hotel and Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, respectively.
Other individuals and companies that donated items to the auction included Calkins Creamery, Way-Har Farms, Mid-Maryland Dairy Veterinarians, Debbie Cornman Studios, Penn Stater Hotel, Danadee Miller-Boyle, Pennsylvania Beef Council, Hershey Foods, Omni Bedford Springs Resort, Church & Dwight, Vale Wood Farms, Spots-Pride Farm, Harrisburg Dairies, Helms Briscoe, Green Meadow Farm, Lancaster Host Resort, Jayne Sebright and Bonnie Mohr Studios.
Winning bidders included Paula Meabon, Kevin Folk, Bob Keefer, James Vanblarcom, John Castrogiovanni, Jayne Sebright, Frank Messersmith, Gary Heckman, Mark Shuss, John Hess, Gary Heim, Maria Forry, Randy Meabon, Jennifer Heltzel, Lolly Lesher, Doug Smith, Maria Dahl, Marilyn Hershey, Melissa Anderson, Jared Daubert, William Lesher, Dave and Sharon Smith, and Josh Lauth.
Source: Center for Dairy Excellence
Posted: January 28, 2013 at 3:22 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Dr. Kevin Leahy, who has been hired by Diamond V® as their Dairy Field Technical Specialist.
Dr. Leahy received his undergraduate degree in Animal Science and Chemistry from Berry College in Rome, Georgia. He received his Masters in Animal Science and Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Ruminant Nutrition and minor in Statistics from the University of Tennessee. For the past 2 years, Dr. Leahy has worked for Calibrate Technologies as the Forage Technical Services Manager. Prior to working for Calibrate Technologies, he was employed by Land O’Lakes Purina Feeds for 22 years.
Dr. Leahy will reside near Fresno, California with his wife and daughter.
Source: Diamond V
Posted: January 24, 2013 at 10:09 am
By News Editor
Congratulations to Tim Vande Zande who has been promoted to Hoof Specialist at ANIMART, Inc.
Vande Zande brings extensive product knowledge and dairy experience to the Hoof Specialist position. “I am excited to provide assistance and solutions to hoof trimmers,” said Vande Zande. “I know the issues they face and I will be responsive to make their ANIMART experience the best it can be.”
In addition to working at ANIMART, Inc. Vande Zande also assists his family on their small registered Holstein and cash crop farm outside of Waupun, Wis. He was active in FFA, 4-H, Junior Holstein Association and enjoyed showing dairy cattle.
Source: ANIMART, Inc.
Posted: January 20, 2013 at 10:39 am
By News Editor
FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative has announced the organization’s 2013 board of directors’ officers.
The 2013 executive board of directors was selected during a board of directors meeting in Fond du Lac, Wis., on January 3, 2013. Elected to one-year terms, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative board members are responsible for securing producer recommendations, discussing dairy policy and industry direction and establishing programs to benefit all members through cooperative check-off dollars.
The 2013 FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative officer candidates were nominated from the 20-person board of directors, representing the combined boards of the three cooperatives recently merged to form FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative. The new officers are as follows: President: Peter Kleiman, Wilson, Mich.; Vice President: Richard Meyer, Unity, Wis.; Secretary: Bernard Vander Heiden, Kaukauna, Wis.; Treasurer: John Rettler, Neosho, Wis. Ken Wunderlin, Livingston, Wis. also was elected as a member-at-large for the cooperative’s Executive Committee.
Additional 2013 board members include: Tom Breuer, Hartford, Wis.; Mark Ryan, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Dave Schmitz,Fond du Lac, Wis.; Joe Schmitt, Holy Cross, Iowa; Kathy Bauer, Faribault, Minn.; Rae Kohn, Medford, Wis.; David Allen, Reedsburg, Wis.; William Klink, Allenton, Wis.; Randy Geiger, Reedsville, Wis.; Francis Cherney, Milladore, Wis.; Wayne Hansen, Van Dyne, Wis.; Kelly King, Edgar, Wis.; Marvin Anderson, Hillsboro, Wis.; Lee Klumpers, Waupun, Wis.; and Randy Peterson, Wilson, Wis.
The 2013 FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative board of directors will next meet during the cooperative’s annual meeting on Feb. 8-9 at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center in Stevens Point, Wis. (1001 Amber Avenue, Stevens Point, Wis. 54482). All members of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative are invited to attend educational sessions on the afternoon of Feb. 8th starting at 1:00 p.m. The annual meeting will be held on Feb. 9th beginning at 9:30 a.m. Please Contact David Cooper at 800-525-7704 if you would like to register for the sessions and to get additional information.
Source: FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative
Posted: December 25, 2012 at 10:34 am
By Chuck
Posted: December 13, 2012 at 1:35 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Ocooch Dairy and the Mlsna family who have been named the Dairy Business Association’s Advocates of the Year Award. This award was sponsored by Vita Plus. Father Jim, with his daughters Jacqui Davison and Stacy Sosinsky and sons Peter, Thomas and Tony will be recognized for their efforts in advocating for the dairy industry.
The Mlsna family has been involved in numerous efforts to advocate for the dairy industry. Beyond his participation on local community boards, Jim Mlsna is president of the Citizens for Agriculture and Friends of the Environment (CAFÉ), an organization that brings together farmers, landowners, sportsmen, businesses and others to preserve the agricultural economy and environment.
Jim’s daughters Jacqui and Stacy have followed in their father’s footsteps in their own way. Jacqui has worked with the local school district to start a program called Destination Dairy, a daylong program where 320 kids (the entire elementary school) learned about dairy farming through learning stations and dairy tours. Stacy is the voice behind Chloe the Calf’s Facebook page, Twitter feed and blog postings. She has made good use of social media to talk about the life of a dairy cow and the happenings around the farm.
Jim’s sons, Peter, Thomas and Tony are the backbone of the farm, keeping the farm in good working order. Peter is responsible for feeding while Thomas and Tony have the task of field work and equipment maintenance.
Source: Dairy Business Association
Posted: November 30, 2012 at 3:17 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Steve Hunt, the new marketing associate of the dairy and livestock division at ANIMART, Inc.
In his role, Hunt will aid website maintenance, manage manufacturer rebate programs, coordinate catalog development and assist in improving website communications and sales by continuous updates on social media sites. As a marketing associate, he will also support the marketing communication efforts to introduce new products, programs and services to the ANIMART sales team and ANIMART customer base.
Hunt is a 2011 graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, with a bachelor of science in journalism and an emphasis in advertising. During college, Hunt gained experience through an advertising internship with Fox Valley Special Olympics and a marketing internship with Farmers Insurance Agency. Hunt brings to the position a sound knowledge of advertising and public relations, as well as skills in Photoshop, InDesign and journalism which he garnered through internships and coursework.
Source: ANIMART, Inc.
Posted: November 30, 2012 at 3:14 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to the new board of director members for the Dairy Business Association (DBA).
Dairy farmer Jim Ostrom of Milk Source was elected to serve on DBA’s Board. Jim is a partner with Milk Source, a dairy company with four dairies and one calf raising facility in Wisconsin. Jim is one of the six founding members of DBA. Jim started farming in 1994 with 180 cows.
Kevin Solum was also elected to serve a three year term on the Board. Kevin and his wife Roxann own and operate Minglewood, Inc. a 780 dairy cow, 3,000 acre farm near Amherst, Wisconsin. Kevin has been farming since 1979 and a member of DBA since its inception in 2000.
Serving on the Board as a corporate member, Greg Steele, the Vice President of Agribusiness Capital with AgStar Financial Services, was re-elected for another three year term. This will be Greg’s fifth term on the DBA Board and is an expert in finance, business planning and accounting.
“Our newly elected Board is ready to tackle the challenges that still face our dairy industry,” commented Laurie Fischer, DBA Executive Director. “Each member on our Board brings a valuable set of skills, strengths and knowledge. We look forward to working on policies and legislation to grow Wisconsin’s dairy industry.”
Source: The Dairy Business Association
Posted: November 22, 2012 at 7:47 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
Of the many foods we have to be thankful for in this nation, I’ll bet there are lots of people who are thankful every day for the gift of chocolate! Oh yeah!
This is an image of our sweet Thanksgiving greetings sent this year to some of our clients. Hopefully most received them before leaving for the holiday, but if not, it will be waiting for you at your desk on Monday. Some other clients will be receiving a sweet bag of Florida citrus next week. We want you to know how much we appreciate not only your business, but your friendship as well.
We also are very grateful for the hundreds of other business associates and World Dairy Diary readers that we count as our friends. Wish we could send everyone a whole bushel of Florida citrus and sweet chocolate to let you know how much we appreciate you! You are all in our prayers of gratitude this holiday and we wish you the sweetest joys of the season!
Posted: November 20, 2012 at 1:49 pm
By News Editor
GEA Farm Technologies increases its expertise in pastoral based dairy farming with the acquisition of the Milfos International Group; with its headquarters based in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Milfos is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative dairy technologies offering a comprehensive range of milking, cooling, stalling and automation solutions along with service and maintenance programs focused on grazing farm applications. This acquisition clears the way for GEA Farm Technologies to fully participate in growth opportunities within all pastoral farming markets worldwide and specifically within the key market of New Zealand. New Zealand exports 95 percent of its annual milk production representing more than one-third of all global cross-border trade.
Milfos, exporting to more than 20 countries, was formed in 1987 and has more than 100 employees. It has a strong background in precision stainless steel manufacturing and the company has diversified into electronics, plastics and mild steel products. With a policy of adopting in-house manufacturing the company controls all aspects of the product life cycle, including research, design, production and delivery.
The acquisition will be executed in November 2012.
Source: GEA Farm Technologies
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