Posted: August 14, 2010 at 10:00 am
By News Editor
Congratulations to Kendra Moser, Colesburg, Iowa, for being crowned the 57th Iowa Dairy Princess. The Iowa Division of Midwest Dairy Association annually sponsors the Iowa Dairy Princess contest. The young woman chosen as the Iowa Dairy Princess acts as a spokesperson for the dairy industry and Midwest Dairy Association.
Eleven women competed for the 2010 Iowa Dairy Princess title and were judged on their knowledge of the dairy industry, communication skills, enthusiasm for promotion and personality. Both the Princess and the Alternate will also receive scholarships sponsored by Midwest Dairy Association.
Moser is the daughter of Todd and Lynn Moser. She plans to attend Luther College in Decorah this fall. Meyer also won the presentation portion of the contest. She represented Clayton County in the competition.
Alyssa Meyer, Sumner, Iowa was named Alternate Iowa Dairy Princess. The Alternate shares duties with the winner, helping to expand the reach of the dairy princess program. Meyer represented Bremer County in the contest. She will attend Iowa State University this fall. Meyer also received the Miss Congeniality award from her fellow contestants. Her parents are Mike and Laure Meyer.
Moser and Meyer will participate in public appearances, speaking engagements and other promotional activities across the state of Iowa over the next 12 months.
An awe-inspiring line-up of dairy industry leaders have just been crowned the 2010 World Dairy Expo Recognition Award Winners. Each will be honored at the World Dairy Expo’s Dinner with the Stars, Wednesday evening, September 29, in Madison, Wisconsin at the Alliant Energy Center. Congratulations to all the honorees! Dairy Woman of the Year, Liz Doornink of Jon-De Farms, Baldwin, Wisconsin, sets the standard for intelligence and commitment to the dairy industry. And she exhibits leadership you can take to the bank. Doornink holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and has raised three daughters on their 2,400 acre farm. The family milks 1,550 cows and employees 52 staff members at their three-times-a-day milking operation. She is actively involved as personnel manager and oversees all financial records. In addition, she designed and implemented an Environmental Management System for the operation gaining the Environmental Excellence Award from the State of Wisconsin.
The 2010 World Dairy Expo Dairy Woman of the Year award is sponsored by: Vita Plus Corporation, Select Sires, Inc., Micro Dairy Logic and Dairy Business Association.
The 2010 World Dairy Expo International Person of the Year is Mr. Tadanaga Komori, from Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan. After graduating from the Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Komori was content to return to the home farm. But the drive to improve the dairy industry of a nation led our honoree to take every golden opportunity to innovate and lead. A trip to the U.S. for training and tours began a love affair with quality cattle genetics. He began by importing just five cows and proceeded to establish All Japan Breeders Service in 1976. Komori took on the Japanese government to overturn the state-controlled artificial insemination importation laws. Once the private sector was open to import frozen semen, Komori created a livestock products import company, Japan Livestock Trading Corp., in 1984. The exclusive marketing agreement with American Breeders Service improved genetic merit for the dairy industry in Japan. Komori has since increased semen imports from 1,200 units in 1986 to over 260,000 units in the fiscal year of 2009 (April 2008-March 2009).
The 2010 World Dairy Expo International Person of the Year recognition is sponsored by Merrick Animal Nutrition and ABS Global.
2010 World Dairy Expo Dairyman of the Year is Don Bennink, of North Florida Holsteins in Bell, Florida. Though there was no farm in the family while Bennink was growing up in western New York, he worked for others and began building a herd of his own while a youth. After obtaining a degree from Cornell, he rented a farm with a 35 tie-stall barn in his home county. Supported by a small Farmers Home Administration loan and the cattle already owned, he accumulated, during the next seventeen years, the capital base to move the herd to Florida in 1980. Today, the successful dairy breeder and his partners boast a herd of 4,000 milking age Registered Holsteins, the single largest dairy in the state and one of the largest Registered Holstein herds in the country. Bennink has led the innovation of dairy cattle comfort with tunnel ventilation to enhance production and herd health.
The 2010 Dairyman of the Year award is sponsored by: Animart, Dairy Herd Management., Intervet/Schering Plough Animal Health and Southest Milk, Inc. The 2010 World Dairy Expo Industry Person of the Year is Horace Backus of Mexico, New York. While famous as a dairy cattle “pedigree man,” Backus started out as part of the successful Butterfly Farms. As a youth and young man, he began a love affair with breeding the best animals for the dairy industry. The family business of Backus Pedigree Company made its name compiling sale catalogues. Overtime, R. Austin Backus, Inc. was formed and excelled. This year’s honoree has transformed his cattle expertise into a valuable historical asset as an author of dairy breeding and dairy family history. Backus has written eight books that allow cattle breeders and those interested in the legacy of the dairy industry to learn from accomplished breeders. The histories have allowed others to make cattle breeding a passion.
The Industry Person of the Year Award is sponsored by: Accelerated Genetics, Dairy Herd Management, Merrick Animal Nutrition, and Intervet/Schering Plough Animal Health.
Celebrate June Dairy Month by grabbing your camera and entering the Farm Credit Services of Mid-America”s “Say Cheese! or milk, yogurt, cream or butter” photo contest. Get shooting and enter today!
Upload your favorite dairy picture – whether it’s a glass of milk, a dairy cow or a slice of cheese – on our website. Be sure to include a caption and you’ll be entered into our drawing where you will receive free dairy for a year (up to $1000 value). Deadline is June 30, 2010. Winner will be drawn on July 1, 2010 at 12 noon and posted right here on our website. Good luck!!
Here are the rules:
* Farm Credit Services of Mid-America employees and board members and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter the competition.
* Photos must be submitted on www.e-farmcredit.com.
* Entries must be submitted by June 30, 2010.
* The winning entry will be announced on www.e-farmcredit.com on July 1, 2010. We will notify the winner by email. We cannot accept inquiries on the status of the contest or the winners.
* Entries become the exclusive property of Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, which reserves the right to publish or reprint any entry for Farm Credit purposes.
* Contest winnings may be subject to federal income tax.
* No professional entries, photos must be original work.
Congrats to the 2010 Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year Award winners! Each winner will receive a $7,500 college scholarship, appear in a special Milk Mustache ad in USA TODAY and attend a special awards weekend in Disney World in June where they’ll get to meet Milk Mustache celebs— NBA All-Star and Denver Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups and gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson.
Whether it’s chocolate milk as a post-exercise recovery drink, starting the day with lowfat milk over cereal, or grabbing an afternoon latte with fat free milk, SAMMY Award winners know that making smart choices like eating right, exercising and drinking lowfat milk will help them stay at the top of their game in the classroom and their chosen sports.
The 2010 SAMMY winners are:
Alexander Golovin—Round Lake, Ill.
Alexandra Geesey—Palm Beach, Fla.
Amanda Hall—Farmington, Maine
Anne Rempel—Fresno, Calif.
Ashley Vandolah—Choteau, Mont.
Celeste Hoelzl—Wilton, Conn.
David Daines—North Ogden, Utah
Ellie McCardwell—Pendleton, Ind.
Emma Lucken—Roseville, Minn.
Eric Steingruber—Meridian, Idaho
Hannah Fitton—Appleton, Wis.
James Mackovjak—Silverdale, Wash.
Katherine Skinner—Wading River, N.Y.
Kathryn McVay—Leawood, Kan.
Kyle Pollock—Wiggins, Colo.
Laura Peterson—Omaha, Neb.
Lauren Boden—Atlanta
Leah Coates—Colonial Beach, Va.
Mary Bennion—Medford, Ore.
Nicholas Hadorn—Oxford, Mich.
Shelby Lawson—Bowling Green, Ky.
Stetson Thacker—Valley View, Ohio
Tevin Hood—Scottsdale, Ariz.
Wynton El—Albuquerque, N.M.
Zakaraya Aossey—Austin, Texas
Borden Milk has announced an exciting contest in Texas and Louisiana for kids who like to read and drink milk! Get your coloring pencils, books and milk ready!
Joining Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), Borden Milk introduces the “Elsie the Cow’s Reading Adventures” Art Contest. Borden and RIF have teamed up to promote the joy of reading for local children throughout Texas and Louisiana and to encourage families to fuel up for learning. Borden understands the importance of providing kids with essential nutrients to help develop sharp minds and is supporting education by donating books and reading materials to schools.
As part of a multi-year commitment to support children’s literacy, the contest will offer 10 lucky winners a chance to win a $1,000 literacy grant for their local school or a non-profit organization of their choice as well as a prize package, including a year’s supply of fresh and delicious Borden Milk, $50 book-retailer gift card, Borden T-shirt, Elsie the Cow stickers, Borden pencils, Borden growth chart and a certificate from RIF.
“RIF is pleased to partner with Borden Milk to promote reading as an essential key to success,” says Carol H. Rasco, president and CEO for RIF. “These literacy grants will provide books and reading materials to help children throughout Texas and Louisiana discover the joy of reading.”
Entrants can submit an original drawing inspired by the theme “Elsie the Cow’s Reading Adventures.” The art should convey the joy of reading and can include images of books, milk and Elsie the Cow. The contest begins on May 10 and ends on June 30. It is open to children ages 6-12 in the following cities in Texas: Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Laredo, McAllen, San Antonio, and Texarkana as well as the following markets in Louisiana: Baton Rouge and Lafayette.
“Borden understands the importance of providing kids with the essential nutrients needed to develop sharp minds and is honored to partner with RIF,” said Rick Beaman, president for Borden. “We are excited to give back to our local communities and we want to encourage children across our area to fuel up to be smart with a good book and Borden milk.”
Source: Borden Milk
Congratulations to Joey Airoso and his father Joe for being named the Tulare, Calif. Kiwanis Club “Farmer of the Year”. The pair will be honored as the 50th Tulare County Kiwanis Farmers of the Year at an awards banquet on April 28th at 12 p.m. at the Heritage Complex in Tulare, Calif.
Jeri Sell, has been co-chair of the Tulare Kiwanis Club along with her sister, Celeste Thomas for several years, were pleased to announce the award. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of “Farmer of the Year” acknowledgements, but the first time they’ve presented it to a father-son team.
“I can remember the first recipients of this award,” said Joe Airoso. “You talked to them, you listened to them, and you tried to learn from them. It’s an honor to be mentioned in the same list.”
“We select people who give back to the community. Not only are they great at what they do for a living, but they go above and beyond by serving on boards, helping youth and fundraising and we think that’s an important asset to have as a recipient of this award,” said Sell of the Airosos.
Congratulations to the students from California Polytechnic State University, Cornell University, The Ohio State University and University of Wisconsin-Madison for being the highest placed teams in the ninth annual North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC). Each college team earned the highest award, First Place Platinum, during the Challenge which was held April 9-10, in the Visalia, Calif. area.
Hosted by Cal Poly and California State University-Fresno, NAIDC 2010 attracted teams from 30 universities located throughout the United States and Canada. Each team of four was challenged to put their textbook and practical knowledge to the ultimate test – analyzing dairies. The contest started with a walk-through at one of the four host dairies, followed by the opportunity to ask questions of the owners and analyze farm-specific data. Teams then used this information and their observations to develop management recommendations, and then presented their recommendations to the herd owners and a panel of five dairy industry judges.
Members of the First Place Platinum teams received $200 scholarships. This was the second consecutive year for teams from Ohio State and UW-Madison to earn the contest’s highest ranking.
Ohio State’s team, coached by Maurice Eastridge, consisted of Ryan Conklin, Annie Eilenfeld, Heather Moff and Amanda Paulhamus. Members of the UW-Madison team were Robb Bender, Lydia Hardie, Ashley Sprengeler and Melvin Zenner. They were coached by Dave Combs and Lizzy French. The Cal Poly team of Anthony Martin, Brian Medeiros, Katherine Rector and Michael Wesselink was coached by Stan Henderson. Cornell University team members were Brett Feldpausch, Breanna Fulper, Shane Reynolds and Chad Wall. Team coach was Michael Van Amburgh.
Scholarships of $100 were presented to members of the Second Place Platinum teams:
* University of Idaho: Carl Betts, Crystal Burke, Stewart Russell and Jackie Wuebben; Amin Ahmadzadeh, coach.
* South Dakota State University: Holly Bruns, Alex Ode, Samantha Wahls and Abigail Wirt; Arnold Hippen and Matt Laubach, coaches.
* University of Guelph: Steven Larmer, Martina Pfister, Caitlin Shirreff and Ryan Wynands; John Walton, coach.
* Penn State University: Janelle Hartzell, Amy Miller, Elizabeth Smith and Peter Yoder; Gabriella Varga, coach.
Gold Awards were presented to teams from Iowa State University, Mississippi State University, Purdue University, University of Minnesota, Virginia Tech, Delaware Valley College, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Alabama A&M University, University of Florida and University of Kentucky.
Silver Awards went to teams from California State University-Fresno, University of Vermont, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, North Carolina State University, University of Alberta, West Virginia University, Clemson University, Kansas State University, Louisiana State University, Michigan State University, University of Maine and Washington State University.
Congratulations to Dave Forgey of Logansport, Ind. for being named the 2010 Indiana Dairy Producer of the Year! Given by the Indiana Professional Dairy Producers each year, the award recognizes dairy producers that have positively impacted the dairy industry in Indiana over and above their immediate dairy operations.
Dave and his wife Helen, along with partners Scott and Darla Foerg, milk around 200 cows on a pasture-based seasonal dairy farm. Dave is certainly no stranger to the Indiana dairy industry. Having been born and raised on a dairy farm, Dave moved into a partnership and eventually took over his home dairy. In 1990, Dave moved to pasture-based dairy production. He has worked hard not only to make that system work very well at his home farm, but to help others make the switch. He authored a dairy column for Hoards Dairyman magazine, Graze magazine and other publications. Dave has also used the innovative share milker arrangement to allow Scott and Darla Foerg, former employees, to become partners in Riverview dairy. Their story was recently featured as the cover story in Hay and Forage Magazine.
Having dedicated partners has allowed Dave to practice his leadership skills. Dave was one of the first to volunteer to assist in the establishment of Indiana Professional Dairy Producers, and he served as its first secretary, putting in countless hours toward IPDP development. Currently, Dave is on the IPDP board and serves as the dairy industry representative to the Indiana Beef Cattle Association. He serves on the American Forage & Grassland Council and Milk Promotion Services of Indiana board, and he has served on the Foremost Farms USA and Mideast Milk Marketing Agency boards. Dave is actively involved in Beacon Credit Union, his bank’s governing body. Dave is truly a visionary dairy producer and has a passion for moving the Indiana dairy industry forward by embracing innovation and technology, as well as leadership, integrity and stewardship.
The Western Regional Dairy Challenge hosted more than 40 students from four western universities and one Canadian university to competed in the fifth annual Challenge, March 4-6, 2010 in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Hosted by the University of Idaho-Twin Falls, the Western Regional Dairy Challenge is an innovative management analysis competition developed by industry and university professionals from across the U.S.
Students from the different universities are partnered in teams of four or five. Each team conducts a comprehensive evaluation of a working dairy farm; evaluating everything from cow comfort and herd health to reproduction and finances looking for opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability. After the evaluation each team presents their analysis and prioritized opportunities for improvement to a panel of expert judges and dairy owners.
Participating universities at this year’s competition included: the University of Alberta (Canada), University of Idaho, Washington State University, California Polytechnic State University, and the California State University at Fresno.
Receiving Platinum awards were:
Nicole Hurt, University of Alberta; Carl Betts, University of Idaho; Jennifer Trice,Washington State University; Robert Thommen, California Polytechnic State University; Brian Waymire, California Polytechnic State University;
Brian Medeiros, California Polytechnic State University; Jennifer Spencer, University of Idaho; Stewart Russell, University of Idaho; and Alex DeJager, California State University-Fresno.
Receiving Gold awards were:
Amanda McIntosh, University of Idaho; Micah Kuiper, California Polytechnic State University; Jennifer Onken, Washington State University; Jesse Ruvalcaba, California Polytechnic State University;
Jared Carmo, California Polytechnic State University; Crystal Burke, University of Idaho; Erin Fosler, Washington State University; Jami Lady, California State University-Fresno; Michael Stewart, California Polytechnic State University;
Andy Gray, Washington State University; Anthony Martin, California Polytechnic State University; Tyler Reynolds, University of Idaho; Meagan Kelm, University of Alberta; and Jackie Wuebben University of Idaho.
Receiving Silver awards were:
Wendy Hudson, University of Alberta; Chloe Dixon, Washington State University; Jeff Blickenstaff, University of Idaho; Megan Bettencourt, California State University-Fresno; Brian Schoch. Washington State University;
Torry Shepherd, Washington State University; Alexia Hoy, University of Alberta; Katherine Rector, California Polytechnic State University; Justin Nickerson, California State University-Fresno; Elizabeth Russell, University of Idaho;
Kelsey Blagg, California Polytechnic State University; Marissa Weleschuk, University of Alberta; Edward DeJager, California State University-Fresno; Ann Marie Stickney, Washington State University; Jeanene Russo, University of Idaho;
Michael Wesselink, California Polytechnic State University; Daric Ameye, California State University-Fresno; Carolyn Parsons, Washington State University; and Stephanie Dehner, California Polytechnic State University.
World Dairy Expo has announced the winners of their annual Recognition Awards. The award recognizes four individuals for their contributions to the global dairy industry.
World Dairy Expo’s 2010 Recognition Award Winners include: Dairyman of the Year – Donald Bennink, North Florida Holsteins, Bell, Florida; Dairy Woman of the Year – Liz Doornink, Jon-De Farms, Baldwin, Wisconsin; Industry Person of the Year – Horace Backus, Backus Pedigree Company, Mexico, New York; and International Person of the Year – Tadanaga Komori, Japan Livestock Trading Corporation, Obihiro-shi, Hokkaido, Japan.
The four recipients will be honored during World Dairy Expo at a special “Dinner with the Stars” banquet, held on Wednesday, September 29, in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Tickets for the event are $30. Reservations are required by Tuesday, September 21.
An international panel of expert judges recently named a Swiss Gruyere cheese as the 2010 World Championship Cheese. The World Championship Cheese Contest is the largest international cheese and butter competition in the world, held biennial in Wisconsin.
Cédric Vuille, cheesemaker at Fromagerie de La Brévine in La Brévine, Switzerland, took top honors out of 2,318 entries from 20 countries for his Gruyere. Out of possible 100 points, the Gruyere scored 98.79 in the final round of judging, during which judges re-evaluated all gold-winning cheeses to determine the champion.
First runner-up in the contest, with a score of 98.52, is Andeerer Traum, a smear-ripened hard cheese made by Sennerei Andeer company in Switzerland. Second runner-up is Gmundner Berg Premium, a semi-soft cheese, made by Alois Pesendorfer Crew, of Gmunden, Austria, which scored 98.46.
“Cheesemakers from around the world have participated in the largest international cheese and butter competition ever held. Every medalist should be extremely proud of their accomplishment,” said John Umhoefer, executive director of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, which hosts the biennial competition.
Overall, U.S. cheesemakers dominated the competition, earning gold medals in 51 of the total 79 cheese and butter categories judged. Canada and the Netherlands came in second among the countries, with five golds apiece. Denmark earned four gold medals, while Austria, Spain and Switzerland all took three. New Zealand won two gold medals, and Australia, France and Ireland each captured one apiece.
Among U.S. states, Wisconsin dominated with 21 gold medals. New York took six golds, while Idaho earned five and California four. Vermont capture three golds, Georgia and Pennsylvania two, and Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, New Jersey, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon and South Carolina each took one gold medal.
We all know that Mom is the heart and soul of every family, and no where is that more true than in a farm family. Why not show your appreciate of all your farm Mom does by nominating her for the America’s Farmers Mom of the Year award? Hurry, nominations are due by April 9, 2010.
Behind every American Farm Family is the Backbone of the Operation: The American Farm Mom
Tell us in 300 words or less how your farm mom embodies the caring, values and hard work that make up the family farm way of life. You can even nominate yourself. (Why not? You do everything else.)
There will be five regional winners of $5,000 each. All five will be posted online here where voting will determine one national winner of an additional $2,500.
Posted: February 26, 2010 at 10:36 am
By Amanda Nolz
Congratulations to Melissa Erdman, the new Michigan Senior Dairy Ambassador! Melissa is currently a student at Michigan State University, where she is on the path to become a veterinarian. Melissa impressed the judges with her extensive knowledge of the dairy industry, her passion for dairy products and her communication skills in explaining her depth of knowledge and passion with the judges. In the interview, she identified the two weaknesses facing the dairy industry as lack of consumer trust in dairy production and profitability (or lack thereof) for producers. Her proposed dairy project will focus on senior citizens and teaching them the importance of dairy as a part of a balanced diet.
Congratulations also goes to the new Michigan Junior Dairy Ambassador, Sarah Michalek. Sarah is a high school student who believes in putting 110% in everything she does. Her drive, passion and determination really convinced the judges that she would be an ideal candidate for the ambassador program. She hopes to study food science in the future, and she identified dairy public relations and fluctuating prices as two challenges facing the dairy industry. Her proposed dairy promotion project was titled, “Milk, Unlike Any Udder,” and it focused on working with students in grade six, and it included a milk label design contest.
Cheers to Melissa and Sarah, and best of luck in your year promoting dairy products to consumers! I’m confident you will do an awesome job! (Photo courtesy of Celeste Laurent)
Posted: February 24, 2010 at 7:27 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to the 25 student winners of the National Dairy Herd Information Association (DHIA) Scholarship
This year’s National DHIA scholarship winners are: Tyler Lee Boyd, Parrotsville, Tenn.; Brett Boyum, Battle Lake, Minn.; Kevin Davis, Cokato, Minn.; Jean Haldeman, Ottsville, Pa.; Jessica Hammerand, Epworth, Iowa; Isaac Hammock, Chatham, Va.; Christy Hindman, Brockway, Pa.; Kayla Holscher, Twin Brooks, S.D.; Katelyn Horning, Manchester, Mich.; Logan Horst, Chambersburg, Pa.; Sarah Innerst, Red Lion, Pa.; April Johnson, Heron Lake, Minn.; Joshua Joseph, Viola, Wis.; Tera Koebel, Three Oaks, Mich. (Joe Drexler winner); Samuel Olson, Chetek, Wis.; Brenda Reiter, Elgin, Minn.; Laura Rosenhammer, Sleepy, Eye, Minn.; Jason Smith, Fremont, Mich.; Isaac Solum, Rice Lake, Wis.; Darcy Steffes, Elizabeth, Ill.; Brittany Thompson, Snow Camp, N.C.; Steven Joseph Toone, Grace, Idaho; Katelyn Walley, Walton, N.Y.; Tyler Warren, Watkins, Minn.; and Hannah Wentworth, Quarryville, Pa.
Judges evaluated applicants on scholastic achievement and leadership in school and community activities. To be eligible for a National DHIA scholarship, applicants must be a family member or employee of a herd on DHI test, a family member of a DHI employee, or an employee of a DHI affiliate. The DHI affiliate for the herd or affiliate employee must be a National DHIA member.
2010 marks the second year for awarding a scholarship in memory of Joe Drexler, who worked for NorthStar Cooperative DHI Services. NorthStar members and employees, friends and family contributed nearly $8,000 to establish this scholarship fund.
“Joe’s love of nature, animals, dairy cattle and the young people who strive to learn are the ingredients for this scholarship that his family, friends and colleagues established in his memory,” stated Mark Adam of NorthStar. “He was a friend to all and an inspiration to anyone who ever had the opportunity to spend time with him.”
Money generated from the annual National DHIA Scholarship Auction primarily funds the organization’s scholarship program. Investments and donations also help build the fund. To make a donation to the fund, contact National DHIA Scholarship Committee Chair Barb Roth at 616-897-7435, or roth250@ix.netcom.com; or National DHIA Communications and Events Manager JoDee Sattler at 608-848-6455, ext. 112, or jdsattler@dhia.org.
Posted: February 5, 2010 at 5:20 pm
By News Editor
Are you, or do you know, a high school senior who is also an outstanding athlete? They may be the perfect candidate for the 2010 Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) Awards, and have the chance to win a $7,500 scholarship for college.
This unique scholarship is sponsored by the National Milk Mustache “got milk?®” Campaign in partnership with USA TODAY. The SAMMY Awards educate teens on the importance of making smart choices- like eating right, staying active and refueling with milk. Twenty-five teens who excel in academics, athletics, community service and leadership will earn a $7,500 scholarship, attend an awards ceremony with celebrity guests at Walk Disney World and appear in their own Milk Mustache ad in USA TODAY.
Applications are due by March 5, 2010. Describe in 250 words or less how you refuel with milk while excelling in academics, athletics, community service and leadership. Finalists will be named in June 2010
Posted: January 28, 2010 at 5:43 pm
By News Editor
And the winner to White Gold’s Milkdonkulous Givewaway is: Santa Susana High School! Watch the winning video below.
Santa Susana High School in Simi Valley won the grand prize of $20,000 in the GOT MILK? “Battle for Milquarious, White Gold Milkdonkulous Giveaway.” The contest was designed to encourage teens to get creative with their video-making skills for a chance to win thousands of dollars for their public high schools’ art programs.
Santa Susana received close to 11,000 online votes. Students from the school submitted a video entry after recreating the last of seven scenes from GOT MILK?’s online rock opera titled “Battle for Milkquarious” The online 20-minute rock opera is intended to reach California teens with the message of the health benefits of drinking milk for strong bones, muscles, hair, teeth and nails. The rock opera chronicles White Gold’s quest to save his hometown of Milkquarious from a potentially deadly milk shortage. The students at Santa Susana acted out the scene using homemade props and creative video editing.
The school that received the second most online votes is Pioneer Technical Center in Madera, which will receive $10,000 for its live action entry. The students acted out the second scene of the rock opera that tells the first meeting of White Gold and his partner in crime, Jug Life, to save Milkquarious.
GOT MILK? Will honor eight other runners -up for their efforts, each with $2,500. The eight runners-up are: El Molino High School, Dublin High School, Santa Teresa High School, Los Angeles County High School, San Dieguito High School, Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts, Los Angeles High School of the Arts and Gardena High School.
I recently read this article in the Lancaster Farming written by Dick Wanner titled, A Fitting Job for the Farm Show, highlighting a professional dairy cattle fitter and describing the ins and outs of a day at a cattle show. Coming from my experiences showing beef cattle, I can definitely relate to the hard work and long hours it takes to get these animals ready and glamourous for the show ring. Here is an excerpt from the article…
One of the busiest guys at the 2009 Pennsylvania Farm Show was Brian Sparling, of Ralston, Pa. But he wasn’t showing, selling, scooping or judging. Sparling is a professional fitter, whose business it is to get dairy cows ready for the showing and the judging.
When we spotted him in the dairy barn last January, Sparling was putting the finishing touches on Lola, a spiffy looking Brown Swiss that was part of the Kir-Kare Dairy Farm in Millville, Pa. Karen Cramer — the “Kare” part of “Kir-Kare” — was at the Farm Show with 15 Brown Swiss, one Jersey and five little Cramers. Husband Kirk — the “Kir” part — stayed home to tend to chores.
Posted: December 11, 2009 at 6:29 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Carlson Dairy, LLP for being named Minnesota’s 2009 Producers of the Year by Minnesota Milk Producers Association! The award is given out every year to producers who have a proven commitment to managing their dairy for quality, enthusiasm in promoting the dairy industry and are active leaders in their local community.
Carlson Dairy is a century farm near Willmar, Minn. that is owned and operated by Curtney and Louise Carlson with their two sons, Chad and Carl, and their families. Chad and Kindra Carlson have three sons, Cael (9), Caden (7) and Conlan (3). Carl and Kellie Carlson also have three sons, Colten (12), Clay (10) and Cavin (2).
Operating a high-producing, well-managed, innovative, and sustainable family-owned dairy is their vision. One of their first steps to accomplishing this vision was modernizing their facility by transitioning from a 100-cow tie-stall herd into a new 450-cow freestall barn and milking parlor across the road in 2000. Then recently in 2008, the Carlson’s transitioned their 6-row freestall barn into a 10-row cross-ventilated barn with sand bedding, and a new manure handling system where the sand is continuously recycled and reused with the help of two new sand settling lanes.
Carlson Dairy currently milks 900 dairy cows in a double 14 parallel milking parlor. Apart from family members, they have 15 full-time and 5 part-time employees. The Carlson’s understand that part of their business mission requires them to be engaged and involved at a local and state-wide level. Curtney has served on the Mamre Township Board for the last 14 years, including the past 6 years as President. Within Kandiyohi County, their family also currently serves and holds offices on the American Dairy Association Board, DHIA Board,
and Holstein Association Board of Directors.
Posted: December 2, 2009 at 7:30 pm
By News Editor
Fourteen New Jersey dairy farms have been recognized this year as Dairies of Distinction by the Northeast Dairy Farm Beautification Program. The honor goes to dairy farms that are attractive, well-kept and promote a good dairy industry image.
The dairy farms in the state that received the Dairy of Distinction Award in 2009 are: Black’s Dairy Farm, South Harrison Township; BSB Holsteins, Asbury; Creamy Acres Farm, Mullica Hill; Ervey Farms, Andover; Fulper Farms, Lambertville; Havendale Farm, Wantage; Hillcrest Farm, Wharton; Holland Valley Farm, Milford; Kerkendall Farms, Columbia; Kuperus Meadows, Wantage; Ridge Crest Farm, Phillipsburg; Santini Farms, Stewartsville; Waldac Farm, Salem; and Windy Flats Dairy, Wantage.
Each winning farm received the special Dairy of Distinction roadside sign for their farm. The Northeast Dairy Farm Beautification Program was established in 1983 to recognize the hard work and dedication of dairy owners and operators with attractive farms. Over the years, many New Jersey dairy farms have received the award.
Judging criteria is based on the buildings, grounds and surroundings and the overall farm operation. Judges, who can not be dairy farmers from the state in which the judging is being done, observe the dairy operation from the same vantage point that a consumer would, as they drive by the farm.
“These lists were developed to showcase the best judges the United States has to offer,” says James Burdette, Holstein Association USA director from Mercersburg, Pa. and Show Committee chairman. “We encourage all shows to pick their judges from this highly talented group.”
Individuals on the National Judges List are approved by Holstein Association USA to serve as judges at National Holstein Shows. Beginning with the 2010 show season, all National Holstein Shows will be required to select their judges from this list if selecting a judge from the United States. Nationally-sanctioned Junior Holstein Shows must select their judge from either the National Judges List or the Holstein Association USA Qualified Judges List.
Nationally-sanctioned Junior Holstein Shows must select their judge from either the National Judges List or the Holstein Association USA Qualified Judges List.
Congratulations to Kendra Moser, Colesburg, Iowa, for being crowned the 57th Iowa Dairy Princess. The Iowa Division of Midwest Dairy Association annually sponsors the Iowa Dairy Princess contest. The young woman chosen as the Iowa Dairy Princess acts as a spokesperson for the dairy industry and Midwest Dairy Association.
Congratulations to Melissa Erdman, the new Michigan Senior Dairy Ambassador! Melissa is currently a student at Michigan State University, where she is on the path to become a veterinarian. Melissa impressed the judges with her extensive knowledge of the dairy industry, her passion for dairy products and her communication skills in explaining her depth of knowledge and passion with the judges. In the interview, she identified the two weaknesses facing the dairy industry as lack of consumer trust in dairy production and profitability (or lack thereof) for producers. Her proposed dairy project will focus on senior citizens and teaching them the importance of dairy as a part of a balanced diet. 
Congratulations also goes to the new Michigan Junior Dairy Ambassador, Sarah Michalek. Sarah is a high school student who believes in putting 110% in everything she does. Her drive, passion and determination really convinced the judges that she would be an ideal candidate for the ambassador program. She hopes to study food science in the future, and she identified dairy public relations and fluctuating prices as two challenges facing the dairy industry. Her proposed dairy promotion project was titled, “Milk, Unlike Any Udder,” and it focused on working with students in grade six, and it included a milk label design contest.
I recently read this article in the Lancaster Farming written by Dick Wanner titled, 
Congratulations to Carlson Dairy, LLP for being named 
Registered Holstein show management across the U.S. can now