Jim says that dairy producers are wondering if CWT has enough money to be effective this year and he says the answer is yes. He says they’re on display at World Ag Expo to get more producers to sign up.
Posted: January 3, 2008 at 8:37 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
The World Ag Expo is right around the corner and to learn more about it I interviewed Shelley Kahl, 2008 Chairman. The Expo is “Where the World of Agriculture Means Business.” For many people who will be participating and attending that means the dairy business. I’ve never been to the show and hope to find a way to do so this year. It sounds like they’ve got a huge area devoted to the dairy business including a new pavilion this year.
You can listen to Shelley talk about this year’s show in the latest edition of our Milking Parlor Podcast. You can listen right now here:
One of the not-to-miss taste treats at World Dairy Expo is the world famous Badger Dairy Club cheese sandwich, an incredible bargain at just $1.50 each, with milkshakes for only $1.25.
Sponsored this year by BASF Plant Science, the Cheesestand at expo is the club’s primary fundraising event. The University of Wisconsin group has about 140 members and offers opportunities for them to engage in activities and experiences within the college, community and the ever progressing dairy industry.
Besides grilling and selling thousands of cheese sandwiches each year, the Badger Club is involved in a number of activities at World Dairy Expo. Two weeks before the doors open to the public, they begin setting up the show and building the showring, including setting up all of the showring decorations and laying the famous colored shavings each day. During the week they continue to manage behind the scenes duties making sure everything is looking good and running smoothly. And once the show is over, they take everything down, clean the barns and put everything back into storage.
“Diamond V is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and we manufacture an all natural yeast-based product that essentially helps with the digestive process in all livestock,” said Hageman. Because they market globally, World Dairy Expo is an excellent venue for them to talk with producers about their products. He says producers are especially interested in efficiency this year, more so than normal.
“Particularly this year, feed prices are high and getting higher. Fortunately, so are milk prices. But everybody is concerned with controlling costs and always concerned about efficiency and that is one of the key features of our products.”
The other major area of interest this year, he says, is feeding more by-products and co-products and how to utilize them more effectively.
Listen to our “Milking Parlor” podcast with Bruce here:
Posted: September 25, 2007 at 8:47 am
By News Editor
Next week from Oct. 2-6, Chuck and Cindy Zimmerman will be two of the expected 65,000 dairy enthusiasts visiting Madison, Wisc., for the 2007 World Dairy Expo. The Expo features the most modern dairy equipment and the newest dairy technology and innovations, including animal health supplies, milking systems, feeding products, forage handling and manure equipment plus embryos, semen and genetic research.
Remember to check back on a daily basis as Chuck and Cindy post reports from the educational seminars on dairy management and other industry issues. These seminars are designed to offer technical expertise to help dairy farmer stay knowledgeable, competitive and profitable. The show is also complete with virtual farm tours (who says farmers don’t use computers!?!), judging contests, Dinner With the Stars reception, various youth activities and competitions, a dairy quiz bowl and much more.
Educational seminars at a glance:
– Corn Prices Affecting the Starch Content in the Diet” - Jay Giesy, Dairy Specialist, Cargill Animal Nutrition
– “Cross Ventilation: A New Concept in Freestall Facilities” - John Smith, Extension Dairy Specialist, Kansas State University
– “CNMP, NPDES, CERCLA, EPCRA, ISO – Alphabet Soup for Complying with Environmental Regulations” - Wendy Powers, Professor, Michigan State University
– “Communicating to Protect and Promote Dairy’s Image” - David Pelzer, Senior Vice President of Industry Image & Relations, Dairy Management Inc. and Les Hardesty, Chairman, National Dairy Promotion and Research Board
– “Opportunities and Challenges with Sexed Semen” - Joe Dalton, Associate Professor and Extension Dairy Specialist, University of Idaho
– “LEADERSHIP…Maximizing the Return from Your People” - Eric Spell, President, AgCareers.com
– “Management & Bio-Security Strategies for Your Herd of Tomorrow” - Cathy Speirs, Shiloh Dairy LLC, Karen Marsh, Sunshine Genetics and Karen Hall, Hall’s Calf Ranch
– “Managing the freestall: From the Cow’s Perspective” - Marina (Nina) von Keyserlingk, Associate Professor, Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia
– “Extreme Makeover: Freestall Edition” - Nigel Cook, Clinical Associate Professor, UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine
– “What’s the Big Stink: Managing Odor in Agriculture” - John Ferguson, Mechanical Engineer and Associate, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates
Posted: February 15, 2007 at 10:58 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
I’m attending the National Farm Machinery Show and doing most of my posting onto AgWired. I was surprised to learn how many dairy farmers visit here in Louisville, KY. This afternoon I visited the WestphaliaSurge booth and talked with Jerry Quellhorst. They’ve got a large exhibit here and he says he spoke with dairymen from states all over the country today. He said about half their crew is here and the other half is out in Tulare, CA at the World Ag Expo which is taking place at the same time.
Jerry says they’ve got equipment on display here that’s so new it’s not even available yet. For example, they have some new automatic detachers which you can see demonstrated.
Posted: January 8, 2007 at 10:29 pm
By News Editor
2007 marks the 91st Pa. Farm Show in Harrisburg, Pa. Opening weekend saw record crowds - the warm weather didn’t keep people away from the fun! “Growing Pennsylvania Agriculture to Feed and Fuel Our Future” is the theme - one that even the now infamous butter sculpture honors. Featuring Ben Franklin and the Liberty Bell, the buttery artwork will be on display until Sunday, January 14th. After that, the 800 pounds of butter (donated by Land O’Lakes), will become part of a research project to turn butter into biodiesel! Philadelphia-based Fry-o-Diesel, operates a pilot plant in north Philadelphia and has developed technology to convert waste greases from restaurants into high quality biodiesel.
Posted: December 21, 2006 at 10:49 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
In case you didn’t know it, the World Ag Expo is turning 40. That’s not old though, I’m here to tell you.
The 40th World Ag Expo is just around the corner! The largest agriculture exposition in the world has something to offer every farmer, rancher, dairy producer or agribusiness professional. For the latest information and media resources, please visit our website at www.worldagexpo.com. At the 40th Expo farmers can take in informative sessions in the Seminar Center and Dairy Profit Seminars, and have direct contact with the best equipment and technology on the market. In addition to special demonstrations in the World Ag Women pavilion, and cutting-edge dairy farming technology showcased in the 80,000-square foot Dairy Center.
2007 World Ag Expo
Where: International Agri-Center- 4450 South Laspina Street, Tulare, CA 93274 (Located in California’s Central Valley, 45 miles south of Fresno and 60 miles north of Bakersfield, just off Highway 99. Airfields are located in Tulare, Visalia, Fresno and Bakersfield.)
When: February 13,14,15, 2007 (the second Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of February)
Cost: $9 General Admission; $24 for 3-Day Pass
Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Posted: December 13, 2006 at 8:56 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
If you’re hoping to make hay while the sun shines then Nikkel Iron Works has a new tool for you. It’s one example of the kind of new equipment you’ll see on display if you attend the upcoming World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA. Remember that they’ve got a very large dairy section as well.
Farmers, locally and nationwide, will soon have a new tool at their fingertips to make baling hay easier and more profitable. That product, the DARF AccuRake™, will be unveiled February 13-15 at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, Calif — the world’s largest agricultural exposition — where it will be honored as a 2007 New Product Nominee.
“It’s a perfect venue to showcase it and introduce it to the farming community,” said Andrew Cummings, president of Shafter-based Nikkel Iron Works. The company invented the AccuRake and will display it at North Street space 62 at the World Ag Expo.
The AccuRake precision hay raking system enhances the proven DARF wheel rake. The system provides for precise depth control of the rake tines regardless of terrain. The main benefits of the system are cleaner, higher quality hay and reduced tooth wear. The exclusive, patent pending design also provides for less stress and wear on other components. The precise control of rake tooth height keeps clods and stones out of the windrow and also results in much less dust while raking.
“Since the teeth aren’t in the dirt, you aren’t going to have that wear and tear. You will double or triple the life of your hay rake teeth,” Cummings said.
Posted: November 15, 2006 at 10:31 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
The All-American Dairy Show has new board members and officers. They were recently elected at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Dairy and Allied Industry Association.
The results of the election of officers are as follows:
• President - Rita Kennedy, Valencia, Pa.
• Vice President - Michele Reasner, Newburg, Pa.
• Secretary - Kenneth Raney, State College, Pa.
• Treasurer - Larry Specht, State College, Pa.
The following were elected to a 3-year term:
• Red & White - Dana Erway, Coudersport, Pa.
• Brown Swiss - Rita Kennedy, Valencia, Pa.
• Jersey - Michele Reasner, Newburg, Pa.
• Industry Representatives - Steve Moff, Columbiana, Ohio; Robert Heilman, Richmond, Va.
President Rita Kennedy recognized William Nichol who retired after serving more than 40 years on the board of directors and as secretary of the Pennsylvania Dairy and Allied Industry Association. Nichol was cited as being a leader and visionary for the All-American Dairy Show.
Posted: October 18, 2006 at 8:53 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
The milking contest at Sunbelt Ag Expo has been held and you can find out how it went on AgNetOnline.com.
It looks like Florida’s Ag Commissioner couldn’t make it so Tennessee’s stepped in and won it.
When it was all said and done, Alabama’s Ron Sparks (pictured on the left) output didn’t quite match up to what Tommy Irvin of Georgia had. But then again, Sparks suffered a loss when one of the cows “kicked the bucket”, thus losing a considerable amount. Charles Bronson of Florida was also scheduled to take part in the event, but was unable to make it due to weather. So Tennessee’s Commissoner of Agriculture filled in and ended up winning the contest by a large margin.
There’s even a couple of audio interviews there that you can listen to.
Posted: October 16, 2006 at 7:30 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
He’s Tommy Irvin and he’s running for re-election as Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture. He’s also going to be battling other southeast ag commissioners for the title of Supreme Sunbelt Cow-Milking Champion. This would be at Sunbelt Ag Expo going on now in Moultrie, GA.
He’ll be competing with Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson. All the commissioners have “considerable experience.” They’ll compete tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.
More than 200,000 visitors are expected to attend the 100-acre event that is considered the world’s largest farm show. The Tuesday through Thursday expo touts 1,200 exhibits coupled with field demonstrations.
Posted: October 13, 2006 at 6:33 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Ned Arthur attended the World Ag Expo breakfast at World Dairy Expo and interviewed general manager Jerry Sinift. We sure have a lot of Expos don’t we?
Jerry was there to talk about what’s coming up after the first of the year at the 40th World Ag Expo.
Posted: October 4, 2006 at 7:14 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Thanks to Lisa Perrin, Holstein Association USA, I got a couple of pictures from their booth at World Dairy Expo. I like the new logo. Here’s the message she sent along with them. Holstein Association launched a new logo at World Dairy Expo this year. The logo sends a powerful message about U.S. Registered Holsteins. They are the breed for dairymen to achieve maximum profit. Producers can show their pride in U.S. Registered Holsteins by purchasing a fleece jacket with the new logo at the Holstein booth. Two styles are available, a half-zip and full-zip jacket. Also happening at the Holstein Association booth, free tag education kits and 2007 posters are available. The Holstein Foundation is selling their highly successful “Holstein Royalty” prints.
PS-the weather yesterday was beautiful, warm and sunny. This morning started out with RAIN, and lots of it, but by about noon time, the sun had come out. It was a little chilly… Tues-FFA/club day- LOTS of kids coming through the show. Wed-traffic was down.
Posted: September 25, 2006 at 7:47 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Congratulations to the newest Pennsylvania Dairy Princess.
Beaver County’s Sarah Caldwell was selected the Pennsylvania Dairy Princess at the 50th coronation on Saturday, Sept. 23 in Camp Hill. Twenty-eight county dairy princesses participated in a rigorous three-day competition for the golden anniversary state crown, including a speech and skit promoting milk and dairy products, and a personal interview with a panel of four judges. Contestants were evaluated on their public speaking skills, knowledge of the dairy industry, poise and personality.
Posted: September 21, 2006 at 8:46 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Here’s some of the latest news from the 43rd All-American Dairy Show. Sometimes you just have to take a nap, especially when you’ve been working hard at a long show.
For the second year in a row, Arethusa Farm of Litchfield, Conn., exhibited the Supreme Champion at the 43rd All-American Dairy Show on Thursday, Sept. 21. Not only did they win last year, they won with the same cow, Huronia Centurion Veronica. Like last year, the 6 & Over Aged cow easily topped the Jersey show and edged out the six other breed champions to win the highest honor at the world’s largest dairy show. (More)
“She’s a long, square, dairy machine,” Judge Michael Heath of Westminster, Md., declared when selecting his champion Jersey, Huronia Centurion Veronica, in the 2006 All-American Jersey Show @ Harrisburg on Thursday, Sept. 21. Nearly 190 Jerseys were exhibited in the show. For the second year in a row, the prize-winning Aged Cow easily topped the Jersey show, after being selected Senior Champion. The Reserve Senior Champion honor went to Avonlea Konnection Rory, exhibited by Kevin Reichard of Indianapolis, Ind., who was later named Honorable Mention Grand Champion. (More)
Cameron-Ridge BC Lisa, a 10-year-old cow that won the 100,000/125,000 pound class, claimed the Grand Champion title after winning the Senior Champion in the All-American Holstein Show, Thursday, Sept. 21 at the 43rd All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg. The cow is owned by Charlie Cameron of Cameron Ridge Holsteins in Brodhead, Ky. Cameron-Ridge BC Lisa won a $1,000 from Select Sires for being named Grand Champion, and $200 for Best Bred and Owned, sponsored by Peace & Plenty Farm. (More)
Posted: September 20, 2006 at 7:25 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Here’s some of the latest news from the 43rd All-American Dairy Show. Meet Justin and Claire Burdette. He grew up on a Holstein farm in Mercersburg, Pa., and she on a Jersey farm in Clear Brook, Va. Their paths would eventually cross and a new generation of farm kids would be born.
Their common interests in breeding and showing cows brought them together more frequently as time passed and before long, they began dating. They were married in October 2005 at Waverly. Just before their wedding, a fellow dairyman told them, “If you two can do together what you’ve each done for your individual breeds, this industry is going to be even better.”
When the dust settled in the Milking Shorthorn ring, there were two farm families that had nothing to do but smile. Kuszlyk Cattle Co. of Batavia N.Y. and Hard Core Farms of New Enterprise, Pa. dominated this year’s 43rd All-American Milking Shorthorn Show. Even though these two farms won a total of 16 of the 24 classes, a newcomer walked away with the top honor. (More)
When Raechel Kilgore and Emily Yeiser were growing up in the dairy industry, one in Pennsylvania and one in Maryland, they probably didn’t expect their lives to become so parallel. Now both of them are seniors at Penn State majoring in Animal Science and are on the Penn State dairy judging team. (More)
“This champion is a lovely-uddered individual, with a tremendous frame,” said Judge Curtis Day of Lakeville, Minn. Day’s associate judge was Chris Lahmers of Thornville, Ohio. The judging duo then selected Spring River Royal Happy, the second place 4-Year-Old Reserve Senior and Grand Champion, owned by Ayars and Marion of Land of Living Farm in Mechanicsburg, Ohio. (More)
Posted: September 19, 2006 at 6:42 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Here’s the latest news from the 43rd All-American Dairy Show. The photo is supplied by show staff showing that all ages participate.
After placing third in last year’s contest, Elizabeth Smith of Lebanon, Pa., returned this year to win first place honors in the 20th anniversary Junior Dairy Management Contest on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg. Elizabeth received a $1,000 scholarship from the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association to apply to her agribusiness degree at Penn State. She is the 18-year-old daughter of Earl and Marilyn Smith and belongs to Lebanon County’s No-So-Ann Dairy Club. (More)
Twenty-four years after their last win at the Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, Penn State reclaimed the championship Monday, Sept. 18, at the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg. The New York 4-H and Michigan FFA teams also won their respective divisions. Thirty-five teams and 140 judges competed in the 4-H, FFA and collegiate contests. The competition included dairy cattle judging, linear evaluations and oral reasons. (More)
The Grand Champion Brown Swiss, Ash-Mar Banker Chai, chipped away at the competition to earn the Supreme Champion title of the Premier National Junior Show on Monday, Sept. 18 at the All-American Dairy Show. Ashley Taylor of Worton, Md., exhibited the winning 4-Year-Old Brown Swiss that edged out six other breed champions. A panel of seven judges deliberated over the best-of-the-best with judge David Kjome of Rochester, Minn., serving as the spokesman for the group. (More)
Posted: September 18, 2006 at 8:06 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Someone will settle the issue of which dairy show is the biggest someday. It seems like there are several that lay claim to that title. Take the 43rd All-American Dairy Show going on now in Harrisburg, PA.
Here’s the Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, Dennis Wolff, with I think Katie (Katherine) Marie Skaggs, the current Pennsylvania Dairy Princess at the show today (Dept. Photo). The Dairy Princess pageant is this Saturday.
This seems like a pretty big show.
The 43rd All-American Dairy Show, the world’s largest dairy show, runs Sept. 16-21, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg. This year’s show features 23 shows in six days, the nation’s only all-dairy antiques show, more than 3,600 cattle, and participants from 28 states.
Out at the World Ag Expo, Bill Baker, Dairyline, is hard at work. Bill has been supplying us with a weekly dairy markets wrapup.
The 
One of the not-to-miss taste treats at 
Besides grilling and selling thousands of cheese sandwiches each year, the Badger Club is involved in a number of activities at World Dairy Expo. Two weeks before the doors open to the public, they begin setting up the show and building the showring, including setting up all of the showring decorations and laying the famous colored shavings each day. During the week they continue to manage behind the scenes duties making sure everything is looking good and running smoothly. And once the show is over, they take everything down, clean the barns and put everything back into storage.
There are over 700 exhibitors at World Dairy Expo showing their wares to more than 60,000 visitors from some 80 countries.
At the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, KY they have the Championship Tractor Pull and even here you’ll find “dairy.”
I’m attending the National Farm Machinery Show and doing most of my posting onto 
2007 marks the 
In case you didn’t know it, the World Ag Expo is turning 40. That’s not old though, I’m here to tell you.
If you’re hoping to make hay while the sun shines then 
The 
The milking contest at Sunbelt Ag Expo has been held and you can find out how it went 
He’s Tommy Irvin and he’s running for re-election as Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture. He’s also going to be battling other southeast ag commissioners for the title of Supreme Sunbelt Cow-Milking Champion. This would be at 
Ned Arthur attended the 
Thanks to Lisa Perrin, 
Holstein Association launched a new logo at World Dairy Expo this year. The logo sends a powerful message about U.S. Registered Holsteins. They are the breed for dairymen to achieve maximum profit. Producers can show their pride in U.S. Registered Holsteins by purchasing a fleece jacket with the new logo at the Holstein booth. Two styles are available, a half-zip and full-zip jacket. Also happening at the Holstein Association booth, free tag education kits and 2007 posters are available. The Holstein Foundation is selling their highly successful “Holstein Royalty” prints. 
Congratulations to the newest Pennsylvania Dairy Princess.
Here’s some of the latest news from the 43rd All-American Dairy Show. Sometimes you just have to take a nap, especially when you’ve been working hard at a long show.
Here’s some of the latest news from the 43rd All-American Dairy Show. Meet Justin and Claire Burdette. He grew up on a Holstein farm in Mercersburg, Pa., and she on a Jersey farm in Clear Brook, Va. Their paths would eventually cross and a new generation of farm kids would be born.
Here’s the latest news from the 43rd All-American Dairy Show. The photo is supplied by show staff showing that all ages participate.
Someone will settle the issue of which dairy show is the biggest someday. It seems like there are several that lay claim to that title. Take the