Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has announced tentative plans to accepted 209 bids in its herd retirement program, representing 25,474 cows and 440 million pounds of milk.
This latest round of CWT’s milk reduction program should help strengthen farm-level prices for milk at a time when dairy producers are suffering from rising feed and fuel costs, according to CWT officials.
Farmers in 41 states submitted a total of 609 herd retirement bids last month to CWT, reflecting “the continued financial stress that farmers in all parts of the country are facing as the cost of production has soared during the past two years,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF, which administers CWT. Kozak noted that the cost of dairy feed has risen 37% between the spring of 2006 and the spring of 2008, while the cost of diesel fuel has risen 61% during the same timeframe.
The total number of bids initially accepted by this round includes:
Northeast: 56 million pounds of milk; 30 farms accepted; 2,855 number of cows; 17 bred heifers
Southeast: 68 million pounds of milk; 38 farms accepted; 4,228 number of cows; 172 bred heifers
Midwest: 70 million pounds of milk; 76 farms accepted; 4,124 number of cows; 32 bred heifers
Southwest: 84 million pounds of milk; 36 farms accepted; 5,189 number of cows; 36 bred heifers
West: 162 million pounds of milk; 29 farms accepted; 9,078 number of cows; 101 bred heifers
Posted: July 16, 2008 at 10:15 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
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.
Guernsey breeders from across the country gathered in Cross Plains, Wis. in late June for their annual convention and National Guernsey Convention Sale. The Sale set records for the Guernsey breed, with an all-time high sale average of $5,794 on 46 live lots. The sale also included 77 embryos that averaged $645 each.
“The demand for registered Guernseys is incredible,” says Seth Johnson, executive secretary of the American Guernsey Association, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. “The 2007 national sale was a record breaker; however, this record was shattered by $1,000 in 2008.”
The high seller at $34,500 was a stunning, deep-pedigreed senior two-year-old. Dymond H Mentor Babyruth was nominated All-American fall calf in 2006 and is out of an excellent 90-point dam that was the All-American fall calf in 2003. Her dam produced more than 25,000 pounds of milk. Consigned by Cindy Harrison of Gray, Tenn., Babyruth sold to John and Bonnie Ayars of Mechanicsburg, Ohio, and Dr. Kenny Manion of Scottsville, Ky.
Mike Weimer of Emlenton, Pa., and Doug Handley of Logan, N.M., purchased the next high seller — the chance to select any animal from the Maplehurst herd in Lynden, Ontario, Canada. The herd has long been known for its show-winning cows with exciting pedigrees that have been exhibited in both the United States and Canada. In the past decade, the Ken Forster family has exhibited the Canadian national champion on numerous occasions and bred and shown a Reserve Grand Champion at World Dairy Expo. The choice sold for $18,500.
Jay Stauffacher, a dairy producer from Darlington, was re-elected chairman of the group. Stauffacher’s term is for the 2009 Fiscal Year which began July 1, 2008 and concludes June 30, 2009.
Connie Seefeldt, Coleman, was re-elected vice chairperson, and Ed Jasurda, Phillips, was elected Secretary. Romona Averbeck, Fond du Lac, was elected Treasurer. Also serving on the seven-person Executive Committee are Channel Management Committee Chair Ken Heiman, Marshfield; Communications Committee Chair, Lanette Harsdorf, Beldenville; and Policy/Bylaw Committee Chair Patricia Boettcher, Bloomer.
During the reorganization meeting each of the 25 dairy producer Board Directors was assigned to one of WMMB’s two standing committees.
Members of the Channel Management Committee include: Chairperson Ken Heiman, Marshfield; Patricia Boettcher, Bloomer; Roger Buresh, Luxemburg; Bill Herr, Greenwood; Ed Jasurda, Phillips; Sharon Laubscher, Wonewoc; Robert Letter, Seymour; Ben Peterson, Grantsburg; Connie Seefeldt, Coleman; Mary Wackershauser, Lancaster; Judy Wubbenhorst, Westby; and Kay Zwald, Hammond.
Members of the Communications Committee include: Chairperson Lanette Harsdorf, Beldenville; Romona Averbeck, Fond du Lac; Mark Christenson, Lake Mills; Sandra Cihlar, Mosinee; Mary Cook, Wilton; Rosalie Geiger, Reedsville; Lyle Jensen, Amery; Patricia Kling, Taylor; Jim Stemper, Plymouth; Don Robaidek, Pulaski; Stacy Eberle, Monroe and Sarah Lloyd, Wisconsin Dells.
In addition, three WMMB Directors were chosen to represent Wisconsin’s dairy producers in other industry organizations. Mark Christenson was re-elected to serve as WMMB’s representative on the board of directors of the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA). Don Robaidek was selected to serve as chair of the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) liaison committee; and Mary Wackershauser will serve as WMMB’s representative to the Chicago division of the Midwest Dairy Association (MDA).
With increased feed costs, producers are looking to refine management techniques for optimum feeding. Pioneer recently invested in an infrared camera that shows heat in the silage face. This technology shows several qualities about the silage in the bunker. With this camera, Pioneer professionals can show producers if silage was packed properly, if the method for feeding silage from the bunker is optimum for their operation, among other bunker management information. Bill Seglar, nutritional science veterinarian for Pioneer Hi-Bred, talks about how this technology can enhance dairy professionals’ knowledge and management information.
Bill Seglar on Infrared Technology (5 min MP3)
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
From all of us at World Dairy Diary, we wish you a happy and safe 4th of July! Today is a day to remember the freedoms our country allows us, and to be grateful that we are so lucky. Enjoy the day, have a few hot dogs, maybe some ice cream and “ohh” and “ahh” at fireworks!
The Southwestern Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (SWCMA) recently awarded their sixth annual $2,000 Young Dairy Producer Educational Scholarship to Matt Minder of Minder Farms, Browntown, Wis.
The purpose of this individual scholarship is to encourage young dairy producers to pursue educational opportunities that will allow them to continue in the dairy business.
Minder, a recent high school graduate, will use the scholarship money to attend the Farm and Industry Short Course at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and pursue a certification in Dairy Herd Management. Matt plans to complete the two year program and then return to the family farm. They currently milk 80 cows and Matt has a future goal of operating a 300 cow herd with a free stall barn and milking parlor. Matt currently works with their farm’s dairy nutritionist to produce high quality milk with good protein and butterfat composition. Minder currently owns four Holstein cows and three Holstein heifers.
Congratulations to Kasey Osborn, Genoa, New York, for winning the 2008 Robert H. Rumler Scholarship. The scholarship is administered by the Holstein Association USA and was established in 1984 to honor former Association Executive Secretary Mr. Rumler. Kasey certainly has already built an impressive resume in the industry and is much deserving of this award.
Osborn is currently enrolled in the HEC MBA Program at the HEC School of Management in Paris, France with an anticipated May 2009 graduation date.
Osborn’s vision is focused on making a positive impact on the dairy industry and he realizes significant changes will be required to make the industry competitive on a worldwide basis. To build on his dairy management and animal health expertise gained in the U.S., he is one of only two Americans in his MBA class, made up people mostly from Europe, Asia and South America. At age 27, Osborn has achieved academic and professional excellence well beyond his years. As an animal science undergraduate student at Cornell University, his talents were noticed quickly.
“Due to Kasey’s acedemic prowess, he was admitted into Cornell’s School of Veterinary Medicine, the top ranked veterinary school in the U.S., as a third year undergraduate student.” said Michael E. Van Amburgh, Associate Professor, Cornell University. “He is one of less than eight of our undergraduate students in the last ten years to achieve such a feat, and that demonstrates his tremendous intellectual capacity and maturity.”
After completing veterinary school, Osborn continued on to his true passion in broader dairy management consulting with Linwood Management Group. They hire outstanding professionals to go into currently operating dairy facilities to improve their management, labor, productivity and profitability. On the 2,000-cow dairy, Osborn managed everything from cow care to personnel, while also serving as staff veterinarian.
To further challenge himself, Osborn then accepted a lecturer position at Cornell. He developed and taught the undergraduate class “Evidenced Based Decision Making on Farms” that integrated financial and production management aspects of dairy farm management. He even worked as a large animal emergency clinician for Midstates Veterinary Clinic on nights and weekends.
Dairy producers and professionals in Pa. are invited to a series of two meetings this July. A great opportunity to meet with your neighbors, exchange information and learn more about the dairy industry.
“Open Houses & Dairy Tours,” hosted by the Center for Dairy Excellence and Penn State Cooperative Extension. All dairy farm families within the local dairy community are welcome to attend the Open Houses and Dairy Tours. Pre-registration is requested by calling 717-346-0849. The open houses run from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and offer tours, information sharing with lunch included.
Friday, July 11, at Skyline Acres, owned by John and Donna Hixs, 381 Skyline Drive, Bernville, Berks County
Thursday, July 17, at the Flannery Farm, owned by the Flannerys, 9899 Garnes Road, Mercersburg, in Franklin County
Thursday, July 24, at Irishtown Acres, owned by the Paxtons, 902 Springfield Church Road, Grove City, Mercer County
Wednesday, July 30, at Butler Farms, owned by Oliver Butler, 151 Butler Road, Wellsboro, Tioga County
Dairy Advocacy and Resource Team (DART) July meetings will showcase alternative energy resources for today’s dairy operations. Hosted by the Dairy Task Force, the meetings will be held on progressive dairies that have on-farm renewable energy resources. The meetings will feature dairy checkoff-funded programs in Pennsylvania and risk management opportunities that could benefit their dairy producer clients. Any dairy professionals directly involved with producers in Pennsylvania are encouraged to attend.The meetings qualify for continuing education credits from the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) and in veterinary medicine.
Juanita County, July 14 - Reinford Farms, Inc., owned by Steve and Gina Reinford, Mifflintown at 1 p.m.;
Blair County, July 15 - Penn England Farm, owned by Fred England in Williamsburg at 1 p.m.
Lancaster County, July 21 - Brubaker Farms, owned by Luke, Mike and Tony Brubaker, Mt. Joy at 1:30 p.m.
Bradford County, July 22 - Gorrell Dairy, owned by Glenn and Robin Gorrell, Milan at 1 p.m.
Cumberland County, July 23 - Mains Dairy, owned by Daniel and Francis Mains, Newville at 1:30 p.m.
Mercer County, July 24 - Fairview Cheese, owned by John Koller & Son, in Mercer at 8:30 a.m.
Posted: June 16, 2008 at 8:32 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
It’s easy to put World Dairy Diary on your website now with our new widget. Just click on the “Get Widget” tab below and you can copy the code to embed on your website or web page. It even allows you customize it to help fit the theme of your website.
Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition will be hosting complimentary Webinars customized for dairy producers, covering new research and focusing on minimizing the effects of heat stress through proper nutrition management. The DCAD balancing and heat stress Webinar is being offered twice: June 23rd at 10:00 a.m. EST and June 26th at 8:00 p.m. EST.
Dr. Elliot Block, senior manager of technology at Arm & Hammer, will present new research supporting the value of balancing ration DCAD and how providing necessary nutrients can maintain production and optimize performance during the hot months of summer and beyond.
The producer-focused Webinars are a great opportunity for dairy owners, managers and operators to gain knowledge about how to maintain production, herd health and profitability, says Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition senior business manager, Scott Morey.
To reserve your spot in the Webinar, contact your Arm & Hammer representative or Paula Panfili at 609-279-7685 or paula.panfili@churchdwight.com no later than Friday, June 20th.
The Wisconsin Dairy Products Assn’s 2008 Dairy Symposium will be held July 13-14 at the House on the Rock Resort, Spring Green, WI. The Symposium is a complete and comprehensive program focusing on issues impacting all dairy processors. You can still sign-up!
A partial listing of confirmed speakers include: Dermot Carey, Darigold, Inc., Louise Hemstead, Organic Valley and John Kennedy, Kraft Foods.
The Dairy Symposium begins on Sunday, July 13 with a golf outing at the Springs Golf Club at the House on the Rock Resort. The main educational program’s theme is “A View From the Top- Dairy Leaders’ Perspectives on the State of the Industry”. The lineup of guest speakers is as follows:
Freedom of Technology Panel Discussion
- Dr. Mark Armfelt, Director of Industry Affairs, Monsanto Company
- Mary Ledman, President, Keogh Ledman and Associates
- WI Dairy Producer (TBD)
- Rusty Bishop, CDR, Moderator
Executive Roundtable Discussion
This high-powered executive roundtable discussion will feature leading dairy executives discussing
the state of the industry.
- Dermot Carey, Darigold, Inc.
- Louise Hemstead, Organic Valley
- John Kennedy, Kraft Foods
- Ted Galloway, Galloway Company, Moderator
The National Guernsey Convention is only a few weeks away! The annual gathering will be held in Middleton, Wis. this year from June 26 through June 30 at the Madison Marriott West Hotel. The convention is being hosted by the Wisconsin Guernsey Breeders Association, and complete event details and registration forms are available on their website. Be sure to sign-up today!
“Breeders made it a goal several years ago to improve strength and feet and legs,” Seth Johnson, executive secretary of the American Guernsey Association, Reynoldsburg, Ohio reports. “Great progress has been made — progress that was validated when the Guernsey, Indian Acres MM Pistachio Pie, was named Supreme Champion of the 2007 World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis., and 2007 All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, Pa.”
Dairy producers are taking note of these advances. Guernsey registrations have risen the past three consecutive years. Sale prices are also at unprecedented levels with the 2007 national convention sale averaging $4,879 and a top seller of $23,000.
The sale is being held at City Slickers Farm in Cross Plains on Monday, June 30, with a noon start time. You do not need to be registered for convention to attend the sale.
Other activities for the week include early bird farm tours being held on Thursday, June 26. Tour stops include: Donnybrook Farm, Platteville; Shullsburg Creamery, Shullsburg; and Woodale Farm, Janesville. A dinner with Alice in Dairyland will be held that evening. Youth contests, adult committee meetings and a welcome dinner will be the focus on Friday, June 27. Saturday, June 28, begins with an awards breakfast followed by tours. The first stop is Gurn-Z Meadow Farm in Janesville, followed by National Dairy Shrine, Hoard’s Museum, Nasco and Hoard’s Dairyman Farm all located in Fort Atkinson.
On Sunday, June 29, attendees can attend educational seminars, workshops, the sale cattle parade at City Slickers farm and the youth annual banquet. The convention wraps up Monday with the American Guernsey Association annual meeting and National Convention Sale.
The folks at the California Milk Marketing Board are partnering with Chef Bret Thompson, the owner of MILK, an ice cream parlor and cafe in Los Angeles, to bring delicious and easy dairy recipes to everyone! The exclusive recipes can be found online - yum!
MILK’s homemade ice cream, malts, breads, cakes and soups bring delight (not to mention the inner child!) to those who enjoy nothing but the best. Bret Thompson, former Corporate Executive Chef of the Patina Restaurant Group and now owner and executive chef of MILK, relies on his talent and expertise to create delicious recipes, while staying true to the star of his shop: good old-fashioned milk. Taking his passion for milk to another level, Thompson has partnered with GOT MILK? to show food enthusiasts at home his secrets. Everyone can use a simple ingredient like milk to create out-of-this-world gourmet treats.
“MILK is just one of the best ingredients out there,” says Thompson. “What better way to create velvety shakes, silky summer ice cream flavors or rich, buttery autumn breads! It’s an honor to partner with GOT MILK? and share some of my recipes with food aficionados everywhere.”
Nathan Heim of Harrisburg will assist the Pennsylvania Dairy Task Force and its five committees by coordinating programs, activities and events throughout the summer.
Heim, a Penn State junior, has experience in production and agribusiness, having completed internships with Cargill Animal Nutrition and Ar-Joy Farm LLC. While working for Cargill, Heim completed an independent study evaluating feed and manure samples on 30 farms, and he worked closely with consultants and administrative staff to learn more about the feed industry. At Penn State, Heim was on the 2006 dairy judging team that competed in Louisville and was named the Muller Outstanding First Year Member by the Penn State Dairy Science Club as a freshman. He was also the vice president of the Pennsylvania Junior Holstein Association.
Tiffany Grove of McVeystown will provide communications support, assisting with the industry promotion programs associated with the center’s collaboration with the Dairy Check-off and the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program.
Grove, a graduate of Mt. Union Area High School, is president of the Pennsylvania FFA Association, and travels across the state to promote agriculture, agricultural education and the FFA. Grove deferred college for one year to commit to her FFA term and plans to attend Penn State to study agriculture education this fall. Grove works on Mill Hill Farms, a dairy operation owned by the Biddle Family in Williamsburg, and was also a certified nursing assistant in a local retirement facility. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Junior Holstein Association and the National Honor Society.
As summer approaches, the chain also wants a piece of one of ice cream’s few growth areas. Soft-serve sales topped $4.6 billion in 2006, up from $4.3 billion in 2005, the last years tracked by the International Dairy Foods Association.
It may be hard to swallow, but soft serve represents 70% of all ice cream servings, says NPD Group, the research firm. The soft-serve vanilla line will be Baskin-Robbins’ largest product rollout in decades, Kimmel says.
But after spending six decades telling the world that hand-scooped ice cream is its specialty, Baskin-Robbins walks a fine line trying to suddenly convince folks that it’s now a soft-serve specialist. The company has spent two years trying to modernize, including a redesign of its stores and logo. And now, along comes soft serve.
Cottage cheese is the latest dairy food to includeprobiotics and prebiotics. Friendship Dairies has introduced Friendship All Natural Digestive Health Cottage Cheese. The product is low-fat and delicious!
“We’re seeing increased consumer demand for products that provide more natural attributes as well as products that contain functional nutrients that deliver healthy benefits,” said Paige Pistone, director of marketing for Friendship Dairies. “We’re pleased to now offer an all-natural cottage cheese product with digestive and bone enhancing nutrients while maintaining our product standards in quality, taste and freshness that our consumers have come to expect.”
Congrats to the twelve young ladies from Minnesota who have been named as finalists for the title of Princess Kay of the Milky Way 2008-09.
Each of the twelve finalists will have their likeness sculpted in butter during the Minnesota State Fair. One will be named the 55th Princess Kay of the Milky Way during ceremonies the night before the fair opens.
* Alison Benson, 20, McLeod County, daughter of Doug and Marlene Benson of Stewart;
* Jeanna Felling, 20, Stearns County, daughter of Cyril and Deb Felling of Sauk Centre;
* Ashlee Hartwig, 19, Morrison County, daughter of Dan and Patti Hartwig of Swanville;
* Elizabeth Kern, 20, Steele County, daughter of Ken and Lisa Kern of Ellendale;
* Ann Motl, 17, Todd County, daughter of Kimberly Harff and Mike Motl of Browerville;
* Kristy Mussman, 19, Steele County, daughter of Mike and Julie Mussman of Claremont;
* Megan Reeck, 20, Stearns County, daughter of Gary and Lu Anne Reeck of Paynesville;
* Becky Richter, 19, Wadena County, daughter of Bruce and Karyl Richter of Wadena;
* Brenda Reiter, 18, Wabasha County, daughter of Craig and Cathy Reiter of Elgin;
* Brittney Strayer, 19, Wadena County, daughter of Mike and Patty Strayer of Wadena;
* Alysha Thompson, 20, Nicollet County, daughter of Lee and Kimberly Thompson of Nicollet; and
* Laura Weisz, 17, Morrison County, daughter of Christopher and Pamela Weisz of Hillman.
More than 1200 members and industry guests are in Kansas City this week for the 10th annual Dairy Farmers of America annual meeting.
With the theme, “Ten Years and Building,” the two-day event features a line-up of dynamic speakers, as well as the annual delegate meeting, election of board members, member recognition and trade show.
Kicking off the meeting was Tom Camerlo, of Florence, Colo., chairman of DFA’s Board of Directors. He looked back on the first 10 years of DFA, highlighted 2007 and looked ahead to the future. He discussed the progress of DFA, industry trends and issues, and new areas such as sustainability.
“As a cooperative and an industry, we are making tremendous progress,” says Camerlo. “DFA has developed and changed significantly in 10 years, and as an industry, we are working more closely together than ever before. Growing worldwide dairy demand and the success of Cooperatives Working Together are just two examples of what can be accomplished with hard work, team work and determination.”
At DFA’s annual banquet, seven ‘Members of Distinction’ are being recognized for exhibiting vision, leadership and innovation in the dairy industry. The 2008 honorees, which represent DFA’s diverse membership, include: Abo Dairy, Sulphur Springs, Texas; DeBoer Dairy, Tulare, Calif.; Empire Dairy, LLC, Wiggins, Colo.; Esh Dairy Farm, Paradise, Pa.; Royal Farms Dairy, LLC, Garden City, Kan.; Spadgenske Dairy, Menahga, Minn.; and Wright Dairy, Lebanon, Ky.
Posted: February 22, 2008 at 8:13 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
This is your last weekly reminder and request to take a moment and fill out our World Dairy Diary Survey. There’s only about 12 easy questions so it will only take a minute and we’d really appreciate your participation.
We’re going to pick one lucky winner from all the people who participate in our survey for a brand new, personalized 4G iPod Nano.
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has announced tentative plans to accepted 209 bids in its herd retirement program, representing 25,474 cows and 440 million pounds of milk.
One of the main dairy groups represented at today’s Joint Beef & Dairy Information Symposium here at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference was 
With increased feed costs, producers are looking to refine management techniques for optimum feeding. Pioneer recently invested in an infrared camera that shows heat in the silage face. This technology shows several qualities about the silage in the bunker. With this camera, Pioneer professionals can show producers if silage was packed properly, if the method for feeding silage from the bunker is optimum for their operation, among other bunker management information. Bill Seglar, nutritional science veterinarian for Pioneer Hi-Bred, talks about how this technology can enhance dairy professionals’ knowledge and management information.
Kicking off the meeting was Tom Camerlo, of Florence, Colo., chairman of DFA’s Board of Directors. He looked back on the first 10 years of DFA, highlighted 2007 and looked ahead to the future. He discussed the progress of DFA, industry trends and issues, and new areas such as sustainability.