Posted: December 19, 2009 at 10:31 am
By News Editor
The Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW) announce the 2010 Managers Academy, Jan. 19-21, in Seattle, Wash. The conference is open to industry leaders and dairy producers wanting to identify those opportunities as well as build professional competencies and confidence.
The Managers Academy includes two days of highly interactive presentations, workshops and panels coupled with one day of unique, insider-only tours of three world renowned businesses.
Dr. David Kohl, president of AgriVisions, a knowledge-based consulting business, will lead Day 1, sharing proactive management practices that can help attendees capitalize on the economic environment to reach peak business performance. He’ll also oversee a unique workshop where a panel of three CEOs will detail how they navigated through financial crisis, environmental regulations and other challenges to land their companies on solid ground—and then help attendees switch roles with these CEOs to determine the next steps for each company.
Day 2 will be learning outside a classroom setting, with tours of three diverse and vibrant businesses: Pike Place Fish Mart, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery and Werkhoven Dairy Farm. Key players of each business will address the group and share their secrets of transformation and business success. No question to these CEOs will be off limits.
David Parker, senior vice president of Agribusiness Group, will lead the third and final day of the Managers Academy, providing insight on “Critical Thinking for Critical Times.” After absorbing practical business wisdom, attendees will work in small teams, begin to develop and utilize a planning document designed for application in their own business and engage in “war-gaming.” Participants will leave the session having heard and learned from their peers and empowered to make more effective short- and long-term decision for the viability and advancement of their business.
Source: Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin
Posted: November 5, 2009 at 8:11 pm
By News Editor
Wisconsin dairy producers can learn more about the latest calf-care techniques at the hand-on training offered by the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin. Choose from one of three one-day Calf Care Connection workshops: Dec. 8, Arlington, Wis.; Dec. 9, Chilton, Wis.; and Dec. 10, Eau Claire, Wis.
Each one-day workshop will provide dairy producers, professional calf feeders and heifer growers with the latest research, cutting-edge techniques and hands-on training so they have a distinct competitive edge. This isn’t the typical day-long classroom-style discussion as the labs are extremely hands-on. In addition to learning new procedures, calf raisers will have a chance to practice in a supervised learning situation.
The agenda for each workshop includes four presentations, three hour-long learning labs involving live calves and an expert panel where top-of-mind questions can be asked. Presentations will cover calf management styles, use of vaccines in dry cows and wet calves, sanitation protocols that can help cut health costs and “Feeding Your Calves, Starving Your Checkbook or Striking the Right Balance.” Learning lab topics include, delivering more live results, advanced lifesaving procedures and what works and doesn’t work regarding pasteurizers.
Presenters include Steve Hayes, DVM; Don Sockett, DVM, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; Todd McDonough, Land O’Lakes Inc.; Daryl Dydam, DVM, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University; Simon Peek, DVM, School of Veterinary Medicine, UW-Madison; Dr. Tom Earleywine, Land O’Lakes Inc.; and Richard Dumm, DVM, Dairy Tech Inc.
Source: Professional Dairy Managers of Wisconsin
Posted: October 21, 2009 at 3:10 pm
By News Editor
Looking to build your cows and people management skills? Then sign-up today for the “Dairying Duo,” herdsperson training scheduled for Nov. 11 and 12, in Arlington, Wis.
Developed by the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, Dairying Duo will include a one-day “Expert Cow Side Care” workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and a one-day “Mid-Management Matters” workshop on Thursday, Nov. 12. Workshop attendees can attend just a one-day workshop or pair the two together for a complete Dairying Duo.
During the Nov. 11 Expert Cow Side Care workshop, participants will rotate through five hands-on labs: transition cow management taught by veterinarians Dr. Chris Booth and Dr. Jeff Bleck, Kettle Moraine Large Animal Clinic, cow side technical skills taught by veterinarians Dr. Al Martens and Dr. Ralph Stowell, Waupun Vet Clinic; udder health, lead by Dr. Pam Ruegg, University of Wisconsin-Madison; locomotion scoring under the direction of Floyd Sutton, Great Lakes district manager for Zinpro Corporation; and emergency lame cow care taught by hoof care specialist Karl Burgi.
“Every lab will be extremely hands-on,” states Eric Hillan, a dairy producer from Ladysmith and vice president of PDPW. “Workshop attendees will work side-by-side trainers, use live cows and practice what they learn.”
The Nov. 12 Management Matters workshop will have participants capitalizing on their strengths while leveraging their ability to grow as a team leader or manager. Trainers Dr. Buck Joseph, The School of Business, UW-Madison, and Dr. Chris Hinrichs, Executive Education Department, UW-Madison, will outline manager/leadership styles as well as variables that help a manager know when and what style to use. And participants will practice their new skills and receive instant feedback.
Posted: October 20, 2009 at 7:38 pm
By News Editor
National DHIA, a trade association for the dairy records industry, and its division, Quality Certification Services Inc. (QCS), recently held a meter technician training Sept. 14-18, in Hanford, Calif.
“The QCS Meter Technician Training School helped technicians learn important skills, troubleshoot a variety of scenarios and boost networking opportunities,” stated Steven Sievert of QCS. “With the completion of this training, we’ve serviced a market area that represents a large portion of the nation’s milk supply. Knowledge and skills gained through this school helps ensure accurate and reliable meter performance to help dairy producers get the most out of their DHI investment.”
Participants improved their abilities through classroom instruction and hands-on experiences with various milk meters approved by the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR)/National DHIA. Training at Kings County DHIA involved standard, dual meter and fast-flow calibration procedures, with a focus on calibration and routine care and maintenance of portable milk meters used on dairy operations for weighing and sampling of milk on test day.
Each year, QCS offers a regional meter technician training school to provide comprehensive instruction and meet the certification requirements of meter technicians working in the DHI system. Dairy One Cooperative Inc., Ithaca, N.Y., will host the next meter tech training school in October 2010.
Those advancing their portable milk meter maintenance, operation and calibration skills represented California DHIA, Idaho DHIA, Vanden Bosch Testing, Tulare DHIA, Tillamook DHIA, Fresno DHIA, The Udder Tester, Southern Counties DHIA, Central Counties DHIA, Ferndale Cow Testing Association, Willamette DHIA, Integrated Milk Testing, Julie Sousa Testing, JP’s Herd Testing, San Joaquin DHIA and Sue’s Testing Service. These trained technicians work with DHI field service providers serving dairy producers and milk testing laboratories in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington. Kings County DHIA hosted the meter technician training school.
Posted: October 8, 2009 at 7:17 pm
By News Editor
Sign-up today for one of two days of four facility tours of Innovative calf and heifer operations, on Oct. 20 and 21. Developed by the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, the Tuesday, Oct. 20 tour will feature four facilities in northeastern Wisconsin while the Wednesday, Oct. 21 tour will highlight four facilities in northwestern Wisconsin.
“We’re going to check out low-cost, retrofitted and state-of-the-art facilities for dairy calves, heifers and springers and interact with dairy producers who will share their stories regarding challenges, triumphs and lessons learned,” states Doug Knoepke, a Durand, Wis., dairy producer and president of PDPW. “Both tours are all about information and idea sharing, networking and finding ways for dairy producers to be more profitable.
“You never know what you might learn on a tour that can be taken home and applied.”
Tuesday’s northeastern Wisconsin tour includes stops at Wiese Brothers, Greenleaf, a 2,300-cow dairy that raises calves and heifers on one site; Abel Farms, Eden, that grows more than 1,200 wet calves and heifers; 3-D Dairy, Malone, that uses computerized calf feeders for its 100 calves; and Schneider Farms, Hilbert, where 3,800 calves and heifers go from warm nurseries to bedding packs to freestalls.
Wednesday’s northwestern Wisconsin tour will visit Marty Weiss, Durand, who uses a self-cleaning, bunker pen system and has plans for another facility; Prissel Valley Farms, Durand, that raises 100 wet calves and recently added a 550-stall heifer barn; Bussee’s Barron Acres, Barron, a highly successful 2,800 calf-raising operation; and Sugar-Bol Farm, Chetek, that has retrofitted facilities with free-stalls and lots with mounds and uses a bedding recycler.
Both tours are open to dairy producers—PDPW members and non-members—as well as industry leaders. Registration fees covers round-trip bussing, lunch, refreshments and information that can’t be gathered anywhere other than from experienced calf and heifer raisers.
Posted: June 14, 2009 at 10:38 pm
By Amanda Nolz
This is certainly an interesting story about farmers who are tired of working hard and have come up with a solution to alleviate the labor intensive efforts put into a dairy farm. This article about an Iowa dairy family was published in the Chicago Tribune. Check it out!
Augie and Mike Baumann’s approach to milking their 240-head dairy cow herd is strictly hands-off. The father and son’s cows walk, unprompted, into a computer-controlled robotic milking station where the robotics install the udders and suction the milk. When finished, the cows walk back to their waterbeds and do what they do most of the time, which is take it easy.
Unlike humans, the robotic machine stands ready to milk 24/7. The farmer doesn’t need to be on duty at 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily for the tedious and back-straining job of installing the udder cups onto each cow. The cow decides when it wants to be milked.
Augie Baumann said that since he began using the robotic system in February, his milk production is about 10 percent greater per cow than with the hand-controlled mechanical milking parlors that have been in widespread use on dairy farms since the 1950s.
Because of that greater yield and the reduced necessity for hired help, Baumann said he could justify the $600,000 he spent for the four robotic milking stations, about one-third more than the cost of hand-controlled parlor milkers. Robotic milking requires a specially trained herd. The Baumanns bred their own Holsteins, then put them each through a two- or three-day training exercise to get them used to rising on their own and walking to the milking station.
Posted: April 15, 2009 at 3:58 pm
By Amanda Nolz
When you’re loading the trailer full of cows or calves, do you ever think about how it could impact the quality of the end product, beef? Overloading a trailer can cause internal and external injuries, the most common being muscle bruising. The Beef Quality Assurance Program passes out friendly reminders for proper trailer protocol when moving livestock, and I was given a bumper sticker recently that serves as an excellent guide for knowing how many animals belong in the trailer. This is a photo of my sisters and I outside of our stock trailer minutes before we headed down the road with a load of cattle. I know it’s more convenient to load the trailer plumb full, but BQA reminds us that best animal handling practices ensure a quality end product and a more pleasant ride for the animal.
The recommended maximum number of cattle for trailers of different lengths in relation to the weight of the cattle is recorded. For example, for a trailer size of 16ft x 16ft, 12 600 lb. calves can fit into the trailer or five 1400 lb. cows could fit into the trailer. If you own a 24ft x 6ft trailer, 18 600 lb. calves could fit easily into the trailer or 7 1400 lb. females could be hauled. In general, these examples represent the maximum number of polled/dehorned cattle for trailers of different lengths; when hauling horned/tipped cattle reduce the number of cattle by 5%.
In addition, BQA states that the number of cattle loaded during hot conditions should be reduced. Of course, do not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for your truck and stock trailer. For more information on the Beef Quality Assurance Program, head to their website today.
Posted: June 24, 2008 at 11:06 am
By News Editor
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, is conducting a unique and interesting program, the Precision Feed Management Program. Helping N.Y. dairy farms implement cow feeding methods that will keep the state’s watersheds free of pollution and improve the quality of the farm’s milk is the goal of the program.
In Delaware County, New York the program is led by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County along with a multi-agency team that includes the Corps’ New York District, Delaware County, the New York City Watershed Agricultural Council and the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District.
The program is showing dairy farms ways they can reduce the amount of phosphorous and nitrogen in their cow’s feed. Phosphorous and nitrogen can runoff into the water sources from cow excrement in the farm’s soil. So far the program has reduced phosphorous and nitrogen levels in the watersheds on
participating farms by over fifty percent.
To reduce phosphorous and nitrogen in the cow feed, the program is encouraging dairy farms to create better feed mixes for their dairy cows. The program is showing dairy farmers how to create more balanced blends that contain less phosphorous. One way they are doing this is by encouraging the farmers to purchase less commercial feed, which can be expensive, and grow more of their own home grown crop to feed their cows.
To grow their own feed, the program works with farms to adopt crop production methods that are beneficial to the farms in many ways, including no-till crop planting. This method eliminates the need to use gas guzzling machinery that requires expensive fuel. Doing less soil tillage also reduces soil erosion from the watershed. This is soil that may contain phosphorous and nitrogen.
“The real strength of the Precision Feed Management Program is that by working with farmers this closely we’re achieving quantified benefits for the environment and the farms – it’s a win-win situation.”
Posted: June 17, 2008 at 7:33 pm
By News Editor
The Midwest Dairy Association has been honored by the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) for its program, the People Behind the Product. The dairy checkoff funded program won first place in the national “Best of NAMA” awards program. The initiative won the category called “producer-funded, consumer-directed public relations programs.”
The contest attracts more than 1,200 entries in all categories. Winners are considered in national competition after first qualifying at a regional level. Midwest Dairy’s initiative was chosen from among seven national finalists for the recognition.
The video component of the program, a presentation called “Who Are We? The People Behind the Product” and featuring stories about five Midwest dairy farm families, was also honored by NAMA. It was one of eight national finalists in a separate category for audio/visual/electronic media.
It is the fourth award for the video, which in 2006 also won a Bronze Telly award for outstanding video and film, a MarCom award for outstanding achievement by marketing and communications professionals and a Platinum Best of Show Aurora award in an independent international film and video competition.
The People Behind the Product effort showcases dairy producers and their commitment to their animals, the environment and producing wholesome, nutritious milk. It reaches important influencers in the nutrition community and consumers who attend events and activities within Midwest Dairy’s nine-state region.
The community relations component, SpeakOut!, provides training and resources to dairy farmers who give presentations to community leaders. Since it began in December of 2006, more than 150 dairy farmers have become involved, and spoken to more than 6,500 community leaders about today’s dairy farm practices.
Posted: April 9, 2008 at 7:32 pm
By News Editor
The Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence invites all sales and service representatives who work closely with Pennsylvania dairy producers to their upcoming Dairy Advocacy and Resource Team (DART) meetings. This series of meetings will focus on an environmentally friendly new approach to lowering feed costs. The DART meeting are scheduled for April 17, 22-24, and 29-30 at various dairy processing facilities in the state
Pennsylvania’s dairy processing infrastructure will be showcased during the meetings, with each meeting held at one of six dairy processing facilities located across the state. Meeting participants will learn about opportunities for producers to transition their herd into lower-cost, free-stall housing set-ups.
“We are excited about this round of DART meetings, aiming for a better understanding of two on-farm management areas that can impact profitability; modernizing smaller scale farms and feeding efficient rations,” says John Frey, executive director of the Center for Dairy Excellence. “Touring several local dairy processing plants will add even more learning opportunities.”
Dr. David Kammel, from the University of Wisconsin, and Dan McFarland from Penn State Cooperative Extension, will lead discussions on dairy housing and low-cost solutions to increasing cow numbers.
The April DART meetings are scheduled for the following dates, times and locations.
* April 17 from 12:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. at Galliker’s Dairy, 143 Donald Lane, Johnstown, Cambria County;
* April 22 from 12:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. at Yoder’s of New Holland, 14 South Tower Rd., New Holland , Lancaster County;
* April 23 from 12:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. at Middlebury Center Co-op., Route 287, Middlebury Center, Tioga County;
* April 24 from 12:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. at Land O’Lakes Carlisle, 405 Park Drive, Carlisle, Cumberland County;
* April 29 from 12:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. at Sunbury Weis Dairy Plant , 100 South 2nd St.,
Sunbury, Northumberland County; and
* April 30 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Dairy Farmers of America, Rte. 18 and 208, New Wilmington, Lawrence County.
Posted: April 7, 2008 at 6:17 pm
By News Editor
College students from across the country and Canada gathered in Madison, Wis. this weekend to compete in the annual North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC). First Place Platinum awards were given to teams from the University of Minnesota, Michigan State University, University of Illinois and Purdue University. The seventh annual NAIDC was hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and attracted a record number of 32 teams.
Each of the First Place Platinum team members received $200 scholarships.
The University of Minnesota’s team members included Amber Hazel, Evan Van Beusekom, Matthew Rosenfeld and Melisa Bauer. Marcia Endres coached the University of Minnesota team. Michigan State University’s team, coached by Marcus Hollman and Miriam Weber-Nielsen, included Andrew Reinker, Ashley Messing, Christine Hadley and Laura Zeldenrust. The University of Illinois’ team members included Elizabeth Johnson, John Mitchell, Matthew McCoy and Steven Fluty. Kate Cowles coached the team. Purdue University’s team, coached by Mike Schutz, included Brandon Miller, Craig Blough, Rob LaFollette and Steve Hein.
Second Place Platinum award winners, who received $100 scholarships, included: Iowa State University’s Doug Bjelland, Kate Phipps, Matt Jaschen and Tim Rauen, coached by Lee Kilmer. The Ohio State University team included Anton Henry, Eric Weitzel, Jesse Whinnery and Stephanie Metzger. Maurice Eastridge coached the team.
Kansas State University also earned a Second Place Platinum award; team members included Billy Brown, Darrel Rezac, Kristen Schulte and Michelle Sullivan, coached by Mike Brouk. Additionally, the North Dakota State University team earned a Second Place Platinum award. Team members were Christine Drake, Jayme Fiesel, Karissa Brobst and Kendra Hinnenkamp, with Dan Schimek serving as the coach.
Gold Awards (in random order) were presented to teams from Penn State University, Virginia Tech, University of Vermont, South Dakota State University, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, University of Guelph, California Polytechnic State University, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University of Maine, University of Florida, Delaware Valley College, Cornell University, University of Idaho, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Louisiana State University.
Teams (in random order) from the University of Maryland-College Park, Washington State University, University of New Hampshire, California State University-Fresno, Southern University A&M, Alabama A&M University, Clemson University, North Carolina State University and University of Massachusetts received Silver Awards.
Posted: April 2, 2008 at 7:51 pm
By News Editor
Ag educators and advisers are an important part of the dairy industry. The People in Ag program gives them the trying they need be better at their chosen professions.
Today, ag educators and advisers need people skills to help their clients succeed. People in Ag is an innovative program created by Penn State and Cornell universities that teaches ag educators and advisers the management skills they need to help their clients tackle complex human resource issues. It is designed for consultants in all fields of agriculture.
People in Ag features an intensive seminar on Day 1 and a farm tour on Day 2. Follow-up web-based discussion sessions will keep participants engaged and learning. Seminar topics include: Training and development, immigration reform, conflict management, performance feedback, leadership, and job design. Instructors are: Dr. Richard Stup, human resource management consultant; Thomas Maloney, senior extension associate, Department of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University; and Jorge Estrada, president, Leadership Coaching International.
It will be offered at two sites in the Northeast: April 16-17, 2008, Ramada Inn and Conference Center, State College, Pa.; and April 23-24, 2008, Comfort Suites, Clinton Park, NY.
The program will be led by three experts in the field of human resource management who have provided training throughout the United States and internationally. They are Dr. Richard Stup, human resource management consultant; Thomas Maloney, senior extension associate, Department of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University; and Jorge Estrada, president, Leadership Coaching International. The program agenda includes sessions on employee training and development, immigration, conflict management, performance feedback, leadership, and job design.
Posted: March 7, 2008 at 6:21 pm
By News Editor
The annual Western Dairy Challenge contest was held in Visalia, Calif. on February 28-March 1st. After a long competition, the first Platinum team was: Becky Wellnitz, Cal Poly; Craig Niemann, South Dakota State University; Trent Van Leuven, University of Idaho; and Andres Deanda, California State University-Fresno.
Fifty-four students from seven universities were in attendance to compete in this educational event. Students represented Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, California State University-Fresno, Texas A&M University, Washington State University, University of Idaho, South Dakota State University and Utah State University.
Students were assigned to one of 11 aggregate teams and provided with financial information and management data on a local dairy, Rancho Teresita. There, they had the opportunity to observe the dairy operation and ask owners Cornell and Case Kasbergen questions.
Each team analyzed the entire dairy operation, including the milking area, cow performance, feeding protocols, along with other dairy practices, and came up with a report on Friday afternoon. On Saturday morning they presented their recommendations to an expert panel of industry judges – discussing the strengths of the operation and opportunities for improvement.
The second Platinum team was composed of Peter Beck, South Dakota State University; Kassie Romero, California State University-Fresno; Carrie Crane, Cal Poly; Oscar Sanchez, Washington State University; and Shay McDonald, Texas A&M University.
The third Platinum team was composed of the following students: Andrew Nicholson, University of Idaho; Jordan VanGrouw, Cal Poly; Stephanie Durfee, Utah State University; Matt Strickland, California State University-Fresno; and Amie Aguiar, Cal Poly.
Posted: January 29, 2008 at 7:47 pm
By News Editor
A new group, the Southern Great Plains Dairy Consortium (SGPDC) will offer their first Advanced Large Herd Management Program, an opportunity for 25 to 30 students to receive unique educational experiences and employment opportunities. Hurry! Applications for the 2008 summer program are due on February 1, 2008!
Courses are taught in the middle of the third largest milk shed in the U.S., and credits are applicable to the student’s program at their home university. Course credits depend on the student’s university. Problem solving and state-of-the-art hands-on training in laboratory situations are integrated with industry field trips to complement interactive lectures and discussions.
The series of courses can be combined with a number of majors at the student’s home institution: Animal Science, Biological Sciences, Agricultural Development, Food Science, Veterinary Science, Agricultures Economics, Marketing, Biology and others. Students completing the program receive a Certificate in Dairy Management. Internet courses will also be developed to provide courses that might not be available on all campuses in addition to the summer training program.
Classroom instruction will take place at the Clovis Community College in Clovis, New Mexico. Within a 20-mile radius, there are 25 herds averaging over 2,200 milking cows. These herds represent all types of housing and milking facilities. Herds are extensively used to enhance the learning experience by demonstrating to students actual techniques and practices that were learned in the classroom. Internships and on-the-job training opportunities are provided for students. The internships will fit into the academic timetable for each participating university and will complement the summer’s academic courses. Internships are permitted after completing a summer session.
Courses are coordinated by faculty from the participating universities. The course for the first year will include Herd Financial and Management Evaluation, Dairy Cattle Nutrition, and Facility Management and Animal Well Being. Faculty are recognized national experts and include Drs. Mike Hutjens, Mark McGuire, Lance Baumgard, Dennis Armstrong, John Smith, Robert Hagevoort, Kas Ingawa and Danny Klinefelter.
Consortium members are Abilene Christian University, University of Arizona, New Mexico State University, Oklahoma State University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, West Texas A&M University, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab, and USDA Agricultural Research Service. In addition industry support is being provided by trade organizations such as Dairy Producers of New Mexico, Texas Association of Dairymen, Dairy Max and Southwest Dairy Museum.
Posted: January 22, 2008 at 6:30 pm
By News Editor
The Wisconsin Dairy Business Association (DBA) is hosting their third annual Expansion Symposium at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on January 30 & 31, 2008.
Help grow Wisconsin’s dairy industry. It’s a simple goal, a goal that benefits us all … and DBA is leading the charge! The 3rd Annual Expansion Symposium is a one-stop shop for producers serious about growing their dairies. DBA, the foremost organization experienced in dairy expansions, is eager to present this two-day event focused on the future of our state’s dairy industry.
More than 350 attendees will leave this event fully informed with an arsenal of information on how to ensure that their dairies are progressive and profitable. Fee includes registration, conference materials, breaks and dinner. Hotel accommodations are not included in the conference fee.
Posted: December 3, 2007 at 5:45 pm
By News Editor
More DFA news from the National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) held jointly with the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board and the United Dairy Industry Association. The cooperative sent 22 young members to the meeting to learn about media training, dairy promotion and exports, farm succession planning, dairy legislation and other national dairy issues.
The young cooperative members were challenged to serve as ambassadors for the dairy industry through the media. They participated in hands-on training and faced real-life situations to respond to on camera. In a related session, the YCs were encouraged to spend an hour per week doing something to promote the dairy industry.
They learned about national dairy legislative issues like the 2007 Farm Bill and immigration reform. Other key topics included: record milk prices and the economics behind them, dairy nutrition for children and teens, rising U.S. dairy exports and consumer demand for dairy products.
DFA members attending NMPF’s annual meeting and YC conference were:
Larry and Amy Bailey, Fort Ann, N.Y.
Mark and April Dotterer, Rittman, Ohio
Henry and Chrissy Gaby, Greeneville, Tenn.
John and Tracey Huss, Woodville, Ohio
Dawn Idsinga, Portales, N.M.
William McIntosh, Brighton, Colo.
Paul and Teresa Morgan, Circleville, Utah
Myles and Lori Payne, Taylorsville, N.C.
Tom and Mary Portner, Sleepy Eye, Minn.
Tom and Tammi Serr, Newport, Neb.
Jeff and Tammy Styczynski, Pulaski, Wis.
Randy and Kristi Tapia, Miles, Texas
Posted: October 19, 2007 at 5:08 pm
By News Editor
Sounds like the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association conference will have something for everyone. The 8th Annual DBA Business Conference, “Transforming the Dairy Industry,” will be held November 28 – 29, 2007 in Madison, Wis. at the Marriott West. Visit DBA’s website for full conference details, more information about DBA or to register for the conference, visit
Highlights include a presentation from Dr. Terry Etherton, Department of Dairy and Animal Sciences Chair at Penn State University, about rbST-free milk labeling and how false and misleading information on product labels impacts consumers and producers. Trent Loos, a popular radio broadcaster and well-known agriculture advocate, returns to the conference this year to present the environmental impact of DHMO.
DBA will hear from DATCP Siting Coordinator, Mike Murray, about the challenges, but also all of the successes of siting legislation and David Jelinski, also from DATCP, will present some of the lessons learned by local government and producers. Attendees will receive an immigration update from Jose Olivieri of Michael, Best & Friedrich and a political update from Bill McCoshen of Capitol Consultants, Inc.
Dennis Frame, co-director of Wisconsin’s Discovery Farms, will moderate a panel discussion exploring the NE Wisconsin Karst Task Force Report. Panelists include Maureen Muldoon, from UW Oshkosh; Fred Madison, from UW Discovery Farms and Kenn Buelow, a DBA dairy producer. Panelists will speak to the specifics of the hydrology, geology and manure recommendations cited in this report.
David Crass of Michael, Best and Friedrich will provide a candid overview that will address the Midwest Environmental Advocates’ (MEA) agenda and their unrealized role in helping to mobilize the dairy industry against radical activists, such as themselves. David Crass will also facilitate a presentation by Jeffrey Voltz of WDNR about DBA’s Green Tier Advancement Project.
Posted: October 4, 2007 at 5:38 pm
By News Editor
There’s a new website out there that is attempting to deal with this country’s critical shortage of large animal veterinarians. The site includes resources for veterinary medicine colleges, state associations, allied partners and the agricultural industry.
Today, only about 17 percent of veterinarians work in food supply, which includes private and public practice veterinarians involved in the entire food chain from farm to fork.
Research forecasts a shortfall of four percent to five percent per year in the ranks of food supply veterinarians.
We are at a crossroads. Americans are demanding, now more than ever, healthy and wholesome food, and there aren’t enough veterinarians on the front lines helping to make sure their expectations are met.
Many entities are working to spread the news that food supply veterinary medicine is at a critical juncture and deserves national attention. They are sharing information, building coalitions, lobbying for legislation and trying to recruit more students into the food supply field.
These Web pages are part of that effort, and they complement the many ongoing efforts currently under way to increase the number of food supply veterinarians around the country, particularly in rural areas. The links below will guide you to valuable information about the food supply veterinary shortage, what’s being done to address it, and tools that you and your organization can use to meet one of society’s greatest needs – a safe and healthy food supply.
Posted: October 4, 2007 at 10:35 am
By Chuck
This morning at World Dairy Expo a producer-led coalition of dairy groups and companies announced the National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative. They’re proposing dairy animal well-being guidelines and principles.
One of the groups participating in the effort is the National Milk Producers Federation. I spoke with their Senior Vice President of Communications, Chris Galen (not pictured) about what his organization is doing and specifically about this new animal well-being initiative. He says that it would be naive to think that the animal rights activists (whackos would be my term to describe them) will ignore dairy since they’ve been so much on the attack of poultry and pork. The initiative effort he says puts the dairy industry on the offense in addressing the concerns that these well funded groups have on consumers.
Listen to our “Milking Parlor” podcast with Chris here: 
Interview with Chris Galen (MP3)
To subscribe to the Milking Parlor podcast, here are some instructions.
2007 World Dairy Expo Photo AlbumWorld Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:
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Posted: October 3, 2007 at 4:41 pm
By News Editor
There’s a new online resource available for the dairy industry. DAIReXNET is a national, extension-driven web resource designed to meet the educational and decision-making needs of dairy producers, allied industry partners, extension educators and consumers. Check it out!
DAIReXNET Goals:
To provide relevant, cutting-edge information and learning opportunities that are science-based and peer-reviewed.
To develop educational materials and learning opportunities that address the needs of all segments of the dairy industry.
To create collaboration among dairy industry professionals resulting in a resource that provides valuable and valued educational materials benefiting the user.
To be a resource that responds promptly to requests for new information from the dairy industry and to changes in the industry.
Key DAIReXNET Resources:
Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) and user-submitted queries on various aspects of dairy cattle production.
Ask the Expert–Users ask dairy professionals questions when answers are not available in the FAQ’s or resource material.
Current in-depth, peer-reviewed articles covering various topics in dairy production.
State and regional dairy newsletters, the latest news releases and highlighted news stories from across the country.
Longer term, DAIReXNET will also provide spreadsheets, calculators, decision-making tools and online learning modules.
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