World Dairy Diary

Wisconsin Cheese is Honored

News Editor — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:32:01 +0000

Two Wisconsin cheese makers were honored with wins at the 2010 American Cheese Society competition. With a record-breaking 1,462 entries in this year’s American Cheese Society competition, entries came from 225 producers in 34 states, Canada and Mexico. Klondike Cheese took two First Place awards and a Second Place award, while Crave Brothers Farmstead Classics [...]

Fonterra Opens Chicago Distribution

News Editor — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:42:19 +0000

Fonterra has rented a big new warehouse just down the highway from its United States headquarters near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. Fonterra has taken 46,500 square metres of space in the Heartland Corporate Centre at Shorewood, 66km from Chicago and is expected to channel significant amounts of its billion-dollar exports to the US through the site. [...]

CWT Export Update

News Editor — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:25:20 +0000

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted two requests from members for assistance in selling butter to customers in Europe and North Africa. The products will be delivered in September and October 2010. Land O’Lakes will receive assistance in exporting 36 metric tons (79,000 pounds) of butter and CDI/Challenge will be assisted in exporting 96 metric tons [...]

Expo Entries Due by Sept. 1

News Editor — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:13:43 +0000

World Dairy Expo cattle entries will close at midnight (CDT) on Wednesday, September 1. Paper applications must also be postmarked by that date. Animals may still be entered after September 1, but the online entry system will no longer be available. Late entries must be submitted on paper entry forms, and accompanied by appropriate late [...]

Leprino to Add New Mozzarella Plant

News Editor — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:10:39 +0000

Leprino Foods will build a new $270 million mozzarella plant in Colorado. The plant and its 500 jobs are expected to produce a major economic uplift to northern Colorado — and help bring the state’s struggling dairy industry back to health. “This is going to be a hell of an economic boon for the state,” [...]

Milking Parlor: New Dairy Research Institute Unveiled

John Davis — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:33:27 +0000

As we told you in the previous post, the dairy industry gets a new tool to help it better research and market its products. Dairy Management Incorporated and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy have announced the formation of the Dairy Research Institute, a non-profit group designed to strengthen the dairy industry’s access to and [...]

Dairy Research Institute Formed

News Editor — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:43:52 +0000

Marking another step in the dairy industry’s efforts to accelerate innovation and increase future demand for dairy, Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI) and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy recently announced the formation of the Dairy Research Institute™ to strengthen the dairy industry’s access to and investment in the technical research needed to drive demand for [...]

Miron Named 57th Princess Kay of the Milky Way

News Editor — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:08:46 +0000

Congratulations to Katie Miron who was crowned the 57th Princess Kay of the Milky Way last night! Katie is a 19-year-old college student from Hugo, Minn. As Princess Kay, Miron, who represents Washington County, will serve as the official goodwill ambassador for Minnesota’s nearly 4,700 dairy farmers. Katie is the daughter of Fran and Mary [...]

Herdsperson Training Offered in Wis.

News Editor — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:29:54 +0000

Herdspersons looking for training should sign up to attend the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin Herdsperson Training. Two one-day expert cow care workshops will provide dairy producers with the latest information and techniques related to caring more for the first ladies of the parlor. The first Herdsperson Training is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 14, in [...]

NY State Fair Unveils Butter Sculpture

News Editor — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:22:24 +0000

The New York State Fair opens tomorrow, but today was the fair’s annual butter sculpture unveiling. The sculpture, named “Dairyville 2020,” shows how technology on the dairy farm helps provide for a greener community. It is made of 800 pounds of unsalted butter donated by Wegmans Food Markets. The butter sculpture is sponsored by the [...]

Growing Conditions and Corn Silage

Cindy Zimmerman — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:14:10 +0000

Jim Smith, Pioneer livestock information manager in Minnesota, discusses the impact of growing conditions on corn for silage. Moisture and heat, depending on stage of growth, have a multitude of effects on nutritional value and readiness of the corn for harvest. Smith also talks about conditions in the northern Corn Belt. Listen to the podcast [...]

Fuel Up to Play 60 to Begin Second Year

News Editor — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:55:26 +0000

Have you heard about Fuel Up to Play 60 yet? This in-school nutrition and physical activity campaign is partially funded by America’s dairy producers, through their investment in the dairy checkoff. Fuel Up to Play 60 is a partnership between the National Dairy Council® (NDC), the nutrition research and education arm of the dairy checkoff, [...]

Hagen Appointed as Under Secretary

News Editor — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:51:47 +0000

Dr. Elisabeth Hagen has been appointed as Under Secretary for Food Safety of the USDA by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “There is no higher priority at USDA than ensuring that Americans have access to a safe and healthy food supply, and Dr. Hagen’s background as the Chief Medical Officer and senior executive within USDA’s Food [...]

CWT Export Update

News Editor — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:45:19 +0000

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted six requests from members for assistance in selling cheese and butter to customers in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. The products will be delivered September 2010 through February 2011. Dairy Farmers of America will receive help in exporting 240,300 pounds of cheese. Darigold had one request accepted for [...]

Dairyline Markets In Review

News Editor — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:36:00 +0000

The cash dairy market seemed to ignore the bearish milk production data. Block cheese closed Friday at $1.6475 per pound, up 2 3/4-cents on the week, and 25 3/4-cents above a year ago. Barrel closed at $1.6150, up 3 cents on the week, and 24 1/2-cents above a year ago. The gains all came on [...]

New Gold Standards Announced

News Editor — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:34:12 +0000

The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (DCHA) announces its second set of Gold Standards to help set benchmarks for calf and heifer producers. The benchmarks provide a goal to meet in raising animals. The Gold Standards II establishes standards for the production and performance of Holstein heifers, from 6 months of age to freshening, across [...]

Milk Production and Herd Size Expanding

Cindy Zimmerman — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 01:23:46 +0000

U.S. dairy operators are expanding herds again and that will mean more production next year. The latest USDA milk report shows July output 3% ahead of July a year ago, at 15.3 billion pounds. Production per cow in the 23 major states averaged 1,830 pounds for July, 59 pounds above July 2009. The total herd [...]

Apply for Fred Stout Award

News Editor — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:57:28 +0000

Jersey cattle youth are encouraged to apply for the 2011 Fred Stout Experience awards. The application is open to high school graduates who have a strong desire to pursue a career in managing and/or marketing Registered Jersey™ cattle. The awards are presented annually in memory of Fred J. Stout Jr., Mt. Carmel, Ill., a lifelong [...]

Distillers Grains Can Supplement Bad Hay

Cindy Zimmerman — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:53:57 +0000

The ethanol co-product distillers grains offer a way to supplement bad hay being baled for winter feed this year. During field days this month at University of Missouri Forage research centers, extension regional livestock specialist Chris Zumbrunnen told participants that distillers grains, which offer up to 30 percent protein, can pick up the slack when [...]

Creamer New Intern at Select Sires

News Editor — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:56:22 +0000

Congratulations to Molly Creamer, of Prospect, Ohio for being selected as the beef-sire marketing intern for Select Sires Inc. Her responsibilities include assisting with promotional projects, including sire and progeny photography and videography, preparation of promotional materials, and obtaining information for the beef website. Creamer is a senior at The Ohio State University majoring in [...]

CWT Weekly Update

News Editor — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:45:41 +0000

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted a total of nine bids from members for assistance in selling cheese, butter and anhydrous milkfat to customers in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. The products will be delivered September through February 2010. Dairy Farmers of America had two bids for assistance accepted to help export 3.0 [...]

Silage Chopping Time

Cindy Zimmerman — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:49:54 +0000

As the choppers start to roll across the country, Pioneer Hi-Bred dairy specialist Kevin Putnam discusses some management considerations for chopping corn silage. Corn heat units in many areas are ahead of schedule, triggering harvest. Putman discusses proper chopper set up, inoculant options and other factors for achieving optimum quality. Listen to the podcast here: [...]

Athletes Refuel with Chocolate Milk

News Editor — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 15:14:29 +0000

Finished your work-out? Make sure to grab a glass of lowfat chocolate milk, the “natural” way to help you refuel and replenish your body after strenuous exercise. The “Refuel America” program aims to educate Americans that no matter what sport they play, lowfat chocolate milk is an easy, effective and cost-efficient way to refuel the [...]

Moser Named Iowa Dairy Princess

News Editor — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 15:00:45 +0000

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 [...]

Dairyline Markets In Review

Chuck — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:07:30 +0000

High temperatures and humidity are driving dairy prices higher. School pipelines are refilling and making less milk available for the churn or the vat. The block cheese price closed Friday the 13th at $1.62 per pound, up 1 3/4-cents on the week, and 25 3/4-cents above a year ago. The barrels closed at $1.5850, also [...]

Take a Judging Challenge

News Editor — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:17:07 +0000

Calling all dairy judges – put your skills to the test with the River Valley Style & Performance Placing Challenge, held in conjunction with the 2010 Illinois State Fair. To participate, visit the River Valley Facebook page to register and judge. Five, Excellent-93%, cows owned solely by River Valley Dairy will compete in the Five- [...]

First Robotic Milking Farm in US to Hold Open House

Cindy Zimmerman — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 01:26:01 +0000

The first robotic milking farm in the United States will host an open house next month to highlight the latest in robotic milking technology ― the Lely Astronaut A3 Next. The event will be held at Knigge Farms near Oshkosh, Wisc., which became the first U.S. robotic milking farm ten years ago. In May of [...]

Country Classic Joins Northwest Dairy Association

News Editor — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:27:51 +0000

Northwest Dairy Association (NDA) and its marketing subsidiary, Darigold, Inc., have announced that it will be combining its respective business operations with the Montana dairy cooperative Country Classic Dairies (CC). Under the agreement, current CC members will become part of the larger cooperative, NDA. Country Classic’s sales and marketing, along with its plant operation, will [...]

Educational Conference Calls Offered

News Editor — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:16:02 +0000

The Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence will host two educational conference calls in August as part of its ongoing “Mastering the Dairy Business” learning series. The first call, set for Tuesday, Aug. 24, will feature Paul Craig, from Penn State Cooperative Extension, who will offer tips for harvesting and storing this year’s forage crop to [...]

Jorgensen Comes on Board at Pfizer

News Editor — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:31:23 +0000

Congratulations to Christina Lood Jorgensen for being hired as the new manager of dairy marketing communications at Pfizer Animal Health. A Minnesota dairy farm native, Christina brings more than 13 years of international and domestic experience in agricultural marketing communications to her new position. Most recently, she was vice president at Filament Marketing, a Wisconsin-based [...]