World Dairy Diary

Airoso Family Hosts First Cattle Sale at Ag Expo

News Editor — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:39:18 +0000

The Airoso family will celebrate its 100th anniversary of dairying in California with a dairy consignment sale at World Ag Expo in Tulare on February 16. The sale, which will showcase some of the best genetic opportunities that Holstein and Jersey breeds have to offer, is the first-ever dairy sale at World Ag Expo. All [...]

Safety Recognition Award Seeks Nominations

News Editor — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:32:37 +0000

The International Dairy Foods Association is now accepting applications for the eighth annual Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Awards, a program that honors facilities for outstanding worker safety performance. Award winners will be notified this fall and featured in the “Dairy Field Reports” section of Dairy Foods magazine, which co-sponsors the safety awards program. “We know [...]

Weisz Wins Scholarship

News Editor — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:21:33 +0000

Congratulations to Laura Weisz, of Hillman, Minn., for being awarded the 2011 National Dairy Shrine (NDS)/Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), Milk Marketing $1,500 Scholarship. Weisz is one of eight undergraduate students that earned $1,000 scholarships made possible by DMI and NDS to encourage students to pursue careers in dairy product marketing. Weisz is an animal science [...]

Cattle Industry Pleased with Child Farm Labor Rule Decision

Cindy Zimmerman — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:34:40 +0000

Just prior to the opening general session of the Cattle Industry Convention this week, the U.S. Labor Department announced that a proposal which would have barred children from many on-farm tasks will be revised to allow broader exemptions for parents who own or run agricultural operations. “I’ve got a news flash for all of you,” [...]

Super Bowl Got Milk Ad

News Editor — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:21:39 +0000

It’s a battle between Wes Welker, of the New England Patriots and Hakeem Nicks, of the New York Giants! Which team do you think will win the Super Bowl? “This Sunday, we’re pouring it on. The biggest game of our lives deserves the best breakfast. Milk’s got the nutrients we need to start our day [...]

Bel Brands to Build Plant in S.D.

News Editor — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:01:33 +0000

Bel Brands USA will build a 170,000-square-foot facility in Brookings, S.D. to produce its Mini Babybel product. It’s one of the biggest capital investments in recent South Dakota history, and expected to have a $500 million annual economic jolt. It’s also expected to lead to research, internship and career opportunities for South Dakota State University [...]

Greek Yogurt is Part of the Bet

News Editor — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:55:52 +0000

Each year, the heads of state of the two football teams place a bet on the outcome of the Super Bowl. This year, New York’s Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has placed Greek yogurt as his bet. When the Giants beat the Patriots, Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts will be sending to a New York food [...]

A Need For More Clean Renewable Energy

Chuck — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:00:38 +0000

In our latest ZimmPoll we asked the question, “Do you agree with President Obama’s call for more clean (renewable) energy?” Overwhelmingly, the answer was Yes at 74%, however, there were 24% saying no. Feel free to comment on the reason for your choice. Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What do [...]

New Tool Available for Pa. Dairy Farmers

News Editor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:05:00 +0000

Pennsylvania dairy producers can access a new tool to assess employee relations and development through the Dairy Decisions Consultant, or DDC, Program administered by the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence. “Dairy farm families invest a substantial amount of time and money into farm employees,” said John Frey, executive director of the center. “That investment can [...]

Dairy Checkoff Partnerships Spark Pizza, Cheese Sales Growth

News Editor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:59:17 +0000

Super Bowl Sunday is the biggest pizza delivery day of the year. Through a partnership between the dairy checkoff and leading pizza companies, dairy producers are capitalizing on this opportunity to grow cheese sales on Game Day, as Brian Baxter reports. Just a few years ago, pizza category sales were in decline, but Tom Gallagher [...]

Milk Has Brain Health Benefits

News Editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:05:51 +0000

A study, published in the International Dairy Journal, showed adults who consumed dairy products at least five or six times a week did far better in memory tests compared with those who rarely ate or drank them. The researchers said: ‘New and emerging brain health benefits are just one more reason to start each day [...]

CWT Export Update

News Editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:02:42 +0000

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 17 requests for export assistance from Bongards, Dairy Farmers of America, Darigold, Land O’Lakes, Upstate Niagara subsidiary O-At-Ka and United Dairymen of Arizona to sell a total of 1,288 metric tons (2.840 million pounds) of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Gouda cheese and 4,969 metric tons (10.955 million pounds) of [...]

Fuel Up to Play 60 for the Super Bowl

Cindy Zimmerman — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:59:50 +0000

Whether you like the Patriots or the Giants – or neither one – Super Bowl time is a great opportunity to highlight the powerful partnership that dairy farmers, through their checkoff program, have forged with the National Football League. The “Fuel Up to Play 60″ program encourages young people to get 60 minutes of activity [...]

Veterninarian Continuing Education Scholarship Available

News Editor — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:25:33 +0000

Large animal veterinarians should apply for AgriLabs scholarship for post-graduate continuing education efforts. In collaboration with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), AgriLabs is offering an award to two veterinarians, one beef and one dairy. Named as a tribute to Bruce Wren, D.V.M., each award will provide $5,000 for professional-development training so these practitioners [...]

Merck to Work with UMC

News Editor — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:20:47 +0000

Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the USA and Canada) has announced a signed agreement with the Department of Medical Microbiology of the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University to embark on the development of innovative vaccination strategies against bacterial udder infections (mastitis) in [...]

NMPF Pleased with School Lunch Changes

News Editor — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:45:42 +0000

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) is pleased with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s updated school meal standards that continue to stress the nutritional benefits of low-fat and fat-free milk and dairy products. A final version of those standards was released Wednesday by the USDA following more than a year of public comment and review. [...]

Enriched Milk Could Ease Gout

News Editor — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:39:16 +0000

A new study shows that people who drank an enriched skim milk shake made from powdered milk and additional dairy components had fewer gout attacks and less painful symptoms. Previous research has already shown that people whose diet is low in dairy products are more likely to develop gout. But researchers say this is the [...]

Proposed Child Labor Ag Reg Changes Not Good For Farming

Chuck — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:55:41 +0000

Our latest ZimmPoll asked a very timely question since it’s on a topic that is the subject of a cover story on USA Today. We asked, “How will proposed changes to child labor in agriculture regulations affect farms?” Seventy percent said Negatively, seventeen percent said No Effect and only thirteen percent said Positively. You may [...]

New SDSU Faculity

News Editor — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:50:33 +0000

The South Dakota State University Dairy Science Department welcomes three new professionals; David Casper, Assistant Professor in Dairy Science, Tracey Renelt, SDSU Extension Field Specialist in Dairy and Melissa Schmitt, Assistant Manager for the Dairy Research and Training Facility. David Casper will focus on production in his new position as Assistant Professor in Dairy Science. [...]

Winners of Dairy Quality Awards

News Editor — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:44:53 +0000

Congratulations to the winners of the National Dairy Quality Awards (NDQA), sponsored by Merial, in partnership with the National Mastitis Council (NMC) and Hoard’s Dairyman. Recipients of the 2011 NDQA Platinum Award are Ron and Terrie Brooks of Waupaca, Wis.; Ryan and Charina Dellar of Harrisville, Mich.; Michael and Nancy Kleinhans of Kiel, Wis.; Dean [...]

Expo Seeks Nominations

News Editor — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:30:14 +0000

Outstanding dairy leaders from across the global dairy industry are being sought for World Dairy Expo’s annual recognition awards. Nominations will be accepted through February 15, in the following four categories: · Dairy Woman of the Year · Dairyman of the Year · Industry Person of the Year · International Person of the Year The [...]

Greek Yogurt Just Getting Started

News Editor — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:22:39 +0000

Chobani, the maker of Greek yogurt in upstate New York, thinks that the Greek yogurt trend has just gotten started. Its plant already pumps out 1.5 million cases of the thick yogurt every week, and pallets are stacked four stories high in the chilled warehouse. But like other Greek yogurt makers, Chobani is expanding. Greek [...]

Sweetwater Valley Farm Honored

News Editor — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:10:43 +0000

Congratulations to Sweetwater Valley Farm of Philadelphia, Tenn., for being named the 2012 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year during a ceremony held at the International Dairy Foods Association’s Dairy Forum in La Quinta, Calif. Owners John and Celia Harrison received the award, which recognizes U.S. dairy producers that apply creativity, excellence and forward thinking [...]

CWT Export Update

News Editor — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:53:41 +0000

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 18 requests for export assistance from Bongards, Dairy Farmers of America, Darigold and United Dairymen of Arizona to sell a total of 1,821 metric tons (4.015 million pounds) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese to customers in Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Central America. The product will [...]

Dairy Shrine Seeks Nominations

News Editor — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:04:10 +0000

National Dairy Shrine is again seeking nominations for its most prestigious awards: Guest of Honor, Pioneer, Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder, Progressive Dairy Producer, and Graduate Production Award. ”NationalThe Guest of Honor is given to a contemporary dairy leader for outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the dairy industry. It has been awarded every year since 1949 [...]

Expansion Symposium Scheduled

News Editor — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:01:25 +0000

Wisconsin dairy farmers and businesses can now sign up for the Dairy Business Association’s seventh annual Expansion Symposium, scheduled for February 21-22 in Green Bay. The event will be held at the KI Center and will address the issues and topics that affect Wisconsin’s dairy business. The first day will focus on the advantages of [...]

California Dairies Tout Sustainability Success

Cindy Zimmerman — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:43:42 +0000

California dairy families are proud of the sustainability accomplishments they achieved in 2011. According to the California dairy farming sustainability coalition Dairy Cares, the state’s dairy industry continued its commitment last year to protect and improve the environment. Central Valley dairy farmers launched the nation’s largest dairy groundwater monitoring program, a non-profit, collaborative scientific effort [...]

I-29 Dairy Conference Coming Soon

Cindy Zimmerman — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:59:21 +0000

The Seventh Annual I-29 Dairy Conference coming up Feb. 8 and 9 in Sioux Falls will Focus on Global Dairy Issues under the theme, “Now and in the Future.” The event is coordinated by dairy extension specialists from South Dakota State University, North Dakota State University, Iowa State University, University of Minnesota and the University [...]

January Dairy Outlook

Cindy Zimmerman — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:18:19 +0000

USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Gerry Bange expects milk production to increase in 2012. Talking about the latest USDA Dairy Outlook in terms of production and price estimates, Bange says, “U.S. milk production in 2012 is expected to increase about 1.3%. We’re looking now at 198.5 billion pounds.” That’s unchanged from the last forecast, [...]

Raw Milk Bill on Docket Again in N.J.

News Editor — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:45:24 +0000

New Jersey is once again debating the sale of raw milk in the state. Assembly Bill 743, has been resurrected under the new number A518 and introduced into the new Assembly session. The measure is missing one sponsor, Rep. Charlotte Vandervalk, a 39th District Republican, who retired from the Assembly after 20 years. Sponsors want [...]