Since tomorrow is Earth Day, I think it’s appropriate for our blog readers to be reminded of the dedication and commitment all farms demonstrate when it comes to caring for the land, the environment, and their animals. Read on to learn more about one farmer’s demonstration of this commitment! I was happy to spend this past week-end at home after … Read More
Niche Milk – Was it Worth it?
A new research report from Statler Nagle, LLC concludes that the shift to recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST)-free milk was an overly quick response to a problem that seemed bigger than it was in reality. Study findings suggest that although only 8 to 12% of consumers were concerned enough about rbST to change purchasing or consumption behaviors, milk-processing companies instead opted … Read More
Dairy Families to Celebrate Earth Day!
As we celebrate Earth Day 2009 on April 22, it’s a great opportunity to tell the public about the long-standing commitment of dairy farm families to environmental stewardship. Continuing to take action to preserve the land, water and air is essential to the livelihood of America’s dairy producers, and now the dairy checkoff is leading an industry-wide effort to help … Read More
Dairy Probiotics Could be Used for Vaccinations
This newly released study has a huge potential for dairy products – what a great idea! Instead of a dreaded injection with a needle, someday getting vaccinated against disease may be as pleasant as drinking a yogurt smoothie. A researcher from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine has developed a new oral vaccine using probiotics, the healthy bacteria that … Read More
Wis. Announces Accomplishments of Green Tier
In an ongoing effort to enhance the environment and protect natural resources, the Dairy Business Association is proud to report significant accomplishments with the DBA-Green Tier Advancement Project (DBA-GTAP) Charter. Since the signing of the charter by DBA and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in December 2008, Wisconsin dairy producers are working toward achieving superior environmental performance through … Read More
Dairyline Markets In Review
Dairy Markets Week in Review Cheese prices continue to weaken, further discouraging farmers whose milk check hinges on those prices. The 40-pound block price closed Friday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange at $1.17 per pound, down 6 1/2-cents on the week and 73 1/2-cents below that week a year ago. The 500-pound barrels closed at $1.11, down 6 cents on … Read More
CWT Bids are Due by May 1
Interest from dairy farmers in Cooperatives Working Together’s seventh herd retirement round is high, and farmers who are members of CWT have two weeks left during which to submit their bids, CWT said Thursday. Detailed information can be found online, including bid forms, the interactive bid calculator to help estimate a farmer’s bid, and answers to frequently-asked questions. All bids … Read More
Vermont Cheesemaker to Pay Local Dairy Farmers Extra Premiums
The Grafton Village Cheese Co. is showing its support of local dairy farmers by paying them a special premium to help with the record low milk prices they are experiencing. Grafton Village Cheese will pay farmers an additional premium based on the butterfat, protein and somatic cell content of the milk, according to a press release announcing the new policy. … Read More
Measuring Feed Quality Performance
In this edition of the Pioneer Forage Forum podcast, Bill Ramsey, Pioneer livestock information manager, discusses several ways to measure feed quality performance. Ramsey looks at three questions producers should consider when evaluating the nutritional value of their feed. Some ways to measure feed value include, NIR on choppers and the physical makeup of the silage. [audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://zimmcomm.biz/pioneer/pioneer-podcast-52.mp3] Bill Ramsey on … Read More
Land O'Lakes to Close Wis. Butter Plant
Land O’Lakes Inc. plans to close its butter manufacturing plant in Madison, Wis. and lay off 120 employees. The cooperative based in St. Paul, Minn., said Madison Dairy would close within 60 days because it no longer is economically feasible to operate. Spokeswoman Jeanne Forbis said other Land O’Lakes plants around the country would make up for the lost production. … Read More