National Dairy Shrine Industry Pioneers

Chuck ZimmermanAg Group, World Dairy Expo

Thanks to Mike Opperman, Charleston|Orwig, for sharing this special moment for his family since his Dad, George, was just honored by the National Dairy Shrine. Pictured are: Back row: Mike, Dave (bro), Don (bro), Micah (nephew – Mary’s kid), Bob (cousin) Front row: Kelly (Mike’s wife), Cynthia (Dave’s wife), Mike’s Mom, Jack and Maggie (Mike’s kids) Mary (sister) The dairy … Read More

NMPF Among Those Urging Rejection of Disaster Bill

John DavisAFBF, Ag Group, Government

The National Milk Producers Federation is part of a coalition of about a dozen agriculture groups urging Senate leaders to “refrain from supporting” any legislation resembling the House-passed disaster bill should it come up in the Senate. The group also includes the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Soybean Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the National Corn Growers … Read More

Nat'l Milk Producers Urge Rejection of Farm Bill Extension

John DavisAg Group, dairy farming, farm bill

Although the U.S. House Agriculture Committee has a new farm bill ready to go to the floor for a vote, leadership decided late on Friday to instead vote this week on a one-year extension of the current legislation, coupled with an extension of disaster aid for livestock producers. According to Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK), drought fears are prompting the … Read More

Are You Bold Enough For Butter

Chuck ZimmermanAg Group, Butter, Promotion, Social Media

Are you bold enough to go with butter? “Go Bold With Butter” is a social media campaign of the American Butter Institute. Here’s how it’s doing. Note the results correlation between increased content on their blog and “fostering increased butter usage.” How about that blogging thing! ABI’s social media campaign “Go Bold With Butter” was launched on March 19th, just … Read More

Where Good Comes From

Chuck ZimmermanAg Group, Social Media

Where Good Comes From is a new website that talks about dairy goodness. It was recently launched in conjunction with the “Future of Food: Food Security in the 21st Century” event in Washington, D.C. The blog site is designed by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy as a potential hub for information-sharing and engagement on behalf of the entire dairy … Read More

2012 LMA Livestock Auctioneer Raised on Dairy Farm

Chuck ZimmermanAg Group, Audio

The 2012 Livestock Marketing Association’s (LMA) World Livestock Auctioneer Champion is Bailey Ballou of Elgin, OK. The competition was held last Saturday in Turlock, CA. If you listen in below you’ll hear Bailey talk about how his upbringing on a dairy farm contributed to his desire to become a livestock auctioneer! I just participated in a conference call with Bailey … Read More

NFL Player Speaks About Fuel Up To Play 60

Chuck ZimmermanAg Group, Audio, National Dairy Council

Former NFL wide receiver Eddie Kennison attended the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk session to talk about Fuel Up To Play 60, a collaborative program between the NFL and National Dairy Council. I spoke with him to learn more about it. Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy … Read More

Judges Panel For U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards

Chuck ZimmermanAg Group, Audio, Dairy Group, sustainability, World Dairy Expo

At World Dairy Expo we got an update on the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards program from Dairy Management, Inc. The U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards program continues to gain support, as the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy® today announced that the newly launched awards program will be judged by a panel of experts from academic institutions, USDA, EPA, World Wildlife Fund, … Read More

Canadian Dairy Supply Management System

Chuck ZimmermanAg Group, Audio, International

While attending the 2011 IFAJ Congress in Canada I recorded a presentation by Richard Doyle, Executive Director, Dairy Farmers of Canada and President, International Dairy Federation. He’s pictured in the center of the photo. The panel was labeled, “Canadian Agriculture 101.” A big part of Richard’s presentation deals with the supply management system in Canada that is “based on planned … Read More

DFA Working On Dairy Industry Challenges

Chuck ZimmermanAg Group, Audio, DFA, Farm Policy

During the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasters convention the Dairy Farmers of America exhibited during their Trade Talk session. This provides farm broadcasters with an opportunity to interview representatives and learn about what’s new with their company or organization. I spoke with Jackie Klippenstein, VP, Industry and Legislative Affairs. Jackie says that priorities for DFA include making sure new … Read More