New Look for Pyramid 5 Vaccine

Cindy ZimmermanBoehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) has unveiled a new packaging design for Pyramid® 5. The Pyramid brand of vaccines was acquired by BIVI last year from Fort Dodge Animal Health and Pyramid 5 is the first product from the Pyramid family to be presented in the new package.

The new box is still the familiar yellow, but the design now aligns Pyramid 5 more closely with the rest of the BIVI family of products. Pyramid 5 is used for the prevention of disease caused by BRSV, BVD Types 1 and 2, PI3 and IBR, as well as prevention of persistent BVD Types 1 and 2 infections of fetal calves.

USDA Issues Impact Statement on GM Alfalfa

Cindy ZimmermanAlfalfa, Biotech

Roundup Ready alfalfa could be headed back to a field near you by next spring.

gm alfalfaOn Thursday, USDA released the long-awaited final environmental impact statement (EIS) that evaluates the potential environmental effects of deregulating genetically modified alfalfa resistant to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide. Announcing the EIS, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said they are considering two possible alternatives for deregulation of the crop.

“The two preferred alternatives selected in the final EIS are deregulation as one option, and the other deregulation accompanied by a combination of geographic restrictions and isolation distances on the production of GE alfalfa seed and, in some locations, on GE hay. These measures would help to protect the production of non-GE alfalfa seed,” Vilsack said. A final decision will be made by USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), but not for at least a month.

Needless to say, Monsanto was pleased with the news. “Farmers have been waiting a long time for the choice to use Roundup Ready alfalfa and realize the dependable weed control that it offers,” said Steve Welker, Monsanto alfalfa lead. It has been three years since an injunction in 2007 by a federal district court stopped the sale and planting of Roundup Ready alfalfa seeds until USDA completed an EIS. Roundup Ready alfalfa (RRA) originally went on the market with the approval of USDA in 2005.

Forage Genetics International, co-developer of RRA, was also happy that the EIS is finally done and that some type of deregulation is imminent. “When the USDA makes a decision about deregulation of RRA, Forage Genetics International will be ready to sell RRA seed to growers,” said president Mark McCaslin.

The companies and supporters of RRA say the benefits of the genetically modified alfalfa are both economic and environmental, with a reported $110 per-acre advantage over conventional alfalfa and requiring less use of crop protection chemicals. Detractors fear GMO alfalfa will crossover fields and contaminate the feed for organic dairy cows. An attempt to appease both sides would be the compromise approval placing certain restrictions on where the crop can be grown.

Allflex Introduces New Tag

News EditorCompany Announcement

Allflex USA is introducing a one-piece, self-piercing tag called the A-Tag™. The new A-Tag comes in three convenient sizes for beef and dairy operations – calf, cow and feedlot.

“A-Tag is a highly versatile tag that can be used for long-term identification and is cost effective for short-term needs,” said Glenn Fischer, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. “Producers looking for a one-piece option can source all their identification needs with Allflex and be backed by superior service and field support.”

The A-Tag features the quality materials and construction livestock producers have come to expect from Allflex. The tag comes with a self-piercing, pinhole tip designed for reduced animal stress and faster healing. A longer tag anchor means higher retention in thick-eared animals. Tag application is quick and easy with the yellow Allflex A-Tag Applicator featuring a flip-pin design.

Cow and calf A-Tag sizes, available in nine colors, are packaged blank in bags of 25 and 100. Numbered tags are available in bags of 25 tags. Feedlot A-Tags, available in 20 colors, are packaged in bags of 50. Custom marking and numbering for all sizes using Allflex’s patented laser-ink permanent marking is available by special order.

The new A-Tag is available through traditional animal health distribution. For more information, contact your local distributor representative or call Allflex, the one source for livestock identification, at 1-800-989-8247.

Source: Allflex

Three Honored as World Dairy Volunteers

News EditorWorld Dairy Expo

Three “Friends of Expo” were recognized at a special, fiesta-themed volunteer appreciation dinner on December 9, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Nearly 200 volunteers gathered to acknowledge their contributions and celebrate a successful 2010 show. The 2010 honorees include: Dr. Roland “Doc” Jeans, DVM; Joan Judd and Corey Geiger.

Honored for their years of support and outstanding service to World Dairy Expo, these individuals were selected from among the nearly 400 volunteers who help run the cattle shows, commercial exhibits, youth contests, school tours and Purple Cow Gift Shop during the annual, five-day show.

Roland “Doc” Jeans was presented a Friend of Expo Award for his many years of service to the show. In the early 1960s, he and his colleagues developed an extremely successful and highly respected veterinary practice in Evansville, Wisconsin. After 37 years of working in the field, Jeans retired, but remained actively involved with local veterinary and dairy organizations as well as World Dairy Expo. Jeans has been instrumental during the past 20 years in the research and development of World Dairy Expo’s Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics is a set of rules specific to the show’s cattle exhibitors.

Joan Judd owns and operates LaFollette Registered Holsteins with her husband, John, in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, while working full-time at Gempler’s where she provides catalog customers with technical product support. Each year she takes a full week’s vacation to volunteer at World Dairy Expo. Judd is a familiar face to anyone seeking assistance in the show’s administrative office. During the week, she helps man the nerve center of the show. Over the years she has become adept at fielding questions from commercial and cattle exhibitors, while making copies, sending faxes, making name badges, answering the telephone and providing directions to individuals seeking the Dairy Cattle Office, Veterinary Office and International Lounge. Judd also plays a crucial role in the pageantry of World Dairy Expo’s Supreme Champion Parade, drafting scripts about each of the animals and their owners for the program’s master and mistress of ceremonies.

Corey Geiger has a long-standing relationship with World Dairy Expo. Associate Editor of Hoard’s Dairyman since 1995, he coordinates the publication’s coverage of World Dairy Expo before, during and after the show. As a youth, he successfully competed in the National 4-H and Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contests held at World Dairy Expo. He has served as a contest official and assistant superintendent of the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest for more than a decade, and in 2009 was appointed to serve as the Superintendent of the National Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest. Geiger has also been instrumental in coordinating special awards, tours, and judging practice opportunities for all of the participating World Dairy Expo judging teams. An active member of the Dairy Shrine and former president of the organization, he carefully transfers the Klussendorf, MacKenzie and Merle Howard Awards from the Dairy Shrine Museum, located in Fort Atkinson, to Madison each year so they may be presented to the current recipients. Additionally, he writes the scripts and prepares the press releases for those award presentations. Geiger and his wife, Krista, reside in Mukwonago, Wisconsin.

Source: World Dairy Expo

Gar-Lin Dairy Named Minn. Producer of the Year

News EditorCompany Announcement, Competition

Congratulations to Gar-Lin Dairy Farms for being named Minnesota’s 2010 Producers of the Year! Minnesota Milk Producers Association recognizes one outstanding dairy operation as the Producers of the Year for having a proven commitment to the dairy industry, managing their farm for future generations, and for being active in their local community.

Gar-Lin Dairy Farms is a unique partnership between two very dedicated farm families in Eyota, Minn. The partnership was formed in 2006 and includes Gary and Linda Allen, Gene and Phyllis Speltz, Dean Allen, Dana Allen and Carey Tweten. Together the families have over 164 years of experience within the seven-person leadership team.

Their mission is to produce quality milk for today’s consumer, along with peas, sweet corn, and alfalfa. They strive to be competitive and efficient in the dairy industry, using modern technology and environmentally sound practices, while providing their employees with a quality place of employment.

Combining their years of experience with the youth and excitement for new technology, the two families have made many facility changes over the last few years focusing on cow comfort, herd performance and employee satisfaction. Their 34 full-time and 14 part-time employees help milk 1,800 cows, raise 1,700 youngstock and farm 2,800 acres. Having a rolling herd average over 30,000 pounds with a cull rate under 28 percent is a glimpse at their achievements.

The same commitment toward excellence bleeds into their community and industry involvement. The family members have hosted various farm tours for dairy producers, agricultural professionals, international visitors, and consumers. They’ve also hosted hayrides in conjunction with Eyota Days, served ice cream to over 300 people, and taught ag-in-the-classroom.

The families are also very involved with various local, statewide and national organizations. Dana Allen was also recognized by Midwest Dairy Association for serving on the Sustainability Council of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. Dana is leading a team of more than 50 researchers, scientists, and producers who are working together to accelerate the development and adoption of best practices.

Source: Minnesota Milk Producers Association

USDA Observes Dairy Greenhouse Gas Agreement Anniversary

Cindy Zimmermanenvironment, usda

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today commemorated the one year anniversary of the agreement to help U.S. dairy producers cut greenhouse gas emissions that was signed on this date during climate change talks in Copenhagen, Denmark last year.

“The partnership between USDA and U.S. dairy producers to increase sustainability has achieved remarkable results over the past year,” said Vilsack. “USDA has awarded funding to establish 30 anaerobic digesters, and we are assisting farmers with digester feasibility studies and energy audits to help producers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while increasing on-farm income. The partnership is a demonstration of the Obama Administration’s commitment to producing renewable energy, providing new economic opportunities to farmers, and preserving natural resources.”

On December 15, 2009, USDA and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy signed a sustainability-focused Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work in concert to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms by 25 percent by 2020. Since the signing, USDA and the Center have partnered to increase the number of operating anaerobic digesters on farms, and encouraged research and development of new technologies to help dairies reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Read more from USDA here.

Results From First ZimmPoll

Chuck Zimmermanfarm bill, ZimmPoll

The results of the first ZimmPoll are in. The question was “How do you think agricultural interests will fare in the new Farm Bill?” We thought we’d give you an easy one to start. The results were pretty well mixed with “Too early to tell” getting the most votes. You can add your comments about the question or the results using the comment feature here at the bottom of the post. Feel free to let us know what you think.

Our first poll had participation from 5 countries including 25 states in the U.S. The top ten states with participants were IL, CA, VA, IN, NJ, TX, KS, MO, NY and SD. Thanks to all of you.

The new poll is now live and the question is, “Do you participate in social media?” Social media consists of Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, blogs, podcasts and a whole variety of other services. Let us know by taking the poll and next week we’ll post the results and you can add your comments add feedback at that time. Feel free to suggest questions for our poll anytime too.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

Roberts Elected to Dairy Hall of Fame

News EditorCompetition

Congratulations to Idaho dairyman Ellis Roberts for being inducted to the Idaho Dairy Hall of Fame!

The 64-year-old Idaho native said receiving such a recognition was surprising. The Idaho Dairy Hall of Fame inducts one person a year. To be inducted, Roberts said there are three areas of consideration — service and leadership in the dairy industry, religious and civic service, and service to young people.

Roberts was nominated by the Dairy Farmers of America. He was recognized in November during a banquet in Boise.

Roberts said he enjoys farming because it allows him to work with his family. He currently operates a 400-acre dairy farm in Fairview with the help of his son. He also likes working with the land and animals and improving his farm.

The farm is grass-based and organic. He said there are about 10 organic dairies in the Intermountain West.

He began grass farming some 15 years ago. About five years ago, he got a contract to ship organic milk through Dairy Farmers of America to Organic Valley. Roberts said he and his son milk about 200 cows.

Roberts’ service includes positions on the Dairy Farmers of America Board of Directors and with the Idaho Holstein Association. As a member of the LDS Church, he said he has had many service opportunities. He has also had roles in Boy Scouts of America and 4-H.

Roberts grew up on a farm. He graduated from Utah State University with a degree in dairy science, and since 1982, he has been farming his own land.

Source: HJNews.com

Farm Credit Makes Donation

News EditorCompany Announcement

During the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting in Columbus on December 2, board members of Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, a $17 billion agriculture lending cooperative serving over 85,500 farmers and rural residents, presented a $50,000 donation to the Animals for Life Foundation.

The Foundation’s goal is to engage and build understanding and trust in all areas where animals touch the lives of the public with the common belief that people have the right to use animals and the responsibility to do so humanely.

“Many of our board members are livestock farmers and support the objectives of the Foundation. It’s important that as farmers, we show care and compassion for livestock while following standards set out by experts in animal agriculture,” said Andrew Wilson, a member of the Farm Credit Services Board and a pork producer from Somerset, Ohio. Wilson and two other Ohio board members George Stebbins from Englewood and Bill Patterson from Chesterland were on hand to deliver the $50,000 check to the Foundation.

Last year, Farm Credit presented a $100,000 check supporting the Ohio Farm Bureau’s Center for Food and Animal Issues, the group responsible for educating the public about the benefits of a Livestock Care Standards Board. This board was created with the passage of Proposition 2 which was on the election ballot earlier this fall.

“As a farmer, I have a responsibility to connect with the public,” said Wilson. “It’s why we as a Farm Credit Board supported an additional donation to an organization that is doing so much to educate the public about animals and agriculture. Plus, it is one more way Farm Credit can be proactive in helping spread a positive message about farming.”

Source: Farm Credit Service of Mid-America

Busy Year for Novus in Beef and Dairy

Cindy ZimmermanAnimal Health, Audio, Novus International

At the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) annual meeting last month, Novus International was talking with reporters about this year’s acquisitions that have strengthened the company’s presence in the beef and dairy cattle market.

Novus’ Beef Sales Manager Marty Andersen says when they acquired the Albion animal nutrition group in February it helped them expand their portfolio of chelated trace mineral products for livestock. “Chelated trace minerals are a highly bioavailable source of animal nutrition,” he explained. “So if producers are needing to get nutrients into their cow herd to combat antagonists, shortages, dietary changes such as high distillers grains – it’s a fast way of getting trace minerals into the diet.”

“Trace minerals are important in reproduction, growth, animal health and immunity, those are the big areas where nutritionists are looking for a boost from Novus products,” Marty added.

The Novus product line for dairy includes ALBION® MAAC® chelated trace minerals for production and health benefits, AGRADO® Plus antioxidant for use in the final total mixed ration of lactating dairy cows and ALIMET® methionine supplement to optimize milk yield and component levels.

Listen to my interview with Marty from NAFB here: Marty Andersen with Novus