Research Projects Sought

News EditorJersey Association

The AJCC Research Foundation has issued a request for research proposals to be funded in 2011 addressing significant issues for the Jersey breed and Jersey milk producers.

Current priorities for research funding are:

· Nutrition of high-producing Jerseys, particularly practical feeding methods to maximize production of valuable milk components;
· Factors affecting management of Jersey calves;
· Factors affecting yield and/or quality of products manufactured from Jersey milk;
· Factors affecting economic impact of Jerseys: efficiencies, net income, longevity, and lifetime profit;
· Optimizing the genetic basis for improving animal health and/or enhancing product quality;
· Enhancing environmental impact associated with Jerseys;
· New technologies for safe and sustainable food production from Jersey cattle; and
· Feasibility of adding value and increasing consumer acceptance of Jersey-derived products through enhanced product quality and branding.

Application deadline is Wednesday, December 1, 2010. The Research Advisory Committee of the American Jersey Cattle Association will evaluate the proposals, then forward its recommendations to the AJCA Board of Directors, which will award funds at its meeting in March 2011.

Submissions are evaluated for (a) merit (e.g., potential to advance practical knowledge, creative approach to the problem); (b) competence (i.e., high probability of successful completion within the proposed time frame); and (c) relevance (e.g., problem derived from one of the areas of research priority).

Detailed information about the Competitive Grants Program can be found online.

Source: US Jersey

USDA Issues Final Dairy Income Loss Payments

Cindy Zimmermanusda

USDAAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that final Phase III payments under the Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment (DELAP) program began the week of Oct. 12, 2010. The program is funded by $290 million from the 2010 Agricultural Appropriations Bill to provide loss assistance payments to eligible dairy producers.

“We know that dairy producers have been experiencing difficult economic circumstances, but with this assistance, producers have been able to offset a portion of their financial losses,” said Vilsack.

Payments to eligible DELAP program producers were issued in three payment phases. Phase I payments were issued in mid-December 2009 to eligible dairy producers with production records from previous participation in dairy programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Dairy producers who did not have production records at the FSA county office but submitted a request for DELAP benefits before the application deadline of Jan. 19, 2010, were issued payments in Phase II beginning June 18, 2010.

DELAP Phase III will be disbursed to eligible dairy producers that received DELAP benefits under Phase I or Phase II.

Of the $290 million budgeted for DELAP, a total of $273 million was dispersed to eligible dairy producers under DELAP Phase I and Phase II. The remaining $17 million minus a reserve established by FSA will be dispersed during Phase III.

Source: USDA News Release

CWT Export Update

News Editorcwt

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted two requests from Dairy Farmers of America, one request from Land O’Lakes, and one request from Foremost Farms for assistance in selling a total of 630 metric tons (1,388,912 pounds) of Cheddar and Gouda cheese to customers in the Middle East. The product will be delivered October 2010 through December 2010.

Since CWT reactivated the Export Assistance program in March 18, 2010, it has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheese totaling 23,524 metric tons (51.9 million pounds) to 23 countries on four continents. In addition, sales of butter and anhydrous milkfat totaling 14,968 metric tons (33.0 million pounds) have been made to nine countries on three continents.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term and in the long-term by helping member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products.

CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.

Source: Cooperatives Working Together (CWT)

Nominate Your Coach

News EditorEducation, got milk?

Does your school coach encourage you to include chocolate milk in your post-workout? Nominate them today for the chance to win a $1,000 grant!

Lowfat chocolate milk can help rebuild, replenish and rehydrate your body after a strenuous practice or game. Does your coach make chocolate milk part of your team’s winning game plan? If so, nominate him/her for a chance to win one of ten $1,000 Refuel Grants between August 11th and November 1st.

If you’re coach is selected, your school will win a Refuel Rally that includes a check presentation and some serious chocolate milk sampling!


Source: Body By Milk

Internships Available in Pa.

News EditorEducation

Are you a college student with an interest in Pennsylvania’s dairy industry? Then the internships offered by the Pa. Center for Dairy Excellence, based in Harrisburg, Pa. may interest you. Internship opportunities exist for the spring and summer of 2011.

The center is a non-profit organization launched in 2004 to enhance the profitability of dairy in the commonwealth. An initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the center provides coordination of Pennsylvania Dairy Task Force initiatives, working closely with allied trade and industry organizations.

Interns will provide assistance and support for the Center for Dairy Excellence in meeting goals identified by the center’s board of directors and by the Pennsylvania Dairy Task Force. Applicants should have strong communications and interpersonal skills and be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite programs. Extensive knowledge and understanding of the dairy industry is also preferred.

Interested applicants should contact John Frey, executive director for the center, at 717-346-0949 or c-jfrey@state.pa.us.

Source: Center for Dairy Excellence

Domino's Introduces Six Cheese Pizza

News EditorCheese

Cheese, six different delicious types, will be the showcase of Domino’s Pizza newest addition to its line-up.

The Wisconsin 6 Cheese is the first extension to the American Legends specialty pizza line, which showcases iconic tastes from across the country. The pie features tomato sauce and a blend of six cheeses: mozzarella, feta, provolone, cheddar, parmesan and asiago, according to a company statement.

As with last fall’s pizza overhaul, the new product also will usher in new TV spots. The national advertising campaign, which began Oct. 13, aims to show consumers the true source of the 100 percent real cheeses used on all Domino’s Pizza products.

Shot on location in Blanchardville, Wis., the campaign focuses on the source of Domino’s cheese – America’s dairy farms. In the spots, real consumers thinking they are attending a focus group are shocked when the “office building” walls collapse, revealing they are actually in the middle of a dairy farm. The campaign will include a social media component and an interactive site called “Behind the Pizza.

McIntyre said the introduction of the Wisconsin 6 Cheese pizza is focused on two things: First, the company wanted to add to its popular American Legends line of premium pizzas. Second, the product is being launched as part of Domino’s partnership with Dairy Management Inc., the association that represents America’s dairy farmers.

“This is one way that we can support dairy farms across the country: by selling a pizza featuring an abundance of their products,” he said. “We think that’s a good thing.”

Source: Pizza Marketplace.com

Photo Source: The Washington Post – Photo provided by Domino’s Pizza Inc. (AP Photo/Domino’s Pizza Inc.) NO SALES (AP)

Jerseys Headed to Louisville

News EditorJersey Association

The finest Registered Jerseys™ will take center stage when The 58th All American Jersey Show & Sale returns to the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky., November 6 to 8.

The All American Junior Jersey Show is scheduled for Saturday, November 6. Craig Padgett, Waynesburg, Ky., is the judge with Dale Turner of Danville, Ky., serving as his consultant. This is one of the richest junior shows in the world with nearly $14,000 awarded to exhibitors.

The 57th National Jersey Jug Futurity on Sunday, November 7 offers an estimated $11,000 in premiums. It will be judged by Robert Jarrell, Corbyville, Ontario. His consultant will be Michael Hurst, Waynesville, Ohio.

The open division of The All American Jersey Show is set to take place on November 8 and will be judged by Hank VanExel, Lodi, Calif. His consultant will be Tom McCauley, Lowell, Mich.

The first and second place entries in each class of all shows will be named the All American and Reserve All American winners for 2010 by the American Jersey Cattle Association.

The shows will be streamed live from Freedom Hall via webcast from the NAILE website at www.livestockexpo.org.

Two sales, both managed by Jersey Marketing Service of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, will also occur that same weekend.

The 58th All American Jersey Sale, the premier showcase for Registered Jersey™ genetics in the United States, will offer 80 lots on the evening of Sunday, November 7.

A total of 35 Registered Jersey™ heifers—all genomically tested—will be offered to youth between seven and 20 years of age in the 53rd Pot O’Gold Sale. Cow’s Match® Jersey Blend is the Presenting Sponsor of this sale on Saturday, November 6.

The headquarters for the All American is the Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Airport.

Source: The American Jersey Cattle Association

DFA Wins Cornerstone Award

News EditorCompany Announcement

Congratulations to Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) for been recognized by the National Dairy Shrine with the newly established Cornerstone Award for industry support.

National Dairy Shrine — an American dairying group that promotes the dairy industry and records its history in the Dairy Hall of Fame — honored DFA during its annual banquet held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo.

“The Cornerstone Award recognition is a great honor for DFA,” said David Darr, DFA vice president of sustainability and public affairs, who attended the banquet and serves as a National Dairy Shrine board member. “We believe strongly in investing in the future of the dairy industry. This is reflected in our ongoing support of National Dairy Shrine and the students who participate in collegiate judging contests at World Dairy Expo each year.”

National Dairy Shrine representatives also presented more than $40,000 in scholarship awards to two- and four-year college students who are interested in pursuing a career within the dairy industry.

Source: Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.

2010 World Dairy Expo Recap

Cindy ZimmermanAlpharma, Arm and Hammer, Charleston-Orwig, Novartis, Novus International, World Dairy Expo

world dairy expo 2010Finally finished the last post from the 2010 World Dairy Expo today – here are some of the highlights, in case you missed it.

Amazing Results in Boosting Milk Fat Levels – interview with Dr. Scott Bascom, a nutritionist with Cooperative Plus in Wisconsin.

How Lower Protein Rations Can Increase the Bottom Line – interviews with Dr. Larry Chase with Cornell University and Dr. Bob Stoltzfus with Lancaster Veterinary Associates.

Five Star Dairy Wins Environmental Award – first ever award by Wisconsin Dairy Business Association.

Hoard’s 125th Birthday Bash – video of the Badger band and interview with Gary Vorpahl.

RFID at the Speed of Commerce – using ultra high radio frequency (UHF) to tag identify large groups of moving animals.

Interviews with Dairyman and Dairy Woman of the Year – Don Bennink of Florida and Liz Doornink of Wisconsin.

Precision Feeding of Dairy Replacement Heifers – interview with Pat Hoffman from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Award Winning Dairy Credit Scours Protection – Interview with Dave Hartford of Oakridge-Bahler Farm, Connecticut.

Check out these videos of some of what was new at the show this year:

Using a Brix Refractometer to Measure Colostrum Quality

Robotic Post-Milking Spray System

New Robotic Feedpusher

Big thanks again to our sponsors this year!
Alpharma Arm & Hammer Charleston-Orwig Novartis Animal Health and Novus