New Technologies Hold Promise For Dairy Farms

Chuck ZimmermanAlltech, Alltech Global 500, Audio, Technology

Dr. Karl DawsonThe final panel discussion at the Global Dairy 500 Conference focused on future technologies in the dairy industry. Presenting were Matthew Smith, Alltech and Dr. Karl Dawson, Alltech.

I spoke with Dr. Dawson immediately following his remarks. He says some of the technologies in methane recovery offer a new cost saving line for the farmer by producing bioenergy. Feed management technologies offer a lot as they change, especially in nitrogen management. He says their goal was to bring these to the attention of the dairy farmer so they will consider them as they make future plans.

You can listen to my interview with Dr. Dawson below:

2009 Global Dairy 500 Conference Photo Album

World Dairy Diary coverage of the Global Dairy 500 Conference is sponsored by Alltech.

5 Things To Do Differently In Dairy Today

Chuck ZimmermanAlltech, Alltech Global 500, Audio, International

Nigel LokWhat are the 5 things you would do differently in dairy today? That was the question our opening panel on the final day of the Global Dairy 500 Conference had to answer. Amazingly they each seemed to have very similar answers.

I spoke with panelist Nigel Lok, Nigel Lok Family Trust, South Africa. He says they milk about 700 cows.

His 5 things include:

Feed cows properly and individually.

Body condition is king.

Dry period and transition is crucial.

Grow heifers to genetic potential.

Do Not Crossbreed!

You can listen to my interview with Nigel below:

2009 Global Dairy 500 Conference Photo Album

World Dairy Diary coverage of the Global Dairy 500 Conference is sponsored by Alltech.

Harvest Timing Factors

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Forage, Forage Forum, Pioneer Forage Day, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

pioneerPioneer Hi-Bred Forage Forum PodcastThis year, many producers are seeing a delay in corn silage harvest. Bill Curran, Pioneer research scientist, discusses harvest timing factors and how the growing season impacts the nutritional value of the silage.

Curran spoke to agricultural media recently at the Pioneer Forage Media day held at the Livestock Nutrition Center in Johnston, IA.

Listen to this edition of Forage Forum here:

[audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://zimmcomm.biz/pioneer/pioneer-podcast-64-wdd.mp3] Bill Curran on Delayed Forage Harvest (4:00 min MP3)

To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.

Miniature Horse Entertain Global Dairy 500 Conference

Chuck ZimmermanAlltech, Alltech Global 500, Video

Before getting back to the dairy portion of the Global Dairy 500 Conference I have one more video clip from our visit to the Kentucky Horse Park. This one was during our ring show that included a set of miniature horses pulling a wagon. I thought you’d enjoy it.

2009 Global Dairy 500 Conference Photo Album

World Dairy Diary coverage of the Global Dairy 500 Conference is sponsored by Alltech.

Global Dairy 500 Conference Visits Kentucky Horse Park

Chuck ZimmermanAlltech, Alltech Global 500, Audio, Video

Arabian HorseThe participants in the Global Dairy 500 Conference were treated to a show at the Kentucky Horse Park that included many different horse breeds and traditional costumes.

I spoke with rider of the Arabian horse named D’artagnan.

He’s 11 years old and on loan to the Park by his owner.

The Kentucky Horse Park opened in 1978 and is the world’s only park dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse.

I also shot a video clip which includes an interview with the other horses and riders.

You can listen to my interview about the Arabian horse below:

2009 Global Dairy 500 Conference Photo Album

World Dairy Diary coverage of the Global Dairy 500 Conference is sponsored by Alltech.

Ohio State Judgers Take Home Trophy

News EditorCompetition, Education, Industry News

Ohio-State-UnivThe Ohio State University took home the top honors and the coveted Brown Swiss Canton III Traveling Trophy on September 20, 2009 after winning the 16th Annual Accelerated Genetics Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. The Ohio State University team coached by Bonnie Ayars and Bill Langel included team members: Curtis Bickel, Jason Miley, Laura Gordon and Hannah Thompson.

There was much excitement during this year’s awards banquet as the placings and cuts were revealed along with the award winner’s announced for each breed, reasons and then overall. Placing Second Overall in the contest was the University of Wisconsin-Madison, coached by Ted Halbach. Team members: Carissa Levash, Ty Hildebrandt, Laura Elliott and Danielle Brown. And coming in Third Overall was the University of Minnesota, coached by Les Hansen. Team members: Caitlin Kasper, Megan Herberg, Abby Udermann and Robert Westman.

In the Overall Individual competition a University of Wisconsin-Madison student, Carissa Levash, took home the top spot. The other top individuals included. Caitlin Kasper, second, University of Minnesota; Jason Miley, third, The Ohio State University; Danielle Brown, fourth, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Curtis Bickel, fifth, The Ohio State University; Gary Bettencourt, sixth, Modesto Junior College; Hannah Thompson, seventh, The Ohio State University; Kaleena Westaby, eighth, Iowa State University; Megan Herberg, ninth, University of Minnesota; and Val Mohr, tenth, South Dakota State University.

The University of Minnesota team won the High Team in Reasons with second place going to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and third place went to The Ohio State University.
The Top Three Individials in Oral Reasons take home a special scholarship from the James Crowley Fund. Placing First in Oral Reasons was Carissa Levash, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Second was awarded to Jason Miley, The Ohio State University; and Third was awarded to Caitlin Kasper, University of Minnesota.

Thirteen teams participated in the contest this year from all across the United States. The contest is held at the Vernon County Fairgrounds in Viroqua, Wisconsin. During the contest each participant placed ten classes and gave five sets of oral reasons. They judged at least one class of each of the following breeds: Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey and Milking Shorthorn.

Youth Derby for Wis. Dairy Kids

News EditorEducation

untitledDairy youth ages 15 to 18 interested in exploring opportunities and aspects within the dairy industry are encouraged to sign up for Youth Leadership Derby, a weekend of fun and learning sponsored by the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin. The event will take place Saturday, Nov. 7, and wraps up at noon on Sunday, Nov. 8.

“No boring lectures with this event,” states Doug Knoepke, a Durand, Wis., dairy producer and president of PDPW. “We recognize that youth sit in a classroom five days a week, so this weekend event will take youth to where the action is as well as engage them in hands-on labs, competitions and one-of-a-kind workshops.

“Youth who attend may return home tired, but they will definitely be glad that they attended this event. The concluding keynote by former National FFA officer and Cornell graduate student Barrett Keene will have youth talking about his message for days—and will help them push toward success.”

Knoepke adds that this event, which is limited to the first 100, is designed for youth from dairying families as well as off-farm youth wanting to learn more about what the dairy industry encompasses. It’s also an ideal opportunity for youth to network and have some good wholesome fun while expanding their horizons.

Marketing Milk In The Future

Chuck ZimmermanAlltech, Alltech Global 500, Audio, International, Markets, Milk

Milk Marketing PanelThe future of milk marketing was the subject of our last panel of the day here at the Global Dairy 500 Conference. The afternoon activities include tours of the Alltech headquarters and a dinner at Kentucky Horse Park.

I spoke with Harm Holman, European Dairy Farmers, Netherlands after the session concluded. He’s pictured tall and in the middle. Harm says he milks 140 cows.

He says it’s very important to be an entrepreneur that has to make a profit and to be competitive. Like other panelists he sees larger farms and less farmers in the future. In his part of the world he says that those who have the most simple systems are doing the best. He also believes that becoming more efficient and lowering input costs is vital to success in dairy farming today. He’s optimistic for the best farmers in the future, meaning that not everyone will survive in the next 5 to 10 years.

You can listen to my interview with Harm below:

2009 Global Dairy 500 Conference Photo Album

World Dairy Diary coverage of the Global Dairy 500 Conference is sponsored by Alltech.

Dairy Systems Around The World

Chuck ZimmermanAlltech, Alltech Global 500, Audio, International

Bryan BeestonTo provide a global perspective on dairy systems the Global Dairy 500 Conference featured a panel with participants from the USA, New Zealand and South Africa. I spoke with Bryan Beeston, Dairy Business Centre, New Zealand, seated on the right. He’s a dairy farmer involved in a collective type dairy company.

Bryan says he moved to New Zealand to start a dairy farm and the opportunities there worked very well for him. He says they have younger farmers and opportunities that allow them to stair step their way into a dairy farm. One way they accomplish this is with a share milk system that allows someone to get started with a vested interest in the dairy and they get paid based on how efficient and profitable they are. They can then move up to owning their own cows and plants.

Bryan is very enthusiastic about the future of dairy farmer. He says there are areas like Asia where a lot of opportunity exists to help feed people in a growing economy.

You can listen to my interview with Bryan below:

2009 Global Dairy 500 Conference Photo Album

World Dairy Diary coverage of the Global Dairy 500 Conference is sponsored by Alltech.