Missouri Reviews Labeling Guidelines

News EditorGovernment, Industry News, Media, Milk

Well, readers, here’s the latest state to follow-the-leader so to speak, and review their milk labeling guidelines. Missouri lawmakers are mulling over a controversial measure that would restrict the information dairies can place on milk containers. Missouri is the latest state to be concerned about milk that is labeled as being “hormone free.”

“It’s a very complicated issue,” said Rep. Brian Munzlinger, chair of the House Special Committee on Agri-Business. That panel, as well as the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, Parks and Natural Resources, this month conducted public hearings on proposed legislation.

At issue is the use of Posilac, or recombinant bovine somatotropin, a synthetic hormone made by Creve Coeur-based Monsanto that increases the milk production of dairy cows. Certain dairies and retailers are labeling milk as being produced without its use, charging more and implying that it is healthier than other milk.

The Food and Drug Administration has found no difference in milk that comes from Posilac-treated cows. It says there are no related human health concerns. Consumer advocates say shoppers should have all available information about their milk.

Click here for the detailed story.

Borden Introduces Cheese with Antioxidants

News EditorAgribusiness, Cheese, Dairy Business, Industry News, Nutrition

dfacheeseThe newest value-added dairy product on the market is from Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA). The company has introduced Borden Essentials™, a cheese containing protective antioxidants, which help support a healthy immune system.

Borden is among the first packaged cheese to provide consumers with a source of antioxidants. DFA responded to consumers’ desire to increase antioxidants in their diets. According to the “2007 HealthFocus Trend Report,” more than 75 percent of moms believe that antioxidants improve or strengthen the immune system. Research from the U.S. National Institute of Health shows that protective antioxidants support a healthy immune system.

Antioxidants are molecules that protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, lycopene, tocopherol and retinol, interact with and stabilize free radicals. Free radicals are formed through a process called oxidation which occurs when we eat, breathe or go out in the sun.

Two varieties of Borden Essentials are distributed nationally:
• 2% Singles – 16 individually wrapped slices in a 10 2/3-ounce package
• Mozzarella string cheese – 12 individually wrapped sticks, low-fat part-skim, in a 10-ounce package

Candidates Sought for N.D. Dairy Princess

News EditorDairy Checkoff, Education

The Midwest Dairy Association – North Dakota Division is seeking candidates to participate in this year’s Dairy Princess contest scheduled for July 23, 2008 in Minot during the North Dakota State Fair. The entry deadline is June 27, 2008.

The North Dakota State Dairy Princess serves as an ambassador for the state’s dairy industry, helping the dairy checkoff program to communicate with consumers about wholesome and nutritious dairy products and the responsible stewardship employed by dairy farmers with their land and animals.

Candidates must be 17 to 23 years old, a high school graduate, unmarried and have parents or guardians who are actively engaged in the production of milk for sale to a licensed plant. A candidate also qualifies if she, her parent or guardian is employed on a dairy farm. Candidates are judged on their communication skills, personality, general knowledge of the dairy industry and enthusiasm for dairy promotion.

The 2008 North Dakota Dairy Princess receives a $400 scholarship and the first runner-up receives a $200 scholarship. One contestant, regardless of the contest results, will also be awarded a $500 scholarship from the Midwest Dairy Association North Dakota Division.

White Gold Launches Website

News EditorEducation, Government, Industry News, Media, Milk

whitegoldOur favorite new rock band, White Gold, has launched its own website. The group, which includes the fabulous Calcium Twins is also appearing in several new T.V. spots. Check out the site to see the new ads, or visit the group’s MySpace page, or watch their video on YouTube.

30-second TV spots touting the health benefits of drinking milk: strong, shiny hair, nails and teeth as well as a beautifully toned physique. The ads, coupled with the band’s new interactive Web site, show music lovers, especially teenagers, how cool and beneficial drinking milk can be.

“White Gold’s TV spots and the new Web site are engaging and quirky with humor that we believe young people will relate to,” says Steve James, executive director of the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), the advertiser responsible for GOT MILK? and for signing White Gold as the face behind its new ad campaign.

“As sodas and energy drinks become more and more popular among teens, we want to show teenagers that milk is cool, if not cooler and healthier than other beverages in the supermarket.”

“The ads will air during programs with high teen audiences,” says James. “‘American Idol’ is a great example and networks like MTV are another. By strategically placing the ads, there is a higher likelihood teenagers would become fans of rock idol White Gold and his milk gospel.

Fad-Free Advice

News EditorEducation, Industry News, Media, Milk

milkpouringCNN.com recently posted the following article with the title “Fad-free advice: Hormones or no, keep drinking milk.” Regardless of the consumer’s choice, the key take-away is that they continue to consume milk and dairy products, so overall, this is a positive article for the industry.

When Wal-Mart announced last week that its private label milk would be produced exclusively from cows that had been given no artificial growth hormones, it sparked nationwide concern about how milk is produced and how its production may affect your health.

Milk is a key source of calcium, a mineral that’s critical for helping prevent osteoporosis and keeping teeth strong.

While scientific studies have proven inconclusive, it’s important to focus on what we do know. Milk has nutrients that are essential to your health, so whatever you do, don’t stop drinking it. Here’s why:

1. You probably aren’t getting enough

On average, American adults consume only half of the three daily servings of milk recommended by the Food Pyramid. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, only 10 percent of women consume the three recommended servings.

2. Strong bones…and more

Milk is a top dietary source of calcium, a mineral that’s critical for helping prevent osteoporosis and keeping teeth strong. Calcium and other nutrients in dairy also help keep your blood pressure stable, have been linked to lowered levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, reduced risk of certain cancers, and even weight loss. For more on what calcium can do for you, read our full story.

3. You need calcium all day

Your body can absorb only about 500 milligrams of calcium at a time. That’s why it’s best to obtain calcium from a variety of foods all day long. Milk and dairy products, such as yogurt or cheese, make it easy to get small portions throughout the day. (You can also obtain some calcium from non-dairy sources. )

4. All milk is fortified with vitamins

Fortified milk is one of only a few dietary sources of vitamin D, a nutrient that helps your body better absorb calcium and one of the nutrients that women need most. A cup of milk contains 100 International Units (IU) of vitamin D half the amount currently recommended for adults under age 50 and a quarter of the amount needed for those age 51 to 70. Milk is also fortified with vitamin A, a key nutrient for vision and a healthy immune system.

What you should do:

If you’re under at 50, you need 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium daily. Those over 50 need 1,200 mg. Meeting this amount is easy. Consume three of the following (each contains 300 milligrams of calcium a third of your daily requirement):

• One cup of milk

• A cup of yogurt

• One-and-a-half ounces of cheese (about six playing dice)

• Your choice from our list of Top 12 calcium-rich foods .

Issues a Call for Judges

News EditorButter, Cheese, Competition, Ice Cream, Industry News, Milk, Products, World Dairy Expo, Yogurt

WiscDairyProductsLogoThe Wisconsin Dairy Products Association (WDPA) is looking for a few good judges for their annual World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest. The contest, held in conjunction with the World Dairy Expo, is in its sixth year. Do you have what it takes to be a judge? Then be sure to get your resume to the WDPA by May 23, 2008!

This year’s contest will have 55 different categories, encompassing a wide range of dairy products that include, cheese, butter, milk, ice cream, yogurt, whey, cottage cheese, sour cream, whipping cream and more.

WDPA is issuing a “call for judges” for the championship dairy product contest. WDPA is seeking judges for these products:
Cheese and Butter – 10 judges needed
Yogurt – 2 judges
Ice Cream and Sherbet – 2 judges
Whey Products – 2 judges
Cottage Cheese, Sour Cream and Sour Cream Dips – 2 judges
Fluid Milk and Cultured Buttermilk – 2 judges

Interested parties should send their resumes to Wisconsin Dairy Products Assn, 8383 Greenway Blvd, Middleton, WI 53562.

Pa. Plant to Close

News EditorDairy Business, Ice Cream, Industry News

The Fairmont Products dairy plant in Belleville, Pa. will be closing it’s doors in October, causing 80 people to lose their jobs. The plant is owned by Dean Foods Co. and produces mostly cottage cheese and ice cream.

The plants closure will also affect local dairy farmers who supply milk to the plant. The company is owned by Dallas-based Dean Foods Co.

Dean Foods is a leading food and beverage company and the largest processor and distributor of milk and other dairy products in the country. The company sells products such as International Delight coffee creamers, Land O’Lakes creamers and other liquid dairy products.

New Milk is an Einstein

News EditorDairy Business, Industry News, Milk

disneymilkStremicks Heritage Foods, based in California, is partnering with Disney Consumer Products to launch a new milk beverage line based on one of its popular animated TV series, “Little Einsteins.”

Disney Little Einsteins Milk is made with 32mg of omega-3 DHA per serving to support brain and eye development and heart health. It is the first Disney-branded refrigerated dairy beverage to launch since Disney announced its food guidelines in 2006.

“Disney has a long-term commitment to the health of kids around the world through its new food guidelines, which require the Disney name and its characters to be associated with kid-focused products that limit calories, fat, saturated fat and sugar,” said Lance Gatewood, vice president of food, health & beauty for Disney Consumer Products North America, in a statement. “Developing this product line with industry leaders such as Stremicks Heritage Foods brings us one step closer in delivering on this commitment.”

Characters from the TV show are featured on the packaging. The beverage is available in a 64-ounce package in low fat 1% and reduced fat 2%.

“Little Einsteins” is an educational preschool series that airs on Playhouse Disney. The animated show is designed to teach young children art and music appreciation.

Dairyline Markets In Review

Chuck ZimmermanDairyline, Markets

DairylineDairy Markets Week in Review
The cash cheese market saw more strength this week. Butter saw its first decline since March 25th, but recovered. The blocks closed Friday at $1.9050 per pound, up 7 cents on the week, and 42 1/4-cents above a year ago. Barrel closed at $1.84, up 9 cents on the week, and 35 1/2 above a year ago. 17 cars of barrel traded hands on the week and no block. The U.S. NASS-average block price hit $1.7963, up 0.3 cent. Barrel averaged $1.7789, down 1.1 cent.

Butter closed at $1.3925, up a quarter-cent on the week and a quarter-cent above a year ago. Only two cars were sold on the week. NASS butter averaged $1.3452, up 0.6 cent. Nonfat dry milk averaged $1.2418, down 0.8 cent, and dry whey averaged 24.98 cents, down 0.6 cent.

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.

Wis. Dairy Labels Milk 'Humanely Produced'

News EditorDairy Business, Industry News, Milk

A Wisconsin based dairy, Red Barn Farms, is marketing a new milk with the term “humanely produced” on the label. The milk will be sold at the Sendik’s Food Markets in near Milwaukee, Wis. The price for this specially labeled milk is expected to be more than conventional milk but less than organic milk.

The milk from Appleton-based Red Barn Family Farms provides another choice for consumers concerned about animal care as well as milk quality, said Terry Homan, a veterinarian and founder of the firm.

“We truly believe that if the stable, or barn, itself produces a comfortable life and if cows are treated as a mother should be treated, the results will be obvious,” the firm states on its Web site.

Scott Rankin, a University of Wisconsin-Madison associate professor of food science, said some consumers may find the “humanely produced” label important. But there’s a danger that some could infer that milk that does not carry such a label comes from farmers who treat their animals poorly, he said.

“We don’t want people to get confused and think it means those cows (without the label) are not humanely cared for,” added Shelly Mayer, executive director for the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin.

Red Barn’s milk comes from three small, family farms in the Seymour area, said Homan, who has a veterinary practice there. More farms may be added later, he said. The American Humane Association, a national animal-welfare organization, has certified the farms’ milk as humanely produced, validating the farmers’ efforts, Homan said.

“The purpose is not to criticize anyone,” he said.

Tim Amlaw, manager of the American Humane Association certification program, said nearly 200 dairy farms around the country have received certification from his group. Numbers have been increasing in part because of hypersensitivity created by reports about “downer” cattle too sick or injured to stand being slaughtered and sold in California.