The Raw Milk Debate Continues

Andy VanceDairy Group, Government, Markets, Milk, Nutrition

Ohio has become Ground Zero for the Raw Milk debate. It is, to put it mildly, a passionate debate, with folks on either side clinging valiantly to their beliefs. We’ve been tracking a bill in the Ohio legislature that would change our state’s position on Raw Milk from one of prohibiting sales of Raw Milk to one where the trade of Raw Milk is perfectly legal in a given set of regulatory circumstances.

We spoke after last week’s House Ag Committee hearing on the bill with one proponent, Warren Byle of Citizens Against Milk Prohibition, as well as one supporter of the current regulatory situation, Tim Demland of Ohio Dairy Producers. The two gentleman are well spoken, and presented cogent arguments for their positions. I’ll keep you updated as to the bill’s progress – it is currently stalled in the committee, with more hearings to follow.

Listen to Tim Demland, Director of Producer Services for the Ohio Dairy Producers, defend the current regulations against selling raw milk: Tim Demland Interview (5:59 mp3)

Listen to Warren Byle, Director of Citizens Against Milk Prohibition, defend the nutritive values of raw milk, and the rights of producers to sell it to consumers: Warren Byle Interview (8:15 mp3)

Dairyline Markets In Review

Chuck ZimmermanDairyline, Markets

DairylineDairy Markets Week in Review

Cash block cheese closed the fourth week of May at $1.2250 per pound, up 2 1/2 cents on the week, but 23 1/2 cents below a year ago. Barrel closed at $1.19, unchanged on the week, but 22 1/2 cents below a year ago. 5 cars of block traded hands and none of barrel. The NASS-surveyed U.S. average price for block cheese hit $1.1550, up 0.5 cent. Barrel averaged $1.1512, up 1.4 cents.

Butter closed Friday at $1.1775 per pound, unchanged on the week, but 23 1/4 cents below a year ago. 8 cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.1648, down 0.6 cent.

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.

A New Way to Eliminate BVD?

Andy VanceAudio, Government, Production, Research

USDA’s Ag Research Service is working to combat major diseases in the dairy industry. One of the most challenging has been Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD). The disease has typically been battled by vaccinations, but as we learn from Julia Ridpath, a microbioligist with ARS, this strategy isn’t as effective as it could be due to persistently infected animals. Past-President of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Joe Cornely has the details here: Julia Ridpath on BVD (2:59 mp3)

Congress Freezes Funding on Animal ID

Andy VanceAnimal ID, Government, Production

Amid debate over illegal immigration and spending priorities, Congress has put the brakes on further Animal Identification funding to USDA, at least until they have more information on which to resume funding.

This week the $33 million intended to fund the next steps of USDA’s national animal identification program was frozen in negotiations on the Agriculture Appropriations bill. That package of $93.6 billion was debated this week among many contentious agricultural issues. One attempt to scuttle the program entirely was easily defeated, but the House withheld funding for ID until the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service outlines its strategy in a proposed rule that would delineate the program’s parameters. That rulemaking process would include a public comment period, after which Congress will decide how to resume the program monetarily speaking.

Harvestore Adds Nutritionist

Andy VanceDairy Business, Nutrition, Production

Harvestore is striving once again to become the heart of dairy nutrition systems. To that end, the producer of those iconic blue silos has added a long-time dairy nutritionist to its staff. Greg Anderson, M.S. has been named Consulting Nutritionist, serving both Harvestore customers, and Harvestore researchers.

Anderson, a 24 year nutritionist, owns and operates his own private nutrition practice in Monroe, Wisconsin, where he serves clients across Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Anderson will assist Harvestore owners in developing forage-based dairy herd rations. He will also work with company sponsored researchers on forage quality improvement, as well as with company engineers on quality improvements to those towering blue silos.

Need Dairy Photos? Get Mooving….

Andy VanceAgribusiness, Media

MoovingImages.com of Madison, WI has launched its redesigned website. The site now features online ordering, hundreds of high-resolution downloadable images, and advanced search capabilitiles. Expanded photo selections are also key, with new photos being added daily. In the near future, the site will also feature images from guest consignors. For folks interested in dairy, the catalog hosts nearly 550 dairy cow shots, 179 “dairy specific” photos, and dozens of farm scene shots.

New Mastitis Protection

Chuck ZimmermanGovernment, Research

GEMHere’s a technical story that I’m going to depend on the release writer from the Agricultural Research Service to explain in their words.

In ARS lab studies, a new two-in-one recombinant protein was developed, which kills several bacteria known to cause mastitis in dairy cows. Last year ARS reported success by a different research team in producing transgenic cows (including “GEM,” pictured) that were protected against a single major cause of mastitis, the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus.

An Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-led team has combined specific DNA segments from two different sources to produce a novel antimicrobial protein. The resulting “fusion” antimicrobial protein degrades the cell walls of several bacterial pathogens in a solution of whey extracted from cow’s milk. Read More

NMPF CEO's Corner

Chuck ZimmermanDairy Group

Jerry KozakThe President/CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation is Jerry Kozak. He is publishing a “CEO’s Corner” on their website. Great idea and I wish more CEO’s did this kind of thing. This isn’t quite blogging but is sort of like it. Why not tell people directly what’s on your mind as the organizational leader.

In his latest post Jerry specifically mentions a couple of different topics and what NMPF is trying to accomplish. Here’s a couple of excerpts:

Recognizing that dilemma, National Milk’s Economic Policy Committee decided earlier this year to support efforts to increase the make allowance that farmer-owned co-op processors (as well as proprietary processors) are permitted under the Federal Milk Marketing Order system. . . . This is a difficult issue for NMPF, coming at a time when milk prices are already suffering. . . . We call on everybody to rally around NMPF’s position and put aside individual interests. This compromise is best for the entire industry.

Fastest Rookie Drinks Milk

Chuck ZimmermanDairy Group, Promotion

Marco AndrettiI won’t be in Indianapolis until tomorrow evening. You can see my Indy 500 coverage on sister websites, AgWired and Domestic Fuel. Today though the fastest rookie was honored by the American Dairy Association of Indiana. He’s Marco Andretti and he’s winner number 32.

In accepting the honor, Marco will join his father, 1984 Fastest Rookie Michael Andretti, to form the first father-son duo in the award’s history. In fact, had the program been around in 1965, the Andretti family would be celebrating a three-generation sweep. Marco’s grandfather, the great Mario Andretti, was the fastest rookie qualifier in 1965, his freshman year at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Accelerated Genetics May Proofs

Chuck ZimmermanAccelerated Genetics, Genetics

Accelerated GeneticsThe Accelerated Genetics May Proofs are updated and they are very happy with the results. You can find information on each sire on their website.

The headliners just keep coming. Accelerated Genetics had another exceptional sire run in May. The PACE program continues to deliver top graduates in all breeds. A total of eight new PACE graduates were added to the already powerful lineup. In addition, three new exciting bulls were added to the lineup from two of our alliance partners—Semenzoo in Italy and SRV in Germany. Click here for more news.