Select Sires Sexed Semen Lab Up and Running

Andy VanceDairy Business, Genetics, Industry News, Production

The concept of improving your heifer ratio during calving season is extremely exciting – imagine if all your first-calf heifers dropped heifers… the profitability of that string would be much more enticing. Furthering that goal, Select Sires has joined with Sexing Technologies of Navasota, Texas to begin operations of a semen sexing lab at Select’s headquarters in Plain City, Ohio. The fruit of this partnership will be increased offerings of proven sires in the gender SELECTed lineup.

The patented sorting technology used at the lab has consistently provided semen resulting in 90% purity in producing heifers. The biggest drawback is reduced conception rates: typically sexed semen will produce conception rates 75% lower than conventional semen. This conception rate is why the product is recommended only for use in virgin heifers, and why strict details of semen handling and insemination are critical to profitability. On-going research is focused on improving the conception rate, as well as determining the viability of using the product with lactating cows as well as heifers.

No Need to "Wine" About Cheese Prices…

Andy VanceCheese, Dairy Checkoff, Dairy Group, Education, Promotion

… at least, the California Milk Advisory Board doesn’t think so. In fact, they’re banking on the wine industry in the state to help drum up increased demand for California cheeses. CMAB has developed a retail partnership with Mirassou Wines for a national co-promotion to encourage consumers to sample both products.

Focusing on the classical pairings of wine and cheese, the promotional literature offers suggestions for which varieties will bring out the best in a given match-up. Coupons and mail-in rebates are also included as part of the promotion; both the tips sheet and the coupon will be available around the neck of Mirassou’s wines from nearly 250 national distributors through September’s end.

The idea is that the suggested pairings of specific California cheeses and Mirassou wines right on the bottle will encourage on-the-spot purchases. California is the second largest cheese producer in the country, featuring over 50 cheesemakers and over 250 varieties and styles.

New Rural Develpment Chief in New Mexico

Andy VanceDairy Business, Government

As you know, New Mexico is the fastest growing dairy state in the country, so the job of heading USDA’s rural development efforts in the state will focus on communities with strong ties to our industry and operations.

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced today that he is appointing Ryan Gleason as State Director for USDA Rural Development in the state. The Secretary commented on Gleason’s track record as a public servant and leader, most recently as research/data manager for the Rio Rancho Economic Development Coporation, and formerly as legislative analyst for the New Mexico House of Representatives. He has also served as a legislative assistant for Senator Pete Domenici, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee.

Rural Development touts its success in delivering programs to support increasing economic opportunity and quality of life in rural communities, noting that during the Bush Administration, over $63 billion has been invested, resulting in 1.1 million jobs.

USDA Report Shows Decline In Producer Income

Chuck ZimmermanGovernment

Here’s a summary of the USDA 2005 Milk Production, Disposition and Income report. The main number that jumps out is the lower cash receipts. Which of course relates to producer income. You can find the full report here. (pdf file)

Milk production increased 3.5 percent in 2005 to 177 billion pounds. The rate per cow, at 19,576 pounds, was 609 pounds above 2004. The annual average number of milk cows on farms was 9.04 million head, up 29,000 head from 2004.

Cash receipts from marketings of milk during 2005 totaled $26.7 billion, 2.4 percent lower than 2004. Producer returns averaged $15.20 per hundredweight, 5.8 percent below 2004. Marketings totaled 176 billion pounds, 3.6 percent above 2004. Marketings include whole milk sold to plants and dealers and milk sold directly to consumers.

An estimated 1.08 billion pounds of milk were used on farms where produced, 2.4 percent less than 2004. Calves were fed 87 percent of this milk, with the remainder consumed in producer households.

Dairyline Markets In Review

Chuck ZimmermanDairyline, Markets

DairylineDairy Markets Week in Review

Cash block cheese ended the first week of May still at $1.16 per pound, unchanged on the week, but 28 1/2-cents below a year ago. Barrel closed Friday at $1.1250, down three-quarters of a cent on the week, and 24 cents below a year ago. Four cars of block traded hands and two of barrel. The NASS U.S. average block price hit $1.1599, up 1.2 cents. Barrel averaged $1.1351, down 0.2 cents.

Butter closed at $1.1750, down a half-cent on the week, and 18 1/2-cents below a year ago. Only two cars sold. NASS butter averaged $1.1499, up 1.1 cents.

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.

UW-Madison's Dairy Club Presents Award To Accelerated Genetics

Chuck ZimmermanAccelerated Genetics, Agribusiness

Bob Holterman Receives AwardOur sponsor, Accelerated Genetics received a nice award recently.

Bob Holterman, Vice President of Marketing from Accelerated Genetics, was honored to attend UW-Madison’s Badger Dairy Club Annual Banquet on April 21st, to accept the “Guest of Honor” award given to Accelerated Genetics. This award is given to an individual or company within the agriculture industry that has helped, supported and guided the Badger Dairy Club throughout the year. Pictured with Bob Holterman, is the 2005-06 BDC Secretary, Haley Mell.

Halloween Official Drink is Chocolate Milk

Chuck ZimmermanDairy Group, Milk, Promotion

IDFA Holloween Retail IncentiveWhat would be better to wash down a couple pounds of chocolates and other assorted candies than a cold glass of chocolate milk? Nothing.

The MilkPEP people have decided that chocolate milk is the official drink of Halloween. Good idea. It needed something wholesome and nutritious.

The month-long promotion in October encourages consumers to buy this healthy treat and offers retailers a chance to boost their sales during this fun and popular holiday. Each mass merchandiser, convenience store, drug store and supermarket that registers for the promotion will receive a point-of-sale kit that includes a banner, wobblers and static clings. In addition, stores will receive prizes for featuring flavored milk in their advertising during October. Retailers can pick either a larger quantity of lower value prizes or a smaller quantity of higher value prizes. Prizes, which include DVD systems, MP3 players and CD players, can be used for in-store giveaways, employee incentives or any other way the retailer chooses. Early prize shipping is available for qualified stores.

The sign-up deadline is July 24. Processors and American Dairy Association Key Account representatives can find sell sheets, order forms and account lists in the Halloween section of www.milkpep.org or by calling the milk hotline at 1-800-945-MILK (6455).

CWT Export Assistance Bids

Chuck ZimmermanDairy Group, Export

Cooperatives Working TogetherHere’s the latest from Cooperatives Working Together:

  • Cooperatives Working Together announced Thursday that it has accepted three export assistance bids, two for whole milk powder, and a third for cheese. The first two bids for whole milk powder, from Humboldt Creamery of Fortuna, CA, are to facilitate the export of 150 metric tons (330,000 pounds) to Turkey, and another 16 metric tons (35,200 lbs.) to El Salvador. This is the first time CWT has exported product to El Salvador. The second bid, from Dairy Farmers of America of Kansas City, MO, is to export 1.2 metric tons (2,640 lbs.) of individually-packaged Cheddar cheese to Panama.
  • Cooperatives Working Together announced Tuesday that it has accepted three export assistance bids for Mozzarella cheese. The first two are from Dairy Farmers of America of Kansas City, MO, for a 36 metric ton (79,200 pounds) export to Taiwan, and a 19 metric ton (41,800 lbs.) export to South Korea. The third bid accepted was from Land O’ Lakes of Arden Hills, MN, for a 20 metric ton (44,000 lbs.) export to Mexico. CWT will pay an export bonus to each of the bidders, once completion of the cheese shipments is verified.