AFBF Pushing for Ag Exclusion in Air Standards

Andy VanceAgribusiness, Government, Membership, Production

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to exclude agriculture from new air quality standards governing coarse dust particles. The Agency is revising national air quality standards for both coarse and fine dust particles, and the American Farm Bureau Federation is strongly encouraging adoption of the ag exclusion.

Submitting comments on the proposed rule, AFBF cited the lack of scientific justification for the standards, calling the regulations overly burdensome for farmers and ranchers. In the comments, AFBF also noted that the final EPA rule must be written well enough to stand potential legal challenges once implemented. Also included in EPA’s proposal are mining and windblown dust particles, which EPA contentds have no need to control in terms of human health benefit.

EPA will issue final standards and regulations on particulate matter emissions by September 27th.

Chinese Dairy Demand Grows – And Buffalo May Pick Up the Slack

Andy VanceCheese, Dairy Business, Export, International, Milk, Production

As we reported earlier, Chinese demand for milk and dairy products in skyrocketing. One of the largest growth dectors in cheese consumption. To help meet the expanded need for dairy products, the dairy industry may turn to an unusual producer of milk: buffalo!

China is home to 22.76 million buffalo – not Bison like we have in America – that collectively produce 2.65 million tons of milk annually, according to experts attending the Asian Buffalo Congress in China. Proponents of the buffalo milk contend that it contains more fat and protein than typical bovine fluid, thereby providing an ideal raw material for cheese production.

This isn’t unheard of, however; Italian cheese makers have relied on buffalo for their world famous mozzerella for centuries. China, currently a net importer of cheese, hopes to take a cue from these foremen of frommage to rectify their trade imbalance, perhaps becoming a cheese exporter should they harness the full potential of the buffalo herd.

USDA's Latest Edition of Healthy Animals Out Now

Andy VanceDairy Business, Education, Government, Production

USDA produces a newsletter called Healthy Animals, and the latest edition is out now. This quarterly online newsletter compiles ARS news and expert resources on the health and well-being of agricultural animals.Each quarter, one article in Healthy Animals focuses on a particular element of ARS animal research. The current issue examines the development of a U.S. Veterinary Immune Reagent Network that could improve the characterization and treatment of many animal diseases.

Other research highlighted in this issue includes:

  • A new technique for mobilizing cattle’s immune system response to mastitis.
  • Dangerous bacteria that can develop in protozoa within animals’ digestive tracts.
  • A database that will help predict forage growth.
  • An improved vaccinator to more efficiently protect poultry from major diseases.

Chinese Milk Production Skyrocketing

Andy VanceCompetition, Export, Government, International, Milk

Not that milk production isn’t growing by leaps and bounds both here in the US and, as you’ll recall from a few days ago, Japan. Milk output in China is expected to double in the next 15 years, exceeding 50 million tons by 2020. The Dairy Association of China reports that demand will increase considerably as well, as per capita consumption is expected to more than double, from 18kg last year to 40kg in 2020. The current per capita consumption is only 1/5th the global average (and about 1/20th of this blogger’s rate).

The Dairy Association of China estimates that by 2020, China will rank third in global milk output. While President Hu and President Bush didn’t discuss dairy policy during the visit between the two global leaders in Washington this week, the Chinese policy is to restructure the nation’s agricultural economy, and developing the dairy industry is considered a key priority in that effort.

You Normally Pour Milk Over Your Cereal…

Andy VanceCompetition, Dairy Business, Milk, Nutrition, Promotion

and not the other way around. That’s about to change. Bravo Foods International has inked a deal with brand-name giant General Mills to market a line of flavored milks inspired by General Mills popular cereals. You got it folks, now instead of pouring milk over your Cocoa Puffs, Trix, and Wheaties, you’ll be able to slam back a pint of milk flavored as the cereal. The five-year deal gives Bravo the rights to produce and sell the line with the three aforementioned flavors, with rights to expand the lineup to include Lucky Charms, Count Chocula, Booberry and Frankenberry cereals as well. Bravo also has rights to use any of the characters associated with each brand.

Shooting for a back-to-school campaign launch, Bravo is attempting to earn more of the youth market away from soft-drinks that, parents and educators are concerned, may be causing obesity and dietary issues. Bravo already has a line of flavored milk products ranging from Starburst fruit chews to Snickers candy bars.

Made with 1% milk containing added vitamins, the General Mills line may not be that much healthier than soda. The current flavored milk line, for example, contains upwards of 140-200 calories and as much as 29 grams of sugar per cup. Coca-cola, on the other hand, contains 97 calories and 27 grams of sugar. The vitamins in this case are where the advantage goes to the Bravo product.

I did taste Rootbeer flavored milk for the first time earlier this month… fascinating business.

Do You Know If Your Workers Are Really Legal?

Andy VanceDairy Business, Government, Production

If not, you’d better find out sooner rather than later… otherwise, Uncle Sam may be hauling you off to the federal pen. This week, in a massive raid, federal agents arrested not only 1,100 illegals from a nationwide factory chain, but more importantly, arrested seven current and former managers of the company that employed the illegals. These men are faced with up to 10 years in prision and a $250,000 fine for each alien involved if convicted of the charges.

In announcing the raid, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff promised to “come down as hard as possible” on violators of our immigration laws. As for the aliens themselves, most of the 1,187 are being processed for deportation according to DHS officials. Also recently, the Department has had several other successful crackdown operations: nine Baltimore restaurant operators pleaded guilty on a variety of immigration laws; nine managers of two temp agencies in New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania were charged in a $5.3 million illegal alien scheme; and the Department is working to expand its influence. Congress is pondering appropriations for additional agents to conduct these investigations. There are currently 325 – with additional funding, that number could rise to 525 by year’s end.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a branch of DHS, also unvelied today a comprehensive immigration enforcement strategy for the nation’s interior. The strategy is the second phase of the President’s Secure Borders Initiative, and focuses on three goals, including identifying and removing illegal aliens from the country, enforcing employment laws and worksite compliance, and uprooting the criminal infrastructure smuggling and trafficing illegals into the country. One of the most prominent strategies outlined is punishment of employers who knowingly harbor illegal aliens.

Just for kicks, I Googled “dairy illegal immigrant” – I think you’ll be shocked at the number of stories and sites that reference the number of illegals working on our dairies. Interesting reading, to be sure.

Kids and Calcium Supplements – Not Necessary

Andy VanceEducation, Milk, Nutrition

The supplements, I mean… not necessary for the kids, that is! New research indicates that calcium supplements may not be providing the advertised benefits to the youngsters after all. The study, released by the Cochrane Library, alleges that supplementing children’s diets with calcium tablets has little benefit for bone health. The study did reaffirm the importance of getting the recommended amounts of calcium rich foods in young one’s diet, as well as the necessity of children with medical condidtions affecting their bones and teeth to get additonal calcium intake.

The Library also released information that suggests there is no demonstrable link between oral calcium supplements and lowering adult hypertension.

Japan Dumping Excess Milk?

Andy VanceCompetition, Export, International, Milk, Production

Japanese dairies have plenty of milk apparently. Milk consumption is in a freefall in the Land of the Rising Sun, while production has skyrocketed. With limited success in marketing efforts to increase consumption, the Japanese government is working to dispense excess milk as foreign aid.

In March, the Hokkaido Union of Agricultural Associations disposed of 1,000 tons of raw milk. Hokkaido, the northernmost island, is the heart of Japan’s milk producing region, and home to nearly 8,000 dairies. The excess in production is due partly to increase of milk per cow, but also to Japanese consumer concerns about what is described as “over-nutrition.” As sales of softdrinks grow, annual milk consumption has decreased three percent in each of the last two years.

Zapping the Stink out of Manure

Andy VanceDairy Business, Production

A Vermont businessman has engineered a device that will deodorize your cows’ slurry before you spread it. Two units are already in use, one by the local electric co-op and the other by the University of Vermont. ElectroCell Technologies is marketing a portable device that processes manure through a large tube charged with electrical current. The current explodes the cell walls of bacteria feeding on the manure’s phosphorous and nitrogen, which in turn neutralizes the odor. These bacteria, you see, feed on those nutrients, and they cause the offending scents. By removing the bacteria from the equation, farmers are left with an equally-valuable nutrient source with no air emission, so to speak.

While this news in and of itself is exciting to most, the good news continues. According to researchers at the University, the treated manure appears to be absorbed more efficiently by the plants in the field. Apparently the presence of the bacteria affects nutrient uptake, and their elimination may prove more useful than simple public relations. Research continues at UVM on that front.

As you can imagine, this process isn’t cheap. The basic technology runs $75,000 per unit, but the kicker may be the utility bill. An average manure pit will run $1,000 in electricity per treatment, and many farms will have to spend additional funds to upgrade their electric service before they’ll even be able to use the equipment. Nonetheless, if it works as well as advertised, it may be well worth the money.

The Organic Cow Cares

Andy VanceDairy Business, Industry News, Milk, Promotion

The Organic Cow, a New England certified organic milk brand, is recognizing individuals who make “earth awareness a top priority in their lives” and who do “things to protect the environment and prmote a healthier New England.” This recognition program is called The Organic Cow Cares, and is aimed at teachers, classrooms, schools, parents, and members of the community at large. Nominees explain in a 500 word essay how they promote organic principles in the community.

What, you may ask, are the specific organic principles the nominees are supposed to promote? Simple: environmental stewardship, promoting the “health benefits” of organic food, animal welfare, and natural resource conservation. The first place entry will receive $1200, and runners’-up will earn $800 and $500 respectively.

The Organic Cow is a Vermont-based brand processing milk from 200 Northeastern Organic farms.