Monsanto's Chief Technology Officer

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, Audio

Rob Fraley At the Farm Progress Show Monsanto has a huge display showcasing their current and new technology. Although it’s mostly about row crops when I interviewed their Chief Technology Officer, Rob Fraley, he talked about what Monsanto is doing in the dairy area.

One Man’s Treasure

Chuck ZimmermanGeneral

Got milk bottles? Old milk bottles are finding new life again in the hands of collectors. All across the country, people with fond memories of the milkman delivering, are scouring basements, attics and antique shops looking for discarded bottles. Here’s an AP story out of Decatur, Ill. about some hard core bottle collectors. The dairy enthusiast group gathers every three … Read More

Chinese Urged to Increase Milk Consumption

Chuck ZimmermanInternational, Nutrition

This was a surprise to me. The largest population in the world, China, is only consuming one-fifth of the world’s milk. Maybe we should export the “Happy Cow” ads to encourage the Chinese to drink more milk! Here’s the story from the Hindu News Update Service. China’s per capita milk consumption is only 21.7 litres or a fifth of the … Read More

Caffeine or Calcium?

Chuck ZimmermanDairy Group, Nutrition

Growing up, we always had milk at the table during meals. Soda was a special treat. At today’s tables though, it seems soda is replacing the traditional milk, with concerning results. In a recent survey of the New York State Dietetic Association (NYSDA), eighty-three percent of the 674 members cited calcium as the single nutrient most lacking in kids’ diets … Read More

What to Demand from Data

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, Forage Forum, General, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

Experts agree on the basics for believability in corn silage plot data. Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional services for Pioneer Hi-Bred, details credibility thresholds for confidence in that data. He also clarifies the seven most relevant categories of silage corn data, including which ones he believes are most revealing for comparison of genetics. Supported by university studies, Bill … Read More

Western DairyBusiness Names New Managing Editor

Andy VanceMedia

According to the company:

Joel P. Hastings, president of DairyBusiness Communications and publisher of Western DairyBusiness magazine, announces Carolina M. Machado has joined the editorial staff as managing editor of the magazine.

Hoard's to Expand Farm Facilities

Andy VanceDairy Business, Media


I’ve been a big fan of Hoard’s Dairyman since I started writing about the industry, quickly adding a three-year subscription to my list of must-read publications. I’ve also always thought it is perhaps the coolest farm publication in the business because it’s the only one I’m aware of that has its own working farm! The latest word from Hoard’s is that the farm itself is growing:

Drought Aid Announced

Chuck ZimmermanFeed, General, Government

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced $780 million in drought assistance for farmers and ranchers in 20 states. This funding includes a new $50 million program for livestock producers impacted by drought, focusing nearly $30 million in unused conservation funds on drought, and accelerating the delivery of an estimated $700 million in counter-cyclical payments. The new $50 million program for … Read More