Congratulations to Bruce A. McPheron, for being appointed dean of the University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, effective July 1, pending approval of the Board of Trustees on March 20. McPheron will succeed Robert D. Steele, who is stepping down after 12 years to return full-time to the college’s faculty as a professor in the Department of Food Science. McPheron currently … Read More
Producer Can Learn How to Tell Their Story
Midwest Dairy Association is offering a free workshop for dairy producers leading up to the opening reception of the 2009 Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls on March 31 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. The workshop, called Telling Your Story: Why Your Image and Actions Have Impact, will give producers a chance receive training and resources to help … Read More
I’m no chemist, but I sure like dairy!
A semester into my first year of college, I decided that I needed a part-time job, so I applied for a lab assistant job at Dairy Microbiology. I was pretty excited about the job as it paid well, and I was fascinated by the dairy industry. Plus, I got to take home free milk, cheese and ice cream samples home … Read More
WMMB Announces Candidates
The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced the nominees for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) Board of Directors 2009 election. To vote, DATCP will distribute mail-in ballots in mid-April to dairy producers who live within the eight districts. Elections will be held through April 25, 2009, with results announced later in May. District 2 – Florence, … Read More
A Q&A with Secretary Vilsack
New U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently conducted a Q&A session with the newspaper, USA TODAY. Take a minute to read through the interview and get to know Vilsack’s views better. Excerpts from the interview have been edited for content and clarity. Q: Can you assess the farm economy? Prices for corn, wheat, dairy and other products have dropped in … Read More
Assessing Spring Alfalfa Stands
Now is the time to start assessing the yield potential for alfalfa stands – looking for potential winterkill concerns. There are several factors that affect winter injury, such as stand age, variety, soil conditions, such as pH fertility and fall moisture, timing of the last cut and cutting interval. In some parts of the country, snow cover is also a … Read More
Hamburg New Commissioner at FDA
Last week, President Obama also officially announced several appointments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Former New York City health chief Margaret A. Hamburg is the new FDA commissioner. Baltimore Health Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein will be Hamburg’s deputy. Obama also said he is forming a Food Safety Working Group to “upgrade our food safety laws for the 21st century.” … Read More
Obama Speaks Out on Nonambulatory Cows
In his weekly address to the nation, President Obama promised to amend federal meat inspection rules to require a total ban on the slaughter of cattle that become nonambulatory after passing initial inspection. The final rule would require all cattle that are nonambulatory disabled (”downer”) cattle at any time prior to slaughter at an official establishment, including those that become … Read More
Dairyline Markets In Review
Dairy Markets Week in Review Cash cheese prices continued to recover the second week of March. The 40-pound block price ended the week at $1.25 per pound, up 5 cents, but still 56 cents below that week a year ago. The 500-pound barrels closed Friday at $1.3175, up 9 3/4-cents on the week, but 42 1/4-cents below a year ago, … Read More
Midwest Dairy Names Six to Scientific Council
Midwest Dairy Association has named six leading dairy authorities to its Scientific Advisory Council. The members include: John Fetrow, V.M.D., M.B.A., professor, Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota; Mike Hutjens, Ph.D., extension dairy specialist, Animal Sciences Department, University of Illinois; Ronald Kensinger, Ph.D., department head, professor, Department of Animal Sciences, Oklahoma State University; Lloyd Metzger, Ph.D., … Read More