Cooperatives Working Together (CWT)’s field auditors have begun visiting the 388 farms that have been tentatively accepted in the program’s seventh herd retirement, as they initiate the process this week of removing nearly 103,000 cows that produced two billion pounds of milk last year. CWT officials released more detailed information about the size and scope of the self-help program’s largest-ever … Read More
USDA Announces Assesment to Imported Dairy Products
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) hailed the announcement today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that it will finally apply the dairy promotion checkoff to imported dairy products, 25 years after the national 15 cent checkoff was first applied to U.S.‐produced milk. On Monday, the USDA published a proposed rule spelling out how it will calculate and assess the … Read More
Farm Photography Contest
Our fellow blogger, Amanda Nolz, has announced a fun, new contest for this summer. Break out your cameras and get clicking, the first contest is a photography competition, and Amanda is looking for your best farm photos! And be sure to check back at BEEF Daily, Amanda will be announcing a new contest every few weeks. Champion and Reserve photos … Read More
Nominations Sought for National Dairy Promotion Board
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations from dairy producers and farm organizations for candidates to serve on the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. Nominations must be submitted by June 5. The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint 12 individuals from those nominated to succeed members whose terms expire Oct. 31, 2009. The secretary will appoint one member per … Read More
Organic Dairy Rules to be Revised
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued draft rules for organic milk that would require that the cows be on pasture at least half the year and get plenty of fresh grass. The proposals are meant to close a loophole that has allowed some huge feedlots to sell their milk as organic, even though their cows rarely grazed on fresh … Read More
Take Virtual Tour to Learn About Heifer Raising
A new beef checkoff-funded virtual tour titled “Dairy Beef from Start to Finish” was recently presented at the Dairy Calf & Heifer (DCHA) annual meeting in Tucson, Ariz. The video features Bart Hanson, DCHA president, on his custom calf and heifer raising operation, Amber Hills Ranch. The tour discusses their operation, the importance of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), record keeping, … Read More
Merrigan Anounces Funding For Organics
Recently, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced $50 Million for a new initiative to meet the Obama Administration’s promise to encourage more organic agriculture production. Funding for the initiative is being made available as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). “Assisting organic producers is a priority of the 2008 Farm Bill as well as for Secretary Vilsack and … Read More
Dairyline Markets In Review
Dairy Markets Week in Review The cash cheese market has a long way to recover. The block price fell to the government support price of $1.13 per pound to start the week on Monday, May 11, but reversed gears and regained some Wednesday, only to give most of it back Thursday. It closed Friday at $1.1325 per pound, down a … Read More
Vilsack Announces School Meal Grant Programs
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced more than $300,000 in grant awards to eight state agencies to conduct administrative reviews of school meals programs. The Administrative Review and Training Grants support states in their efforts to increase operational accuracy in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. “The National School Lunch and Breakfast programs are essential to the well-being of … Read More
Penn State Online
Have you subscribed yet to the Penn State University Youtube channel? The University has some great videos, especially two that feature dairy. Check them out and be sure to suscribe! The Penn State Creamery, From Cow to Cone A Creamery ice cream is a tradition for generations of Penn Stater’s and their guests. But there’s more than meets the eye, … Read More