Four California milk marketing cooperatives have signed an agreement to work together to market their milk and dairy products in the state. The announcement came from California Dairies Inc. in Visalia, Calif. The formation of the Western Milk Cooperatives Agency July 16 will allow its members to exchange production, marketing and statistical information. The four cooperative members are: California Dairies … Read More
NMPF Strategic Planning Task Force Probes Milk Pricing Proposals
The National Milk Producers Federation’s Strategic Planning Task Force met Monday in Chicago to further analyze several proposals intended to offer long-term solutions to the twin issues of low milk prices and extreme price volatility. The group concluded that more information is needed regarding the ramifications of dairy imports and exports on the efficacy of a mandatory supply management proposal … Read More
Final USDA Rule Ensures Milk Available in Schools
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published a final rule reaffirming that milk may be sold anytime, anywhere in all schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. The rule bans any school policies or procedures that attempt to restrict the sale or marketing of fluid milk in a la carte lines, vending machines and concession stands at school-sponsored events. … Read More
Accelerated Genetics Offers Spanish Version of Website
Accelerated Genetics is excited to announce a multilingual addition to it’s website! A full Spanish version of the site is now available. Mirroring the English version of the Accelerated Genetics website, the Spanish version is catered to make it more convenient for Spanish Speakers to find what they are looking for. Spanish speaking employees, dealers, and producers alike will be … Read More
Senate Approves $350 Million for Milk Price Supports
The Senate tonight voted 60 to 37 for an amendment to provide an extra $350 million for milk price supports to increase government purchases of surplus dairy products. Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) cosponsored the measure introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). The extra $350 million would provide farmers, on average, an estimated $1.50 extra per hundredweight, the industry’s standard unit … Read More
New Purebred Dairy Cattle Scorecard Available
The Purebred Dairy Cattle Association has just released its newly revised Dairy Cow Unified Scorecard. The scorecard was first established in 1943 and has had four previous revisions, the latest in 1994. This, the sixth edition, will feature many improvements including increased emphasis on traits and characteristics associated with a longer productive life, anatomical functionality, and industry management trends in … Read More
Fort Dodge Dairy Producer Short Course
You can find a series of Dairy Producer Short Courses from our sponsor, Fort Dodge Animal Health, online. I’m going to feature some summaries of them here for you. In this first one the topic is BRSV (Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus) which Fort Dodge calls the “stealth disease” of dairies. BRSV typically hits young calves hardest. Its microscopic lung lesions … Read More
Pa. Center for Dairy Excellence Offers Finance Experts
The Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence is offering dairy producers ways to plan financial strategies for the next six months from two nationally-known financial advisors – Dr. David Kohl and Gary Sipiorski – during two “Mastering the Dairy Business” conference calls hosted by the Center for Dairy Excellence. Kohl, professor emeritus from Virginia Tech, will lead a call on Wednesday, … Read More
Wisconsin Dairy Business Offers Thoughts on Dairy Situation
The Wisconsin Dairy Business Association (DBA) offers these insights and comments on the current dairy situation. In these difficult economic times, (DBA) says only market-based solutions will solve the problem of low milk prices over the long term. Supply management, milk quota system, high guaranteed minimum prices, government cow buyouts, more MILC, and even a moratorium on large farms have … Read More
Dairy Checkoff Awards Scholarships to Iowa Students
Congrats to the 11 dairy students who received scholarships from the Iowa Division of Midwest Dairy Association! The 2009 Educational Awards program is an annual initiative to assist dairy farm families with college expenses. The organization awarded $7,000 in scholarship money to students in Iowa this year. Scholarship applicants are evaluated on their participation in leadership and academic activities, reference … Read More