After many years of delay, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is poised to finally apply the long-delayed promotion checkoff on dairy imports, a development hailed by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). NMPF first worked with Congress to include a provision in the 2002 Farm Bill to expand the promotion checkoff to imports, but the expansion was blocked due … Read More
Registration Open for International Dairy Show
Save the date for the 2011 International Dairy Show, September 19-21 in Atlanta, Georgia. The International Dairy Show is the ONE show you need to attend. All the stakeholders in the dairy industry — those interested in packaging, processing, ingredients, marketing, sales, plant operations, product development, food safety, sustainability, and technology — will be there to exchange ideas and discover … Read More
Changing Global Standards
Pfizer Milk Quality Focus offers a perspective on the changing global standards for dairy products in this month’s edition. The focus on milk quality is increasing, and greater scrutiny at all levels of the dairy supply chain is being seen. The European Union is taking steps toward tighter restrictions on the somatic cell count of milk coming from U.S. dairies, … Read More
World Dairy Expo Announces 2011 Honorees
When the world’s dairy industry gathers once again in Madison, Wisconsin for the World Dairy Expo this year, another four outstanding individuals be recognized for their contributions to the dairy business. World Dairy Expo’s 2011 Recognition Award Winners include: Dairymen of the Year – Koepke Farms, Inc., Alan, Jim, David and John Koepke, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; Dairy Woman of the Year … Read More
Forgotten Forage Grass Rediscovered
Thanks to a farmer’s report, a USDA grass breeder has rediscovered a long-forgotten forage grass called meadow fescue that seems perfect for intensive rotational grazing. Charles Opitz found the grass growing in the deep shade of a remnant oak savannah on his dairy farm near Mineral Point, Wis. He discovered that his cows loved it and produced more milk when … Read More
DFA Holding Virtual Food Drive
In honor of National Ag Day this week, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) kicked off the DFA Cares Virtual Food Drive to raise awareness for and help address the needs of hungry Americans. The drive, which is organized through the DFA Cares Foundation, will run through the start of June Dairy Month. A starting goal of $5,000 has been established, … Read More
Facebook Gets Used The Most
It looks like Facebook is the big dog in the social media world according to you. Our last ZimmPoll asked the question, “Which social network do you use the most.” A majority say Facebook, 64%, followed by Twitter, 16%, YouTube, 8%, Linkedin, 5%, Other, 5%, Classmates.com, 1%, Flickr, !% and MySpace, 0%. I can’t remember when I’ve checked my MySpace … Read More
Scholarships Available from NMPF
The National Milk Producers Federation is now accepting applications for its National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Program for academic year 2011-2012. Each year, NMPF awards 4 to 5 scholarships to outstanding graduate students (enrolled in Master’s or Ph.D. programs) who are actively pursuing dairy-related fields of research that are of immediate interest to NMPF member cooperatives and the US dairy industry … Read More
Pa. Dairy Scholarships Available
Outstanding students with an interest in the dairy industry can apply for one of five $1,000 scholarships offered by the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence. Available for the 2011–2012 academic year, applications are due June 1, 2011. The scholarships, originally offered by the Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders, a group that merged with the Center in January, are to provide recognition, encouragement … Read More
DMI Partnerships Help Increase Dairy Sales
Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), which manages the national dairy checkoff program, has formed partnerships with both Domino’s Pizza and McDonald’s. Both partnerships have increased dairy sales at the restaurants. A Domino’s Pizza executive says his company will not cut back on cheese, despite higher cheese prices. “We’re not going to reduce cheese on our pizzas — that’s a commitment from … Read More