Accelerated Genetics hosted Rod Nilsestuen, Secretary of Agriculture, and Mr. Gary Radloff, Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection, on March 9th, as one of the Columbia and Sauk County agribusiness to provide input on new innovative projects to assist Wisconsin’s dairy industry. Discussions focused on recent grant money towards the development of ASAP®, a reproductive synchronization assistance program, and a new “El Toro” energy project in Cashton, WI. Ideas and programs gathered from local agribusinesses will be shared with Governor Doyle.
CBB Meeting Affects Dairy Producers
This past week the Cattlemen’s Beef Board had a meeting in Kansas City of the Promotion Operating Committee. This is the first time the committee has met with new members that were appointed at the winter convention.
BSE Confirmed in Alabama
In a press conference held Monday at 3 p.m. (EST), Dr. John Clifford,Chief Veterinary Officer with the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed that a Santa Gertrudis beef cow on a farm in Alabama has tested positive for BSE. An initial rapid test taken March 10th came back inconclusive, indicating the possibility that the cow might be infected. Results from a second rapid test were positive.
Wisconsin Dairy Business Going Strong
I like this report put together by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. They get their data from the Wisconsin Ag Statistics Service. It puts it in an easier to read format.
Microsoft Wants to Track Your Cows
It may seem like an unusal statement – until you think about it. Microsoft announced this week that they have partnered with ViaTrace and the US Animal Identifical Organisation to launch an animal tracking database.
Do You Have a Dairy Farm Succession Plan
USDA grant money is helping provide a Wisconsin workshop on Farm Succession and Estate and Retirement Planning. The event will be held on Thursday, March 2nd at the Public Events Building in the Arlington Agricultural Research Station. It is scheduled from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM, and farm families are encouraged to attend. It is co-sponsored by a USDA Dairy Revitalization Grant, UW-Extension-Columbia County, and MATC.
Dairy Farmers Take Budget Hit
The administration’s FY’07 budget proposal for USDA revealed at a press conference today by Ag Secretary Mike Johanns includes reductions in two dairy price support programs and a new tax on dairy production.
Speech By Sec. of Ag Mike Johanns
Our U. S. Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, was on the program early today here at the Cattle Industry Convention. He spoke for about 25 minutes before taking some questions from the floor.
MILC Program Role In 2006 Production
Today’s USDA radio newsline featured a story by Gary Crawford with audio from USDA Economist, Keith Collins.
Checking The Dairy Air
I’m sure it will be a wise expense of funds. The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) has approved the authorization of $6 million on a one-time basis for the purpose of funding a three-year study on air emissions from U.S. dairy farms.