When the GEA Farm Technologies brand was launched this week we had Dr. Armin Tietjen on hand. He’s the Head of Corporate Marketing and works in the home office. One of the things he’s responsible for is looking at acquisition opportunities for the company and it sounds like we may see some new activity in this regard in the future. … Read More
World Dairy Expo Bigger Than Ever
The first two people I got to know at World Dairy Expo were John Rozum and Lisa Behnke. In fact, World Dairy Diary grew out of an idea that John had several years ago now. I spoke to them this morning and the main message is “larger,” meaning more people and more exhibitors. Some of the numbers they mention include … Read More
WestfaliaSurge Now Part of GEA Farm Technologies
The first news I found here at Expo came from our sponsor, GEA Farm Technologies. I know we’ve been promoting WestfaliaSurge but the company is re-launching their brand and this post and interviews will help explain it. Basically, WestfaliaSurge is now a part of the new GEA Farm Technologies. The CEO and President of GEA Farm Technologies is Vern Foster. … Read More
Looking Forward to World Ag Expo
The World Ag Expo is right around the corner and to learn more about it I interviewed Shelley Kahl, 2008 Chairman. The Expo is “Where the World of Agriculture Means Business.” For many people who will be participating and attending that means the dairy business. I’ve never been to the show and hope to find a way to do so … Read More
Sunbelt Milking Contest
The agriculture commissioners from four states were on hand and hands-on at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia last month for the second Commissioner’s Milking Contest – which was a whole lot of fun. The very friendly competition included Tommy Irvin of Georgia, Charlie Bronson of Florida, Ron Sparks of Alabama, and Ken Givens of Tennessee. When it was … Read More
Labor Issues Testimony
A California dairy producer testified last week before the House Agriculture Committee during a hearing called to review the labor needs of American agriculture. Randy Mouw was one of 12 people who testified at the Committee’s hearing on Oct. 4 in Washington DC. He spoke on behalf of Western United Dairymen, Dairy Farmers of America, and National Milk Producers Federation. … Read More
Harvest Lab Measures Moisture at Harvest
You only thought we were done with stuff from World Dairy Expo. I did an interview at expo with John Deere Hay and Forage Specialist Jim Buchs on how dairy producers can get added value for forage at harvest with Harvest Lab. “We put a unit on our forage harvester that can measure the moisture as its going through the … Read More
How A Cow Is Like An Ethanol Plant
When I saw a booth that posed the question, “How is a cow like an ethanol production plant?” I had to stop for a visit. Manning the booth is Nick Baker, U. S. Dairy Forage Research Center. Nick says that basically the cow’s rumen uses microbes to break down forage and feed into the energy it needs much like an … Read More
National Dairy Shrine Having Great Year
The National Dairy Shrine is having a great year according to board member Tommy Martin. Tommy is an old friend of mine (he’s not old) from my home state of Florida. He works for Merial. I found him in the trade show this morning and asked him to give me an update on how the National Dairy Shrine is doing. … Read More
Original Wisconsin Lei'd Back Guy
When you go to Hawaii you get a nice lei of flowers when you get off the plane. When you go to Wisconsin it’s bratwurst and cheese. It’s the Original Wisconsin Lei. The Lei’d Back inventor is Steve Rheaume. He says he’s sold over 3,000 of these so far and they’re becoming very popular for football games and wherever you … Read More