Alltech Talks Mycotoxins at #WDE2017

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Moisture can mean mold and mycotoxins in grain but Alltech’s Mycotoxin Management Team provides solutions to help safeguard the health of animals and the quality of feed.

At World Dairy Expo this week, team nutritionist Dr. Max Hawkins was talking with dairy producers about how multiple mycotoxins in feed can impact milk production and reproduction. “The level of risk is different from farm to farm, even with the same levels of mycotoxins,” said Hawkins. “It has a lot to do with environment and animal health status.”

Hawkins has tips for producers harvesting silage to prevent the growth of mold that creates mycotoxins in this interview, and more information can be found on Alltech’s KnowMyMycotoxins.com website.

Audio file: Interview with Dr. Max Hawkins, Alltech

2017 World Dairy Expo Photo Album

Coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Alltech  Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Hubbard Feeds

Two More USDA Nominees Get Their Hearing

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The Senate Agriculture Committee yesterday heard from nominees Greg Ibach to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs and Bill Northey to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services.

“Both Mr. Ibach and Mr. Northey have valuable ‘boots-on-the-ground’ experience. They are both farmers,” said Committee Chairman Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS). “They know what weighs on the minds of farmers and ranchers, the challenges they face on daily basis, and the focus and drive they put into their life’s work. And, significantly, they are both dedicated public servants who have led their home state’s agriculture departments.”

Earlier this week, the full Senate approved Stephen Censky as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, and Ted McKinney as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

Here are the opening comments to the committee from Ibach and Northey Ibach/Northey Hearing Comments

CRYSTALYX® Part of the Alltech Family Now

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Through last year’s acquisition of Hubbard Feeds, CRYSTALYX® Brand Supplements became part of the Alltech family, and we were able to learn more about the low moisture supplement this week at World Dairy Expo.

CRYSTALYX® regional sales manager Tim Clark says they have a wide range of targeted formulas to cover many feeding situations. “We’ve got products for dry cows, transition animals, stress tubs for calves at weaning, and protein tubs and mineral combinations for growing heifers,” said Clark. “Being based on molasses, animals love molasses.”

Learn more in Jamie’s interview from expo. Interview with Tim Clark, CRYSTALYX®

2017 World Dairy Expo Photo Album

Coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Alltech  Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Hubbard Feeds

Dairy Woman of the Year Shares Checkoff Goals

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Pennsylvania dairy farmer Marilyn Hershey is being honored at the 2017 World Dairy Expo as this year’s Dairy Woman of the Year.

Marilyn and her husband live about an hour west of Philadelphia on his family’s dairy farm, just 40 minutes north of the Chesapeake Bay. They milk 850 registered Holsteins. Hershey also serves as Vice Chair of Dairy Management, Inc. She says trust continues to be a focus for the checkoff board.

“Trust is a huge thing we’ve focused on and I think that’s one of the huge differences I’ve seen since I came on the board six years ago. Seeing how important and how critical it is that we show consumers, we give them that element of trust so that they know they can trust us. And it is really important,” says Hershey.

The latest effort is the “Undeniably Dairy” campaign, which is a collaboration of the dairy checkoff, as well as other organizations and businesses across the dairy industry.

Listen to Jamie’s interview with Marilyn Hershey here:Marilyn Hershey, DMI

2017 World Dairy Expo Photo Album

Coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Alltech  Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Hubbard Feeds

Enter The Great Green Getaway Sweepstakes

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If you are at the 2017 World Dairy Expo and raise at least 50 head of dairy cattle you will want to stop by the Alltech and KEENAN booth #3201.

Ireland is known as “the land of a thousand welcomes,” and staying true to its roots, Alltech is upholding the tradition of Irish hospitality by launching The Great Green Getaway. In partnership with KEENAN, an Alltech company, maker of the “Green Machine” mixer wagon, the sweepstakes invites American dairy farmers to enter for the opportunity to win one of three travel-expense-paid trips for two to Ireland in March 2018, coinciding with St. Patrick’s Day.

The tour destinations include a “how it’s made” tour of the KEENAN production facility in Borris, County Carlow, Ireland, a guided VIP experience at the new Pearse Lyons Distillery, visits to a host of high-performance Irish dairy farms and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dublin City Centre.

“We are proud to work with dairy farmers around the world and provide technology to increase on-farm productivity and maximize feed efficiency,” said Robert Walker, chief executive officer of KEENAN. “We are looking forward to welcoming the contest winners to Ireland to show them our innovations while also celebrating Irish traditions.”

The drawing will take place Oct. 7th at 4:30 p.m. at the booth. Winners will be notified.

Listen to all the details of the contest here: Interview with Jenn Norrie, Alltech

View and download photos from the event here: 2017 World Dairy Expo Photo Album

Coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Alltech  Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Hubbard Feeds

Building Trust Key For U.S. Dairy Industry

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Industry representatives at the 2017 World Dairy Expo are focused on building trust with both domestic consumers and those in potential export markets.

Twenty years of farmer funded nutrition research showing that milk fat does not have a negative health impact has resulted in domestic cheese sales hitting an all-time high when it comes to per capita consumption. Consumption of butter is at highest point since 1967. The dairy industry continues to build trust with consumers through its “Undeniably Dairy” campaign.

“Today, trust with the consumer is king. They really want to know more about how their food is produced than ever before,” says Tom Gallagher, CEO of Dairy Management, Inc. of the campaign, which is a collaboration with the entire industry, including processors, manufacturers, dairy cooperatives, and dairy producers. “It’s to talk to consumers about how we treat our animals, sustainability, the good things the industry does in the community, and other things about nutrition.”

As U.S. dairy producers continue to produce more milk, the U.S. Dairy Export Council will continue to focus on domestic markets, but also recognizes the need to increase the dairy export market. That also requires trust.

“In order for you to try a product, you have to initially have some level of trust that it’s safe, that it’s nutritious, that it’s delicious,” says Tom Vilsack, CEO and president of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC). “We have that opportunity to create that sense of trust in countries around the world because we have a safe product, we have one that’s stably produced, we have one that’s sustainably produced, we have one that’s delicious and nutritious. So it’s an opportunity for us to market U.S. dairy.”

Vilsack says emerging markets in places like Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and the Caribbean will be very important. USDEC also hopes to open up the Canadian market for U.S. dairy products in the near future.

Listen here to Jamie’s interview with Tom Gallagher: Tom Gallagher, DMI

Listen here to Jamie’s interview with Tom Vilsack: Tom Vilsack, U.S. Dairy Export Council

Listen here to a panel discussion featuring Tom Gallagher and Tom Vilsack at the 2017 World Dairy Expo: DMI-USDEC Panel Discussion

Coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Alltech  Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Hubbard Feeds

Nebraska Farmer Named America’s Pig Farmer of the Year

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Leslie McCuiston, a pig farmer from Columbus, Nebraska, has been named the 2017 America’s Pig Farmer of the Year. According to the National Pork Board, the award recognizes a pig farmer who excels at raising pigs using the We Care ethical principles and who connects with today’s consumers about how pork is produced. McCuiston received the highest combined score from a third-party judging panel and online voting

“We are pleased to have Leslie represent America’s pig farmers. She embodies the very best in pig farming,” said Terry O’Neel, National Pork Board president and a pig farmer from Friend, Nebraska. “It’s important that we share with today’s consumers how we raise their food in an ethical and transparent way. Leslie’s interest in sharing her farm’s story, as well as putting a face on today’s pig farming, will help us reach this goal.”

Focusing on people is McCuiston’s main goal as a senior production manager for The Maschhoffs, LLC. McCuiston believes in equipping employees with the right tools to provide the best animal care every day. She oversees 70 employees who care for more than 18,000 sows in central Nebraska and surrounding states.

“For me, pig farming isn’t just a job, it’s a career that I am passionate about,” McCuiston said. “I want to find new, innovative ways to show others what we do in pig farming, explain how much we care and help people understand where their food comes from.”

Help Finally on the Way for USDA

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Secy Perdue greets McKinney and Censky before Senate hearing (USDA Photo)

Over five months after he took office, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue finally has some help on the way.

Yesterday, the Senate voted to formally approved the nominations of Stephen Censky as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, and Ted McKinney as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

“I am pleased that the U.S. Senate was able to work in a bipartisan and swift manner to confirm Stephen Censky and Ted McKinney,” said Senate Agriculture Committee chair Pat Roberts (R-KS). “Secretary Perdue, help is on the way.”

“I commend the Senate for confirming these two experienced, prepared, and capable nominees, who will provide the steady leadership we need at USDA,” said Secretary Perdue in a statement. “We eagerly await their arrival at USDA, and urge the Senate to continue to act on other nominees who are awaiting confirmation.”

The Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing with both nominees on September 19. Tomorrow, the committee will hold a hearing on the nominations of Greg Ibach of Nebraska to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, and Bill Northey of Iowa to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. No hearing has been scheduled yet for Sam Clovis of Iowa, President Trump’s controversial pick for Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.

Animal Ag Bites 10/2

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GROWMARK Announces 2018 Essay Contest Theme

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For the past 25 years, GROWMARK has challenged students to think creatively about the future of agriculture and how cooperatives can continue to thrive and contribute to the industry through an annual essay contest.

This year’s 2018 GROWMARK Essay Contest asks students “How can cooperatives demonstrate their value to the next generation of agriculturists?” All high school FFA members in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin can participate.

GROWMARK invites students to submit essays online by November 10, 2017. Winning students in each state receive $500, with the winner’s FFA chapter receiving $300.