CWT Will Continue Exports

News Editorcwt

Members of Cooperatives Working Together (CWT), the dairy farmer-funded self-help program, have voted to focus the seven year-old program exclusively on building export markets after 2010.

At the annual meeting of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) – which manages CWT – CWT’s management committee determined that an export-centered program was the most appropriate course to follow in the future. This means that CWT will no longer fund any herd retirement rounds, through which CWT member farms are paid to reduce their herds. CWT conducted its 10th and final herd retirement this past summer.

“CWT has undergone several shifts in how it has been operated since it started in 2003,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. “The decision to drop the herd retirement program, but to maintain the basic structure of CWT with an exclusive focus on helping sell U.S.-made dairy products in foreign markets, allows CWT to continue making positive contributions to dairy farmers’ bottom lines.”

NMPF’s Board of Directors voted Tuesday to support a CWT program that will be funded at two cents per hundredweight, starting Jan. 1, 2011, and running through 2012 (the program currently collects 10 cents/cwt. on its members’ milk volume). Members also determined this week that 75% of the nation’s milk supply must be contributing at that level in order for the program to continue. They also voted to take the remaining funds not allocated so far in 2010, and shift those to the export assistance program in 2011.

A presentation by Dr. Scott Brown of the University of Missouri showed that the Export Assistance program has provided an excellent return on investment. For every one dollar spent assisting CWT member cooperatives in making export sales, U.S. dairy farmers received $15.53 in additional revenue. CWT’s export activity in 2010 has returned 18 cents per hundredweight, according to Brown’s analysis.

“The analysis shows that refocusing CWT’s efforts to maintaining U.S. participation in export markets will positively impact U.S. dairy producer margins,” said Kozak. “While reducing the milk supply through herd retirements has positively impacted producer prices, utilizing funds going forward in the export assistance program will allow CWT to respond more positively and more quickly to market conditions that can negatively impact producer margins.”

Kozak said that the membership commitment will be 24 months for both cooperatives and individual dairy farmers. This will allow CWT to develop an export assistance strategic plan as to how and when to best utilize the funds committed, he noted.

Source: Cooperatives Working Together

Learning More About Powerful Partners

News EditorDairy Checkoff

Nearly 1,000 dairy producers and industry representatives gathered last week in Reno, Nevada at their joint annual meeting, where they learned more about the success of dairy checkoff partnerships in driving sales of milk and dairy products. Brian Baxter has more on the powerful partnerships the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) has formed with McDonald’s and Domino’s.

Listen to Brian Baxter’s interview with Bill Siebenborn, Chair of the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) here:
Dairy Checkoff Forms Powerful Partnerships

Today’s national dairy checkoff program is helping lead the industry on a “path to prosperity” through strategies that work with and through the industry to grow sales, both the long and short and long term. Strategic partnerships are key to the dairy checkoff’s success, according to Bill Siebenborn, Missouri dairy producer and chair of UDIA, the federation of 20 state and regional dairy promotion organizations that work to implement a consistent, unified marketing plan to build sales across the country.

“The checkoff’s dramatic change in course several years ago through strategic partnerships has directly led to our successes today,” Siebenborn said. “Over the past 12 months, these partnerships have resulted in more than one billion additional pounds of milk sold.”

The dairy checkoff has three key core criteria in determining partners:
· Companies whose strategies have shared vision and goals with dairy producers
· Companies whose actions can lead to long-term sales growth across an entire category, not just for a specific brand for a specific period of time
· Companies that are industry leaders – and whom other brands and companies will follow, leading to increased sales

Both McDonald’s® and Domino’s Pizza® fit these criteria, Siebenborn noted.

“As producers, we benefit from industry resources that build on our checkoff investment to grow sales. Consider that for every dollar that producers invest, our partners contribute more than six dollars,” he said.

Through Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), which manages the national dairy checkoff through funding from UDIA and NDB, producers can form partnerships and bring in additional resources, Siebenborn said. “Through our state and regional dairy promotion organizations, we bring the local connections and relationships that are crucial to implementing programs,” he said.

Source: Dairy Management Inc.

Alltech Kicks Off Global 500

Chuck ZimmermanAlltech, Alltech Global 500

We’ve known it as the Alltech Global Dairy 500 and this year they’ve added Beef! Now that just makes sense. So, we’ll just call it the Alltech Global 500 to make it simple.

We kicked off this fall’s conference with a Kentucky Ale reception this evening and things get into high gear tomorrow with a general session on which I’ll be participating in a presentation on social media which will include a look at World Dairy Diary. If you’re on Twitter then feel free to send us a message using the hashtag #Global500. If you don’t know what that means then post a comment and I’ll explain.

During the next several days I’ll be featuring interviews and photos from the conference. In fact, you can find my photo album here: Alltech Global 500 Photo Album.

More to come . . .

Fuel Up to Play 60 News from Joint Annual Meeting

News EditorDairy Checkoff

The Joint Annual Meeting of National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) and the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) recently wrapped up their fall meeting. The meeting’s theme was “Creating a Path to Prosperity” and was held October 26 – 28 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. Dairy producers, member cooperatives, Young Cooperators (YCs), industry representatives, staff, and others from all over the country arrived for a few days of speeches, reports, banquets, general sessions, town hall meetings, and award ceremonies.

One of the highlights of the meeting was Former NFL star and Fox Sports commentator Howie Long. Long served as the keynote luncheon speaker Wednesday. And, over the past year, the NFL partnership with dairy producers has grown stronger, as Brian Baxter reports. Listen in as dairy farmer and National Dairy Board Chair, Paul Meabon, explains the Fuel Up to Play 60 program.

Listen to Paula’s interview with Brian Baxter here:
Dairy Checkoff News from Reno

“Schools are incredibly important to the dairy industry,” said Paula Meabon, Pennsylvania dairy producer and NDB chair. “We aim to sell more dairy in schools and also to reach 100 percent of our future customers.”

The checkoff’s Fuel Up to Play 60 program helps protect and promote dairy’s place in schools. Fuel Up to Play 60 is an unprecedented, in-school program that works to combat childhood obesity through an integrated approach that focus on good nutrition – including dairy – and physical activity. The program help protect sales by building a positive image of dairy through education and information to 55 million school children, 180 days a year.

“What’s good for childhood nutrition is good for dairy,” Meabon said. Fuel Up to Play 60 promotes dairy’s place in schools by providing the best possible dairy experience in the cafeteria and beyond, not just the school lunch line, but also at breakfast, snacking and after-school activities, she said.

“Partners are critical to our success. We cannot do it alone,” Meabon said.

To that end, the dairy checkoff is working with high-level partners in the business, government and nutrition world to activate Fuel Up to Play 60.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is a unique partnership between National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Meabon said. “NFL brings ‘star power’ and their experience regarding physical activity”, she said.

Other critical supporters of Fuel Up to Play 60 are core health and nutrition organizations – – including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dietetic Association and the School Nutrition Association – – as well as food and dairy companies.

Together, all of these organizations can offer incentives for students to make changes needed to create healthier schools, Meabon said.

Source: Dairy Management Inc.

DBA Annual Business Conference

News EditorEducation

The Dairy Business Association is excited to announce their 11th Annual Business Conference entitled “Reaching New Heights…A Journey for Learning.” Make plans now to join more than 300 dairy industry friends and partners on Tuesday, November 30th and Wednesday, December 1st at The Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin.

This two-day event brings together dairy leaders ready to tackle the tough issues facing our industry. This year’s conference will cover timely topics ranging from the forthcoming immigration battle, OSHA’s proposed Wisconsin enforcement program, future livestock expansion in the state, and a segment on milk pricing offering insight on the US Farm Bill. Expert speakers and panelists will provide valuable insight to what the future holds for these topics…and much more. The registration fee is $175 with a special rate of $99 for dairy producers. All are welcome to attend.

The first day kicks off with an overview of the proposed H-2A Improvement Act S.3858 with Visas for dairy workers. Our action-packed first day continues with an expert panel of immigration attorney/experts taking the stage to answer your specific immigration questions. Panelists include Leon Sequeira from Seyforth Shaw in Washington DC, Jose Oliviera from Michael Best & Friedrich in Milwaukee, and Eric Straub from Straub Immigration in Milwaukee.

Rounding out the line-up for Tuesday’s afternoon is a one-stop training class on OSHA regulations, laws and analysis. DBA producer members Lee Jensen of Five Star Dairy, LLC and Roxanne Solum of Minglewood, Inc. will share their firsthand experience when OSHA and the Dept. of Labor came knocking at their door. Jeff Carter (Loss Control Program Director for WI AgriService Association) will show insight on OSHA requirements for dairy operations and Chuck Palmer from Michael Best & Friedrich in Waukesha will offer expertise to help protect you should OSHA come knocking at your door.

The evening speaker will be Wall Street’s own Stephen Moore to once again provide an insider’s look at the nation’s economic situation. A year after the health care law passed, Moore will share how it will impact you.

David Crass from Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP in Madison starts out Day Two with an update on the 8+ years’ case of Larson Acres. Conference attendees will hear how this Supreme Court case will set the course for all future livestock expansion in Wisconsin.

We conclude our conference with Ben Yale (Senior Partner of Yale Law Office in Waynesfield, Ohio and nationally recognized as an expert on dairy law, regulation and policy) will discuss the US Farm Bill, the primary Ag policy tool of the Federal Government.

Source: Wisconsin Dairy Business Association

Give Us Your Opinion – Get Chance to Win $250 Cash

Chuck ZimmermanCompany Announcement

Have you ever wished you could help mold the content of your favorite blog? Well, here is your chance. The bloggers of World Dairy Diary want to learn more about its readers, so we can provide you with more informational and insightful information. All you have to do is take our quick 1 minute survey. Once completed, you can enter to win $250 in cash.

As with any contest, there are a few rules. Each month, one winner will be drawn from the entries received for all ZimmComm news website surveys. Non-winners from each month will roll over to the next month, so please only take the survey once. Ready to get started? Then click here to begin.

Speaking of molding content I’m throwing out a poll question for the month. Considering the state of the dairy industry, is now a good time to increase production? You can sound off by posting a comment to this story, or sending your response to WDDPoll@hotmail.com. Select answers will be used in an upcoming story for the blog.

Thanks for reading World Dairy Diary and don’t forget to take our survey for a chance to win $250 in cash.

Alltech Global Dairy 500

Chuck ZimmermanAlltech

During most of Monday I’ll be on the agriblogging highway to Lexington, KY for the Alltech Global Dairy 500. The theme is “Sustainability in a Changing World.” The program has been so successful that this year they’ve added a “Global Beef 500” as well!

I’m looking forward to seeing my Alltech friends and enjoying a frosty Kentucky Ale! My coverage should be starting on Monday evening. On Thursday, I’ll share the stage with Alltech’s Billy Frey to discuss social media. I’m really looking forward to that. I’ll also be assisting David Butler who will be managing the Alltech blog, Alltech Innovations.

So follow along here or on Twitter with the hashtag #Global500.

Camerlo Honored with Lyng Award

News EditorCompany Announcement, Competition

The late James P. “Tom” Camerlo, a dairy producer from Florence, Colo., was honored by the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) recently at the Joint NDB/National Milk Producers Federation/United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) Annual Meeting in Reno, Nev. Camerlo was named the 2010 recipient of the Richard E. Lyng Award for his dedication and service to dairy promotion.

The award is named after former U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Richard E. Lyng, who played a key role in implementing policies that led to the establishment of the NDB 25 years ago. The Lyng Award honors dairy industry leaders who have made a significant contribution to dairy promotion that benefits the entire dairy industry.

“Tom Camerlo leaves an unprecedented legacy and commitment to America’s dairy producers,” said Paula Meabon, Pennsylvania dairy producer and NDB chair. “He was a champion of (helping) dairy producers control their own destiny, and was a true leader within the dairy promotion and policy arena, both domestically and internationally.”

Camerlo was a leader in dairy promotion for more than four decades. He first became involved in 1965, when he was elected to the board of the Western Dairy Association and, subsequently, to the National Dairy Council®. He played a key role in the formation of UDIA in 1970 and held a seat on the UDIA board through last winter.

In 1983, Camerlo and other producer leaders worked to arrange for a referendum that led to the formation of the national dairy checkoff program and NDB. In 1995, he worked to further unify dairy promotion with the creation of Dairy Management Inc.™, which united NDB and UDIA.

“He knew the best way for dairy producers to promote their products for their own betterment and the betterment of the industry was through a unified checkoff program,” Meabon said.

Camerlo also played a critical role in the formation of the U.S. Dairy Export Council® (USDEC), where he became one of the early board directors of USDEC and the first chairman of its Trade Policy Committee.

In 2004, Camerlo was elected chairman of USDEC. In the five years that he served as chair, he led policy and promotion programs that supported his long-standing belief that expanded export trade would benefit America’s dairy producers and the industry.

In addition to his role on the DMI board, Camerlo also served as a founding board member of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and was a strong ambassador of the Innovation Center’s mission to grow sales by working with and through the dairy industry.

As part of the Richard E. Lyng award, the NDB also will make a $2,500 contribution to the Colorado State University on behalf of Camerlo and his family.

Source: Dairy Management Inc.

Internship Available at Select Sires

News EditorEducation

Select Sires Inc. has announced plans to offer a veterinarian internship at its headquarters facility in Plain City, Ohio, during the spring and/or summer of 2011.

The veterinarian intern will be responsible for a variety of projects within the areas of animal health, export regulation and husbandry, as well as receive a broad-range of knowledge of Select Sires’ programs and services. They will be responsible for a wide-range of tasks, including working with the veterinary department on special projects, animal health procedures, blood testing, semen collections, semen processing, paperwork and record-keeping. Besides having an understanding of dairy and beef genetics, a successful candidate should be proficient in handling cattle and have some experience with basic animal health procedures.

This internship is open to all individuals interested in food animal medicine. The candidate may be a junior or senior in high school, college undergraduate or graduate student interested in attending veterinary school, or a current veterinary student. Activities will be commensurate with level of experience. The internship will be available in both the spring and/or summer with applications due February 1, 2011 for the spring session, and April 1, 2011 for the summer session. The intern must work for a minimum of four weeks.

For more information about this internship or to submit a resume for consideration, visit the website or send an email message to tgood@selectsires.com.

Source: Select Sires Inc.

Milking Parlor: Dairy Expo Focuses on Improving Profits

John DavisAudio, Milking Parlor, Novus International, Podcast, The Milking Parlor, World Dairy Expo

It was a much more upbeat mood than in the past few years in Madison, Wisconsin earlier this month for World Dairy Expo, the dairy industry’s premier event.

More than 65,000 people attended this year’s event, including 2,468 from 87 countries outside of the U.S. The good turnout and the increased optimism was music to the ears of the 770 companies from 26 countries represented at this year’s show, including the 135 first-time exhibitors.

In this edition of the Milking Parlor, we talk to several people at this year’s expo, including World Dairy Expo Sales Manager John Rozem; Dr. Lance Fox, Alpharma’s Director of Technical Services; Senior Manager of Technology for Arm and Hammer Animal Nutrition, Dr. Elliot Block; Dr. Larry Chase with Cornell University; Novartis Animal Health Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Doug Scholz; Dave Hartford, dairy operations manager of the award-winning Oakridge-Bahler Farm in Connecticut; and Dr. Andy Skidmore with Schering-Plough Animal Health, who serves as the Secretary of the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council, a group formed a few years ago to help improve fertility in the industry.

Listen to what they have to say or download the podcast here:
Milking Parlor Podcast on Improving Profits at World Dairy Expo

To subscribe to the Milking Parlor podcast, click here.

The Milking Parlor podcast is sponsored by:
Novus