Jersey Farm Featured at World Dairy Expo Virtual Tour

News EditorJersey Association, World Dairy Expo

Clover Patch, a Registered Jersey™ dairy owned by Alan and Sharon Kozak of Millersburg, Ohio will be one of eight North American dairy operations to be featured in World Dairy Expo’s 2010 Virtual Farm Tour program.

The video tour will start at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 29 in Mendota 1 meeting room in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis. The American Jersey Cattle Association is the program sponsor.

Achieving long-term financial security and providing a high quality of life for family and employees have been Alan and Sharon Kozak’s main focus in operating a successful dairy. Every aspect of their business reflects their attitude of working with what you have, thoroughly planning, carefully executing, and persevering in the face of setbacks.

Alan and Sharon started in the dairy business in 1991 by renting dairy facilities and focusing on ownership efforts on cattle. While working on budgets and planning, they determined that management-intensive grazing was their best route to long-term success. They decided to go with Registered Jersey™ cattle because of their higher milk component levels, adaptability, and high fertility. Plus, the smaller body size of Jerseys made them the only breed able to fit in the existing facilities and stalls.

Today, the Kozaks’ herd of 900 Jerseys—430 in milk—is managed on a 450-acre farm outside Millersburg, Ohio. The July rolling herd average was 17,816 lbs. milk, 843 lbs. fat and 668 lbs. protein per cow, and the herd ranks in the top 25% of Jersey herds ranked by herd average Jersey Performance Index™.

Alan Kozak currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Dairy Policy Action Coalition (DPAC), the Advisory Committee to the State Veterinarian of Ohio, and the North Central Ohio Dairy Grazing Council. He is also a past-president of the Ohio Forage & Grassland Council.

Other Virtual Farm Tours feature dairy businesses located in Wisconsin, Idaho, Minnesota, and Kansas. They are being sponsored by Structures Unlimited LLC, Semex, AgSource Cooperative Services, Quality Liquid Feeds, Grow Wisconsin Dairy Team, Kansas Department of Commerce, and Land O’ Lakes Purina Feed. There is no charge for these programs.

Source: The American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc.

Do You Know a California Farmer?

News EditorMedia

These days, everyone is talking about the advantages of knowing the farmers who grow your food. If you live in California, you’ll have a particular interest in the new website: Know a California Farmer.

This interactive farm and ranch experience is brought to you by hundreds of farmers throughout the nation’s number one agricultural state. They represent farms and ranches small and large, organic and traditional. They are the people who actually produce the food you eat and the plants you grow in your backyard.

On the website, California farmers and ranchers post personal photos, upload videos and write interesting blogs about real agriculture in California. Meet former roadie-turned-dairy-farmer Dino Giacomazzi as he shares his passion for the family business, which has been around since 1893. Read Jennifer Thompson’s blog where “talking grapes” is her second language and she will explain why California grapes make the best wine in the world.

Know A California Farmer is an interactive website brought to you by California farmers through our new California Agricultural Communications Coalition (CACC). The CACC is a group of over 120 farmer and rancher membership organizations dedicated to raising awareness about the outlook of multi-generational family farming in California – the nation’s leading agricultural state.

Source: California Agricultural Communications Coalition

Feeding New Silage

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Forage, Forage Forum, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast, Silage

Pioneer Hi-Bred Forage Forum PodcastOn this edition of Forage Forum, Pioneer Hi-Bred dairy specialist Kevin Putnam discusses feeding the newly harvested silage crop. Letting the new crop ferment three to four months allows starch availability to increase. This year, Putnam says the crop should have a nice grain-to-stock ratio, which makes for high-energy, highly digestible feedstuffs.

Listen to the podcast here:

Forage Forum on New Silage Crop

To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.

Subscribe to Forage Forum here.

Halbur Has New Responsibilities with ANIMART

News EditorGeneral

Congratulations to Joseta Halbur for being named Dairy Sanitation Division Manager of the large animal dairy and livestock division of ANIMART, Inc.

In her new position, Halbur will be responsible for building and maintaining client relationships, sharing product knowledge for on-farm solutions and managing the dairy sanitation product line.

“We are pleased to have Joseta Halbur as part of our sales team to lead our Dairy Sanitation Division,” says Tom Klas, sales manager of ANIMART. “Joseta’s industry knowledge, passion for the dairy industry, and sales skills will be a great asset to our company.”

After earning degrees in both agricultural marketing communications and dairy science, Halbur earned a Master’s degree in agricultural education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. During college, Halbur was very active in professional organizations including the UW-River Falls Dairy Club, Association of Women in Agriculture and Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow.

Most recently, Halbur served as the Northeast Wisconsin and Upper Michigan District Sales Representative for Semex Inc. Her sales and production agriculture knowledge is complemented by internship experiences at Fort Dodge Animal Health and Oster Professional Products.

Halbur grew up on her family’s 150 cow Registered Holstein Dairy Farm, Burledge Holsteins in rural Fond du Lac County. She also works part-time at Great Northern Land & Cattle and stays active serving as a Fond du Lac County 4-H Leader.

Source: ANIMART, Inc.

Apply Now for National FARM

News EditorNational Milk

The National Dairy FARM Program: Farmers Assuring Responsible Management™ is now accepting enrollment in the Animal Care Program.

This officially launches the second phase of the implementation process, which includes the start of on-farm evaluations for participating producers. The National Dairy FARM Program, created by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), provides consistency and uniformity to best practices in animal care and quality assurance in the dairy industry.

A participation fee is a shared responsibility for all participants of the National Dairy FARM Animal Care Program to fund the enrollment of on-farm data in a private database, as well as to pay for third-party verification of the program. While support for the development of educational training materials has been available from the national dairy check-off, such funding sources cannot be drawn upon for third-party verification.

“Producers can participate independently or through their cooperative or processor. Producers who are affiliated with a cooperative or proprietary processor should contact their representative to see if their milk marketing organization is participating in the program; or to encourage them to join in,” said Betsy Flores, NMPF Director of Regulatory Affairs.

The National Dairy FARM Program™ is a voluntary, nationwide program designed to bring consistency and uniformity to animal care through education, on-farm evaluations and objective third-party verification.

The first phase of the program provided educational materials to producers through the release of the Animal Care Manual and the Quick Reference User Guide. As a supplement to these materials, the Animal Care DVD is now available online in both English and Spanish.

The National Dairy FARM Program Animal Care video highlights best management practices for a variety of issues, including animal health, environment and facilities, animal nutrition, and transportation and handling. The content of the video is consistent with the principles and guidelines of the National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative, which was introduced in 2008.

To participate in the National Dairy FARM Program, producers, co-ops, processors, and state and regional dairy producer organizations can contact NMPF.

Source: National Dairy FARM Program

Energy Effiecient Proposals Sought

News EditorBiotech, energy, International

Dairy companies and suppliers of technology and equipment are being invited to form consortia to research and demonstrate new energy efficient technologies in both CIP and homogenization. The Carbon Trust will provide up to £500,000 per project to fund a maximum of 60% of project costs, depending on State Aid rules for the project type and size of company, as well as value for money considerations.

The organization, in partnership with Dairy UK, is inviting consortia to submit proposals to deploy less energy hungry and lower carbon technologies for clean-in-place (CIP) and homogenization.

The invitation comes as part of the Carbon Trust’s Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator (IEEA): a £15m program that aims to generate a step change in reducing energy use and carbon emissions in British industry.

An initial phase to monitor energy use at dairy production sites has already taken place in collaboration with Robert Wiseman Dairies, Arla, Dairy Crest, BV Dairy, and Glanbia Cheese.

As a result, CIP and homogenization have been identified as two key processes where the demonstration and deployment of new technologies could significantly reduce energy use, operating costs and carbon emissions.

“Carbon emissions from clean-in-place in dairy are up to 46,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum and could account for as much as 5% of the sector’s total emissions. Similarly, homogenization is a very energy intensive process where alternatives could bring real cost and carbon savings,’ said Al-Karim Govindji, Technology Acceleration Manager at the Carbon Trust.

“The IEEA is designed to catalyze change by demonstrating new, lower-carbon technical solutions that can then be replicated widely across the dairy sector.”

The call for proposals is open from 21st September 2010 to 22nd November 2010.

Source: Carbon Trust; Dairy UK; and Proud of Dairy

New Foundation Supports Youth

News EditorEducation, Training

The newly formed All-American Dairy Foundation will support youth exhibitors with educational and training opportunities. The first $500 grant is to secure the $1,000 United States savings bond won by the Grand Champion Holstein of the Premier National Junior Show. The All-American Dairy Show is set for Sept. 18 – 23 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. The Premier National Junior Events, themed “The Stars Align in Harrisburg,” run Sept. 18-21.

The foundation is spearheaded by chairman Bob Heilman of Richmond, Va., the foundation was recently awarded charitable organization status as a 501c (3) non-profit group through the Internal Revenue Service.

Two years ago, Chip Savage of Knoxville, Md., donated a Holstein March calf, Savage-Leigh Z Linsee-ET, that sold in the Eastern Elite Holstein Sale during the 2008 All-American Dairy Show to provide $18,500 as the seed money to start the foundation.

Out of Savage-Leigh Bellwood Linda and sired by Ocean-View Zenith-TW-ET, the calf was first bought for $10,000 by a syndicate that donated the calf back for resale. Donating $2,000 shares to the syndicate were Dieter Krieg, Darwin G. Braund, New Direction Holsteins, Jason and Donna Myers, and the Centre County Syndicate consisting of Centre County Dairy Vets, Fred Strouse, Mike Weimer, Rita Kennedy and Jay Houser. Tyler Peachey of McAlevys Fort, Pa., bought the calf a second time for $8,500.

The Pennsylvania Dairy and Allied Industries Association will submit grant applications to the foundation board of trustee members Michael Birch of White Hall, Md., Rita Kennedy of Butler, Pa., and Jay Houser of Spring Mills, Pa., and Heilman. The trustees will then determine how the money should be used to support educational and training opportunities and awards for youth who participate in the All-American Dairy Show.

Source: All-American Dairy Show

CWT Export Update

News Editorcwt

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted four requests from Darigold for assistance in selling American cheeses to customers in Asia. The product will be delivered September through December 2010.

Since CWT reactivated the Export Assistance program in March 18, 2010, it has assisted members in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheese totaling 19,847 metric tons (43.8 million pounds) to 23 countries on four continents. In addition, sales of butter and anhydrous milkfat totaling 15,018 metric tons (33.1 million pounds) have been made to nine countries on three continents.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term and in the long-term by helping member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products.

CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.

Source: Cooperatives Working Together (CWT)

Wisconsin Cheese is Honored

News EditorCheese

Two Wisconsin cheese makers were honored with wins at the 2010 American Cheese Society competition. With a record-breaking 1,462 entries in this year’s American Cheese Society competition, entries came from 225 producers in 34 states, Canada and Mexico. Klondike Cheese took two First Place awards and a Second Place award, while Crave Brothers Farmstead Classics took four awards.

Klondike Cheese is honored by its First Place award for their Reduced Fat Feta, and its First Place award for Klondike’s Brick Cheese. In addition, Klondike is celebrating its Second Place honor for their Muenster in this same competition category.

Klondike’s Reduced Fat Feta offers an ideal way to add flavor to healthful Mediterranean menu items, a wide range of appetizers, vegetable recipes, and salads. It’s a cow’s milk cheese, prized for its firm yet crumbly texture, and a flavor that’s tangy and salty without being bitter. Brick Cheese is a classic favorite—a semi-soft whole milk cheese that originated in Wisconsin. Muenster is a semi-firm cheese with a creamy texture that is enhanced as it ages. Klondike’s Brick and Muenster make great choices for cheese plates, snacking, or use in sandwiches and salads.

Klondike Cheese Company’s award-winning signature cheeses, including Odyssey® Feta, are produced in a state-of-the-art facility by the Buholzer brothers, Master Cheesemakers Ron, Dave and Steve. Klondike Cheese starts with the freshest cow’s milk from Wisconsin family farms. Today, third and fourth generation family members operate the Klondike Cheese Company, and are devoted to maintaining the tradition originally started by a farmers’ cooperative 75 years ago.

Mozzarella-lovers will appreciate Crave Brothers Farmers Rope Mozzarella Cheese that took second place honors in the Italian Cheese category, Mozzarella types. Other winning Crave Brothers Farmstead Classics include the Fresh Mozzarella 1-lb. ball that won second place in the Fresh Mozzarella category. In addition, Crave Brothers Fresh Mozzarella Ciliegine (cherry size balls) won third place in the Under 8 Oz. Fresh Mozzarella Category.

Crave Brothers Les Fréres Reserve—a European-style washed rind cheese—also was singled out for honors. It earned the third place award in the Farmstead Cheeses Open Category, for cheeses of all milks, aged up to 60 days.

The rich, rind-washed Les Freres Reserve from Crave Brothers is an excellent addition to cheese plates. However, it also can elevate your favorite mac and cheese recipe or add flavor and texture that help you create signature sandwiches. Crave Brothers Fresh mozzarella, available in a variety of sizes, is packed in water for freshness. Its flavor and freshness will inspire your creativity for appetizer and salad ideas. It’s also a winner when served with fresh tomatoes and herbs.

Crave Brothers Farmstead Classics cheeses are produced at the Crave Brothers farmstead factory. The state-of-the-art family farm—operated by brothers Charles, George, Tom and Mark—emphasizes conservation and sustainable practices.

Source: Klondike Cheese and Crave Brothers Farmstead Classics

Fonterra Opens Chicago Distribution

News EditorInternational

Fonterra has rented a big new warehouse just down the highway from its United States headquarters near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.

Fonterra has taken 46,500 square metres of space in the Heartland Corporate Centre at Shorewood, 66km from Chicago and is expected to channel significant amounts of its billion-dollar exports to the US through the site.

The warehouse has been vacant for several years but its owner, ING Clarion, is installing a new security fence to meet conditions of a Partnership Against Terrorism Act that requires cargo handling areas for imported products to be protected.

“It’s nice to get a huge client out there,” said a Shorewood Village trustee, Gary Fitzgerald, who heads its planning committee. “The drought has ended,” he told the Joliet Herald-News.

The warehouse was built in 2007 as the start of a projected 63ha business campus.

Product will be shipped from New Zealand to US ports, and sent by rail to Chicago, which is considered a central point for US distribution.

Two years ago Fonterra USA opened a $4 million research and development site – its Chicago technical centre – near O’Hare Airport, and moved its corporate headquarters to Rosemont, the suburb adjoining the airport.

The technical centre’s processing equipment and sample analysis lab are planned to be developed into a major sensory application centre to work directly with North American customers for dairy proteins and other ingredients, including HP Hood, Nestle and Unilever.

Source: Stuff.Co.Nz