Nebraska Dairy Industry Growing Despite Economy

Cindy ZimmermanFeed

The Nebraska Corn Board is giving the state’s dairy industry a well-deserved pat on the back for increasing production in a challenging year.

NE CornAccording to the latest state ag statistics, the Nebraska dairy industry produced more than 1.2 billion pounds of milk last year, an increase over the previous year.

“The number of dairy cows in Nebraska totaled some 61,000 head, which is an increase over the prior year. Growth in the dairy industry is something few states can show, as the dairy markets struggled nationally and many states saw their cow herd numbers decline,” said Kelsey Pope, promotion coordinator with the Nebraska Corn Board. “We’re fortunate to have gained cows, as dairy farms provide a number of good jobs and gives a boost to the local economy. With June being Dairy Month, this is something to celebrate – perhaps with a tall glass of milk. The state’s dairy receipts totaled about $172 million last year, but the sector’s total impact is considerably higher because so many dollars circulate several times through the local economy. Everything from a strong tax base, to feed, veterinary care, equipment, trucking, milk processing and more, a strong dairy sector is good for the state.”

The Nebraska Corn Board has a publication to help dairy producers utilize corn co-products like distillers grains. The Utilization of Corn Co-Products in the Dairy Industry is available by contacting the board or on-line at NebraskaCorn.org.

Dairyline Markets In Review

Chuck ZimmermanDairyline, Markets

The cash dairy markets had little reaction to this week’s Cold Storage report. Block cheese closed Friday at $1.41 per pound, up a half-cent on the week, and 29 cents above that week a year ago. Barrel closed at $1.3950, up a penny on the week and 30 1/2-cents above a year ago. Only two cars of block traded hands on the week and six of barrel. The lagging NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price lost 1.7 cents, slipping to $1.4414. Barrel averaged $1.3909, down 3.6 cents.

Butter closed Friday at $1.72, up 8 1/2-cents on the week, 51 1/2-cents above a year ago, and the highest it has been since September 2008. Only six cars were sold on the week. NASS butter averaged $1.6012, up 2 1/2-cents.

Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk held all week at $1.25. Extra Grade lost a half cent, closing at $1.2450. NASS powder averaged $1.3059, up 0.2 cent, and dry whey averaged 37.18 cents, up 0.4 cent.

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.

Schedule for Public Workshop Examining Dairy Competition

News EditorGovernment

The Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today the agenda and panelists for the June 25 workshop examining competition in the dairy industry. The joint public workshop will build on the knowledge and experience of industry stakeholders, including farmers, processors, cooperative leaders and academics. This is the third in a series of five workshops intended to promote dialogue among interested parties and foster learning with respect to competition and regulatory issues in agriculture.

The workshop will be held in the Wisconsin Union Theater at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, 800 Langdon Street, Madison, Wis. Attendance is free and open to the public. The general public and media interested in attending the Wisconsin workshop should register here.

The workshop will begin with opening remarks and a roundtable discussion including U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division Christine Varney. Wisconsin Senators Herb Kohl and Russell Feingold; Representatives Ron Kind, Steve Kagen and Tammy Baldwin; Governor Jim Doyle; and Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen have all tentatively accepted invitations to join the roundtable discussion.

The workshop will continue with a session entitled, “Farmer Presentation of Issues,” as well as panels on “Trends in the Dairy Industry,” “Market Consolidation” and “Market Transparency.” There will also be two hours dedicated to public testimony, one immediately prior to lunch and the other at the end of the day.

Click here to see the full schedule.

Additional information, including submitted public comments and transcripts for past workshops can be found at the Antitrust Division’s agriculture workshop website. While no streaming webcast will be available, transcripts and video will be available for this workshop at a later date on the Antitrust Division’s website. Individuals seeking more information on the workshops should contact agriculturalworkshops@usdoj.gov.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice

Butter is a Natural Choice

News EditorButter

Readers who are tweeps of World Dairy Diary already know that we are big fans of butter. It’s one of life’s little pleasures. Here’s an informative article about why choosing butter is a better choice for your health.

Regardless of which way you analyze this question, one point stands out. Butter is nature’s product and margarine is a substitute, a manufactured one. I’ve always been wary of substitutes and mindful of the immortal bard, Shakespeare, who said it well, “A substitute shines brightly as a king, until a king be by!”

Butter does contain more saturated fat than margarine and does have cholesterol. But cholesterol isn’t the devil it’s made out to be. It’s present in every cell of the body and 90% of our blood cholesterol is produced by our own liver. We would die without it.

History can also guide us in this debate. Saturated fats have been used for thousands of years as the main form of cooking oil. For instance, lard, used in China, butter in Europe, ghee in India and coconut oil in the tropics. The people of Okinawa are known for their longevity and their main cooking oil is lard.

The French diet is loaded with saturated fats and yet they have a low rate of coronary heart disease. In Canada, the Inuit diet is mainly meat and lard and they too have a lower rate of heart disease. Today there’s new evidence that saturated fat isn’t the bad guy it’s been portrayed as lately.

Let’s also consider how margarine is made. fie process is called “hydrogenation,” which makes liquid oils solid at room temperature. To do this, hydrogen is added to the oil, but this also creates trans fatty acids, not found in nature, which have been linked to heart disease. Today trans fats have been largely removed from margarine but it’s still a manufactured product.

Another selling point for margarine is that it contains healthy, essential omega-3 fatty acids. But few consumers know that not all omega-3 essential fatty acids are the same. For instance, margarine is made from plant sources such as soybean and canola oils. Several experts claim that these oils are not as good as the omega-3 fatty acids in fish.

I stopped listening to my cardiologist years ago. I don’t believe that the farmers’ hens and cows are responsible for the increased rate of heart disease. I think it’s a combination of human folly, such as the epidemic of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and general lethargy that’s become so much a part of our society.

One hundred years ago coronary attacks were rare. Dr. Paul Dudley White, Harvard’s renowned cardiologist, remarked that it was so infrequently seen then that other doctors would be summoned to the emergency when a case arrived so they could learn from the experience. Now you do not have to wait long in any major hospital to witness a coronary event. This should tell us something.

Source: Dr. Gifford-Jones; The Peterborough Examiner

Hintz Named N.D. Dairy Princess

News EditorDairy Checkoff

Congratulations to Heidi Hintz, 18, Flasher, N.D. for being crowned the 64th North Dakota Dairy Princess!

The title allows her to serve as the official goodwill ambassador for about 180 North Dakota dairy farmers during the next year.

Hintz is the daughter of Robert and Debra Hintz. She is a graduate of Flasher High School and will major in music education and agriculture at Dickinson State University. Hintz also received scholarships from the Milk Producers Association of North Dakota, Friends of Dairymen and Midwest Dairy Association.

Five candidates competed for the North Dakota Dairy Princess title. Nancy Leier, 19, of Hague, was named runner-up and Miss Congeniality. She is the daughter of Larry and Rosalind Leier and is majoring in agronomy at Bismarck State College. She also received scholarships from the Milk Producers Association of North Dakota and Friends of Dairymen.

Throughout her year-long reign as North Dakota Dairy Princess, Hintz will make appearances to educate consumers about dairy farmers’ commitment to providing wholesome milk and dairy products, and caring for their animals and the environment. She will visit classrooms to educate children on the importance of including dairy products in their diet every day.

Dairy princess candidates were judged on personality, knowledge of the dairy industry, enthusiasm for promotion and communication skills. The dairy princess program is sponsored by the state’s dairy farmers through the North Dakota Division of Midwest Dairy Association.

Source: Midwest Dairy Association

Sellen Joins DBA

News EditorGeneral

Congratulations to Jayme Sellen for being named the Deputy Government Affairs Director of the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association (DBA), a statewide leader in advocating for progressive dairy farmers, cheese processors and allied industry partners.

“We are very excited to announce Jayme Sellen as the newest member of our team,” said Laurie Fischer, DBA Executive Director. “Jayme is highly regarded by those working inside the Capitol as well as on the Capitol square.”

Sellen has a degree from St. Norbert College where she studied Political Science, Business Administration and Philosophy. She also brings several years of experience working in state and county government, most recently working as the Legislative Assistant to the Brown County Executive, a position responsible for lobbying on behalf of all 30 county departments.

Jayme will work closely with DBA Government Affairs Director Dave Jelinski and DBA Executive Director Laurie Fischer to educate elected officials on the vital role agriculture plays in securing and growing jobs in the State.

Agriculture in Wisconsin provides over 60 billion dollars in economic activity each year. Our rural communities rely heavily on a healthy agriculture economy which is dependent upon the hard-working farm families who do everything possible daily to protect and enhance Wisconsin’s environmental resources.

Source: The Dairy Business Association

Wis. FFA Receives Donation From ANIMART

News EditorEducation, Pfizer

ANIMART, Inc. recently donated nearly $30,000 to the Wisconsin FFA on behalf of dairy and livestock producers who purchased Pfizer Animal Health vaccines during a 2010 winter and spring program.

“We are proud to have offered large animal clients and producers a program to support FFA through their purchases of Pfizer Animal Health products during a three month promotion,” says Ruth Metz, co-owner of ANIMART with her husband, Dr. James Metz. “ANIMART, through our clients, is pleased to help FFA chapters across Wisconsin develop tomorrow’s future agriculture leaders.”

For every eligible purchase of Pfizer Animal Health cattle vaccines from January 1 thru March 31, 2010, ANIMART donated one percent to Wisconsin FFA.

The donation will support Wisconsin FFA programs that complement instruction in agricultural education by giving students practical experiences in agriculture, personal growth and career success skills for members.

Since last year, ANIMART has been a member of the Blue and Gold Society, an elite group of nearly 40 individuals and organizations who generously demonstrate their support of Wisconsin’s FFA members and programs by contributing $10,000 or more. Since 2008, ANIMART has contributed more than $70,000 to the Wisconsin FFA Foundation supporting agricultural education and FFA programs benefiting nearly 18,000 Wisconsin FFA members.

Source: ANIMART, Inc.

DFA Opens New Regional Office in Calif.

News EditorCompany Announcement

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has opened a new regional office in Ripon, Calif.

“Now we’re centrally located (in dairy country),” said Glenn Wallace, DFA area chief operating officer. “Ripon is a great community. We’re happy to be here.”

Wallace was joined by DFA members and staff and City of Ripon dignitaries.

“Ripon was founded on farming,” Mayor Chuck Winn said. “We’re glad to have DFA here.”

Locally, DFA has been up and running in Ripon for about a year, with the previous office located in Southern California.

“We still have our Southern California office,” Wallace said.

Ripon, however, is located between the DFA-owned manufacturing and ingredients plant in Hughson, and the Turlock cheese plant.

The western area of DFA consists of nine districts servicing California, Nevada and most of Arizona, representing 300 dairy farms and producing 6 billion pounds of milk annually. One of his area’s biggest customers is Super Store Industries, consisting of Save Mart and Raley’s stores. DFA also handles Dean Foods, Heritage, Kraft, Leprino, and Stremicks.

Source: The Manteca Bulletin

Dairy Contest is All in the Agvocacy

News EditorBASF Plant Science

Here’s a contest with a great prize: BASF Plant Science is offering a grand prize winner a spot at the new AgChat Foundation‘s Agvocacy 2.0 Conference! Just enter their NutriDense® Silage Web Moo.0 contest!

Between the #dairy Twitter hashtag, straight-from-the-milking parlor blog posts, and planting season Facebook updates, social media has revolutionized how the dairy industry tells its story.

Now, in celebration of June’s National Dairy Month, BASF Plant Science wants to hear from you. How do you use social media to promote your operation or the dairy industry? Do you tweet from your combine, update your Facebook from the truck, answer customer questions on a blog? We want to know!

Tell us your story by entering the NutriDense Silage Web Moo.0 contest before Friday, July 9, and you could win registration, hotel and travel to the AgChat Foundation Agvocacy 2.0 Conference. In addition, second and third-place winners will receive Flip Cameras, valued up to $150 each.

There are several ways you can enter: Show us by pasting the URL to your YouTube video, Flickr photo slideshow or blog post; or tell us by inserting your 500-word or less essay in the submission form below. Got other ideas? Be creative!

To be eligible, entrants must be involved in the dairy industry, live in the continental U.S., be at least 18 years old and able to attend the AgChat Foundation Agvocacy 2.0 Conference. Entries will be judged on creativity, innovation shown and impact on the dairy industry.

Source: BASF Plant Science