Weekly CWT Export Update

News Editorcwt

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) accepted three bids from Darigold, two bids each from Dairy Farmers of America and Foremost Farms, and one bid from Land O’Lakes for export assistance for a total of 1,409 metric tons (3.1 million pounds) of Cheddar cheese to the Middle East and Asia. The product will be delivered May through November 2010.

Since CWT reactivated the Export Assistance program on March 18, 2010, it has assisted members in making export sales of cheddar cheese totaling 11,228 metric tons (24.8 million pounds) to 15 countries on four continents.

The Export Assistance program was reactivated when economic analysis indicated that sizeable Cheddar cheese inventories overhanging the market are hampering a recovery in producer milk prices. Assisting CWT members in exporting Cheddar cheese will provide the most immediate way to positively impact producer milk prices.

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)

Hardesty Elected to USDEC

News EditorGovernment

More congratulations are due to Colorado dairyman Les Hardesty, for being elected chairman of the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Hardesty will fill the seat made vacant by Tom Camerlo’s unexpected passing last fall.

Hardesty is the third elected chairman in the organization’s history, following Elwood Kirkpatrick (1995-2004) and Tom Camerlo (2004-2009). Paul Rovey has served as interim chairman since Camerlo’s passing.

Hardesty milks 700 cows on the Painted Prairie Dairy in Greeley, Colo., and also owns the smaller showcase Cozy Cow Dairy educational facility. Hardesty is chairman of the Mountain Area Region of Dairy Farmers of America and of the National Dairy Council, and serves on the board of National Milk Producers Federation and United Dairy Industry Association. He has been an active member of the USDEC board for the last seven years.

“USDEC is a great organization managed by quality people with incredible support from the membership,” Hardesty said. “As incoming chair, I have an opportunity to continue the tradition of helping influence how U.S. dairy reaches our worldwide customers and consumers.”

He will preside over the 94-member organization, which is made up of U.S. dairy producers, proprietary processors and cooperatives, ingredient suppliers, export traders and industry affiliates. The group is focused on market development, resolving market access barriers and advancing the industry’s trade policy goals, supported by the dairy check-off, U.S. Department of Agriculture funding and membership dues.

Source: DairyFoods.com

Photo Credit: Dairy Farming Today

Hawaiian Dairies Post Increased Milk Production

News EditorProduction

Congratulations to Hawaiian dairy farmers! For the first time in 11 years, they posted an increase year-over-year in milk production!

Hawaii milk production increased 15 percent in 2009, the first time in 11 years the state has seen a year-over-year production increase, according to a report released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Hawaii’s total milk production in 2009 was 21.3 million pounds, according to the USDA.

Milk sales increased 38 percent from the previous year to $7.5 million.

The state has 15 farms with dairy cows and two commercial dairies licensed to sell milk — Island Dairy on the Big Island, which sells under the label Hawaii’s Fresh Milk, and Meadow Gold Dairies of Honolulu, according to a 2009 USDA report.

Source: Pacific Business News (Honolulu)

Scholarships Available

News EditorDairy Checkoff, Education

Students, apply today for the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDPRB) scholarships. Completed applications are due by May 31, 2010.

NDPRB, through Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), annually awards up to 19 $1,500 scholarships to eligible undergraduate students (sophomore through senior) enrolled in college/university programs that emphasize dairy. Majors include: communications/public relations, journalism, marketing, business, economics, nutrition, food science, and Ag education. In addition, the NDPRB awards a $2,500 James H. Loper Jr. Memorial Scholarship to the outstanding scholarship recipient.

Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, an interest in a career in a dairy-related discipline, and demonstrated leadership, initiative and integrity. Candidates are expected to complete an application form, submit a transcript of all college courses, and write a short statement describing their career aspirations, dairy-related activities and work experiences. The application information is evaluated by a NDPRB Scholarship Committee composed of an external review panel and at least two Board members. The recommendations of the Scholarship Committee are summarized by NDPRB staff and the scholarships are then awarded.

Students may be awarded scholarships in multiple years. Scholarship winners must be enrolled during the entire academic year for which the scholarship is awarded. Announcement of winners will be made to both awardee and university department chairman on or about July 30, 2010.

Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:
1. Academic performance.
2. Courses related to dairy.
3. Apparent commitment to a career in dairy.
4. Involvement in extra-curricular activities, especially those relating to dairy.
5. Evidence of leadership ability, initiative, character and integrity.

Source: Dairy Management Inc.

Dairyline Markets In Review

Chuck ZimmermanDairyline, Markets

The cash block cheese price closed the first Friday in May at $1.38 per pound, down three-quarters on the week, but 24 1/4-cents above a year ago. Barrel closed at $1.3725, also down three quarters, but 31 3/4-cents above a year ago when the barrels bottomed out at $1.0550. Eight cars of block traded hands on the week and 10 of barrel. The lagging NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price lost 1.3 cents, slipping to $1.4257. Barrel averaged $1.3939, down 2.7 cents.

Butter inched 2 cents higher Monday and Tuesday, plunged 6 cents Wednesday, regained 2 on Thursday, and a half-cent Friday, and closed at $1.6050, down a penny and a half, and reversed 12 weeks of gains, but it’s 36 1/2-cents above a year ago. Eight cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.5491, up 3.4 cents.

Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed at $1.3275, up 3 cents on the week. Six cars were sold. Extra Grade closed at $1.30, up a nickel. NASS powder averaged $1.2174, up 4 cents. Dry whey averaged 35.74 cents, up 0.5 cent.

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.

Dairy Expo Introduces New Interactive Map

News EditorWorld Dairy Expo

Planning to visit the 2010 World Dairy Expo? Before you pack the car, take some time to visit the new interactive website where you can learn more about each of the 750-plus companies participating in this year’s show. Mark your calendars – the show will take place September 28 through October 2 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis.

World Dairy Expo Sales Manager, John Rozum says “We are really excited to provide this year-round resource. In addition to a full listing of our exhibitors, you can now search our site for very specific information about each one. Dairy producers are sure to find this tool valuable before, during and after the show.”

Rozum notes, “Each year World Dairy Expo’s trade show features the best tools, products, equipment and technology to manage a dairy operation. We’re hoping our new search function and interactive maps help connect dairy producers with our exhibitors all year long.”

Interactive options include:
• Up-to-date lists of World Dairy Expo’s exhibitors, featuring company name, product category, booth location and web address.
• Individual maps of the grounds, including the Outdoor Trade Mall, Exhibition Hall, Coliseum, Arena Building and Grazing Pavilion, that allow you to scroll over booth locations and see the name of the company occupying that space as well as their address and contact information.
• Dairy producers who are looking for specific products or equipment will appreciate the search function of the site. For instance, if you are looking for products to treat mastitis, simply type the word into the search bar and an instantaneous list of all exhibitors supplying mastitis treatments appears along with their booth location and website link. Click on individual maps, and these same exhibitors’ booths are highlighted.

Source: World Dairy Expo

N.Y.'s Congressman Bill Owens Named to Ag Committee

News Editorfarm bill, Government

Congressman Bill Owens from New York State has announced his appointment to the House Committee on Agriculture.

He will join colleagues on the panel that has general jurisdiction over federal agriculture policy and oversight of various federal agencies.

“Upstate N.Y. agriculture is a major driver of our entire state’s economy, and now our region has a larger role in the decision making process,” Owens said. “As we continue to work our way out of the recession, we need to provide every opportunity to our farming community and small business owners to succeed.”

In his first few months in office, Owens has fought tirelessly for local agriculture interests. In January, he pressed U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to protect Upstate dairy from the negative effects a U.S.-New Zealand trade agreement would have on the industry. Owens also fought to keep the Market Access Program (MAP) funded at its highest level to help local dairy farmers and wine producers continue to play a large role in local economic development.

Owens is currently working with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s office to address the financial challenges that many farms face as a result of the recession by ensuring access to credit through the USDA Farm Service Agency’s loan guarantees and direct loans.

“As the largest segment of agriculture in New York, dairy is critical to the Upstate economy, with approximately 6,800 farms across the state. Nationwide, New York ranks third in milk production. These dairy farms are essential to their local economies and share a commitment to producing safe, nutritious and affordable products,” said Owens.

Last Month, Owens reintroduced a previous effort by former Congressman John McHugh to allow Upstate New York maple syrup producers greater access to federal resources for maple research, education, and promotion.

“The more opportunity we provide for our local agriculture leaders and small business owners, the better chance our community has at a complete economic recovery,” said Owens. “We have an abundance of untapped maple trees and providing resources for our maple producers to expand their operations will benefit our entire area.”

Source: Congressman Bill Owens

WMMB Announces Election Results

News EditorCompany Announcement

Congratulations to the Wisconsin dairy farmers named to the 2010 Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) board of directors.

There were 21 candidates running for eight board member positions. Of the 4,187 dairy producers in the election districts, 25.6% returned mail-in ballots. That number is up from 16.7% during the 2009 elections. Each licensed dairy operation within the affected district received one vote. WMMB directors guide the organization’s finances, formulate and set its policies and long-range business plan, and maintain its mission: To help grow demand for Wisconsin milk by providing programs that enhance the competitiveness of the Wisconsin Dairy Industry.

Commencing July 1, the following dairy producers will begin to serve a three-year term as elected members of the WMMB:

Ed Jasurda, District 3 Director representing Lincoln, Oneida, Price and Taylor counties
Vivian Thompson, District 6 Director representing Chippewa and Eau Claire counties
Jeff Strassburg, District 9 Director representing Menominee, Shawano and Waupaca counties
Ken Heiman, District 12 Director representing Portage, Waushara and Wood counties
Mary Cook, District 15 Director representing Adams, Juneau and Monroe counties
Dean Strauss, District 18 Director representing Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha counties
Judith Wubbenhorst, District 21 Director representing Crawford and Vernon counties
Tina Hinchley, District 24 Director representing Dane and Jefferson counties

Source: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board

Dual Purpose Hybrids

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Feed, Forage, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

Pioneer Hi-Bred Forage Forum PodcastIn this edition of Forage Forum, Pioneer livestock information manager Steve Soderlund discusses the benefits of dual-purpose hybrids, which can allow a producer greater flexibility, depending on environmental conditions and feed needs.

Listen to the podcast here:

[audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://zimmcomm.biz/pioneer/pioneer-podcast-74-wdd.mp3] Steve Soderland on dual purpose hybrids (5:00 min MP3)

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

Subscribe to Forage Forum here.

Test Herd to Avoid Parasite Resistance

Cindy ZimmermanAnimal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim

BIVI logoAs reports of internal parasite resistance to deworming treatments are on the upswing, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) is urging herd managers to test first, then treat, to avoid both the overuse and underuse of anthelmintics that can lead to a resistance problem.

Overuse is the result of producers deworming too often, and underuse occurs when too little product is administered, according to Dr. Mac Devin, professional services veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. “In a closed population, if you treat too frequently, the remaining worms are the only ones left to breed,” he says. “Resistance increases with each generation. And if less than the labeled dose is given, again, this leaves too many survivors to pass on their resistant genes to the next generation.”

To establish a resistance management program in your herd, Devin recommends, with the help of your herd veterinarian, first conducting a fecal egg count reduction test to detect if you have parasite resistance in your herd. Two tests are taken; after the first test, treat the entire herd, then come back in 14 days to take another count and then calculate the loss. “Do this test on 20 percent of your herd, or 20 animals, whichever is less,” he says. “We want to see a 90 percent fecal egg production reduction.” Less than that would suggest a resistant population is present.

Secondly, herd managers should do a coproculture. Samples are incubated and then evaluated by a parasitologist to determine the composition of the nematode population.
With this information, cattle producers can determine the most effective program that will minimize the risk of resistance.