Holstein Association Announces new TPI Formula

News EditorGenetics, Holstein Association

HolsteinAssociationThe Holstein Association USA has announced a a new Total Performance Index (TPI) formula to help recognize the needs, strengths and opportunities in the Holstein breed. The new formula has slight modifications from its last updated in May 2007. TPI is used to rank Holstein cattle and assist dairy producers worldwide in identifying superior cattle with a combination of high production, sound conformation and desirable health and fertility.

“The Genetic Advancement Committee recommended the update to the TPI formula to reflect the wants and needs of today’s dairymen,” said Dr. Tom Lawlor, Holstein Association USA Director of Research and Development. “The opportunity to improve the lower heritability health and fertility traits is greater now than ever before with the information provided by genomic evaluations.”

The updated TPI formula includes an increased emphasis on Productive Life (PL) and Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR); maintains the current emphasis on udders and feet and legs; aims to slow the increase in body size; and slightly reduces the emphasis on production. New weights for the major categories include: 42 percent on production (down from 45 percent), 33 percent on health and fertility (up from 27 percent), and 25 percent on conformation (down from 28 percent).

This change comes along with the updating of the genetic base, which occurs every five years, to ensure the genetic evaluations are being compared to a current and up-to-date population. The new base now reflects cows born in 2005, whereby the average PTA of those cows equals zero. Some adjustments to the major traits include:
Milk – 415
Fat – 15
Protein – 14
PTAT – 0.87
UDC – 0.85
FLC – 0.65

Source: Holstein Association USA

Hannaford Joins 'Keep Farms Local'

News EditorDairy Checkoff, Industry News, Media

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Hannaford retailer has joined the new Keep Local Farms initiative that was recently formed in New England. The Keep Local Farms program has been developed by a group of concerned local leaders in the Northeast, all of them working for the benefit of local dairy farmers. That group includes the following: Cooperative Development Institute, the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council, New England Dairy Promotion Board and New England Family Dairy Farm Cooperative

The program is a way to help farmers get fair-trade prices for their milk and give consumers a way to support them. Keep Local Farms hopes to close that price gap so dairy farms can be more sustainable. It’s encouraging consumers to buy local dairy products and contribute directly to a fund that’ll be shared with New England farmers.

Inspired by the “Fair Trade” products such as coffee, bananas, and chocolate, the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council, Food and Markets, the New England Dairy Promotion Board, and the New England Family Dairy Farm Cooperative with Cooperative Development Institute, have developed the idea of marketing milk with an icon that indicates the farmer who produced it will be paid a portion of the price for it-a price that helps farmers cover the cost of production. The Keep Local Farms program connects consumers with dairy farmers through education and direct support.

Hannaford, which gets 90 percent of its milk from the Northeast, is the first retailer to back Keep Local Farms. The chain will donate 10 cents for each “Close to Home” reusable bag sold in February. Customers also may donate $2 or $5 at its cash registers.

Lucinda Williams is the 12th generation to work the Luther Belden Farm, and she doesn’t want the property that’s been in her husband’s family since 1661 to follow the 150 New England dairy farms that failed last year. Williams yesterday joined Hannaford Supermarkets and state agriculture officials in an appeal to Bay Staters to support New England dairy farms.

“Farmers are not looking for a handout,” Williams said. “It’s called a business, and we’d actually like to be in business. At a minimum, we’d like to be able to cover our costs.”

Federally set milk prices plunged after the recession took hold. The U.S. lost 3 percent of its export market, leaving a glut of product, said Chris Galen, spokesman for the National Milk Producers Federation in Virginia.

“Prices have been strengthening the last four months or so, but it’s going to take us quite a while to dig out of that hole,” he said.

Source: The Boston Herald and Keep Farms Local

MilkPEP Launches "Give a Gallon" Campaign

News EditorDairy Checkoff, got milk?, Industry News

rebecca_romijnThe Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) has launched a new initiative called the “Great Gallon Give” with the help of actress and mom Rebecca Romijn, who is appearing in her second milk mustache ad – this time with her twin daughters.

The new program will give away hundreds of thousands of gallons of milk – the equivalent of more than three million servings – to help raise awareness of the important role milk plays in building strong families. Events are scheduled from coast-to-coast to give out the gallons and families can register to win a year’s free supply of milk.

The “Great Gallon Give” will also make it possible to help families in need by passing a virtual gallon of milk to friends on Facebook. For every virtual gallon passed, $1 will go to Feeding America, up to $100,000. Feeding America is the country’s largest network of food banks that serves more than 25 million people facing hunger in this country. In addition, milk processors will be donating thousands of real gallons of milk to local food banks in the Feeding America network.

“We want to salute moms for all they do to help build strong families,” said Vivien Godfrey, CEO of the Milk Processor Education Program. “When you sit down to a meal together, you’re doing something good for your family. When you set the table with milk, you are providing your family with one of the most nourishing choices possible.”

Visit the website to find out if the Great Gallon Give is coming to your town. Local events are planned for 20 markets from coast-to-coast. In total, more than 200,000 gallons of milk will be distributed. While there, you can register for a chance to win a year’s worth of free milk. The first 125,000 people to enter the contest will receive a downloadable coupon for free milk with purchase.

Source: Milk Processor Education Program

Dairy Farmer is New AFBF YF&R Chair

Cindy ZimmermanAFBF, Audio, Video

A dairy farmer who is a YouTube hit with his original “Water ‘n Poo” song is the new chairman of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.

afbfWill Gilmer of Alabama was elected as by the committee as chairperson for 2010 and will take over those duties in February to serve for one year.

Gilmer owns and operates Gilmer Dairy Farm, which includes a herd of 450 Holstein cows, heifers and calves, as well as more than 500 acres of pasture and forage crop production.

In addition to his daily farming duties, Gilmer maintains a Web site, www.gilmerdairy.com, along with The Dairyman’s Blog, in an effort to reach out to the public about modern farming practices. Gilmer also is active on the micro-blogging Web site Twitter under @gilmerdairy.

And if you have never heard or seen Will’s funny YouTube hit about nutrient management – viewed over 9,000 times – here it is. Heck, even if you have seen it – worth watching again so you can be singing “Water ‘n Poo” all day long!

Former Holstein Executive Secretary Rumler has Passed Away

News EditorHolstein Association, Industry News

rumlerHoard’s Dairyman and the Holstein World have reported that former Executive Secretary of Holstein Association USA Robert H. Rumler has passed away. We are very saddened to hear the loss of such a prominent figure of the dairy world, and will pass along more information as it becomes available.

Robert Rumler, long-time Holstein Executive Secretary and dedicated dairy industry leader passed away on January 10, 2010; he was 93 years old. Rumler served as Executive Secretary of the Holstein Friesian Association (now Holstein USA) from 1952 to 1975. During his tenure with the Association, Rumler guided the Association to prominence as the world’s largest and most prestigious dairy breed organization, becoming an internationally recognized dairy leader in the process.

He has served in many leadership capacities in addition to those with the Association including Chairman of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council, National Advisory Committee on International Agricultural Trade, US/USSR Joint Commission on Agricultural Cooperation, Joint Commissions on Commercial Development with several Eastern European Countries, Director and Board Chairman of Vermont National Bank, to name a few. In retirement, he serves as Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Commonwealth Campus of Penn State University at Mont Alto.

Born and raised on a Pennsylvania dairy farm, Rumler graduated with honors from Penn State University in 1936. Honored by Penn State as a Distinguished Alumnus, Rumler is also the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award of the Holstein Association, The American Dairy Science Association, National DHIA, National Agricultural Marketing Offi cials. He is in the Dairy Shrine “Hall of Fame,” and the International Livestock Hall of Fame. Other similar recognitions have been accorded him.

Source: Hoard’s Dairyman and Holstein World

NMPF Announces Staff Reorganizations

News EditorNational Milk

TNMPFlogohere’s been some staff changes at National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF).

Staffing changes include the appointment of Jaime Castaneda to Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Trade Policy. In this role, Castaneda will be responsible for the development of NMPF’s strategic direction on public policy, including the current work of the NMPF Strategic Planning Task Force, and continue as the lead person for immigration reform. In addition, he will continue to lead efforts on all matters related to trade policy and international relations. Castaneda will be supported in the latter role by Shawna Morris, who has been promoted to the position of Vice President, Trade Policy.

Congressional relations and other government relations activities will now be led by Dana Brooks, who has been promoted to Vice President, Government Relations. Brooks will be assisted in NMPF’s day-to-day advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill by Mary Knigge, Manager of Government Relations. Knigge will also continue her role as staff liaison with the Young Cooperators’ Program.

Jim Tillison will assume the position of Senior Vice President, Marketing and Economic Research, and continue to serve as the Chief Operating Officer of the Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) Program. He will supervise economic and market research efforts, including all matters related to Federal Milk Marketing Orders. Tillison will be supported in these activities by Peter Vitaliano, Vice President, Economic Policy & Market Research, and Roger Cryan, Vice President, Milk Marketing & Economics. With respect to CWT, Khadija Gibson-White will provide on-going support as the CWT Program Assistant.

NMPF’s communications and public relations efforts will remain under the direction of Chris Galen, Senior Vice President, Communications. Galen will be supported by Sarah Olson, who has been promoted to Manager of Communications.

Executive Vice President Tom Balmer will continue to supervise administrative functions, in addition to serving as Executive Director of the National Ice Cream Mix Association (NICMA). He will be supported in this position by Gail Mobley, Director of Finance and Administration. Balmer will also have direct oversight of NMPF’s scientific and regulatory efforts, which are led by Jamie Jonker, Vice President of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs. Betsy Flores will continue in her position as Director of Regulatory Affairs. Her principal responsibilities include management of animal health and welfare efforts through the National Dairy FARM Program.

In order to bolster NMPF’s capabilities regarding scientific and technical issues, NMPF is also hiring Dr. Beth Briczinski as the Director of Dairy Foods & Nutrition. Briczinski will begin her duties on February 1st. She comes from the University of Wisconsin, where she served on the staff of the Food Science Department. Briczinski received her PhD in Food Science from Pennsylvania State University where she specialized in dairy foods research.

Anuja Miner, Senior Director for Executive Office & Member Relations, will continue her role in managing the Executive Office and all matters pertaining to the NMPF Officers and Board of Directors. Miner also has the primary responsibility for membership recruitment, the associate member program, and the American Butter Institute (ABI).

AG CONNECT Expo Preview

Chuck ZimmermanFarm Show

Ag Connect ExpoZimmComm New Media is the social media sponsor of AG CONNECT Expo. This is the new show being produced by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. I’ll be there all next week covering the activities mostly on our AgWired website. If I find interesting news for the dairy industry I’ll get it posted here too. In the meantime, here’s a preview interview I did this morning with the show director. I used the interview in my weekly podcast, the ZimmCast.

The floor of the upcoming AG CONNECT Expo is very busy right now. This morning I spoke with Show Director, Sara Mooney, who was on-location. In this week’s ZimmCast she provides a last preview and let’s us know how the final preparations are going. I’ll be there by the end of the weekend for the pre-show activities that take place on Monday and Tuesday.

Sara says ACE is meeting or exceeding its goals because of things like the co-located industry events and many educational opportunities in addition to a great trade show. She says they’ve seen a major push in registration in the last couple weeks and the average number of acres farmer registrants have is currently at 3,400. There are registrants from 46 states in the U.S. and from 45 countries.

The 2010 show will feature more than 30 education sessions with top industry experts. More than a dozen events are co-located with AG CONNECT Expo 2010, including Agrievolution, the Second World Summit on Agricultural Machinery. AG CONNECT Expo 2010 has the support of more than 40 leading industry groups worldwide, including as strategic partners Agritechnica, the world’s largest agriculture machinery show, and its organizer, DLG (the German Agricultural Society).

Sara is going wild with her new Flip camera too. Here’s one her latest YouTube videos with one of the exhibitors (Krone).

You can listen to my interview with Sara below:

Dairyline Markets In Review

Chuck ZimmermanDairyline, Markets

DairylineDairy Markets Week in Review

The first week of trading in 2010 saw cash block cheese fall to $1.41 per pound, down 4 cents on the week but 33 3/4-cents above a year ago. The blocks have lost 29 1/4-cents in the last three weeks.

The barrels closed the first Friday of 2010 at $1.4325, up a quarter-cent on the week and 36 1/4-cents above a year ago. Barrels got as low as $1.03 on January 7, 2009. Twenty four cars of block traded hands in the first week of 2010 and 12 of barrel. The NASS-surveyed U.S. block average hit $1.7004, up 0.9 cent. The barrels averaged $1.4878, down 1.2 cents.

Butter closed Friday at $1.3450, up 1 3/4-cents on the week and 23 1/2 above a year ago. 28 cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.3370, down 1.9 cents.

Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk held at $1.37 but Extra Grade closed at $1.3850, down 1 1/2-cents on the week. NASS powder averaged $1.2807, down 5.2 cents, and dry whey averaged 38.57 cents, up 1.3 cents on the week.

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.

1,000 Pound Butter Sculpture Unveiled

News EditorButter

2010 Butter SculptureWhat better way to kick-off the Pennsylvania Farm Show than a butter sculpture made of 1,000 pounds of butter! Unveiled today, the sculpture is sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, from butter donated by Land O’ Lakes in Carlisle, Pa.

The sculpture pays tribute to dairy farm families and depicts a dairy cow, as well as a dairy farmer pouring a glass of milk at the breakfast table with family members.

“Pennsylvania’s dairy industry is the largest sector of our state’s number one economic enterprise – agriculture,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “With more than 98 percent of our dairy farms being family-owned, dairy producers are truly committed to providing high-quality milk for consumers while playing an integral role in supporting our local communities, the environment and economy.”

Pennsylvania is home to more than 7,100 dairy farmers and 537,000 dairy cows. Dairy-related businesses contribute $7 billion annually to the state’s economy, spending about 85 percent of their income locally, and providing more than 40,000 jobs.

“This year, we are proud to salute the dairy farmers of Pennsylvania,” said Vernon Horst, a Franklin County dairy farmer and chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association. “This sculpture marks the 20th consecutive year that dairy farmers, through their dairy promotion programs, are able to share a spectacular sculpture at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

“The butter sculpture is a creative way to bring the dairy industry to the forefront of the media, and is an opportunity for dairy farmers to connect with and educate the general public in a unique way about producing milk, cheese, yogurt and butter.”

Sculptor Jim Victor, of Conshohocken, Montgomery County, began crafting the life-size design in mid-December and finished just in time for the Farm Show. He also creates sculptures using chocolate and cheese.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

USDA Dairy Committee Members Announced

News EditorGovernment

usdaCongratulations to all of the dairy leaders named to the new federal Dairy Industry Advisory Committee. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of 17 members today.

Over the next two years, the committee will review the issues of farm milk price volatility, dairy farmer profitability and consolidation, and offer suggestions on ways USDA can best address the needs of a struggling dairy industry. Representatives will include: producers and producer organizations, processors and processor organizations, handlers, consumers, academia, retailers, and state agencies involved in organic and non-organic dairy at the local, regional, national, and international levels.

Producer members appointed to the committee are: Erick Coolidge (Pa.), Timothy den Dulk (Mich.), Debora Erb (N.H.), James Goodman (Wis.), James Krahn, (Ore.), Edward Maltby (Mass.), Manuel Souza (Calif.), Ed Welch (Minn.), and James Williams (Ga.).

Representatives from the processing industry include: Jay Bryant (Va.), Patricia Stroup (Calif.), Sue Taylor (Colo.), and Robert Wills. (Wis.).

Members representing state government, retail, academia, and consumers are: Rodney Nilsestuen (Wis.), Robert Schupper (Pa.), Andrew Novakovic (N.Y.), and Paul Bourbeau (Vt.).

All members will serve two-year terms, beginning in January 2010, and expiring Jan. 1, 2012. The committee was expanded this year from 15 members to 17 and will hold its first meeting in early 2010. The meeting will be open to the public and USDA encourages public participation.

Source: USDA