Who's Ready for a Food Fight?

News EditorBeef Checkoff, Communication, Industry News

15683_FoodFight-Banner_3Next week is the start of a national food fight – are you ready to join in? Beginning Nov. 16, dairy farmers and beef producers can join the Beef Checkoff’s five-day FOOD FIGHT by speaking up! Now more than ever, it’s vital that farmers help Americans realize what they have to be thankful for as they prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday. To learn more, and get tools and tips to participate, visit the FOOD FIGHT website.

With a virtually constant flow of misinformation in mainstream media of late, it’s easy to get frustrated when you’re working your land and cattle in environmentally sound and caring ways. Of particular concern is the fact that so many of the attacks on the beef industry are based on emotional pleas rather than facts or science.

In addition to all the positive research, messages and tools your beef checkoff investment provides, beef producers, dairy farmers and importers need to tell their own stories. You need to get your voice heard in the debate and put a face on your industry.

Source: Beef Checkoff

Weitzer Honored with Richard E. Lyng Award

News EditorCompetition, Dairy Checkoff

david-weitzerCongratulations to dairy producer, David Weitzer, Poolesville, Md., for being awarded the 2009 Richard E. Lyng Award by the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB). David was recognized for his dedication and service to dairy promotion, and was awarded a $2,500 donation in his name to a college of his choice.

Weitzer also represented dairy producers nationally. He was elected 2nd vice chairman of UDIA, and chairman of the National Dairy Council®, the nutrition research and education arm of the dairy checkoff. Weitzer also was a founding director of the U.S. Dairy Export Council®, which helps grow U.S. dairy sales internationally, and served six years as a member of the NDB.

“David has dedicated more than four decades of service to dairy producers in Maryland and across the country,” said Kimberly Clauss, California dairy producer and NDB chair. Weitzer has been a leader in dairy promotion since the mid-1970s, when he was first elected to serve on a local dairy promotion board. He served multiple terms as chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and its predecessor organizations.

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 more than 25 years ago. The Lyng Award honors dairy industry leaders who have made a significant contribution to dairy promotion that benefits the entire U.S. dairy industry.

As a national leader, Weitzer was actively involved in the formation of Dairy Management Inc.™, which manages the national dairy checkoff program.

Source: National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB)

Dairy Marketing Class Offered by PDPW

News EditorGeneral

pdpw-logoDairy producers wanting to increase their knowledge of commodity marketing tools and principles—and better manage risk—will have that opportunity during a seven-week Commodity Marketing Class sponsored by the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW). Course topics include understanding agricultural commodity markets and marketing; developing an effective market plan; analyzing the market for market activity; understanding and utilizing the futures market, the cash market and the options market; and a hedgers and marketers checklist.

The first class—which is free—is set for Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Animart, Beaver Dam, Wis. At the close of the first class, attendees can decide if this course is for them and sign up for the next six classes.

Lead instructor for the course will be Carl Babler who has been involved in commodity marketing as a broker, educator and hedger since 1975. Babler also teaches at the School of Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

“Dairy producers have done a remarkable job on the production side, and this course is designed to give us the knowledge and skills to use risk management tools to reduce price volatility,” Doug Knoepke, Durand, Wis., dairy producer and president of PDPW. “In today’s environment, we dairy producers need all of the tools available, and this course’s focus on price opportunities will provide us with another highly valuable and useful tool.”

Cost for the full course is $450, with this covering one to two individuals from the same farm. Class size will be limited to 30.

Source: Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin

New Online Game Teaches Kids About Dairy Farming

News EditorDairy Checkoff, Education, Industry News

operation dairyOnline games featuring farming are popular on social networks. Now, the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program have introduced Operation Dairy, a new interactive online game that helps teach kids about modern dairy farming.The game was created by Philadelphia-based Singularity Design.

Operation Dairy challenges players to explore a rich virtual farm landscape to find and “win” nine unique dairy tokens by correctly answering a question about the dairy industry. Each token is accompanied by an engaging video clip from the Discover Dairy education-based Web site.

Players watch the short video, and then answer a question based on the video clip to win the token. Each token helps players understand how dairy farmers provide for their animals and about basic dairy farming practices. Once all nine tokens are collected, the player can choose from three different certificates that they can personalize as their prize.

“The professionalism and creativity of Singularity Design make Operation Dairy an engaging and fun experience for kids of all ages,” said Laura England, executive vice president of communications for Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association. “The appealing graphics and animation help to illustrate how dairy farmers care for their land, the environment and their cows through an enjoyable and challenging game.”

An animated cow named “Cammie” is one special touch created by Singularity Design. Cammie greets visitors to Operation Dairy and leads them through the game instructions. As players navigate their way through the game, Cammie provides tips and encouragement.

Source: Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association

Biodiesel Plant Receives Grant

News EditorBiotech, General, Industry News

home-HERO-BX-logoHERO BX, formerly Lake Erie Biofuels, LLC, is the country’s largest producer of biodiesel. Last week, the company announced it has been awarded a $1,640,250 million grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to complete the company’s expansion project – increasing their yearly output of low-cost, high quality biodiesel, from 45 million gallons to 55 million gallons. HERO BX is matching the award amount with its own funds for a total of $3,280,500.

“It is imperative that biofuels companies that are producing fuel today continue to receive financial support,” said Leonard Kosar, CEO of HERO BX. “The state of Pennsylvania is setting a precedent apart from the federal government and many other states – it has recognized the economic, environmental and security value of supporting biofuels companies that are already in production. We cannot and will not be able to produce the next generation of biodiesel and ethanol if we abandon first generation biofuels producers such as HERO BX.”

The grant was awarded as part of Governor Edward G. Rendell’s goal to increase alternative energy opportunities within the state. The funds, which will be distributed through Green Energy Works!, is part of the federal funding that the state will receive under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (Stimulus Bill). The program goal is to invest more than $99.6 million of federal funding to supplement the state’s Alternative Energy Investment Fund.

There is a huge economic opportunity for Pennsylvania to produce biofuels. Through their “Sustainable Crops Initiative,” HERO BX is working with agronomists at Pennsylvania State University to pioneer the use of the camelina. The crop is an ideal feedstock because it’s a weed that grows in sub-optimum soil, doesn’t need water or fertilizer and produces seven times more oil than soybeans. In addition, the high Omega-3 by-product has been approved for use in poultry feed. In Pennsylvania alone, there are 200,000 acres of old strip mines that are ideal for growing the feedstock.

Source: HERO BX

Dairy Markets Week in Review

News EditorDairyline, Markets

DairylineDairy Markets Week in Review
Dairy farmers are seeing more light at the end of their financial tunnel as dairy product prices continue to climb. The cash block cheese price closed the first Friday of November at $1.56 per pound, up a nickel on the week and the highest since mid-December 2008, however it’s still 9 cents below a year ago. Barrel closed Friday at $1.5250, up 3 3/4-cents on the week, but 11 1/4-cents below a year ago. Twenty three cars of block was sold on the week and seven of barrel. The lagging, milk price-dictating, NASS-surveyed, U.S. average block price hit $1.4690, up 1.7 cents on the week. Barrel averaged $1.4738, up 1.5 cents.

Cash butter closed the week at $1.50, up 9 cents, but still 13 1/2-cents below a year ago. Only four cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.2968, up a nickel.

Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Friday at $1.37, up 3 1/2-cents on the week, while Extra Grade closed at $1.40, up 13 cents and even saw a trade this week. The NASS-surveyed powder price averaged $1.0190, down 1.6 cents, and dry whey averaged 34.02 cents, up 1.4 cents.

There were no Dairy Export Incentive Program bid acceptances this week and no price support program purchases, leaving the cumulative powder purchase total at 132,276 pounds, compared to 37 million pounds a year ago.

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.

Minnesota Dairy Farmers Donate to Hungry

Cindy ZimmermanCheese, Dairy Group, General

Even though they are facing their own tough times, Minnesota dairy farmers in Minnesota are still helping out those less fortunate.

Governor Tim Pawlenty was joined at the state capitol by representatives from Minnesota Farmers Helping Families, a coalition of state agriculture commodity groups, who donated approximately 85,000 pounds of pork and more than 36,000 pounds of cheese to Hunger Solutions Minnesota.

“Minnesota farmers are known for their willingness to help neighbors in times of need,” Governor Pawlenty said. “It’s heartwarming to see the agricultural community lending a hand, even as it faces its own economic challenges.” About 200 of the state’s dairy farms have closed in the past year as the worldwide economic crisis has resulted in record low prices and a sharp drop in demand.

“This donation is funded with Minnesota soybean, pork and dairy farmer dollars, and we are proud to play a role in combating hunger across this state with a donation of healthy and nutritious pork and dairy products,” said Pat Lunemann, president of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association and a dairy producer from Clarissa, Minn.

Luneman (second from left) is pictured here with Barb Overlie of the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Jim Merritt of the Minnesota Pork Board and Gov. Pawlenty.

PDPW Offers Calf Training Session

News EditorEducation, Industry News, Training

pdpw-logoWisconsin dairy producers can learn more about the latest calf-care techniques at the hand-on training offered by the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin. Choose from one of three one-day Calf Care Connection workshops: Dec. 8, Arlington, Wis.; Dec. 9, Chilton, Wis.; and Dec. 10, Eau Claire, Wis.

Each one-day workshop will provide dairy producers, professional calf feeders and heifer growers with the latest research, cutting-edge techniques and hands-on training so they have a distinct competitive edge. This isn’t the typical day-long classroom-style discussion as the labs are extremely hands-on. In addition to learning new procedures, calf raisers will have a chance to practice in a supervised learning situation.

The agenda for each workshop includes four presentations, three hour-long learning labs involving live calves and an expert panel where top-of-mind questions can be asked. Presentations will cover calf management styles, use of vaccines in dry cows and wet calves, sanitation protocols that can help cut health costs and “Feeding Your Calves, Starving Your Checkbook or Striking the Right Balance.” Learning lab topics include, delivering more live results, advanced lifesaving procedures and what works and doesn’t work regarding pasteurizers.

Presenters include Steve Hayes, DVM; Don Sockett, DVM, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; Todd McDonough, Land O’Lakes Inc.; Daryl Dydam, DVM, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University; Simon Peek, DVM, School of Veterinary Medicine, UW-Madison; Dr. Tom Earleywine, Land O’Lakes Inc.; and Richard Dumm, DVM, Dairy Tech Inc.

Source: Professional Dairy Managers of Wisconsin

IDF Calling for Abstract Submissions for World Dairy Summit

News EditorInternational, Research

2010idfsummit_headerThe International Dairy Federation (IDF) is holding its annual World Dairy Summit (WDS) November 8-11, 2010 at the SKYCITY Convention Centre in Auckland, New Zealand. In preparation for the meeting IDF is calling for the submission of abstracts.

IDF World Dairy Summits tackle issues that are ‘top of mind’ for the global dairy sector. The objectives of IDF Summits include identifying trends, formulating strategies to improve the overall performance of the industry and strengthening the industry’s ability to meet new challenges. The overall theme chosen for WDS2010, “Discover…natural inspiration” will capture the latest initiatives across the dairying spectrum to meet these objectives.

WDS 2010 provides the opportunity to:
• Report the results of completed research;
• Describe research in progress;
• Present a position on an issue related to the conference themes.

Source: International Dairy Federation

USDA has Issued its Monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook

News EditorGovernment, Industry News

Economic_Research_Service_LogoFrom the USDA’s October 2009 “Livestock, Dairy & Poultry Outlook,” a report from the Economic Research Service.

Dairy: Contraction in the U.S. dairy herd leads to the second year of lower forecast milk production. Lower production, combined with stronger than-expected export prospects, will lead to higher milk and dairy product prices next year.

The September Milk Production report shows slight milk production declines in both July and August. The number of cows in the national herd has shown a month-over-month decline since January, and the year-over-year decline in cow numbers more than offset the incrementally rising output per cow in the second half of the year. The prospects for the rest of 2009 and 2010 are for cow numbers to continue to decline and for production per animal to continue increasing. In 2010, the U.S. dairy herd is expected to average below 9 million for the year. The production increase per cow per day is expected to be about 1 percent in 2009, well below the 5-year-average rise. In 2010, production per cow is expected to rise by 1.8 percent during the year, above the 5-year average.

Export prospects are improving. Economic recovery has exceeded expectations in several countries in recent months with the result that demand for dairy products has improved. (…more)