UK Milkmen Go Digital

News EditorCompany Announcement, International, Media, Milk

UK milk & more milkmenDairy Crest, the UK’s leading chilled dairy foods company, has announced an exciting new service, that is both a blast from the past and a modern convenience! Called “milk & more,” customers can receive personal delivers of milk by a milkman! But this 21st century modern milkman has gone digital and moved online, transforming a service that originally started in the late 1850s.

The milkman as we know him started when customer demand for home milk delivery prompted the milkman to pick up a low-wheeled cart to make his many deliveries. Since then the milkman has become a reliable fixture in the local community and a much loved British institution, with 62% of Brits naming the milkman as someone that represents what the traditional community is all about.* Now he’s online and the product range has expanded so that homes throughout much of England and Wales can order more than 250 everyday essentials to be delivered to their doorstep at the click of a button.

Guy Whittaker, a milkman from Guildford, said: “So much has changed in the past 150 years but one thing people have always been able to rely on is that their local milkman delivers to them come rain or shine. 43% of Brits that already get their milk delivered have carried on the tradition from their parents, having fond memories as children.** We wanted to extend our service so that our customers could rely on us for more than just milk which is why the new milk&more service is so great.”

Dairy Crest spokesperson, Mike Sheldon, commented: “milk&more combines the tradition and familiarity of the doorstep milk delivery service with the convenience of online shopping. It’s still your local milkman but a brand new service, bringing homes a range of products from breakfast essentials to cleaning and garden products.”

Quality Certification Services Provides Training

News EditorCompany Announcement, Education, Training

quality certification servicesNational DHIA, a trade association for the dairy records industry, and its division, Quality Certification Services Inc. (QCS), recently held a meter technician training Sept. 14-18, in Hanford, Calif.

“The QCS Meter Technician Training School helped technicians learn important skills, troubleshoot a variety of scenarios and boost networking opportunities,” stated Steven Sievert of QCS. “With the completion of this training, we’ve serviced a market area that represents a large portion of the nation’s milk supply. Knowledge and skills gained through this school helps ensure accurate and reliable meter performance to help dairy producers get the most out of their DHI investment.”

Participants improved their abilities through classroom instruction and hands-on experiences with various milk meters approved by the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR)/National DHIA. Training at Kings County DHIA involved standard, dual meter and fast-flow calibration procedures, with a focus on calibration and routine care and maintenance of portable milk meters used on dairy operations for weighing and sampling of milk on test day.

Each year, QCS offers a regional meter technician training school to provide comprehensive instruction and meet the certification requirements of meter technicians working in the DHI system. Dairy One Cooperative Inc., Ithaca, N.Y., will host the next meter tech training school in October 2010.

Those advancing their portable milk meter maintenance, operation and calibration skills represented California DHIA, Idaho DHIA, Vanden Bosch Testing, Tulare DHIA, Tillamook DHIA, Fresno DHIA, The Udder Tester, Southern Counties DHIA, Central Counties DHIA, Ferndale Cow Testing Association, Willamette DHIA, Integrated Milk Testing, Julie Sousa Testing, JP’s Herd Testing, San Joaquin DHIA and Sue’s Testing Service. These trained technicians work with DHI field service providers serving dairy producers and milk testing laboratories in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington. Kings County DHIA hosted the meter technician training school.

Dairy Producer Masters Social Media to Tell Story

Amanda NolzAgribusiness, Communication, Production

LIVE_p1017_17b4fbfarm.standalone.prod_affiliate.11Here is a positive story about a dairy producer in California who is standing up and speaking out to tell the real story of production agriculture. Her name is Barbara Jackson, and her story was recently printed in the Modesto Beef in an article titled, “Ag Tries Twitter,” a feature by Robert Rodriguez that describes how farms are feeding info to the public and their peers via social media outlets. (Photo courtesy Modesto Bee) Here is Barbara’s story…

With a hand-held video camera, a computer and 800 cows, Barbara Martin of Lemoore is letting the world into her life as a dairy operator. No, it’s not a new reality television show. And Martin isn’t craving her 15 minutes of fame. But she is joining a growing number of farmers and others in agriculture who are using social media tools to communicate with each other, send out information and educate the public about agriculture.

Dairy operators have become especially skilled at launching Facebook pages, blog posting and using Twitter, a microblogging site. Martin uses all three to tell the public about the family’s 800-cow dairy. She launched “A Dairy Goddess’s Blog” in late August.

For Martin, using social media and blogging is a way to dispel some myths about farmers and encourage a greater understanding of the slumping dairy industry. She’s blogged about everything from fixing the pricing structure for milk to sharing her childhood memories about growing up on a farm. Her most recent post is a video diary about her heifer Chica.

Students Protest Reduction in University Cowherd

Amanda NolzDairy Business, The Milking Parlor, University

dairy-logo Recently printed in the San Luis Obispo Tribune, an article titled, “Mad ‘cows’ protest plan to cull Cal Poly dairy herd,” written by David Sneed describes how students dressed in cattle costumes to support dairy program, which could lose 120 of its animals. In an effort to save money, Cal Poly is planning on reducing their cow herd, leaving many students upset about the loss of a good program. Read more to learn all about it…

Some Cal Poly students Friday protested plans to reduce the university’s dairy cow herd by 80 percent. Dairy students — some dressed in cow costumes — protested in the morning outside the Embassy Suites Hotel in San Luis Obispo, where Cal Poly’s dairy science advisory committee was meeting. Protests continued in the afternoon at the school’s dairy unit. In a letter sent Sept. 30, Dairy Science Department Head Bruce Golden said that plummeting milk prices and state budget cutbacks were forcing the university to reduce the milking herd to 30 animals from 150. He promised to restore the herd once finances improve.

However, students are concerned that the cuts may be permanent and 106 years of building good genetics into the Holstein milking herd will be lost, said Theresa Machado, president of the Los Lecheros Dairy Club. The Dairy Science Department has 130 students, 48 of them freshmen, Machado said. They operate the only dairy in the county, and Cal Poly is one of only two schools in the nation to offer degrees in dairy science. According to the program’s Web site, it is the only university on the West Coast to offer a specific dairy science major, and Cal Poly has the country’s largest dairy science program.

World Dairy Expo Announces 2010 Theme

News EditorGeneral

The 2009 World Dairy Expo may be just a memory now, but the hardworking staff has already announced the 2010 theme! Crowning Achievements – Golden Opportunities will be the theme for next year’s premier dairy show, held September 28 – October 2, 2010. We’re counting the days already!

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Oberweis Dairy has Number 1 Chocolate Milk

News EditorCompetition, Industry News, Milk

Oberweis dairyOberweis Dairy announced that the company won first place at the 2009 World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest in the Low Fat Chocolate Milk category.

“We couldn’t more proud,” said Joe Oberweis, 4th generation family member and the company’s president. “Since the inception of our company in 1927, we have always strived to provide the freshest, best tasting dairy products possible. We appreciate the continued opportunity to delight our customers with delicious treats. This award is further confirmation of our dedication and commitment to our customers.”

The company’s award-winning chocolate milk is sold primarily in half-gallon glass bottles and is always made from milk produced by farmers who pledge not treat their cows with synthetic rBGH hormones. Oberweis Dairy farmers are paid a premium based on the measurable quality of the milk they produce. In addition to keeping milk colder and protecting the flavor, Oberweis Dairy’s use of glass bottles also protects the environment by reducing plastic waste. “At a time when individuals and communities are deeply concerned about the impact their consumption behavior has on the environment, Oberweis Dairy is committed to minimizing plastic waste attributable to traditional milk containers,” said Mr. Oberweis. “Our customers regularly tell us how much they appreciate the fact that they can get great tasting milk from Oberweis, while also making a positive impact on the environment by reducing waste and conserving resources.”

The company also sells a no sugar added version of its award-winning chocolate milk.

Dairyline Markets In Review

Chuck ZimmermanDairyline, Markets

DairylineDairy Markets Week in Review

The cheese price roller coaster took a dip the second week of October, with the blocks closing at Friday at $1.43 per pound, down 7 1/4-cents on the week, and 36 cents below a year ago when they lost 9 cents. The barrels, after gaining 2 3/4-cents on Monday, gave it back Friday, to also close at $1.43, unchanged on the week, but 47 cents below a year ago. Twenty four cars of block were sold on the week and two of barrel. The NASS U.S. average block price jumped 5.6 cents, to $1.3661. Barrel averaged $1.3893, up 4.7 cents.

Butter closed at $1.2425, up a half-cent on the week but 49 3/4-cents below a year ago. Six cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.2310, up 2.5 cents.

Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk tacked on another 3 1/2-cents this week, closing Friday at $1.3150. Extra Grade closed at $1.26, up 4 cents. NASS powder averaged $1.0162, up a half-cent. Dry whey averaged 31.74 cents, up 1.6 cents.

Dairy Export Incentive Program bid acceptances included 145,504 pounds of Mozzarella cheese, 165,345 pounds of butter

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.

Wisconsin Dairy Business Assoc. Announce Conference

News EditorDairy Business, Education, Industry News

DBAlogoThe Wisconsin Dairy Business Association announces their tenth annual business conference – “Looking Ahead, Leading the Way.” Join more than 300 dairy industry friends and partners on December 1 & 2 at the Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison, Wis.

This two-day event brings together dairy leaders to tackle the tough issues facing the industry. The conference will cover topics ranging from immigration reform, the WPDES permitting process, the environment…and most importantly, the state of our economy. Expert speakers and panelists are ready to reveal what the future holds for these topics and more.

We kick off the first day with an expert panel to address immigration raids and the need for immigration reform. Panelists include Jaime Castaneda of the National Milk Producer Federation; Randy Johnson with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; and Tamar Jacoby of ImmigrationWorks USA (Invited). Following is Trent Loos, proclaimed American farmer and perennial favorite at the Annual Business Conference. A panel of dairy producers will then take the stage to join Sam Miller of M&I Bank for an in-depth discussion on thriving financially in the aftermath of this year’s economic downturn. Rounding out the line-up for the afternoon is a panel moderated by Dennis Frame of Discovery Farms with special guests Professor Andrew Sharpley and DNR Planner Buzz Sorge to delve into increased regulations and requirements on the state’s dairy industry. A cheese and wine reception, dinner and networking will follow.

On the morning of Wednesday, December 2, DNR Bureau Director Russ Rasmussen discusses streamlining of the WPDES permitting process; and back by popular demand, Wall Street’s own Stephen Moore will once again provide an insider’s look at the nation’s economic situation. Our action-packed morning continues with Charlie Arnot of The Center for Food Integrity tackling the issue of building consumer confidence in light of public industry attacks; followed by an in-depth discussion on the state’s economy with Thomas Hefty of Cobalt Corporation and John Torinus of Serigraph Inc. We conclude our conference with research scientist Mark Borchardt speaking on sources and risks of fecal-borne pathogens.

Tesco becomes UK's First Retailer to Print Milk's Carbon Footprint on Jug

News EditorIndustry News, International, Milk

tescoSupermarket giant Tesco has become the first UK retailer to display the full carbon footprint of milk – one of the top-selling products in its stores.

All Tesco own-label full-fat, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk ranges will display the carbon footprint label as part of an on-going drive to help shoppers make “green” purchasing decisions. It has pledged to “footprint” 500 products by the end of the year. The new labelling will not apply to organic milk, where greenhouse gas emissions are generally much lower than for conventional milk.

The move comes alongside new research which found that 50% of customers surveyed now understand the correct meaning of the term “carbon footprint”, compared with only 32% of people surveyed in 2008. The research also revealed that customers increasingly want to be green. Over half said they that would seek lower carbon footprint products as part of their weekly shop, compared with only 35% last year.

Tesco community and government director David North said: “We’re using [milk] to play an important new role in helping our customers understand climate change, the carbon footprints of products, and what steps they can take to help. Milk is not only one of the biggest sellers in store; it’s also prominent on breakfast tables day in day out across the country. So we think carbon labels on milk can play a great part in raising awareness and helping customers navigate the new carbon currency.”

Tesco said that with milk it is the agricultural stage that accounts for by far the biggest portion of the carbon footprint – in this case the most significant factor being methane emissions from the cows themselves. Tesco is already working to reduce these emissions alongside the dairy industry and farmersthrough the Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group and Dairy Centre of Excellence at the University of Liverpool.

The Carbon Trust is working with Dairy UK to help the milk industry understand more about its carbon footprints as a route to greater emission reductions, he added.

Summer 2010 Internships Offered At Accelerated Genetics

News EditorAccelerated Genetics, Education, Industry News

acceleratedgenlogoAgriculture students – get your resumes together! Accelerated Genetics is offering four types of summer internships to college students for the summer of 2010. These internships provide an excellent variety of opportunities, from working hands-on within the A.I. industry, to networking and gaining valuable experiences that will help students to prepare for a future career. Applications are due on November 15, 2009!

The four types of internships being offered for 2010 include the Public Relations & Advertising Internship, the Genetic Services Internship, the Sales and Service Internship, and the Veterinarian Internship.

Public Relations & Advertising Intern: The Advertising & Public Relations Intern is based at the Accelerated Genetics Administrative Headquarters in Baraboo, Wis. In this position, the intern will be responsible for a variety of projects within the areas of public relations, written communications, print advertising, audio visual, and web, as well as receive a broad-range of experience with all Accelerated Genetics programs and services.

Genetic Services Interns: The Genetic Services Interns will assist with photography efforts of the Accelerated Genetics’ dairy sires and progeny as well as hosting tours for international and domestic tour groups. They will receive a broad-range of experience with all Accelerated Genetics programs and services.

Sales & Service Interns: As a Sales & Service Intern, individuals will develop skills in artificial insemination, learn about reproductive services such as estrus synchronization programs, as well as receive a broad-range of experience in all sales division positions and Accelerated Genetics’ programs.

Veterinarian Intern: The Veterinarian Intern is based at the Accelerated Genetics Production Facilities in Westby, Wis. This intern will be responsible for a variety of projects within the areas of animal health and husbandry, as well as receive a broad-range of knowledge on all Accelerated Genetics programs and services.