Dairy Business Changing With the Times

Cindy ZimmermanAlpharma, Audio, Charleston-Orwig, Hoard's Dairyman, Industry News, Novus International, World Dairy Expo

World Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:
Novus Charleston Orwig

WDXNo doubt about it – 2009 has been a really, really tough year for the dairy industry, and in a state like Wisconsin where the economy relies so heavily on dairy, it has been painful. But the state’s Dairy Business Association is determined to live up to its slogan “Keeping the cows in Wisconsin.”

Director of Business Development Tim Griswold says one way they are keeping the industry viable is by reinvesting in the future. “Wisconsin has really gone through a metamorphosis in the last 15-20 years,” Griswold says. “We’ve really seen a reinvestment in new, more modern operations. Today, over half the milk in Wisconsin is produced by operations with over 200 cows. We anticipate continued growth for those operations. So, as we continue to have people retire out of the industry, we’re going to have a vibrant industry going forward because of the transformations that have been made.”

Modernization and environmental stewardship are keys to the future of the industry in Wisconsin and Griswold says they remain optimistic that most producers will survive the current economic downturn and come out stronger than before.

World Dairy Expo Photo Album

Listen to or download my interview with Tim at World Dairy Expo below.

Building Knowledge On Transition Cow Management

Amanda NolzIndustry News, Milk, Production

yourfile Farmers Weekly Interactive recently posted an article titled, “Building Knowledge On Transition Cow Management,” and it offers tips and trips for dairy cow management during the early stages, transition period and once the cow has calved. This is a solid piece that could be beneficial to many dairy producers. Check it out.

The dry period is a critical time for dairy cows and getting the management wrong impacts on the whole lactation, says Gwyn Jones, Wern Vet Surgeons, Ruthin, north Wales.
“The success and productivity of the whole lactation depends on getting the freshly calved cow into production gently and smoothly,” he says.

There are three critical stages: The early period, the transition period and the freshly calved cow. The early dry period is meant to be a break for the dairy cow, a time in which she can rest important organs and tissues. However, she still needs to be actively managed, says Mr Jones.

“Producers should aim to keep dry cows at a body condition score of 2.5-3, while still maintaining high dry matter intakes to avoid displaced abomasums in the subsequent lactation, by feeding a low energy, high fibre diet,” he says.

“Dry cows at all stages – housed or grazed – should have ad-lib access to good quality, palatable straw or hay, and should be eating at least 4kg a day of it when out at grass. All forages must also be of good quality so intakes are maximised.”

Dairy Farmers Tell Story With Social Media

Cindy ZimmermanAlpharma, Audio, Charleston-Orwig, Communication, General, Hoard's Dairyman, Industry News, Novus International, World Dairy Expo

World Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:
Novus Charleston Orwig

WDX“Using Popular Media to Tell Dairy Farming’s Story” was the topic of a Tuesday morning seminar at World Dairy Expo conducted by Jolene Griffin of Dairy Management Inc. (pictured on the left) and Polly Ligon O’Grady of Weber Shandwick (right).

Who would have imagined even just a few years ago that things with funny names like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube would allow individual agricultural producers to communicate with people all over the world? And, as Jolene told the group on hand, it has never been more important for them to do so. “Other people are actually out there telling our story and they’re telling the wrong story,” Jolene said. “There’s so much misinformation about the dairy industry out there that we need to mobilize dairy producers and the dairy industry to counter that misinformation and to give consumers the correct information about dairy farming and the dairy products that they enjoy.”

WDXJolene says they launched the MyDairy program earlier this year to help producers learn more about using the various social media platforms and providing key messages to help them communicate effectively. “Since that time we have had over 600 dairy producers sign on for the MyDairy program and they’ve really embraced social media to tell their story,” Jolene said. Producers can sign up for the program by emailing mydairy@rosedmi.com.

WDXOne producer who has embraced social media is Shannon Siefert who blogs about the commercial dairy herd she and her husband operate in Minnesota. She shared her story about developing the Orange Patch Dairy blog and how she also uses Facebook and YouTube to help people who are generations removed from the farm connect with the people who produce their food.

Listen to a brief interview with Polly and Jolene below.

World Dairy Expo Photo Album

Genetics Puts Dairy Farmer On World Map

Amanda NolzIndustry News, World Dairy Expo

index1 Superior genetics will be rewarded at the World Dairy Expo, as Duane Conant accepts the 2009 Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder Award. Beth Quimby with the Kennebec Journal wrote an article featuring Duane Conant’s cow herd and his outstanding dairy cattle genetics. Her article, Genetics Puts Dairy Farmer on World Map, is one worth reading. Here is a clip of the feature…

The rows of black-and-white Holstein cows in Duane Conant’s dairy barn look unremarkable to the unpracticed eye. Standing placidly in their wood chip-lined stalls, they chew their cud, occasionally flicking a tail or lazily shifting a leg, a study in bovine contentment. These are not your run-of-the-mill milkers, however. They are the product of years of careful breeding that has made them walking lactation factories.

Some Conant cows produce 30,000 pounds of milk a year — the equivalent of 3,488 gallons a year, or just shy of 10 gallons a day per cow. To the practiced eye, they have all the requirements of Holstein excellence: strong feet and straight legs to support their bulging udders, high production and serene temperaments. One embryo from his Holsteins can fetch thousands of dollars.

The quality of his cows and his effect on the global dairy embryo export market have clinched Conant the dairy industry’s equivalent of the Oscars’ lifetime achievement award. On Monday, he and his family will fly out to North America’s premier dairy event: The World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. There, they will attend a banquet and receive the 2009 Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder Award, bestowed by the National Dairy Shrine.

Alice in Dairyland at World Dairy Expo

Cindy ZimmermanAlpharma, Audio, Charleston-Orwig, General, Hoard's Dairyman, Novus International, World Dairy Expo

World Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:
Novus Charleston Orwig

WDXOur first interview from World Dairy Expo is with Cheryl O’Brien, the current reigning Alice in Dairyland.

Cheryl grew up on a dairy farm in southwest Wisconsin, majored in journalism at the University of Wisconsin, and now has the privilege of representing Wisconsin’s agricultural industry as the 62nd Alice in Dairyland. “Throughout the year I will travel more than 40,000 miles across the state of Wisconsin and help promote the diversity of the food, fuel and fiber that makes up Wisconsin’s $59.16 billion agricultural industry,” Cheryl told me. “Our dairy industry is very important here in Wisconsin, contributing $800 every second to the state’s economy.”

This is a busy week for Cheryl/Alice at World Dairy Expo as she will be giving tours and talks to hundreds of visitors from school kids to international guests. Listen to my interview with Cheryl below:

Jordin Sparks Wears Milk Mustache for a Cause

News EditorDairy Checkoff, Industry News, Media, Milk

gallery_sparksJordin Sparks is the newest milk mustache celebrity – and she’s wearing the famous mustache for a cause!

According to the Body By Milk website: “If you want to help make a difference in yourself and the world, you should Drink Milk for a Change. Make your own Milk Mustache ad at BodyByMilk.com and you will be supporting Save the Music. Plus, you can post your ad for your friends – and me! – to see on Body By Milk’s Facebook page. Are you ready to spark change?”

For every ad made, $1 will go to the VH1 Save the Music Foundation to help restore music programs in our schools. What are you waiting for – get started on your very own milk mustache ad!

Jordin’s new milk mustache ad copy reads as follows:
“I’ve always had the power to wow an audience. But how do I get fired up to wow myself? I drink lowfat milk. Packed with protein and nutrients, milk gives me the energy to truly shine.”

Wasson New Pa. State Dairy Princess

News EditorCompetition, Dairy Checkoff, Industry News

StateWinnersCongratulations to Krystal Wasson, the new Pennsylvania State Dairy Princess! Krystal is the daughter of Ronald and Candace Wasson of Centre County, Pa. She was crowned the 53rd Pennsylvania Dairy Princess from among 25 county dairy princesses after a three-day competition.

Contestants were judged on public speaking skills, knowledge of the dairy industry, poise and personality. Each contestant prepared a speech and skit promoting milk and dairy products, and participated in a personal interview with a panel of four judges.

A junior at State College High School, Krystal works on her family’s 800-acre dairy farm with 45-head of cattle, three of which she owns. She is involved in 4-H and FFA, and is a member of the Pennsylvania Junior Holstein Association and the Pennsylvania Junior Red & White Association. In school, Krystal is a majorette, varsity wrestling manager, and an honor roll student. She is also involved in many clubs and activities.

Two alternates were chosen to support the new princess. The first alternate is 17-year-old Karla Stoltzfus of Bedford County. The daughter of Ken and Dena Stoltzfus, she is a senior at Bedford High School where she is active in 4-H, FFA, the National Technical Honor Society and the United Way. The Stoltzfus family farms 650 acres where they raise Angus beef cattle and milk 65 Jersey cows. Stoltzfus owns seven dairy animals herself.

Chosen as second alternate, Lebanon County’s Crystal Hitz is the 17-year-old daughter of Steven and Cynthia Hitz of Annville. The family farms 110 acres and milks 40 Holsteins. A senior at Annville-Cleona High School, Hitz is active in tennis, honor society and the Little Dutchman FFA, where she serves as treasurer.

In addition to Krystal, Karla and Crystal, four other finalists were chosen:
• Gabrielle Hertzog, Cambria County dairy princess, daughter of Jeffery Hertzog and Annette Hertzog, was the speech winner and honorable mention skit winner;
• Bethany Trotter, Lawrence County dairy princess, daughter of David and Jill Trotter, was an honorable mention speech winner;
• Crystal Yoder, Mifflin County dairy princess, daughter of Lee and Joanne Yoder; and
• Daisy Matulevich, Susquehanna County dairy princess, daughter of Gary and Cheryl Matulevich.

Erie County’s Michaela Downes was voted “Miss Congeniality” by the other county princesses.

Anna Flick, the 2008-09 Butler County dairy princess, was named the Tina M. Shultz Memorial Award winner. Anna completed 421 promotions reaching more than 84,600 consumers and traveling 6,416 miles within Butler County. She is the 18-year-old daughter of Randall and Elizabeth Flick of Fenelton, and is a freshman at Butler County Community College. Her sister, Abby, won the award last year.

Understanding Traits To Shape Dairy Cows’ Future

Amanda NolzIndustry News, Products

32142_Virtual_cow_monage Here is a pretty cool new feature that was on display at the Holstein UK’s stand at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show. Called the “Virtual Cow,” this computer program allows producers to look at a three-dimensional image of the ideal cow in comparison to cows of poorer quality. This system should help producers select future breeding pieces for their operations. As reported in the Farmers Guardian, you can check out the entire article here. Some seriously cool stuff…

The computer-based, interactive three-dimensional tool shows the form, movement and condition of the milking cow. It will seem familiar to farmers who have seen Eblex’s Virtual Beef and Virtual Lamb, as it was made by the same company, but contains even more information, with nine scores for each of the 18 type traits. The Virtual Cow graphically illustrates differences in conformation between cows with various classification scores and responds to signals from the user by growing, shrinking or changing shape accordingly.

This means users can select a particular trait they want to view and see what it looks like on the ‘perfect cow’ and compare that to poorer examples. Taking teat placement as an example, zooming in on the udder will show ideal placement, while moving the computer mouse to the left moves the teats out, and to the right moves them in, showing the whole range of good and bad placement.

World Dairy Expo Time

Cindy ZimmermanAlpharma, Charleston-Orwig, Hoard's Dairyman, Novus International, World Dairy Expo

WDXWe are heading up to Madison, Wisconsin today for World Dairy Expo which kicks off tomorrow.

The dairy industry’s spotlight will be trained on Madison, Wisconsin, when the 43rd edition of World Dairy Expo takes place September 29 through October 3, 2009. “Legendary” is the theme of this year’s show – a celebration of the legendary trade show, legendary cows and legendary people that make the first week in October one to look forward to.

Watch for coverage all week and a Flickr photo album to start tomorrow. Thanks to our sponsors for coverage this year – Novus International, Alpharma, Hoard’s Dairyman, and Charleston Orwig.

World Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:
Novus Charleston Orwig