Women In Dairy at Pa. Farm Show

News EditorEducation

farmshowlogoWomen involved in agriculture are invited to celebrate past, present and future industry leaders during “Women in Agriculture Day,” from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, in the VIP Lounge, at the 2009 Pennsylvania Farm Show. For more information, contact Jean Lonie (jlonie@state.pa.us) at the Department of Agriculture at 717-346-0438.

The tentative agenda is as follows:

10 a.m. – Welcome – Russell Redding, Department of Agriculture Executive Deputy Secretary
10:15 a.m. – “Smashing the Glass Slipper”- JD Dunbar, Pennsylvania Rural Leadership Program
10:45 a.m. – Today’s Leaders in Agriculture
Panel Moderator – Cheryl Cook, Department of Agriculture deputy secretary
· Laura Phelps, American Mushroom Institute President
· Angela Callie, USDA Rural Development Team Leader
· Linda Stewart Moist, Pennsylvania Women’s Agricultural Network (WAgN)
· Christy Bartley, Penn State University 4-H Program Leader
Noon – Light refreshments and networking
12:30 p.m. – “Giving Yourself Credit When You’re All Maxed Out” – Caressa Compton, South Mountain Insurance Services
12:45 p.m. – “Profits, Challenges and Risk Management” – Lynda Farrell, Honeysuckle Hill Farms
1 p.m. – Agriculture at the Capitol – Kristin Crawford, Legislative & Executive Director of the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee and Kerry Golden, Executive Director of the House of Representatives Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee
1:30 p.m. – The Next Generation of Ag Leaders
Panel Moderator – Junia Isiminger, PA Dairy Princess & Promotion Services
· Sarah Caldwell – Former PA Dairy Princess
· Kelly Over – Former PA FFA President
· Kristi Rooker – PDA Fair Fund Administrator and former PA Fair Queen
· Raechel Kilgore – AgChoice Farm Credit and former PA Dairy Princess
· Nicole Bucher – PDA Press Office and PA Young Farmers Association
2 p.m. – Final Thoughts and Networking Opportunity

Dairy Checkoff Works to Accelerate Sales in Pizza Category

News EditorCheese, Dairy Checkoff, Industry News

dairycheckoffAmerica’s dairy producers, through their investment in the dairy checkoff, are working to help reinvigorate the pizza category and increase sales for pizza products containing more cheese. Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), which manages the national dairy checkoff program, is facilitating an industry task force to develop action plans on how the dairy and pizza industries can reinforce pizza as the favorite choice among American consumers for quality and value.

“Pizza sales are important, because they directly affect overall cheese sales,” said Paul Rovey, Arizona dairy producer and chair of DMI. About 25 percent of total cheese is used on pizza, representing more than 25 billion pounds of annual milk production, he added.

Pizza sales have declined in recent years; some restaurant chains that were once pizza-centric are expanding into non-pizza categories. In response, DMI has begun an overall effort to increase pizza sales in both the short and long term, as part of a comprehensive effort to increase cheese sales, as outlined in the dairy checkoff business plan.

“Because pizza sales account for more than $32 billion annually, we know that increasing pizza sales benefits dairy producers and the dairy industry,” said Tom Gallagher, DMI’s chief executive officer.

As part of the short-term strategy, the dairy checkoff is working with Domino’s Pizza® to introduce a line of high-quality specialty pizzas that will use up to 40 percent more cheese.

Through the agreement, DMI – together with several state and regional dairy producer organizations – is investing more than $10 million to support the launch of this line of pizza nationwide. Producer-funded efforts will support Domino’s franchisees in advertising, public relations, local market promotions and communications activities.

Domino’s investment – including menu development, advertising, in-store merchandising and other marketing efforts to support the launch — will total more than four times the investment of dairy producers. The partnership also will work to measure overall increases in pizza and cheese sales in test markets, and how changes in unit pricing at the consumer level affect total sales.

Weekly CWT Export Update

News Editorcwt, Export

cwtlogoCooperatives Working Together (CWT) has announced their updated export bids for the past week.

Three of the bids were from Dairy Farmers of America of Kansas City, Mo.: one for the sale of 18 metric tons (39,683 lbs.) of anhydrous milkfat to Panama, and the other for separate sales of whole milk powder to Mexico, in the amounts of 150 metric tons (330,693 lbs.) and 20 metric tons (44,092 lbs.).

Three of the bids were from California Dairies Inc. of Artesia, Calif., for the sales of butter: 12 tons to China (26,455 lbs.), and two separate sales to Japan in the amounts of 10 metric tons (22,046 lbs.) and 9.8 metric tons (21,605 lbs.).

One bid was accepted from Humboldt Creamery of Fortuna, Calif., for the export of 20 metric tons (44,092 lbs.) of whole milk powder to Georgia.

Finally, one bid was accepted from Land O’Lakes of Arden Hills, Minn., for the export of 18 metric tons (39,683 lbs.) of butter to Iran.

With these accepted bids, CWT’s total 2008 export obligations are: butter, 21,913 metric tons (48.3 million lbs.); cheese, 1,501 metric tons (3.3 million lbs.); whole milk powder, 1,238 metric tons (2.7 million lbs.); and anhydrous milkfat, 11,411 metric tons (25.2 million lbs.). The butter
total is adjusted to reflect a recently-cancelled order of 3,471 metric tons.

2008 has been the most successful year in CWT’s five-year history, in assisting members to export over 84 million pounds of cheese, butter, AMF and whole milk powder to 30 countries in every part of the world.

Southern Regional Dairy Challenge Completed

News EditorCompetition, Education

Dairy challengeA total of 54 students from 12 southern colleges and universities participated in the third annual Southern Regional Dairy Challenge, November 20 through 22 in Statesville, N.C.

The Challenge is an innovative two-day event designed by professionals from allied industry and university educators to bring classroom training to life in the real world for students preparing for dairy careers.

North Carolina State University hosted the 2008 contest, drawing participants from Alabama A&M University, Berry College, Clemson University, Ferrum College, University of Florida, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, Virginia Tech, West Virginia University, and Western Kentucky University.

Hosts for this year’s Southern Regional Dairy Challenge were Reid Gray, of Grayhouse Farms, Stoney Point, N.C., and Dennis Leamon, owner of Lucky L Jerseys near Statesville.

On the program’s final day, each team presented its evaluation and recommendations to a panel of industry judges. Teams were ranked as platinum, gold or silver, based on how well they worked as a team and how effectively their presentations of strengths and opportunities for the dairy operation matched the judges’ evaluations. When teams were not presenting, they toured the farm they had not evaluated for the competition.

Dairy Challenge teams are named in recognition of sponsoring businesses and organizations.

Receiving first place Platinum awards were:
Team Select Sire Power: Aaron Horst, Virginia Tech; Matt McCombs, West Virginia University; Brittany Mixson, Clemson University; Felicia Taylor, Western Kentucky University; and Allison Vignes, Louisiana State University.

Team American Dairy Science Association: Natalie Davis, Louisiana State University; Samantha Davis, Virginia Tech; Jennifer Devine, Berry College; Jessica Leonard, North Carolina State University, and Andrew Mains, University of Kentucky.

Second place Platinum awards went to:
Team Southern States Cooperative: Abby Burns, North Caronlina State University; Keegan Gay, University of Kentucky; Hayley Hollier, Louisiana State University; Ivy Roberts, Berry College; and Decima Washington, Alabama A&M.

Team Genex: Ryan Haines, Virginia Tech, LaQuanda Hall, Alabama A&M University, Amy Hoback, Ferrum College; and Candace Munz, University of Florida.

Gold award teams were:
Team Dairy Farmers of America: Randi Black, University of Kentucky; Kari Botkin, Ferrum College; Ashley Fairchild, North Carolina State University; and Jessie Nickerson, West Virginia State University.

Team ABS Global: Sara Coleman, Clemson University; Karl Wesley Henry, Jr., Alabama A&M University; Amanda Holaday, Western Kentucky University; Amanda Stowers, Mississippi State University; and Marlene Tremblay, University of Kentucky.

Team New Frontier Bank: Katherine Anderson, Ferrum College; Nancy Chenault, University of Kentucky; Ashley Massagee, University of Florida; Christopher Ragland, Alabama A&M University; and Anthony Roe, Western Kentucky University.

Team Zinpro Performance Minerals: Megan Bullard, Mississippi State University, Stephanie Croyule, University of Florida, Simone Kennedy, Clemson University; Lucas Krueger, Alabama A&M University; and Autumn Spencer, Ferrum College.

Teams receiving Silver awards were:
Team Southeast DHIA, Inc: Morgan Bullard, Mississipi State University; Ashley Dozier, Alabama A&M University; Laura Gaver, Virgina Tech; and Beth Hudson, Western Kentucky University.

Team Merial Ltd.: Ethan Bloomfield, West Virginia University; Mallory Edison, Berry College; Ana Ferrer, Mississippi State University; Brandi Roebuck, Alabama A&M University.

Team Dairy Production Systems: Sarah Baker-Walker, Berry College; Deirdre Bowie, Alabama A&M University; C.J. Middleton, University of Florida; and Brandy Puckett, Ferrum College.

Team Agway Foundation: Kristen Glosson, North Carolina State University; Leslie Johnson, Alabama A&M University; Sarah Pogue, Berry College; and Sarah Thomas, Western Kentucky University.

Dairyline Markets in Review

Chuck ZimmermanDairyline, Markets

DairylineDairy Markets Week in Review
The hemorrhaging continues in the cash cheese market where 40-pound block closed Friday at $1.3025 per pound, down 21 cents on the week and 64 3/4-cents below a year ago. The blocks have lost 50 cents in three weeks.

The 500-pound barrels closed at $1.3550, down 16 3/4-cents on the week and 54 1/2-cents below a year ago. Twelve cars of block traded hands on the week and four of barrel. The NASS U.S. average block price gained 2.9 cents, hitting $1.7763. Barrel averaged $1.7768, down 4.7 cents

Butter regained 12 cents in the first three days of trading this week but started to melt Thursday, losing 3 cents and another 3 on Friday, and closed at $1.17, up 6 cents on the week but still 15 1/4 below a year ago. Four cars traded hands on the week. NASS butter averaged $1.2346, down 18.3 cents.

Both cash Grade A and Extra Grade nonfat dry milk dropped 2 1/4-cents this week and closed Friday at 88 cents per pound. NASS powder averaged 83.93 cents, down 1.4 cents. Dry whey averaged 17.02 cents, down 0.3 cent.

Price support purchases this week amounted to 8.2 million pounds of nonfat dry milk, raising the cumulative total to 101.5 million pounds.

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.

SWCMA Offers Young Dairy Producer Scholarship

News EditorEducation, Industry News

The Southwestern Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (SWCMA) is now accepting applications for its 7th Annual Young Dairy Producer Educational Scholarship.

The scholarship in the amount of $2,000.00 is available to a young dairy producer or student whose Wisconsin-based dairy farm markets milk to any SWCMA member plant. Family members or farm employee family members are also eligible to apply.

Acceptable educational programs include, but are not limited to, the UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course, the Wisconsin Technical College System Farm Business and Production Management Course, the Lakeshore Technical College Farm Business and Production Management Courses, and any dairy-related studies at state universities. The scholarship winner must be enrolled during the entire academic year for which the scholarship is awarded.

The scholarship will be awarded based on academic achievement, an interest in milk production as a career, and demonstrated leadership, initiative and integrity. Candidates are expected to complete an application form, submit a transcript of all high school courses, and write a short statement describing their career aspirations, dairy-related activities and work experience.

Announcement of the winner will be made by April 30, 2009.

CWT to Continue

News Editorcwt, Industry News

Cooperatives Working Together(CWT) has received commitments from its members that they will continue to fund the program in 2009, CWT officials said today.

“Now more than ever, CWT is the only answer to the question of what can farmers do to positively impact their milk price,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF, which manages CWT. “Both world and U.S. dairy markets are sagging and things look tough for 2009. Our members recognize that this program is the best way to help balance supply and demand and positively impact producers’ bottom line.”

CWT is currently in the process of removing 184 herds, with 61,000 cows that produced 1.2 billion pounds of milk, through its second herd retirement of 2008. CWT’s first herd retirement of the year removed 25,000 cows that produced 430 million pounds of milk. In addition, its export assistance program has helped members sell overseas the equivalent of more than two billion pounds of milk in 2008.

“With the continued investment individual producers and cooperatives are making, CWT will have the financial resources to remove more cows, and export more products, that will help battle the decline in dairy prices in 2009,” Kozak said.

An independent economic analysis of CWT, conducted this fall by Dr. Scott Brown of the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, demonstrated that farmers’ return of investment in CWT has been 76 cents per hundredweight. Moreover, Brown’s analysis showed that the return farmers enjoy grows as the program develops over time.

Vilsack to Likely be Tagged Ag Secretary Wednesday

News EditorGovernment, Industry News

President-elect Barack Obama is expected to announce former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as his pick for Secretary of Agriculture on Wednesday.

Sources spilled the beans to the Associated Press today. Vilsack, who was an early presidential contender (dropped out before the primaries) has little experience in agriculture other than being the governor of a farm-rich state. But, politically, he’s apparently a good fit for the administration. (From the Des Moines Register: “As the former governor, Vilsack already has several important qualifications: He’s run a large organization; he’s got strong political instincts, and he’s from one of nation’s largest farming states.”)

Fire at LOL Dairy Plant

News EditorGeneral

A Land O’ Lakes dairy processing plant in Tulare, Calif. reported a three-alarm fire today.

According to the Tulare Fire Department, the fire started in a building dedicated to maintenance, welding, cold storage and storage of cardboard boxes. The fire took about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to bring under control, Battalion Chief Willard Epps said. No injuries have been reported.

Officials believe the fire spread through the venting system. The sprinkler system went off but was not effective because the fire was above the sprinklers, Epps said.

DFA Settles with CFTC

News EditorIndustry News, Markets

The Board of Directors and management of Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) announced today that DFA has reached a settlement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The settlement ends the CFTC’s investigation into DFA’s trading activities on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) in 2004.

Without admitting or denying the CFTC’s findings in the administrative order, DFA and two of its former officers agreed to pay a negotiated aggregate civil monetary penalty of $12 million. The Cooperative also agreed to not engage in speculative trading in milk futures contracts for two years and to retain a monitor to review its trading activities on the CME during that period.

DFA President and CEO Rick Smith said that agreeing to the settlement was in the best interests of the Cooperative and its members. The long-pending probe was expensive and diverted time and resources from DFA’s main mission – serving its members.

“Settling this matter will allow us to focus wholly on serving our members and moving the Cooperative forward,” said Smith, who took the helm of the Cooperative in 2006, years after the trading activity in question.

“The transactions addressed by the settlement took place over a one-month period more than four years ago,” said Smith. “We have fully cooperated with the CFTC’s investigation and wanted to put this matter behind us.”

Prior to reaching the settlement agreement, DFA management voluntarily developed and implemented new policies and procedures designed to ensure that all trading complies with both the spirit and the letter of the law.