2009 ANIMART Cowlendar Released

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness

2009_cowlendarANIMART, Inc. has released its annual, uniquely-themed customer appreciation “cowlendar” — “Cows and Kids”. This year, the ANIMART calendar features photos with dairy cattle and adorable kids. These images serve as a reminder of the family connection within the dairy business by displaying colorful photos of customer’s children conducting farm chores from milking cows to feeding animals or showing cattle. And, as a tool for busy producers, each day on the calendar has return and due dates to help with dairy cattle heat detection, management and pregnancy planning. In addition, dairy industry conferences are listed on the calendar keeping producers up-to-date on upcoming 2009 dairy events.

For each of the past eight years, ANIMART has developed a unique theme to feature in their annual calendars and product catalogs. The “Cowtalog” is also available and ready for customers to put to use in making convenient telephone, fax or internet orders for all their animal health needs.

Brook to Join NMPF

News EditorCompany Announcement, Government, Industry News

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) announced today that Dana L. Brooks, a veteran government relations professional with experience at both the state and federal levels, has been hired to serve as its new Senior Director of Government Relations.

“We are excited that Dana is joining NMPF. She will bolster NMPF’s presence on Capitol Hill and will make a great addition to our team,” said Jerry Kozak, President & CEO of NMPF. Brooks will report to Jaime Castaneda, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Trade Policy.

“Dana’s bi-partisan experience in Congress, and deep knowledge of agricultural issues, will enhance our capabilities to deal with the numerous challenges facing our cooperatives and dairy producers,” said Castaneda.

Brooks previously worked in Washington as a legislative assistant for two members of Congress: Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR), and later, Rep. JoAnn Emerson (R-MO). After her legislative positions on Capitol Hill, Brooks served as Director of Congressional Relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation in Washington, DC. Brooks most recently worked on national policy issues at Florida Farm Bureau in Gainesville, FL. Throughout her career, including work on two Farm Bills, she has developed a thorough
understanding of a variety of farm-related legislative issues, Castaneda said.

Brooks will start at NMPF on Jan. 1, 2009

2008 Minnesota Producers of the Year Named

News EditorCompetition, Industry News

Congratulations to Arendt’s Holstein Resort, Inc. for being named Minnesota’s 2008 Producers of the Year. The ceremony took place during the Midwest Dairy Expo on December 9th in St. Cloud, Minn.

The award is given out by the Minnesota Milk Producers Association every year to producers who have a proven commitment to managing their dairy for quality, enthusiasm in promoting the dairy industry and are active leaders in their local community.

Mark and Kathi Arendt own and operate Arendt’s Holstein Resort near Mazeppa, Minn. along with their son Nate and his wife Mindi.

Mark started dairying with his brother in December of 1972. After a storm hit the dairy in 1996, Nate returned to help rebuild the dairy and work for his dad. That next year, the dairy was re-named Arendt’s Holstein Resort, Inc. Even though they are listed in the local yellow pages under resorts, this resort caters to well-bred Holsteins.

Nate and Mindi started transitioning into the farm in 2000. Since then they have increased in numbers, raised their herd average and have maintained high quality milk. The success of their dairy is due to their commitment to maximizing cow comfort. In May of 2003, they were certified as a Five-Star Dairy through the Environmental Quality Assurance Program. As dairy farmers, they were already committed to the environment; and receiving this certification has shown this to their neighbors and fellow community members.

Their success is also a result of their positive attitude and respect for their family, community and environment. Despite the demanding work schedule of dairy farmers, Mark and Kathi always made it a priority to spend time with their family. This tradition has carried on to Nate and Mindi as well.

Over the years, they have opened their dairy to international visitors, local students and fellow dairy producers.

Weekly CWT Export Update

News Editorcwt, Export

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

One bid was from California Dairies Inc. of Artesia, Calf., for the export of 400 metric tons
(881,849 pounds) of anhydrous milkfat to Mexico.

One bid was accepted from Humboldt Creamery of Fortuna, Calif., for the export of 300 metric
tons (661,387 lbs.) of whole milk powder to Cameroon – the first time a CWT-assisted export
has gone to that nation.

Finally, two bids were accepted from Darigold of Seattle, Wash., for the export of 25 metric tons
(55,116 lbs.) of butter to Kuwait, and another 25 metric tons of butter to Indonesia.

With these accepted bids, CWT’s total 2008 export obligations are: butter, 25,604 metric tons
(56 million lbs.); cheese, 1,501 metric tons (3.3 million lbs.); whole milk powder, 1,048 metric
tons (2.3 million lbs.); and anhydrous milkfat, 11,393 metric tons (25 million lbs.). The milk
equivalent total of these products is 2.03 billion pounds.

Junior All American Winners Announced

News EditorCompetition, Jersey Association

Twenty Jersey youth between the ages of 9 and 20 from 15 states have been recognized by the American Jersey Cattle Association as the owners of the Junior All American winners for 2008.

The awards were announced November 8 during The 56th All American Junior Jersey Show in Freedom Hall, Louisville, Ky.

Nic Sauder of Tremont, Ill., picked up two Junior All American and one Reserve Junior All American recognitions. Joel Bourne, Ansonia, Ohio, was a double Junior All American recipient. Four other youths—Brittany Core of Kentucky, Megan Hill of Vermont, and Kaila Wussow and Cassy Krull, both of Wisconsin—received two awards each.

The winners in each age division are:

Milking Senior Yearling
TJ Classic Sultan Briana, Joel Bourne, Ansonia, Ohio, Junior All American winner
Dream Maker Solomon Bree, Kelsay Schilling, Boggstown, Ind., Reserve Junior All American winner

Junior Two-Year-Old Cow
RRF Homer Esma, Hannah Geyer, Fort Loramie, Ohio, Junior All American winner
BRJ Sultan Kody Bell R-60, R. J. Doran, Newberry, S.C., Reserve Junior All American winner

Senior Two-Year-Old Cow
KCJF Responses Royal, Brittany Core, Salvisa, Ky., Junior All American winner
Pyramid Hallmark Daisy-ET, Nic Sauder, Tremont, Ill.; Reserve Junior All American winner

Junior Three-Year-Old Cow
Fredestel Laser P Nelly Bly, Nic Sauder, Tremont, Ill., Junior All American winner
Ratliff F Prize Kay-ET, Cassy Krull, Lake Mills, Wis., Reserve Junior All American winner

Senior Three-Year-Old Cow
Brook Hollow Jades Glow, Joel Bourne, Ansonia, Ohio, Junior All American winner
KCJF Regency Racene, Brittany Core, Salvisa, Ky., Reserve Junior All American winner

Four-Year-Old Cow
Legion Polly, Nic Sauder, Tremont, Ill., Junior All American winner
Michael Centurion Darla, Kaila Wussow, Cecil, Wis., Reserve Junior All American winner

Aged Cow
Sniders Future Fenola, Tucker Hardy, Belleville, Penna., Junior All American winner
JJF Nicky of Paramount, Cameron Lutz, Lincolnton, N.C., Reserve Junior All American winner

Junior Heifer Calf
GR Four-Hills Iatola Meg 71, Megan Hill, Bristol, Vt., Junior All American winner
Hillacres Be A Star, Steven Pozzi, Petaluma, Calif., Reserve Junior All American winner

Intermediate Heifer Calf
Hawk Pond Minister Marble, Aimee Gigax, Elkland, Mo., Junior All American winner
Kellogg-Bay Furor Juna-ET, Megan Hill, Bristol, Vt., Reserve Junior All American winner

Senior Heifer Calf
Hillacres Tora Tilly, Jordan Stookey, Milford, Ind., Junior All American winner
Ratliff King Snickers, Amanda Nelson, Garnett, Kans., Reserve Junior All American winner

Summer Junior Yearling
Xanadu Devine Tess, George Colpetzer, Greenville, Penna., Junior All American winner
Cobblestone Deluxe Foundation-ET, Isaiah Ownbey, Perkins, Okla., Reserve Junior All American

Junior Yearling Heifer
Bachelors Master Rose 346, Cody Bachelor, Angola, Ind., Junior All American winner
Ratliff Res Raizel-ET, Cassy Krull, Lake Mills, Wis., Reserve Junior All American winner

Winter Yearling Heifer
Rolling River Minister Pinto, Ashley Schroeder, Castle Rock, Minn., Junior All American winner
Budjon-Vail Ginger Ale-ET, Kaila Wussow, Cecil, Wis., Reserve Junior All American winner

Dairyline Markets In Review

Chuck ZimmermanDairyline, Markets

DairylineDairy Markets Week in Review
The cash dairy markets crashed this week. Block cheese closed at $1.5125 per pound, down 27 3/4-cents on the week, 41 3/4-cents below a year ago when the blocks plunged 26 1/4-cents, and is at the lowest level since April 2007.

Barrel closed Friday at $1.5225, down 22 1/2-cents on the week, and 47 1/2 below a year ago when they lost 16 1/4-cents. The NASS-surveyed block price averaged $1.7469, up 5.4 cents. Barrel averaged $1.8241, up 8.5 cents. Nine cars of block traded hands on the week and five of barrel.

Butter ended Friday at $1.11, down 14 3/4-cents on the week, 22 1/2-cents below a year ago, and the lowest price since April 2003. Only three cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.4197, down 11.8 cents. NASS nonfat dry milk averaged 85.23 cents, down 2 cents, and dry whey averaged 17.33 cents, down 1.3 cents.

Price support purchases for the week amounted to 7.8 million pounds of nonfat dry milk, raising the cumulative total to 93.3 million compared to none a year ago.

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.

Court Agrees with NMPF

News EditorGovernment, Industry News, Markets

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) successfully prevented the US Department of Agriculture today from allowing, through private auction, the sale of nonfat dry milk powder at prices below the level specified in the Farm Bill. USDA, facing legal action brought by NMPF, agreed not to submit any of the product for auction.

NMPF had sought a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) yesterday against the USDA to block the agency from allowing The Seam, a private marketing entity, from auctioning off nonfat dry milk this week at prices that are below the congressionally-mandated minimum level.

The USDA and Seam entered into a court-ordered agreement not to hold any milk powder auctions until NMPF’s full complaint and motion can be heard on January 22, 2009. This decision has the same effect as the TRO originally sought by NMPF.

The Honorable John W. Darrah, U.S. District Judge in Chicago, oversaw the proceedings and sided with NMPF on the issue, requesting USDA to postpone the auction.

At issue was the Dairy Product Price Support Program provision of the newly adopted 2008 Farm Bill, which stated that USDA cannot sell nonfat dry milk stocks at less than 110% of the price at which it purchased the product. Under this rule, USDA is forbidden to sell the milk powder back to the market at less than 88 cents/lb., in order to keep prices from being further driven down. Since the price received by dairy farmers reflects commercial dairy product prices, the auction scheduled by USDA would have resulted in a reduction in dairy producer income.

NMPF Files Against Selling of Dry Milk Power

News EditorGovernment, Industry News, Markets

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) went to court today in Chicago to prevent the U.S. Department of Agriculture from undermining the dairy price support program by selling nonfat dry milk powder at levels that will reduce farmers’ milk checks.

NMPF is seeking a Temporary Restraining Order to stop the USDA from using a private, third-party company to resell milk powder at levels below what the law specifies.

At issue is an arrangement the USDA has with a firm called The Seam, under which Seam, starting this week, will auction off surplus milk powder given to it by the government. Under the arrangement, the Seam is not required to sell the milk powder to commercial clients at the minimum resale price of 88 cents per pound, as specified in the Farm Bill. Because of this, the auction will result in lower nonfat dry milk prices, and because farmers’ prices reflect commercial dairy product prices, it will reduce dairy producer income.

“We strongly believe that USDA’s action will circumvent the newly-adopted 2008 Farm Bill, which says that under the Dairy Price Support Program, the USDA cannot sell nonfat dry milk stocks at less than 110% of the price at which it purchased the product,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. Kozak noted that the DPSP directs the USDA to buy powder at 80 cents/pound, and specifies that the USDA cannot sell it back to the market at less than 88 cents/lb., in order to keep prices from being further driven down.

“The purpose of the price support program is to have the government provide a basic safety net when prices are low, as they are now,” Kozak said. “The USDA is trying an end-run around statutory rules that are designed to keep prices stabilized.” Up to 20 million pounds of nonfat milk powder are scheduled to be auctioned this week, and if those sales are at levels of between 80 and 85 cents/lb., which is the current market price, it could reduce farm-level income by $57 million over the next year, Kozak said.

Kozak said that NMPF asked USDA executives last week to postpone the milk powder auction, but USDA did not respond to that request. As a result, NMPF has filed suit in Chicago today to suspend the auction.

“Congress just passed the Farm Bill a few months ago, and that law clearly states that the Dairy Price Support Program must continue to function as a safety net for farmers’ prices,” Kozak said. “This third-party auction concept is a slap in the face to Congress, and to America’s dairy farmers, at a time when farm prices are dropping,” Kozak said.

Holstein Association USA Award Applications Now Online

News EditorCompetition, Holstein Association, Industry News

The 2009 Holstein Association USA award applications are now available online. These awards recognize notable members, breeders, and friends of the Association. Applications for the Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder, Elite Breeder, and Distinguished Leadership Award are due to the national office by March 31, 2009.

The Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder Award recognizes significant accomplishments of young Registered Holstein Breeders, ages 21-40. Applicants can nominate themselves or be nominated, and may apply as individuals, a couple, or business partners. The winning applicant will receive travel and lodging expenses for two to the National Holstein Convention, complimentary tickets to the Convention banquet, a $2,000 cash award, and a plaque.

The Elite Breeder Award honors a living Holstein Association USA member, family, partnership, or corporation who has bred outstanding animals and thereby made a notable contribution to the advancement of U.S. Registered Holsteins. The applicant must have been a member of Holstein Association USA for at least five years. Applications will be considered for three years.

The Distinguished Leadership Award is given to an individual who has provided outstanding and unselfish leadership that has contributed to the improvement of the Holstein Association and/or dairy industry. This is a unique award, as the recipient does not necessarily have to be a member of Holstein Association USA. Applications for this award will also be considered for three years.

Additionally, a scholarship is available to students interested in agriculture who plan to pursue their Master’s Degree in Business Administration. The Robert H. Rumler MBA Scholarship awards $3,000 to a qualified individual pursuing their MBA at an accredited university. Applications for this scholarship are due to the Holstein office by April 15, 2009.

Weekly CWT Export Update

News Editorcwt, Export

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

Two of the bids accepted were from Dairy Farmers of America of Kansas City, Mo. One was for 300 metric tons (661,387 pounds) of anhydrous milkfat to South Korea. The second was 20 metric tons (44,092 lbs.) of whole milk powder to Honduras.

Two bids were accepted from Land O’Lakes of Arden Hills, Minn. One was for the export of 216 metric tons (476,199 lbs.) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese to South Korea. Another was for 36 metric tons (79,366 lbs.) of butter to China.

And finally, the fifth bid was accepted from Upstate Niagara Cooperative of Buffalo, N.Y., for the export of 19 metric tons (41,888 lbs.) of butter to Syria. This is the first bid CWT has accepted from Upstate Niagara.

With these accepted bids, CWT’s total 2008 export obligations are: butter, 25,554 metric tons (56 million lbs.); cheese, 1,501 metric tons (3.3 million lbs.); whole milk powder, 748 metric tons (1.6 million lbs.); and anhydrous milkfat, 10,993 metric tons (24 million lbs.). The milk equivalent total of these products is 2 billion pounds.