Bio-Vet Introduces Generator-D

News EditorAnimal Health, BIO, Feed, Industry News

bio-vetgenBio-Vet, Inc. has an exciting new product for dairy producers – the Generator™-D, a direct fed microbial product that contains high levels of beneficial microbials at a low inclusion rate. In research, Generator microbial products have been shown to improve appetite, maintain dry matter intake, improve digestion and feed utilization, improve production (milk and meat) and help cattle tolerate heat stress.

Generator-D is effective when fed to high-producing dairy cows, dry and transition cows, animals going through ration changes and pre- and post-partum animals. It also works well for incoming feedlot steers, weanling calves, and lactating goats and sheep. Generator-D is especially helpful for rations containing lower quality forages, as well as rations predisposing ruminants to lactic acidosis.

Generator-D comes in a powder form that is fed at rates of 0.5 to 2 grams per head daily. The 2-gram daily rate costs about 6 cents per head. The product provides over 24 billion Colony Forming Units (CFUs) per feeding, with nine species of beneficial bacteria. Generator-D also contains live yeast to help stabilize rumen fermentation. It is available in convenient 1.5 kg and 7.5 kg pouches and 40 lb. bags.

Gardner Leaves Legacy

News EditorIndustry News

Nelson Gardner, well-known in the dairy industry as a leader, friend and adviser, past away this week at age 76. The dairy industry will surely miss this great man.

Gardner died from a severe neck injury sustained while working on his son’s Weyers Cave farm last Thursday. Gardner served on more than a dozen boards of directors and was active on five boards until his death.

Nelson Gardner was born on Sept. 5, 1930, in Lebanon, Pa. His family moved to Virginia when he was 6. At 19, he bought his Dad’s farm, including a dairy herd of 75 Guernsey cows and heifers, according to a statement from the family. He founded Rocby Holsteins, a registered cattle operation, and sold cattle in more than 25 countries.

One of his more notable sales was a herd of 100 cattle to the late John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, less than a year before the former Beatle was murdered outside his New York apartment in December 1980.

He served on the boards of the National Milk Producers Federation and the Dairy Farmers of America. Gardner was president and chairman of the Valley of Virginia Milk Producers, or Shenandoah’s Pride, for three decades.

Gardner was a “tremendous philanthropist” whose name shows up at a lot of charities. He headed the building committee at Bridgewater Church of the Brethren, which opened in 1998. As chairman of Virginia Tech’s advisory board, Gardner helped raise $9 million for the Dairy Science Department. Since 1991, Gardner had served on several boards at Bridgewater Retirement Community.

Earlier this year, he agreed to chair of the Memory Support House capital campaign, which raises money for an Alzheimer’s and dementia wing being planned, said Bridgewater Retirement Community President Paul Hoyt.

Gardner was a note writer, according to his son, Larry Gardner.

“He would pull out a notepad, write something to someone, stick it in an envelope and send it to them,” Larry Gardner said. “That’s why there is such an outpouring now.”

WMMB Elects Officers

News EditorDairy Checkoff, Industry News

The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board has elected new leadership to their board of directors.

Jay Stauffacher, a dairy producer from Darlington, was re-elected chairman
Connie Seefeldt, Coleman, was re-elected vice chairperson
Sandra Cihlar, Mosinee, was re-elected Secretary
Judy Wubbenhorst, Westby, was elected Treasurer

Also serving on the seven-person Executive Committee are Cheese Business Committee Chair Ken Heiman, Marshfield; Communications & Local Promotions Committee Chair, Lanette Harsdorf, Beldenville; and Policy/Bylaw Committee Chair Ben Peterson, Grantsburg.

Members of the Cheese Business Committee include: Chairperson Ken Heiman, Marshfield; Romona Averbeck, Fond du Lac; Patricia Boettcher, Bloomer; Roger Buresh, Luxemburg; Sandra Cihlar, Mosinee; Ed Jasurda, Phillips; Lyle Jensen, Amery; Sharon Laubscher, Wonewoc; Daphne Newman Stassin, Broadhead; Ben Peterson, Grantsburg; Don Robaidek, Pulaski; and Connie Seefeldt, Coleman.

Members of the Communications & Local Promotions Committee include: Chairperson Lanette Harsdorf, Beldenville; Mark Christenson, Lake Mills; Mary Cook, Wilton; Richard Fink, Mayville; Rosalie Geiger, Reedsville; Bill Herr, Greenwood; Patricia Kling, Taylor; Robert Letter, Seymour; Jim Stemper, Plymouth; Mary Wackershauser, Lancaster; Judy Wubbenhorst, Westby; and Kay Zwald, Hammond.

In addition, three WMMB Directors were chosen to represent Wisconsin’s dairy producers in other industry organizations. Mark Christenson was elected to serve as WMMB’s representative on the board of directors of the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA). Kay Zwald was selected to serve as chair of the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) liaison committee; and Mary Wackershauser will serve as WMMB’s representative to the Chicago division of the Midwest Dairy Association (MDA).

Fermentation Can Bring Value Worth Waiting For

Chuck ZimmermanAnimal Health, Audio, Feed, Forage Forum, Nutrition, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

Pioneer Hi-Bred Forage Forum PodcastUp to 60 days of fermentation before feeding can improve starch digestibility, particularly with high-moisture corn, reports Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager. It’s important, though, to control fermentation, keeping feedstuffs fresh and reducing shrink losses. When feeding both high-moisture corn and corn silage, ensiling can help head off issues like spring acidosis. The overall goal is a stable new crop that feeds like the old crop. This Pioneer Forage Forum segment is part of a series highlighting research on STRD.

Listen To MP3 File Bill Mahanna on fermentation (4:30 min MP3)

To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.

Midwest Dairy Awards Scholarships

News EditorDairy Checkoff, Education

The Iowa Division of the Midwest Dairy Association has awarded 11 student scholarships from its 2007 educational program, an annual initiative to assist dairy farm families with college expenses. Scholarship applicants are evaluated on their participation in leadership and academic activities, reference letters, personal essays and involvement in the dairy industry.

This year’s winners are:

Kala Barre, Ottumwa, Iowa – $1,000
Cara Deutmeyer, Delhi, Iowa – $500
Chris Freland, State Center, Iowa – $1,000
Jessica Hermsen, Masonville, Iowa – $500
Matthew Jaschen, Tripoli, Iowa – $1,000
Lindsey Lehmann, Durango, Iowa – $500
Justin Mardorf, Hopkinton, Iowa – $500
Maggie Metzger, Larchwood, Iowa – $500
Emily Schmitt, Hawkeye, Iowa – $500
Jessica Tekippe, Manchester, Iowa – $500
Joe Wilcox, Marcus, Iowa – $500

Pa. Producers Invited to Forums

News EditorEducation, Industry News

Pennsylvania dairy producers are invited to an open forum and dairy tour at six dairy farms across the state during August, hosted by the Center for Dairy Excellence. Producers will have the opportunity to learn about the Center’s initiatives and provide the opportunity for feedback on key issues. Pre-registration is requested by calling 717-346-0849.

The “Open Forums and Dairy Tours” will run from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., with lunch included. Each event will include an introduction from a local dairy task force member, an update on center programs from Frey, an opportunity for those in attendance to share ideas and provide input on the center’s efforts, and a tour of the host farm provided by the host family. The host family will also share the steps they have taken to strengthen and build their dairy business.

The dates and locations of the six events are:

* Wednesday, Aug. 1 at Y Run Farms owned by the Klines, Troy
* Friday, Aug. 3 at the Kepner Farm owned by the Kepners, Sandy Lake
* Tuesday, Aug. 7 at Oregon Dairy owned by the George Hurst Family, Lititz
* Wednesday, Aug. 8 at Woodcrest Farm owned by the McNutt Family, Homer City
* Friday, Aug. 17 at Mor-Dale Farms owned by Ralph and Crystal Moyer, Myerstown
* Wednesday, Aug. 22 at Mill Hill Farms owned by the Biddles, Williamsburg

UK McDonald's Switches to Organic Milk

News EditorInternational, Milk, Organic

McDonald’s restaurants in the UK have announced a switch to organic milk for its coffee and hot chocolate drinks. The move could account for 5% of the UK’s organic milk supplies.

In a bid to tap into growing consumer interest in the provenance of food, the fast-food chain recently switched its supply of coffee beans to stocks certified by conservation group the Rainforest Alliance. The move added 10% to McDonalds coffee sales.

UK chief executive Steve Easterbrook said: “British consumers are increasingly interested in the quality, sourcing and ethics of the food and drink they buy. This has led to growth in the supply of British-produced organic milk, which has enabled us to make this move for our customers.”

McDonald’s will also be switching its mini pots of milk for tea to organic semi-skimmed milk.

Daryl Caswell of Arla Foods, which supplies all McDonalds’ mainland milk demand, said: “The organic market for milk has been increasing significantly year on year. It is good to see McDonalds is leading the quick-service sector in converting to organic.”

McDonalds also said it hoped the move would increase consumer demand for organic milk and help the sector to grow.

CWT Export Assistance Bids

Chuck ZimmermanDairy Group, Export

Cooperatives Working TogetherHere’s the latest announcement from Cooperatives Working Together:

Cooperatives Working Together announced today that it accepted two export assistance bids last week for the sale of cheese and butter.

Both bids were accepted from Foremost Farms of Baraboo, WI: one for 500 tons of butter (1.1 million lbs.) to the Netherlands, and another for 190 tons (418,000 lbs.) of Cheddar cheese, also to the Netherlands.

These accepted bids increase CWT’s total 2007 export obligations for cheese to 5,720 metric tons (12.6 million lbs.), its YTD export obligations for butter to 9,930 metric tons (21.8 million lbs.), and its YTD anhydrous milkfat exports to 2,280 tons (5 million lbs.).

Nominate the Dairy Farmer of the Year

News EditorGeneral, Industry News

Nominations are now being accepted for the title of the Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year, an annual award co-sponsored by IDFA and Dairy Today magazine. The winner will be honored at the 2008 Dairy Forum, Jan. 20 to 23, at La Quinta Resort and Club in La Quinta, Calif. The deadline for nominations is Oct. 5, 2007, and there is no entry fee. The call asks for nominations of active U.S. dairy farms that are improving on-farm efficiency through progressive management practices, production technologies and/or marketing approaches. Nominees will be judged on current methods as well as their positioning to meet future economic and business challenges.

NAIDC Elects Board Members

News EditorCompetition, Education

northamericanchallengeThe North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC) board of directors has elected four new board members and re-elected one incumbent board member.

NAIDC manages and operates one national and four regional contests. The 2008 national contest will be held April 4-5, in Madison, Wis. Regional contest dates and locations include: Northeast, Nov. 8-10, 2007, Concord, N.H.; South, Nov. 15-17, 2007, Baton Rouge, La.; Midwest, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2008, Merrillville, Ind.; and West, Feb. 28-March 1, 2008, Visalia, Calif.

New board members include:
Cherie Bayer, American Jersey Cattle Association, Columbus, Ohio;
Luciene Ribeiro, Diamond V Mills, Visalia, Calif.;
Jean Conklin, Yankee Farm Credit and dairy producer, Haverhill, N.H.;
Bruce Clark, Monsanto Dairy Business Lansing, Mich.

Kas Ingawa, North Carolina State University and Dairy Records Management Systems, Raleigh, N.C., was re-elected to his second term.

Larry Muller, Penn State University professor emeritus, University Park, Pa., was elected chair;
Barry Putnam, Genex, Ithaca, N.Y., was elected vice chair.

Other executive committee elections included: Ingawa as program chair, C. Hap Allen, Genex, Shawano, Wis., as publicity chair, and Clark as finance chair.

The remaining NAIDC board members include Miriam Weber-Nielsen, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.; Matt Budine, Progressive Dairy Solutions Inc., Oakdale, Calif.; Linda Hodorff, Second-Look Holsteins, Eden, Wis.; Dave Thorbahn, Select Sires, Plain City, Ohio; Todd Kranz, ABS Global, Dublin, Ohio; JoDee Sattler, DairyBusiness Communications, Hartland, Wis.; and Rob Sheffer, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Albany, N.Y.