Federal Milk Marketing Task Force Meets

News EditorGovernment, Industry News, Milk, Price

The National Milk Producers Federation’s Federal Order task force met for the first time this week in Chicago. The goal of the committee is to try to improve the existing Federal Milk Marketing Order system
The fourteen member of the task force discussed what types of changes will most benefit dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own, along with milk processors.

Dave Fuhrman, CEO of Foremost Farms of Baraboo, WI, and task force chairman noted that the task force members did all concur that the industry is better with the Federal Order system than without it, and their efforts would focus on building up the system, not dismantling it. He also said that a self-help effort such as this one, undertaken by NMPF, “is preferable to a government-mandated one,” which is what some in Congress are discussing. “What we do here will have a real-world impact on the dairy sector,” Fuhrman said.

The task force agreed that deadlines need to set for the Federal Order hearing process. All members expressed concern over the length of time it takes from point at which a request for a hearing is filed with USDA, to a final decision being issued. The ongoing hearing examining Class III and IV manufacturing allowances is an apt illustration of how long such hearings can take, task force members agreed.

“The plan is to expand participation in this process to others in the industry, with the goal of being able to move forward with improvements to the Federal Milk Marketing Order system in a year,” said Jerry Kozak, NMPF President and CEO.

Priobiotic Baby Formula Introduced

News EditorIndustry News, Yogurt

Another probiotic product has been launched, a probiotic infant formula from Nestlé with probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis, BIFIDUS BL.

The Swiss food giant claims Good Start Natural Cultures is the first US infant formula to contain probiotics for immune system support. The company says the Bifidobacterium lactis in its formula helps children improve the balance of microflora in their gastrointestinal tract, thereby supporting a healthy immune system.

Nestle says bifidobacteriais are naturally found in the digestive tracts of breastfed infants. In formula-fed infants the presence of probiotic “friendly bacteria” is significantly lower than in breastfed infants.

“The inclusion of probiotics clearly goes a step further than providing basic nutrients for growth and development by adding a functional component which addresses an important objective of nutrition: supporting and modulating an infant’s immune system,” said José Saavedra, medical and scientific director with Nestlé Nutrition.

New Pasture-Grazed Cheese

News EditorCheese

pasturemadecheeseThere’s a new cheese on the block (pun intended!) – Black Creek Pasture-Grazed White Cheddar Cheese. The cheese is made from local farmers in Southwest Wisconsin on a limited basis, in season from late April through early October, based on pasture quality.

“The pasture grazed product has a unique flavor profile and rich, creamy texture that makes it a wonderful table cheese to be enjoyed all by itself,” states Black Creek Certified Master Cheesemaker Gregg Palubicki. “We’re very proud of its delicate, natural flavor as well as the superior nutritional value of the pasture-grazed milk we use in crafting it.”

Black Creek Pasture-Grazed White Cheddar is available in 9-ounce squares in a distinctive white parchment-like package. Distribution will be through specialty cheese retailers and the specialty cheese and deli departments in grocery stores. Black Creek Classic Naturally-Aged Cheeses have been produced in Black Creek, Wisconsin for over 100 years. Crafted under the watchful eyes of Certified Wisconsin Master Cheesemakers, the Black Creek Classic brand is available in Cheddar, Colby and Colby-Jack Cheese varieties.

Jersey Juniors Speech Contest

News EditorJersey Association

JerseylogoU.S. Jersey Juniors are reminded that their public speaking contest entries are due Friday, June 1st.

The second national Jersey public speaking competition, TalkJersey, will be held during the Annual Meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. in Sioux Falls, S.D. The contest is open to all AJCA Junior or Lifetime Members, ages 7 through 20 as of January 1, 2007.

The preliminary round of judging will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27. The finalists will present their talks during the breakfast session on Saturday, June 30, with the awards to be presented after all presentations have been made. Cash awards sponsored by ABS Global Inc. and prizes from the American Jersey Cattle Association will be presented in all divisions.

Presentations must be created by the contestants and be on any aspect of the Registered Jersey™ business, including current affairs and dairy industry trends

NMPF Sends Letter to Johanns

News EditorAnimal Health, Government, Industry News, International

nmpflogoThe most recent case of BSE in Canada has prompted the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) to encourage Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to keep the Canadian border closed for breeding animals.

NMPF said that there are still questions about the effectiveness of the feed ban designed to prevent the introduction and spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE. Even though Canada has prohibited the feeding of mammalian tissues to its cattle since 1997 (as has the U.S.), there have been seven cases of BSE in animals born since then, including five born after the date that the USDA has determined that Canada has been effectively enforcing the feed ban, March 1, 1999. The USDA is considering allowing animals born after that date to be exported to the U.S. for breeding purposes

All five of those recent BSE cases “could have been exported to the U.S. under the rule that the USDA is about to adopt,” Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF said. Because Canada’s own government estimates that it will detect more cases of BSE in the next decade, NMPF believes that the USDA should not finalize regulations to allow animals for breeding or herd replacement purposes from Canada.

NMPF does not oppose importation of Canadian cattle for direct slaughter purposes, but the USDA “should not allow importation of live animals that could reside in the U.S. cattle population,” the letter said. “Both domestic and export markets for U.S. producers will be disrupted” if additional BSE cases are discovered in the U.S., and those disruptions will have significant negative economic impacts that “will be borne by U.S. producers,” Kozak said.

Cheese Store Winners

News EditorCheese, Competition

The winners of the Third Annual American Artisanal Treasure Awards, presented by the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, have been announced. This star studded event was created by Norbert Wabnig, the proprietor of the store, which has been in operation since 1967 and hosted numerous Hollywood A-listers.

“The American Artisanal Treasure Awards is my way of saying thank you to these fine artisans, many of whom are pioneers in their category,” Wabnig says. Each winner received a custom designed cheese cabinet autographed by the judges.

To choose the winners, Wabnig assembled a stellar panel of judges including Evan Kleiman, Chef and Host of KCRW’s “Good Eats;” Hans Goplen, Executive Chef, The Farm of Beverly Hills; Kit Rachlis, Editor in chief, Los Angeles Magazine; Mona Harrington, Chef, Culinary Institute of America; John Larroquette, Actor; Mike Kassar, Fromagier, Spago Beverly Hills; Sharon Palmer, Cheesemaker, Nanny Udderly’s Healthy Family Farms; and Deborah Racine, Public Relations.

The Winners:
• Soft Goat’s Milk: Hoja Santa
Cheesemaker: Paul Lambert, Mozzarella Cheese Company, Texas

• Firm Goat’s Milk: Tequila Abbey
Cheesemaker: Nancy Patton, Haute Goat Creamery, Texas

• Soft Cow’s Milk: Holy Cow
Cheesemaker: Chef John Folse, Bittersweet Plantation, Louisiana

• Washed Rind Cow’s Milk: Winnimere,
Cheesemaker: Mateo Kehler, Jasper Hill Farm, Vermont

• Firm Cow’s Milk: Appalachian
Cheesemaker: Helen Feete, Meadow Creek Dairy, Virginia

• Cow’s Milk Aged Cheddar: Hook’s 12 Year Cheddar
Cheesemaker: Tony & Julie Hook, Hook’s Cheese Company, Wisconsin

• Firm Sheep’s Milk: Pozo Tomme
Cheesemaker: Christine & Jim Maguire, Rinconada Dairy, California

• Blue: Rogue River Blue
Cheesemaker: Cary Bryant & David Gremmels, Rogue Creamery, Oregon

CWT Export Assistance Bids

Chuck ZimmermanDairy Group, Export

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

CWT announced today it accepted three export assistance bids last week for the sale of cheese.

All of the bids were from Land O’Lakes, and all were destined for South Korea. The first bid was for the shipment of 111 MT (244,200 lbs) of Monterey Jack cheese; the second bid was for the shipment of 74 MT (162,800 lbs) of Cheddar cheese and the third was for the shipment of 10.8 MT (23,760 lbs) of Parmesan cheese.

These accepted bids increase CWT’s total 2007 export obligations for cheese to 5,331 MT (11.7 million lbs); its YTD butter exports to 4,573 MT (10.1 million lbs) and its YTD AMF exports to 1,642 MT (3.6 million lbs).

With these accepted bids, the milk equivalent is 440 million lbs in FY 07.

AI Program in Iraq

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, Genetics, International

Paul McKellipsWe sure don’t hear much good news from Iraq in our mainstream media these days so I’m glad someone is making the effort to do so. It’s at best unfortunate what we’re seeing and hearing from traditional media and many of our politicians today. One guy who is still trying to get out the good news is Paul McKellips, US Embassy Baghdad, The Green Room, US Department of State, Public Affairs GO Team. He’s on loan from USDA. Paul is back for his 3rd trip of duty in Iraq.

Here’s his latest report featuring MAJ Kevin Wellington, a large animal vet who is running an A-I program to improve genetics in Iraqi dairy cows here: Listen to MP3 Paul McKellips Report (Short MP3)

I think Paul represents the vast majority of Americans who are serving in Iraq and other parts of the world. Here’s an excerpt from his letter that accompanied the report that will show you why I think he’s an American hero.

Things are much different now then they were even a few months ago. I sense two key differences: (1) the tone and constant drum beat of the Iraq War debate back home is now evident on the faces of soldiers and diplomats alike. I just got back from a mission to Ramadi in Anbar Province and I heard several Marines and soldiers discussing the futility of public support . . .

. . . But let me say this unequivocally…I will serve this President, support our military, and strive for Iraqi freedom every minute of every day until it’s my turn to fly home. I don’t care about the politics. I don’t care about the rhetoric. Our men and women in uniform are pulling off the impossible every day of the week. They deserve to have their stories told. I talked with a young Marine on a tarmac in Anbar Province last Saturday. He said, “if Americans don’t fight for these people’s freedom, then who will?” Hopefully his service will encourage more Iraqis to start fighting for their own freedom. I suspect they need to start doing that soon.

Princess Kay to be Crowned

News EditorDairy Checkoff, Industry News

It’s Princess Kay time again! The new Princess Kay of the Milky Way title will be awarded at durning the conclusion of the two-day event, May 18-20. This will be Minnesota’s 54th crowning of the young dairy spokesperson.

Twelve county dairy princesses will be chosen as finalists for Minnesota’s 54th Princess Kay of the Milky Way title during an event in St. Joseph May 18-20. More than 80 young women typically attend the Dairy Princess Promotion Training and Selection Event each year, most of them also choosing to go through judging for a finalist position. Dairy farmers sponsor the event and the dairy princess program through their promotion checkoff organization, Midwest Dairy Association.

“Each year we’re excited to see how seriously these county dairy princesses take their role in the industry,” said Char Hovland, coordinator for the state’s princess program. “This year that’s even more important because of our organization’s effort to connect consumers with dairy farmers in an initiative we call People Behind the Product. Princesses can play an important role in that program.”

Those who opt to compete for a Princess Kay finalist position are judged by an application, a personal interview, a speech and a mock media interview. Princess Kay is selected during the opening of the Minnesota State Fair in August, and the 12 finalists will each have their likenesses carved in butter while fairgoers watch.

Jersey Convention Features Metzger

News EditorJersey Association

JerseylogoThe American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. Annual Meetings are scheduled for June 27-July 1, 2007 in Sioux Falls, S. D. The convention seminar will feature Lloyd E. Metzger, director of The Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center, discussing milk proteins. The seminar will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27.
In the first of two presentations, Metzger will describe how the protein in milk can be isolated and used to produce dairy based ingredients.

Metzger joined the faculty of South Dakota State University this past January as an associate professor and holds the Alfred Chair in Dairy Education. He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in dairy manufacturing from South Dakota State University, completing a Ph.D. in food science from Cornell University in 1999. He was employed as a research scientist at General Mills for two years prior to joining the Food Science and Nutrition department at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul.

Metzger was recognized by the American Dairy Science Association in 2005 with the ADSA Foundation Scholar Award for his research accomplishments. He is active in professional organizations such as the American Dairy Science Association and Institute of Food Technologists, plus serves as Executive Secretary of the North Central Cheese Industries Association.