November Milk Production Up

News EditorDairy Business, Markets

Here are the latest numbers as reported by Cattle Network.

Milk production in the 23 major States during November totaled 13.3 billion pounds, up 2.5 percent from November 2005. October production, unrevised at 13.7 billion pounds, was up 2.1 percent from October 2005. Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,616 pounds for November, 24 pounds above November 2005. The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.25 million head, 81,000 head more than November 2005, and 3,000 head more than October 2006.

New Milk Marketing Non-Profit

News EditorDairy Business, Industry News

DFA logoThe Dairy Farmers of America Inc., Kansas City, Kan., Global Dairy Platform are Campina, based in Holland; Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd., based in New Zealand; Arla Foods, based in Denmark; and the International Dairy Federation, based in Brussels have formed a new nonprofit organization whose mission is to expand the global market for dairy products and speed the commercialization of industry research.

Kevin Belay, CEO of the U.K. Milk Development Council, will start as the Global Dairy Platform’s CEO. The new group will take “pre-competitive” research — research that hasn’t been brought to market — and function as an information clearinghouse to get the research to companies that could use it commercially.

Each of the five founding organizations put in equal amounts of money to get the new group started. Membership fees will finance the new organization. The Global Dairy Platform will have three full-time employees at its Chicago headquarters. The DFA said in a release that the new group won’t finance or conduct research but that it will promote the health aspects of milk and dairy products, focus on nutrition and support international trade.

“We want to take the best minds in the industry to see if they can come up with ideas that we can then take to manufacturers to see if they can use it in their businesses. We want to get ideas out that may not be shared fast enough.”

Beefmobile Gets New Wranglers

Chuck ZimmermanBeef Checkoff

Stephanie AusfahlThink beef. Think Beefmobile Wranglers. Think “new” Beefmobile Wranglers. That’s who Stephanie Ausfahl and Craig Hamilton are. In case you’re wondering, Stephanie is pictured on the right and Craig on the left.

As the Beefmobiles roll out for a fourth year on the road, two new “Wranglers” are at the helm to help beef and dairy producers to better understand how their beef checkoff dollars are being spent. Stephanie Ausfahl and Craig Hamilton, both well-versed in the livestock industry with firsthand experience as beef producers, are taking their industry involvement to new levels as they marshal the Beefmobiles – mini-vans emblazoned with mouth-watering images of sizzling beef, across the United States. They join veteran Wrangler Tracey Orsburn, who is starting her third year with the Beefmobile program, now serving as project coordinator.

Craig HamiltonThe three undertake the lofty task of visiting more than 250 livestock marketing facilities and beef events and 10 consumer venues.

At each location, the checkoff-funded Beefmobiles and their Wranglers reach out to producers throughout the country to provide information – and solicit input – about the Beef Checkoff Program.

I’m sure we’ll get to learn more about the new wranglers at the upcoming Cattle Industry Convention.

Have a Hot Chocktail

Chuck ZimmermanDairy Group, Milk, Promotion

Washington Restaurant AssociationIt looks like chocolate milk is continuing a popularity upswing. You can find some interesting chocktail recipes here.

Holiday hot chocolate is growing in popularity as restaurants across Washington give this old favorite a lift with new flavors that adults and kids enjoy, according to Camille St. Onge of the Washington Restaurant Association.

“To keep the calories down, and to make this holiday favorite more healthy and less filling at the same time, we recommend heating — not boiling — low- fat chocolate milk,” St. Onge said.

Hot chocolate milk mixes well with many flavors, and is especially popular during the winter season. The Holiday Hot Chocolate project with low-fat milk is a cooperative project of the Washington Restaurant Association and the Dairy Farmers of Washington.

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 four export assistance bids last week for the sale of cheese and milkfat.

The first three bids are from Dairy Farmers of America of Kansas City, MO: one for the export of 114 metric tons (250800 pounds) of Cheddar cheese to Poland (the first CWT-facilitated export to that country), 18 metric tons (39,600 lbs.) of Monterey Jack cheese to Japan, and 320 metric tons (704,000 lbs.) of anhydrous milkfat to Indonesia, Panama and the Philippines. The fourth bid was from Foremost Farms of Baraboo, WI, for the export of 46 metric tons (101,200 lbs.) of Mozzarella cheese to Korea.

CWT will pay an export bonus to the bidders, once completion of the milkfat and cheese shipments is verified.

Green Cows Wins Emmy

Chuck ZimmermanDairy Group, Education

Into The Outdoors - Green CowsThe Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board sponsors a show called Into The Outdoors which just won an “Emmy” for an episode called, “Green Cows.” You can find out more about Green Cows since WMMB has it available at no cost to Wisconsin educators in both DVD and VHS formats. Downloadable curriculum geared towards elementary-aged children and an order form can be found online at www.WisDairy.com/video.

A children’s television show sponsored by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and produced by Discover Mediaworks Inc. has been presented with television’s highest award, the Emmy. An episode of the weekly Wisconsin-based children’s series Into the Outdoors entitled “Green Cows” received the award from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for “Outstanding Achievement for Children’s Programs.”

The segment explores the nature of dairy cows and takes viewers on a journey from the late 1800’s to the future of dairying in Wisconsin. The Into the Outdoors Adventure Team, a group of Wisconsin children ages 10 to 12, travel to Old World Wisconsin and Koepke Farms in Waukesha County and Mayer Farm in Washington County to give viewers a first-hand experience of what dairying means to Wisconsin. The team also follows a group of Junior Dairy Ambassadors to an elementary school, visits a county fair, and learns about the living laboratories installed on Wisconsin Discovery Farms.

This marks the first time WMMB-sponsored programming has been accorded such a prestigious award and is the sixth nomination for Into the Outdoors – a show geared at giving kids and teens an appreciation and understanding of Wisconsin’s natural resources.

Over the past year, the WMMB has distributed more than 1,500 copies of “Green Cows” to Wisconsin classrooms. The piece remains available at no cost to Wisconsin educators in both DVD and VHS formats. Downloadable curriculum geared towards elementary-aged children and an order form can be found online at www.WisDairy.com/video.

ISDA Annual Meeting Set

Chuck ZimmermanDairy Group

Iowa State Dairy AssociationIt’s annual meeting time for a lot of agricultural organizations like the Iowa State Dairy Association. They’ll be meeting on January 9, 2007 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at Americas Best Value Inn & Suites located in Waverly, Iowa. ISDA Board President Scott Niess will give the opening remarks.

Activities throughout the day will include guest speakers, a business session, luncheon, and final discussion and voting on Iowa dairy policy. Starting the morning’s activities will be a presentation by Dr. Wendy Wintersteen, Dean of Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture. The annual meeting business session will begin immediately after. Delegates will be given board reports, vote on new board members, and will discuss and vote on policy resolutions and bylaws. The day will conclude with Dr. Leo Timms, Iowa State University, updating producers on the ISU Dairy Science Facility construction and the Iowa Dairy Coalition. Dairy producers wishing to attend should contact the Iowa State Dairy Association to RSVP: 515.971.3620 or erinv@iowadairy.org.

Dairyline Markets In Review

Chuck ZimmermanDairyline, Markets

DairylineDairy Markets Week in Review
The cash dairy markets were pretty quiet the week of December 11. Block cheese closed the week at $1.32, unchanged on the week and 11 cents below that week a year ago. Barrel closed at $1.29, up a penny on the week, but 10 3/4-cents below a year ago. Five cars of block traded hands and six of barrel. The latest NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price hit $1.3808, up 0.7 cents. Barrel averaged $1.3898, down 2.7 cents.

Cash butter finished at $1.2550, up a half-cent on the week, but 10 1/4-cents below a year ago. 13 cars were sold. The NASS butter price averaged $1.2381, down 2.6 cents. Nonfat dry milk hit $1.0291, up 1.2 cents, and dry whey averaged 40.07 cents, down 0.1 cent.

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.

DEEP Savings For PG&E Customers

Chuck ZimmermanIndustry News

EnsaveIt looks like Pacific Gas & Electric is trying to help dairy farmers out a little bit by expanding their DEEP program.

Dairy farmers and dairy products manufacturers in PG&E territory stand to save hundreds of thousands of dollars and reduce on-farm electrical usage through the new Dairy Energy Efficiency Program (DEEP), operated by EnSave for Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E).

This program is an expansion, in PG&E service territory, of EnSave’s successful California Multi Measure Farm Program, which operated from 2004-2005. “With milk prices low and energy cost high, dairy producers could really use some relief on their electric bills,” explains Craig Metz, EnSave’s Vice President. “In 2004-2005, EnSave helped PG&E dairy customers save nearly 4 million kilowatt hours. At fourteen cents a kilowatt-hour, that equals over a half million dollars in savings. In the new program, we hope to save almost 5 million kilowatt hours.” And these savings will have a major impact on energy use over the long-term. Read More

Jim Leuenberger New Comm Manager at Holstein USA

Chuck ZimmermanDairy Group, Holstein Association

Jim LeuenbergerThe Holstein Association, USA has a new communications manager. He’s Jim Leuenberger. Jim’s going to work out of his home in Wisconsin for the Vermont-based organization.

In his position, Leuenberger will be responsible for overseeing all Association communications efforts. They include editing the Association’s quarterly member magazine the Holstein Pulse, writing news releases, working with graphic designers to produce advertising, trade show materials, informational brochures, the Association’s annual report, and publicity for the Association’s annual convention. He will also serve as the Association’s primary photographer. “Jim’s vast knowledge of the dairy industry and exceptional communications skills make him one of the Association’s key assets,” according to John Meyer, Chief Executive Officer of Holstein Association USA.