Jim Tillison is the new Senior Vice President of Special Projects for the National Milk Producers Federation. He will take over the position on October 1st and has been serving as the EVP and CEO of the Alliance of Western Milk Producers. He’ll also be moving to Washington, DC.
“We are pleased that Jim will bring his extensive experience and knowledge of the dairy industry, in particular his familiarity with the Upper Midwest and Western regions, to NMPF’s members,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. “Jim’s background will be valuable as he works on a diverse array of assignments,” Kozak said, ranging from Cooperatives Working Together, to NMPF’s Environmental Task Force, to economic policy issues such as the next Farm Bill. Tillison has worked for the Alliance of Western Milk Producers, a trade group of California dairy cooperatives, since its formation in 1991. Prior to that, he worked for the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association in Wisconsin, where he was born and raised.
Let’s see, Wisconsin, California and Washington, DC. That pretty much covers the country Jim!
NMC, Inc. Now Working With Filament Marketing
Filament Marketing, LLC will be helping NMC, Inc. (formerly National Mastitis Council) with “Association-related strategic marketing efforts, sponsorship program development and membership promotions.”
This newly formed relationship is intended to enhance and heighten the awareness and impact of the NMC, helping to forge new leadership standards for global mastitis control and research and improved milk quality standards. Effective with this partnership, Filament Marketing will work closely with the NMC staff, Board of Directors and committees, beginning with an immediate focus on the 2007 NMC Annual Meeting to be held in San Antonio in January.
“As our organization strives to enhance standards for quality milk production, it is critical that we help producers, processors, researchers and industry organizations understand the value and benefits of a unified focus,” says Dr. Joe Hogan, current NMC president from the Ohio State University. “To help us achieve these goals and objectives, we are pleased to work with Filament Marketing.”
6426 Alfalfa From Garst
Garst Seed Company has a whole bunch of alfalfa varieties for growers including the newly added 6426. Here’s what their latest release says.
“Delivering genetics that provide exceptional forage yield potential as well as high feed value are top priorities in our variety selection process,” says Phil Kunz, alfalfa product manager for Garst. “Earlier this year, Garst brand 6415 set a world yield record for nonirrigated alfalfa in research trials at Michigan State University. This top-end yield is a clear indication of how well our alfalfa performs in the field.” Read More
A Bullish Outlook
Peter ullrich made some interesting predictions at the recent eDairy Outlook Conference according to their news release. Here’s a few of them.
While dairy markets have turned bullish of late, no one is predicting a return to record high milk prices anytime soon. That is, no one except for Peter Ullrich, president and CEO of Ullrich Analytics, Plymouth, Wis. Ullrich was one of several speakers at eDairy Inc.’s third annual Outlook Conference, Navigating the Global Marketplace, held Aug. 28 and 29 in Chicago. Ullrich is also predicting $5 per bushel corn, lower interest rates, and a return to record-high butter prices. Read More
Getting Political in Wisconsin
The Dairy Business Association is endorsing several candidates in advance of the September 12th primary.
The DBA plans to release more endorsements after the primary. DBA endorses JB Van Hollen for Attorney General (R-Waunakee), Barbara Gronemus (D-Whitehall) for the 91st Assembly District, Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel) for the 6th Assembly District and Henry Sanders (D-Madison) for the 81st Assembly District. “We are pleased to endorse these primary candidates because of their support and understanding of the importance of the dairy industry to the Wisconsin economy”, said John Vrieze, President of DBA. “It is high time we elect and reelect more candidates that appreciate our changing dairy industry”.
IDFA Backs USDA Decision
The International Dairy Foods Association supports a U.S. Department of Agriculture decision to speed the review of proposals to amend the Class III and Class IV milk price formula manufacturing allowances for all Federal Milk Marketing Orders. USDA has announced plans to reconvene a national public hearing September 14 in Strongsville, Ohio to receive new manufacturing cost data compiled by Cornell University.
Here is the official release from USDA’s AMS about the hearing.
Large Animal Veterinarians in Iraq
I have received an audio report from Iraq that you might find interesting. The email I received says it’s from Paul McKellips who’s on assignment with the Department of State at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. The report: focuses on a US military team of large animal veterinarians who are training their Iraqi counterparts to improve and enhance livestock health in Iraq. Iraqi vets have already had a successful battle against H5N1 (avian influenza) and are making great strides against the country’s other serious diseases, including foot and mouth disease (FMD). American expertise and taxpayer dollars are having a positive impact on Iraq’s agricultural future.
Lieutenant Colonel Deanna Brown is from Little Rock, Arkansas. After graduating from Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine she became a dairy practitioner on a southern Wisconsin dairy farm. In 1991 she joined the US Army where, as an active duty officer, she applies her large animal veterinary skills.
You can listen here: 
Iraq Large Animal Veterinarians Report (4 min WMA)
Paul McKellips is on detail assignment to the U.S. Department of State’s Public Affairs GO Team in Iraq. He is permanently employed by USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Washington, DC.
Answers From Monsanto
I have some new information that goes along with a post I did last week on Monsanto’s Dairying Equals Choice. I received some Q&A with Kevin Holloway, president of Monsanto Dairy Business who shares his perspective on dairy farmers’ right to choose safe, effective tools. Here you go:
What is Monsanto’s interest in the dairy industry? Holloway Answer 1 (MP3)
What is Monsanto’s position regarding dairy producer’s ability to use POSILAC when specialty milk buyers ask them not to? Holloway Answer 2 (MP3)
What is Monsanto doing to help its POSILAC customers determine just how much premium the buyers of specialty milk should pay for them to give up the choice to use this technology? Holloway Answer 3 (MP3)
How can dairy farmers get a copy of Dairying Equals Choices? Holloway Answer 4 (MP3)
What about dairy farmers who don’t use POSILAC anyway, is there any downside for them to supply specialty milk for little or no premium? Holloway Answer 5 (MP3)
Blue Ribbon Cheese
The Blue Ribbon Cheese Company, owned by American Dairy Parks, LLC, is planning on building a new cheese plant in 2009. The projected $225 million project will be located in the Fresno, California area and is planned to be state-of-the art. The new plant would use a projected 6.8 million pounds of milk a day to make cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Read more here.
Virginia Farmer of the Year
You’ve got to love an award that starts out with, “Swisher Sweets.” Especially if you’re in the southeast and a dairyman to boot.
Paul House, a dairy and crop farmer who also owns a sod business, was named the Swisher Sweets-Sunbelt Expo Virginia Farmer of the Year. House and his wife Flora, along with children Kyle and Stephanie, manage 3,100 acres in Nokesville, Va. The operation is situated in Prince William County, a growing and booming suburb of Washington, DC. In fact, the House farm is one of the only two dairy farms left in the county, which 40 years ago was home to over 125 dairies.
The Swisher Sweets-Sunbelt Expo Farmer of the Year award was created 26 years ago to recognize excellence in American agriculture. Paul House will join eight other southeastern state winners as a finalist for Southeastern Farmer of the Year at the 2006 Sunbelt Expo in Moultrie, Ga., in October.