PDPW offers calf care, commodity marketing workshops

The Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW) is bringing several of the country’s best calf-raising experts and researchers to Wisconsin for three identical one-day Calf Care Connection workshops: December 8, Arlington; December 9, Chilton; and December 10, Eau Claire. Each workshop will provide dairy producers, professional calf feeders and heifer growers with the latest research, cutting-edge techniques and hands-on training so they have a distinct competitive edge.

The labs are extremely hands-on. Dairy producers wanting to increase their knowledge of commodity marketing tools and principles – and better manage risk – will have that opportunity during a seven-week commodity marketing class. Course topics include understanding agricultural commodity markets and marketing; developing an effective market plan; analyzing the market for market activity; understanding and utilizing the futures market, the cash market and the options market; and a hedgers and marketers checklist. The first class – which is free – is set for December 1, from 10 a.m. to noon at Animart in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. At the close of the first class, attendees can decide if this course is for them and sign up for the next six classes.

Cost for the full course is $450, with this covering one to two individuals from the same farm. Class size will be limited to 30. Visit www.pdpw.org to register or to learn more about the Calf Care Connection workshop or commodity marketing class.
—From PDPW news releases

University of California holding seminar on ‘Confronting Difficult Situations: Farm Foreman Training (Spanish)’
The seminar will take place on December 2 at the Ag Center, Harvest Hall, in Modesto, California. Spanish- speaking herd managers or supervisors will learn how to confront difficult disciplinary and conflict situations that require effective listening and interpersonal skills. This training will be very much a hands-on seminar. Topics will include effective listening skills, interpersonal negotiation skills in dealing with conflict and disciplinary situations. Also, participants will learn the power of giving positive feedback. E-mail Gregorio Billikopf at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.
—From University of California news release

Penn State Dairy Alliance offering reproductive workshops
To help optimize reproductive performance, Penn State Dairy Alliance is offering Reproductive Drill-Down Workshops this December in Perry and Somerset counties. The two-day workshop, created for dairy consultants, veterinarians, educators, and their dairy producer clients, is designed to help better identify the factors limiting reproductive performance on dairies. Participants will utilize the Penn State Reproductive Drill-Down Assessment Tool and visit a local dairy to evaluate and identify these specific areas of management that can limit reproductive performance. The workshops will be held at two sites on these dates:

• December 4 and 11 – Ickesburg Firehall in Ickesburg, Pennsylvania (Perry County)
• December 8 and 15 – Penn State Cooperative Extension Office, Somerset, Pennsylvania (Somerset County).

Attendance is limited to 20 per location; advance registration is required. The registration fee is $50 per person. To register, go online at www.das.psu.edu/research-extension/dairy/pa-tool/advisers or call (888) 373-7232.
—From Dairy Alliance news release

Midwest Dairy Expo to discuss ‘Securing a Bright Future’ Dec. 8-9
The Midwest Dairy Expo is the perfect occasion to look forward, learn from these times and find ways to secure a bright future. An expanded trade show, nationally known speakers and quality networking time awaits dairy stakeholders at this year’s Expo. It is bigger and better and all at the same price. Only $35 for all the speakers, trade show access and up to five meals, including the evening banquet. Go to www.mnmilk.org/Midwest-Dairy-Expo-December-8-9-2009 to learn more.
—From Minnesota Milk Minute

Maryland & Virginia distributes nearly $2 million in 13th check
Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative distributed nearly $2 million in 13th check funds in October to help members make it through one of the worst years dairy farmers have ever faced. This payment represents 10 cents per hundredweight on milk shipped through the cooperative from January to August. Typically the cooperative distributes its 13th check in February for the previous year.

“Given the extreme financial circumstances all dairy farmers are facing, sending out a portion of the 2009 13th check early is one of the easiest decisions our board has made,” President Dwayne Myers said. In total, the cooperative sent out 10 cents per hundredweight on approximately 1.9 billion pounds of milk produced by the membership from January to August. Funds accumulated on production from September through December 2009 will be distributed in February 2010. The 13th check represents each producer’s share of profits, savings and efficiencies captured in the marketplace.
—From Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative news release

DFA Board endorses $8.8 million special payment
With signs of market improvements and declining input costs suggesting the dairy crisis is easing, the Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) Board of Directors is helping members bridge the gap to a stronger 2010 with a special cash payment totaling $8.8 million. Equal to 30 cents per hundredweight, the payment was to be distributed to more than 10,600 members who marketed their milk through DFA during September 2009. This is the second special payment to DFA members in 2009. Combined with two 2008 patronage payments, DFA has directed $37.3 million in cash back to members this year to ease the economic toll of the dairy crisis.
—From DFA news release

AMPLI-Calf Technology Tanbark Challenge winners announced
Seven inaugural winners of the AMPLI-Calf Technology Tanbark Challenge, held by Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, were named at the 2009 World Dairy Expo. The owner of the highest-placing spring calf raised on calf starter containing AMPLI-Calf Technology was recognized for their showring success and won a $250 cash prize. This year’s Tanbark Challenge winners are:
• Ayrshire: Grand-View Ayrshires, Cecil, Wisconsin
• Brown Swiss: Jo-Dee Swiss, Tillamook, Oregon
• Guernsey: Gurn-Z Meadow Farm, Janesville, Wisconsin
• Holstein: Stan-Mar-Dale and Express Holsteins, Urbana, Ohio
• Jersey: Meadow Ridge Jerseys and Gene Henderson, Cumberland, Wisconsin
• Milking Shorthorn: Mapleton Valley Farms, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
• Red & White: Kara-Kesh Holsteins, Thief River Falls, Minnesota

Visit www.amplicalf.com to see photos of the Tanbark Challenge winners.
—From Land O’Lakes Purina Feed press release

Agricultural art gallery to support dairy youth
Cow Art and More is partnering with the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) to fundraise for Jersey youth. Jewelry artist Kathy McComb Swift has created a charm replica of the traditional Jersey jug, honoring the heritage of the Jersey breed. Cow Art and More will donate 15 percent of the selling price to AJCA to help support future Jersey milk producers through youth scholarships. The charm is available for purchase in the jewelry section of the Cow Art and More catalog (http://www.cowartandmore.com/Jewelry-1707.Category.html) or by calling (888) 613-6019.
—From Cow Art and More press release

Selling whey protein and lactose abroad, Hilmar Ingredients named Dairy Exporter of the Year
Hilmar Ingredients was named 2009 Exporter of the Year by the U.S. Dairy Export Council and co-sponsor Dairy Foods magazine. The award recognizes Hilmar Ingredients’ leadership in driving global demand for U.S. dairy products. Hilmar Ingredients is the whey protein and lactose products division of Hilmar Cheese Company. As Hilmar Cheese Company makes cheese, a liquid called whey is drained. This liquid contains whey protein, lactose and water.

Whey protein is a nutritious ingredient used in products such as infant formula, nutrition bars and sports drinks. Lactose is also used in infant formula, as well as in chocolate and baked goods. Through a processing system of filters and driers, Hilmar Cheese Company is able to capture the healthy nutrients of protein and lactose, and recycle the remaining water. Hilmar Ingredients’ whey protein and lactose products are sent to more than 40 countries. Cheese from Hilmar Cheese Company is also sold abroad with the popularity, especially in Japan, of American fare such as pizza and burgers.

“We have traveled the world to learn first-hand how to provide customer service and to meet the unique needs of people in different countries,” said Kevin Vogt, vice president and general manager of Hilmar Ingredients.  PD
—From Hilmar Ingredients news release