Fans of Culver’s frozen custard headed to their nearest restaurant en masse last month to take advantage of a great deal on the creamy treat. This year, the daylong fundraiser Scoops of Thanks was held on Sept. 24, across 761 Culver’s restaurants. Culver’s guests were able to order a scoop of Fresh Frozen Custard for $1, with the proceeds donated to an FFA chapter or other local agricultural organization in each restaurant’s area.

“This year’s donation total exceeded the record of $112,000 held by 2018’s event, making 2020 the most successful Scoops of Thanks Day yet,” said Company Spokesperson Marcie Waters. “Culver’s is especially proud to have raised so much money during a time when it’s challenging for many FFA chapters to host fundraisers of their own.”

Scoops of Thanks Day is part of the Culver’s ‘Thank You Farmers’ program, an initiative that recognizes all farmers for their hard work and dedication in growing and producing the wholesome food that feeds our nation. To date, the program has raised over a million dollars in support of the National FFA Organization and Foundation, local FFA chapters and a variety of local agricultural organizations.

Months ago, dairy farmers in southeastern Pennsylvania were forced to dump thousands of gallons of milk because of COVID-19 and the supply chain disruptions the pandemic caused.

Now, the industry is bracing for the impact of a second wave of coronavirus infections and whether they might affect the milk market.

Emily Barge of the Center for Dairy Excellence, which represents the state’s dairy farmers, said the milk supply is stable and back to pre-COVID-19 levels.

“There’s no milk shortage, which is good. And milk production is back on track,” Barge said. “We just, obviously, like everyone else, don’t know what the next month will bring.”

Milk processors and distributors of dairy products remain vigilant as coronavirus cases spike in the state.

“We think that retailers and processors learned a lot from the spring, and are watching carefully to see what will happen with the potential second wave,” Barge explained. “So, that’s not to say there won’t be any dairy product shortages, but if there would be, hopefully it would be days instead of weeks to kind of reach that equilibrium again.”

While some restaurants and schools have reopened with limitations, Barge said sales in those sectors continue to be down.

She said if state health authorities decide to pull back on restaurants or the education sector because of COVID-19, there may be a silver lining.

“Retail dairy sales are actually still increasing because people are eating at home more,” Barge said. “If food service would be shut back down again, hopefully it won’t be as big of a crisis across the industry, just because the retail side’s already higher than it was pre-COVID.”

Source: radio.com

After USDA changed their pandemic relief program to exclude dairy losses related to meat production, 15 Senators urge the Department to reverse course

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined her colleagues led by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), to call on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reverse its decision to unfairly exclude dairy farmers from receiving COVID-19 relief to cover losses related to meat production.

While milk is the primary income for dairy farms, they often are diversified operations with significant revenue coming from the meat of cows as they are retired from milking. In the original Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), the USDA compensated dairy farmers and other livestock producers for losses related to meat produced from breeding animals. When USDA announced CFAP 2, the second version of the relief program, the Department made a significant change to exclude those losses.

“This change will affect the livestock industry and will be particularly harmful to dairy farmers who often operate at extremely tight margins,” wrote the Senators. “The decision is even more troubling considering that USDA clearly has sufficient resources to cover these losses. Additionally, it is less complicated for both USDA and farmers to cover all livestock and avoid confusion about what animals are covered or excluded.”

“Considering the dairy industry’s traditionally tight margins, USDA’s decision to shift course and arbitrarily exclude dairy farm losses related to meat production is a significant blow,” wrote the Senators. “We urge USDA to reverse this arbitrary decision and make breeding animals eligible for CFAP 2 like they were under the original relief program.”

In addition to Senators Baldwin, Stabenow and Leahy, the letter was signed by Senators Robert Casey (D-PA), Angus King (I-ME), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Gary Peters (D-MI).

The full text of the letter is below. A PDF of the letter is available here.

Dear Secretary Perdue,

We are concerned that USDA’s new Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) will unfairly disadvantage dairy and other livestock producers. Specifically, USDA made a significant change between the first version of CFAP and the new version that has unfairly excluded the value of the meat produced from breeding animals. This change will affect the livestock industry and will be particularly harmful to dairy farmers who often operate at extremely tight margins. The decision is even more troubling considering that USDA clearly has sufficient resources to cover these losses. Additionally, it is less complicated for both USDA and farmers to cover all livestock and avoid confusion about what animals are covered or excluded.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, dairy farms have struggled with prolonged market uncertainty, unfair trade practices, and the Administration’s chaotic trade policies. Unfortunately many farms, especially smaller operations, have had no choice but to sell their cows and exit the dairy business. While the value of the milk is the primary income stream for dairy farms, they are by nature diversified with significant income coming from the meat of cows as they are retired from milking and any crop production that exceeds the feed needs of their own animals. Considering the dairy industry’s traditionally tight margins, USDA’s decision to shift course and arbitrarily exclude dairy farm losses related to meat production is a significant blow.

We urge USDA to reverse this arbitrary decision and make breeding animals eligible for CFAP 2 like they were under the original relief program. It would not be difficult to estimate an average rate that dairy cows are removed from milking and sent to the meat supply.  Should USDA determine that breeding animals are typically worth less per head than other cattle, a separate per head rate could also be established instead of completely excluding dairy cows and other breeding animals.

With respect to dairy losses due to the pandemic, we continue to encourage USDA to provide assistance to farmers that had to dispose of milk due to the pandemic’s shock to the normal food supply. We also encourage USDA to be flexible and work with the dairy industry, as there may be different scenarios depending on how cooperatives and farmers managed the temporary surplus. A one-size-fits-all approach may unfairly exclude some losses.

While we are particularly concerned with barriers preventing dairy farms from accessing this critical assistance, the exclusion of breeding animals in the other segments will also create unnecessary inequities.  In particular, some farmers have sought out opportunities to specialize and are arbitrarily excluded by the USDA decision.  For example, some farms have focused on developing superior genetics and supplying animals to other farmers that breed them and produce the animals that go directly for meat or wool production. These producers will clearly be experiencing pandemic related losses as the farmers they supply have had to reduce purchases, but the breeding animal decision by USDA completely excludes any assistance for these specialized farms.

Finally, in addition to the unfairness of excluding losses from certain segments of meat production, USDA’s decision to not cover all animals unnecessarily complicates the sign-up process for Farm Service Agency field staff and farmers. Setting a fair payment rate for all animals, including breeding animals, would largely avoid the difficult job of trying to define the ‘intended use’ of each calf, lamb, piglet or kid born and expecting farmers or USDA field staff to validate those determinations.

Thank you for considering our request for USDA to reverse the decision to exclude breeding animals like dairy cows from CFAP 2. Congress recently provided the requested early refill of the Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing authority in the Continuing Resolution enacted on September 30, providing USDA with sufficient resources to correct this unfair decision.

What’s on voters’ minds in Wisconsin as COVID-19 cases surge in the state? NPR’s Noel King talks to dairy farmer Rick Roden of West Bend, who says he’s more concerned about his farm than the pandemic.

The Canadian government is seeking feedback on mandatory employer-provided accommodation as it begins consultations on improving living conditions for foreign workers.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has made significant investments to increase protections for temporary foreign workers, prevent the spread of the virus, and address outbreaks on farms when they do occur. The Government continues to work with partners at home and abroad through the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Programme to ensure employers take the necessary steps to keep workers safe. Despite these efforts, the pandemic has highlighted long-standing challenges, including certain housing and living conditions.

That is why the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced that the Government of Canada has begun consultations with provinces and territories, employers, workers, worker support groups, and other interested parties on a proposal to establish minimum requirements for employer-provided accommodations for the TFW Programme across Canada.

Minister Qualtrough said, “The health and safety of temporary foreign workers is a key priority for the Government of Canada. Any unsafe working or living conditions are completely unacceptable. While we are proud of the worker protections we have in this country, we recognise that there are important issues that need to be addressed within the Temporary Foreign Worker Programme, and we are taking action. Improving accommodations is a major focus of our efforts. We are working tirelessly to ensure that temporary foreign workers’ rights are protected in Canada.”

As a first step, the Government of Canada is seeking input until 22 December 2020 on proposed accommodation requirements in the TFW Programme’s primary agriculture stream. The Government is also seeking feedback on potential approaches to strengthen oversight of worker accommodations, both prior to and after workers’ arrivals. The consultations will inform the development of a lasting approach to improve living conditions for workers. Creating clear and consistent standards will also ensure employers fully understand their obligations and can better adhere to them.

The Government of Canada will also soon be launching a survey of temporary foreign worker employers in the agricultural sector to inform the development of new proposed federal accommodations requirements and how they would be implemented. This survey will help the Government better understand the variety of accommodations arrangements currently being used to support temporary foreign workers in the agricultural sector while they are employed in Canada.

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Bibeau said, “Agricultural workers are essential for the production of safe and reliable food in our country, and we know that they all deserve a safe working and living environment. As the vast majority of our farmers are known to care for the well-being of their workers, these measures will build on Canada’s reputation for prospective workers at home and abroad. These consultations are an important step in helping us address chronic labour shortages and ensuring the sector reaches its full growth potential.”

The Government of Canada will complement existing standards at the provincial level, and will take further federal action in partnership to help improve protections for those who are part of the TFW Programme.

Individuals wishing to obtain more information or provide feedback in this consultation should contact Employment and Social Development Canada by sending an email to NC-TFWP-APT-PTET-EPA-GD@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca by 22 December 2020.

Background to the issue and consultation process

• The plan to consult with provinces and territories, employers, workers and foreign partner countries on a proposal for mandatory requirements to improve employer-provided accommodations was first announced on 31 July 2020 as part of the Government of Canada’s plan to take additional action to reduce the incidence and impact of COVID-19 outbreaks on farms.
• Approximately 50,000 to 60,000 foreign agricultural workers come to work in Canada each year, which accounts for more than 60 percent of all foreign workers entering Canada under the TFW Programme.
• The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Programme (SAWP) is the stream most commonly used by agricultural producers. In 2019, a total of 46,707 positions were approved under the SAWP, of which 12,858 were from the participating Caribbean countries. The rest were from Mexico.
• Most foreign workers who work on farms are located in Ontario (40 percent), Quebec (32 percent), British Columbia (18 percent) and Nova Scotia (2.6 percent)
• On 31 July, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $58.6 million to strengthen the TFW Programme and make further investments to safeguard the health and safety of Canadian and temporary foreign workers from COVID-19, including:
  • $7.4 million to increase supports to temporary foreign workers;
  • $16.2 million to strengthen the employer inspections regime; and
  • $35 million to improve health and safety on farms and in employee living quarters.

The TFW Program is managed by Employment and Social Development Canada. Provinces and territories are responsible for most health, employment standards and housing requirements.

Source: thedairysite.com

For the first time in its 25-year history, the U.S. Dairy Export Council opened an overseas facility, the U.S. Center for Dairy Excellence (U.S. CDE), Wednesday – unveiling a facility in Singapore with enhanced resources and innovative programming to accelerate market development for U.S. dairy in Southeast Asia.

Funded by U.S. dairy farmers and processors through the National Dairy Checkoff, the U.S. CDE represents a gateway for collaboration between the U.S. dairy community and Southeast Asia’s food and beverage stakeholders, the culinary community, health professionals and other partners. The center’s focus is on inspiring regionally tailored nutrition and innovation solutions with U.S. dairy ingredients and cheeses.

“The U.S. Center for Dairy Excellence creates an education hub and meeting place where relationships can be developed and strengthened, where we can share market intelligence and insights, spark ideation, lead research, and share the remarkable story of U.S. Dairy’s sustainable production,” said Secretary Tom Vilsack, USDEC president and CEO. “It represents a long-term commitment by the U.S. Dairy industry to the region and exports, and recognition of the importance of Southeast Asia as an innovation hub.”

Demand for U.S. Dairy’s growing portfolio of high-quality, sustainably produced dairy products has steadily climbed in Southeast Asia in recent years as customers have come to appreciate the variety and versatility of U.S. cheese and dairy ingredients, such as milk powders, dairy protein, lactose and permeate. In 2019, the region was the second largest destination for U.S. dairy by volume (457,000 MT), after Mexico, with an export value of $928 million. U.S. Dairy exports to the region grew in value by $242 million from 2017 to 2019 and are on track to finish 2020 with record high value. Southeast Asia is well on pace in 2020 to be the top market of U.S. dairy exports by volume, according to USDEC.

USDEC has been active in developing the market for U.S. Dairy in the Southeast Asia since 1998. “Southeast Asia’s dynamic and innovative food sector is a key reason we selected it for the U.S. CDE, along with deep appreciation for our relationships there,” said Vikki Nicholson-West, executive director, USDEC Singapore Ltd.

The center features a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen, ISO standard-based sensory evaluation lab, meeting and training rooms and the latest video broadcasting capabilities. While pandemic social distancing guidelines will constrain the ability to host guests in person until 2021, virtual programming from the U.S. CDE will commence on Nov. 18 with an online seminar on Healthy Active Aging with U.S. Dairy Proteins featuring nutrition experts from Singapore and Japan.

VIP guests virtual toured the site’s key features showcasing how the U.S. CDE can further support customers and partners in the region. The center also complements USDEC’s partnership formed in 2018 with Singapore Polytechnic’s Food Innovation & Resource Centre to conduct joint research and innovation projects and bring U.S. suppliers closer to the buyers and customers in Southeast Asia.

USDEC Chairman Larry Hancock, a Texas dairy farmer, said, “As an industry we are united on caring for cow and comfort, to environmental stewardship, and to the quality of the great nutritious products we produce. We are united on exports and meeting the needs of local customers and consumers through the new U.S. CDE. This represents a smart, long-term investment of checkoff resources.”

Even the Covid-19 restrictions and format changes did not stop the German Master’s Sale.  While things were certainly was different than usual, but the quality of the sale line up was as you can expect. The highest price at the German Masters Sale (€25,250) was paid for HN-GL-DG Bayla, an Aristocrat-Rockstar-AltaSpring-Supersire out of Oconners Snowman Lexie. She is the #1 GTPI calf to be sold so far in Europe in 2020 in a public auction. She is a descendent of the Lylehaven Lila Z cow family. H-GL Soraya-Red, a Ronald-Apprentice-Delta out of Snowbiz Sympatico Sofia-Red, sold for €22,500. She is a R&W Ronald with GTPI +2726 / RZG 157 (RZE 135) out of Elitestreet Apprentice Spirit Red, this heifer is the full sister of one of the most exciting young R&W sires in the World, Gen NH Spirit Red. One of the greatest daughters of Apple ever sold in a public auction was purchased by Edi Linder from Germany for € 15.000, Jones La Brasserie Apple Red.

Most of the sale lots were present at the Auktionshalle of the RUW in Fließem, where visitors had the opportunity to view the sale animals and including a presentation of the sale heifers in the Auktionsring. The rest of the sale took place through internet on the Eurogenes Online Sale platform. Thousands of online visitors created a huge online crowd with a very lively bid activity right from the start of the sale. A clearance rate of >90% of the lots sold for an average price of € 5.625 on the live lots and 59 embryos sold with prices up to € 1.000 per embryo. Lots sold to buyers from 12 different countries.

India’s effort to wrap up bilateral trade deals with major economies after pulling out of a China-backed regional pact has hit a major stumbling block — its dairy industry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration is hesitant to allow free access of dairy products from several countries, including the U.S., the EU and the U.K., due to strong opposition from politically-influential dairy farmers, according to people familiar with the situation.

There are disagreements over a range of goods, but India feels more strongly about milk products on worries that their imports could destroy the livelihood of millions of farmers as most of whom are small and lack the economy of scale, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the matter isn’t public.

Trade negotiations are also being explored with Australia, while New Zealandhas expressed its interest in a bilateral agreement, they said. The dairy industry is a major component of the proposed India-European Free Trade Association, which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, they added.

An email sent to the trade ministry spokesman during the business hours for a comment on the issue remained unanswered.

The latest casualty of domestic opposition is a proposed ‘limited’ India-U.S. trade deal, which is being negotiated since 2018 to resolve pending issues, the people said. The pact, which was almost firmed up, is stuck on the insistence of the U.S. on more dairy concessions and India’s reluctance to do so due to the industry’s aversion, they said.

“We will never allow it,” said R.S. Sodhi, managing director of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, the nation’s biggest dairy cooperative that sells its products under the Amul brand. “We will oppose it tooth and nail,” he said by phone.

In about a decade, India will become a milk-surplus nation, Sodhi said. “Why do we need imports that will destroy the livelihood of 100 million people? It’s not just trade, it’s about their lives,” he said, referring to Indian farmers engaged in the dairy business.

Issues related to the domestic dairy sector were one of the major reasons last year for the Modi government to pull out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership talks. Powerful groups representing millions of farmers opposed any liberalization in the sector.

Thorny Issue

Tens of millions of people, mostly small and marginal landless farmers, are engaged in milk production in the South Asian nation. With the sector generating livelihood for a substantial rural population, opening up the market has become a thorny issue for the government already struggling with a contracting economy, surging coronavirus infections and unemployment levels that touched multi-decade highs.

The industry is also worried that it will have to follow stringent standards and sanitary and phytosanitary regulations to compete in domestic and global markets.

READ: Modi Looks Inward to Save Indian Economy as Crisis Bites

Any trade deal with countries such as the U.S. and Australia, which have become strategically important following India’s worst border standoff with China in four decades and reorienting supply chains amid the coronavirus pandemic, would impact India adversely, Sodhi said. Any such deal will kill the domestic industry and reduce dairy farmers’ income by half, he added.

The government’s trade policy is responding to domestic political considerations, which is not surprising but disappointing to potential trade partners, said Richard Rossow, senior adviser at Washington-based Center for Strategic International Studies. This reluctance to open the economy will persist until India’s trade balance improves, he said by email.

India’s largely unorganized dairy sector, with a significant presence of women labor, complicates the decision-making process for the government. The organized sector, comprising dairy cooperatives, private firms and government companies like Mother Dairy, account for just $30 billion of the $110 billion dairy industry in the country, Sodhi said. Farmers in the country earn about 67% of their total animal farming income from dairying.

Trade Deficit

“The issue is not about having domestic sensitivities, but allowing them to sabotage overall ambitions,” said Amitendu Palit, a senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore. India keeps walking out, while others continue engagement. This mindset needs to change, he added.

“Foreign companies should bring in their expertise, skills and technology, but they must procure locally,” Sodhi said. “In the U.S., for instance, dairy farmers get subsidies and farms are large, with ample pastures for grazing. How will our farmers with two animals compete?” he said.

India’s apprehensions toward liberalization are also due to worries about the widening of its trade deficit. The Modi government has decided to review all past trade deals, with focus on ensuring mutual benefits and a win-win situation for all sides, trade minister Piyush Goyal said earlier.

But its cautious approach is not showing much success on reigning in the deficit, Rossow said. “Improved trade, even with potential trade deficits, provides economic ballast to a partnership. Trade ties can be narrowly focused to make potential agreements more palatable.”

Source: Bloomberg

When Covid-19 first surfaced in early 2020, global protein markets were still responding to the pork shortages caused by African Swine Fever (ASF).

The crisis has brought even further instability. Brett Stuart, President of Global Agri-Trends, explained Covid-19’s impact on global protein markets at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference. The meeting was held virtually in mid-August.

There has been much confusion around Covid-19 in the last eight months, and that confusion has created great uncertainty, said Stuart. As we edge towards winter that uncertainty continues, creating further instability in global protein markets. This uncertainty has had an enormous impact on price forecasting.

In order to forecast prices, agricultural economists must first estimate global supply and demand, Stuart explained in his talk. Historically, this is done by first analyzing and estimating supply and then selecting a price.

“Our key assumption is that demand is relatively stable; demand doesn’t move much,” said Stuart. “So if we figure out what the supplies are, we’re pretty good at guessing where the price is going to be.”

But price forecasting becomes challenging when demand fluctuates as it has this year.

“We’re in a spot where price forecasting is out the window, it’s absolutely impossible,” said Stuart. “Even if we knew what supply was, we don’t know where demand is going to be.”

Demand is impacted by three main factors. The first factor is the shift from restaurants to retail. As families across the globe moved into lockdown mode, analysts quickly realized that people eat differently when they’re at home.

“They’re way less responsible in a restaurant than in retail,” said Stuart, pointing to demand declines for steak, bacon, cheese and butter.

The second factor surfaced when workers in processing plants started to get sick. “We found that the human labor component is the weak link in the chain,” said Stuart.

The third factor is uncertainty around long-term demand precipitated by consumer fears around economic recessions and possible unemployment.

Taken altogether, it’s understandable why analysts struggle to forecast demand, and therefore, price. Stuart said he doesn’t expect any clarity for at least another year.

Source: thedairysite.com

The European Parliament says that restaurants and shops in the European Union should be allowed to label products as “veggie burgers” or “vegan sausages” but call for tighter curbs on labelling of plant-based dairy substitutes.

Reuters reports that EU lawmakers voted to reject proposals, backed by farmers, to ban plant-based products from using terms such as steak, sausage or burger.

“I’m going to celebrate with a vegan burger,” Swedish EU lawmaker Jytte Guteland said after the result was announced.

Farmers had argued that the using words like burger or sausage for non-meat products could mislead consumers. European farmers association Copa Cogeca said allowing such terms would open a “Pandora’s box” of confusing wording.

But medical groups, environmentalists and companies that make vegetarian products have said that banning these terms would discourage consumers from shifting to more plant-based diets, undermining the EU’s environmental and health goals.

A majority of EU lawmakers also voted on Friday for stricter rules on labelling of dairy substitutes, backing a ban on terms such as “milk-like” or “cheese-style” for plant-based products that contain no dairy ingredients.

The European Court of Justice already banned terms like “soy milk” and “vegan cheese” three years ago, ruling that words such as milk, butter, cheese and yoghurt cannot be used for non-dairy products.

The labelling rules are part of a bigger EU farming policy package, and are not final. Parliament needs to approve its position on the full package in a vote later on Friday. It must then strike a compromise with EU member states on the final policy.

Elena Walden, policy manager at the non-profit Good Food Institute Europe, called on EU countries to “clear up this mess and reject confusing and unnecessary restrictions on plant-based dairy products.”

Green lawmakers and campaigners, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, have called on the EU parliament to throw out the entire farming policy package, which they say does not do enough to curb the sector’s emissions or protect nature from the effects of intensive factory farming.

Read more about this story here.

US trade representatives claim that China’s purchases of US farm goods is at 71 percent of the target agreed under Phase 1 deal.

Reuters reports that China has substantially increased purchases of US farm goods and implemented 50 of 57 technical commitments aimed at lowering structural barriers to US imports since the two nations signed a trade deal in January.

In a joint statement, the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) office and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said China had bought over $23 billion in US agricultural goods to date, or about 71 percent of the target set under the so-called Phase 1 deal.

“Since the Agreement entered into force eight months ago, we have seen remarkable improvements in our agricultural trade relationship with China, which will benefit our farmers and ranchers for years to come,” US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a statement.

The deal defused a bitter trade war between the world’s two largest economies, but disputes over human rights, the COVID-19 crisis and technology have strained ties between Washington and Beijing, raising doubts about the prospects for deepening the agreement in a second phase.

Agriculture is one of the four areas where China pledged to increase its purchases of US goods and services. Many experts question whether China will meet its overall targets this year given lockdowns imposed earlier this year to contain the virus.

The report showed outstanding sales of US corn to China were at an all-time high of 8.7 million tons, while US soybeans sales for marketing year 2021 to China were at double the levels seen in 2017.

US pork exports to China hit an all-time record in just the first five months of 2020, and US beef and beef products exports to China through August 2020 are already more than triple the total for 2017, it said.

In addition to these products, USDA expects 2020 sales to China to hit record or near-record levels for other US agricultural products including pet food, alfalfa hay, pecans, peanuts, and prepared foods.

Read more about this story here.

New Zealand announces new requirements for the safe transport of livestock after a cattle ship capsized in the East China sea this summer, killing thousands of cows and most of the ship’s crew.

Reuters reports that only two of the 43 members and more than 6,000 cattle on the Gulf Carrier 1, which was heading from New Zealand to China, survived. The disaster prompted authorities to suspend live cattle exports and launch a review.

The suspension expires on 23 October, but a conditional ban is in place until 30 November, during which time New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) can livestock exports by sea subject to the new conditions.

The conditions include additional inspection of livestock ships, lowering stock density on vessels to 90 percent of current limits to match new Australian standards, increased requirements for voyage reporting and ensuring at least 20 percent of feed is available for unplanned delays.

MPI said it moved fast to ensure there’s no serious animal welfare issue for the 24,000 cows in pre-export quarantine, which would likely have to be slaughtered without the interim measures.

“We want to ensure they are moved safely. It’s important to note New Zealand does not export animals for slaughter, but as breeding stock,” said MPI Director General Ray Smith.

New Zealand has been looking into a wider policy review of live animal exports since 2019. MPI said it will advise the new government in the coming weeks after the ruling Labour party was returned to power last week.

($1 = 1.4979 New Zealand dollars)

Read more about this story here.

Mexico’s economy ministry has suspended the sale of over 20 dairy products for breaching standards, including items sold under Mondelez International Inc’s Philadelphia brand and natural yogurt made by France’s Danone.

Of the 19 cheese brands affected, the violations included erroneously claiming to be “100% milk,” using vegetable fat to replace milk, and providing a lower net content in grams than advertised on the packaging, the ministry said late on Tuesday.

Mondelez said on Wednesday the ministry’s order did not affect Philadelphia soft cheese and related to two types of processed cheese marketed under that label.

Mondelez said it was surprised by the order, calling it “totally unfounded,” and damaging to the brand.

It said it had not been promptly notified by the ministry on the start of the administrative procedure and that it would hold a “cordial dialogue” with authorities to clear things up.

Other companies affected by the cheese ban included Grupo Lala, a major Mexican producer of dairy produce.

The economy ministry said the bans on natural yogurt applied to the Danone Bene Gastro and Danone Natural products.

The products were identified due to the addition of sugars and for failing to meet minimum milk content, it said.

Danone said it had earlier this month replaced the labels on the two products singled out by consumer protection officials, and had communicated those modifications to the authorities.

In light of that step, the decision to suspend the products was “untimely,” Danone said in a statement. The company remained open to resolve any outstanding issues, it added.

Source: reuters.com

The dairy checkoff wants to reach Generation Z where they are and believe new partnerships in the gaming space will do just that.

Joanna Hunter with Dairy Management Inc. says nearly 90 percent of Gen Z classify themselves as gamers and a test partnership will enlist the help of four influencers with a combined reach of 120 million followers.

“They’re going to visit farms from across the country, different sizes, different sustainability practices, and then after that farm visit, they’re going to build a dairy farm in Minecraft.”

She says the goal of the gamers is to engage followers in the dairy sustainability story.

One of the virtual farm tours will be on Aric DeJager’s 2,000 cow Colorado dairy.

“They’ll have 40 million people watch them build a dairy on Minecraft and you have all of these young people watching this—it’s going to be insanely impressionable.”

Gen Z includes early teens to early ‘20s and the checkoff says it is also testing partnerships with NFL Madden and retail, and, if successful, will amplify future gaming investment. 

This first $2 million project includes partnering with Mr. Beast – Jimmy Donaldson, Brianna Playz – Brianna Arsement-Barnhart, and her husband Preston Playz – Preston Arsement.

Source: voiceofmuscatine.com

The National Organic Program (NOP) opens economic opportunities and new markets for American farmers – but in the last several years, millions of dollars of non-organic products have been intentionally mislabeled and sold as organic, eroding consumer confidence in the certified organic program and undermining farmers who adhere to the law. To deter and detect this kind of fraud, a rule proposed by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) would strengthen oversight of the production, handling, certification, marketing, and sale of organic agricultural products.

A strong supporter of clear, consistent, and accurate food labeling, National Farmers Union (NFU) has previously expressed concern about behaviors that threaten the integrity of the organic seal. In comments submitted today and an accompanying statement, NFU President Rob Larew echoed those concerns and urged USDA to finalize the rule.

“While commodity prices have languished, family farmers have pursued opportunities to differentiate their products and maximize profit margins. One such opportunity is organic certification, which allows farmers to earn a premium for certain management practices. However, the financial advantages of certification depend on consumer trust in the label – something that has been undercut by bad faith actors looking to take advantage of price premiums without doing any of the work to earn them.

“Inaccurate organic labeling misleads and cheats consumers, harms the reputation of the label, and cuts into the profits of farmers who play by the rules. We owe it to both food producers and purchasers to enforce organic standards, without exception. By expanding oversight of the organic supply chain, strengthening import certification, and improving traceability, the proposed rule will help prevent fraudulent activities that weaken the organic label. It is essential that these new regulations do not disadvantage small-scale farmers or businesses, who already face significant obstacles to accessing organic markets. With that in mind, USDA should act swiftly to finalize this rule and ensure the integrity of the organic label.”

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To download an audio file of Rob Larew’s quotes, click here.

About NFU
National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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Despite President Trump enjoying wide support among US farmers, some have reservations about the impact his trade policies on crop prices and international movement of US farm products.

In an in-depth analysis from Reuters, journalists outline how international trade, biofuels and the environment are shaping the US farm vote.

Opinion polling shows that farmers across the United States tend to support President Trump. However, the impact of his trade wars and biofuel policies have caused economic uncertainty and hardship on some farms.

The Democrat challenger Joe Biden is capitalising on the biofuel issue and will likely have a more multi-lateral approach to international trade. He has also promised to make farming more environmentally friendly.

Trade

As part of President Trump’s “America first” policy, he challenged the trading status quo between the United States and many of its top commercial partners. These challenges have often impacted farmers’ access to key export markets. The trade war with China, which is a top buyer of US soybeans, pork and dairy has been a sore spot for the president among rural voters.

Economists estimate that the tariffs imposed on Chinese goods since 2018 have resulted in billions of dollars in lost crop sales. To help alleviate the losses, the administration rolled out a nearly $30 billion cash aid scheme for US farmers. The USDA has also rolled out billions in COVID-19 aid.

Read the full analysis here.

Source: Reuters

The 2018 farm bill modified milk pricing rules to facilitate improved risk management for beverage milk processors, cooperatives and dairy farmers.

While the goal of improving risk management was achieved, American Farm Bureau Federation Chief Economist John Newton says the change cost dairy farmers millions of dollars.

“It got rid of what was the higher-of, in the pricing formula, and replaced it with a simple average of the Class III and IV milk prices. And because of COVID-19 price volatility that milk price is a lot lower than what it would have been otherwise, to the effect of around $400 million in lost revenue for dairy farmers.”

He adds it was something that was to provide new risk management tools for the beverage milk industry to allow them to use futures contracts for milk to hedge their beverage milk price risks, but unfortunately because of COVID-19 price volatility, it revealed some of the unintended consequences on farmer income.

Source: NAFB News Service

Our condolences to the Ralph Gushee family on his recent passing.  Ralph was the Duncan Mackenzie award at WDE in 2006 and has been a fixture in the dairy industry his entire life . A full obituary will be posted when it becomes available. 

Featured Events:

• North American Open Holstein Show 2020
• Fall Invitational Holstein Show 2020
• North American Open Jersey Show 2020
• Ontario Fall Invitational Jersey Show 2020
• North American Open Red & White Show 2020

Top News Stories:

• Drying Up Government Aid Set to Rock U.S. Dairy Producers
• High Ranking TPI® Genomic Young Bulls – October 2020
• High Ranking TPI® Genomic Females – October 2020
• San Jacinto dairy sued over hidden video that allegedly shows abuse of cows
• Top milk supplier Fonterra is selling its dairy farms in China
• Current Marketplace Sires Bull Line Up Includes New Releases
• The secret to frothy latte starts with how milk is handled on the farm
• U.S. ag secretary gets ‘real sense of the issues’ at Wisconsin dairy 

   

   

   

   

   

Three environmental groups accusing a Lower Valley dairy of contaminating groundwater are now backing off.

The groups, CARE, Friends of Toppenish Creek and the Center for Food Safety filed the lawsuit against Majestic Farm LLC in U.S. District Court in April. Now they want to dismiss their case.

The groups accused the dairy of mismanaging cow manure by using leaky storage lagoons and overapplying manure to fields as fertilizer. They alleged the practices equated to “open dumping” in violation of the dairy’s nutrient management plan and the Solid Waste Disposal Act.

High nitrates can be harmful to the elderly, pregnant women and infants, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

On Wednesday, the groups filed a motion seeking to dismiss the lawsuit in a way that would prevent any further litigation against the dairy’s owners — Nicholas and Janie Struikmans — but not the company.

The motion doesn’t say what prompted the groups to seek the dismissal.

The groups’ attorney, Charlie Tebbutt of Eugene, Ore., wouldn’t say why his clients seek the dismissal.

“This decision does not suggest the facility is not contributing to the groundwater pollution in the Valley. My clients are continuing to pursue their long-standing efforts to protect the drinking water in the Lower Yakima Valley in their cases against larger facilities and intend to hold the dairies accountable for creating this problem and putting the people of the Valley in harm’s way,” Tebbutt said in an email.

The dairy industry is happy about the motion seeking the dismissal, said Gerald Baron, executive director of Save Family Farming, an advocacy group for the dairies.

“We think it could be pretty significant,” he said Thursday. “We are not sure of the reason, but as you know Mr. Tebbutt has filed several lawsuits against dairies.”

Some have resulted in settlements in which the dairies have agreed to significantly change the way they handle animal waste.

The controversy heightened in 2013, when Tebbutt and CARE successfully sued a handful of dairies in the Sunnyside and Granger areas. A study commissioned by the EPA linked those dairies to high concentrations of nitrates in nearby domestic wells.

That study led to a federal consent decree requiring the dairies to make expensive environmental upgrades and changes to manure management.

Now the dairies are fighting back. They criticize the EPA study, saying it was flawed. They also accuse the groups of using the study to leverage dairies into settlement agreements.

A recent ruling in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has allowed the dairy industry to move forward with litigation challenging EPA’s study.

Tebbutt has said those claims are bogus, and that much more data exists showing dairies are having a negative impact on groundwater.

U.S. Justice Thomas Rice is expected to sign the dismissal in the Majestic Farm case on Nov. 6, Tebbutt said.

Source: yakimaherald.com

Oct. 12 is National Farmer’s Day, a day to acknowledge the hard work that goes in to feeding our nation.

In this region, dairy farmers are working extra hard not only to produce the milk, butter, cheese and other dairy products Wisconsin is known for, but to do so sustainably to keep our air and waterways clean.

The Tribune toured two nearby farms, Ripp’s Dairy Valley in the Town of Dane and Endres Berryridge Farm in the Town of Springfield, to learn about conservation practices farmers employ to keep nutrient rich soils in place, prevent stormwater runoff and manage manure. Both are part of Yahara Pride Farms, a non-profit, farmer-led organization that began in 2011 focused on improving soil and water quality.

Chuck Ripp of Ripp’s Dairy Valley serves on the board of directors for Yahara Pride Farms. His grandfather bought the farm in the late 1940s, and today, Ripp, with his brothers Gary and Troy, own the farm, and brother Craig is employed full-time. Their children also work there and are among the 17 full-time employees.

Jeff Endres of Endres Berryridge Farm is the chair of Yahara Pride Farms. His family, together with brother’s Randy and Steve and their families, have owned the farmstead since the late 1800s, and it is now moving to the fifth generation in the family. The farm has 12 full-time employees and 550 cows, which he said is about the average size of a Wisconsin dairy farm.

Conservation Practices

With 700 cows, Ripp’s Dairy Valley adheres to strict manure management regulations set forth by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. It is one of the three original farms to partner with the nearby Clean Fuel Partners manure digester, where methane from manure is captured and brought to the Dane County CNG station. There, it is processed into compressed natural gas to fuel vehicles.

The farm is at the mouth of Six Mile Creek, so preventing runoff is important, Ripp said. By capturing the methane, the farm emits less CO2 into the atmosphere, as do the vehicles fueled by compressed natural gas.

At Endres Berryridge Farm, Jeff Endres also trucks some of the manure to the digester. He also has also begun a composting facility where manure from the calves and heifers is composted and used as fertilizer.

Both Ripp and Endres plant cover crops such as grasses or barley to keep soil in place and improve soil health. Ripp said he plants the crops on any “brown” areas left after harvesting, and Endres said he rotates the crops to improve soil. On one hilltop at Endres Berryridge Farm, what Endres called a “highly erodible field,” grasses have been planted to prevent the erosion. Ripp noted that when the soil is aerated, water is better able to infiltrate, improving crop growth.

Both also use low-disturbance manure injection to inject liquid manure into the soil to better fertilize the soil and prevent it from running off.

Endres noted that the injections can be applied into the crops after they are planted without wiping them out.

“Time is of the essence in fall,” he said. “We want the cover crops to get as big as we can before it freezes and shuts us down.”

Both farms also employ buffers along with other stormwater management systems to capture runoff, and at Ripp’s Dairy Valley, large lagoons hold manure until it can be piped to the nearby digester.

Some 50 farms within the Yahara Watershed located in Dane, Columbia and Rock counties are part of Yahara Pride Farms, all using innovative practices tailored to their own farms to achieve sustainability.

“It’s a compliment to the farmers in the watershed,” Endres said. “They’re always looking to improve wherever they can on their farms.”

Yahara Pride Farms and their partners are “trying to create enough tools in the toolbox so farmers have the options to achieve their conservation goals,” he added.

Source: hngnews.com

Rosy-Lane Holsteins, a Watertown dairy farm, is the winner of a national award for Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability. The award will be presented at the annual U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards on Monday, Oct. 12, which honors dairy farms, businesses and partnerships whose practices improve the well-being of people, animals and the planet. The Watertown farm is owned by Lloyd and Daphne Holterman and their partners Tim Strobel and Jordan Matthews and is one of three national winners in its category.

 

“Rosy-Lane Holsteins exemplifies our industry’s commitment to sustainability. They demonstrate that caring for the environment, our cows and our communities is what dairy farmers stand for every day,” said Patrick Geoghegan, executive vice president industry relations for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. “These are the stories that are important to today’s consumer and matter to the future of our industry.”

Rosy-Lane’s emphasis on cow health started with incorporating cattle genetic technologies more than 25 years ago to breed cows that live longer and are less susceptible to disease and illness. Another benefit of the genetics program is the farm has not used antibiotics on its milking herd for more than seven years, and a veterinarian is rarely called to treat a sick animal.

“It’s really no different than a family of humans that live a long, healthy life,” said Lloyd Holterman. “Good genetics allow us to have a healthy family of cows that has the ability to ward off illness and disease. The breeding decisions we made have paid off.”

The dairy’s commitment to sustainability is ingrained in the farm’s everyday philosophy with its 20 employees.

“We’re strong on setting protocols about the environment, our cows and our people, and then we make sure everyone is in alignment,” Daphne Holterman said. “As a team, we work to get better every day.”

The farm’s environmental stewardship is evident through several examples. Water is used three times before it is mixed with cow manure and applied to fields to nourish the alfalfa and corn crops that feed the cows. The farm added the infrastructure to store and process corn at the farm, minimizing waste and the need for it to be hauled in from outside the dairy.

“Now more than ever we are recognizing the value and the fragility of supply chains, and both companies and producers are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact while building resiliency,” said World Wildlife Fund-U.S. Senior Vice President, Fresh Water and Food Melissa Ho, who served as one of this year’s judges. “These award winners show that the dairy community is actively working to put its commitment to environmental stewardship into action with the ultimate goal of achieving a healthy and sustainable future for people and planet.”

Judges evaluated dozens of nominations based on economic, environmental and community impact. The independent judging panel — including industry and conservation experts — also considered learning, innovation, scalability and replicability in every nomination.

About Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin: Funded by Wisconsin dairy farmers, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is a non-profit organization that focuses on marketing and promoting Wisconsin’s world-class dairy products. For more information, visit our website at wisconsindairy.org.

World Dairy Expo is honored to present Michael Hellenbrand of Cross Plains, Wisconsin with a posthumous 2020 Friend of Expo Award. This award is given annually to volunteers of World Dairy Expo who continuously go above and beyond for the organization. Sadly, Hellenbrand passed away this summer, but the positive impact he had on World Dairy Expo will remain for years.

Hellenbrand served on the World Dairy Expo Board of Directors as the current First Vice President and was a past Treasurer and former chairman of numerous committees. His financial background, gained through years of working on Wall Street, were a valuable asset to Expo as Hellenbrand helped to strengthen the organization’s financial position. He also played a large role in the construction of the New Holland Pavilions at the Alliant Energy Center and was a vocal advocate for Showring ethics and youth exhibitors.

“Mike was a true ambassador for World Dairy Expo,” shared Bill Hageman, WDE Board President. “While he especially enjoyed providing opportunities for youth to experience the thrill of showing on the colored shavings, he was also very willing to share his time and his perspective for the greater good of the Expo family. He was the kind of friend who would pick you up if you got knocked down, but at the same time, one who was willing to give it to you straight – good news or difficult news.”

A virtual award presentation can be found at www.worlddairyexpo.com or on Expo’s Facebook page.

Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo brings together the latest in dairy innovation and the best cattle in North America. Crowds of more than 62,000 people, from nearly 100 countries, will return to Madison, Wis. for the 54^th event, September 28 through October 2, 2021, when the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, dairy and forage seminars, a world-class dairy cattle show and more will be on display. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile event app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube for more information. 

Camels used to be the main mode of transportation in Alxa League in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, as around one-third of its area is desert. However, the number of camels dropped dramatically due to the development of modern transportation and the low economic benefits of camel breeding.

Statistics showed that the number of camels in Alxa League declined from 251,500 in 1982 to only 55,900 in 2003.

“The gestation period of a two-humped camel in Alxa League is as long as 400 days, and most of them give birth to a single calf. They usually become sexually mature at around five years old,” said Zhang Wenbin, a researcher of the animal husbandry research institute of Alxa League.

“The long breeding cycle and the low yield of camel meat led to the decrease of camel breeders in the 1990s,” Zhang added.

In August 2000, the former ministry of agriculture listed Alxa camels on the national livestock and poultry breed resources protection list and established a national reserve for camels in Alxa.

The situation began to change in November 2012, when the China Animal Agriculture Association officially named Alxa as “The Hometown of Camels in China,” and started to guide local herders to redevelop camel-related industries.

“When the league began to vigorously promote the camel milk industry in Alxa in 2015, only 2,000 female camels could produce milk at that time. After five years’ development, the number has increased to 11,000, with a daily milk output of 10 tonnes per day,” Zhang said.

Altanula has rich experience milking camels, but had only ever used the milk to make yogurt for his family. When the local government introduced a company in Alxa purchasing camel milk, Altanula seized the opportunity and began to sell his milk to the company.

“A kilo of camel milk goes for about 30 yuan (about 4.4 U.S. dollars), and the government will provide a subsidy of 10 yuan per kilo. A camel produces about 2 kg of milk a day. I can earn more than 10,000 yuan from a female camel each year excluding the costs,” the herdsman said.

Yonghong, also a local camel breeder, was registered as a poor resident in 2014. With the help of the local government, he jumped on the bandwagon of the camel milk industry.

“I used to sell camel hair and calves which brought me meager income. But the government helped me build up an 800-square-meter camel pen and taught me to provide better feed and tame female camels. I have more than 100 female camels, and they can generate up to 3,000 yuan per day for me,” Yonghong said.

There are more than 900 households raising camels and over 400 households producing camel milk, as well as 35 professional camel breeding cooperatives in Alxa. The annual output value of camel milk in the league has reached 160 million yuan.

Many camel milk companies said they have seen increased sales of camel milk this year due to the impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic.

“Many people became more health-conscious after the epidemic, while camel milk, boasting nutritional benefits, has now gained popularity in the market,” said Yan Xinlian, a camel milk dealer.

As of June 2020, there are a total of 131,400 camels in Alxa, accounting for one-third of the entire population of the breed across China. At present, Alxa is also developing camel milk derivatives, including cosmetics and camel milk ice cream. More industries covering policy, scientific research and marketing are also under construction.

According to a plan devised by the local government, Alxa will have 180,000 camels in stock by 2025, with an annual output of 640 tonnes of organic camel hair, 111,000 tonnes of camel milk and 4,000 tonnes of camel meat. The output value of the whole industry chain is estimated to reach around 1.8 billion yuan by then. Enditem

Source: xinhuanet.com

Two new bulls have recently been made available through the Holstein Marketplace Sires program, managed by Holstein Services, Inc. Introduced in January 2019, Holstein Marketplace Sires provides a unique avenue for Holstein breeders to market their genetics. Under the program, bull owners retain ownership of the bulls, and Holstein Marketplace Sires coordinates marketing and sales.

Visit www.holsteinusa.com/marketplacesires to view complete pedigree and genetic information on these new bulls, and the other Marketplace Sires currently available. The site features many generations of photos from their maternal lines, and commentary from the bull owners

New Releases

• 712HO01010 KINGS-RANSOM C CRUISIN-ET, bred and owned by Kings-Ransom Farm LLC, Schuylerville, N.Y. CRUISIN is sired by OH-River-Syc Crushabull-ET out of Excellent-94 Kings-Ransom Monterey Clash with a second lactation record of over 29,600 pounds of milk, with 1,193 pounds of fat (4.0%) and 928 pounds of protein (3.1%). His next dam is EX-95 2E Kings-Ransom Mogul Cleo-ET who boasts lifetime production of over 153,000 pounds of milk with 4.6% fat and 3.3% protein tests. In total, CRUISIN is backed by 11 generations of high-scoring Excellent dams, going back to “Queen of the Breed” C GLENRIDGE CITATION ROXY, and his 10 closest dams average 93.1 points. His genomic conformation values back up the pedigree, at +2.98 PTA Type, +2.63 Udder Composite and +1.35 Feet & Leg Composite. CRUISIN is also Beta Casein A2/A2.
• 712HO01009 TRAMILDA STUNNING BLAZER, bred and owned by Troy & Austin Yoder, Montezuma, Ga. BLAZER is a Kingemerling Helx Doctor-ET son, out of a Very Good-87 Delta, then a Very Good-85 Chevrolet. BLAZER has a well-balanced, modern genomic profile, being over +1,400 pounds PTA Milk, with 118 pounds combined Fat and Protein, with positive health and fertility traits and desirable conformation values (+1.67 PTA Type, +1.73 Udder Composite and +1.20 Feet & Leg Composite).

Other bulls currently available through Holstein Marketplace Sires

• 712HO01006 RASBERRY CRSBL RIP CITY-ET: Crushabull x VG-85 Monterey x EX-91 Epic, then 17 more generations of Excellent dams behind her, tracing back to Audrey Posch EX-93 2E GMD. RIP CITY boasts impressive conformation values at +3.16 PTA Type, +2.55 Udder Composite and +1.48 Feet & Leg Composite, complemented by positive component percentages and Fertility Index values. Owned by Karl & Donna Hale, Cloverdale, Ore.
• 712HO01005 OUR-FAVORITE CHARISMA-ET: King Doc x VG-88 Hang Time x EX-94 2E Atwood from one of Our-Favorite Holstein’s foundational cow families; 10 generations of Very Good & Excellent dams with an average classification of 91.2 points. +2586 GTPI with very strong conformation at +3.29 PTAT, +1.96 UDC, and +1.92 FLC; also, Beta Casein A2/A2 and Kappa Casein BB. Bred and owned by Our-Favorite Holsteins, Fall Creek, Wis.

• 712HO01008 OCD KENOBI FOGHAT-ET: Kenobi x VG-87 Burley x EX-90 Delta, FOGHAT is backed by a total of 11 generations of Very Good and Excellent dams, going back through the Markwell Bstar E Raven-ET EX-95 3E GMD DOM cow family. With a 2809 GTPI, he brings a package of high component percentages with a combined 114 pounds of PTA Fat and PTA Protein, along with desirable health traits; +5.2 Productive Life, +1.9 Cow Livability and +2.4 Daughter Pregnancy Rate. Bred and owned by Oakfield Corners Dairy, Oakfield, N.Y.

•  712HO01007 TERRA-LINDA RYNO-ET: Tahiti x VG-86 Modesty x EX-90 Montross, RYNO hails from the Robthom Georgia Integrity EX-92 2E GMD DOM cow family through a strong maternal line. He is a well-balanced bull, coming in at +2726 GTPI, with strong production numbers of +1,148 PTA Milk and a combined 119 pounds of PTA Fat and PTA Protein, also being Beta Casein A2/A2. RYNO is positive in his fertility traits, is +1.37 PTA Type and +1.39 Udder Composite. Bred and owned by Terra Linda Dairy, Tulare, Calif.

All bulls offered through Holstein Marketplace Sires are free of any undesirable genetic conditions and haplotypes impacting fertility.

Purchasing semen from Holstein Marketplace Sires is simple. Order online or over the phone with your credit card and have semen shipped directly to your doorstep. Buy online by visiting www.holsteinusa.com/marketplacesires, click the red “Buy Now” button, fill in number of units you would like to purchase, and check out using our secure online system. Orders may also be placed by calling customer service 800.952.5200 or contacting a Holstein Association USA regional sales representative.

During the 71^st annual meeting of the National Dairy Shrine, Dr. Dennis Funk, Sun Prairie, Wis. was elected president of the board of directors. In addition, Matt Iager, DVM, Boonsboro, Md., was elected president-elect.

During the meeting, which was held virtually due to the cancellation of World Dairy Expo, a new slate of board members was also named. This includes: Kate Geppert, Kingdom City, Mo., Jodi Hoynoski, Brattleboro, Vt., Dr. Vikram Mistry, Brookings, S.D., Dr. Sheila McGuirk, Dodgeville, Wis., Carol Regusci, Modesto, Calif., and Brittany Heizer, Snow Camp, N.C. Returning board members include: Bonnie Bargstedt, Valatie, N.Y., Randy Gross Sr., Elkton, S. D., Linda Hanson, Goodridge, Minn., Joel Hastings, Madera, Calif., Stan Henderson, Paso Robles, Calif.., James Huffard, Crockett, Va., Rita Kennedy, Valencia, Pa., Dan Schimek, Eagle Lake, Minn, Royce Thornton, Wooster, Ohio, and Karen Wheatley, Crumpton, Md.

Six board members retired from the board at the annual meeting. Those individuals include: Jim Dickrell, Monticello, Minn., Larry Schirm, Laurelville, Ohio, Fowler Branstetter, Edmonton, Ky., Tim Abbott, Enosburg, Vt., Ken Raney, State College, Pa., and Leah Ziemba, Madison, Wis.

While the meeting was virtual, more than $37,000 in scholarships was awarded to 32 outstanding college students. Adult award winners were also recognized, although formal recognition is planned for the 2021 awards banquet.

A new approach to membership outreach and corporate sponsorships was also discussed during the meeting. A new monthly enewsletter for members will begin in October to further the organization’s mission and increase regular contact with members. In addition, a new corporate sponsorship program will be put in place to encourage greater support of the organization. Anyone who wishes to become a new member, or support the organization in other ways, should contact Mike Opperman, Executive Director, at info@dairyshrine.org.

Grand Champion, Westside Ironman Riley

Due to restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society was not able to hold its annual National Milking Shorthorn Show at the Lindsay Exhibition in Lindsay, Ontario in September.  However, there was an interest from breeders and the Board and staff of Lindsay Exhibition to not go an entire year without an opportunity to showcase the best Milking Shorthorn genetics in the country.  As a result, the Society and Lindsay Exhibition partnered to organize a Virtual National Show for 2020, where breeders submitted photos and videos of their animals as if they were headed to the fairgrounds at Lindsay.  Entries were received in late September and were ably judged by Rob Kite, a Dairy Shorthorn breeder from Staffordshire in the United Kingdom.  

A total of 26 entries from 10 exhibitors across three provinces were received.  The number of age classes was consolidated down to six, followed by the naming of Junior and Grand Champions.  

Grand Champion of the Virtual National Show was the first place animal in the First Lactation Cow class, Westside Ironman Riley.  Riley is bred and owned by Westside Farms (the Snyder Family) of New Hamburg, Ontario.  The Snyders have a mixed herd of Holsteins and Milking Shorthorns, and this was their first time participating in a Milking Shorthorn show!  Judge Kite described his Grand Champion as having “an outstanding mammary system, snug with width and height in the rear udder and great udder texture.  I love her cleanness of head and neck, length of body, quality of bone and a good set of feet and legs with depth of heel and strength of pasterns.”

Reserve Grand Champion was awarded to Oceanbrae Ironman Ginger, bred and owned by Oceanbrae Farms of Miscouche, Prince Edward Island.  Ginger was previously Reserve Grand Champion of the National Show in 2015 as a Two Year Old.  This year, she placed first in the Four Lactations and Greater class, calving for the fifth time in December 2019.  She is currently projected to produce close to 10,000 kgs of milk at 5.0% fat and 3.9% protein in fifth lactation.  Judge Kite placed her over the second place Mature Cow and Honourable Mention Grand Champion, Richford Ironman Iceland.  Iceland has previously been Grand Champion of the National Show on two occasions and is bred and owned by the Richardsons of Richford Farms, St. Marys, Ontario.  This made a clean sweep of the Grand Championship class by daughters of Oceanbrae Ironman-P, the #7 LPI sire marketed by Semex Alliance.

Junior Champion honours went to Kolson Bentley Legacy, the winner of the Senior Calf and Summer Yearling class.  Legacy is a roan September 2019-born calf bred and owned by Stephen & Janet Edwards of Cobden, Ontario.  Legacy is sired by Semex sire Oceanbrae Royal Bentley.  Judge Kite remarked that she “exhibits excellent overall style, angularity, and openness of rib.  Her quality of bone in both front and rear legs with flat, clean hocks and good width when on the move makes her my Junior Champion.”

For Reserve Junior Champion, Kite selected his first place from a large yearling class, Lynmark STC Fresca, bred and owned by Lynmark Farms of Norwood, Ontario.  Tim Shearer and Irene Vietinghoff of Lynmark Farms are no strangers to success in the show ring with their Milking Shorthorns and Fresca is an impressive roan heifer sired by homebred sire Lynmark St Clare, the #1 Active LPI sire marketed by Semex.  She placed over the Hon. Mention Junior Champion, Oceanbrae Lass Ballerina, the first place Junior/Intermediate Calf bred and owned by Oceanbrae Farms of Prince Edward Island.

The Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society would like to thank the Board and staff of Lindsay Exhibition, particularly Shanice Sproule, for their assistance in coordinating this first attempt at a virtual National Show.  The Society would also like to thank the sponsors, which enabled the Society to offer some prize money to exhibitors, including a special cash prize to the six 4-H members who exhibited heifers in the virtual show.

For full results and photos, please visit the CMSS website or visit our Facebook page.

Press release and photos provided by the Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society

About three dozen farmers, cheese processors and others got the undivided attention of the country’s top agricultural official today when Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative hosted a meeting with Sonny Perdue to discuss challenges facing farmers.

The setting was a 250-cow dairy farm in eastern Wisconsin run by Edge President Brody Stapel, his brother, Jory, and his father, Rudy.

“This is real America, and this is real agriculture,” said Perdue, the U.S. agriculture secretary. “We have people come to D.C. and talk about things there, but you get a real sense (of the issues) when neighbors come together at a farm like this… So, I appreciate the Edge co-op for hosting us here today and providing a venue for me to come out and figure out what we can do better. That’s all important.”

The mislabeling of non-dairy foods drew a lot of attention.

Amy Penterman, an Edge member with a dairy farm in northwestern Wisconsin, said that farmers have invested heavily in promoting dairy foods as safe and nutritious, and yet the Food and Drug Administration is failing to enforce current labeling standards that identify milk, cheese and other dairy products as originating from cows.

“It is extremely frustrating to see our investments in our own dairy terms be taken advantage of by imitation plant-based product manufacturers,” Penterman told Perdue. … “This is also unfair to customers who are misled.”

Edge co-commissioned a national survey in 2018 to measure customers’ views on plant-based foods that mimic dairy cheese. The results, released last year, showed that customers are confused about whether those products are indeed dairy foods and whether they carry the same nutritional value.

“Words do matter when it comes to customers’ buying decisions,” Stapel said. “People should be protected from deceptive names and packaging when they’re looking for real dairy products. We are not against customers having options at the grocery store, but they shouldn’t be lied to.”

Perdue fielded questions about many other topics also. Among them:

• The second round of the federal Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which provides direct financial help to farmers struggling with low prices, lost markets and other supply chain disruptions tied to the pandemic. Signup for the program runs through Dec. 11.
• The importance of free trade agreements to U.S. farmers, who are looking for new markets for their products. Perdue pointed to efforts to capture dairy market share in China and capitalize on emerging opportunities in Africa.
• The challenges dairy farmers face in finding employees, given the lack of a year-round visa option for immigrant workers.

Stapel said it was a privilege to have Perdue visit his farm.

“I think it is crucial as president of Edge and also as a local dairyman that we get our farmer members and bring our voice right to the people who need to hear it,” he said.

Perdue said all farmers “share the same noble goal to feed their fellow countrymen.”

“Today, I got to visit with the great dairy men and women of Wisconsin and hear their concerns and bring them back to Washington to ensure their government is working for them, not against them,” he said.

Source: kneb.com

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