Northwest
Updated June 18, 2013.
To have your news included here, please send potential news links, press releases, or articles to David Jones at djones@dairybusiness.com.
Grants awarded to projects to improve dairy manure management
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has awarded grants to two projects that aim to improve manure management on dairies in two very different ways.
The grants were awarded by WSDA’s Dairy Nutrient Management Program, a water quality program that enforces the state’s Dairy Nutrient Management Act, designed to protect all of the state’s water from nutrients in the manure. The grants include:
-$20,000 to the Whatcom County Conservation District to evaluate waste storage ponds and seepage rates at dairies. Many manure lagoons in use today were built before current standards were set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. This project will evaluate older ponds and include a seepage test to see how much of the nutrients from the manure are actually leaching into the ground beneath the ponds and, potentially, into groundwater.
-$15,000 to the Washington State University’s AgWeatherNet, a network of automated weather stations operated by WSU. Applying manure to frozen ground can increase chances of manure running off the field and into nearby bodies of water. This project will gauge temperature from the top two inches of soil in the Yakima Valley through a network of probes. Farmers can get near real-time soil temperatures through a web interface or by subscribing to a soil temperature alert system to help them time their manure applications.
The grants were funded through the civil penalties WSDA issued to dairies that have violated the Dairy Nutrient Management Act. In all, six grant proposals were received. Visit www.agr.wa.gov/foodanimal/livestock-nutrient for more details on the projects that were funded.
67th North Dakota Dairy Princess crowned
Susan Hintz, daughter of Bob and Debbie Hintz, Flashed, N.D., was crowned North Dakota’s 67th State Dairy Princess.
Hintz was crowned during a luncheon with Midwest Dairy Association North Dakota Division board members. Midwest Dairy Association sponsors the princess program.
The runner-up was Moriah Karey 19, of Manning. She is the daughter of Tom and Marietta Karey.
Hintz and Karey received scholarships from the Friends of Dairymen and the North Dakota Milk Producers. Karey was also awarded the Midwest Dairy Association scholarship, chosen separately from among the candidates.
Hintz will spend her year serving as the official goodwill ambassador for the state’s dairy farmers advocating and educating on their behalf during public appearances that include media interviews, classroom appearances, dairy events and fairs.
South Dakota dairy events listed
It will be a busy summer of open houses and tours. Mark your calendars for these events and share information with your friends and family.
• June 8: Open house at Blase Family Dairy near Ethan, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy lunch and tour the 200-cow dairy farm. See the latest technology with robotic milkers and learn how the family is using this technology on their farm. Click here for more details.
• June 15: 6th annual Lunch on the Farm at Royalwood Dairy near Brandon, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Click here for more details.
• June 20: Moms’ Day Out on the Farm – A great day for Sioux Falls area moms to spend a day learning about the food they purchase for their families and connect with farmers and other moms. The tour will include stops at area beef, dairy and hog farms. Click here for details.
• June 22: Open house at MoDak Dairy near Goodwin from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Click here for details.
• July 11: Farms After Five – This shortened version of a “Day Out” tour is perfect for working adults. The tour kicks off after business hours and includes stops at Sioux Falls area hog and dairy farms. Click here for details.
• July 15: Food and Fitness Professional Day Out on the Farm – Food and fitness professionals play an important role in helping consumers make educated choices about their diets and nutrition. This special tour is the perfect way for professionals to learn more about how today’s food is produced by South Dakota farm families. The tour will include stops at Sioux Falls area beef, dairy, hog and egg farms. Click here for details.
• July 18: Know Your Milk Tour - This tour will be based out of the Dakota Dunes/Sioux City area and feature tours of dairy farms in Iowa and South Dakota, as well as information from dairy processing professionals about how milk from the farm is turned into the wide range of dairy products we all enjoy. The tour is hosted in partnership with Western Iowa Dairy Alliance and will include lunch and a stop at the Blue Bunny ice cream parlor in Le Mars. Click here for details.
Celebrate June Dairy Month
It is June Dairy Month! Get to know more about your favorite dairy products and the South Dakota dairy families making those products possible by participating in any of our June Dairy Month activities or other farm events this summer. If you can’t make an event in person, you can take a virtual tour through Midwest Dairy Association’s PinTourist program. Click here to visit more than 60 dairy farms on Pinterest. Virtual dairy farm visitors taking part in the “tour” are invited to “like,” share and “repin” their favorite photos and recipes with their own social media networks. Contest entrants will be eligible to win a grocery store gift card and dairy prize package.
Midwest Dairy Association has also partnered with Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, to help fight hunger. Midwest Dairy will donate $1 for every view to its Feedin’ A Nation parody video up to $20,000. For each $1 raised, eight meals are secured by Feeding America on behalf of local food banks.
Cheeseburger Day set for June 13
Join Valley Queen in supporting area Junior Holstein and FFA members during June Dairy Month. From 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lake Farley Park in Milford on June 13, enjoy a cheeseburger, chips and milk. All proceeds go to support the programs and activities of the SD Junior Holstein Association and the Milbank FFA. Grilling assistants include members of the Jr. Holstein Assoc., Milbank FFA members, and the Millstone Family Restaurant.
FWS to consider ‘delisting’ gray wolf
North Dakota U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp announced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold a 90-day comment period on a proposal to remove the gray wolf from the list of threatened and endangered species.
“The comment period is a step in the right direction towards removing the gray wolf from the Endangered Species list,” said Heitkamp. “The bottom line is wolves are no longer endangered, therefore they do not warrant federal protections. State wildlife officials have their hands tied anytime wolves are involved and by delisting wolves we will lift the federal burden of a bureaucratic system that doesn’t work for our states. Wolf management decisions should be made at the state, not the federal level.”
Absent the delisting of the species, land managers and property owners are handcuffed in their ability to encourage healthy wildlife populations and care for livestock herds.
The proposal comes after a comprehensive review confirmed its successful recovery following management actions undertaken by federal, state and local partners following the wolf’s listing under the Endangered Species Act over three decades ago. Under the proposed delisting, the Service would maintain protection and expand recovery efforts for the Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) in the Southwest, where it remains endangered.
LUNCH ON THE DAIRY FARM AT VOLGA DAIRY JUNE 1
Old Tree Farm opens doors to community
SIOUX FALLS, SD – The Frido and Sonja Verpaalen family, Agriculture United for South Dakota, the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Relations Committee and the Midwest Dairy Association will be hosting Lunch on the Dairy Farm at Old Tree Farm near Volga on Saturday, June 1st from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Come celebrate June Dairy Month and enjoy a FREE lunch as well as SDSU ice-cream. Guests can try their hand at milking a cow. In addition visitors can tour the dairy farm and learn more about dairy farming in South Dakota.
The 1,650 cow dairy farm is located from Highway 14 in Volga, 3 miles South on 464th Ave/Samara Ave, then 3/4 miles West on 214th street. 46318 214th Street, Volga, SD
Sponsors of the event include: Ag United for South Dakota and South Dakota Farm Families, the Brookings Area Chamber Ag Relations Committee, Midwest Dairy Association and South Dakota soybean farmers and their check-off.
Additional sponsors of the open house include: ABS Global, Bothun Insurance, CHS, Dacotah Bank, First Bank & Trust, First Lutheran Church, Hubbard Feeds, Martin Oil, Montrose Veterinary Clinic, Pioneer Hybrid Seed – Kent VanderWal, Ramsdell’s, SDSU College of Ag and Bio, Valley Dairy Supply, Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Volga Ag Center.
To learn more about South Dakota dairy families check out Midwest Dairy Association on the web at www.midwestdairy.com. For more details about the event visit the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce website at http://www.brookingssd.com or South Dakota Farm Families on Facebook.
Ag United was developed through a collaboration of farm organizations that support livestock production and development and includes the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, South Dakota Corn Growers Association, South Dakota Dairy Producers, South Dakota Farm Bureau, South Dakota Pork Producers Council, South Dakota Poultry Industries Association and the South Dakota Soybean Association. The President of the organization is Alcester farmer, Steve Rommereim.
Bozic to share dairy policy analysis
Dr. Marin Bozic, University of Minnesota dairy economist, will provide insights on current federal dairy legislation, May 22, in Brookings, S.D.
The session, sponsored by the South Dakota dairy Producers, will be held from 1-3 p.m. at the Alfred Dairy Science Hall on the South Dakota State University campus.
Bozic has been part of the team evaluating the impact of the Dairy Security Act and the Goodlatte-Scott amendment proposals currently under review in Congress. His remarks are intended to help dairy producers determine how to weigh in with their Congressional representatives.
South Dakota Dairy Producers is a non-profit organization of dairy producers and dairy industry members organized to promote and represent the interests of their membership to assure and enhance a sustainable dairy industry environment in South Dakota.
67th North Dakota Dairy Princess contestants sought
Midwest Dairy Association’s North Dakota Division is seeking candidates for its 67th annual North Dakota Dairy Princess contest, scheduled for June 9-10, in Bismarck, N.D. Marissa Leier, Hague, the 66th North Dakota Dairy Princess, will end her reign at that time.
The North Dakota Dairy Princess serves as the official goodwill ambassador for the state’s dairy industry. Eligibility candidates are young women 17-23 years old with a strong interest in and affiliation with the dairy industry. Candidates must be a high school graduate and unmarried. They will be judged on their communication skills, personality, general knowledge of the dairy industry and enthusiasm for dairy promotion.
Candidates may also apply for one $500 scholarship regardless of who wins the crown, made possible by Midwest Dairy Association’s North Dakota Division.
The entry deadline is May 24. For complete rules and an application form, contact Seena Glessing at 320.282.6337 or email seena.glessing@gmail.com. Potential candidates may also visit www.midwestdairycheckoff.com.
Four South Dakota schools earn FUTP awards
Four South Dakota schools were rewarded for their efforts to get active, eat healthy and make a difference in their schools. Students and adult advisors at Garfield Elementary in Sioux Falls, and Woonsocket Elementary in Woonsocket, earned grand prize honors in the state’s Fuel Up to Play 60 School Champions contest. Robert Frost Elementary in Sioux Falls took second place, and Edison Middle School claimed third prize in the contest.
For their grand prize-winning efforts, Garfield Elementary and Woonsocket Elementary received a visit from Minnesota Vikings running back, Toby Gerhart. Second- and third-place winners Robert Frost Elementary and Edison Middle School each received a Fuel Up to Play 60 prize pack valued at $1,000.
For more information on Fuel Up to Play 60 or to sign up for the program, visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com or www.midwestdairy.com.
South Dakota State University Jackrabbit Dairy Camp
The ninth annual South Dakota State University Jackrabbit Dairy camp will be held June 7-9th on campus in Brookings, S.D. The university Dairy Club is sponsoring this event for youth, ages 8-18, wanting to learn more about the dairy industry.
Highlights of the dairy camp include workshops on fitting, showmanship, dairy promotion and dairy products, a mock heifer auction, a swimming and movie night as well as various contests and games. Campers from all states are welcome to attend.
Lodging for two evenings (in an SDSU dormitory), meals and materials are included in the $50 registration fee. Registration materials can be found on the Dairy Science website http://www.sdstate.edu/ds or by emailing sdsudairyclub@gmail.com. The registration deadline is May 25, 2013. Registrations are first come, first served as there are a limited number of spaces.
Quarantine lifted for Moses Lake dairy in bovine TB case
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has lifted the quarantine for a dairy at the center of an investigation into a case of bovine tuberculosis.
Juergens Brothers Dairy in Moses Lake had been under quarantine since Jan. 17, after the WSDA was notified that a cow the dairy sent to a stockyard was suspected of being infected with bovine TB. That cow later was confirmed as infected.
There was no human health concern connected to the case as the meat from the infected cow was isolated until the test results came back and it never entered food channels.
State veterinarian Dr. Leonard Eldridge determined the quarantine could be lifted after two rounds of testing of the dairy’s herd uncovered no additional cases of bovine TB.
“Despite the enormous economic impact this quarantine has had on Juergens Brothers Dairy, the owners have cooperated throughout this critical investigation, making it possible to ensure the safety of all the state’s livestock,” Eldridge said. “Our testing confirms that their herd is safe and they can return to normal business operations.”
In the first round of testing, an initial screening identified 11 cows as possibly infected. As a result, samples from those cows were sent for further testing to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Iowa. The lab confirmed last week that all 11 of those cows had tested negative for bovine TB. In a second round of testing, one cow responded to the screening but was confirmed negative at slaughter.
To date, no other cows have been found positive for bovine TB despite testing on more than 2,600 animals around the state. In accordance with U. S. Department of Agriculture protocols, WSDA will return to the Moses Lake dairy next year for a follow-up round of testing.
Bovine TB is contagious among cattle and can cause severe coughing, fatigue and emaciation. A bovine TB eradication campaign by animal health officials and the livestock industry begun nearly a century ago has all but eliminated the disease from the U.S., except for sporadic occurrences. Washington cattle have been TB-free since 1988 and will maintain that status.
Veterinary Oversight of Antimicrobial Use in Livestock; Public Meetings Agenda
A series of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) public meetings concerning veterinary oversight of antimicrobials in livestock continues in late April and int June.
According to FDA, the meetings are being held to discuss challenges faced by the animal agriculture industry and practicing veterinarians as FDA implements its initiative for the judicious use of medically important antimicrobials in medicated feed or drinking water of food-producing animals. Particular emphasis will be placed on challenges faced by animal producers in areas that may lack access to adequate veterinary services.
The dates and locations for remaining meetings include:
• April 23 – Olympia, Wash.
• May 8 – Fort Collins, Colo.
• May 21 – Pierre, S.D.
• June 4 – College Station, Texas
Each meeting will provide an overview of FDA’s strategy on antimicrobial resistance, veterinarians and antimicrobial use, and a discussion on the availability of food animal veterinarians in the U.S. The agenda also includes a public comment period.
For additional information, visit www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/WorkshopsConferencesMeetings/ucm346973.htm
Whatcom County dairy fined $17,000 for violating Water Pollution Control Act
Source: Washington State Department of Agriculture
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has cited Edaleen Dairy in Lynden for two violations of the state’s Water Pollution Control Act including improperly applying manure onto a field and allowing polluted water to enter tributaries that lead to a creek identified as salmon habitat. Together, the violations carry a fine of $17,000.
Washington’s Dairy Nutrient Management Act requires dairies to develop plans to manage the manure produced by their cows. WSDA’s Dairy Nutrient Management Program ensures dairies comply with this requirement and enforces parts of the state’s Water Pollution Control Act as they relate to dairy operations.
Inspectors with this program visit all of the state’s dairies approximately once every 22 months to examine how dairy owners manage manure and clean water on their property. Inspectors also review soil tests, manure nutrient analysis results, manure application and movement off farm, and irrigation records. The purpose is to ensure the manure is managed in a way that protects surface and groundwater from nutrients and bacteria in the manure, which can be harmful to human health and aquatic life.
The Edaleen Dairy inspection began in November 2012 after a complaint was made that a worker was improperly applying manure to a field in the rain, which can accelerate manure nutrients leaching into groundwater or lead to runoff into ditches and streams. A WSDA inspector visited the dairy twice over the next few days and found that material from the dairy’s manure digester, called digestate, had been applied to a field saturated with water. The inspector also found standing water in some areas of the field and evidence that water with digestate in it had flowed into a nearby ditch. This violation included a $9,000 fine.
In addition, the inspector found a leaking valve in a waste water system. An analysis determined this polluted water contained fecal matter at rates in excess of state regulations, and it had leaked into ditches that ultimately lead to Bertrand Creek, identified as both salmon habitat and a human recreation area. This violation included an $8,000 fine.
The dairy has been cooperative in addressing issues raised through these inspections. It has 30 days to pay the penalty or appeal to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board, an independent body whose members are appointed by the Governor.
AMPI meeting is March 25-26
Dairy farmer-owners of Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) will convene for the milk marketing cooperative’s annual delegate meeting, March 25. The meeting’s theme “My AMPI,” underscores the advantages of being a cooperative owner.
Presentations by dairy experts and a review of the cooperative’s 2012 performance are on an agenda expected to attract some 350 people, including farmer delegates from six states, industry leaders and guests. The meeting will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington, Minn.
Mike Hutjens, Extension dairy specialist at the University of Illinois, will discuss the current grain and forage situation. The animal nutritionist will offer strategies to help dairy farmers improve returns in a time of tight profit margins.
During the annual business meeting on Tuesday, the cooperative’s 2012 performance and management reports will be shared. AMPI President and CEO Ed Welch and board chair Steve Schlangen, a dairy farmer from Albany, Minn., will present the annual highlights.
The cooperative’s grassroots policy-making process culminates with delegates considering proposed resolutions. The resolutions process gives members an opportunity to determine AMPI positions on issues and policies that affect the cooperative.
AMPI is a dairy marketing cooperative owned by 2,900 dairy farmers who market 5.6 billion lbs. of milk, resulting in $1.7 billion in annual sales. Members operate dairy farms located throughout the Upper Midwest states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota. The members own 11 manufacturing plants and market a full line of consumer-packaged dairy products.
Vassar concert to benefit ‘Feeding South Dakota’
South Dakota dairy farm families are again inviting people to join them at a special performance by a nationally-known country music artist to help food to South Dakotans in need.
Their offer? Donate $10 to Feeding South Dakota and receive a concert pass to see Phil Vassar perform on March 26. Donations will be used to purchase dairy foods to stock food banks across the state.
In 2012, the Be Our Guest concert event raised more than $12,000 to purchase dairy foods for Feeding South Dakota.
Donations are being accepted now at First Bank & Trust locations in Sioux Falls and Canton, Lewis Drug Store locations in Sioux Falls, Brandon, Brookings, Huron and Madison, and Hy-Vee stores in Sioux Falls.
Feeding South Dakota (feedingsouthdakota.org) is a hunger relief organization that serves approximately 350 nonprofit hunger relief and emergency food distribution agencies throughout the state. These agencies received more than 12.5 million pounds of food and grocery items from Feeding South Dakota in 2012, providing over 10 million meals to hungry individuals in need. Feeding South Dakota now operates distribution centers in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City, and food pantries in Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
Four vie for 58th South Dakota Dairy Princess
South Dakota’s 58th State Dairy Princess will be crowned in Sioux Falls, March 27. A coronation banquet is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, in conjunction with the Central Plains Dairy Expo and Convention.
Four candidates are seeking the current title to replace Olivia Siglin, Webster, who has served the dairy industry for the past year. They are:
• Danielle Evers, Sioux Falls, daughter of Bryon and Jennifer Evers;
• Katelyn Grehl, Hitchcock, daughter of Frank and Julie Grehl;
• Christina Maher, Nunda, daughter of Philip and Rae Lynn Maher; and
• Audrey Souza, Milbank, daughter of Kevin and Suzanne Souza.
The new princess receives a $1,000 scholarship from Midwest Dairy Association. A $500 scholarship from the Central Plains Dairy Expo is awarded to the runner-up. Each candidate will receive a $250 scholarship from Midwest Dairy Association’s South Dakota Division.
Candidates must come from a dairy farm, or be an employee or a daughter of an employee on a dairy farm.
Throughout the year, the South Dakota Dairy Princess assists with promotion of dairy products, particularly with young children and on-farm events. The Dairy Princess program is sponsored by Midwest Dairy Association through the dairy checkoff.
Richards named NW representative for Jersey organizations
Flint F. Richards, Erda, Utah, has been named an Area Representative for the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc., effective January 30, 2013.
Richards will provide on-farm service in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Montana and Wyoming, and also travel nationwide as an evaluator for the AJCA Linear Type Traits Appraisal program.
“We are excited to add Flint Richards to our staff because of his strong history of involvement at every level of the dairy industry and the Jersey organizations,” said Neal Smith, Executive Secretary and CEO. “Flint is a lifelong student of Jersey cattle breeding with decades of successful dairy management and business experience. He is deeply committed to the continued improvement and success of the breed and the USJersey organizations.”
A fourth-generation dairyman, Richards attended Utah State University where he worked as a research assistant for geneticist Dr. Robert C. Lamb and earned a B.S. in Animal Science magna cum laude in 1982. For over 30 years, he was an owner and manager of Richards Jersey Farm, which included 300 milking cows at its peak and achieved national recognition for milk and protein production.
Richards served eight years on the governor-appointed Utah Quality Growth Commission and as its chairman from 2009 through 2011. In 2012, he completed 16 years on the Board of Directors of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation and has also served on the Utah Dairy Commission (1997-2001) and the Erda Township Planning Commission (2003-2008).
Flint and his wife, Sandy, have 13 children who are now pursuing their adult careers and located across the U.S.
With Richards’ hiring, responsibilities for three current staff members were redefined to improve efficiency in delivering customer service. Advance Service Consultant Kate Rector, who had been covering the northwest states, will now provide on-farm service in California and Nevada. Greg Lavan adds Michigan to his current assignment of Ohio. Director of Field Service Kristin Paul will provide service to current and prospective Jersey owners located in Wisconsin and Illinois.
World Ag Expo Forage Challenge winner named
A total of $18,000 in cash prizes was awarded to winners of the 2013 World Ag Expo Forage Challenge, Feb. 12.
Farmers and ranchers from 11 western states were invited to enter the competition, presented by Mycogen Seeds. Entries were judged in three categories: alfalfa hay, standard corn silage and brown mid-rib (BMR) corn silage. Cash prizes were awarded based on forage lab analyses, along with a visual evaluation of the entries by experts in dairy nutrition and forage production.
Finalists were chosen from more than 90 entries submitted from the western United States. Lallemand Animal Nutrition North America sponsored $18,000 in contest awards and prizes. First-place winners in all three categories received $3,000; second-place winners were awarded; $2,000 and $1,000 was given to third-place winners.
2013 World Ag Expo Forage Challenge Winners
Alfalfa Hay
1) David Hinman, Hardrock Farms Inc., Wheatland, WY
2) Daryl Tiltrum, Dipper Tree Sheep LLC, Wheatland, WY
3) Rick and Kim Perigo, Valiant Penny Hay Co., Lun, NV
Corn Silage BMR
1) Jake Bosma, Bosma Milk Co. Tipton, California
2) Mike Barcellos, Monster Dairy, Newman, California
3) Tony Louters, Tony Louters Dairy, Merced, California
Corn Silage Non-BMR
1) Dino Giacomazzi, Giocomazzi Dairy/Farms, Hanford, CA
2) Kelly Callahan, Royal Turf Farms, Royal City, WA
3) Bert Weststeyn, Weststeyn Dairy, Linden, CA
Samples of the finalists' entries are on display in World Ag Expo's Hospitality Center on East Greenbelt and Median Street. World Ag Expo runs through Feb. 14, in Tulare, Calif.
Dairy health meetings planned in Washington State
Washington State University Veterinary Medicine Extension is sponsoring five meetings throughout the state for dairy farm health management decision makers (owners, managers and veterinarians). The programs will provide updates on lameness and “Good Health Records” projects. All sessions star at 11 a.m. and include lunch. Dates and locations include:
• March 11 - Bon Vino's Bistro, Sunnyside, Wash.
• March 12 - Kit Carson Restaurant & Sports Lounge, Chehalis, Wash
• March 13 -The Village Restaurant & Lounge, Marysville, Wash
• March 14 - Fairway Café, Lynden, Wash
• March 15 - Porterhouse Steakhouse, Moses Lake, Wash
For additional information, contact the Washington State Dairy Federation <wendy.wsdf@comcast.net>
Methane Expo 2013 planned at Vancouver, March 12-15
The premier international forum dedicated to promoting the recovery and use of methane, Methane Expo 2013, will be held in Vancouver, Canada on March 12-15. The program is designed for project developers, policymakers, financiers, manufacturers, technology suppliers and developers, and government representatives.
The agriculture session participants will:
- • explore key technical, financial and policy issues related to overcoming challenges with anaerobic digester implementation
- • learn about engaging case studies
- • discuss tools and technical considerations for biogas projects and project financing options
In addition, agriculture participants join the Municipal Solid Waste and Municipal Wastewater attendees for discussions related to the use and promotion of biogas, regardless of its source.
Register soon to take advantage of discounted hotel room rates! The deadline for discounted hotel room rates is Feb. 11. Register online at http://www.globalmethane.org/news-events/mi29.aspx#one.
For more information visit http://www.epa.gov/agstar.
Dairy equipment eligible for Washington State cost-sharing
Washington dairy producers may be eligible for dairy equipment upgrade cost-sharing funds through the 2013 Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program (NRCS-EQIP).
Washington State has secured over $6 million in cost-share dollars for fiscal year 2013. The program covers scroll-compressors, plate coolers, pumps, motors, fans, lighting, variable frequency drives and more.
To enroll, contact your local NRCS Field Office. For more information, download a program flyer at USDA NRCS Energy Initiative
WSDF adds government affairs director
The Washington State Dairy Federation (WSDF) added Dan Wood as Director of Government Affairs, effective Jan. 1. Wood, of Monterano, Wash., has served as a local elected official, as a field manager and lobbyist for Washington Farm Bureau, and has extensive experience with issue and candidate campaigns.
WSDF is a non-profit trade association representing dairy producers on a wide variety of local, state and federal legislative and regulatory issues. The voluntary membership organization represents approximately 460 dairy producers, working to promote a successful dairy business climate.
Dairy Producer Ag Employee Workshops offered in Minnesota, Dakotas
South Dakota and North Dakota State University Extension, the Southwest Minnesota Dairy Profit Group and University of Minnesota Extension will host Ag Employee Management Workshops at three more sites in 2013. Workshops will focus on hiring, motivating and retaining employees. Each participant or producer will receive a follow-up, on-farm visit approximately five to six months after attending the workshop.
Each workshop will consist of four sessions with the following topics:
- Session one: Hiring: Getting the Right People on Board, which will include information on building a reputation as a great employer, inventory of labor needs and development of job descriptions.
- Session two: Hiring: continued... will include information on recruiting and evaluating applicants, conducting effective interviews and how to check references and hiring.
- Session three: Motivating: Recognize the Supervisor's Role, which will include information on understanding the Hispanic culture and Motivating: Recognize the Supervisor's Role, which will include information on engaging employees, defining workplace expectations, providing appropriate training and communicating effective feedback.
- Session four: Retaining: Keeping Employees on Dairy Team, which will include information on creating a fair and competitive compensation package, encouraging career management planning and documentation - what is needed.
Remaining workshops are scheduled at the following locations:
• Pipestone, Minn. - Jan. 8, 15, 22 & 29, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Sioux Falls - Jan. 10, 17, 24 & 31, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Jamestown, N.D. - March 20 & 21 and April 3 & 4, 1-9 p.m. the first day and 8 a.m.-noon the second day.
See the workshop brochure for details. Registration is limited and due at least one week before each meeting. Single registration is $125/person; each additional person from the same operation is $80. Registration includes meals and materials.
Nielsen wins 2012 UDI Milk Quality Award
BOISE, Idaho – The 2012 Idaho Milk Quality Award was presented at the 2012 United Dairymen of Idaho (UDI) annual meeting. Dairy processors nominated 15 dairies for the award, which recognizes excellence and superior milk quality.
Wynn Nielsen of Hawarden Jerseys, Inc., Weston, was named overall winner of the 2012 Idaho Milk Quality Award. His dairy was nominated by Gossner Foods, Inc.
Other nominated dairy producers included: Lynn Pack, Pac-Ka-Dee Dairy, Idaho Falls, nominated by Dairy Farmers of America; John Rietkerk, Rietkerk #2 Dairy, Wendell, Glanbia Foods; Tom Heida, Box Canyon #3 Dairy, Wendell, Glanbia Foods; Danny Crane, D&S Crane Dairy, LLC, Kimberly, High Desert Milk; Don Aardema, Double A Dairy, Wendell, Idaho Milk Products; Anna Standley, Si-Ann Dairy, Jerome, Independent Milk Producers; Jeannie Wolverton, Box Canyon #1 Dairy, Wendell, Innovative Solutions; Greg and Darla Vierstra,,Classic Dairy, Kimberly, Jerome Cheese; Jack Verbree, Jack Verbree Jr Dairy #5, Wendell, Jerome Cheese; Daryl Hilt, Hilt Dairy/C&M Dairy, Gooding, Magic Valley Quality Milk Producers; Carl and Doyle Allen, Allen Farms, Victor, Nelson Ricks Creamery; Gerald Withers, Withers Dairy, New Plymouth, Northwest Dairy Association; James Bazil, J-O Bazil Dairy, Rigby, Snake River Dairymen’s Association; and Adrian Kroes and Mike Siegersma, SunRidge Dairy, Nampa, Sorrento Lactalis.
Washington State Dairy Award
At the annual meeting of the Washington State Dairy Federation held in Cle Elum, Wash., Federation President Tony Freeman, left, dairy producer and board member for eight years, received the Appreciation Award from Tony Veiga, right, longtime Federation leader and current vice president. More than 250 people attended the events along with 21 commercial exhibitors. Updates on milk promotion, environmental regulation and dairy export activities were meeting highlights.
Lee inducted into Idaho Dairy Hall of Fame
BOISE, Idaho – Art Lee of New Plymouth was inducted into the Idaho Dairy Hall of Fame at the United Dairymen of Idaho (UDI) 2012 annual meeting held in Boise.
Lee has worked in agriculture his entire life. In 1966, when he moved to New Plymouth to farm with his wife’s family, he focused on the 30-cow dairy, which has been in continuous production for 46 years.
Today, Lee manages the farm with his son. The diversified operation consists of dairy cattle, stock cows, a feedlot for steers and heifers, as well as 1,250 acres of irrigated land, raising alfalfa, corn, sugar beets, peppermint, wheat and asparagus.
Lee earned his FFA State Farmer degree in high school and a bachelor’s of science in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Idaho in 1962.
He is a member of the American Jersey Cattle Association, the Holstein Association, the U.S. Aryshire Breeders’ Association, and the Brown Swiss Association. Registered cattle comprise a portion of the herd at Sunnyside Farm.
Lee has been a member of Payette Valley DHIA for more than 30 years, and on the Idaho State DHIA board for 10 years.
Lee served on the UDI board, and was chairman of Idaho Dairy Products Commission. He also was UDI representative to the Idaho Beef Council.
He served for five years as a local advisor for the Northwest Farm Credit Services, and then served nine years with the Spokane regional Northwest Farm Credit Services Board. During this time, Farm Credit Services supported much of the growth of the Idaho dairy industry, especially in the Magic Valley.
Throughout his career Lee has served on University of Idaho Dairy Extension advisory boards, and has been a member of the University of Idaho Animal and Veterinary Science Advisory Board for more than seven years.
Lee and his wife Frieda were 4-H leaders for 30 years. Lee has been active in the Treasure Valley and Malheur County Dairy Replacement Heifer Project for 12 and 5 years, respectively. Sunnyside Farm has hosted numerous tours of the dairy for young school children.
Lee is a recipient of the Ed Fiez Idaho State DHIA Distinguished Service Award. Lee is also received the prestigious Idaho Governor’s Award for Excellence in Agriculture.
Western Canadian Dairy Seminar set
Alberta, Canada – The Western Canadian Dairy Seminar will be held March 5-8, in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Theme for this year’s program is “Dairy Health is Dairy Wealth.”
Three separate programs kick off activities on March 5, including a tour of three local dairy farms, as well as two workshops – one for producers and one for nutritionists.
The March 6 program includes sessions on current and future challenges In dairying, reproduction, and the dairy industry-consumer continuum.
March 7 topics include new approaches and technologies in dairying, feeding and forages, digital dermatitis and lameness.
For more information, visit www.wcds.ca/
Woodburn is ‘friend of the dairy industry’
BOISE, Idaho – United Dairymen of Idaho presented Dr. Carl Woodburn, DVM, with the 2012 “Friend of the Industry Award” at the UDI annual meeting, held in Boise.
Woodburn began his veterinary practice in Caldwell in 1981. In 1984, he started Dairy Herd Health, a dairy-only practice with three herds, as well as Farm City Animal Supply, providing supplies to livestock producers. Carl began providing dairymen with computerized cow records on a small AT&T computer. He also started providing the first dairy nutritional services in conjunction with Kevin Stott.
In the earlier days, he would drive to Twin Falls early in the morning and do a few herd checks and drive home in the evening. After being on call 24/7 for 13 years, Woodburn hired another veterinarian to help the growing practice, changing the name to Herd Health, LLC.
Herd Health still provides services to dairies in the Magic Valley, and has continued to grow with Idaho’s dairy industry, now including seven practicing veterinarians. Woodburn sold the Farm City Supply to Walco International, in 2006.
Tillamook building digester
Port of Tillamook Bay (POTB), the 1,600-acre industrial park on the Oregon coast, is planning for early-spring completion of its new $5.6 million manure anaerobic digester and 1.2 MW electricity generator.
The new facility, designed and built by DariTech, Inc., will replace the smaller, plug-flow digester POTB has been using since 2003. That system produces enough electricity to power about 400 homes, about half the generating capacity of the system under construction, said POTB General Manager Michele Bradley. Construction, which began in late July, will be complete by mid February, with commissioning to take about two months, according to DariTech spokesman Steve Peerce. “Hand off” to the Port is expected in mid-May.
The plant, sited within the foundation of a former World War II blimp hangar, will process manure from the equivalent of 5,000 milking Holsteins from Tillamook community dairies. Manure will be delivered in tanker trucks; treated effluent will be returned to the dairies for agricultural application.
A touch screen at the load/unload station communicates directly with the system PLC, allowing tracking of all incoming and outgoing material. No substrates will be digested with the manure. The new system has three 1-million gallon insulated tanks – two for digestion and a third for “finishing” the effluent, according to Bradley.
There are also two 250,000-gallon storage tanks, one for receiving manure and the other for off-load back to the farms that are bringing manure to POTB. A 4,400 square foot building will house solids dewatering and fiber processing operations.
The plant will provide electricity to the Tillamook People’s Utility District. A 2G Cenergy 1.2 MW combined heat and power system is being installed. POTB plans to sell the fiber by-product to nurseries and other horticultural users across the Pacific Northwest and northern California.
Northwest FCS sends aid for Hurricane Sandy farm victims
Northwest Farm Credit Services, serving agriculture, commercial fishing and forest product producers in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, has donated $15,000 to support Farm Credit East Cares efforts relating to Hurricane Sandy.
The Farm Credit East Cares program provides personal donations of up to $500 to assist farm families that suffered damage or loss as a result of this natural disaster, and is also making contributions to food banks. It is supported by contributions from individuals, Farm Credit East and CoBank.
“Northwest Farm Credit Services is a great partner for Farm Credit East,” said Farm Credit East CEO Bill Lipinski. “With their help we will be able to provide additional financial assistance to food banks involved in serving those impacted by Hurricane Sandy and to farm families.”
Farm families in New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island that were directly impacted by Hurricane Sandy and have experienced damage and/or losses in excess of $10,000 as a result are encouraged to apply for Farm Credit East Cares. It is not limited to Farm Credit East customers. For more information, or to submit an application, visit FarmCreditEast.com or a local Farm Credit East office. All applications need to be received by Dec. 7.
WSDF seeks EPA report review, comment period extension
The Washington State Dairy Federation (WSDF) is urging the state's dairy producers to take action before a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) environmental report comment period ends on Nov. 30.
On Sept. 20, EPA released a report, "Relation Between Nitrate in Water Wells and Potential Sources in the Lower Yakima Valley, Washington" (available at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/water.nsf/gwpu/lyakimagw). After EPA issued the report, two environmental groups served several Yakima Valley, Wash. dairy farms with 90-day “Notice of Intent to Sue” letters, alleging the farms committed repeated violations of federal environmental laws.
WSDF contends the report, which states that dairy farms are the primary source of groundwater contamination in the region, “was developed using extremely poor scientific standards, leading to equally flawed conclusions.” WSDF has assembled scientists and technical experts to develop detailed review(s) of the EPA report. WSDF has also requested that EPA extend the current public comment period deadline of Nov. 30 until all primary data used to create the EPA report is made available.
In a Nov. 20 letter to Washington producers, WSDF executive director Jay Gordon warned that the implications of the EPA report have the potential to affect all dairy farmers in the state.
“Based on their report, EPA has taken the additional step of instigating legal action against the four Yakima dairy families who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study,” Gordon said. “These dairies have been issued Consent Orders that contain a litany of costly requirements that if implemented, will likely put these farms out of business.
“These dairies, like most, have invested massive amounts of time, money and labor into implementing scientifically-based nutrient management practices that have been inspected by third party governmental organizations like the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA),” Gordon continued. “To assist them, we have been working diligently with our major cooperatives and associations in other states to create a legal defense fund so that individual producers are no longer left to fend for themselves in matters that will ultimately affect us all.”
Gordon urged Washington producers to submit personal comments regarding their environmental stewardship to EPA by the Nov. 30 deadline. The report and comment submission page can be found by entering "EPA Yakima groundwater" into your browser or by going to: http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/water.nsf/gwpu/lyakimagw
He also recommended all producers make sure their nutrient management plans are up to date, asking them to contact a local conservation district or private nutrient management planner to assist with updating their plans.
John H. Snell of Washington leaves charitable bequest to AJCC Research Foundation
A charitable bequest at the Research Builder level has been received by the AJCC Research Foundation from the estate of John “Jack” Henry Snell, who after an early career as an ag educator operated the Kittitas Registered Jersey™ herd on the family farm near Ellensburg, Wash.
Foundation trustee Neal Smith noted, “This gift of $9,250 demonstrates not only Jack Snell’s devotion to the Jersey cow, but also his foresight in making a lasting financial contribution to support scientific research that will improve her production, efficiency and longevity.”
Jack Snell passed away on March 16, 2012 at the age of 83. He purchased his first Registered Jersey in 1950. A graduate of Washington State University, he taught agriculture and farm shop in the Orting and Ellensburg high schools before returning to the home farm. He became a lifetime member of The American Jersey Cattle Club and utilized its herd improvement services until his retirement from dairying in 1994.
Across Snell’s 44 year career, Kittitas Jerseys were sold to buyers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and California. When he decided to retire from dairying in 1994, the herd of nearly 80 cows and heifers was sold to Forest Glen Jerseys, Dayton, Ore., which later exported two Snell-bred heifers to Japan. In retirement, Snell traveled to all 50 states and cruised much of the world with his wife Louise, who preceded him in death.
Contact Dr. Cherie Bayer, Director of Development of the American Jersey Cattle Association, at 614/322-4456 or cbayer@usjersey.com with any questions about naming the AJCC Research Foundation in a will or living trust.
Virtual Farm Tour to feature Martin Dairy of Oregon
Martin Dairy LLC, a Registered Jersey™ dairy farm located in Tillamook, Ore., will be one of eight U.S. operations featured as a Virtual Farm Tour at the 2012 World Dairy Expo.
The program, which will be presented by Norman H. Martin, will start at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 3 in Mendota 1 meeting room in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis. The American Jersey Cattle Association is the program sponsor.
The storyline of Martin Dairy LLC winds its way from the Azores and Brazil to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the date when Norm Martin's grandfather arrived with his new wife on their way to the Holstein dairy he had already established near Oakland. Within two decades, the herd was moved south and increased to 300 cows, requiring 10 milkers. Norm grew up on the dairy as it modernized and continued to grow, into a management role in 1971, then complete ownership in 1975.
In 1995, Norm, his wife Gwen and their family moved to Tillamook to become producers for Tillamook County Creamery Association. In the beginning, the herd was set up to be 50% Holstein cows and 50% Jerseys. For almost four years, the herd was evenly split: “two separate pens of Jerseys, two pens of Holsteins, same milkers, same feed rations, everything exactly the same.” Norm determined that while gross sales were higher for the Holsteins, the net returns from the Jerseys were greater.
In early 1998, the decision was made to convert the herd to all-Jersey and it has increased to over 1,100 cows in milk. The 2011 lactation average was 18,331 pounds milk, averaging 5.0% fat and 3.7% protein, with 13 cows scored Excellent, 509 Very Good and 386 Desirable.
Genetic improvement is Norm’s lifelong passion, as demonstrated by the fact that he served 30 years on the All-West/Select Sires Board. For him, the conversion to Jerseys after 30 years of breeding Holsteins presented a steep learning curve, but using the services available from the American Jersey Cattle Association made it much easier to achieve his breeding goals.
“We register everything. We score every cow. Inbreeding is a real concern. I use the JerseyMate™ mating service and select for cheese yield. The program figures out what bulls we are going to use so that I don’t have to worry about it. The neat thing about JerseyMate™ is that you get three choices, and I still get to make my own decisions.”
With the introduction of cost-effective genotyping services, Norm quickly put this tool to work in his breeding program. As of August 2012, 614 females have been genotyped at Martin Dairy and have an average Cheese Merit of $440. Today Martin Dairy ranks sixth in the country for herd average Jersey Performance Index™.
Martin Dairy LLC is run with clockwork precision, uncompromising attention to detail, and total dedication to cow care and comfort. Any day of the week, any hour of the day—the Martin Dairy is visitor-ready. Because of that, the Martin family hosts dozens of tours each year, by people from across the world who have come to Tillamook to see the Tillamook County Creamery Association operation. What they see is a great herd of highly productive, profitable Jersey cows that is increasingly becoming a source of superior genetics for A.I.
Other Virtual Farm Tours feature dairy businesses located in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Arizona, Minnesota, Kansas, and Michigan. All presentations will be recorded and available for viewing on World Dairy Expo’s website after the show.
Criteser named Tillamook County Creamery Association CEO
Oregon native Patrick Criteser will take the helm of Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA), a farmer-owned dairy cooperative as president and CEO, Aug. 20. He succeeds Harold Strunk, who retired in June.
Criteser spent the past eight years in the coffee industry, most recently as president and CEO at Coffee Bean Int. Prior to that, he held management and strategic development roles at Nike, Walt Disney Company and Procter & Gamble.
Established in 1909, the 105-dairy farm family TCCA produces cheeses, ice cream, butter, sour cream and yogurt.
IDA applauds call for RFS waiver
The Idaho Dairymen’s Association (IDA) thanked the state's congressional delegation for supporting a request for the U.S, Environmental Protection Agency to waive Renewable Fuel Standard ethanol mandates.
U.S. Reps. Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador and Sens. Mike Crapo (and Jim Risch, all Republicans, signed onto recent letters from Congress requesting that EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson use her administrative authority to grant a waiver of the RFS, in light of this year’s drought.
“Idaho Dairymen’s Association supports the ethanol mandate waiver and we thank Mike Crapo, Jim Risch, Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador for going to bat for us on runaway feed costs,” said Jerome dairy producer and IDA president Mike Roth. “Profit margins for dairy producers are already in the red, in many cases and the short corn crop resulting from the Midwest drought will only make that situation worse. Surely this is a year to step back from the ‘food vs. fuel’ debate and give our dairy farmers a break,” Roth said.
The RFS allows the EPA administrator to reduce the amount of renewable fuels that must be blended into gasoline if the economy or environment could be harmed by the requirement. The mandate calls for 16.55 billion gallons of renewable fuel to be blended into gasoline in 2013. About 80% of renewable fuel for blending is typically ethanol made from corn.
Northwest milk hauling charges analyzed
The Pacific Northwest federal milk marketing order’s market administrator’s office recently released a study of hauling charges of milk pooled on the Pacific Northwest order.
Major findings of the study include:
• In May 2011, the weighted average hauling charges on the Pacific Northwest Order was 60.34¢/cwt., up 0.47¢ from May 2010.
• By state, Oregon had the lowest weighted average hauling charge, followed by Idaho, California and Washington.
• In general, hauling charges in the Northwest appear to be determined by the density of farms in a region; the size of dairy farms and their proximity to metropolitan areas or areas of intense milk processing. Although the size of a dairy farm could be an economic factor used to determine hauling charges, such a direct relationship is not clearly evident in the data.
• Based on producer milk pooled, the average monthly deliveries per producer for the Pacific Northwest Order was 1.22 million pounds, a 146,242-lb. increase from May 2010.
A copy of the full study can be found at www.fmmaseattle.com/statistics/Haulstudy11.pdf.
Two Oregon dairies fined for water discharge violations in Tillamook Watershed
In the spring of last year, water quality inspections were conducted in Oregon’s Tillamook watershed. Inspectors from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and The Oregon Department of Agriculture visited 22 facilities across the basin, finding two that had water quality discharge violations.
Dila Dairy and River End Dairy, LLC, located in Nehalem, were found to be discharging in violation of the Clean Water Act’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and the Oregon Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation permit.
The inspections were part of routine monitoring of the Tillamook Watershed, which drains to Tillamook Bay. EPA’s National Estuary Program includes Tillamook Bay.
River End Dairy was found to be discharging wastewater in violation of their NPDES permit from the Main Barn to the Nehalem River. EPA subsequently signed a settlement with River End Dairy that included a $6,300 penalty.
Dila Dairy was also found to be discharging to the Nehalem River in violation of its NPDES Permit from several locations, including discharges from a dry storage area and two barns. Dila Dairy’s infractions were resolved after they signed a settlement with EPA and paid a $10,000 penalty.
