Tougher organic milk and meat rules

The organic milk and meat world will change significantly on June 17, when stricter new regulations defining it go into effect. The new standards were announced by USDA earlier this month after several years of study and discussion requested by organic producer groups, food companies, and consumer organizations.

At the heart of the new rules is a precise definition of how much time cattle producing organic milk or meat must spend on pasture: at least four months each year, although they need not be consecutive. Another precise stipulation that figures to be more difficult to measure is that at least 30 percent of their feed intake must come from grazing. Previously, the only stipulation was that cows needed have access to pasture.

The new rules come at a time when adverse effects of recession in the general economy are taking a bite out of organic product sales. For several years, proponents boasted about the huge annual percentage growth in organic sales and dairy numbers but did not mention the actual totals involved. According to a USDA analysis released February 25 that detailed a slowdown in organic growth, the number of organic milk cows in 2005 was 86,000 (just under 1 percent) and organic milk’s total U.S. fluid market share in 2008 was just 3 percent.

The analysis said the recession is having a major impact on organic dairies in ways besides just a slowdown in retail sales. Organic production costs are estimated to be $4.78 per hundredweight higher than conventional dairies. In addition, average organic herd size is about 50 percent smaller and production per cow is about 30 percent less, both of which limit production efficiency and scales of economy. A lengthy and costly conversion period is also required for existing conventional dairies to be certified for organic production.

Smaller drop in cows and milk expected

Cow numbers and milk production may not drop as much this year as expected earlier, according to USDA's dairy outlook report released yesterday. The size of the U.S. dairy herd is expected to decline from an average of 9.2 million head in 2009 to an average of 9.015 million
this year. The big heifer inventory suggests that the decline in herd size will be more gradual than earlier forecast.

Milk per cow is forecast to increase 1.8 percent this year, to 20,950 pounds from
20,576 pounds last year.

Feed prices will decline as the price of corn is expected to average $3.45 to $3.95 per bushel in the 2009/10 marketing year and soybean meal is forecast to average $270 to $320 per ton. These forecast prices represent substantial declines from $4.20 per bushel for corn and $336 per ton for soybean meal posted for 2008/09. The resulting Milk-Feed Price ratio's will not be enough to create expansion, but they could limit the rate of decline in milk production.

Year-ending stocks in 2009 were about 12 percent higher on a milk equivalent fat basis than at the end of 2008, mostly due to especially high cheese stocks. On a milk equivalent skim-solid basis, stocks were about 3 percent higher.

USDA forecasts dairy product exports to rise substantially in 2010 compared with 2009’s depressed levels. Exports are projected to increase from 4.0 to 4.8 billion pounds on a milk equivalent fat basis and from 22.7 to 25.7 billion pounds on a milk equivalent skim-solid basis.

Domestic commercial use, on a skim-solid basis, is forecast to increase to 168.3 billion pounds in 2010 from 166.4 billion in 2009 and to rise to 188.8 billion pounds from 186.2 billion on a fat basis. Commercial use rose in 2009, mostly due to low prices, but the commercial use forecast this year will hinge more on the strength of economic recovery in light of higher
expected prices.

Cheese prices are forecast higher in 2010, at $1.575 to $1.645 per pound. Likewise, butter prices will strengthen in 2010 averaging $1.395 to $1.495 per pound. Prices for dry products will also rise this year. NDM prices are forecast to average $1.175 to $1.235 per pound and whey to average 37.5 to 40.5 cents per pound in 2010.

Based on product price forecasts, milk prices will rise in 2010 from those of 2009. The Class IV price is expected to be $13.95 to $14.75 per cwt, and the Class III price is projected to average $14.90 to $15.60 per cwt. The all milk price is expected to be $16.20 to 16.90 per cwt in 2010.

A fatal flaw in cheese making that you could be causing

Black spot defect is known as a fatal flaw in cheese making. These minute flecks of black in aged cheeses mean serious devaluation of cheese. They are formed because of the metallic nature of compounds that find their way into the milk line. The likely cause is poor removal of internal teat sealants. These internal teat sealants are hydrophobic, too, so they stick to our stainless steel milk lines and processing equipment. Scott Rankin from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Keith Engle with GEA Farm Technologies discussed the issue during the recent meeting of Wisconsin dairy plant field representatives.

Internal teat sealants can dramatically reduce mastitis during the dry period and early in lactation. However, making sure teats are thoroughly cleaned out is essential."Prevention in administration and removal is definitely key, along with using milk filters while washing," Engel says. Be sure to pinch the very top of the teat when administering the sealant and when removing it. When removing, be sure to strip each teat 10 to 15 times before attaching the milking unit. If some does enter the milk line, it isn't easy to clean out. A very simple foam sponge is probably your best bet.

We believe in the future of agriculture — Happy National FFA Week

Saturday began a week-long celebration for the nation's largest youth-led organization. National FFA Week lasts through Saturday. The organization boasts a membership of over a half-million students in 7,429 chapters across the United States.

At the organization's 3rd National Convention, a creed written by E.M. Tiffany was adopted. An updated version was adopted at their 38th and 63rd convention. Some of you who participated in the organization's Creed Speaking competition may be able to recite the entire creed still today. For those of you who can't, we'd encourage you to read it below; it is inspiring how much of it still rings true today.

I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds — achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.

I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.

I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.

I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so — for others, as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.

I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.

After rough years like 2009 it is good to get a reminder that agriculture is challenging, but it is rewarding. E.M. Tiffany clearly knew the importance of being a skilled business man, the importance of perseverance, and our "inborn" passion for what we do. Happy National FFA Week to all 506,199 members— we are proud to call you our future.

Farm numbers fall just 3.8 percent to 54,952

Despite low milk prices and rising costs, the majority of dairy producers continued to milk cows last year. What remains to be seen is how the recent depressed economic conditions, both on the income and expense side of the ledger, will affect long-term dairy farm numbers.

For the moment, last year’s 2,185 drop in dairy operations with permits to sell milk represents the second smallest drop in actual numbers. It was last year’s drop of 2,003 dairy farms that set the low mark for losses since milk permit tracking began in 1992. On a percentage basis, dairy farm numbers dropped only 3.8 percent from the previous year. That’s the fourth-smallest-ever percentage drop since count began.

Since 1992, the drop in licensed or so-called commercial dairy farms has been 76,567, from 131,509 to 2009s 54,942. That’s a drop of 58 percent during that time. The farms counted in this survey are those that have a permit to sell milk. This number differs from another USDA estimate . . . operations with milk cows. That total now is 65,000 and has declined 103,500 or 61.9 percent since 1992.

For only the second time since the survey began, the West led all regions for the largest share of farms losses at 5 percent. With the West’s higher than usual losses, it was the first time since 2002 that the Southeast didn’t lead the nation in dairy farm losses. Since 1992, however, the Southeast’s operations fell from 12,057 to 3,845 . . . a drop of 8,212 or 68 percent.

For a full report, check out page 167 of the March 10 issue which will be in the mail shortly.

MilkProd-02-19-2010-1.pdf

Make a bowl of popcorn and check out this website

Ladies and gentlemen it’s showtime at last.

One of the best surprises we’ve had in a long time arrived in our e-mail on Tuesday this week, from the Center for Consumer Freedom in Washington D.C. announcing it has formed HumaneWatch.org to be a watchdog to fan away the smoke and clear the mirrors of propaganda spewed by the Humane Society of the United States.

Pinch us because it feels like a dream.

In the announcement, CCF Director of Research David Martosko said, “Nearly one million Americans donate money to HSUS every year, and most are completely unaware that they’re bankrolling PETA-style propaganda, far-reaching anti-meat campaigns, a huge staff of lawyers, and bloated pension plans for HSUS executives.

“Donors deserve to know exactly how their money is being spent,” he continued. “HumaneWatch will create an open dialogue for farmers, scientists, fashion designers, entertainers, and countless Americans who love both their pets and their chicken sandwiches.”

Browse through the HumaneWatch website and you’ll see no shortage of critical questions and fact-supported statements that paint a picture of HSUS as a relentless fund-raising machine, rather than a benevolent savior of unwanted pets that its tear-jerker TV commercials want people to believe. Among HumaneWatch’s most recent entries is a connect-the-dot sequence that strongly suggests HSUS’s claimed membership of 11 million – which it wields like a bludgeon over the heads of politicians – is actually only 420,000.

Yes, we are positively giddy that HumaneWatch is putting HSUS and its one-sided tactics under the microscope. We’re also going to pull up a chair and watch, and we can’t wait to see what happens. Extra butter anyone?

Dairy farmers join with NFL and USDA

As you watched National Football League games this past season, you probably saw the commercials promoting Play 60. That’s the NFL’s initiative to promote 60 minutes of activity every day for youngsters. Through our check-off dollars and National Dairy Council, those of us in the dairy industry are part of a related campaign Fuel Up To Play 60.

The program gained momentum when it was endorsed by USDA during a ceremony last month at Central Park East Middle School in New York City. The campaign brings together the NFL, National Dairy Council, multiple health organizations, and several major corporations, including Kraft Foods, Domino's Pizza, Leprino, and LaLa. All 32 NFL teams are participating in the program through local dairy councils and schools in their respective markets.

The signing ceremony involved Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, as well as Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, and Tom Gallagher, CEO of Dairy Management Inc., who are shown here.

NFL players present included Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers; Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars; and Kevin Boss, New York Giants. Dairy farmers present included Zach Meyers, North Carolina; Skip Hardie, New York; and Paula Meabon, Pennsylvania.

As dairy farmers, we have committed $50 million per year to the campaign for five years. Funding is expected to grow as government, business, communities, and families join this effort to improve nutrient-rich food choices and achieve 60 minutes of physical activity each day among children. More than 58,000, or 60 percent, of the nation’s 96,000 private and public schools are currently enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60.

Goal of the campaign is to fight and defeat childhood obesity. Based on the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the program empowers students in grades 4 through 10 to engage their peers to “fuel up” with nutrient-rich foods they often lack – particularly low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains – and “get up and play” with 60 minutes of daily physical activity.

Ben and Jerry's stance on the environment, BST, organics, and farm profitability: You might be surprised

Ben and Jerry's ice cream of Waterbury, Vt. is home to the largest tourist attraction in the state of Vermont. Nearly a half million visitors walk through their processing facilities each year. Let's not forget to mention their nationwide popularity, too. Outlandish flavors like Cherry Garcia are among the most popular. But with this popularity comes a responsibility, they think. Andrea Asch is the manager of natural resources for Ben and Jerry's and recently spoke at the Dairy Business Innovation Center's Profitability and Environmental Sustainability in the Dairy Industry conference held last week in Madison, Wis. Asch answered tough questions about Ben and Jerry's stance on hot-button dairy foods issues while also discussing their one-of-a-kind Stewardship Alliance.

As part of their corporate responsibility plan, Ben and Jerry's developed the Dairy Stewardship Alliance — a partnership between themselves, St. Albans Cooperative Creamery (all of their milk comes from this creamery), and the University of Vermont. The project aims to further the sustainability of their product and the farms that produce their milk. An on-farm assessment tool helps farms become more aware of their social, environmental, and economic practices. In addition, the program equips farms with information on how to continuously reduce their impact on the environment. You can learn more about this program and its modules here.

Ben and Jerry's does not allow farms to use BST and although BST has been shown to reduce carbon footprint, Asch says, "We took a holistic approach to that [BST], and part of that is cow health." You might expect a company with such an extensive sustainability approach to also be engaged in organic production — not so. The ice cream maker had an organic line for a short time but discontinued it after a short run.

Sustainability isn't just about the environment and hot-button issues like BST and organics. We think the definition of sustainable farming must mention on-farm profitability and long-term farm survival. So, does Ben and Jerry's guarantee producers that they will make a profit while adhering to their rigorous "earth-friendly" programs? "We can't guarantee anyone anything," Asch says. "We hope to give producers the tools to do that, but we can't guarantee it."

Holstein has a new milk production record-holder

Ever-Green-View My 1326 -ET now holds the record for most milk produced in one single lactation by a Holstein. She is bred and owned by Thomas J. Kestell of Waldo, Wis. After a 365-day lactation, 1326-ET produced 72,170 pounds of milk, with 2,787 pounds of fat and 2,142 pounds of protein. That' a lot. A whole lot. What does that equate to? We did the math.
8,295 gallons of milk
or
If the average person drank three 8 oz. glasses of milk each day, she would have been able to sustain about 121 people each day for one year!
or
about 7,217 pounds of cheese — that's enough for 115,472 cheeseburgers (each with one ounce of cheese)

"She's always been a really good milk cow, and a very solid type cow," owner Tom Kestell says. "This record wasn't hard on her – she looks great and feels great. She just wasn't stressed out at all, just like the rest of her family." Ever-Green-View My 1326- ET, and was 4 years, 5 months when she made her record-breaking lactation. She is a Stouder Morty-ET daughter and is classified Excellent at 92 points. The farm — Ever-Green-View is owned Tom and Gin Kestell, with son Chris involved in the operation. They have 130 cows with a BAA of 109.7 percent and a Rolling Herd Average of 35,151 pounds of milk, 1,351 pounds of fat, and 1,083 pounds of protein. Congratulations on this incredible accomplishment!

Veal producers adopt ethics standards

Delegates to the 2010 American Veal Association (AVA) annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas, adopted a statement of ethical principles and code of conduct as a way to articulate veal industry principles and confirm an industry commitment to “veal raised right.”

"Veal producers recognize that consumers, restaurants, retailers, and policy makers want to know that they can count on the veal industry to provide humane care and sustainable practices,” said AVA President, Chip Lines-Burgess. “By adopting and embracing these principles, we can help our consumers and customers better understand our commitment to producing safe, nutritious food, protecting the environment, caring for our animals, providing a safe, rewarding work environment and contributing to our communities.”

The ethical principles and code of conduct were initiated as a project of a veal-checkoff-funded committee and were identified by a cross section of veal industry participants during a working session in July 2009. The draft language was distributed to the veal industry with a survey for feedback and to determine whether the proposed ethical principles fairly represent the guiding values of today’s veal. The final document was submitted to the AVA delegates in an effort to bring full industry alignment to the principles that guide today’s veal industry. To view the standards, download the file at the end of this blog.

“The veal industry is well on its way to meeting a voluntary effort to transition all veal farms to group housing by 2017, “ said Lines-Burgess. “The adoption of the ethical principles and code of conduct reflects our continued commitment to provide leadership in the areas most important to our customers and consumers. We will continue to work with farmers and others in the industry to ensure they are incorporated into all aspects of veal calf well-being and farm management practices.”

The American Veal Association represents 1,000 producers, processors and others involved in the $1.5 billion U.S. veal industry. Veal producers purchase calves at 100 pounds, raising them until they reach a market weight of 475 to 500 pounds. Veal producers contribute $350 million to the dairy industry through purchase of dairy by-products and male calves. The veal industry purchases 5.5 percent of all the milk solids produced in the United States.

Veal_Standards.pdf

A quantum leap in automated dairy data collection

Technological breakthroughs and new automation are what dairy producers have come to expect at World Ag Expo in Tulare, Calif., but an announcement by the world’s largest dairy equipment company during the 2010 show this week still has our heads spinning.

To put it simply, management of three of the biggest profit-draining problems on dairies – mastitis, heat detection, and subclinical ketosis – may have just became fast, easy, and accurate.

In a special press briefing February 9, DeLaval said “Herd Navigator,” a computerized in-line milking analysis system that automatically identifies cows that are in heat, cows that are about to develop mastitis, and cows that have subclinical ketosis, will become available in the U.S., but declined to specify when. How confident are they that the system is for real? Confident enough to fly in its president and CEO from Sweden and its parent firm’s CEO from Switzerland to share in the announcement.

Fernando Mazeris, D.V.M., director, Product Portfolio Dairy Management and Nutrition, said the system automatically tests each cow’s milk for progesterone to identify those that are coming into heat; for lactate dehydrogenase, an enzyme highly correlated with somatic cells; and for beta hydroxybutyrate, which is produced when cows are in negative energy balance.

Herd Navigator is already in use in Europe. Mazeris said farmers there have seen staggering heat detection accuracy of up to 98 percent and pregnancy rates of up to 45 percent. In its current stage of development the system can handle up to a double-16 parlor.

Individually, any of these three tools would be a huge dairy management breakthrough. Collectively, they are nothing short of a quantum leap. “We think so, too,” said DeLaval president and CEO Joakim Rosengren.

USDA bumps up milk price forecast a bit

Cheese and butter price forecasts for 2010 are little changed from last month in USDA's World Agricultural Supply Demand Estimates. But the Class III price estimate for 2010 was raised about a dime from last month due to higher forecast whey prices. The forecast for the Class III midpoint was $15.25 ($14.90 to $15.60) compared to $15.15 ($14.75 to $15.55) a month earlier. However, the Class IV price forecast was lowered reflecting weaker nonfat dry milk prices.

The all milk price is forecast at between $16.20 and $16.90 for 2010 (midpoint $16.55) compared to a midpoint of $16.60 in the January estimate.

The milk production forecasts for 2010 were raised by half a billion pounds to 188.9 billion, up from 188.4 last month. Milk production was forecast higher for 2010 based on the higher-than-expected January 1 dairy replacement heifer estimate. Herds are not expected to decline as rapidly as forecast last month, boosting milk production.

Dairy exports on a skim-solids basis for 2010 are raised, reflecting higher sales of cheese and nonfat dry milk. Import forecasts are lowered for 2010. Fat and skim-solids ending stocks are estimated higher for 2009 and stocks for 2010 are raised in the face of higher production.

ATTENTION COW JUDGING CONTEST PARTICIPANTS: Due to the poor print job of the Holstein class on the cover of our January 25 issue, we have reproduced the Holstein class on our web site. We apologize for the difficulty many have had in getting a good look at the cows in the Holstein class. We have made changes to ensure better print jobs in the future.

Rubber-lined sand pump has longer life

After a rain-soaked opening day at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, Calif., the clouds are starting to break and sunshine is in the forecast for the remaining two days of the 80-acre show. At 11 a.m., the traffic in the Dairy Center as well as the Hoard’s Dairyman booth was very brisk.

Yesterday, we reported that Hoof Supervisor made the finals for World Ag Expo’s Top 10 New Products. Another product with direct dairy ties that made The Top 10 New Products is McLanahan’s 44 Super Magnum Sand Pump. Many herds across the country have turned to sand because of the great cow comfort benefits. However, sand has one major downside; it simply wears out farm equipment due to its abrasive nature.

The new pump which debuted at the World Ag Expo has been tested in field conditions at a commercial dairy in Pennsylvania for the past year and has been working quite well. McLanahan also tells us that a pair of pumps recently were installed in New York and Wisconsin.

In order to deal with sand’s abrasive action, the 44 Super Magnum Sand Pump has split castings that are protected by replaceable rubber liners while the impeller is made from molded rubber. Both rubber components are made of nitrile — a synthetic rubber polymer. Nitrile was the material of choice because it not only stands up better to sand, but it is also oil resistant and stands up to most milk house chemicals which improves its life in many dairy environments. A heavy-duty mechanical seal made from tungsten carbide/silicon carbide protects the bearings and shafts from sand and manure.

The unit retails between $20,000 and $25,000. The price depends on the motor size, which ranges from 10 to 40 HP (horsepower), diameter of the shaft which ranges from 3 to 8 inches, among other features.

To check out the other Top 10 new products at World Ag Expo, go to www.worldagexpo.com/attendeeschoice You can cast your vote based on a five-star scale for your favorite new product once you've previewed them.

Vote for your favorite new product at World Ag Expo

Tracking hoof health just got a bit easier thanks to a newly introduced product called Hoof Supervisor. The computer program that utilizes touchscreen technology allows hoof trimmers to enter hoof health data cowside. World Ag Expo officials thought so much of the software program that they selected it as one of the Top 10 New Products out of 70 entries at the show which began on Tuesday, February 9.

The Hoof Supervisor program hit the market last year. The program’s hoof health coding system is based on the work of the International Lameness Committee. That committee developed international dairy language to properly code not only hoof health disease, but also the location of the foot problem.

Hoof Supervisor allows the trimmer to keep data on countless herds. In addition, data files are created on each cow in the herd so that hoof health can be tracked over time. At the end of the day, the hoof trimmer can print out reports detailing each trim along with any issues that need additional follow-up. There are 18 specific follow-up codes that can be entered for specific post-trim action by the farm team.

For those farms with herd management software programs, a comma-delimited computer file can be created that includes: cow identification, trim date, lesion information on a specific claw, and notes on specific actions like blocking or wrapping. If the herd manager or dairy producer wants to look back at previous trims, that is a possibility as well.

The software program retails for $1,600. The Hoof Supervisor team encourages hoof trimmers to purchase the rugged touchscreen tablet-style computer which already has the software built into it. The 10.4 inch screen is easy to maneuver, it can withstand temperatures ranging from -20 to 140 °F, it is extremely durable, and it can be sprayed clean with a water hose. All these features do come at a cost of $6,000.

You can cast your vote for your favorite new product once you previewed them.
To check out the other Top 10 new products at World Ag Expo, go to www.worldagexpo.com/attendeeschoice

Milk quality: the international dairy language

No matter where they are located or what size farms they have, dairy owners around the world are increasingly speaking the same language: higher milk quality.

This universal translation was never more clear than last week at the 49th annual meeting of NMC (formerly the National Mastitis Council) in Albuquerque, N.M., February 1 to 3. Of the 275 milk producers, veterinarians, scientists, and industry professionals who attended, 20 percent came from over a dozen foreign countries. Of NMC’s total membership, 25 percent is located outside of the U.S.

The event was once again a celebration of superior milk quality. Seminars and presentations from both scientists and dairy owners focused on the technology, biology, and practicality of producing low-somatic-cell-count milk. Speakers came from the U.S., The Netherlands, Great Britain, Mexico, and Canada.



Management excellence on farms was recognized through the presentation of National Dairy Quality Awards to 46 dairies across the U.S., including the seven Platinum Award winners pictured here. Academic excellence was honored in the form of NMC Student Recognition Awards presented to four university students from the U.S., Ireland, and Brazil.

So great has been the international enthusiasm and support for NMC that it is perhaps time to seriously consider changing the “N” part of NMC’s name. We propose either IMC (for International Mastitis Council) or QMC (for Quality Milk Council). And as long as we’re at it, here’s a prediction: We think it’s only a matter of time before the rapidly growing international participation in NMC eventually leads to an annual meeting being held outside of the U.S. The top destination possibilities on our list include Canada, England, Germany, The Netherlands, Brazil, and Argentina.

"Temple Grandin" makes HBO movie debut February 6

Temple Grandin, one of the world's foremost humane livestock handling specialists, is the focus of an HBO movie that debuts on cable television on Saturday, February 6, 2010. Airing time is 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific Time. We have watched the movie trailer, and, if you are at all concerned about animal handing and agriculture, we think it is a must see. The autism message is also very powerful. To see the trailer, click on the title of the blog. Please note it may take awhile for the trailer to download.

If you happen to watch the movie this weekend, please share your comments and movie review with fellow Hoard's Dairyman readers.

As many of our Hoard's Dairyman readers know, Temple Grandin is a Colorado State University professor of animal science. What you may not know about is Temple Grandin's perseverance and determination to overcome the isolating challenges of autism. The movie stars Golden Globe winner Claire Danes in the lead role wearing Temple's often-seen western-style shirts.

The film chronicles Dr. Grandin’s early autism diagnosis, her turbulent growth and development during her school years, and the enduring support she received from her mother, her aunt, and her science teacher. Undaunted by educational, social, and professional roadblocks, she emerges as a woman with an innate sensitivity and understanding of animal behavior who revolutionized the cattle industry and became an inspiration to persons with autism everywhere.

In her October 10, 1999, Hoard's Dairyman article, Temple cites W.D. Hoard for his animal welfare advocacy. "People have known for a long time that rough handling and stress is detrimental to dairy cattle," wrote Temple. "Over 100 years ago, W.D. Hoard, founder of Hoard’s Dairyman, wrote that people working with dairy cows should have patience and kindness," she noted. "He knew that rough treatment lessened the flow of milk."

"W. D. Hoard’s wisdom has now been proven with science. Scientists have mapped the fear circuits in the brain, and they know how these circuits work," wrote Grandin. "Dairy managers can use this information to train employees on the importance of treating dairy cows with kindness."

To read her entire article, download the PDF in this blog.
Reducing fear improves milk production article.

If you cannot watch the movie Saturday, other showtimes for the film include: February 6 (11:45 p.m.), 7 (5:45 p.m.), 10 (11:30 a.m., 8:00 p.m.), 14 (10:30 a.m., 12:30 a.m.), 18 (9:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m.), 20 (2:00 p.m.), 22 (3:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m.), and 27 (noon). All times are ET/PT.

What consumers want

Dealing with consumer perceptions of their food, farmers and, more specifically, animal care was the topic of two presentations during the pre-conference symposium at the annual meeting of NMC, formerly the National Mastitis Council.

“Consumers don’t want ‘industrial’ agriculture, but they want cheap food,” said Wes Jamison of Palm Beach Atlantic University. “They support strict regulations on animal care, but they want cheap food.”

Animal care is not a front-of-the mind issue for most consumers, he believes. But they trust farmers to take good care of their animals and are easily activated by the media. However, the activation is short-lived, said Jamison. The negative impressions usually fade within 48 to 72 hours. However, consumers who have seen some negative publicity about animal care are more likely to get worked up again.

“Consumers trust farmers more than they do other industry representatives or advocates,” said Jamison. “But that trust is eroding," due to the negative publicity such as the Westland/Hallmark slaughter plant abuses and the report about animal care on ABC’s Nightline last month.

People view farm animal care through the same prism they view their pets. “That’s a big problem facing animal agriculture,” said Jamison. “Pets are family.” He explained that, in our urban/suburban society, pets are kept indoors and are considered part of the family. Consumers don’t understand why farm animals shouldn’t have the same care and attention.

“Our industry has a lot of economically valid practices for caring for animals, but we have to decide what is socially acceptable and not acceptable,” said Candace Croney at Ohio State University. We have had gestation stalls for sows, crates for veal calves, cages for layers, and even puppy mills. “They all worked economically or they wouldn’t have existed,” she added. “But it has been decided that these are not acceptable.” Jamison had said that profit is not justification for a practice in the eyes of consumers.

“Now we have to look at lameness incidence and tail docking and ask ourselves what’s acceptable and not acceptable,” said Croney. “We also have to look at mastitis and anything else on farms that causes pain and decide what we are going to do about it.”

Self-regulation can work. Programs such as FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) can raise the bar on animal care and give our industry documentation that animal welfare and care issues are being addressed.

Dairy farming is not a spectator sport

Have you ever heard the phrase "politics is not a spectator sport"? Dairy farming isn't either. We're not talking about actually working on the farm or not — rather — standing up for what we as dairy farmers do on a daily basis. It would be easy enough to simply go about our daily chores just as we always have and turn the TV off when the news station lamblasts a hog farm half a world away for what they do. Mark Hardesty, D.V.M., author of the Cowside Practice column in our magazine put it best in his July 2009 column when he paraphrased a well-known poem by Rev. Martin Niemollers.

They came for the mink rancher, and I didn’t object
— for I had no mink
They came for the veal producers, and I didn’t object
— for I fed my calves grain
They came for the egg producers, and I didn’t object
— for I had no hens
They came for the swine farmers, and I didn’t object
— for I had no sows
They came for me, a dairy producer
— and there was no one left to object

Last week, Erin Jones of Homer, N.Y. stood up for the dairy industry by starting a Facebook group called "I support dairy farmers." In just a week, the group grew to over 12,000 members. The group doesn't just consist of dairy industry advocates either; plenty of consumers have joined to show their support,too. Jones said she started the group after her sister became frustrated over an English essay she recently read which criticized dairy farmers. Ironically, that same day was when ABC's Nightline aired an investigation of a New York dairy farm. Jones says that, "I was on Facebook and decided to see if there was a support group for dairy farmers and could not find one, so I decided to create one myself. I never expected for it to grow the way it has." Clearly her support caught on. Our question to you is what are you doing to stand up for dairy farming?

HSUS starts countermeasure in Ohio, Humanewatch.org to be relauched

Shortly after a "win" was made in Ohio for animal agriculture, it now looks like the battle isn't quite won yet. Last fall, Ohioans approved a constitutional amendment that created the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board known to many as Issue 2. The board is to be consisted of family farmers, consumers, the state veterinarian, and others. To find out more about who this board is made of, visit the details of it here.

Just recently announced though, is a countermeasure to Issue 2 spearheaded by groups including (surprise, surprise) the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).The countermeasure aims to set standards (that are HSUS approved) for animals that the animal care board must uphold. While they claim it would force certain minimum standards to be in place, we know that abolishing mainstream animal agriculture is in their long-term plans.

The groups could be bringing this countermeasure to the ballot, too. By collecting 1,700 signatures from 48 counties, the first step has been made. If the language of the countermeasure is approved, their next step will be gathering 402,275 valid signatures of registered Ohio voters in 44 of 88 counties.

The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) is relaunching a website to keep an eye on actions just like this by the wealthy and powerful HSUS. Humanewatch.org will be a blog, document gallery, and more which will be relaunched next week. The site is aiming to expose anything and everything about the group and its actions. Right now, the group has put a call out for information. They are looking for fundraising mailers (including forwarded e-mails), old tax returns, advertisements, magazine back-issues, correspondence, legal papers, photos, contemporaneous accounts of historical events — you name it. Humanewatch.org will authenticate and post relevant information when the site is launched next week. Why do we need this site? CCF says, "because even a dog-watcher needs a watchdog."

Who are the best genetic sources in Holsteins?

For nearly four decades, Penn State's Larry Specht has been evaluating which farms and sires have been the best contributors to genetic progress in the Holstein breed. For his efforts, Specht was named a pioneer by the National Dairy Shrine. The Sire-Son Report ranks a bull based on the average of his son's predicted transmitting ability (PTA) for 11 traits. "The report has long been a valuable educational tool to demonstrate that the bulls with the best daughters are generally those with the best sons," says Penn State's Chad Dechow. "Thought of another way, bulls with the best daughters are also those that are likely to have the best granddaughters," says Dechow. "This seems pretty logical to us now, thanks in large part to Dr. Specht's work, but hasn't always been thought to be the case. There are occasionally those bulls that do not fit the mold and his lists help to identify them."

The Prefix Report is based on a similar concept. "A bull's registration name most often begins with the prefix of the farm that bred him," notes Dechow. "This allows us to summarize the performance of a herd's bulls that have gone to stud. The report has been a valuable tool for buyers of elite genetic stock," says Dechow. "It helps them determine those herds that provide them with the best odds of purchasing a bull or cow that will go on to have outstanding genetic merit.

A recent addition to Specht's work is the Bull-Mother Report. The report is identical to the Sire-Son Report, except that it tracks how well a cow's sons perform once they enter stud.

Only sires and herds with at least 20 sons in A.I. during the past 25 years are considered. Cows are required to have 10 sons to be listed. Genomic selection has added a new wrinkle to genetic selection programs. Currently, only bulls with a progeny test are considered for the lists. However, plans are underway to expand the list to include bulls with genomic-only information.

So, which bull, cow, and farm topped the last list?

Bull: O-Bee Manfred Justice-ET
Cow: Pen-Col Mtoto Dima-ET
Farm: Shadeycrest-H