Business Digest Highlights
Industry news
International Conference on Lameness in Ruminants offers hoof trimmer continuing education
For the first time in 20 years, the International Conference on Lameness in Ruminants is back in the U.S. and is offering two great days for both professional and on-farm hoof trimmers to get world-class continuing education. The conference is happening in Bloomington, Minnesota, Aug. 4, and then Broten, Minnesota, Aug. 5, at host farm RedHead Creamery.
Highlights of the agenda on Aug. 4 include world-renowned experts who will discuss topics such as communications, hoof trimming techniques, corkscrews, footbaths and treatments.
On Aug. 5, the on-farm post-conference workshop will demonstrate cattle and handling, new technologies to detect and assess lameness, and a fun discussion about different trimming techniques. In addition, for the workshop on Aug. 5, bus transportation, lunch and dinner with musical entertainment is included.
Of special interest this year is that there will be Spanish translation offered throughout the whole conference.
Visit Lameness in ruminants 2022 - conference-agenda for more information.
FutureCow introduces bilingual dairy training programs
FutureCow is offering dairy training programs tailored to meet the needs of dairies across the U.S. The programs are offered in English and Spanish. It is designed to improve the knowledge and skills of teams in areas vital to daily dairy operations. The program also offers customized training content to cover topics specific to an individual farm.
Training can be conducted on-farm or via video conference. The program qualifies as compliance for OSHA and animal welfare programs. Quizzes, demonstrations and employee signoffs are also available as an option.
Contact Shaun Hardtke to learn more.
Alltech collaborates with U.S. universities to develop free bilingual dairy training resources
Alltech recently partnered with the University of Nebraska – Lincoln Dairy Extension and Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach to develop a free, online training program that is available in both English and Spanish. “The Bilingual Training and Education Program to Improve Practices That Affect Milk Quality” has been designed to help dairy farm employees better understand the hows and whys of handling and milking cows.
After completing each training module by viewing the videos and resource materials, participants will complete a quiz to receive a certificate of completion for each module. Each module includes videos presented in Spanish with English subtitles. The quizzes are offered in both English and Spanish, and the Spanish quizzes include audio translation. The videos include demonstrations of on-farm practices to emphasize key milking and management techniques.
Visit Iowa State University - milker training and Alltech - Dairy on farm support to learn more.
Published meta-analysis found lactating dairy cows respond positively to rumen-protected B vitamin blend
Jefo released the results of a meta-analysis assessing the lactational performance of dairy cows receiving a rumen-protected B vitamin (RPBV) blend consisting of folic acid, B12, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid and biotin. Results revealed that cows responded positively to the inclusion of the dietary supplement, including a milk production improvement of 1.94 pounds per cow per day, plus consistent and predictable increases in fat and protein yields (0.095 and 0.073 pound, respectively).
The meta-analysis combined 50 trials across eight countries and included 6,483 Holstein cows averaging 159 days in milk (DIM) and a parity of 2.2. All herds participated in monthly milk recording services. In the 2021 published report, researchers analyzed data from past on-farm trials in which the RPBV blend was compared to a control diet containing no added B vitamins in any format. The RPBV blend, fed at 3 grams per cow per day, was formulated to provide the vitamins most likely deficient in lactating dairy cows for optimum performance.
According to the Open Journal of Animal Sciences publishing, effective rumen protection of these vitamins offers significant advantages relative to intramuscular injections or feeding high doses of unprotected vitamins by being more cost-effective and labor-effective.
Visit Jefo for more information.
EverAg accelerates growth, broadens livestock risk management offerings with acquisition of Partners for Production Agriculture
EverAg acquired Partners for Production Agriculture (PFPAg). This addition to the company’s portfolio will provide customers in the livestock industry with even more access to risk mitigation expertise and technology.
The new partnership will enable the company to bring its Vault software to the swine and cattle risk management space. Customers will also benefit from expanded access to the company’s large network of grain and feed expertise. The company offers software, insights and risk management solutions for all three of its key agribusiness verticals: livestock, dairy and crops.
Visit EverAg for more information.
Biome Makers collaborates with ENIIT in the Master in Agro 4.0
Biome Makers teams up with Excellence Innova, S.L to increase accessibility for Master Agro 4.0. The course, created by TecRural Campus for Rural Development and Technology and certified by the Catholic University of Avila (UCAV), integrates all the elements of this new agricultural revolution at the hand of companies that are leading the digital transformation in each of the areas of the value chain in the agricultural sector such as John Deere, Melendez, Auravant or Planasa. The course is 100% online and consists of 60 ECTS credits, equivalent to 1,500 hours. Additionally, Alberto Acedo, CSO and co-founder at Biome Makers, will give two master classes to the students completing a master’s degree. The students and alumni will have access to scholarships, and vacancies will be offered to them for future Biome Makers job opportunities.
Visit Biome Makers or eniit - master en agro 4-0 for more information.
John Deere establishes allied agreement for distribution with Grady Twin Pak balers
John Deere has established an allied agreement with Mike and Jason Grady of Twin Pak to better serve existing and future John Deere small square baler customers in the U.S.
As part of the agreement, select U.S. John Deere dealers will begin distributing Twin Pak-branded three-string balers beginning in 2023 with plans to further expand distribution as capacity expands. For the remainder of 2022, the companies will work together to integrate current John Deere parts into the Twin Pak baler and further test a two-string version of the Twin Pak Baler. John Deere dealers will have exclusive rights to sell the Twin Pak baler under the agreement.
Visit John Deere for more information.
Registration now open for 2022 Dairy Financial and Risk Management Conference
Registration is open for the 13th annual Dairy Financial and Risk Management Conference, titled “Adjusting the Lens.” The event is planned for Sept. 14 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Visit Center for Dairy Excellence - financial conference to register.
This year’s conference will help dairy professionals create a clear vision for future profitability. Attendees will hear from a wide range of speakers, including a panel of dairy producers who will share their perspectives on everyday costs we can control at the farm level. Additional speakers will also share key performance indicators for Pennsylvania dairy production and provide an in-depth analysis of dairy markets and economic forces.
Visit Center for Dairy Excellence - financial conference or call (717) 346-0849 for more information.
Glanbia Nutritionals acquires two companies to expand its bioactive and healthy snacking solution capabilities
Glanbia Nutritionals has acquired Sterling Technology, a U.S.-based leading manufacturer of dairy bioactive solutions derived from bovine colostrum, for $60 million plus deferred consideration. Founded in 1987, the South Dakota-based Sterling Technology employs approximately 60 employees.
In recent months, the company also acquired PacMoore Processing Technologies, based in Mooresville, Indiana, as well as its R&D facility in Gridley, Illinois, for $53 million. PacMoore Processing Technologies specializes in extrusion, spray-drying and blending. The addition of these technologies will strengthen Glanbia Nutritionals’ ability to support its customers in the healthy snacking and related nutrition segments.
Visit Glanbia Nutritionals for more information.
Zoetis supports Families of America’s Military Heroes with $122,000 donation
Representatives from Zoetis recently presented the company’s first donation to Folds of Honor to help support the work of the nonprofit in honoring America’s heroes. Based in Owasso, Oklahoma, Folds of Honor provides academic scholarships to the families of men and women who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the U.S. armed forces.
The company made this donation based upon each bottle of select company products purchased by beef and dairy producers from across the country during the first quarter of the year. Jared Shriver, senior vice president of U.S. Cattle and Pork at Zoetis, presented a donation of $122,000 to Ben Leslie, executive vice president of development for Folds of Honor, during a ceremony May 11.
During the check presentation ceremony, the organization announced Kaycee Moyer of Muskogee, Oklahoma, as a scholarship recipient. She is a freshman at Oklahoma State University and majoring in pre-veterinary science and animal science.
The company will donate $1 per bottle of sales of select cattle anti-infectives through Dec. 31, 2022. Visit Folds of Honor or Zoetis for more information.
Thirteen-year-old cow named 2021 Star of the Breed
With a classification score of EX-97 4E and lifetime production record of over 310,000 pounds of milk, the 2021 recipient embodies the award. Holstein Association USA is delighted to recognize Blondin Goldwyn Subliminal-ETS EX-97 4E as the 2021 Star of the Breed. Subliminal is owned by Budjon Farms and Peter and Lyn Vail, and was bred by Ferme Blondin in St. Placide, Quebec. Subliminal calls Budjon Farms in Lomira, Wisconsin, home.
Subliminal qualified for the award with her success during the 2021 show season, when she was named first place 150,000-Pound Cow and Grand Champion at the Midwest Spring National Show and second place 150,000-Pound Cow at World Dairy Expo.
During her award-qualifying lactation, Subliminal produced 44,740 pounds of milk, 1,921 (4.3%) fat and 1,366 (3.1%) protein. In addition, her owners appreciate Subliminal’s reproductive power and longevity.
Blondin Goldwyn Subliminal-ETS will be recognized during Holstein Association USA’s 136th annual meeting at National Holstein Convention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, this summer. Visit 2022 National Holstein Convention or Holstein Association USA for more information.
Organization news
Eight Registered Holstein herds earn 2021 Herd of Excellence distinction
Holstein Association USA’s 2021 Herds of Excellence recipients have bred and developed herds with superior production and type. Given annually, the award recognizes outstanding Registered Holstein breeders who have achieved the best of both in one package.
The award is broken down into Large Herd Division (500-plus cows), Medium Herd Division (100 to 499 cows) and Small Herd Division (10 to 99 cows). This year’s honorees are:
Large Herd Division:
- Four-Year Honoree: Bomaz Inc. – The Zwald Family, Hammond, Wisconsin
- Six-Year Honoree: Siemers Holstein Farms Inc. – The Siemers Family, Newton, Wisconsin
Medium Herd Division:
- Five-Year Honoree: Koepke Farms Inc. – The Koepke Family, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
- Six-Year Honoree: Koester Dairy Inc. – The Koester Family, Dakota, Illinois
Small Herd Division:
- Eleven-Year Honoree: B-Long Holsteins – Bruce, Brenda and Bret Long, New London, Wisconsin
- Five-Year Honoree: Doorco Holsteins – Dan, Julie and Austin Vandertie, Brussels, Wisconsin
- Twelve-Year Honoree: Ever-Green-View Holsteins LLC – The Kestell Family, Waldo, Wisconsin
- Two-Year Honoree: Show-Mar Holsteins – The Brantner Family, Evans City, Pennsylvania
The awards will be presented during the association’s 136th annual meeting in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Visit 2022 National Holstein Convention and Holstein Association USA to learn more.
Vermont dairy farmers recognized for high-quality milk
The Vermont Dairy Industry Association (VDIA), in partnership with the A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund, announced the 2021 Vermont Milk Quality Awards. The awards recognize the dairy farmers who produced Vermont’s best-quality milk in 2021.
The awards were presented to:
- 1st: David Houde – St. Johnsbury, Vermont
- 2nd: Steven and Leslie Brown – East Burke, Vermont
- 3rd: Howmars Farm|The Gates Family – Franklin, Vermont
National Dairy Council’s Miller earns multiple professional accolades
National Dairy Council’s Dr. Greg Miller, who serves as chief science officer, Global Dairy Platform’s nutrition sector lead and special counsel to the CEO on global nutrition affairs, has been recognized with four prestigious awards and honors.
Miller has been synonymous with dairy science and nutrition since joining National Dairy Council in 1992 on behalf of America’s dairy farmers. Miller graduated in 1978 from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, and in 1982 earned a master’s in nutrition (toxicology) from Pennsylvania State University. In 1986, he received a Ph.D. in nutrition from Penn State.
The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) and the ASN Foundation presented Miller with its 2022 Industry Recognition Award, acknowledging significant contributions to the field of nutrition science or practice by an individual from the industry sector.
Miller also is being inducted into the ASN and ASN Foundation Class of 2022 Fellows, one of just 14 receiving this honor. To be inducted as a Fellow of the Society is the highest honor ASN bestows, recognizing individuals for significant discoveries and distinguished careers in the field of nutrition. Miller is recognized for having a significant impact in nutrition and on his colleagues.
In addition, his alma mater is also celebrating Miller, presenting him with the 2022 Penn State Graduate School Alumni Society Lifetime Achievement Award. The Penn State board of trustees also presented Miller with the Distinguished Alumni Award, the university’s highest alumni honor.
Visit US Dairy for more information.
