The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) is utilizing new advertising spots, interactive gaming and technology to show that no matter how much the world has shifted, California milk and dairy products remain an important and relevant part of modern family life. Make us part of your family Everyone remembers the talking California cows who won over TV audiences starting in 2000 with their laid-back attitudes and snappy banter. The world has changed a lot since then but in the newest series of CMAB ads, the cows have evolved with it – they're just as comfortable in today’s high-tech home and complicated family life as they were on their own California farms.

As usually happens in the fall, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) and the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) met to share in their common accomplishments and challenges, as well as to discuss the best route for the industry's future. This year, the joint annual meeting took place Oct. 29-31 in Orlando, Florida. Nearly 1,000 producer and industry representatives were in attendance. Here are some highlights provided by participating organizations. NMPF leaders evaluate organization’s success at annual meeting During the 2012 annual meeting of the NMPF, Chairman Randy Mooney and President/CEO Jerry Kozak addressed the NMPF membership and discussed the organization’s progress over the past year.

of Progressive Dairyman is our annual "Women in Dairy" issue, and like last year, we reached out to friends of our Facebook, Twitter and Proud to Dairy networks to give a shoutout to their favorite dairywomen. Want to add yours? Click here to email Web Editor Emily Caldwell or below. The online version of this article from page 20 of the print magazine features additional responses and text. I need to give a shout out to my wonderful wife, Sonja Rasmussen. On Oct. 1 2011, she gave up her "in town" job to be on the farm full time. It has been a great year. She was involved before, but now I truly have a partner helping me manage this dairy. She has taken a very active role in milk quality. We have dropped our SCC to premium levels and all our milkers have defined and written SOP's. I feel she has helped me regain control of our farm and I don't think I could have done it without her. —Mike Rasmussen, Edmore, Michigan via Facebook

• The University of Minnesota took top honors in both reasons and overall at the 19th Annual Accelerated Genetics Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. Placing second overall was the University of Wisconsin – Platteville. Each of the top three individuals for oral reasons received a special scholarship from the James W. Crowley Fund. They were Cassie Endres, University of Wisconsin – Madison, and Tyler Otte and Jon Schmitt from the University of Minnesota. • The Ruegemer family of Villard, Minnesota, received the 2012 Horizon Organic Producer Education (HOPE) Award. The Galens of Clifton Springs, New York, received Horizon’s 2012 National Quality Award.

I recently spent a few days in Guelph, Ontario, attending the first-ever Dairy Cattle Welfare Symposium. This new event left me with a few new perspectives on a topic that I’ve been following.

Click here to download the latest export watch, provided by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC). PD

While milking cows on her family-owned dairy in Lakeville, Minnesota, Cheryl Mohn knew there had to be a better way to carry cow towels. She designed the Towel Tote – and from there launched a business known worldwide. As president of Udder Tech, Mohn carefully drafts patterns, selects materials and oversees construction of waterproof and water-resistant clothing and products to fit the needs of dairy producers and industry professionals. PD