World Dairy Expo is now accepting entries for the 2011 Dairy Cattle Show. Premium Books have been sent out to recent year’s exhibitors and will arrive in the coming days. New exhibitors that would like a Premium Book may request one by calling the World Dairy Expo office at (608) 224-6455. Cattle exhibitors wishing to compete may enter online. Paper entry forms are also available on the website or in the Premium Book.

Tim and Sharyn Abbott of Fairfield, Vermont, have recently purchased the business of St. Jacobs ABC from the members of St. Jacobs Animal Breeding Cooperative. In April of this year, St. Jacobs Animal Breeding Cooperative made the decision to sell the business to Tim and Sharyn Abbott, who have formed the new business St. Jacobs Animal Breeding Corporation.

In an effort to reach out to future generations of veterinarians and offer them the chance to experience real-life veterinary medicine, Pfizer Animal Health announced a $50,000 contribution to Purdue University’s Senior Boiler Vet Camps. Forty high school students with an interest in veterinary medicine participated in a week-long, interactive educational program in June at one of the country’s most respected Colleges of Veterinary Medicine to discover more about the profession.

The nation’s largest milk and dairy products producer and distributor will support the National FFA Organization in 2011 with a $100,000 sponsorship to help develop students’ dairy-related skills and knowledge of the industry. Dean Foods Foundation will support two national career development competitions focused on dairy cattle evaluation and dairy foods career exploration. The company will also fund an FFA grant program that will provide resources to FFA members with financial needs to help them successfully complete FFA-required supervised agricultural experiences. Dean Foods Foundation will also sponsor an FFA scholarship program designed to support collegiate students in pursuit of careers in the agriculture industry.

A projected 92.3 million acres of planted corn should ease pressure on food prices heading into the second half of 2011, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service economist.

The international derivatives exchange Eurex announced that it will intensify efforts to extend its footprint in the agricultural markets. The exchange will kick off a new educational initiative to reach key U.S. dairy market participants with a one-day Chicago conference on global dairy markets on July 18. The program features renowned dairy market academics including Michael Keane, senior lecturer at University College Cork in Ireland, and Mark Stephenson, director of dairy policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin.

Three Holstein Association USA members were recognized during the National Holstein Convention annual banquet last month for their outstanding contributions to Holstein Association USA and the Holstein breed as a whole.

Advanced Dairy Nutrition (ANSC 423) will be offered by the University of Illinois in the fall of 2011 beginning on Aug. 29. This feeding class (ANSC423) covers nutrient classes, phase feeding, dry cow feeding and health, and forages. The course will be coordinated by Mike Hutjens. Advanced Dairy Reproduction (ANSC 437) will begin on Aug. 29 with Dick Wallace coordinating the class. All phases of reproductive physiology, management, nutrition, and health will be covered.

Sonoma County Farm Bureau will be honoring the Mulas Family of Sonoma Valley, California, in recognition of excellence in conservation, stewardship, environmental enhancement and generational dedication to farming and ranching in Sonoma County on July 13 at Love of the Land, a benefit dinner to protect farmlands and clean water. The event will be held at Richard's Grove and Saralee's Vineyard located in the heart of Sonoma County's Russian River Valley.