The Supreme Court seems ready to overturn a California law requiring euthanization of downed livestock at federally inspected slaughterhouses to keep the meat out of the nation's food system. The court heard appeals Wednesday from the National Meat Association, which wants a 2009 California law blocked from going into effect.

At the company’s national sales meeting last month, Accelerated Genetics unveiled in dramatic fashion a new brand and corporate identity. The new look pays homage to the company’s 70-year history while focusing on the three things that will continue to carry the cooperative into the future – it’s people, products and pride.

Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association is offering 10 $500 scholarships for the 2012 academic year to college students pursuing careers. An applicant from each of the 10 Equity districts will be selected and awarded a scholarship to use during the next academic school year.

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) has revised its standard on manure storage safety. The revised standard, ASAE EP470.1, Manure Storage Safety, reflects field research on worker safety and proper removal of waste from confined manure storage structures. Additional changes include information on confined space entry with references to a relatively new ASABE safety standard, ANSI/ASABE S607, Ventilating Manure Storages to Reduce Entry Risk.

A Wichita-based farm equipment company whose roots date to the early 1940s has announced it is expanding to Missouri with the purchase of a Kansas City dealership. The Wichita Eagle reports that Foley Equipment Co. plans to purchase Dean Machinery of Kansas City, Missouri, in a deal that is expected to close in January.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a Pierre, South Dakota, organization more than $200,000 to form and expand cooperatives. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that Value-Added Agriculture Development Center was one of 36 organizations in 26 states selected for the grant that helps rural cooperatives and small businesses expand.

Here are some of the new products or updates to previous products that have been announced as of November 9, 2011. Return to this section of the Progressive Dairyman website periodically to find out what new products will be impacting the dairy industry.

Emily Yeiser Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Dairy Initiatives Manager Center for Dairy Excellence