Cold weather is quickly approaching and the challenge of keeping calves growing and healthy has begun.

Yes, I will admit the buzz around the Internet and other media outlets concerning the idea of a tax on livestock has set off a firestorm of angst and anger throughout the animal husbandry world. I have seen it play out over blogs and posts and would agree that some might feel it is something to consider. I would, however, like to look at the facts to see where the argument stands and what really might happen.

TyraTech Inc, a relatively new pesticide research and product development company, launched a manure management system in February 2008 that claims to help large dairy operations produce more milk and become more profitable.

Farmers have long balanced environmental stewardship with profitability as part their daily lives. The idea of doing well by doing good provides part of the foundation to the proposed national cap-and-trade program of the incoming presidential administration and Congress. Many farms across the country have already reaped financial and environmental benefits by developing projects that supply carbon credits into the U.S. carbon marketplace – benefits like revenue, biogas production for energy use on the farm, better neighbor relationship management, decreased odors, rainwater diversion, reduction of the farm’s carbon footprint and many other real savings.

The increasing pressure on organizations and individuals to take action to slow the effects of climate change, together with the growing carbon market in the U.S., can present new opportunities for dairy farmers. The generation of electricity and carbon offsets from projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) can provide additional revenue and reduce farm operating costs.

Question 1: With the recent downturn in the economy, is the carbon market still a viable option for farmers? As lenders shy away from risk and raise borrowing costs, the carbon market will likely become of greater importance to the viability of capital-intensive projects. In spite of the current economic turmoil, the incoming Obama Administration has signalled its intention of regulating greenhouse gas emissions. Although it is too early to tell what sectors will be covered by a national cap-and-trade system, it seems likely that agriculture projects will be able to generate emission offsets for sale to capped entities.

COOL. Country of Origin Labeling. In the grocery store this new law now means that you will be allowed to purchase beef (and other meat) that is guaranteed to be born and raised in the United States. Will you? Is that a consideration when you go to buy a car? A television set? A pair of boots? A tool? A tractor? Strawberries? Wine? Or Gasoline? (Sorry, this last one was a joke!) Should you?

I recently finished reading Buyology, a fascinating (and sometimes frightening) new book about neuromarketing – how marketing influences our brains and purchasing decisions.

The following update is provided by Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), which manages the national dairy checkoff program, is a producer-funded, nonprofit domestic and international planning and management organization responsible for increasing sales of and demand for U.S.-produced dairy products and ingredients.

The last time Josie and Jocelyn Riser traveled to World Dairy Expo, Jocelyn was only four years old. The mother-daughter duo had the opportunity to return to Madison, Wisconsin, for the event when they decided to take Jocelyn’s Senior 3-Year-Old to compete.