In recognition of his dedication to advancing technology and information sharing among bovine veterinarians, Roger Winter, D.V.M. has been awarded the Academy of Veterinary Consultants’ (AVC) 2014 Outstanding Service Award.

Joey Airoso has been appointed president of the Tulare County Farm Bureau.

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistic Service released the 2012 Census of Agriculture, which confirms the trend of the 2007 census of a slowly declining number of small and mid-size operations. The report shows that 33,330 farms and ranches (or 1.6 percent of the total 2.1 million) accounted for half of all farm-product sales.

For many Iowa farmers, diesel fuel is a large portion of day-to-day energy costs. Historical data shows that tractor fuel consumption can be reduced with simple techniques such as shifting to a higher gear and pulling back on the tractor’s throttle.

In the April standoff between Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, it appears that neither side can claim a victory. An online poll of Progressive Cattleman readers found a majority of respondents support neither Bundy nor the BLM in the conflict over Bundy’s 20-year legal fight regarding grazing fees.

Roger Erdman, chief engineer of dairy systems architecture, is retiring after 34 years with BouMatic. His last day was May 2. Erdman’s long career with the same company is one milestone of many from a business that’s been around since World War II. BouMatic is turning 75 this year and has chosen June Dairy Month to celebrate the event.

The University of Kentucky recently released a new fact sheet on fresh cow health management. The 15-page document includes photo tutorials, scoring systems and record sheets to aid in fresh cow handling from one to 21 days in milk.

Don’t expect climate-change stress to settle down anytime soon. In a report recently released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, climate disruptions to agricultural production are projected to increase over the next 25 years.

Lameness in dairy cattle presents significant health, performance and welfare challenges and is often responsible for the decision to cull an animal from an operation. The American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) recently developed guidelines to help veterinarians and their beef and dairy producer clients better manage lameness on their operations.

The USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is seeking applications from rural small businesses and agricultural producers for funding to make energy-efficiency improvements or to install renewable energy systems. For fiscal year 2014, the USDA plans to award up to $12.3 million in grants and $57.8 million in loan guarantees.