A $1.5 million donation to the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust will bring new opportunities to aspiring ranch families and raise awareness about the tools available to aid in the generational transfer of Wyoming’s ranchlands.

Cattle producers interested in learning more about increasing profits can participate in a discussion of the issues by experts from Ohio State University Extension and nationwide, during a Beef Cattle School Jan. 29, Feb. 26 and March 19 at several locations statewide.

The Mosaic Company’s Nutrient Removal App was selected by AgProfessional editors as one of the 10 best and most innovative products introduced by the industry in 2012. Since its debut in January 2012, the Nutrient Removal App has been downloaded over 6,500 times by farmers and retailers.

Producers trying to determine if their herd is a suitable match for artificial insemination and synchronization protocols should follow proven formulas that determine success.

Editor's note: Progressive Dairy reached out to Marcia Itle, a territory sales manager for Alltech, and invited her to provide information about her Global 500 presentation, "The Milkman Farmer," where she talked about her family's business and what keeps them successful. Vale Wood Farms in Loretto, Pennsylvania, has been producing and delivering quality dairy products since 1933. Itle helps out on her family's operation on weekends and does a little bit of everything, from milking cows to feeding calves to helping deliver products. In 1816 John and Joseph Itle traveled from Switzerland to America. The brothers were farmers and potters by trade. Upon arrival to the new world, they settled in a small town called Loretto, Pennsylvania. John was deeded a five acre plot of land from Loretto’s famous prince priest Father Demetrius Gallitzin. John built a small log cabin homestead, and so began the Itle Family.

At the annual American Forage and Grassland Council meeting, held Jan. 6-8 in Covington, Kentucky, Progressive Forage Grower Editor Lynn Olsen received the Merit Award. The award recognizes individuals who have made contributions to the forage or grassland industry in research, teaching, extension, production or industrial development.

Stephen Bird, Product Manager at Big Ass Fans, talks with Progressive Dairyman about BAFWorks, how to use this app and why it is beneficial to livestock producers.

There’s no doubt about it, our industry is under attack. When there’s not an undercover video being released to the media by an animal activist group, there’s an article about how animal agriculture is ruining the environment or increasing global warming. There are those that attack us on the grounds that a vegan diet is healthier – that meat and cheese are making Americans overweight, and those that say that the industry doesn’t do enough to provide “high-quality meat products” to underprivileged populations.