Here are some of the new products or updates to previous products that have been announced as of January 19, 2012. Return to this section of the Progressive Dairyman website periodically to find out what new products will be impacting the dairy industry.

Note: The following are opinion commentaries. No: The Dairy Security Act of 2011 and other sideshow plans are just another way for everyone to make money off of milk, except we farmers who produce it. We can all acknowledge there is not enough money in milk for everyone who touches it to be rich, so the popular answer seems to have the farmer buy expensive insurance. Picture a pie chart … Now, in your mind, make the circumference of that pie larger (money from insurance claims). Now cut your piece – bigger piece, right? But at whose expense? Yours! Yes, your piece will be bigger too, but don’t forget to deduct the premium you paid to insure everyone else a bigger piece. You lose again.

Sustainability is a topic on the mind of today’s society. “You almost can’t read anything without seeing something about climate change and water use,” said Dr. Jude Capper, Washington State University. “The anti-animal ag industries really try to get people’s attention. HSUS, PETA, Greenpeace know exactly what messages to put out there.”

Last year, I visited a large, progressive dairy in Vermont with the “Agriculture and the Environment” class taught by Steve Kramer. Our host was very gracious and gave us a guided tour of the farm where we learned a lot about their operation and nutrient management.