As feed prices continue to sky rocket at record rates, beef producers are tasked with generating top quality meat while remaining mindful of their bottom line. This challenge, among many others facing the industry, will be addressed at Alltech’s 27th International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium.

Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) recently took home top honors from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) annual meeting, being named the 2010 Plant of the Year by Dairy Foods magazine. The award caps off an exciting year for the plant, which recently completed a two-year, $62 million renovation project.

Alpharma, LLC, the makers of Deccox (decoquinate), a medicated feed additive, is now offering a way to help producers, feed manufacturers, and veterinarians determine medication mixing rates and how to better manage expenses associated with coccidiosis. The easy-to-use, interactive tool, found here allows producers to get the most out of their Deccox animal health investment.

Milk and other dairy products already rank top-of-mind for many consumers when they make nutritional food choices for themselves and their families. In fact, milk is the No. 1 item sold at supermarkets across the country, and buying dairy products is often the primary reason shoppers visit their local store. Now, a recent consumer study from the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) shows that consumers generally prefer the taste and would change their shopping habits to buy fluid milk with enhanced nutrition, opening new revenue doors for retailers and processors.

Raised on a dairy farm in Johnstown, William Wailes graduated from Colorado State University (CSU) in 1969 and joined the Marine Corps, spending nearly eights years serving. But within a few years of leaving the Navy, Wailes was back at CSU and today is the department head of animal sciences. He's worked as an extension specialist and as manager of the university's dairy research facility.

Larry and Gloria Crandall’s family has hosted thousands of toddlers and school-age children at their fifth-generation family dairy farm near Battle Creek, Michigan, over the years. One thing that teachers and day care providers know is that the family practices an open door policy when it comes to answering questions about farming and encouraging visits to the farm to learn about farming firsthand. The Crandalls are the recipients of the 2011 Michigan State University (MSU) Dairy Farmer of the Year Award. They were selected by MSU Department of Animal Science faculty members and MSU Extension educators on the basis of commitment and contributions to the dairy industry and local communities.

Agriculture officials are holding a series of workshops in Tennessee to help farmers use the Internet to grow their business. The workshops are designed to show how farmers can connect with potential customers through social media, customer surveys and other means.

According to a recent study performed at Padova University on beef cattle, organic selenium supplementation (Alkosel3000 from Lallemand) can improve meat processing quality and organoleptic qualities, when compared to mineral selenium. The trial showed that organic selenium, not only enhanced the animal anti-oxidant status, but also improved meat tenderness and visual aspect, in line with consumer expectations, and reduced drip loss for the processor. This is an excellent illustration of the ‘farm-to-fork’ benefits of a natural feed additive and additional proof of organic selenium’s superior bioavailability.

TRENDING TOPIC ARTICLE: COW COMFORT This article was originally published February 28, 2011 and featured in March 1, 2011 Extra e-newsletter: http://bit.ly/030111_PDExtra. to jump to the article below. Progressive Dairyman asked three industry experts, “What do you think is the most often missed symptom of stray voltage? Their responses were: “An increase in the number of animals in the hospital barn,” Jacques Dion of Agrivolt “How cows drink water; if the cows tend to lap, or dip, to get water, there is a strong possibility of a stray voltage problem,” Jerry Lush of Stray Voltage Consulting “Subtle changes in animal behavior; we are often too willing to ignore small indications until it causes severe behavioral change – this is obviously too late,” Chuck Untiedt, dairy farmer, Udder Chaos Inc.