Randy Blach, a longtime supporter of Colorado State University, has been selected by faculty members of the Department of Animal Sciences as the 2011 Livestock Leader. Blach was Saturday, Jan. 15, during Colorado State University Day at the National Western Stock Show in Denver.

November exports of U.S. beef reached their highest monthly volumes in more than two years, according to results compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef export value in November was $389.5 million, an increase of nearly 50 percent over November 2009. By volume (101,323 metric tons), beef exports exceeded the year-ago level by 32 percent. For the first 11 months of 2010, exports were 18 percent above 2009 in terms of volume (964,369 metric tons) and 30 percent higher by value ($3.67 billion). The value total is about 1 percent ahead of the 2003 pace when beef exports went on to set a single-year record of $3.86 billion. Exports accounted for 11.6 percent of production with a per-head value equivalent of $150.36 ($178. 20 in November) - up dramatically from the 2009 totals of 9.8 percent and $117.80.

The first Progressive Dairyman issue of 2011 struck a chord with grazing producers across the country. See this unique post by Emily Zweber of Zweber Farms in Minnesota. Zweber talks about what it means to be a progressive grazing producer. Check out an excerpt here, and be sure to read the full post. All of us at Zweber Farms read many industry magazines, newspapers and publications. Some are dairy focused, some are organic focused and some are just general agriculture information. The other day when I pulled Progressive Dairyman out of our mailbox, I was shocked to see the words “consider grazing as a means to profitability” on the front cover. Don’t get me wrong, we enjoy reading the Progressive Dairyman. Their up to date coverage on industry issues and trends is very helpful.

Approximately 175 producers and agribusiness professionals attended Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.’s (DFA) 2011 Grazing Conference held in Louisville, Kentucky, this week. The two-day event was presented by Dairy Grazing Services (DGS), a wholly owned subsidiary of DFA that provides resources and consulting services to producers interested in pasture-based dairying.

The Wood County Juniors, in coordination with the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association, held the 2011 Wisconsin Junior Holstein Convention in Stevens Point at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center, Jan. 8-10, 2011. More than 500 Holstein members, chaperones and volunteers were in attendance to help make the weekend a success.