This article was #9 of the Top 25 most well-read articles on www.progressivedairy.com in 2012. to jump to the article. It was published in the March 30, 2012. Click here for the full list of the Top 25. Advanced Comfort Technology, Inc’s Holly Harper attended a biannual gathering of Michigan’s Robotic Milking User Group in March. Harper provided an overview of the group’s history (it was founded in 2010) and then a recap of what was discussed at that meeting. We found one of the most interesting topics discussed was that some producers were playing calf sounds in the robot stalls to help the cows let down their milk more quickly.

World Dairy Expo’s Board of Directors approved five new members at its annual meeting, held March 6 at the Alliant Energy Center, in Madison, Wisconsin. The board is composed of a variety of dairy business professionals from the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1970 as World Dairy Expo, Inc. (WDE), the board serves in an advisory role to the management. Five new members will join the board of directors. The new directors include: Buster Goff, Callum McKinven, Paula Bovre, Jim Crowley, Jr. and Kate VandenBosch.

Emma Lammers, 21, of Hartington, Nebraska, was crowned 2012 Nebraska Dairy Princess during the annual Nebraska Dairy Convention banquet. Lammers is the daughter of Joe and Kathy Lammers of Lammers Enterprise Dairy. She is a junior studying agricultural education at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Her title includes a $750 scholarship award. Lisa Temme, 20, daughter of Doug and Mary Temme of Wayne, Nebraska, was named first runner-up. She is a sophomore in textile science at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and received a $250 scholarship. Contestants are judged on their communication skills, interest in dairy promotion and dairy knowledge. The Nebraska Dairy Princess program is sponsored by the state’s dairy farmers through Midwest Dairy Association’s Nebraska Division.