Accelerated Genetics, Baraboo and Westby, Wisconsin, a global provider of bovine genetics and research, has been awarded the “Compass Award” for its long-term commitment to excellence in the stewardship of its employees’ retirement assets. The award was given by Francis Investment Counsel, a nationally recognized expert retirement plan investment consulting organization.

MINTREX chelated trace minerals from Novus International, Inc., belongs to a new feed ingredient category. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) accepted this new feed ingredient definition July 31, during its 2011 Ingredient Definitions Committee Meeting in Austin, Texas.

Federal researchers have finished a year-long study tracking the amount of greenhouse gases like ammonia and methane emitted from a corporate dairy operation in the Magic Valley. The U.S. Department of Agriculture study is the first to look at greenhouse-type gas emissions from an open air-dairy operation, and researchers say the data will provide a baseline for potential regulations and developing management tools to reduce emissions from dairy farms.

GEA Farm Technologies announced the purchase of one of its largest dealerships, San Joaquin Valley Dairy Equipment, Inc. San Joaquin Valley Dairy Equipment has been located in Tulare, California for the past 20 years. It also operates from a second location in Bakersfield, California. Customers served from both locations can rest-assured, they will see very little change in daily operation. The knowledgeable staff and management team that dairy producers are accustomed to working with from San Joaquin Valley Dairy Equipment will continue to be involved as the dealership becomes part of the GEA Farm Technologies organization.

At its June meeting, the NMPF Scholarship Committee selected four graduate students to receive scholarships as part of the 2011 NMPF National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Program. These students are all conducting research in areas that will benefit dairy cooperatives and producers. The 2011 Hintz Memorial Scholarship, given to the top scholarship candidate, was awarded to João Paulo Nascimento Martins, a Ph.D. candidate in animal science at the Michigan State University. His research project is “The effect of enhanced luteinizing hormone pulses during ovulatory follicle development on oocyte competency and subsequent pregnancy losses in dairy cattle.”

The 2011 Michigan Dairy Expo got off to an exciting start last month when the Supreme Champion Dairy animal, exhibited by Parker Hardy of Tipton, Michigan, topped the Michigan Livestock Expo Sale-abration with an impressive bid of $21,000. The buyer of the first dairy lot of the livestock sale was a strong contingency of dairy industry supporters who pooled their money to purchase the winning lot. In total $33,000 was bid on four dairy lots: Supreme Champion; Reserve Junior Champion exhibited by Sarah Michalek, Deckerville, Michigan; Supreme Dairy Showman Brittany Westendorp of Nashville, Michigan; and the Grand Champion Cheese exhibited by the Michigan State University Dairy Plant. The money raised through the selling of the dairy lots goes back into the statewide dairy youth fund of the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund. The 4-H members exhibiting the winning animal receive $1,000 each.

E.I. Medical Imaging (EIMI) announced the release of the 1.07 firmware update for the Ibex family of ultrasound systems. The update (version 1.07) is available now for download for Ibex customers free of charge from EIMI Imaging via the company website. This update underscores EIMI’s commitment to customer feedback and product evolution. To download, simply register at www.eimedical.com for your login account information.

The National Farm-City Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing links between farm families and urban residents, is now seeking nominations for the first annual Charles Eastin Outstanding Service Award, paying tribute to an outstanding individual who has contributed to Farm-City activities as an advocate for accurate communications between rural and urban audiences. The award is in honor of Charles "Charlie" Eastin, DVM, who passed away earlier this year and played a fundamental role in Farm-City activities. A board member for many years, Eastin was especially active in planning and initiating Farm-City events in the Lexington, Kentucky, area.

Congressman Collin Peterson, ranking member on the House Agriculture Committee, has introduced a dairy policy "discussion draft" aimed at improving the long-term prospects for dairy farmers. The Minnesota Milk Producers Association and the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association would like to thank Congressman Peterson and the National Milk Producers Federation for starting the dairy policy debate. Unfortunately, the policies included in the draft legislation need to be modified before moving forward.

Twin Falls County officials are considering adopting new rules and penalties for ranchers and farmers when their livestock or other large animals escape the confines of fenced fields and wander onto roadways or private property. Supporters say the proposal is intended to streamline how the county holds owners accountable for their livestock and, ultimately, improve public safety for motorists.