With global challenges mounting, it is a crucial time to examine the role research plays in our economic, social and political well-being. In this new Commentary from the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), Investing in a Better Future through Public Agricultural Research, a team of respected scholars provides objective, science-based insights into the state of U.S. investments in public agricultural research.

When the world’s dairy industry gathers each fall in Madison, Wisconsin, it is only fitting that outstanding individuals be recognized for their contributions to the dairy business. World Dairy Expo General Manager Mark Clarke notes, “The best come to Madison. This is true whether you are talking about the trade show exhibitors, the dairy cattle that parade on the colored shavings or the people who attend this show year after year. We are honored to spotlight accomplishments with four special awards.”

The Wisconsin Holstein Association has scheduled this year’s Barn Meetings for March 24, 28 and 30 and April 1. All meetings will start at 11 a.m. and will feature presentations by Dr. Chris Booth or Dr. Matthew Dorshorst on reproductive tools and current reproduction protocols.

Behind every American farm family is the backbone of the operation: the farm mom. Monsanto is honoring her contributions to her family, farm, community and industry with the 2011 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year program.

National Dairy Herd Information Association (DHIA) recognized Harlan Borman, Kingdom City, Missouri, with the H. Victor Joachim Distinguished Leadership/Martin A. Wilson Memorial Award on March 16, in New Orleans, in conjunction with the association’s annual meeting. This award goes to a DHI dairy producer and/or spouse who has held a leadership position in DHIA or the dairy industry, and rendered outstanding and unselfish service for many years, along with a notable contributions to advancing DHIA in the U.S.; or, is a worthy person who has been employed in a DHI management position for at least five years and has been dedicated to improving DHIA.

Steve Schram, AgriLabs president and CEO, announced that AgriLabs has aligned with ImmuCell Corporation for the development, sales and marketing of certain current and future products featuring ImmuCell's First Defense bolus. “This collaboration furthers our commitment to make available relevant and technically driven products that get newborn calves off to a strong start," Schram said. “The arrangement bolsters ImmuCell's ability to reach more calves with First Defense products, and fits AgriLabs business model of collaborating with companies who can benefit from a broad reach sales and marketing organization such as AgriLabs."

Part of a relatively new state program aimed at preserving farmland would be eliminated under Gov. Scott Walker's budget to help erase Wisconsin's $3.5 billion deficit over the next two years. Proponents of the program say the move by Walker would deal a severe blow to efforts to permanently protect agricultural land from development. Walker's 2011-'13 budget proposal recommends eliminating the purchase of agricultural conservation easements program and $12 million in borrowing that was approved in 2009 to help fund the program.

Click here to download a pdf of the latest export watch provided by the U.S. Dairy Export Council. This update highlights world prices at three-year highs.

Here are some of the new products or updates to previous products that have been announced as of March 18, 2011. Return to this section of the Progressive Dairyman website periodically to find out what new products will be impacting the dairy industry.

While milk prices continue to rise and exports to Asian markets have expanded, many dairy farmers are still struggling with the aftermath of several disastrous years and hoping the federal government will do something to help stabilize the industry. After milk prices plunged and farms began going under, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said a year and a half ago that the industry needed restructuring and his department would look at its programs to see what changes could be made to help create more stability.