Horizon announced it now works with nearly 600 certified organic family farmers nationwide to supply organic milk to consumers. In addition to the 531 certified organic family farmers currently providing organic milk to Horizon, there are 61 additional farms under contract with the company that will begin supplying milk during the next several months after all transition steps have been met.

The Southwestern Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (SWCMA) is announcing their ninth annual Young Dairy Producer Educational Scholarship, an individual scholarship to allow a young dairy producer to pursue dairy (milk) production educational opportunities. This year's scholarship amount will be in the amount of $2,000 to further encourage young dairy producers to continue in the dairy industry and help maintain the supply of milk to area cheese plants. All students whose Wisconsin-based dairy farm markets their milk to any SWCMA member plant is eligible to apply. Family members or farm employee family members are both eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Farm impact study nixed A proposed 5,200-cow farm does not create enough risk of increasing already high nitrate levels in Rock County soils to warrant an environmental impact study, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. That is the conclusion of an environmental analysis released by the DNR this month. An impact study would have required a more in-depth process than the analysis, had the DNR deemed the study necessary. The public can comment on the analysis until Friday, Feb. 4.

Brubaker Farms of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, was named the 2011 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year during a ceremony at the International Dairy Foods Association's Dairy Forum in Miami, Florida. Owners Luke, Mike and Tony Brubaker received the award from IDFA Vice Chairman Dave Fuhrmann, who is president and CEO of Foremost Farms USA Cooperative.

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health is reintroducing to the U.S. market the Vista vaccine line, which provides dairy veterinarians and producers with the most complete protection available against the most common and costly bovine respiratory and reproductive diseases.

Dairy producers and their milkers can learn the essentials of quality milk production at the upcoming Best Milking Practices workshops to be presented by Penn State Dairy Alliance. Use of consistent milking practices that emphasize teat cleanliness, udder massage and rapid milking is one of the most important jobs on a dairy farm. Consistency of milking affects cow well-being, mastitis risk and milking speed. Consistent use of standardized milking practices such as pre-dipping, fore-stripping, drying teats with a single-use towel, unit alignment, and rapid unit attaching and detaching at the right time are essential for quality milk.

Minnesota Milk is hosting a webinar on Feb. 3 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. titled, “Forming Your Farm’s Legal Entity: Why is it important and what are my options?

Dairy producers from around Wisconsin took part in a special project to support superior environmental performance through the development and implementation of an Environmental Management System for their farm. The Dairy Business Association - Green Tier Advancement Project (DBA-GTAP) was a joint venture between DBA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The purpose was to change attitudes and behavior in the Wisconsin dairy sector by exploring the use of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) as a tool to establish voluntary environmental improvement goals, measure progress and ultimately protect the natural resources within the state of Wisconsin.

The National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation have entered into a new, strategic alliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Council for Agricultural Education designed to develop agriculture students’ skills, leadership qualities, personal growth and career success.