Alex Souza Dairy Advisor Tulare, California University of California Cooperative Extension

Tara Smith Vice President of Federal Affairs Michael Torrey Associates Washington, D.C.

The highly coveted Bovine Practitioner of the Year award from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) was recently given to Dr. Tom Latta of Spearman, Texas, at the 2013 AABP Annual Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The American Bankers Association Center for Agricultural and Rural Banking will present Wisconsin banker Samuel J. Miller with its annual Bruning Award, honored for his leadership and dedication to providing credit and financial guidance to farmers, ranchers and businesses in rural America.

Progressive Dairyman Editor Emily Caldwell recently talked with Jack Banker, 2013-2014 president of the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association. Banker opened up about recent changes to the organization and goals going into 2014.

Jenn Krultz Loyal Commodity Merchant Loyal, Wisconsin Vita Plus

In late July, the National Geographic channel aired a documentary about hidden-camera animal abuse titled “Inside Secret America: Animal Undercover.” Kay Johnson Smith, CEO for the Animal Ag Alliance, was interviewed for and appeared in the documentary. Progressive Dairyman Editor Walt Cooley talked with Smith about the experience and about her opinion of the 45-minute show.

This year’s World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest, sponsored by the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association (WDPA), received a record 820 entries from dairy processors throughout North America.