Earl Cole Rigby, Idaho Area Sales Manager Nutrition Physiology Company LLC

Professional speaker and “agvocate” trainer Michele Payn-Knoper has written and released a book intended to bring many voices from across the food chain together for a civilized conversation about what we eat. No More Food Fights! is available for purchase by clicking here. Progressive Dairyman Editor Emily Caldwell recently caught up with Payn-Knoper (MPK) about the book and her plans to continue the “gate to plate” discussion. Click here to read Caldwell's review of the book.

Linda M. Chimenti Ames, Iowa Executive Vice President Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST)

Minnie Ward Calf and Heifer Consultant – Animal Health Products Accelerated Genetics

Katy Starr Hazelton, Idaho Marketing Specialist AgSource Laboratories

Courtney Smith Sun Prairie, Wisconsin Genetic Management Processing Specialist ABS Global Inc.

In January, a group of 11 farmer and farm worker organizations announced a new coalition, the Agricultural Workforce Coalition, to lobby for immigration reform in Congress. Progressive Dairyman spoke with representatives for two members of the coalition – via phone with Ken Barbic, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbyist for Western Growers, and via news conference with Jerry Kozak, CEO of National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF); and Mike McCloskey, chairman of NMPF’s immigration task force. Their comments have been combined together in this Q&A format.

At the beginning of each year, Holstein Canada announces the new crop of Master Breeders who are recognized as distinguished breeders amongst their peers. This year, 21 Master Breeders will be honoured at the upcoming 2013 National Holstein Convention in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Dr. Neil Michael Merrimac, Wisconsin Senior Business Manager Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition