Bethany Fisher Lubbock, Texas Calf and Heifer Specialist Purina Animal Nutrition

Deb Barlament Green Bay, Wisconsin Development Director Dairy Business Association (DBA)

Christine Reitsma Sauk Centre, Minnesota 59th Princess Kay of the Milky Way Midwest Dairy Association www.facebook.com/PrincessKayOfTheMilkyWay

Brian Pacheco, a fourth-generation dairyman from Kerman, California, and chairman of the board of California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) is a recipient of an Award of Distinction from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC – Davis. During a recent national sales meeting, colleagues in Pfizer Animal Health’s U.S. cattle and equine business unit decided to forgo some food and beverages throughout the week and donate the money saved to Bethel Orphanage in Juarez, Mexico. Pfizer’s $11,000 donation represents about 6 percent of the orphanage’s annual operating budget.

Kima Simonson Deer Park, Washington Member National Dairy Promotion and Research Board

Julie Veldhuis Lund Wendell, Idaho Member National Dairy Promotion and Research Board

Julia Hamann, DVM Cedar Rapids, Iowa Dairy Marketing Manager Diamond V

YES, Tail docking in cattle should be permitted and the entire subject be left up to the owner and no one else – period! First, my safety and the safety of my children and any other who may milk for me is paramount. In the past, I have been hit in the face with crud-covered tails – twice I have suffered scratched corneas and once I had a capillary in my eye ruptured, leaving the white part of my eye blood-filled and painful.

In March, President Obama appointed Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy as director of the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Ramaswamy, an entomologist, grew up in India at a time when food was scarce. However, he also experienced firsthand how research – especially agricultural research – can transform a country for the better. Throughout his career, Ramaswamy served in administrative and educational and research capacities at multiple land-grant universities across the country. Prior to joining NIFA, Ramaswamy was dean at Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Progressive Dairyman Editor Dario Martinez followed up with Ramaswamy to discuss NIFA’s current research endeavors, including those connected to the dairy industry.

Dairy families honored by University of Minnesota U of M recognized 76 Farm Families of 2012, including several dairy industry families: Carlton County: Newman Dairy Carver County: Heuer Dairy Inc. Kandiyohi County: Carlson Dairy, LLP Mower County: Gene Anderson Dairy Farm Rice County: Joe and Pat DeGrood Bros. Todd County: Lunemann Family's Twin Eagle Dairy Wadena County: Mertens Family Dairy Farm Wright County: Valley View Dairy (Dan & Erica Elsenpeter and Luke & Elizabeth Elsenpeter) —From University of Minnesota news release Scholarships awarded to support future organic leaders Horizon Organic awarded $2,500 scholarships to four students with promising futures in organic agriculture – all children or grandchildren of Horizon’s 600-plus family farmers.