The USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is seeking applications from rural small businesses and agricultural producers for funding to make energy-efficiency improvements or to install renewable energy systems. For fiscal year 2014, the USDA plans to award up to $12.3 million in grants and $57.8 million in loan guarantees.

Rock River Laboratory Inc. (RRL) has opened the company’s newest feed analysis laboratory location in Wooster, Ohio. The latest addition to the enterprise provides consultants, nutritionists and industry partners greater convenience, local industry knowledge combined with accurate analysis, technical support, expertise and the dedicated customer service.

Applications for the Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) are now available. YDLI is a dairy-focused, three-phase leadership and communication skills development program, sponsored by the Holstein Foundation.

Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association’s operations and financial status was shared and reviewed at 10 annual district meetings.

ANIMART Inc. is hosting its first continuing education (CE) course for certified veterinary technicians. The first course will highlight calf care and be offered from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 6.

The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) made cash payments of $3.8 million in equity retirements in April, according to the group. These cash payments represent the retirement of the 2005 equities.

The WCVM Production Animal Club from the University of Saskatchewan is the winner of the 2014 BCF University Competition. Club members’ adventure back to their childhood days paid off as their Magic School Bus voyage into a cow’s reproductive system won them an Easi-Scan ultrasound system.

The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in Amarillo now offers T4 testing by homogenous thyroxine immunoassay. Previously, when Amarillo clients submitted a sample for T4 testing, it was forwarded to College Station.

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has been recognized as a leader in sustainability efforts at Walmart’s first Sustainability Product Expo in Rogers, Arkansas. During the event, Rick Smith, DFA’s president and chief executive officer, participated in a panel discussing sustainable agriculture and building more efficient supply chains. Executives from Cargill and Monsanto joined Smith on the panel.

Canarm/BSM Agri Products, one of North America’s leading agricultural equipment suppliers for livestock producers, is shortening its name to Canarm AgSystems (CAS). The Canarm BSM name and logo will be phased out over the next year.