Lely invites its producers across North America to take part in the #LelyLife 2014 photo contest, open now through Aug. 31. The company wants to see how you “Live Life Lely” through heartwarming and fun photos of you, your family and your operation.

The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) recently paid $2 million in cash patronage refunds to its dairy farmer members. This cash allocation represents 25 percent of the $6.5 million net earnings generated by the cooperative in fiscal year 2013.

California Dairies Inc. (CDI), the largest dairy processing cooperative in California, has announced it will increase its processing capacity with the addition of a third evaporator at its Visalia plant.

In an effort to support large animal veterinarians, Newport Laboratories (NL) announces flat-rate diagnostic shipping.

The Hilmar Cheese Co. says it will invest up to $100 million to build a milk powder processing plant in California’s Turlock Regional Business Park, and is expected to create at least 40 new jobs.

Farmers who love social media have likely heard of the "felfie" – an ag-based offshoot of the selfie, which is a self-portrait taken on the fly, usually by phone. (For more about felfies, check out this newspaper article.) Progressive Dairyman editors figured that if a #felfie is what happens when a farmer takes a selfie, then dairy farmers should launch the #calfie (farmer + calf + selfie). We took the idea to our Facebook fans, in the form of a #calfie contest, and got a stellar response.

Since the first commercial sale of Posilac on Feb. 4, 1994, it has helped deliver substantial economic and environmental benefits, according to Elanco, in addition to helping today’s dairy producers meet a growing demand for milk.

Growers who plant Mycogen Seeds (MS) brand seed and use crop protection products from Dow AgroSciences can earn cash rebates through the Grower Rewards program during the 2013-14 season.

Select Mating Service (SMS) genetic consultants added more than 2 million new animals to the program in North America last year, the largest number of additions in Select Sires’ history.

Elanco, the animal health division of Eli Lilly and Company, says it has entered an agreement to acquire Lohmann Animal Health (LAH), a privately-held company headquartered in Cuxhaven, Germany.