Click here to download a pdf of the latest Dairy Checkoff in Action provided by Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI) PD

• Veterinarians specializing in dairy cattle were recognized during the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) annual conference. AgriLabs presented its Dr. Bruce Wren Dairy Continuing Education Award to Dr. David Hudson, who works with dairy cattle in Missouri. Dr. Steve Wadsworth was recognized as the Dairy Quality Center’s Veterinarian of the Year. Jim Jarrett, DVM, was posthumously inducted into the Cattle Production Veterinarian Hall of Fame.

Chobani is hosting a grand opening celebration at its new Twin Falls, Idaho production facility on Dec. 17. The grand opening ceremony takes place almost exactly a year after Chobani’s Dec. 19, 2011, groundbreaking ceremony. Since then, contractors have built the approximately 950,000-square-foot production facility in southeast Twin Falls. It’s the company’s second facility in the U.S.

As consumer demand for locally grown and organic foods increases, so, too, does the interest in unpasteurized – or "raw" – milk. Is milk that comes straight from a cow safe to drink? A new Purdue Extension publication helps separate fact from fiction.

A new junior animal scientist program helps kids learn more about science and the animal world. Children ages 5 to 12 can explore science careers and study the lives of pets, farm animals and zoo animals. All junior animal scientists receive a full year subscription to Jr. Animal Scientist magazine. The magazine has great resources for learning at home or in the classroom:

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) is utilizing new advertising spots, interactive gaming and technology to show that no matter how much the world has shifted, California milk and dairy products remain an important and relevant part of modern family life. Make us part of your family Everyone remembers the talking California cows who won over TV audiences starting in 2000 with their laid-back attitudes and snappy banter. The world has changed a lot since then but in the newest series of CMAB ads, the cows have evolved with it – they're just as comfortable in today’s high-tech home and complicated family life as they were on their own California farms.

• The University of Minnesota took top honors in both reasons and overall at the 19th Annual Accelerated Genetics Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. Placing second overall was the University of Wisconsin – Platteville. Each of the top three individuals for oral reasons received a special scholarship from the James W. Crowley Fund. They were Cassie Endres, University of Wisconsin – Madison, and Tyler Otte and Jon Schmitt from the University of Minnesota. • The Ruegemer family of Villard, Minnesota, received the 2012 Horizon Organic Producer Education (HOPE) Award. The Galens of Clifton Springs, New York, received Horizon’s 2012 National Quality Award.

Click here to download the latest export watch, provided by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC). PD

Seven Hills Dairy was announced as the first place winner for the 2012 Business Plan Competition, which is part of Ohio's Muskingum County Business Incubator. Conducted annually for the past seven years, the Business Plan Competition is a contest for start-up businesses, as well as existing businesses less than 2 years old. It requires the development of a business plan and projections along with a 15-minute presentation promoting the new business. For winning the grand prize, Seven Hills Dairy was awarded $5,000 in cash and another $5,000 in services.