Click here to download a pdf of the latest checkoff watch, provided by Cattlemen's Beef Board and My Beef Checkoff Program. PD

Commodity markets are volatile and complex. Whole cottonseed is no exception. That’s why Cotton Incorporated has launched its own enewsletter – Whole Cottonseed. The publication provides the dairy industry with periodic updates about factors affecting whole cottonseed supply, feeding and storage tips, booking strategies and more.

Dairy workers with YoCream International Inc., a division of global French food group Danone SA, voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 305 in Portland, Oregon. “We’re very satisfied that we are getting representation from the Teamsters because the Teamsters represent almost all of the dairies in our area,” said Christopher Greenlee, a lead pasteurizer and one of the 45 new Teamster members at YoCream. “We organized to improve our pay, have better communication with the company and have a say in our work rules.”

Coleman Dairy, a division of Hiland Dairy, is opening a new, 4,100-square-foot distribution center in Monticello, Arkansas. The new facility will act as a distribution center for Coleman and Hiland Dairy Products. Areas served from this facility will include Monticello, McGehee, Lake Village, Eudora, Dermott, Crossett, Dumas and other communities in the southeast region of Arkansas.

A new dairy checkoff photo contest is underway to show off how you, your family, your farm, and even your cows support your favorite NFL team or player. Producers are invited to "capture your family’s pride for the dairy industry and support of your NFL team" by submitting a photo to the Show Your Pride photo contest. An NFL player will visit the dairy of the person who submitted the winning entry.

Dairy enthusiasts are invited to become fans of Expo on Facebook. Click here to visit the page. Fans of Expo’s Facebook page are privy to the latest information, giveaways, including free tickets and official Expo gear, plus it’s an excellent opportunity to connect with other dairy producers and professionals from around the globe. The Expo Facebook page currently has fans from 64 different countries. When the Expo fan page reaches 10,000 “Likes” one person will win an amazing package including a three-night stay at The Madison Concourse & Governor’s Club during Expo.

Nestle has broken ground for the Dairy Farming Institute, which will support the sustainable development and the accelerated modernization of the dairy industry in China. The groundbreaking follows an announcement Nestle made in January, in which the company committed to transform Shuangcheng, one of its largest fresh milk supply bases in China, into the country's benchmark for dairy farming and management best practices.

Aurora Organic Dairy – a Boulder, Colorado-based business with operations in Weld County, including dairies near Platteville and Gill — held a grand opening this month for its new Little Calf Ranch Dairy near Eaton. Aurora currently milks 1,200 cows, with that number expected to grow to about 2,000 in the future, according to an article in Windsor Now.