Genex Cooperative, Inc. Holstein bulls derived from the GENESIS Cooperative Herd lead the industry in genomic accuracy. These 54 Co-op prefix bulls averaged a mere $1 drop in Lifetime Net Merit (LNM) as they transitioned from genomic-only genetic evaluations in August 2010 to daughter-proven genetic evaluations in December 2011 (minimum of 40 daughters). The average change among the 1,879 bulls industrywide over the same time period was a $22 decrease.

Merck Animal Health announced it has signed an agreement with the Department of Medical Microbiology of the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University to embark on the development of innovative vaccination strategies against bacterial udder infections (mastitis) in dairy cattle.

Do you want to speak out for agriculture but aren’t sure where to start? Have you ever wanted to respond to a news article that didn’t quite get the facts right about modern agriculture? Do you seek ways to keep your farm secure from “undercover” activists?

Dan Glickman hasn’t left Washington, even though his last public service office as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture during the Clinton administration (1995-2001) ended in 2001. Glickman has since served as CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America and at several Washington think tanks. He is co-chair of AGree, a recently formed initiative backed by nine of the world’s leading non-profit foundations. Progressive Dairyman Editor Walt Cooley asked him about the initiative’s goal and his perspective on current ag issues.

The home of the dairy cows on the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus is getting a long-awaited update. In May, the university will undertake a $3 million remodeling of the Dairy Cattle Center on Linden Drive. The remodeled facilities will enable better animal care – with better cooling and ventilation and bigger, more comfortable stalls – and enhanced learning opportunities than are possible in the existing 56-year-old setup, says Kent Weigel, chair of the dairy science department. Facilities will be shared by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the School of Veterinary Medicine, which recently combined their herds.

A coalition of agricultural commodity groups and farmers from Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware have partnered to launch Mid-Atlantic Farmers Feed US. “The Mid-Atlantic Farmers Feed US program is a tremendous opportunity to introduce the region’s consumers to the hard-working men and women who raise healthy, nutritious and affordable food,” said Charlie Arnot, CEO of the Center for Food Integrity. “We need to show that even though our systems have changed and our use of technology has increased, the farmer’s commitment to do what’s right has never been stronger.”

Tillamook, a farmer-owned dairy co-op, announces the release of their light yogurt line naturally sweetened with Truvia sweetener. To make the best tasting, highest quality light yogurt Tillamook took two years perfecting the recipe made with no artificial growth hormones, no artificial flavors, no artificial colors, no artificial sweeteners and no high fructose corn syrup. The 10-flavor line is ready for national distribution and has been authorized by major grocery retailers in the Pacific Northwest.

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach will offer a nationally renowned farm business course for northeast Iowa women in February. Annie’s Project empowers farm women to be better business partners through peer networks. The program includes critical decision making and information topics on production, marketing, financial, legal and human resources risk management.

Midwest Dairy Association’s Minnesota Division District annual meetings begin Jan. 5, in conjunction with county American Dairy Association (ADA) meetings. The meetings are designed to bring dairy producers up to date on activities and results from their dairy promotion checkoff program. At each meeting, a district producer director for the Minnesota Division of Midwest Dairy will provide a report and answer questions.