Mark McCormick has watched many of the farms in his community shut down in the past three decades, but McCormick has been determined not to join that fate. It hasn’t been easy, keeping his dairy going. But he and his family have been doing it since 1839, when Christopher McCormick moved to Java, New York, and started farming. That McCormick would leave in the fall to work in New Orleans before returning for the spring planting.

The Wisconsin Holstein Association will be awarding nearly $13,000 in scholarships to 13 of its best and brightest youth. Awards will be given to college students studying agriculture and related fields at the annual Junior Holstein Convention to be held in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Jan. 8-10, 2011.

Milk Specialties Global has announced the purchase of the production facility of Robert Morgan Inc. in Paris, Illinois. This facility is located approximately 165 miles south of Chicago and has been partnering with Milk Specialties as a toll manufacturing facility for the past 16 months.

DeLaval will strengthen its presence and service in New York and Vermont through the acquisition of Premier Dairy Service LLC. Premier Dairy Service LLC is headquartered in Argyle, New York, with other locations in Middlebury and St. Albans, Vermont. The business was originally established in 1969. Currently, 18 employees at three locations provide service for approximately 1,500 licensed dairies. DeLaval believes the acquisition strengthens its commitment to maintaining and expanding its customer base. By acquiring Premier Dairy Service LLC, DeLaval will meet the needs of more than 150,000 cows in a most important dairy area.

Click here to download a pdf of the latest Industry Watch List update, provided by Dairy Management Inc (DMI). This update focuses on animal activism and provides information about mainstream media claims regarding USDA and DMI. PD

Members of the Dairy Business Association (DBA) gathered in Madison last week for their 11th Annual Business Conference for educational and networking opportunities, as well as to elect members to their Board of Directors. Two members were re-elected and one is new to the board.

The Jerome Cheese Company, a division of Davisco Foods International, announced plans to add mozzarella cheese to its product line. The Idaho company already produces 520,000 pounds of cheddar cheese. Pizza — and increased marketing from companies like Pizza Hut and Papa John's Pizza — is driving the demand for mozzarella cheese.