The Wisconsin Holstein Association held its annual Cow Camp May 19-20 at the Pine Lake Camp in Waupaca, Wisconsin. The camp provides junior members with a hands-on experience through various workshops revolving around the Registered Holstein cow. A total of 70 junior members from around the state attended this year’s weekend-long Cow Camp.

Cows, calves and tasty dairy treats are making their annual appearance on the Capitol Square in Madison, Wisconsin, for Cows on the Concourse. The free event, which takes place 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 2, has relocated to North and South Pinkney Street and East Washington Avenue. The event kicks off June Dairy Month in Dane County.

The New Holland Agriculture equipment company was established in the 1890s and was named for its location: New Holland, Pennsylvania. After much growth and many mergers, the company is now part of CNH and owned by Fiat Industrial. Fiat S.p.A. includes brands such as Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge. New Holland Vice President Abe Hughes said leadership in the company began to recognize a need to “rejuvenate” the New Holland brand name. The company held a media event April 25-26, where more than 20 agricultural print, radio and television outlets were invited to learn about the company’s history and growth. Attendees test-drove some of its newest equipment, including the new T9 Series four-wheel drive tractor with SmartTrax, which reduces soil compaction.

When South Dakota’s farmers wanted to connect with consumers they brought the consumers to the farm. Now, events like Mom’s Day Out on the Farm dot calendars throughout the state and consumers are meeting the people who help put food on the table.

Rita Holt has a farmer’s heart. That’s the secret ingredient to her award winning recipes. Each year for the past several, she’s entered a contest at National MooFest, an Athens, Tennessee, event celebrating the community’s connection to dairy farmers. or scroll down to see more details on MooFest. Twice now, she’s won; once for using dairy products in a recipe and once for her homemade ice cream. She said she and her husband, Dean, used to farm but when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, they sold all but a few acres. They still occasionally keep livestock around – a few chickens or a cow, which she spoils rotten.

One of the pre-conference events in relation to the Western Canadian Dairy Seminars is a producer tour of local dairy farms. This year, three farms south of Red Deer, Alberta, opened their doors and stories to two busloads of visitors – Van Den Broek Dairy (pictured at right), Ten Brummelhuis Dairy Ltd. and Yff Dairy Ltd.