Progressive Dairy

Baytril 100 (enrofloxacin) Injectable approved by FDA for control of BRD in high-risk cattle

November 8, 2012

Cattle producers and veterinarians now have a new option for control of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle at high risk of developing BRD. Baytril 100 (enrofloxacin) Injectable, manufactured by Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division, has been approved by the FDA for control of all four major BRD pathogens. With the latest approval from FDA, Bayer HealthCare asserts that Baytril 100 is the first and only fluoroquinolone approved for treatment of BRD and control of BRD in high-risk cattle.

Names in the News: Mike Yoder

November 8, 2012

Indiana dairy farmer Mike Yoder’s offhand comment to a Reuters reporter sparked newspaper articles, an interview on Fox TV and a Saturday Night Live mention. How did the first story, the Reuters article titled ‘Sweet times for cows as gummy worms replace costly corn feed,’ come about? That was accidental. It started in the middle of the summer when Reuters called me about a drought-related story. I just made an offhand comment that we were feeding ice cream sprinkles to help reduce feed cost – I shared with him [the reporter] that it’s not an unusual practice in the cattle industry to feed bakery products.

I belong to... DCHA: Mary Buck

November 8, 2012

Age: 49 Location: West Concord, Minnesota, in the southeast part of the state My dairy’s history: I grew up dairy farming with my mother and brothers. Through those years, my own herd of cows and heifers grew. In 1999, I bought this farm and married Curt Oeltjenbruns and we combined herds. In 2009, we sold the cows and were approached by another dairy to raise heifers for them.

December DAIReXNET webinar focuses on group-housed calves

November 8, 2012

Emily Caldwell Gwin

On December 7, 2012 from noon to 1 p.m. CST, Dr. Mark Thomas will present, "Feeding Systems for Group-Housed Dairy Calves." Thomas is a partner in Countryside Veterinary Clinic, LLP in northern New York. The practice employs eight veterinarians and services about 200 clients. According to the DAIReXNET site, his presentation will focus on optimizing nutrition in a group setting, including tips on practical concepts for ad libitum and acidified feeding.

How engaged are your employees?

November 8, 2012

Phil Durst

Engaged employees are more productive, safer, and more likely to stay longer at your dairy. Gallup, a research based management consulting firm, defines an engaged employee as “someone who works with passion and has profound connection to the company, driving results and moving the organization forward." In other words, engaged employees are those who show passion about their job and the dairy they work for, making them highly productive and efficient at work.

Missouri dairy convention expands to regional event: Heart of America Dairy Expo, Jan. 25-26

November 7, 2012

Missouri's statewide dairy convention is expanding to a regional event called the Heart of America Dairy Expo, taking place Jan. 25-26 in Springfield, Missouri. “We are really excited to offer dairy farmers in the Midwest an alternative for educational programming closer to home and directed to our needs,” says Missouri Dairy Association (MDA) President Larry Purdom of Purdy, Missouri. “We picked Springfield for the next two years because it is a natural trade hub and home to many dairy businesses such as Kraft, Mueller, F&S Food Equipment Company, Dairy Farmers of America and Hiland Dairy Foods."

Southwest Dairy Day drew more than 500 visitors

November 7, 2012

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Tarleton State University hosted the 2012 Southwest Dairy Day on Oct. 18 for dairy producers and the general public. The event was held at Tarleton's Southwest Regional Dairy Center in Stephenville, Texas, and included booth vendors, equipment dealers and educational activities, and tours of the fully operational dairy center.

George Borba, former CDI chairman, passes away

November 5, 2012

California Dairies, Inc. (CDI), along with the entire California dairy industry, mourns the passing of CDI member-owner and past chairman of the board, George Antonio Borba, on Oct. 23, 2012. Borba was an extraordinary and respected leader whose contributions to CDI and the dairy industry are immense. One of his greatest achievements was initiating three of the largest cooperatives in the nation to merge and form California Dairies, Inc., where he served as chairman of the board from its inception in 1999 until 2009.

New Hire Christian Rippe

November 5, 2012

Christian Rippe, DVM Milton, Wisconsin Dairy Specialist Vi-COR

Three Wisconsin milk cooperatives propose merger

November 5, 2012

The board of directors for Family Dairies USA, Manitowoc Milk Producers Cooperative and Milwaukee Cooperative Milk Producers have unanimously voted to recommend a unified merger for their membership. Combined, these three cooperatives could soon become the largest Midwest dairy marketing cooperative. “We are extremely excited about the future this effort will offer our members,” says David Cooper, general manager for Family Dairies USA.