Clint Pemberton Olmsted Falls, Ohio Biomass Account Executive quasar energy group

Idaho Department of Agriculture figures show that food and farm products exported during the first six months of 2012 are up 15 percent compared to the same period a year ago. The agency estimates that more than 25 percent of the state's farm products are exported to overseas markets, with dairy products leading the way. Dairy goods such as dry whey, cheese and butter are up 10 percent from a year ago.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) strongly condemns recently released video showing the inhumane treatment of cows at a California slaughterhouse and is calling for stricter adherence to humane animal handling guidelines and standards. The AVMA labeled the abuse, which includes cows being pulled by their tails, kicked, and repeatedly shocked, as indefensible and deplorable.

Western United Dairymen’s petition for emergency price relief and changes to 4b pricing formula was denied by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The CDFA gave the following reasons for its denial:

Penn State’s Extension Dairy Team has developed a mobile app titled DairyCents that offers two features: calculate income over feed costs (IOFC) feed price comparisons with the Penn State Feed Price List or other users across the country Income over feed cost is determined by taking milk income per cow minus feed cost per cow and addresses only the lactating animals. It is a simple calculation but for most producers requires a lot of inputs because of all the different feeds fed and grouping strategies. The question arose: Would using readily available market information to simplify the calculation result in a realistic number?

Dairy promotion directors elect board officers Leaders of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) and the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) announced the following dairy producers as officers: Chair – Paul Rovey, Glendale, Arizona Vice Chair – James Ahlem, Hilmar, California Secretary – David “Skip” Hardie, Lansing, New York Treasurer – Steve Hanson, Clovis, New Mexico DMI, which manages the national dairy producer checkoff program, is funded by the NDB and the United Dairy Industry Association. —From Dairy Checkoff Update DFA volunteers' afternoon of service in Ohio A group of volunteers representing Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) convened at Matthew: 25 Ministries for an afternoon of service reflecting the Cooperative’s core value of community.

Heather Porter Engwall, director of National Product Communications for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, shares information on the Cheese Cupid Cinema and pairing app with Progressive Dairyman. This app was developed to aid consumers in pairing cheese and beverages. Whether your drink of choice is a Chardonnay, stout beer or Scotch, you'll find the perfect Wisconsin cheese match. PD