A leading researcher at Kansas State University has been awarded $250,000 from the Center for Animal Health Innovation's (CAHI) Proof-of-Concept (PoC) seed funding program. Tonatiuh Melgarejo, DVM, PhD, an associate professor at Kansas State University and the principal investigator, will receive the seed funding to assist in the development of a novel class of natural antibiotics for the treatment of mastitis in dairy cattle. In addition to the financial award, Dr. Melgarejo will receive guidance from CAHI's animal health industry-led board of directors to help bring the technology to market.

Brazil's dairy market is to prove one of the world's most vibrant, growing by nearly 10 percent a year, according to advisers on the spin-off of JBS's Vigor business, whose revenues are to expand at an even quicker rate. Cheese, with growth of 14 percent a year, is to lead the Brazilian dairy boom, although it will still lag the yogurt market, which will grow by 10 percent a year to R$7.33bn, bankers at Banco Bradseco said.

Who is the best person to share agriculture’s story? I am a firm believer that farmers’ best spokespeople are actually themselves. And more than ever before, the public is hungry (no pun intended) for information about where their food comes from. Thankfully, the Internet has made it easier than ever before for farmers and ranchers to highlight the importance of what they do with folks thousands of miles away. Blogs are a very popular way for people to learn and share. More than 345 million people read blogs hosted by Wordpress.com, a popular blogging platform, each month.

If dairy producers don't start getting paid more, the dairy industry in Tulare County could die out, local dairy owners told the Visalia Times-Delta. A hearing with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) on May 31 and June 1 will determine if the price of whey should go up.

Celebrating its 10th year, the North American Manure Expo will focus on “Professional Manure Management” with a wide variety of presentations to occur throughout the day. The expo combines three attractions – technology demonstrations, educational events and trade show – into a one-day national event. Beginning in 2001, the University of Wisconsin was approached by several custom manure applicators from around the region requesting a show that provides a side-by-side comparison of agitation and application equipment to help determine which best meets individual needs. From this request, the first show was born in August of 2001 near Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin.

Tammy Anderson-Wise has been named chief executive officer of Dairy Council of California (Dairy Council of CA) by the organization’s producer-distributor board of directors. Anderson-Wise was formerly director of program services for Dairy Council of CA, managing its school programs. She has been with the organization 15 years. She replaces Peggy Biltz, who is retiring after spending 27 years with Dairy Council of CA, 22 as chief executive officer.

The University of California Davis, under contract with the State Water Board, conducted an independent investigation of nitrate contamination of drinking water in the Tulare Lake Basin and the Salinas Valley. The report examines sources of nitrate contamination, impacts and costs, as well as outlining potential funding and policy options. Dairy farms of the Tulare Lake Basin and the manure nitrogen they produce are prominently mentioned in the report. Agriculture is listed as responsible for 96 percent of the nitrate accumulation with dairy being about one-third of that, so we need to not only pay attention to the ensuing discussion, but to be active participants. Denial is not an option.

Hazel-Bush Flap Flower has claimed the title of Holstein Association USA’s 2011 Star of the Breed, given annually to one Holstein cow that not only excels in the showring but is also an exceptional milk producer. Flower was bred by Hazel Bush Farms, Inc., of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and is owned by 22-year-old Beth Nelson of Blair, Wisconsin.