Valmetal expanded their factory this summer in order to adapt to a fast-changing market and to better serve the needs of large equipment production.

On the day in which the U.S. Congress passed three historic free trade agreements, the grassroots dairy producers of the Dairy Policy Action Coalition (DPAC) were in the nation's capitol stressing the need for policies that position dairy farmers to benefit from these trade opportunities. DPAC lauded the October 12 introduction of the much-anticipated Dairy Advancement Act by Senator Robert Casey, Jr. (D-Pennsylvania). Senate Bill 1682 wasthe highlight of discussions on Capitol Hill throughout the day. It contains key elements of DPAC’s Cornerstones for Change.

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) applaud the passage Wednesday by the House and Senate of three free trade agreements (FTAs) with South Korea, Panama and Colombia. “We wish to thank President Obama and his trade team, and leaders in both houses of Congress, who worked hard in recent months to make these favorable votes possible,” said Jerry Kozak, president and chief executive officer of NMPF.

A summer of drought that wilted pastures and alfalfa fields has spawned record high-hay prices this fall and looming shortages to feed cattle this winter. The dairy industry is feeling the misery most keenly, with intense demand for top-quality hay at the same time milk prices are slipping.

This year's World Dairy Expo, themed "Around the World of Dairy in 5 Days," featured some of the world's most progressive operations through farm tours (both virtual and in person) and some of the most progressive ideas and research through seminars and discussions. The Progressive Dairyman team looks forward to the show each year and was excited to bring the map for a second year, featuring both the United States and an international section. A camera captured an image of the map every minute (seriously!) during the show. Check out the video below to see the map coverage progression over the course of the week. PD Can you spot yourself in the video? Leave a comment below with your name and a time stamp (ex: Sarah at 1:23), and we'll send you a Proud to Dairy hat!

DeLaval hosted a group of dairy producers for three days during last week's World Dairy Expo. On Tuesday, October 8, attendees spent the day touring four dairy operations, each with a different milking equipment setup.

Americans talk skinny but eat fat. No matter that First Lady Michelle Obama has been on a crusade for a year and a half to slim down the country. Never mind that some restaurants have started listing calories on their menus. Forget even that we keep saying we want to eat healthy. When Americans eat out, we order burgers and fries anyway. "If I wanted something healthy, I would not even stop in at McDonald's," says Jonathan Ryfiak, 24, a New York trapeze instructor who watches his diet at home but orders comfort foods like chicken nuggets and fries when he hits a fast-food joint.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is suing Jerome Cheese Company for allegedly violating the Clean Water Act. In the civil complaint, filed in Boise's U.S. District Court last week, The EPA contends that the Davisco Foods International-owned Jerome Cheese Company in southern Idaho dumped waste water containing pollutants into an irrigation system that eventually flows into the Snake River.

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Minnesota’s application for statewide bovine Tuberculosis (TB) Free status, effective October 4, 2011. The approval comes six years after the discovery of an infected beef herd in July 2005. In recent years, status downgrades have been the cause of increased testing and movement requirements for Minnesota cattle, both in-state and out. With U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval, the status upgrade will bring relief to most Minnesota cattle producers.