Fifty-three enthusiastic, young dairy industry advocates from across the nation completed the first phase of the Holstein Foundation's renowned Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI), in Albuquerque, New Mexico, March 2-5. Throughout the four-day program, class members had a schedule full of workshops aimed at improving their leadership, communication and advocacy skills. YDLI Phase II takes place over the next 12 months in participants' home communities, and the class will come together again for Phase III in New Mexico, Feb. 29-March 3, 2012.

At the recent MMPA State Annual Delegate Meeting, members and guests recognized Velmar Green, dairy farmer from Elsie, Michigan, for his 42 years of service on the MMPA board of directors. His legacy on the board has shaped MMPA into the successful milk marketing cooperative it is today.

For the sixth year, and with more than 5,000 applicants to its 2011 season, global animal nutrition company Alltech has focused on bringing together the world’s brightest scientific thinkers from colleges and universities across the globe through its Alltech Young Scientist Competition.

With global challenges mounting, it is a crucial time to examine the role research plays in our economic, social and political well-being. In this new Commentary from the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), Investing in a Better Future through Public Agricultural Research, a team of respected scholars provides objective, science-based insights into the state of U.S. investments in public agricultural research.

When the world’s dairy industry gathers each fall in Madison, Wisconsin, it is only fitting that outstanding individuals be recognized for their contributions to the dairy business. World Dairy Expo General Manager Mark Clarke notes, “The best come to Madison. This is true whether you are talking about the trade show exhibitors, the dairy cattle that parade on the colored shavings or the people who attend this show year after year. We are honored to spotlight accomplishments with four special awards.”

The U.S. ag industry produces the safest food in the world. However, drug residues in beef are drawing increased scrutiny from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Unfortunately, dairy cows are 20 times more likely than beef cows and more than 400 times more likely than feedlot cattle to be flagged for carcass residue. Contaminated meat or milk from a dairy operation can result in significant expense, unfavorable publicity and even loss of market access.

The Wisconsin Holstein Association has scheduled this year’s Barn Meetings for March 24, 28 and 30 and April 1. All meetings will start at 11 a.m. and will feature presentations by Dr. Chris Booth or Dr. Matthew Dorshorst on reproductive tools and current reproduction protocols.

Behind every American farm family is the backbone of the operation: the farm mom. Monsanto is honoring her contributions to her family, farm, community and industry with the 2011 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year program.

National Dairy Herd Information Association (DHIA) recognized Harlan Borman, Kingdom City, Missouri, with the H. Victor Joachim Distinguished Leadership/Martin A. Wilson Memorial Award on March 16, in New Orleans, in conjunction with the association’s annual meeting. This award goes to a DHI dairy producer and/or spouse who has held a leadership position in DHIA or the dairy industry, and rendered outstanding and unselfish service for many years, along with a notable contributions to advancing DHIA in the U.S.; or, is a worthy person who has been employed in a DHI management position for at least five years and has been dedicated to improving DHIA.