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Dairy Intern: Abby Udermann

July 2, 2010

Senior,University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Dairy Genetics intern withGenex Based in Shawano, Wisconsin

Senior, The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute Intern at Airosa Dairy Based in Tulare County, California Background Q. In what area are you pursuing a degree? I'm studying dairy cattle production and management. Q. What is your agricultural background? I grew up in a small farming community, but I am not from a farm. I have worked on two different dairies within the last six years. While growing up, I was always interested in dairy farming, and for as long as I can remember, my dream was always to be a dairy farmer. I first started out as a freshman in high school working on an 80-cow registered Holstein herd every day after school and on the weekends where I got a good start in the industry and really learned a lot. I immediately took an interest in the registered Holstein cow as well through showing at state and county levels, helping with classification and speaking with my boss about bull contracts in which he had at the time.

DPAC calls for daily price reporting at DOJ/USDA meeting

July 2, 2010

USDA and the Department of Justice heard from the Dairy Policy Action Coalition (DPAC) last Friday, June 25 during the joint workshop on dairy markets at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Former Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff, who is now a partner with Versant Strategies and serves as government relations consultant for DPAC, was invited to participate in the panel discussing marketplace transparency.

Dairy Intern: Emily Schmitt

July 2, 2010

Senior, Wartburg College Intern at Midwest Dairy Association Based in Ankeny, Iowa Background Q. In what area are you pursuing a degree? I'm majoring in communication arts with a public relations emphasis and leadership minor Q. What is your agricultural background? I grew up on a 250-cow dairy farm in northeast Iowa. Q. What previous internship positions have you held? I worked in the state 4-H office last summer as the Iowa State Fair 4-H Communications Assistant. The previous summer I was the Fayette County 4-H Program Assistant and worked with programming in my county’s extension office.

Dairy Intern: Danielle Brown

July 1, 2010

Junior, University of Wisconsin – Madison Progeny Promotions intern with ABS Global Based in DeForest, Wisconsin Background Q. In what area are you pursuing a degree? I am majoring in dairy science and life sciences communication. Q. What is your agricultural background? I grew up on a 60-cow registered Holstein and Jersey farm in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. I grew up showing cattle and being involved in agricultural organizations including 4-H, FFA, Junior Holstein Association and Junior Jersey Breeders Association.

Dairy Intern: Matt Herdering

July 1, 2010

Senior, St. John’s University Intern at Minnesota Milk Producers Association Based in Buffalo, Minnesota Background Q. In what area are you pursuing a degree? I’m majoring in management with an emphasis on business administration and a minor in economics. Q. What is your agricultural background? I grew up working on North Oak Dairy, my family’s dairy farm in Freeport, Minnesota.

Dairy Intern: David Jones

July 1, 2010

Junior, Cal Poly State University Marketing Communications intern with Accelerated Genetics Based in Baraboo, Wisconsin Background Q. In what area are you pursuing a degree? I am a dairy science major and agricultural communications minor. Q. What is your agricultural background? Agriculture has always been an extremely important part of my family. We own and operate a dairy in Stevinson, California. Our lives revolve around that farm, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

A hand at stopping milk spilling

June 30, 2010

Rube Goldberg was a noted cartoonist of the first half of the 20th Century. Among his many honors was a Pulitzer Prize for political satire. But we know him today not for his satire, but for a series of popular cartoons where he depicted complex ways to do simple things like wiping a window, teeing a ball without bending over and wiping the mouth with a napkin. His graphic satires of the ever-growing use of “gadgets” in American life became so well known that in the 1930s Webster’s Dictionary added his name to its definitions. A Rube Goldberg contraption today means something that “accomplishes by extremely complex, roundabout means what seemingly could be done simply.”

For better decisions, add structure

June 30, 2010

The road to better marketing continues for Dave Geiser and Deb Reinhart of Gold Star Farms. After choosing a marketing consultant in November 2009, Dave and Deb began their journey. The destination: better control of their business through better marketing. Travel log entry: May 2010. “We had hoped that milk prices would rally, but since they have not, we are controlling our destiny by making marketing decisions that meet our goals. That process is empowering and certainly puts us in a different place than we were months ago. The positive attitude it generates makes it easier to conduct business on a daily basis…”

Manure Expo moves to Northeast

June 30, 2010

To help manure handlers adopt new technologies and best management practices, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will host the 2010 Manure Expo, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 15 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs. This annual event has been held for eight years, previously in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio and Iowa. Pennsylvania will host it for the first time this year, attracting a new audience from the Northeast. The expo’s theme, “Balancing Production and Conservation,” addresses how manure handlers must navigate federal, state and local regulations, public perceptions and scrutiny, and economic pressures, while trying to make the most of an important natural resource, said Expo Coordinator Robert Meinen, senior extension associate for Penn State Cooperative Extension.