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.

Organizers have spent the past several months planning the first annual Gunnison Valley Dairy Days. They are inviting the public to "come have an 'udderly' amazing time in small town Gunnison, Utah." Dairy Days will take place May 31 through June 2 on the Gunnison Valley High School football fields. Events include an antique tractor show, petting zoo, cow milking games, softball and archery tournament, concert, dance and fireworks. Youth are invited to participate in a dairy cattle judging contest. A dairy ambassador – Miss Gunnison Valley Dairy Days – will be crowned and receive a $650 scholarship.

Corn prices are moderating for both the current crop year and for 2012/13. The corn price is projected to be $5.95 to $6.25 a bushel in 2011/12, a decline from April’s projected price and to slip to $4.20 to $5.00 a bushel next year. Higher corn plantings and higher expected yield could lead to a record-high corn supply in 2012/13 despite tight carryin stocks. The recent Crop Progress report showed a crop well ahead of average development for this time of year.

Indiana's Fair Oaks Farms will complete its switch this summer from fossil fuels to a renewable fuel made from cow manure, reported The Times of Northwest Indiana. A cleaning system is being shipped from New Zealand to be installed at Fair Oaks Farms' anaerobic digester to to scrub out the carbon dioxide. (The digester already produces enough energy to power a 1 megawatt generator for the dairies.) Click here to read Progressive Dairyman's previous article about Fair Oaks Farms' plans for biomethane.

About 2.7 billion low-income consumers in developing countries are the dairy industry’s next big growth opportunity, according to Tetra Pak research. Click here to view Tetra Pak's Dairy Index, which tracks facts and trends in the global dairy industry. The food processing and packaging company said the opportunity arises from an expected increase in prosperity, purchasing power and desire for packaged liquid dairy products (LDP).

The Annual Summer Meltdown Celebration, sponsored by Accelerated Genetics' Young Producer Program, is set for Saturday, June 9 at Knigge Farms in Omro, Wisconsin. Click here to watch a video invitation to the event.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, will sell its soybean products by seed count per unit, rather than by weight. The change begins this fall for varieties sold throughout Canada and the U.S. for the 2013 planting season. The number of soybean seeds sold per unit by Pioneer will be 140,000.