We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
The keystone of programs offered by the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania is offering opportunities for Pennsylvania producers to learn from other producers – to hear their experiences, visit their operations and network within the industry. And what better place to visit and learn than sunny California?
About 30 producers and industry professionals traveled to Pennsylvania April 10-12 as part of the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin's (PDPW) bus tour. The tour showcased operations in Lancaster and Franklin counties, two of Pennsylvania's largest milk producing areas.
Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Senate Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee held an informational session to educate Ag Committee members and their staffers on the role that dairy plays in Pennsylvania. Center for Dairy Excellence staff joined Jay Howes from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Tim Moyer from the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board and Justin Risser, a dairy producer from Bainbridge, Pennsylvania, to provide those in attendance with a 90-minute introduction to Pennsylvania’s dairy industry, the role it plays in Pennsylvania’s economy and in rural communities across the commonwealth, and the opportunities and threats that exist for today’s dairy farm owners.
This month’s Center for Dairy Excellence column includes an abbreviated version of the comments Justin Risser provided before the Senate Ag Committee. All dairy farm families should consider sharing their story with key leaders in their communities and on the state and national level.
The movement to raise the voices of America’s farmers and ranchers and facilitate the dialogue about today’s food is gaining momentum.
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) is a collaboration of more than 75 farmer- and rancher-led organizations and agricultural partners. The organization aims to create new ways for farmers and ranchers from all types of agriculture to reach consumers – whether that’s in the national news scene, popular culture or social media.
Kara Miller has always known that she wanted to be a veterinarian. She spent plenty of time around small animals, but thought her career would benefit from some experience with large animals.
Kathy Mahon grew up in 4H, graduated from Delaware Valley College, and knows that she belongs on a dairy farm.
Both young women say they have benefited greatly from participating in the dairy internship program at University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet).
The internship in dairy herd management takes place at Penn Vet’s Marshak Dairy, located on the university's New Bolton Center campus in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
The farm houses 175 lactating Holstein cows, 30 dry cows and 160 young stock, and is staffed by a herd manager and three full-time farm workers. Veterinary care is provided by Penn Vet’s Field Service.
DeLaval has received orders from the dairy programs at two higher education institutions for the supply of its innovative milking solutions.
Canada’s University of Saskatchewan and New York’s Alfred State College have each opted for one DeLaval VMS (Voluntary Milking System) and numerous herd management solutions.
The move further signifies university officials’ confidence in DeLaval – especially as technology plays a greater role in the development of the dairy industry.
In response to current market conditions, California Dairies, Inc. (CDI), the nation’s second largest dairy processing cooperative, recently cautioned its member-owners that penalties for overproduction of milk may be incurred per the terms of CDI’s internal supply management program.
In effect since 2008, CDI’s internal supply management program was designed to place limitations on the amount of milk that each member would be allowed to ship to the cooperative. Penalties may apply to those members who ship more milk than the baseline amount they were assigned.
Out of 200 professions ranked in CareerCast.com’s 2012 Jobs Rated Report, dairy farmer was rated the second worst, followed only by lumberjack on the list of Worst Jobs of 2012.
Factors that went into the score included work environment, stress, physical demands, hiring outlook and income.
The page of the report that details the score for dairy farming has accumulated a variety of comments, most of which offer a point-of-view that contrasts with CareerCast's assessment of the profession.
The National Dairy Producers Organization, Inc., are holding meetings to discuss industry specific topics with Congressional representatives as well as producers in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
These meetings launched Wednesday, April 18, when board members Dennis Trissel, Bob Krucker and Gary Genske met with Congressmen and their representatives in Washington D.C. to discuss industry compromise as well as the Dairy Industry Stabilization and Sustainability Act of 2011 (DISSA).
Recent export data from U.S. Department of Agriculture officials highlighted the continued growth in export of dairy products and dairy heifers.
Exports of dairy heifers in 2012 have increased by more than 34 percent through February when compared to the same period a year ago.
Year-to-date dairy heifer exports to Russia increased dramatically, increasing almost tenfold. Through February of last year, dairy heifer exports to Russia totaled only 648 head compared to this year’s 6,390 head.
RSS
