Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed a proclamation declaring Nov. 3 “Fuel Up to Play 60” Day in recognition of the statewide commitment to child health and wellness at Wilbur Middle School in Wichita. Kansas Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman, former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Eddie Kennison, Kansas City Chiefs mascot KC Wolf as well as Midwest Dairy Council staff, Wilbur students and teachers joined the Governor for the signing.

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are leading the way in learning more about "biochar," the charred biomass created from wood, other plant material, and manure. The studies by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists at laboratories across the country support the USDA priorities of promoting international food security and responding to global climate change. ARS is USDA's chief intramural scientific research agency. Soil scientist Jeff Novak at the ARS Coastal Plains Soil, Water and Plant Research Center in Florence, South Carolina, is coordinating the multi-location effort. In one project, he led a laboratory study to see if different biochars could improve the sandy soils found on the Carolina coastal plain, and Pacific Northwest silt loam soils derived from volcanic ash.

The Supreme Court seems ready to overturn a California law requiring euthanization of downed livestock at federally inspected slaughterhouses to keep the meat out of the nation's food system. The court heard appeals Wednesday from the National Meat Association, which wants a 2009 California law blocked from going into effect.

At the company’s national sales meeting last month, Accelerated Genetics unveiled in dramatic fashion a new brand and corporate identity. The new look pays homage to the company’s 70-year history while focusing on the three things that will continue to carry the cooperative into the future – it’s people, products and pride.

Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association is offering 10 $500 scholarships for the 2012 academic year to college students pursuing careers. An applicant from each of the 10 Equity districts will be selected and awarded a scholarship to use during the next academic school year.

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) has revised its standard on manure storage safety. The revised standard, ASAE EP470.1, Manure Storage Safety, reflects field research on worker safety and proper removal of waste from confined manure storage structures. Additional changes include information on confined space entry with references to a relatively new ASABE safety standard, ANSI/ASABE S607, Ventilating Manure Storages to Reduce Entry Risk.

A Wichita-based farm equipment company whose roots date to the early 1940s has announced it is expanding to Missouri with the purchase of a Kansas City dealership. The Wichita Eagle reports that Foley Equipment Co. plans to purchase Dean Machinery of Kansas City, Missouri, in a deal that is expected to close in January.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a Pierre, South Dakota, organization more than $200,000 to form and expand cooperatives. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that Value-Added Agriculture Development Center was one of 36 organizations in 26 states selected for the grant that helps rural cooperatives and small businesses expand.

Here are some of the new products or updates to previous products that have been announced as of November 9, 2011. Return to this section of the Progressive Dairyman website periodically to find out what new products will be impacting the dairy industry.