The nation’s largest milk and dairy products producer and distributor will support the National FFA Organization in 2011 with a $100,000 sponsorship to help develop students’ dairy-related skills and knowledge of the industry. Dean Foods Foundation will support two national career development competitions focused on dairy cattle evaluation and dairy foods career exploration. The company will also fund an FFA grant program that will provide resources to FFA members with financial needs to help them successfully complete FFA-required supervised agricultural experiences. Dean Foods Foundation will also sponsor an FFA scholarship program designed to support collegiate students in pursuit of careers in the agriculture industry.

The international derivatives exchange Eurex announced that it will intensify efforts to extend its footprint in the agricultural markets. The exchange will kick off a new educational initiative to reach key U.S. dairy market participants with a one-day Chicago conference on global dairy markets on July 18. The program features renowned dairy market academics including Michael Keane, senior lecturer at University College Cork in Ireland, and Mark Stephenson, director of dairy policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin.

Three Holstein Association USA members were recognized during the National Holstein Convention annual banquet last month for their outstanding contributions to Holstein Association USA and the Holstein breed as a whole.

Advanced Dairy Nutrition (ANSC 423) will be offered by the University of Illinois in the fall of 2011 beginning on Aug. 29. This feeding class (ANSC423) covers nutrient classes, phase feeding, dry cow feeding and health, and forages. The course will be coordinated by Mike Hutjens. Advanced Dairy Reproduction (ANSC 437) will begin on Aug. 29 with Dick Wallace coordinating the class. All phases of reproductive physiology, management, nutrition, and health will be covered.

Sonoma County Farm Bureau will be honoring the Mulas Family of Sonoma Valley, California, in recognition of excellence in conservation, stewardship, environmental enhancement and generational dedication to farming and ranching in Sonoma County on July 13 at Love of the Land, a benefit dinner to protect farmlands and clean water. The event will be held at Richard's Grove and Saralee's Vineyard located in the heart of Sonoma County's Russian River Valley.

The Stearns County SWCD is sponsoring a field day at Nick and Tara Meyer Farm at 39957, 360th St., Sauk Centre, Minnesota from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The Meyer Farm is one of six Discovery Farms Minnesota locations. Discovery Farms Minnesota provides both information and forum to educate and improve communications among the agricultural community, consumers, researchers and policy-makers to identify and implement effective management practices that are compatible with profitable agriculture.

Agriculture land prices in the U.S. have increased steadily over the last decade, leading experts and landowners to question whether the high values are sustainable. The short answer from the Rabobank International Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) group is that the land value rates are not a speculative bubble, but a decrease in land values over several years is a definite possibility.

The Israeli company S.A.E. Afikim (brand name afimilk) – and now S.A.E. Afikim USA, Inc. (afimilk USA) has announced that it is setting up an independent business to serve the North America dairy farmers. afimilk is a worldwide market leader in management technologies for milk production and dairy cow management. Previously the afimilk technologies were distributed by DeLaval, Inc. and the offering can still be obtained via DeLaval, Inc.

Accelerated Genetics announced a joint venture with Normande Genetics, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, to market a lineup of Montbeliarde and Normande sires imported from France.