IOWA STATE DAIRY ASSOCIATION UPDATE
May 2010
In This Update:
ISDA College Scholarships
Mark your Calendars for June Dairy Events!
· Iowa Johne’s Disease Dairy Newsletter Now Available
· Doyle Vetoes Wisconsin Raw Milk Bill
· NPDES Permitting Explored in NW Iowa
· Dairy Abuse Caught on Tape
· The Iowa Dairy Story Reaches 10,000 Student Milestone
· NMPF: Only Call it ‘Dairy’ if it Comes from a Cow
· Dairy panel meets for first time; farmers want help now
· Chipotle Sides with HSUS
· Western Iowa Dairy Alliance Update
· Did you know…?
Dates to Remember:
· June 16-17: Hay Expo, Strawberry Point, IA
· June 17: Green Meadows Cheese Festival, Hull, IA 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
· June 19: Breakfast on the Farm, the Dairy Center, Calmar, IA 7-11 a.m.
· June 25: ISU Dairy Farm Tour, Ames, IA 6-11 a.m.
· June 30: Plymouth Dairy Farm Tour, Le Mars, IA 4-7 p.m.
Internet Sites to Monitor:
· ISDA Website: www.iowadairy.org
· ISDA Blog: www.iowadairyupdate.blogspot.com
· ISDA Twitter: http://twitter.com/IowaDairy
ISDA College Scholarships
Remember to submit your application for one of the six ISDA college scholarships ($500 each). The scholarships are available to any level student, incoming freshmen through seniors, pursuing a degree in any field. Candidates must complete the ISDA scholarship application and attach a one-page essay. All applications and essays must be received by July 1, 2010. The ISDA scholarship application can be downloaded from the ISDA Web site (www.iowadairy.org) or contact Jessica Bloomberg, ISDA industry relations manager, to request an application at (515) 971-3620 or jessicab@iowadairy.org.
Return completed application and essay via email to jessicab@iowadairy.org, fax to 515-964-5498 (attention: Jessica Bloomberg), or mailed to: Iowa State Dairy Association, Scholarship Application, 101 NE Trilein Dr., Ankeny, IA 50021.
Contact Jessica Bloomberg with questions.
Mark your Calendars for these June Dairy Events!
Breakfast on the Farm set for June 19
Sat., June 19, 7-11 a.m.
The Dairy Center
1527 Highway 150 S, Calmar, IA
Plan to attend this innovative dairy event! The Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation is working with area dairy promotion groups, commodity groups, local organizations and NICC to create this family event. The focus is on Awareness of Agriculture. Breakfast will be served from 7 to 11 a.m. and will include pancakes, eggs, sausage and milk. There will be dairy farm tours and children’s activities including a petting zoo. This is a great opportunity to show the general public how a modern dairy farm runs and how we care for our animals. A large turnout is expected so many volunteers are needed! If you can volunteer or have questions, contact Lisa at 563-382-8571, Jenn at 563-382-2949, or Kelli at info@iowadairycenter.com.
ISU Dairy Farm Tour
Friday, June 25, 6-11 a.m.
ISU Dairy Farm
52470 260th St., Ames, IA
This is the second annual ISU Dairy Farm Tour in honor of June Dairy Month. This event will feature guided tours of the milking parlor and cow and calving barns, activities for children and free samples of dairy products courtesy of Iowa’s dairy processors.
Plymouth Dairy Tour
Wednesday, June 30, 4-7 p.m.
Plymouth Dairy
23505 K-49, Le Mars, IA
Visitors will have the opportunity to take a guided bus tour of the dairy farm and speak with dairy farmers about Iowa’s dairy industry. A meal of grilled hamburgers and delicious side dishes will be served by the Plymouth County Cattle Feeders. Tours begin at 4 p.m. and the burgers will be served starting at 5 p.m. For more info about this event, please visit the Western Iowa Dairy Alliance website at www.wiadairy.org. Or call Vickie Franken at (712) 441-0818.
Iowa Johne’s Disease Dairy Newsletter Now Available
The newest Iowa Johne’s Disease Dairy Newsletter is now available. Click on the following link to read the Spring 2010 edition:
http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/animalIndustry/pdf/IAJohnesNewsletterDairySpring2010.pdf
Doyle Vetoes Wisconsin Raw Milk Bill
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has vetoed the raw milk bill. The bill would have legalized the sale of unpasteurized milk by producers direct to consumers on their farms, in vetoing the measure, Doyle cited near unanimous opposition from the dairy industry and medical groups. The bill would have required the producers to conduct monthly testing for pathogens but the Governor said that was not enough to ensure that all of the farmer’s milk was free of harmful contaminates. He noted that the standards are stricter in other states which allow the direct sale of raw milk.
The Governor concluded the Raw Milk Working Group appointed by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection in January “should be allowed to complete its analysis prior to making changes to the legal framework surrounding unpasteurized milk.”
Dairy Business Association president, Jerry Meissner who personally asked the Governor for the veto last week was pleased with his action. “Governor Doyle listened to Wisconsin’s health care professionals…and he deserves a thank you for taking a courageous stand by vetoing the proposed commercial sale of raw milk.” Meissner also asked the State Legislature to respect the Governor’s decision and allow the Raw Milk Working Group to do its job.
Wisconsin Farm Bureau president Bill Bruins thanked the Governor for vetoing the measure stating; “Despite the loud rhetoric from supporters of this bill, Governor Doyle’s veto satisfies the concerns expressed by doctors, county health officials, veterinarians, farmers and cheesemakers all across Wisconsin.”
Read the full statement from Governor Doyle here.
NPDES Permitting Explored in NW Iowa
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association hosted an informational meeting to discuss National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements and related issues.
The meeting was held May 20 at the Corporate Center in Sioux Center.
EPA officials are visiting feedlots and dairies in northwest Iowa with greater frequency, examining operations that require an NPDES permit and stepping up review of 300- to 1,000-head operations. Eldon McAfee and Tamara McCann Thies, NCBA’s chief environmental counsel, participated in the meeting.
Many farmers, both beef and dairy producers, attended this informational session. Those wanting a helping hand to discuss EPA requirements can contact the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers at 1-800-932-2436. (Source: CSIF)
Dairy Abuse Caught on Tape
Tuesday night animal rights group Mercy for Animals released undercover footage taken at an Ohio dairy farm showing dairy cow and calf abuse. The footage, captured earlier this year, was posted on the group’s YouTube channel, Facebook page, blog and website. The group unveiled the footage at a press conference on Wednesday morning in Dayton, OH.
Dairy farmers’ personal stories need to be heard to help inform the public about the great care you provide your cows so they will produce safe and healthy dairy products. Remember to focus on the positive things you do every day to care for your animals. Consider using photographs and/or video to tell your animal care story, or refer to www.dairyfarmingtoday.org.
Below are animal care talking points to include in your conversations. As a reminder, customize and personalize these messages to illustrate your dedication to your animals.
General Animal Care
· Dairy cows must be healthy and well cared-for in order to produce pure, wholesome milk.
· Dairy cows receive regular medical care, including periodic check-ups, vaccinations and prompt treatment of illness.
· Dairy farmers depend on healthy cows for their livelihoods. They care for their herds by providing a nutritious diet, good medical care and healthy living conditions.
The dairy industry has in place a number of initiatives that demonstrate our commitment to animal well-being.
§ In 2009, we unveiled a comprehensive, science-based animal care program called the National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management): www.nationaldairyfarm.com. The FARM program offers a nationwide, verifiable animal well-being program that demonstrates U.S. milk producers are committed to the highest quality standards. It builds on the overarching principles of animal care established by the National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative (www.DairyWellBeing.org) which was established in 2007. (Source: myDairytoolkit email)
The Iowa Dairy Story Reaches 10,000 Student Milestone
On Tuesday, April 27, the Iowa’s Dairy Story program reached the 10,000 student milestone.
Participants in the Iowa Dairy Story tour the 250-cow dairy at the Dairy Center, learn the history of dairying, learn how the ruminant digestive system functions, see the leading state and national milk-producing regions, view the seven breeds of dairy cows, and learn the health impacts of consuming dairy foods. They also see how cows are cared for from the calf barn to the milking parlor. Each group makes homemade ice cream in a can and spins a Milk Cart Quiz to reinforce their learning.
The Iowa’s Dairy Story program was established and coordinated by a three way partnership between Northeast Iowa Community College, Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation, and Iowa State University Extension and its county Extension Councils.
In addition to the youth program, group tours for people of all ages are welcome at the Dairy Center. Please call the Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation at 563-534-9957 or go to www.iowadairycenter.com. Individuals or families seeking free self-guided tours are welcome weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Although guided tours are generally limited to weekdays, the viewing platform for the milking parlor is always open. Milking times are 4:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., with each milking shift taking about three hours.
The Dairy Center is located at 1527 Highway 150, Calmar. (Source: Kelli Boylen, Iowa Dairy Foundation Director)
NMPF: Only Call it ‘Dairy’ if it Comes from a Cow
A decade after it first asked the federal Food and Drug Administration to crack down on the misappropriation of dairy terminology on imitation milk products, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) recently sent another petition to the FDA, asserting that the practice has gotten worse in the past 10 years.
In its petition submitted April 29, NMPF contends that not only have the terms “soy milk” and “soymilk” continued to proliferate, but also other dairy-specific terms like “yogurt,” “cheese,” and “ice cream” are now being used by products made out of a wide variety of non-dairy ingredients.
As NMPF had predicted 10 years ago when it first brought this issue to the attention of FDA, soy “milks” continue to be marketed and sold right along with dairy milks, and now, a bevy of new artificial dairy products has reached store shelves in the past decade. In many cases, these products don’t contain the equivalent levels of nutrients that real milk does.
For more information, you can visit the NMPF Web site at www.nmpf.org, or read “Got milk? Only if it comes from a cow, group argues.”, an article published in the April 28 edition of USA Today. (Source: National Milk Producers Federation)
Dairy panel meets for first time; farmers want help now
The USDA Dairy Industry Advisory Committee had its first meeting in April and reached a consensus. The majority of the committee members favor immediate measures to help dairy farmers. Both processors and dairy farmers on the committee agreed farmers need help in the short-term. They also support a long-term solution to rid dairy markets of volatility.
During its first three-day meeting in Washington, D.C., April 13 to 15, the committee learned about USDA’s dairy programs and heard from ag secretary Tom Vilsack. He had a warning for the dairy industry.
“I will tell you folks, it’s got to happen,” Vilsack said. “At some point in time, this industry has got to get control of itself…We can’t continue to do this Band Aid approach where we increase the price support a little bit or we come up with additional resources in a time of difficulties, relative to the deficit. It’s just not that easy to raise the price support level because we have to have an offset, which means that some other aspect of agriculture could potentially suffer.”
The committee heard details of several proposals that could help with price volatility. Some of the programs, offered by farm groups and dairy organizations, may be introduced as legislation.
Associated Milk Producers Incorporated president and CEO Ed Welch said the committee has some consensus on managing growth. The group will meet again in June. (Source: Agri-News)
Chipotle Sides with HSUS
Ohio’s Country Journal reported Chipotle endorses HSUS in its effort to reconstruct the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board on the upcoming November ballot.
The endorsement appears on HSUS’s Web site, in the business endorsements section. Chipotle has been a long-time supporter of organic and humane agriculture. They recommend for everyone to see “Food Inc.” and constantly advertise their beef and dairy products produced without additional hormones or antibiotics.
Kyle Sharp, journalist for Ohio’s Country Journal points out the problem with Chipotle’s support saying “How short-sighted is it for a business that relies heavily on selling meat and animal products to endorse the efforts of an animal rights group, HSUS, whose ultimate goal is to end the human consumption of meat and animal products?”
Chipotle has taken a short-sighted step to support its business that may hurt its long-term success.
Read more. (Source: www.OCJ.com)
Western Iowa Dairy Alliance Update
The Sioux County Dairy Banquet that will be held on June 21 at Dordt College from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
WIDA will be helping serve at the first annual Green Meadows Cheese Festival being held at Green Meadows Cheese Plant in Hull, IA. It will be a luncheon event on June 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to showcase the cheese products they sell with gourmet hamburgers with all of the fixings, sides and root beer floats. WIDA and Sioux County Dairy Promotion Board are helping sponsor the event.
The Environmental Protection Commission held its May meeting Sioux Center. Commissioners visited Dykstra Dairy and Dekkers beef feedlot the day before the meeting to showcase western Iowa livestock production. Commissioner Gene Ver Steeg from Inwood, IA, facilitated their visit. (Source: Lee Maassen, WIDA president)
Did You Know…
· Vitamin D has been linked to the prevention of diabetes: New research indicates children who get their daily dose of vitamin D have a reduced risk of developing Type 1 diabetes- the second most common chronic disease among children, according to the California Milk Processing Board (source: Cheese Market News)
· India leads in cows, but the U.S. gives the most milk: India has 38 million cows and water buffalo used for milk production which average 2,661 pounds per animal per year. The U.S. has 9.1 million cows which average 20,576 pounds of milk per year (source: Hoard’s Dairyman)
· Drought hard on New Zealand’s dairy herds: New Zealand is experiencing a drought, making it hard for the country’s grazing dairy herds to find enough grass. Some producers are saying it’s the worst they’ve seen in nearly 30 years. New Zealand accounts for only 2% of the world’s dairy production but exports 95% of what it produces (source: Agri-News)
Jessica Bloomberg
Industry Relations Manager
Iowa State Dairy Association
101 NE Trilein Dr.
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 971-3620
(515) 964-5498 fax