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VOLUME XVIII, NO. 1 |
TEXAS DAIRY REVIEW |
JANUARY 2009 |
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EC Junior Livestock Show to begin Lip smacking chocolate milk refuels body’s energy supply Make plans for Southwest Exposition and Livestock Show |
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EC Junior Livestock Show to begin |
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It’s that time of year to fathom the January weather and head on out to the Erath County Junior Livestock Show on Sat., Jan.10, through Tues., Jan. 13, 2008, at Erath County Livestock Association Rodeo Grounds. One of the major highlights of the event is the Dairy Sale on Saturday night beginning at 7 p.m. According to show chairman, Jerry Singleton, there are 78 selling dairy animals and 5 non-selling, making a total of 83 entries from 49 different exhibitors. “We should be close to selling about 45 animals,” Singleton said.
Singleton said this year, for the very first time, there are enough entries to have classes of Jerseys. Main events on Sunday include judging the Market Goat Show and Market Goat Showmanship at 12:30 p.m. and judging for Market Sheep and Market Sheep Showmanship beginning at 4 p.m. On Mon., beginning at 7:30 a.m. will be Market Swine and Beef Showmanship. On Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., the Showman Awards will be presented followed by the Market Auction. |
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Lip smacking chocolate milk refuels body’s energy supply |
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The talk in athletic locker rooms across the nation is demanding a new kind of sports drink from a familiar source that is fast-becoming a national trend. Chocolate milk seems to be on the lips of star athletes who not only enjoy its creamy rich taste but have found it to provide nutritional value other energy or sports drinks don’t offer.
While athletes have endorsed many energy drinks in the past, a 2006 study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, brought to light certain valuable nutritional findings about chocolate milk as a refueling supply to athletes after vigorous training, workouts or game playing. These findings suggest chocolate milk has an optimal ratio of carbohydrates to protein to help refuel tired muscles. The interest in chocolate milk as a beneficial refuel beverage has not gone unnoticed by dairy producers. In fact, chocolate milk as a refueling program for athletes was initially suggested to Dairy Max by a West Texas producer, said Marty McKinzie, director of industry relations for Dairy Max. The producer’s suggestion, combined with results from the 2006 study, prompted Dairy Max to initiate a partnership with Texas Christian University’s (TCUs) athletic program. In the fall of 2008, TCU’s athletic department embraced the 2006 research and in conjunction with their athletes’ “love” for chocolate milk, Dairy Max was able to put together a complimentary post-workout supply. Teresa Wagner, Dairy Max registered dietitian and director of dairy confidence and medical outreach, said Dairy Max discussed the program with TCU Sports Dietician Amy Goodson, who spearheaded the program’s initiation. TCU considered three suppliers willing to participate in the program. Borden was chosen by the athletic department and the department currently purchases 1200 units of chocolate milk per week. This milk is provided only for post-workout to the athletes for refueling purposes, complimentary from the school. TCU’s athletic department hopes to increase its supply in the coming year pending approval by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In the interim, Dairy Max will further enhance the partnership through a retail promotion with Borden milk, highlighting the partnership to TCU fans and others throughout the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex. Wagner said one of the highlights of the program will feature Allen Rossum of the San Francisco 49er’s who will address TCU athletes about the Chocolate Milk Refuel program and encourage athletes to mentor younger athletes in the community about the importance of nutrition that enables them to compete at the top of their game. The 2006 study finds intense endurance exercise reduces the muscles' supply of stored glucose, or glycogen, a key source of fuel for exercise. To maximize glycogen replacement, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Dietetic Association recommend taking in a serving of carbohydrates within 30 minutes after a long and vigorous workout. Common sports drinks such as Gatorade supply those carbs, as well as fluids and electrolytes lost through sweat. However, more recent research suggests that adding protein to the mix may further hasten recovery. Hence, the new wave of drinks such as Endurox R4 include protein as well as higher doses of carbs. But experts reveal the most puzzling result of the study is why Endurox, that has the same carb-to-protein ratio as chocolate milk, performed so poorly. Some researchers believe it may have to do with the different composition of the sugars in the milk or that the sugars in the milk may be better absorbed in the gut than those in Endurox. The benefits of chocolate milk are numerous. Chocolate milk is 90% water which helps replace fluids and rehydrate the body. Calcium, Vitamin D and phosphorus help promote, maintain and build strong bones. The protein found in chocolate milk reduces muscle breakdown while the carbohydrates fuel muscles during exercise and help restore them after exercise. The presence of potassium helps with fluid and mineral balance of muscle contraction and B vitamins help to convert food to energy to fuel the working muscles. “It’s a great opportunity for our industry to be able to use proven science on a product that already exists and is already enjoyed by so many people,” McKinzie said. “The athletes recognize the benefit and are becoming true spokespeople for the dairy industry and the benefits of chocolate milk after workouts and games.” The 2006 study was partly funded by the Dairy and Nutrition Council. *Part of this story was compiled from Dairy Max and WebMD information. |
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MILC program signup underway |
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USDA's Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) signup for the Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC) began mid-December and will continue through the program’s expiration date, Sept 30, 2012. Eligible dairy producers are those who commercially produce milk in the US. To receive program approval, producers must enter into a MILC contract with USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and provide monthly milk marketing data. All payments in the program are subject to limits in the contract, regulations, and to changes in statutory provisions for payment. Dairy producers can apply for MILC at local FSA offices. Reauthorized by the 2008 Farm Bill, the MILC program makes three key changes in program operations. Under the 2008 Act, the MILC payment rate and the per-operation poundage limit are modified, depending on when the milk is produced. In addition, a "feed cost adjuster" is introduced over the life of the 2008 Act, which adjusts the $16.94 per hundredweight (cwt.) benchmark price upward depending on the cost of feed rations. When available, MILC payments are based on a payment rate percentage that is multiplied by the difference between a now-flexible target ($16.94 per cwt. or higher) and the specific month's Boston Class I price of milk. CCC issues MILC payments on an operation-by-operation basis up to a maximum of 2.4 million pounds of milk produced and marketed (about 120 cows) from Oct. 1, 2008 through Sept. 30, 2008. The production limit per operation increases to 2.985 million pounds (about 145 cows) for each fiscal year from Oct. 1, 2008, through Aug. 31, 2012. The production limitation reverts back to the original limit of 2.4 million pounds per fiscal year in Sept. 2012. The 2008 Act adjusts the trigger price of $16.94 cwt., depending on the extent to which feed costs increase. The feed cost adjustment takes effect when the monthly National Average Dairy Feed Ration Cost (calculated from the "entire month" prices published by the National Agricultural Statistics Service) is greater than $7.35 per cwt. beginning Jan. 1, 2008, through Aug. 31, 2012. Calculations from Jan. 1, 2008, through Aug. 31, 2012, will be made at 45 percent of the percentage that the National Average Dairy Feed Ration Cost exceeds $7.35 per cwt. Beginning with Fiscal Year 2009 marketings, which started Oct. 1, 2008, the 2008 Act made changes to the provisions for payment eligibility to add an adjusted gross income (AGI) limit. If the individual or entity has annual non-farm AGI for the relevant base period greater than $500,000, the individual or entity is not eligible for MILC benefits. The base period will be set pursuant to AGI regulations yet to be issued. That rule will also define what is considered to be non-farm income. During the signup application period, participating dairy operations must select the month of the fiscal year to start receiving payments for eligible production. Producers submitting a contract application within 30 days of the beginning of the application period can select any preceding month as the start month. Producers submitting contract applications after Jan. 21, 2009, will not have the option of selecting an earlier month as the payment start month for the dairy operation for a fiscal year; and will be limited to applicable start month selection rules. The general rules are the start month must either be the month the contract is submitted or some later month. Changes in the month may be made from year to year so long as the designation is made by the fourteenth of the month proceeding the new start month. Pound limits run from the start month and all pounds for which payment is received count against the limit for that fiscal year. |
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Make plans for Southwest Exposition and Livestock Show |
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If you’re looking for inexpensive family entertainment that promises action-packed events, check out the 113th Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, Jan. 16-23, at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth. General admission tickets to the show grounds are available at the door and allow access to all livestock events, educational programs, commercial exhibits and the carnival/midway. Adult tickets are $8; children 6-16, $4; children 5 and under are free. Highlights of the exposition include “Best of the West” Ranch Rodeo on Jan. 16 and 17, presented by Western Horseman; “Best of Mexico Celebración,” Jan. 18 and 19, presented by Univision and Coors Light; “Bulls Night Out,” Fort Worth Stock Show’s Extreme Bull Riding on Jan 20 and 21, presented by Lone Star Ag Credit; and, the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo beginning Jan. 23. From a one-day affair with a few head of cattle tethered under ice-laden shade trees, the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show has grown into a three-week extravaganza with international appeal for exhibitors and visitors alike. Over the years, the steady growth of the show has mirrored the progress of the livestock industry. The Stock Show was first held in 1896 when the trend toward purebred livestock was in its infancy and Fort Worth was on the threshold of becoming a major player in the world market place. With its small dusty streets and limited late-19th Century entertainment, Fort Worth was an unlikely forerunner for today’s sprawling center of art, culture and industry coupled with a supporting cast of more than a million residents. A quest for better meat at our nation’s tables prompted early-day ranchers to originate the exposition in March of 1896 and laid the foundation for a major annual livestock event that today exists as the oldest exposition in the US. The show has been faithful to return each year since its founding except for 1943 when all available facilities in Fort Worth and transportation modes were dedicated to the World War II effort. The idea for the initial event started with a sidewalk conversation between rancher Charles McFarland and Charles French, marketing manager of the Fort Worth Stock Yards. Early-day cattle exhibitors and organizers were all Texan cattle raisers who were joined enthusiastically by operators of the Fort Worth Stock Yards Company, organized in 1893; Armour & Co., Swift & Co., and officials of the various railway companies serving Fort Worth. The first year’s March show was a success and organizers gathered again in the fall of 1896 for a two-day event in mid-October. Even though most exhibitors preferred the spring dates, in1948 the January-February dates were adopted because of other spring competitive shows. The growth of the Stock Show required larger facilities and in 1908 the North Side Coliseum (now called Cowtown Coliseum) was erected as the show’s headquarters. The indoor judging arena brought expanded commercial exhibit displays and a carnival/midway as part of the annual event. A long list of presidents preceded current president W.R. Watt, Jr. The show operated under various names until 1988 when Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show was adopted to better reflect modern industry trends. Historically, the show began without a name, but the next year adopted the name of Texas Fat Stock Show. Later, it was the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show, then the National Feeders and Breeders Show. (Fat was a popular name in that day because of animals blessed with a good supply of fat used for many purposes.) In 1918 the name of Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show was chosen to give the event a broader scope of exhibitor involvement. Wild West Show exhibitions were in their “heyday” in the early 1900’s drawing large crowds wherever they were staged. A few of the most famous events were the Buffalo Bill Cody Wild West Show and the 101 Ranch Wild West Show from Oklahoma, an event in which black cowboy Bill Pickett introduced “bull doggin,’ ”now called steer wrestling. Operating at a deficit for several years, in 1916 the Stock Show staged a Wild West Show in connection with the exposition. Success brought a repeat of the event in 1917, utilizing the services of the 101 Ranch. Late in 1917, Stock Show booster Ray McKinley, then editor and publisher of the Daily Reporter and Sunday North Fort Worth News, suggested to the show’s management an idea that led to the start of a competitive event that featured cowboys and cowgirls. To develop the idea, a committee of livestock commission men---cattle and horse dealers who operated the Fort Worth livestock market---- were appointed to work out details with McKinley. The results of the committee’s efforts were presented to the Stock Show directors where an in-depth discussion ensued about giving the cowboy contest a name. Ultimately, the committee named it the “Fort Worth Rodeo.” The contest was approved as a Stock Show attraction and an indoor rodeo was born at Fort Worth in 1918, mainly due to the North Side Coliseum being the only arena with a capacity to accommodate the production and expected crowds. Adding the contest also served to call attention to the name change of the livestock event to Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show. Rodeo, as an indoor entertainment event, holds particular significance and pride for Fort Worth residents as they lay claim to hosting the “World’s Original Indoor Rodeo.” Wild West Show performers, gifted in riding skills, participated as contestants in the 1918 indoor spectacular. Contests included ladies bucking bronco, junior steer riding, men’s steer riding, men’s bucking bronco, and a wild horse race—catch-as-catch-can with no saddle or bridle. An estimated 23,000 persons saw the inaugural rodeo’s 12 performances. Over the years, the Fort Worth Rodeo continued its lead with innovations for the sport. Steer riding was dropped in 1933 when “Brahma bull riding” was introduced. Bull riding, considered today among rodeo fans as the most dangerous and most exciting rodeo event, has been accepted as one of the five major events in the sport on a worldwide basis. Side release chutes for bucking stock were introduced to the rodeo and soon adopted as a worldwide standard for rodeo rough stock events. The side release allows the animal and rider into the arena when the gate opens and to date is considered the safest method for protection of both cowboy and animal. Early day rodeo performances interspersed horse show classes with cowboy events. Although the horse show program was removed in 1996 from the rodeo agenda due to more available space in newer arenas, cutting horse contests continue to be seen by rodeo crowds. In 1932, the first radio broadcast of a rodeo was aired on the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) network through the broadcast facilities of its Fort Worth affiliate, WBAP, that has since become part of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) network. During World War II, movie star and popular singer Gene Autry became the first specialty act to appear as part of the Fort Worth Rodeo program. Such “half-time” singing and performing acts have been popular at many rodeos across the country ever since. In 1958, the ABC-TV network aired live national television coverage to a complete Fort Worth Rodeo performance. This was another first, reaching an estimated audience of eight million. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, who were familiar guest stars on the weekly Chevy Show, were hosts at the rodeo along with George “Gabby” Hayes and the Sons of the Pioneers. Entertainment is the key to much of the exposition’s success. Today, its 36-performance schedule continues to include outstanding specialty acts with a Western Heritage flare. The dozen rodeo production companies that provide an array of the industry’s best stock makes the Fort Worth Rodeo second to none in the nation. The Stock Show headquarters remained headquartered on the North Side of Fort Worth until 1942. In 1944, the show opened at the Will Rogers Memorial Center which included the Will Rogers Coliseum, Tower and Auditorium, and one horse exhibit barn. The Stock Show has been a major force helping to provide quality facilities that have year-round uses. Through the years, facilities have been added to enhance exhibitor’s needs and in 1999, the ticket office and visitors center at the north entrance opened. The Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show is a civic and educational enterprise, incorporated as a non-profit organization. Founded as “an educational showcase for the great livestock industry,” the concept continues today. All profits are either returned to the City in the form of facility improvements or used to aid in advanced education, catering to a host of young people. |
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Agriculture communities keen on Vilsack |
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Members of environmental, conservation and agricultural communities across the nation have applauded President-elect Barack Obama’s nominee, former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, for USDA Secretary of Agriculture. The former governor has apparently captured a big plus from supporters that includes Dairy Farmers of America (DFAs) board and management who recently expressed their pleasure.
“Vilsack is a proven supporter of
agriculture, and has been a vocal advocate in the country’s quest for
energy independence. In addition, he also has championed the growth of
rural America,” DFA said. “His experience as governor of Iowa has
equipped him with the skills needed to lead a large, complex agency As a farmer-owned milk marketing cooperative with more than 18,000 members, DFA takes an active role in shaping agriculture policy and board members said they look forward to working with Vilsack and his team in the future. Todd Vineyard, Erath County AgriLife extension agent, said although he is not yet certain of what particular stance Vilsack will take regarding the dairy industry, as governor of Iowa, he was for “keeping things in the hands of the farmer instead of government. “ “We hope he will continue to leave the decisions about the dairy industry up to the farmers,” Vineyard said. Senate Committee Chairman on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Tom Harkin of Iowa, said he believes Vilsack will be a strong secretary of agriculture and he expects a speedy confirmation by the Senate Agriculture Committee. Rep. Collin C. Peterson, (D-Minn.), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, has been calling for a reorganization of USDA, said Gov. Vilsack is a strong advocate who understands the changing landscape of the nation’s rural economy.
Conservation groups also praised the
selection of Vilsack. “Govenor Vilsak is a wise choice to lead USDA at a
challenging yet very exciting time in agriculture,” said Jon Scholl,
president of American Farmland Trust. “The United States and the world
are faced with the pressing issues of climate change and a host of other
environmental issues in which American agriculture must play a critical
role as problem solver,” he said. “Govenor Vilsack’s skills will be put
to the test in trying to implement the farm bill amidst a global
economic crisis that affects every corner of our nation, and every
sector including agriculture.” |
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Southwest Dairy Field Day returns in 2009 |
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Producers are in for an informative and educational event at the Southwest Dairy Field Day scheduled tentatively for May 8, 2008. The Field Day will be at Sierra Dairy owned by Alan Vanderhorst, located in Dublin. The field day has been such a large success in past years, TAMU AgriLife Extension Service agents decided to bring it back in 2009. Organized by Texas AgriLife Extension Service, the field day allows for vendor booths and other activities. Lunch will be provided by sponsors. If you’re interested in reserving a vendor booth or being a sponsor, please call Todd Vineyard at 254-965-1460 for more information. |
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