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VOLUME XVIII, NO. 2 |
TEXAS DAIRY REVIEW |
FEBRUARY 2009 |
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The answer, my dairy friend…is blowing in the wind Mixed emotions are mixed blessings Rumen-Aid: little cost with great benefits Staples teams with High Ground for Tulare show Dairy MAX works to Expand Breakfast throughout the Region Saving an ordinary guy with a not-so-ordinary heart
Photos courtesy of Ed Hall at www.ProudMoments.com — Copyright©2009 Express Digital Graphics Inc. |
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The answer, my dairy friend…is blowing in the wind |
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Yep, there’s little doubt cows inherently burp, belch and (not-so-politely) “pass wind,” expelling substances into the air that ultimately drift away to become an insignificant part of the world’s atmosphere.
Short of tying a balloon to the end of the cow and hoping for the best, none of the world’s geniuses have yet figured out how to capture cow emissions. But, capturing cow emissions and reporting it are two different things, and according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), like it or not, some producers are going to be filling out more paperwork. The EPA final rule, published in the Federal Register on Dec. 18, 2008, seems to have caught producers and farmers nationwide off guard. Nonetheless, under the Emergency Planning Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), the rule requires an emissions report from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) with more than 700 or more mature dairy cows, milked or dry, or that emit 100 pounds or more of ammonia or hydrogen sulfide during a 24-hour period. Short of notice, dairymen and other producers initially scrambled to call in air emission reports by Jan. 20, to be followed up by a written report due on or before Feb. 19. Liable dairies that fail to report are subject to a stiff $25,000 per-day penalty or criminal liability charges for knowingly failing to report. The EPA supplies a work sheet and formula for calculating these emissions but does not offer an explanation on what the data will be used for. While air emissions from cows are a fact of life, recording that fact and reporting it to a government agency draws suspicion from producers who fear the process will end up in some form of permit fee or tax. Producers were recently alarmed when widespread talk of a “cow tax” had some farmers believing that if imposed, they would most surely go broke. The EPA has clearly emphasized the “cow tax,” is a rumor that came about from its Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) under the Clean Air Act that was seeking public comments regarding Green House Gas (GHG) regulations. “This is a proposal under the Clean Air Act and is not to be confused with the EPCRA report,” said Van Kozak, agriculture coordinator at the EPA Region VI office in Dallas. “Somehow, the ‘cow tax’ rumor snowballed,” he said, “and while it was circulating, dairymen learned of the EPCRA emissions report required in the EPA final rule.” Catherine Milbourn of the EPA office in Washington, D.C., stated the EPA has not proposed or even suggested a “cow tax.” “The Advanced Notice Proposed Rule (ANPR) merely solicits public comment on how the EPA should go about cutting greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act,” she said. The EPCRA requirement for producers to file air emission reports has drawn fire from the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) who recently filed a lawsuit against EPA challenging these requirements. NPPC contends the new rule is unworkable, does not provide guidance on how farmers are to comply, and has not yet developed an adequate system to take care of the many reports to be filed. |
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Mixed emotions are mixed blessings |
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His heart skipped a beat. He had gotten “the call” he never thought he’d get: the one that said his bid had been accepted for the buyout, a herd retirement plan by Cooperatives Working Together (CWT). How can you feel deliriously happy that your financial woes are all over yet emphatically sad that your livelihood has suddenly ended? Fred and Judy Lueck, owners of AZTEX dairy in Dublin, have been mulling this question around in their heads since Fred got the news about his bid this past month. “It’s such a weird feeling to be happy and sad at the same time,” Fred said, “and, such a shock when you see your life changing instantly.” But, the CWT deal had been made and now came the hard part---saying goodbye to the cows, their son Fred, Jr., and the comfortable family lifestyle the Luecks have always known. Although grateful for the financial blessing the buyout brings, the bittersweet realization that “it’s all over,” still lingers and does not set well with the Luecks, even though it was their choice. “We’re very fortunate we’re still not trying to hang on like the many dairies out there that are in big trouble,” Fred said. “We really feel bad for them.” “Going out” had been staring the Luecks in the face for a long time. The foreseeable future looked grim with milk prices tumbling, cattle prices falling, banks clamping shut, and the overall economy at an all time low. “We put in what we thought was a competitive bid,” Judy said, “not dreaming it would be taken,” she added. She admits she was totally unprepared for the mixed emotions and strength it would take to follow it through. Married for 43 years, Fred and Judy have been in the dairy business for 42 years---their entire married life where dairying has been etched in their minds, entrenched in their souls and embedded in their hearts. AZTEX Dairy has been the center of a tightly-knit family operation, woven together with the love and devotion from family members who have nurtured its existence. The dairy has provided the opportunity for the Luecks to raise their own three children, Fred Jr., Melissa, and Tyson, and to become immersed in the joy of seeing their 8 grandchildren grow up. “But, when I sold out, Freddy was immediately out of a job,” Fred said. “That part really hurt. He was forced to take a job elsewhere and move his family. Knowing we won’t get to see our three granddaughters every day, like we did, is going to kill us.” Coming from a dynasty of dairy farmers, the buyout was an especially hard and gigantic step for the veteran dairy farmer. Fred’s father, Al Sr., was one of the original directors of United Dairymen of Arizona (UDA). Fred, and his brothers, Al, Bob and Bill were raised in the Arizona dairy industry from an early age when Al Sr., began giving each young son their own heifers to raise. By the age of 20, Fred owned his first dairy between Avondale and Buckeye, west of Pheonix. In the 80s, Fred and his brothers saw an opportunity to dairy in Erath County, and in 1986, Fred packed up his family and moved. Over the years, the Luecks managed to fathom the bad times and enjoy the good times. But, they felt the confidence of AZTEX dairy slipping away when they became embroiled in a bitter and expensive lawsuit with the City of Waco between 2003-2006. That, along with the fact they did not feel their cooperative was serving their best interests, brought disillusionment and frustration. “It didn’t have to happen this way,” Judy said. She had always believed they would leave the dairy industry in a more graceful way. “This has just been so hard. Going out, just like that, and seeing our good cows killed is heartbreaking.” “If things with DFA had been different,” Fred said, “I might have been able to stay in, but as it is now, I had to go and I’m getting happier about it every day.” The ebb and flow the dairy industry brings--- especially now when it’s on a descending spiral---left milk prices unacceptable to run his operation. Fred cites Dairy Farmers of America ‘s (DFA)s management and the exasperating decline in milk prices as the culprits who drive people out of the dairy business. “To say we own the cooperative is a joke,” he said. “I’m tired of paying DFA to manage my milk when they don’t care about us. They know what’s going. They just don’t do anything about it and the dairymen get screwed on freight, the blend price, everything. “They need to clean house from the top down and find people who know how to manage our milk. The bad investment deals they’ve made cost me and other members a lot,” he said, pointing out the $1 million dollar incident between DFAs former top executives, Hanman and Brubaker, and the latest episode that concerns a $12 million dollar settlement with the Commodities Future Trading Commission (CFTC). “They---(DFA and Waco)--- took the joy right out of dairying,” Judy said, “and, that’s very sad.” Although the Waco suit has been settled, Judy said there are still concerns that must be met on a regular basis. In spite of dealing with nagging aggravations and overall disappointments, dairying has been the life blood of the Luecks and they wouldn’t have missed it for the world. “The day or so after my cows were gone, I welled up and got teary-eyed,” Fred said. “I went to the barn and there was really nothing much to do. It was a sad yet funny feeling. “ Like, what do I do now?” |
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Rumen-Aid: little cost with great nenefits |
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As many know, it is not easy to try to sell a new product or service to dairymen. Dairymen get hundreds of solicitations per year that often interrupt their busy schedules and the only thing that usually gets their attention is a product that works and is cost effective.
Mike Blackmon, general manager, and Dudley Burton, Ph.D., consulting nutritionist for Nutrient Systems International (NSI), are not trying to save the world, nor more specifically, the dairy industry. But, they do persist in believing they have an effective and cost-savings product called Rumen-Aid that provides far-reaching benefits as evidenced by dairies that have tried it thus far. Rumen-Aid is an organic, algae-based feed supplement Blackmon and Burton are anxious to introduce into the southwest dairy industry. After many successful trials and satisfied customers in California that spans a three-and-one-half year period, they are searching for a limited number of southwest dairies willing to support a 30-day trial period of Rumen-Aid that won’t cost a single cent to try. “We provide, install, and maintain the equipment to be used,” Blackmon said. “The entire process is basically very simple, but we do need feedback from dairymen on how it is working and the benefits they observe.” One of the first dairy producers to use Rumen-Aid was Edwin Koetsier of Oakview Dairy in Tulare, CA. “I would recommend Rumen-Aid to any dairyman,” Koetsier said. “The benefits far outweigh the cost of .10 per day/per cow, and all the maintenance is taken care of,” he said. “My father and I try to be conscientious operators and Rumen-Aid helps us.” Koetsier’s herdsman, Armando Gomez, reports healthier, more alert cows, fewer cows in the sick barn, better production and higher conception rates. “I enjoy working with the producers of Rumen-Aid; they are very professional and always trying to improve their products and most of all, their product is very cost effective.” Rumen-Aid is used for both cows and calves. The product is organic and uses a culture of naturally occurring organisms rather than a chemical approach to alter rumen function and health. Test results show Rumen-Aid improves digestion and helps the animal convert feed into milk or meat. In calves, Rumen-Aid reduces weaning time by 10-14 days with increased weight gain, fewer mortalities, reduced number of scours, and improved digestive-system development. In mature cows, evidence has shown improved overall health that includes shinier coats, brighter eyes, less stress, increased production, better immune system, more adaptable to extreme temperature changes, and more alert. “Improved general health and condition of dry cows is a major benefit of Rumen-Aid,” Blackmon said. Blackmon explained the product is made in generator tanks where the algae grow. The finished product is stored in dwell tanks where some of the active ingredients accumulate. The number of tanks needed is based on the number of cows fed. The tanks are 800-gallon capacity, measuring 8 feet wide by 2 feet deep. One generator tank can produce approximately 180 gallons of finished product in a 24-hour period. “We furnish all materials and labor to build, service and maintain these tanks,” Blackmon said. “After the system is up and running, NSI will be on call for service and will visit the dairy to check the process a minimum of once per week,” he added. Blackmon said the tanks must be located on level ground as close as possible to the TMR mixing-wagon site and if possible, in an area that is void of traffic. The tanks are typically placed in a single row and approximately 3 feet apart. “For instance, four tanks will produce enough product to easily accommodate a 1,000 cow dairy,” Blackmon said. To start the growth process, the generator tanks are partially filled with water and cultures, from existing algae tanks, are added. The generator tanks are fed from pressurized cans that hold the “mother liquor” that provide nutrients for the algae. When the polysaccharides float to the top of the tank, they are separated and piped into the dwell tank. “It is desirable to keep the product in the dwell tank 24 hours before it is used,” Blackmon said. The finished product is pumped into the TMR feed wagon from the dwell tank or another holding tank (optional). Each cow is fed two pounds twice a day (equivalent to approximately two quarts a day per cow.) “A dairy should ensure the cows are fed on an agreed schedule, since a consistent feeding regimen is important to the success of the product,” Blackmon said. Compared to other feed supplement manufacturers, Blackmon noted one interesting and different thing about Rumen-Aid is it is prepared fresh every day, at the dairies, and not concentrated or shipped from other locations to the dairies for use. “Dairymen can monitor the process and better understand what is being fed to their cows,” he said. Blackmon and Burton feel strongly Rumen-Aid may be the organic, dairy-feed supplement of the future. “You might want to give it a 30-day trial,” Blackmon said. “You certainly don’t have anything to lose.” |
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Staples teams with High Ground for Tulare show |
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Hold on to your hats and spurs! Texas Commissioner Todd Staples will be joining a team of over 100 High Ground of Texas community members and regional Tailgate Party sponsors headed to the 2009 World Ag Expo on Feb., 10-12, 2009. Staples will participate in show activities to promote economic opportunities in Texas and agriculture in the global economy while High Ground representatives will work on making show contacts to add to the successful recruitment and expansion of the agriculture industry to the West Texas region. World Ag Expo, expecting more than 2,500 exhibitors and 250,000-plus attendees from the US and over 75 foreign countries, is the largest event of its kind held each year at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, California. Based on the show’s growth and momentum, the internationally recognized event provides more than two million square feet of exhibits and over 100 seminars on various ag-related topics. High Ground of Texas is a regional economic development marketing coalition representing 60-plus northern counties in West Texas that coordinates various marketing events and other activities for the region. For the past several years, High Ground representatives have hosted its successful Tail Gate Party to be held this year on Wed., Feb., 11, 3-5 p.m. In the past, the party has served more than 600 potential clients each year resulting in over 150 annual visits to the High Ground region regarding business opportunities. High Ground will also sponsor its Ribs & Tunes at the RV event on Tues., Feb., 10, 5-to 7 p.m. for prospects, sponsors, vendors and regional allies. Music will be provided by Texas Crossroads, a band from Shamrock, Texas and catering provided by Lynn Allen of Stratford. Major Sponsors for the 2008 Texas Tailgate Party included First Ag Credit, Wells Fargo, Enviro-Ag Engineering, Hilmar Cheese Company, Don Pool Construction, ANPAC Insurance, Western Builders, Brandon Reid Construction, Lone Star Milk, Inc., and Dairy Farmers of America (DFA). Brown, Graham & Company sponsors entertainment and DeLaval, Inc. sponsors catering. High Ground representatives from Perryton, Dalhart, Stratford, Hereford, Tulia, Friona, Muleshoe, Aspermont, Borger, Spearman, Amarillo, Plainview, Brownfield, Levelland, and Shamrock will attend this year’s show. In addition, representatives from the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, West Texas A&M University and regional electric cooperatives will join the High Ground Team. Since 1999, marketing efforts by High Ground of Texas at World AgExpo has resulted in over $250 million dollars of new investment and hundreds of new jobs in the region. |
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Dairy MAX works to Expand Breakfast throughout the Region |
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We all want our children to be alert, focused and ready to tackle the day's academic challenges. “Amazing things” can happen when children are encouraged to eat breakfast every single day of the year. It is well-documented breakfast-eaters are healthier and more energetic throughout the day. National studies consistently confirm breakfast can help children concentrate, think, behave and learn. These studies show students who eat breakfast have improved classroom performance, better test scores and grades, increased ability to focus and concentrate on school work, decreased behavioral problems, less tardiness and visits to the school nurse, and better attendance rates. Just as importantly, when young students routinely start their day with breakfast, chances are it will develop into a good habit that carries into their teenage and adult years. As school districts continue to focus on the difficulties of providing adequate services to children regarding school nutrition and the balancing act that involves budget considerations, Dairy MAX is instrumental in helping both of these problems by doing “amazing things” with its child nutrition programs. Dairy MAX programs are answering the call of the school districts by serving more dairy products and establishing ways to create revenues to sustain existing programs such as the New Look of School Milk. One program Dairy MAX is especially excited about is the Expanding Breakfast program. Many schools capture breakfast-skippers by expanding breakfast services beyond the cafeteria's walls. This may already be the case in your child's school. Schools find when they take breakfast to students, instead of expecting students to come to the cafeteria, more students eat breakfast and gain the academic, behavioral and nutritional benefits available. When all students in a classroom eat breakfast, it is a win-win situation for everyone, including teachers, students and parents. All expanding breakfast programs include milk and usually other types of dairy products like yogurt. Typically, schools use one of three Expanding Breakfast approaches, depending on its own unique setting:
Dairy MAX is successfully implementing these programs across the region. One program currently underway is the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) that combines its individual school efforts with community and retail partners to come up with “Win Amazing Things.” The DISD “Win Amazing Things” incentive program utilizes a series of sweepstakes or contests, to encourage students to eat breakfast every day and purchase dairy products at home. DISD and Dairy MAX partnered with Kroger and the National Football League (NFL) to provide incentives to children and families. By promoting dairy products, students have the opportunity to compete for their individual school’s playground or fitness equipment and for a visit from a Dallas Cowboy football player. A $10 purchase allows students to compete for $1,000 worth of physical activity equipment. “We have been able to increase the schools participating in the Expanding Breakfast Program in the Dallas ISD by 60 schools, and we have the potential to increase that by 100 more,” said Roseann Rawls, program coordinator for school marketing with Dairy MAX. A strong desire by Dallas ISD for its students to eat a healthy breakfast inspired the three-month promotion where breakfast is especially the most important meal of the day. Since milk is necessary for a healthy breakfast and every school breakfast includes 8 ounces for each student, Dairy MAX was instrumental in developing a unique school breakfast promotion that successfully results in increased milk consumption. |
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Saving an ordinary guy with a not-so-ordinary heart |
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We’ve all heard of the old saying, “The Buck Stops Here.” But, a small community of folks in Erath County were not ready to see that happen just yet. I got a phone call the other morning. The voice on the other end said, "Jim Buck is in ‘trouble’ and we've got to help him. We're taking up donations. The hospital says he needs $20,000 up front for this heart surgery he needs." "Yes, okay" I said, without hesitation----the same as many other people reacted when they heard the news. If Jim Buck, (who strangely enough goes by both his first name and last), is in trouble, it was time for the troops to mount and begin the feat that lied before them. It may be the fastest and most miraculous incident to raise money that has ever been experienced. From 2 p.m. in the afternoon until 5 p.m. that evening, the troops, who choose not to be named, had raised the much-needed $20,000. Some folks, who didn't have a penny to spare, wrote out checks for Buck without thinking twice. Others gave freely without asking questions except for, "how much do you need”? From every walk of life, people came forward to aid Jim Buck. While no one can say for sure why so many people were anxious to help, maybe it’s not as complicated as one may think. Maybe it’s because, simply yet profoundly, the world needs a few more people like Jim Buck and the world of Erath County is not ready to lose him. Jim Buck is about as ordinary guy as anyone could be, accompanied religiously by his soul mate, Piss Willie, a fuzzy-headed mutt of a dog that is his confidante, companion, running buddy, and sometimes, driver. He never goes anywhere without him. A tall strapping man, Jim Buck’s deeply tanned complexion comes from working outside on a front-end loader, tractor, or whatever the job takes. He’s a “man’s man” meaning all his buddies or old cronies love him for his good nature, quick wit, and ability to cook “very good steaks.” The ladies love his charm and never pass up a chance to get a big hug or a little pinch from Jim Buck. Buck has got the capacity to love all people. No matter who you are, what you are, or where you come from, Jim Buck does not turn you away. He’s always got a lending ear and a lending hand for those in need. He’s the kind of person who would give the shirt off his back to anyone who wants it or give his last dime. And, he has. Jim Buck isn’t out there trying to climb mountain tops, looking to be a rich man, or worried about trying to get ahead in this world. He is just an ordinary person with a very extraordinary heart as big as Texas that has become very sick in the last few years. With a heart that big, no wonder people want to save it. And they have. Get Well Soon, Jim Buck Sherry Webb, publisher |
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