|
VOLUME XXI, NO. 2 |
TEXAS DAIRY & AG REVIEW |
February 2012 |
|
New Mexico 2012 Ag Expo Coming Up Feb. 21-22 In Portales, NM Oz Points Finger At Dairy For Allergies And Weight Gain Hoof-Tec Completeä Footbath System Makes 2012 Top Ten Ag Products Ellis County Dairy Producer Fears The Worst From Proposed Chemical Plant Numerous Topics To Be Addressed At High Plains Conference March 7-8, Amarillo Dairy Heat Stress Road Show Heading Your Way Very Soon Gear Up For Ruminant Conference April 20-21 In Grapevine, Texas U.S. Eager And Prepared To Satisfy Increasing Global Demands For Dairy |
||
|
New Mexico 2012 Ag Expo coming up Feb. 21-22 in Portales, NM |
||
|
The 2012 New Mexico Ag Expo is soon to celebrate its 20th year on Feb. 21-22 with a new facility and renewed commitment to provide education, information and valuable connections for those involved in agribusiness on the High Plains. This year’s Expo is sponsored by Plateau Wireless and Dairy Farmers of America (DFA). “I believe 20 years for any event is a milestone and we’re especially proud that we’ve been able to serve our area farmers, dairymen and ranchers for two decades,” said Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Karl Terry. The focus of the two-day event is on providing producers with information on products and techniques that allow them to solve problems and grow their operations. The Expo’s reach includes thousands of dairymen, farmers and ranchers. The show normally attracts more than 150 vendors and 200-300 representatives. Booths run the gamut from dairy equipment and tractors and implements to irrigation systems and seed. While most vendors are from the states of New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska, Ag Expo attracts businesses from as far away as Canada and California. With New Mexico State University as a main sponsor of the event, educational seminars and workshops are big components of the Expo. This year the seminars will include sessions on silage, cotton, pest management in hay, CRP, beef cattle and more. In addition, DFA holds its annual meeting at the Expo and plans its own program of lectures and seminars including a national guest speaker at the DFA luncheon open to all dairy farmers. Well-known horse trainer Scott Daily of Ark City, Kan. will present morning and afternoon workshop sessions on Tuesday on colt starting. New this year in conjunction with the Expo is the Tumbleweed Classic Winter Stock Dog Trial on Wednesday. Programs on working dog health and training are also planned. The inaugural event this past fall was a big hit and dog owners are excited about coming back during the Ag Expo. The biggest change for the 2012 Ag Expo is the new Roosevelt County Events Center which will house all of the indoor booths under one roof for the first time. The nearly 70,000 square foot building will provide convenient vendor setup, excellent crowd flow and good electrical availability. Use of this building will free up the Jack Lopez Community Center building for seminars, lectures and luncheons and the Idsinga Pavilion will be utilized for indoor demonstrations including Daily’s colt workshop. The hours of the show are also changing this year. On Tues., Feb. 21, the show will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Wed., Feb. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expo attendees, 18 and over, will have the opportunity to win a brand new 14 foot stock trailer. Entry forms must be validated at various vendors to be eligible for the drawing. There is no admission to the grounds or any of the events during the two-day run of the Expo. For applications or more information about vendor booths or attendance call (800) 635-8036, email the Expo at chamber@portales.com or visit the all-new website at nmagexpo.com
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
Don’t get me wrong. I have been a Dr. Oz fan since his show first aired last year, when I have the chance to watch. So, on Jan. 31, I tuned in to his show where he and his guest, Dr. Hyman, were discussing myths. The subject matter went from patients who are overweight, to food allergies as a cause of being overweight and finally to dairy and dairy products, as the number one culprit in all of this. I bet the dairy industry loved this show, is all I could think, as I continued watching. But, I was in no way prepared for what Hyman next said to the audience: “What you may not realize is that 60 percent of the population is allergic to dairy, which causes slow weight gain.” He said when people think of food allergies, they tend to think of acute allergies like peanuts, but that type of allergy affects only 2-5 percent of the population. Yep, dairy is the culprit. So, I watched on. I wanted to tell Dr. Oz that I fully “get” food allergies. In fact, my daughter was diagnosed as allergic to milk when she was very young. But, when Oz points the finger at dairy and its products ONLY and says little about other foods that may cause allergies, it is one-sided and unfair. For instance, he did not suggest the FISH in a can of tuna FISH could be a food allergy. Nope, it is the casein, he said. I felt that any dairy producer watching the show would have been livid by now. And, his audience and the general public? By now, they are probably confused and panicked, wondering whether they are in the 30% percentile who is not yet affected by milk allergies but stands a good chance in the future when they eat something---anything---or in the 60% population that Hyman says are allergic to milk already. These poor people are probably scrounging around every day to find something to eat that doesn’t contain that blasted dairy or dairy product! Well, good luck! They sure don’t have much to choose from, do they, if it doesn’t contain dairy? Maybe Oz and Hyman can solve the American obesity problem. If the entire population that is overweight would quit eating dairy, we would have a slim-fit, slendoresque society. But, it would put Jennie Craig, Weight Watchers and all the other weight busters out of business, in addition to the dairy industry. It looks like Oz and Hyman could have at least mentioned a few benefits from dairy. But, they said nothing about children who need milk’s calcium to build strong bones and aging adults who need calcium to prevent osteoporosis. Nor did they mention Vitamin D or any of the other rich milk nutrients. And, they really didn’t mention the fact that every school system in the US has always had milk as part of their menu criteria. If what Hyman says is true about the 60%, then why would the USDA allow milk at all in schools for fear of enabling a whole separate society of milk allergy-ridden children? What really is disturbing is to think a national show is allowed to give one-sided information to the public as dairy farmers struggle to provide the very substance Oz is enthusiastically demeaning. I guess he’s so far removed from rural America he’s totally unaware that, as he speaks, dairy farmers are out there somewhere busting it every day to make ends meet so they can feed the US and entire world with milk or milk products, which by the way, happen to be in big demand globally. Dr. Hyman stated a person may be packing on the pounds because of allergies to the foods they eat, and in order to start losing weight, they should eliminate these foods. Which in this case, of course, is dairy. So, now comes the really bad stuff. Hyman explained foods with dairy can cause unhealthy bacteria to overgrow and produce toxins that cause systemic inflammation that swells the intestines and prevents normal digestion, causing weight gain, among other conditions such as irritable bowel. In fact, people can gain up to 30 pounds a year due to a dairy allergy. So, Oz and Hyman specify that folks should check for all hidden dairy sources that are likely to be in desserts--- meaning cakes (wonder what Wendy Williams would say about that since she’s desperately trying to save the Hostess Twinkies!) muffins, cookies and chocolate that may contain basic dairy ingredients along with “hidden” dairy derivatives such as casein or whey, both milk proteins. Hyman and Oz said to be sure to look for these ingredients on labels and avoid them. What I want to know is what is wrong with blaming chocolate for chocolate as weight gain? What about the sugar content? Does that cause weight gain or not? Other hidden dairy sources are deli meats and fish: Processed meats often contain dairy products such as lactose, casein and caseinates that act as emulsifiers or flavor enhancers. Meats labeled “kosher” will be dairy-free. Here again, be aware that some brands of canned tuna contain casein, they said. Other hidden sources are breads, both white and wheat, that often contain casein, whey or milk powder. Freshly baked yeast breads are sometimes prepared in buttered pans or brushed with butter as they bake. Oz said to ask your baker if this is the case. Oz said countless brands of protein and energy bars consist primarily of whey protein. As with all of the above that is mentioned, remember to read the food labels on these very carefully as well, he said. I cannot even type without an energy bar stuck between my teeth or at least close by. To find out if you could be allergic to dairy, Oz has a three-week plan to follow. He said it is based on the 3 “Rs”: Remove all dairy, Repair your digestive track, and Reboot your body. But, again, I found the information offensive and here’s why: Week # 1 says to remove all the dairy from your diet for an entire week, which is how long your system needs for internal inflammation to settle down. Replace dairy milk with almond milk, which tastes good and has high quality protein and fat in it. In addition, replace butter with olive oil, a great source of good fat that contains oleic acid and anti-inflammatory properties. Almond Milk?---Really---?----Dr. Oz? Since Oz an Hyman are both doctors, they both should know Almond Milk referred to as MILK insults the intelligence of the entire dairy industry. By definition, real MILK is the liquid that can only come from warm-blooded mammals. You know, like mothers who feed their children? While Almond (whatever) may be a good substitute for those who have milk allergies, it should not be labeled Almond MILK or spoken as Almond MILK when in fact it is not MILK at all. Why not refer to it as Almond Juice? (Oops, better not go there again, Oz). Need Oz and Hyman be reminded that real MILK does not come from a nut, plant or bean? Only a mammal, Dr. Oz and Dr. Hyman, so if you are going to push this Almond product, then you should tell the public it should not be called MILK and it should not be labeled MILK. That’s the least you can do for the dairy industry.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Hoof-Tec Completeä Footbath System makes 2012 Top Ten Ag Products |
||
By Sherry WebbMost dairymen are aware of the importance of practicing good hoof care treatment in their herds. Cows are especially sensitive to the many hoof maladies that are associated with pain and disease. If untreated, these debilitating hoof conditions can prevent cows from reaching their full potential for peak production. Hoof care should be addressed just as importantly as any other problems affecting the performance of dairy cows “When their feet hurt, cows are reluctant to move,” said Rosemary Smithyman, part owner of Hoof-Tec Completeä Footbath System, based in Shreveport, Louisiana. “This can adversely affect their production and conception rates,” she said. Known in dairy circles as “The Footbath Lady,” Smithyman has graced the industry for the past few years with her knowledge and expertise of bovine hoof care and workable solutions. “I’m flattered that people refer to me as ‘the footbath lady.’ The footbath is not the most glamorous place on the dairy, but it is a vital tool in hoof care treatment,” she said. Hoof-Tec Completeä Footbath System, an all-inclusive footbath system known to be efficient, effective and simple to use, was recently named as one of the Top Ten Ag Products at the 2012 World Ag Expo coming up in Tulare, California on Feb. 14-16. Hoof-Tecä Footbath Solutions, develops, manufactures and markets various products to help prevent and minimize infectious hoof conditions, such as digital dermatitis, foot rot and heal erosion. As a regular columnist each month for the Texas Dairy and Ag Review, Smithyman shares her hoof care solutions with dairy producers as she travels the countryside taking care of old customers’ footbath needs or recommending to new customers the easy-to-use Hoof-Tec Completeä Footbath System. This system uses Hoof-Tec Completeä a pre-mixed liquid blend of anti-microbial copper, safe acids, and hoof conditioning salts and minerals to eliminate any guesswork that may arise and/or errors when using dry products and water to prepare the footbath. The footbath solution does not require the usual mixing and handling of toxic chemicals and no broken or empty bags to dispose of. Smithyman, who helped to develop this system, said it is much easier for producers to use and less expensive than electric, automated pump and footbath systems. “After cleaning the old solution out of the footbath, you just turn a valve to fill it back up. The pump is pre-set with the correct dosage,” she said. Smithyman pointed out Hoof-Tec Completeä with its low pH chemical solution used with the footbath system, is highly effective against bacteria yet does not cause tissue damage that can slow down the healing process and lead to infection. It contains no antibiotics, requires no additional copper or zinc and its performance is unaffected by cold weather. The footbath liquid combines anti-microbial copper, safe acids, and hoof conditioning salts and minerals to provide the most complete and effective footbath on the market today, Smithyman said. The system features a water-driven, non-electric pump, which automatically mixes the concentrated liquid solution with water at the correct dosage. A hose line connects the pump to a footbath. “You get a properly mixed footbath solution every single time, regardless of the size of the footbath,” Smithyman said. As easy as 1-2-3, the footbath system is simple, neat and affordable. “Also, because our footbath blend contains no formaldehyde or similar substances, it’s safer for your cows and your workers. In fact, it’s safe enough to use by hand.” Due to the efficient use of the solution, treatment costs with the system tend to be less than the use of copper sulfate by itself. Once the Hoof-Tec Completeä Footbath System is installed, a single treatment costs about 7 to 10 cents per cow, Smithyman said. When installing the system for new customers, the effectiveness of the solution in the footbath is monitored several times during the milking shift using pH strips or meters, she added. Depending on the amount of manure and volume of water in the footbath, a fresh 50-gallon footbath typically treats 350 to 500 cows before it needs to be replaced. Many dairy suppliers nationwide carry the solution used with Hoof-Tec Completeä Footbath System in 50-gallon drums or 260-gallon totes. No modifications to dairy facilities are required to install the system. As an animal lover from way back, Smithyman initially gained hoof care experience in the horse industry. But, she discovered a special interest in bovine hoof care a few years ago and soon switched over to developing footbath products for dairy cows. “The first time I saw a foot wart on a cow, I felt compelled to try to do something about it,” she said. “I really hate those things.” Smithyman emphasizes the system is just as much about caring for the animals she treats as it is about the hardware and chemical solution. “We are a very hands-on company,” she said. “You’re not just buying a product and installation. You’re also buying our service. We work in partnership with the producer, the herdsman, other employees and hoof trimmers to create a customized footbath program that works. “We come to the dairy and help develop the most effective footbath program for their operation and follow up with regular farm visits to make sure they continue to get good results.”
|
||
|
|
||
|
Ellis County dairy producer fears the worst from proposed chemical plant |
||
|
When a land deal closed recently, Ellis County dairy producer Kars Tammiga was among many Ellis County residents who now fear the worst from a proposed chemical plant to be built at the old Supercollider site west of Waxahachie next year. The land deal reminds neighbors and residents too quickly of last October’s Magnablend’s chemical plant explosion north of downtown Waxahachie. Rural residents were not happy then---and certainly are not happy now---as they vehemently vow to continue efforts to fight against a new plant. Tamminga, owner of Fri-Tex Dairy located just downwind of the proposed plant, is concerned about his land, water supply and dairy herd of more than 3,000 milk cows that have grazed on a dairy farm since 1984. "If they find any chemical release, which would go into our grass, they could shut us down," Tamminga said. "Not only that, but the co-op which buys our milk probably wouldn't buy our milk anymore." Roger Hamilton, who lives just northwest of the proposed new chemical plant, sees property values falling. "I worry about toxins leaking into the drinking water and about the smell of the place," he said. While the proposed site for the new plant has been home to the world’s largest atom smasher for many years, neighbors have not minded since the Supercollider never came to fruition and has remained harmlessly dormant. But, last year’s mishap was a reality check for neighbors and residents on just how much a chemical plant explosion can endanger lives, property and livestock. Although Scott Pendery, the owner of Magnablend, said his plant will operate safely, people just aren’t buying it. Pendery hopes to have it up and running next year but local opposition is stout and residents are planning ways to counter the venture. Dave Vance said requiring environmental tests would tie up the permit process for awhile along with requesting public hearings that would also tie it up for another few months. But, this is only a delay tactic for what may be inevitable. Residents are planning other ways to fight the new plant---by suing Ellis County Commissioners. According to plant opponents, Ellis County Commissioners quietly paved the way for Magnablend’s move by lifting a critical deed restriction. Carl Watson, who lives a mile from the new plant, said neither he nor his neighbors are giving up. "The big man may have won, but the old man hasn't given up fighting yet," Watson said. *Portions of this story were used from WFAA Channel 8’s newscast. |
||
|
|
||
|
Numerous topics to be addressed at High Plains Conference March 7-8, Amarillo
|
||
|
Experts from across the country will address topics specific to the region during the High Plains Dairy Conference scheduled Mar. 7-8 in Amarillo, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service specialist. “The dairy industry in the High Plains region has unique needs created by dairy size and complexity. For instance, many dairies grow their own forages.” said Dr. Ellen Jordan, AgriLife Extension dairy specialist in Dallas and conference coordinator. “This conference was designed to address specific issues from adopting technology to understanding animal welfare issues and the world economy.” The conference will begin with registration each day at 6:30 a.m. with seminars scheduled to start at 8 a.m. in the Ambassador Hotel, 3100 W. Interstate 40. An early evening reception will be held for participants Mar. 7. The “early bird” registration fee is $225 for the first registrant if postmarked by Feb. 1. An exclusive option for producers is that they can register additional participants from the same dairy for $175, also if postmarked by Feb. 1, Jordan said. After that, the registration fee will be $250 each. Online registration is available at http://www.highplainsdairy.org. Those who choose to mail the registration form should send it to: High Plains Dairy Conference, Attn: Charlotte Bruna, 244 Cyclone Lane, Waterville, Kan. 66548, or fax to 785-532-2333. For questions or more information call Bruna at 785-532-2370. Agenda speakers and topics include: Steve Nickerson, University of Georgia, Mastitis Management for the Future Milking Herd; John Lee, Pfizer Animal Health, Join the Cause: Implementing Effective Residue Avoidance and Risk Management; Robert Hagevoort, New Mexico State University, Development of a Comprehensive Dairy Safety Training Program; Dana Tomlinson, Zinpro Corporation, Management and Development of Nutrition, Lameness and Immune Function in the Large Herd Environment; Jeff Mikus, Diamond V, Diet Consistency: Using TMR Audits to Deliver More from Your Feed, Equipment and People to the Bottom Line; Randy Shaver, University of Wisconsin, Effect of Rumensin in Lactating Cow Diets with Differing Starch Levels; Kevin Murphy, Virtus Nutrition LLC, Harnessing the Power of “Smart” Technology; Michael Stead, Bank of the West, International Economic Considerations; Ben Weinheimer, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Cattle Issues and Beef Market Update; Kay Johnson-Smith, Animal Agriculture Alliance, Animal Welfare Legislation on the Horizon; Lowell Catlett, New Mexico State University, Imagining the World of 2020; José Santos, University of Florida, Enhancing Reproduction through Nutrition; Kirt Sloan, DeLaval, “Raising the Bar”–Using Technology and Protocols for Profitable Reproduction Results; Adapting to Declining Water Resources–Panel consisting of Ellen Jordan, AgriLife Extension, Meeting the Regional Water Challenge; Dean Horton, Las Uvas Dairy, Drip Irrigation–Producer Perspective; Dana Porter, AgriLife Extension, Efficient Irrigation Management for High Plains Dairies; Brent Bean, AgriLife Extension, Corn and Sorghum Silage Production Considerations, and John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas A&M University, Drought Update and Future Prospects For information contact Dr. Ellen Jordan, 972-952-9212, e-jordan2@tamu.edu |
||
|
|
||
|
Dairy Heat Stress Road Show heading your way very soon By Sherry Webb |
||
|
In Texas, it is never too soon for dairy producers to begin focusing their attention on heat stress as the cold winter months slide behind us and summer months rapidly approach our corner of the world. Getting the jump on heat stress could be invaluable to dairy producers, especially if the 2012 Texas summer heat is anything like last summer’s triple digit temperatures. In a unique and innovative effort to carry a message to dairy producers who have the most to gain from mitigating heat stress and the most to lose from the affects of heat stress on dairy cows, the Dairy Heat Stress Road Show will soon be heading to Texas, New Mexico, and California. The Road Show will be at Stephenville on April 3, at the Southwest Regional Dairy Center. On April 4, it will be at Clovis New Mexico Civic Center and on April 6, Vet Medicine Center, Tulare, California. The Show kicked off last December in Okeechobee, Florida followed by an appearance at Camuy, Puerto Rico. Heat stress is responsible for reducing milk production and large declines in pregnancy rates during summer heat. Its negative effects are experienced in all parts of the US and in other countries. Understanding strategies available to combat the effects of heat stress and improve cow comfort is important for all dairy farms. The Dairy Heat Stress Road Show team has developed specific tools to combat heat stress in dairy cows. These tools include ways to maximize cow comfort, increase summer fertility and reproduction, and improve nutrition and economics to maximize overall milk profitability. In addition, software tools, National Dairy Resource Areas on websites, educational publications, new research and educational programs are provided. This multi-faceted effort is all made possible as part of an integrated, multidisciplinary USDA grant to overcome the effects of heat stress on fertility in dairy cattle. Road Show presenters will share with attendees the latest technologies to fight heat stress on dairies but are also anxious to learn from dairy producers and their experiences. This two-fold approach allows attendees and presenters a chance to learn from each other and collectively to work at solving this most difficult of dairy issues. Dr. Todd Bilby, an associate professor and dairy specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Stephenville, Texas is committee chair of the Dairy Heat Stress Road Show. Bilby said Road Show speakers are colleagues and friends who for years have researched heat stress and collectively bring a wealth of experience to the program. Bilby said the Road Show was initially prompted by the ongoing decline in the dairy industry regarding fertility rates in dairy cows. He said in the past 40-50 years, the fertility rate has dropped from 40% to 16%, the current national average pregnancy rate exacerbated by heat stress. The Road Show presents strategies to improve fertility rates in the summer and “to level this out so there will not be a glutton of dry cows all at one time and a glutton of cows calving all at one time,” Bilby said. He pointed out in this time of super-sized cows that give 100 pounds of milk or more as compared to an era when cows gave only 30 pounds or so, producers have grown away from managing fertility. He said although high milk production is not necessarily bad for fertility, today’s “bovine athletes” require better management and strategy efforts. In addition to Bilby, other Road Show committee members include Dr. Albert DeVries, University of Florida in Gainesville. Dr. Pete Hansen, University of Florida in Gainesville; Dr. Jose Santos, University of Florida in Gainesville and DVM in Puerto Rico. Also on board are Courtney Davis, Dr. Robert Hagevoort, Dr. Noelia Silva-del-Río, and Dr. John Fernandez Van Cleve. For more information and additional web resources visit: DAIReXNET http://www.Extension.org/dairy+cattle. Participants in each of the Road Show presentations thus far were surveyed at the end of each program to determine satisfaction for the program, the level of understanding for topics presented and estimated changes that would be made to the operation based on presented material. An average was given for all 30 participants who took the survey including 18 from Florida and 12 from Puerto Rico. All participants were mostly to completely satisfied with the program. (Puerto Rico participants averaged nearly 0.60 points higher in satisfaction than Florida participants.) Most all participants wanted more information, but no specified topics were named. The survey revealed 67% would make changes based on the information presented at the training. Part of the survey focused on the level of understanding participants had for topics presented. For both groups, the greatest increase in the level of understanding came from two statements: “A good indication that a cow is under heat stress is when body temperature in the afternoon reaches 102.2 or greater,” and “Increasing DCAD of the ration by feeding more sodium bicarbonate or potassium carbonate benefits heat-stressed dairy cows.” One area of training for the Puerto Rico dairymen may be in using timed AI and Synchronization programs to improve reproduction. They had an increase in understanding well beyond the Florida dairymen, which may indicate a possible educational need. Trainers gave statements from their presentations to participants who were asked at the end of the program to rank their level of understanding based on those statements before the presentation and after the presentation. Overall, there was a 27% increase for the Florida group in understanding of the dairy heat stress statements presented by trainers and a 46% understanding for the Puerto Rico group. In an attempt to determine the economic impact of the educational programs, 83% of the participants said their dairy operations have annual loses to heat stress of over $81 per cow. In the two programs, there was an estimated 100,000 cows represented or loses totaling over $8,100,000---just for the dairies attending this program. If Road Show technologies were implemented, more than 90% of the respondents could save greater than $21 per cow per year and the majority estimated they could save over $61 per cow per year. Some comments on what participants liked most in the training included: Impact of heat stress on a cow; Several options and recommendations to consider; Modes of heat exchange between cattle; Embryo transfer during heat stress; Effect of airflow and keeping cows cool in the barn; Improvement of conception rates with embryo transfer;Some of what participants liked the least in the training included: Overlap of consequences of heat stress; Need to focus on how to adjust management or nutrition; Shade type of cooling systems; Repetitiveness of problems rather than ways to improve it; Economics of heat stress. |
||
|
|
||
|
Gear up for ruminant conference April 20-21 in Grapevine, Texas
|
||
|
The annual Mid-South Ruminant Nutrition Conference is set for April 20-21, at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 2401 Bass Pro Drive, in Grapevine, Texas. The event is sponsored by the Texas Animal Nutrition Council and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service beginning at 1:30 p.m. on April 20 when it will kick off with a tour of three Grapevine wineries. The cost of the wineries tour is $60 per person. The conference registration is at 4:30 p.m. followed by a reception at 6 p.m. Registration cost is $80 before March 31 and $95 afterwards. Registration will begin on April 21 at 7:30 a.m. and end after the final session at 4 p.m. Dr. Ellen Jordan, dairy specialist with AgriLife Extension in Dallas, said the conference will provide nutrition consultants, veterinarians and nutrition allied-industry professionals with the most current research results. Conference topics will include: Regional irrigation use and changes on the horizon; environmental and management factors impacting corn-silage yield and feeding value; Increasing silage levels in dairy diets using starch and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility; Switching from corn to sorghum silage; Managing mortality losses in dairy herds; Impact of calcium and vitamin D on the immune system; The role of inflammation in metabolic disorders; Mycotoxins: Lessons learned from the 2009 Midwest crop year. TTo register, make checks payable to the Texas Animal Nutrition Council and send to Dr. Ellen Jordan, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas, TX, 75252-6599. For more information, call 972-952-9201. |
||
|
|
||
|
U.S. eager and prepared to satisfy increasing global demands for dairy
|
||
|
China, South Korea and the Middle East are a long way from Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma but it’s likely that milk produced by cows in those states has reached these far parts of the world. Steve Hanson, a Clovis, N.M, dairy producer, would love to see a steady stream of U.S.-produced dairy head into even more parts of the globe. “As a producer, milk is milk whether it’s sold in the United States or any other market we can find,” said Hanson, a board member of the producer-funded Dairy MAX checkoff organization. “We basically live and die with a 2-percent shortage or surplus. There is so much potential in these other countries with their growing populations and people adopting a diet that at one time had no dairy in it at all. The potential is huge.” The U.S. dairy industry is more than eager and prepared to satisfy increasing global demand for dairy-rich diets. In 2010, the U.S. exported nearly 13 percent of its production – the equivalent of 25 billion pounds of milk. This total was up from 9.3 percent in 2009 and 11 percent in 2008. The ability to find an overseas home for U.S. dairy is the priority of the U.S. Dairy Export Council® (USDEC), funded in part by America’s producers who launched the organization in 1995 along with processor companies. Partnering within the industry is a prime example of how checkoff is choosing to operate for the benefit of dairy producers. Today, USDEC represents the export trade interests of more than 100 processor, dairy cooperative and export trading companies. And while these efforts are happening far from the shores of the United States, USDEC President Tom Suber says the impact of this work is definitely felt domestically. “The challenge that we have in the checkoff community is how do you convey what this means to dairy farmer income,” Suber said. “And the issue that often hits home when we speak to dairy producers is that when you look at how much volume we’re exporting today, every three new pounds of product we produce, two of those pounds are heading to overseas markets.” Dairy consumption is increasing among affluent populations in markets such as China, South Korea, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Mexico. In these markets, local milk producers and traditional international suppliers cannot keep pace, thus creating an opportunity for U.S. dairy suppliers who are becoming very cost-competitive with export powers such as New Zealand. Suber figures there is 7 billion pounds of additional unmet global demand for the U.S. industry to capture. “We’re going to have an opportunity to help feed more countries that can’t provide for themselves because of geography or environment,” Hanson said. “We can create the future or cater to the future. By us going into these other markets and building these relationships and showing what we can provide, we’re creating the future versus waiting for it to happen.” Among the export success stories is South Korea, which evolved from a minor buyer of U.S. dairy into one of the biggest and most loyal customers of American dairy products. Exports to South Korea were on pace to reach $240 million in 2011 – nearly 10 times their value in 1995. South Korea became the No. 2 U.S. cheese market in 2008 (passing Canada and Japan) and has been gaining on the market leader Mexico ever since. With the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement set to go into effect in early 2012, U.S. suppliers are poised to parlay that market advantage into even greater volume and value. It was only 15 years ago that dairy in the South Korean diet was nearly non-existent and whey was forbidden. But thanks to the tireless efforts of the USDEC staff, the top four pizza chains in South Korea began sourcing cheese from the U.S. in 2007 and domestic suppliers began introducing artisan cheese to the foodservice sector. Not long after, U.S. string cheese became popular in Korean convenience stores. “There’s an old Steve Jobs saying: people don’t know what they want until you show them,” Hanson said. “Our industry is playing into that. Exports give us a strong return on the investment we’ve spent on building this export program. Our investment is growing and it’s going to keep growing. “We’re just touching the tip of the iceberg now.”
|
||
|
|
||
|
All internet contents of this site
are Copyright © 2005-2012 TDR Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved. |
||
| De Leon Web Services | ||
