DairyBusiness

Alltech’s Bioplex Zn 15% OA and Sel-Plex 2000 have been Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listed for use in U.S. organic farming operations.

OMRI, which is specific to the United States, is a national nonprofit organization that determines which input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing for operations under the USDA National Organic Program.

“With the OMRI certification, organic farms can now incorporate both of these products into their operations with much more ease than submitting paperwork with multiple organic certifying organizations,” said Steve Elliott, global manager of Alltech’s Sel-Plex and Bioplex products.

Alltech is proud of its certified organic products and proud to sponsor the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010™ to be held in Lexington, Kentucky from September 25 to October 10, 2010. Visit the official site of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at www.alltechfeigames.com or call 1-888-934-2010 for complete information about the event or to purchase tickets.

The European Commission has granted import, food, feed and processing approvals for biotechnology maize products jointly developed by DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred and Dow AgroSciences LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the The Dow Chemical Company. Maize products containing the Herculex^® I insect protection and the Herculex^® RW trait stack (also known as 1507×59122 stack or as Herculex^® XTRA^®), and maize products containing the Herculex^® RW, Herculex^® I and Roundup Ready^® Corn 2 trait stack (also known as 59122x1507xNK603 stack) now are permitted for import into the European Union (EU).

Herculex^® RW contains the Bt trait (59122) to provide an environmentally improved means of protecting maize plants against attacks by the corn rootworm and reducing the need to use insecticides. Herculex^® I contains the Bt trait (1507) to provide protection against a broad spectrum of insect pests, including corn borer, black cutworm and fall armyworm. The Roundup Ready^® Corn 2 (NK603) gene for tolerance to glyphosate herbicide allows growers to effectively and efficiently control weeds in their fields, allowing the corn plants to achieve higher yields.

Maize products containing these traits (1507×59122 or 59122x1507xNK603) were assessed to be safe for use in food and feed by the EU’s own independent scientific authority, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in April 2009, and already have been approved in nine countries around the world. These products now are authorized for import into the EU in accordance with EU regulations, including the appropriate labeling and traceability of the products.
Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Ind., USA, is a top-tier agricultural company that combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Dow AgroSciences provides innovative technologies for crop protection, pest and vegetation management, seeds, traits, and agricultural biotechnology to serve the world’s growing population. Dow AgroSciences will market this technology in its soybean seed brands including Mycogen^®, Brodbeck^TM, Dairyland^TM, and Renze^TM. Global sales for Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, are $4.5 billion.
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, is the world’s leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries. Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere. Science with Service Delivering Success^TM.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 90 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

Reynoldsburg, OH (July 22, 2010)—Young Jersey breeders who have exhibited unique leadership qualities and achieved success in their Jersey businesses now have the opportunity to gain further knowledge and industry contacts at the 19^th International Conference of World Jersey Cattle Bureau (WJCB).

The WJCB’s Jersey Educational Travel Award (JETA) provides scholarships for five individuals to participate in the upcoming conference, Hooked on Jerseys, scheduled for Feb. 9-14, 2011 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Individuals ages 18 to 40 in the conference year who can demonstrate an involvement in dairy farming, enthusiasm for breeding and developing Jersey cattle, and who have a genuine interest in an international education experience are invited to apply.

Awards will cover the cost of travel documents, roundtrip air fares and ground transportation, registration and all other conference fees for the week of the conference. The recipients will also be awarded lifetime membership of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau.

Award recipients agree to attend all conference sessions and make a short presentation (approximately 20 minutes) while at the conference during a Young Breeders focus session. Following the conference, they are expected to report on their experience and what they learned, both in a written report submitted to the WJCB President, and through speeches to Jersey, dairy and other agriculture-related groups in their home country. A final report on activities is to be submitted to the WJCB President no later than six months after the conference.

Previous JETA winners are Lyna Beehre, Northland, New Zealand; Henrik Dalgaard Christensen, Sjostrup, Aars, Denmark; Robin Denniston-Keller, Byron, N.Y., U.S.A.; Waweru Gatheca, Tigoni, Kenya; Rubén Darío Galvis Góez, Antioquia, Colombia; Eduardo Kashiwagi, São Paulo, Brazil; Mark Shaw, Ohaupo, New Zealand; Aaron Ray Tompkins, Ennice, N.C., U.S.A.; Wikus van der Merwe, Brandhof, South Africa; and André van Weerdenburg, Rodding, Denmark.

Applications consist of a résumé, clearly summarizing work experience in dairy farming, experience with Jersey cattle, and formal education, and an essay of 750 words describing personal ambitions in the dairy industry with Jersey cattle, and stating reasons for attending the conference. Two letters of recommendation must also be submitted.

Details on the application process for U.S. residents are posted at www.usjersey.com/News/JETA_2011_USApplication.doc. Monday, Sept. 20, 2010 is the deadline to submit materials to the American Jersey Cattle Association, by mail to 6486 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-2362, or by email to info@usjersey.com.

Applications will be evaluated on the established record and leadership qualities of the candidate, and also potential for future success in the dairy industry. The AJCA will submit no more than two (2) candidates to the WJCB office by Sept. 30, including a letter of recommendation for each candidate submitted for consideration. An anonymous selection committee appointed by the WJCB President shall review the applications and select up to five recipients. These individuals will be notified directly by the WJCB Secretary and potential recipients must accept or decline the award within two weeks of such notification.

The complete program for the 2011 International Conference, hosted by Jersey New Zealand, is published at www.worldjerseyconference.co.nz.

The World Jersey Cattle Bureau is made up of national Jersey cattle associations, individuals and other organizations, that has four main strands of activity in support of the Jersey breed of dairy cattle: communication, world Jersey events, youth programs and knowledge transfer. For more information, visit its web site, http://wjcb.wildapricot.org.

Norm Vincel

William Norman Vincel has been named general manager for Select Sire Power, Inc., a cooperative member of Select Sires, Inc. He will assume his duties effective Jan. 1, 2011, and succeeding Wayne Dudley.

Vincel, a native of Newport, Va., grew up on a beef farm and received his Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from Virginia Tech in 1973. Vincel joined VA/NC Select Sires Inc. (now Select Sire Power, Inc.) as beef coordinator in 1974. He occupied that position for 17 years, during which time beef semen sales grew nearly 20% annually. He was promoted to Director of Marketing and Development in 1991, responsible for sales and service for both dairy and beef. Vincel continues to maintain that position today, boasting a 135% increase in semen unit sales during that period.Vincel will continue to reside in Salem, Va.

Vincel  has served as chair of the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) Beef Development Committee, director of the National Beef Improvement Federation, advisor to Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) and member of the Virginia Tech Animal Science Advisory Board.

Select Sire Power markets bovine semen and reproductive products in 15 states along the east coast of the U.S., employing approximately 130 sales and services professionals.

Milking equipment and management company, DeLaval, organized a “Profound Productivity Tour” featuring parlors and herd management systems in Pennsylvania, July 7-9.

The tour started out in Harrisburg, Pa., where dairy producers gathered to learn more about the equipment, herd management tools and aftermarket products they would see over the next two days.  DeLaval product specialists Dr. Adam Jackanicz, Brady Catob and John Baker presented information on  herd management, animal nutrition, milk quality and DeLaval’s Voluntary Milking Systems (VMS).

The first day of touring dairies took the producers to see a 4-unit VMS barn, milking 240 cows 3X.  In addition to adopting robotic milking technology with the VMS, the Garber family utilizes DeLaval’s Alpro automated heat detection to find cows ready to breed.  The touring dairy producers also saw how Smart Selection Gates automatically helped sort cows as they come to be milked; and how Cow Comfort has become a large part of Spring Lawn Farm’s daily commitment to creating a better herd.

The next stop, Meadow Lane Dairy, featured a double-16 Fastback All-Exit Herringbone Parlor, milking 475 cows 3X, and was built to minimize labor.  The Rohrers use DeLaval’s Germania Herd Management automated heat detection.  The tour group also saw DeLaval sort gates, crowd gates and the heated floors, designed for cow comfort.

After a picnic by the Rohrer’s pond, the tour group traveled to Gettysburg for an entertaining afternoon tour of the Civil War battlegrounds that surround the city.  The evening ended with dinner at the Historical Fairfield Inn.

The second day of tour included Mason Dixon Farms, the largest VMS installation in the world, with 20 VMS units milking 1,000 cows.  The freestall barn is equipped with cooling misters to maintain a comfortable environment for the cows.

The tour headed to Shippensburg, Pa., to see the Musser family’s double-8 Cascade Parallel parlor, and Locust Grove’s double-8 Drop Rail Parlor.  After lunch the group visited the final dairy, a double-16 GE/GI (Gang Exit/Gang Index) Parallel basement parlor milking 500 cows.  Hard Earned Acres uses DeLaval’s Germania Herd Management system, boasting outstanding internal growth by breeding every cow solely with heat detection.  The Keefer’s use instant cooling, and are achieving approximately 90 lbs. of milk per cow.

Each tour stop gave dairy producers another view of how these Pennsylvania dairies are managing in today’s dairy environment.  To join a future DeLaval Profound Productivity Tour, or for more information about upcoming tours, visit www.profoundproductivity.com or call Sybil Birmingham at 816-891-1688 for details.

Milking equipment and management company, DeLaval, organized a “Profound Productivity Tour” featuring parlors and herd management systems in Pennsylvania, July 7-9.

ABS Global, DeForest, Wis. named Kaleena Westaby as research technician and Brenda Gilbertson as advertising and promotions manager.

Kaleena Westaby

Brenda Gilbertson

Westaby’s primary responsibilities will be assisting in data acquisition and analysis of product fertility, reporting results to field staff.  She will also support the development of educational pieces related to fertility and product performance. Westaby recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Iowa State University (ISU) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dairy Science.

Gilbertson will be lead the advertising and promotions team in developing marketing materials for ABS’ products and services, aiding the ABS North American business in implementing strategic marketing plans involving print collateral, advertising and electronic media channels. Gilbertson is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and remains active with her husband on a 45-cow registered Holstein farm in Hollandale, Wis.

ABS Global, a division of Genus plc, markets bovine genetics, reproduction services, technologies and uddercare products in more than 80 countries.

PLAIN CITY, Ohio, July 14, 2010 — Twenty-seven professional technicians, Select Mating Service™ (SMS™) evaluators, Select Reproductive Solutions™ (SRS™) specialists, and sales and marketing staff participated in Select Sires’ employee orientation held on June 8-9, at the Select Sires headquarters office in Plain City, Ohio. Employees from seven member cooperatives, Select Sires Canada, and Select Sires Inc. were present for the two-day event where they received advanced education in serving Select Sires’ customer-owners. Fifteen of the attendees met for an added two days on June 10 and 11, 2010, for extensive sales training.

“At the end of these conferences, our skilled Select Sires’ staff departs with the latest information and knowledge to better serve their customer,” said Lyle Kruse, vice president of U.S. market development for Select Sires.

The participants received in-depth information about Select Sires’ programs including the Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™), SRS, Program for Fertility Advancement™ (PFA™) and SMS. They also received advanced training on the topics of reproductive solutions, fertility research, beef and dairy sire programs, cattle evaluation, herd management products and Select Sires’ gender SELECTed™ process.

Attendees included: All West/Select Sires—Erik Klugkist, Red Deer County, Alberta; and Jake VanVliet, Riverbank, Calif.; COBA/Select Sires—Dan Kimmel, Boswell, Pa.; Tad Chapman, Muleshoe, Texas; Logan McWilliams, Muleshoe, Texas; and David Rodriguez, Portales, N.M.; East Central/Select Sires—Dean Kroning, Soldiers Grove, Wis.; and Garrit Goldsmith, Westfield, Wis.; KABA/Select Sires—Brady Core, Salvisa, Ky.; Minnesota/Select Sires—Kate Kious, Plainview, Minn.; Matt Rosenfield, Monticello, Minn.; and James Koltes, Melrose, Minn.; NorthStar Cooperative—Mike Aldrich, Charlotte, Mich.; Mary Hayes, Mason, Mich.; and Trish Hibschman, Sturgis, Mich.; Select Sire Power—Aaron Kilmer, Peach Bottom, Pa.; Larry Spencer, Addison, N.Y.; Steve Bowker, Towanda, Pa.; Brian Young, Cortland, N.Y.; and Stacia True, Perry, N.Y.; Select Sires Canada—Jon Karn, Woodstock, Ont.; Kyle Martin, Tweed, Ont.; Emilee Schipper, Aylmer, Ont.; Kim Rietveld, Mt. Forest, Ont.; and Sandy MacGillivary, Guelph, Ont.; Select Sires Inc.—King Smith, Stephenville, Texas; and Chelsea Brander, Spring Green, Wis.

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is North America’s largest A.I. organization and is comprised of 10 farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives.

AntelBio’s expertise in developing milk sample diagnostic tests was key in the USDA’s recent decision to award a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant. The funding will be used to investigate novel Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) detection methods in bulk milk samples. With new clinical bTB cases emerging in cattle in a number of states; and control and eradication programs running in the millions of dollars, identifying  new cost effective screening methods would be a tremendous benefit.

Dr. Preetha Biswas, AntelBio research scientist, and principle investigator for the study commented, “Design and development of a real-time PCR assay effective for use in milk could have a tremendous impact on early intervention and prevention strategies for bTB, and minimize the threat it poses to food supplies. Tests of this type would be particularly efficient when employed by milk marketing organizations as well as governmental agencies.”

Improved detection methods could facilitate development of a simple, cost effective screening tool for bTB which would have a significant impact on the dairy industry nationwide. At the conclusion of the first phase of the research, results will be evaluated by USDA to determine if subsequent research and funding is warranted to continue development of a product that could – be commercialized.

Approximately 10 years ago, AntelBio developed a test to detect Johne’s disease in milk samples collected routinely through the Dairy Herd Information (DHI) system. This accomplishment was the start of activities that created a milk diagnostic market in the United States. In 2009, over 200,000 Johne’s ELISA tests were run by AntelBio and DHI labs across the country. In addition to Johne’s, AntelBio now offers milk tests for Bovine Leukosis Virus (BLV), Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD), and Progesterone, with a goal to develop additional tests for this unique sample platform.

AntelBio is an innovative animal testing center devoted to the development and implementation of novel diagnostics for agriculture. A subsidiary of NorthStar Cooperative Inc, a Midwest US agricultural organization, AntelBio is working to implement disease testing into the infrastructure of traditional animal recording through Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI). By assimilation of health, genetic and reproductive information, NorthStar Cooperative and AntelBio are providing impetus and innovation to generate comprehensive solutions for producer results.

For more information, visit antelbio.com.

E.I. Medical Imaging, a leader in portable ultrasound systems for veterinary use, named Radincon X-Ray as the new authorized Ibex distributor in Australia and New Zealand.

Radincon X-Ray www.radincon.com.au/main/, was established in 1979 by Reg Black. Radincon has grown over 28 years to become a specialist imaging supplier to the Veterinary, Chiropractic and Medical markets in Australia, New Zealand and many other overseas countries. Their range is now primarily x-ray and ultrasound equipment, consumables and accessories plus the knowledge to make theis equipment work.

Service, repair and education are an important part of Radincon’s business. They support this with a team of affiliated technicians across the country with online access to some of the more advanced products.

For more information, contact E.I. Medical Imaging at info@eimedical.com.

DeLaval announced it has hit the 30,000 sales mark for its swinging cow brush, a self-grooming device that “keeps cows happier, healthier and more productive.”

“The swinging cow brush is very popular among dairy farmers thanks to its many customer benefits. Definitely a DeLaval success story,” DeLaval Vice President Business Area Aftermarket & Services Tim Nicolaï said.

Cows using DeLaval swinging cow brush SCB are cleaner, calmer and therefore more balanced, according to DeLaval Vice President Business Area Aftermarket & Services Tim Nicolaï. A study conducted by Cornell University in 2009 on DeLaval SCB showed better animal health due to an increase in blood circulation. It concluded that clinical mastitis was 34% lower for cows in second and higher lactation using the SCB. The research team also reported increased milk production of up to +1kg per day (3.5%) for cows in second lactation in a pen using the swinging cow brush, compared to a reference group kept under the same conditions without access to the SCB.

“A cow that grooms herself with the swinging cow brush can produce more milk from the exact same resources and input. That is one of the reasons why it is so popular among dairy farmers. Improved general health leads to less treatment and culling costs so cow health is improved and farmers’ profits boosted,” DeLaval Director Portfolio Farm Supplies Barbara Strunk explained.

The SCB is one of DeLaval’s Sustainable Dairy Farming (SDF) solutions an initiative that aims to reduce the environmental footprint of farms while improving milk production, farm profitability and the well-being of the people and animals involved.

DeLaval SCB starts to rotate on contact at an animal-friendly speed. It swings freely in all directions, smoothly up, over and alongside the cow. The bristles have the right length and hardness to stimulate the blood circulation while helping the cow to keep clean and calm. The unique patented design is approved by the DLG (Deutsche Landwirtschafts- Gesellschaft – German Agricultural Society). Click on the following links: swinging cow brush images and cow grooming herself video.