INDIANAPOLIS (15 Dec. 2010 )- Increased consumer demand for local and artisan foods has sparked growth in the Indiana dairy industry, particularly among small start-up processing facilities. Operators of those facilities-often dairy producers who want to manufacture products on the farm-have a unique set of concerns unlike their larger counterparts, such as obtaining information and finding resources to comply with food safety laws.

To address some of those issues, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) will be hosting a meeting for operators of smaller-capacity dairy processing facilities. The meeting will be at the agency's Indianapolis office, located at 4154 N. Keystone Ave., at 1:30 pm on Thursday, January 20, 2011.
BOAH Release

USDA's APHIS is proposing changes to its testing and certification requirements for brucellosis. 

One of the changes would reduce the age at which cattle are included in herd blood tests.

APHIS says the changes "are necessary to refocus resources to control and prevent the spread of brucellosis and to protect and maintain the economic viability of the domestic livestock industry."

The agency published the interim rule and request for comments in the December 27^th  Federal Register.  The comment period runs through February 25^th.

MADISON, N.J. - As 2011 approaches, dairy producers may be looking for changes that can help improve cow health and profitability.

With tightened European Union export requirements on the way for dairy products, the coming year is a great time to set sights on milk quality resolutions that can help capture a greater return from a milking herd.

Like any resolution, milk quality improvement efforts must become a way of life for everyone on the dairy farm. Bradley Mills, senior veterinarian, Pfizer Health Dairy Veterinary Operations, offers some milk quality resolutions to help advance mastitis management programs and produce higher-quality milk.

Read more...

Top

The state Environmental Protection Agency disclosed Tuesday that it and the Illinois attorney general's office are requiring the proposed Tradition Dairy to get a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit.

USDA's 2011 Agriculture Outlook Forum is set for February 24^th and 25^th in Arlington, Virginia.

The conference is titled, "Today's Strategies and Tomorrow's Opportunities." Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will keynote the forum.

Break-out session topics include: risk management, foreign trade, sustainable agriculture, , conservation and environment, rural development, nutrition and health, renewable energy and food safety.

USDA Ag Forum Agenda

USDA Ag Forum Registration

Top

A checkoff assessment on dairy imports is getting closer to fruition. Up to now, imported dairy products have been exempt from the dairy promotion checkoff on the grounds the funds are used to promote only domestic production. The 2002 Farm Bill included a provision to begin assessing imports but there were challenges to the rule including the fact that not all producers in the United States were not being assessed.

A revised version of the measure was included in the 2008 Farm Bill, USDA issued a proposed rule for the assessment in May of 2009. That final rule has now been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for clearance. Cheese Market News says implementation could begin early next year. USDA estimates the assessment on dairy imports will add some $6.1 million to the dairy promotion budget.

Top

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Farmland prices continue to defy economic forces that are pulling down other real estate values. A panel of Purdue University experts will discuss what factors are behind the steady rise in farmland values during a free webinar.

The online program takes place 1-2 p.m. EST Jan. 10. To register, visit the webinar home page at http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/commercialag/progevents/landvalueswebinar.html, click on the "Register Now!" link in the "Registration Information" box and complete the online registration form.

Read more...

Top

Dairy markets continue to firm-up. Cash cheese barrels held steady on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Wednesday while blocks gained a quarter-cent. Cash butter up another 5 cents on Wednesday; butter has gained 9.75 cents in the last week on unfilled bids. The $1.75 price is now 42 cents higher than a year ago and traders tell Dairy Market News this is the highest cash price for this time of year they can remember...and some buyers think this may be the low for the year. International supplies are tight as evidenced most recently by the 10.6 percent price increase for anhydrous milk fat at the Fonterra auction this week.

The powder market gaining more support from that Global Dairy Auction as well, Extra Grade gained 6.5 cents in the last two days and Grade A gained 3 cents on Wednesday. Daily Dairy Report says global markets have tightened in response to the continuing wet weather in Oceania where manufacturers have cut supply forecasts for the season. Milk production in Australia was running slightly ahead of year-ago levels through November...that may change. New Zealand production was already behind for the year as drought was a problem...especially on the North Island. Dairy Market News says suppliers are optimistic they can fill contracts but aren't accepting any new buyer inquiries until they get a better handle on their supply situation.

During a recent appearance on the Iowa Public Television program Iowa Press, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack was asked for his thoughts on formulation of the next farm bill.

"I've had a chance to visit Chairman Lucas, the incoming chairman of the house ag committee, and I think he is going to take some time to establish his chairmanship, establish his staff and he sees the debate discussion about the farm bill not taking place until probably 2012, so we have probably a year or so to talk about this."

Vilsack points out that, when it comes to the farm bill, there are a number of competing interests.

Participants will learn about risks and liability associated with agritourism activities such as hayrides, workshops, seasonal festivals, petting zoos, bed-and-breakfast inns and wineries.

A panel of producers will discuss how they manage risk as part of their business planning. Panel members are Amy Kelsay of Kelsay Farms, Whiteland; Greg Hochstedler of Boondocks Farm, Knightstown; and Tom Dull of Dull's Tree Farm, Thorntown.

• Opportunities to network with other professional dairy producers from around the state.
• Encourage open exchange of ideas and learn new approaches to the most challenging dairy farm management decisions.
   
• Allow you to get on the "ground floor" in determining relevant topics facing dairy managers and securing appropriate speakers to tackle those topics at educational meetings
• Notify you through IPDP newletters of upcoming events and educational opportunities that will help you to be a better dairy producer.
• Be a sounding board to solving key problems that face Indiana dairy producers.

• Indiana Creamery License Division 
• Indiana Board of Animal Health
• Indiana Department of Environmental Management
• Indiana State Department of Agriculture
• Indiana Beef Cattle Association
• Milk Promotion Services of Indiana
• Growing Indiana Ag (GINA)