MPSI is Indiana Dairy Producer's first Diamond!

 

On behalf of the MPSI board and staff, we are excited and proud to be the very first Diamond Level Sponsor of IDP! I recently had the opportunity to address industry members, producers and friends at the IDP Partners in Success Luncheon. I took advantage of that opportunity to express my pride in and thankfulness for LuAnn Troxel and Doug Leman! They are valuable assets to the industry and organization and work tirelessly to achieve its goals. Their passion for the dairy industry and leadership in IDP are a powerful force. Together they form a dynamic duo who along with the IDP board has positioned IDP for success!

 

The Diamond Level Sponsorship is evidence of MPSI and IDP's partnership for success. Ours are two vibrant dairy organizations sharing a dedication and passion for Indiana's dairy industry.   Our two organizations bring complementary resources and expertise to you, Indiana's dairy farmers. And we share a vision of a robust, vital and profitable Indiana dairy industry. Ours is a powerful partnership poised for success.

 

I look forward to continuing to work closely with both Doug and LuAnn and the IDP board; and to the new and additional opportunities afforded MPSI by the Diamond Level Partnership. We look forward to meeting with you at the Purdue/IDP Regional Dairy Meetings where you will discover how your dairy promotion (checkoff) program works hard for you every single day. Watch for information about our Telling Your Story and Dairy Farmer Spokesperson trainings and resources in future issues of the IDP Update.

 

Deb Osza

General Manager

Milk Promotion Services of Indiana

Each year, the Indiana Soybean Alliance organizes farm tours for local officials who haven't had a lot of opportunities to visit farms, as well as members of the ag community. IDP Vice President Henk Sevenhuysen, and his wife, Linda, were hosts when this year's group visited the greater Lafayette area.

Henk and Linda Sevenhuysen emigrated to the US from The Netherlands and built Seven Hills Dairy from the ground up. Today, they have nearly 2200 dairy cows in Benton County that produce 135,000 pounds of milk daily. Henk and Linda also own 2000 head of young stock raised off the farm, and they employ 22 people. Seven Hills Dairy includes 600 acres of corn or alfalfa, but they work closely with adjoining neighbors to meet the balance of their cows' feed needs.They also reciprocate by applying nutrients from their dairy to neighboring acreage. 

Henk and Linda must have answered a thousand questions during the tour, and we appreciate their willingness to open up their farm!

Watch a photo slide show of the Seven Hills Dairy here.

 

Your Nominations Needed for Outstanding Dairy Producer!

Each year, IDP's extension and dairy specialists select the Oustanding Dairy Producer and Outstanding Young Dairy Producer of the Year from nominations submitted.

Companies, veterinarians and nutritionists are encouraged to submit a nomination from their clients and from farms they are familiar with. Self nominations are acceptable, and you do not have to be a member of IDP to submit a nomination. The nominated dairy producer must reside in Indiana, but he/she does not have to be a member of IDP to be nominated. The deadline for submission is January 15, 2013. Please take the time to fill out a nomination form here and send to Dr. Mike Schutz. Details are on the nomination form.

Pictured is 2012 Outstanding Dairy Producer of the year, Leontien Van de Laar. Let's use this opportunity to say a prayer for her as she fights a serious battle with cancer.

The Indiana Dairy Producers board of directors welcomed representatives from nearly 60 companies to the 3rd annual Partners in Success luncheon on November 9. This was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the events of IDP in 2012 and also talk about what's coming up in 2013. We were grateful for the good turnout and the excellent conversation. Please click here to watch a photo slideshow of the event.

New Resource! Answers to your questions about raw and pasteurized milk

At this time, Indiana is one of 20 states that doesn't allow the sale of unpasteurized milk directly to the consumer. Purdue University Extension  has just published an important information piece that answers many questions about raw and pasteurized milk: What is pasteurization? Why is pasteurization used for milk? Is milk altered by pasteurization? What risks are associated with drinking raw milk? and more. Click here to read this important resource.

With the election of 2012 in the past, the 2013 congress is beginning to organize. Even so, a lame duck session will be first. What does this mean for dairy policy? Dairy Business Communications has assembled information from the International Dairy Foods Association and the National Sustainable Ag Coalition. Read it here.

 

A Hearty IDP Welcome to NorthStar!

We are delighted to welcome NorthStar Cooperative as a new Gold Spoonsor! Read more about this company:

If you've ever checked the ingredient list on a PowerBar or a high-protein smoothie, you probably have stumbled across these words: "Whey protein concentrate." You'll find it in a growing number of prepared foods.

 

This ingredient is derived from one of the oldest of human foods - milk. But capturing it requires huge factories that look more like oil refineries than farms. Read more. 

 

Don't like CAFO Regs? Tell the EPA!
JanzenAgLaw.com

On October 31, 2012, the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") provided notice that it was undertaking a review of its regulations for concentrated animal feeding operations, or "CAFOs" as they are often described (or "factory farms" as their opponents describe them).  Under Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the EPA must review regulations every ten years to determine their continued necessity.

Aflatoxin continues to be a challenge on Indiana dairies. Milk is currently being tested for the presence of aflatoxin, just like it is being checked for antibiotic residues. Unfortunately, there are Indiana dairy farmers who have had to stop shipping milk because of aflatoxin problems. We urge you to insist that any purchased feedstuffs are tested negative for aflatoxin. Make sure that home raised feed is negative as well. IDP has posted numerous resources on aflatoxin here. In addition, there is some good information on this Florida Extension webpage. Please call us if you have questions about aflatoxin. We can certainly put you in touch with industry experts who can help with these challenges.

 

Zeeland Feed Update
Michelle Robinson, ZFS

Zeeland Farm Service 866-888-7082

 

Feed Stuff Options and Alternatives have been the topic all summer in the dairy market.  Here are some opportunities that may fit into your ration.

 

Cottonseed harvest is finally under way with a large crop at hand. Prices have been slipping some as ginning progresses and protein market weakens some. There are contracts available now thru Aug 2013. Consider cottonseed in your ration as a good fiber source.

 

Soy hulls are trending upward in the market as users figure their needs after forage harvest, and contracts are put on through March. Be sure to check with your merchant to cover your needs.

 

Canola meal has been a great alternative as a protein for dairy diets. Supply has been good during harvest however, crush is planned to be less than originally expected, narrowing the basis offered.  Contracts are available thru March at this time.

 

Gluten feed seems to be holding steady to lower recently as new corn makes its way  into the processors and they plan for food sales production. Pellets and wet feed are available.

 

Hominy, a fine ground corn source, supply remains tight as processors continue a shorter schedule of run time. Hominy is a good fine ground corn partial replacement. Offers are available thru March.

 

DDGs have been plentiful as the export market has loosened up. This product seems to be moving back into rations as an energy source to help cover poor quality silage. Offers available thru March as well, as offers  have trended down this week. 

There's a lot of information on the Indiana Soybean Alliance website that supports livestock farmers. The Cat. 14 fertilizer rule went into effect last year, which applies to CFO, CAFO and commercial manure applicators. Please familiarize yourself with this rule! Many farmers will find that they need to become certified to apply manure. There is a free learning module, a video and other assistance available to help Indiana farmers stay in compliance with changing regulations.

There is also a fertilizer use rule, which basically applies to farms of any size, which will go into effect on February 16, 2013. All of these rules can be confusing! If you need clarification or additional information, contact us and we will help or connect you with the right person who can answer your questions. (This article corrects errors that were present in the 10-15 update).