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DFA acquires sole ownership of DairiConcepts

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) announced Nov. 18 that it would acquire 100% ownership of DairiConcepts, the cooperative's joint venture with Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd.

Fonterra and DFA have partnered in DairiConcepts as equal owners since 2000 when the joint venture was formed. DairiConcepts plays a key role in DFA's strategy to further grow its ingredients division and extend its global marketing outreach, but was viewed as a non-core component of Fonterra's strategy. The decision was made by both DFA and Fonterra to consolidate ownership, an announcement said.

"Our relationship with Fonterra remains strong," Rick Smith, DFA president and chief executive officer, said. "DairiConcepts has historically generated strong returns for our farmer-owners, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen the business and expand markets for our members' milk."

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AHI clarifies antibiotic use after Pediatric report
In a new technical report, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says unnecessary use of antibiotics in food-producing animals is endangering medicine's ability to treat life-threatening infections in young patients.

The report, "Nontherapeutic Use of Antimicrobial Agents in Animal Agriculture: Implications for Pediatrics," calls antimicrobial drug resistance a growing public health crisis and points to a common farming practice as a contributing cause.

According to AAP, adding antibiotics to the feed of healthy livestock to promote growth, increase feed efficiency or prevent disease among herds often leaves the drugs ineffective when they are needed to treat infections in people.
White House rejects petitions for mandatory GE labeling

The Food and Drug Administration rejected petitions to the White House for mandatory labeling of genetically modified organisms.

The move was welcomed by agricultural groups who said it allows science to dictate what is on consumer packaging.

"FDA's rejection of the petition is a strong reaffirmation of the sound science policy underlying FDA's approval process. Only products found to be safe for human or animal use should be approved. And if they are approved as safe, there is no basis for mandatory labeling," said National Milk Producers Federation president and chief executive officer Jim Mulhern.

Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, called it a victory for consumers and farmers alike. Stallman said the petition rejection, as well as FDA's stamp of approval on a genetically engineered salmon is a "milestone for expanding farmers' and ranchers' ability to produce nutritious food critical to a healthy diet." The salmon is engineered to mature quicker which is said to reduce its environmental impact and uses less feed before reaching the market.
Transparency research reveals what consumers want 

A new study from the Center for Food Integrity (CFI) suggests that improved transparency increases consumer trust in food.
CFI's latest research, A Clear View of Transparency and How it Builds Consumer Trust, provides evidence that transparency builds trust and identifies the most effective practices for building consumer trust.

"Transparency works," said Charlie Arnot, CFI CEO. "We have statistical data to show that increasing transparency in farming, food production and processing will increase consumer trust."

The 2015 research focused on areas that are important to consumers: Impact of food on health; food safety; impact on the environment; human/labor rights; treatment of animals raised for food, and business ethics in food production.
An online survey of 2,000 people explored which attributes are most important to consumers when it comes to trust-building transparency -- policies, practices, performance or verification.

"The survey shows an organization's practices are most important in five of the six topic areas," said Arnot. "Consumers want to know more about what you are actually doing in these important areas. They also want the ability to engage by asking questions through the company website and they expect straight answers in a timely fashion."
ADSA News and Happenings
FDA Approves GE Salmon, Rejects Mandatory GE Labeling Requirement
On November 19th, FDA announced that it is taking several important steps regarding food from genetically engineered (GE) plants and animals, including the first approval for a genetically engineered animal intended for food, AquAdvantage Salmon. The agency is issuing two guidances for manufacturers who wish to voluntarily label their products as containing ingredients from GE or non-GE sources: a draft guidance on labeling foods derived from Atlantic salmon, and a final guidance on foods derived from GE plants.
The FDA officially approved AquaBounty Technologies' application for AquAdvantage Salmon, an Atlantic salmon that reaches market size more quickly than non-GE farm-raised Atlantic salmon.  FDA ruled that the application submitted regarding AquAdvantage Salmon meets the regulatory requirements for approval.  The FDA determined that food from AquAdvantage Salmon is as safe to eat and as nutritious as food from other non-GE Atlantic salmon and that there are no biologically relevant differences in the nutritional profile of AquAdvantage Salmon compared to that of other farm-raised Atlantic salmon.
FDA also ruled that no mandatory labeling of the AquAdvantage Salmon is required.  Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the FDA can only require additional labeling of foods derived from GE sources if there is a material difference - such as a different nutritional profile - between the GE product and its non-GE counterpart. In the case of the AquAdvantage Salmon, the FDA did not find any such differences.
In addition to the actions on GE salmon, FDA also issued final guidance on voluntary labeling related to foods derived from GE plants.  Again, FDA has found no material difference between GE and non-GE foods that would lead to the requirement of mandatory labeling. 
Additional information on FDA's actions can be found at the following links:
 
CDCB SEEKS NON-VOTING, ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) is now accepting applications for non-voting, advisory members of the CDCB Board of Directors who are able to provide meaningful insight, guidance and perspective to the Board's work within dairy industry and fulfill usual board member responsibilities regarding attendance and participation. Individuals (or organizations that desire to nominate an individual) are encouraged to apply by completing the application form ( https://www.cdcb.us/News/Application%20Non-voting%202016.docx) and submitting the application no later than Friday, January 15, 2016, 4:00 pm EST.
 
LDHM Conference Registration is Open
Registration is now open for the Large Dairy Herd Management conference to be held May 1-4, 2016 at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort and Conference Center in Oak Brook, IL.  This conference is designed to provide an opportunity for authors to obtain feedback on the chapter papers developed for the Large Dairy Herd Management e-Book. The program will be designed so attendees can participate in the sessions of most interest to them. It includes 96 sessions that are organized around the 15 e-Book sections. For a full list of topics and editors visit the conference website.  Key stakeholders in the international dairy science community will want to be a part of the conversation about the above topics that impact large dairy herd management. This includes but is not limited to dairy extension specialists, researchers, dairy educators, consultants, allied industry representatives, and dairy producers. A range of sponsorship opportunities are available as well.
 
ADSA asks:  Did You Know about S-PAC?
While we now have S-PAC® (Searchable Proceedings of Animal Conferences) subscribers in 37 countries and all attendees of the 2015 JAM received a free 90 day trial, we've found that that some ADSA members may still not be aware of one of the significant benefits of ADSA membership, the opportunity to utilize S-PAC.  Included in your membership dues is access through S-PAC to searchable Joint Annual Meeting abstracts for 1998-2015, ADSA annual meeting abstracts from 1935-1997, as well as ADSA divisional meeting abstracts
and
Members have the opportunity to subscribe to S-PAC at the deeply discounted ADSA member rate.  Subscriptions run for 365 days from date of sign-up.
Professionals $75; Undergrads $5 and Grads $10
ADSA member rates have been extended to ASAS, PSA and ARPAS members as well as members of other organizations and conferences who share their proceedings through S-PAC.
Corporate sustaining member and academic library subscriptions are also available, as S-PAC brings current real world science and its application into the classroom and the office. Speaking of the classroom, S-PAC is the only on-line source for the highly regarded textbook "Large Dairy Herd Management."  This is included in your subscription.
S-PAC is the most comprehensive collection of domestic and international animal production and management conference proceedings in the world. It also includes animal health, dairy foods and grazing conference proceedings. This unique collection of conference proceedings and presentations, that is completely user searchable, is a must-have resource for animal scientists, veterinarians, academicians, consultants and members of industry around the world.  It is a great teaching resource as well since it includes current real-world application of science and the "Large Dairy Herd Management" text book. As of November 20, 2015, 57 conferences have contributed 530 sets of proceedings, with new conferences and proceedings added frequently.  The value of S-PAC increases every time a conference and a set of proceedings is added. If one can't attend the multitude of conferences that S-PAC covers, S-PAC is the next best thing to being there! Not sure yet, then try S-PAC risk free with our "5 days for $5 offer."  Visit http://spac.adsa.org  for details. 
Thank you for being a member of ADSA!  We look forward to your continued membership through the coming year If you are not yet a member, now is a great time to join and begin gaining all the benefits of membership.  Click here to join or

 
Would you like to help the animal and dairy science community and attend the 2017 ADSA Annual Meeting for free?
Referrals are the most tried-and-true way businesses grow, and the same is true for FASS. Do you know a colleague working with an animal science group that is in need of high-quality, cost-effective support services? Help them out by referring them to Jamie Ritter, FASS Executive Director at jamier@assochq.org .
Help them benefit from the shared resource concept and the 264 years of collective experience the FASS staff have in working with non-profit animal science organizations. If your referral becomes a FASS customer prior to June 1, 2017, ADSA will comp your registration to the 2017 ADSA Annual Meeting that will be held June 25 to 28, 2017 in Pittsburgh, PA.  It's win-win-win. For more information about services offered by FASS, click here.
 
Are You Part of ADSA® on Linked In
Our ADSA Linked In group continues to grow. We now include 1,451 members from around the world, are you one of them? It's a great place to get information and network with other dairy professionals from around the world.  Check it out here.
Thanks to our Corporate Sustaining Members
                                 We appreciate your ongoing support of ADSA and the Journal of Dairy Science®.
Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition
Elanco Animal Health
Diamond V Mills 
Kent Nutrition
Grande Cheese Co.
Kraft Foods
GEA Farm Technologies 
BioZyme Inc.
Darling International Research
Quali Tech
Zook Nutrition & Management
Zinpro
DuPont Pioneer
Zoetis
West Central
Lallemand Animal Nutrition
Ag Processing
Renaissance Nutrition
Global Agri-Trade Corp.
Masters Choice
Papillon Agricultural Co.
Nutriad 
Calendar of Events
Nov 30, 2015   10 a.m. EST "Listeria Environmental Sampling in the Dairy Industry Webinar". Sponsored by Cornell University Dairy Foods Extension. To join, visit Join WebEx Meeting, Meeting Numer: 645 838 251, meeting passwordL cMBtHmu7

Dec. 1-2, 2015  Food Safety Plans for Artisan Food Processors, Crowne Plaza, White Plains, NY. For more information and to register click here.
Dec 2-4, 2015   Ice Cream Makers Short Course, UW Madison, Babcock Hall, 1605 Linden Dr., Madison WI Download a copy of the brochure and register for the short course
Dec 15, 2015  Using Social Media to Deliver Extension - Webinar with Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam. For more information and to register click here

January 18-19, 2016  Pacific Northwest Animal Nutrition Conference, The Riverside Hotel, Boise, Idaho, visit http://www.pnwanc.org for more information
Feb 15-17, 2016  Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium*, Gainesville, FL. For more information, click here.

Feb 17-19, 2016  VSFA Convention and VT DASC "Cow College"*, Roanoke, VA. For more information, click here

Feb 17-19, 2016 Midwest Regional Dairy Challenge: hosted by UW Platteville and Southwest Technical College in Platteville, WI For more information, visit the Dairy Challenge web site
Feb 17-19, 2016  2016 Southwest Nutrition Conference. Tempe Mission Palms Hotel & Conference Center, Tempe, AZ. For more information, click here.

Feb 23, 2016  Vermont Dairy Producers Conference, For more information click here
Feb 25-27, 2016 Western Regional Dairy Challenge: hosted by College of the Sequoias in Tulare, CA  For more information, visit the Dairy Challenge web site
Mar. 8 - 11, 2016  34th Western Canadian Dairy Seminar*, for more information click here
Mar 14 - 16, 2016 Midwest Meeting ADSA® Midwest Branch and ASAS Midwestern Section, Des Moines, IA
April 7-9, 2016 North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge & Academy: hosted by the Northeast Region in Syracuse, NY For more information, visit the Dairy Challenge web site
Apr18 - 20, 2016 Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference, Grand Wayne Center,  Fort Wayne, IN, For more information click here
May 1-4, 2016Large Dairy Herd Management (LDHM) Conference, Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort and Conference Center, Oak Brook, IL, For more information click here
June 15-16, 2016  4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference, Grand River Center, Dubuque, IA, contact Jim Salfer, University of Minnesota salfe001@umn.edu
June 20-24, 2016 13th International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis*, Nantes, France, For more information click here
July 2-9, 2016  American Dairy Goat Association National Show, Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, Harrisburg, PA. For more information contact ADGA, PO Box 865, Spindale, NC 28160. 828-286-3801. www.ADGA.org
July 3-8, 2016  World Buiatrics Congress 2016, Convention Centre Dublin, Ireland. For more information, click here.

July 19-23, 2016  ADSA- ASAS Joint Annual Meeting (JAM)*, Salt Lake City, UT, for more information click here
July 24-28, 2016  2016 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference (AM/PIC), Little Rock, AR. For more information, click here.

Oct. 20-26, 2016  120th IUSAHA-AAVLD Annual Meeting, Greensboro Sheraton Hotel, Greensboro, NC. For more information, click here.

Nov 1-4, 2016  31st ADSA Discover Conference: Big Data Dairy Mangement, Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center, Oak Brook, IL. For more information, click here.

June 25-28, 2017 2017 ADSA Annual Conference and Tradeshow, Pittsburgh, PA.  For more information click here
*An S-PAC Partner Conference
 
If your organization's conference isn't among the ever growing list that contribute proceedings and presentations to S-PAC®, ask your conference organizer to contact Ken Olson for more information about the benefits of participation.
If you would like to have an event included in the "Dates to Note," please contact Ken Olson.
ADSA Membership Benefits                                 
                                           
Did you know that your ADSA Professional Membership provides you with:

*        Electronic access to the Journal of Dairy Science®

*        Joint Annual Meeting at member rates

*        Discover Conferences at member rates

*        S-PAC: Free access to JAM and ADSA divisional abstracts

*        S-PAC subscription at member rates

*        Access to recorded symposia library                                                                       

*        ADSA News (association newsletter)

*        ADSA Dair e-news (ADSA industry newsletter)

*        Access to member directory

*        Peer recognition through ADSA and Foundation Award Program

*        Discounted page charges in Journal of Dairy Science®

*        A strong voice of advocacy for the animal sciences, animal agriculture and agriculture research

*        Broad author recognition through ADSA/Elsevier press release program

*        Linked In and You Tube sites for ADSA

*        Quality networking with academic and industry professionals

*        Travel awards for all graduate students attending Discover Conferences

*        Opportunity to serve peers via committee and officer positions

 
For more information on your benefits please visit: http://www.adsa.org/join.asp
To join now and gain these member benefits, visit: http://www.adsa.org/join.asp
American Dairy Science Association
1800 South Oak St., Suite 100, Champaign, IL 61820
Email: adsa@assochg.org