Illinois farmers will soon have a new market available to them--selling carbon credits they can earn by adopting a variety of conservation practices.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and a number of state agencies and private organizations are developing a program that will allow producers and land owners to earn and sell "carbon credits" for using conservation practices, such as no-till and planting grasses and trees.

Source: University of Illinois/ News Release, Jan. 27, 2006
Source URL: http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news3513.html

U.S. Cheese, Canada & North America Foodservice net revenues grew 8.5% to $2.3 billion, including a 2.1 pp. benefit from currency and (1.1) pp. impact from divestitures. Ongoing constant currency revenues increased 7.6%. Cheese growth was driven by volume gains in Kraft process cheeses and natural cheeses and Breakstone's cottage cheese, partially offset by lower commodity-driven pricing. Growth in Canada reflects gains in cheese and coffee, including higher commodity-driven pricing, and confectionery sales from a transition supply agreement (associated with the divestiture of the sugar confectionery business), partially offset by lower volumes in canned fruits and vegetables (which are part of the recent grocery asset sale). In Foodservice, growth was driven by strength in national accounts, partially offset by the elimination of lower margin SKUs. Segment OCI declined 21.9% to $228 million, reflecting $113 million in impairment charges on the divestiture of certain Canadian grocery assets, lower net pricing and higher post-employment benefit costs, partially offset by volume growth, productivity savings and currency.

Source: Kraft Foods Inc./ News Release, Jan. 30, 2006
Source URL: http://www.corporate-
ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?
ticker=KFT&script=410&layout=0&item_id=810226

Now that the state has greater authority to manage groundwater use, policymakers face a new set of complicated political questions about how it will exercise that control.

Water policy is expected to be among the issues dominating the Nebraska Legislature's agenda this session, said David Aiken, University of Nebraska-Lincoln water and agricultural law specialist.

Source: University of Nebraska/ News Release/ Dan Moser, Jan. 27, 2006
Source URL: http://ianrnews.unl.edu/static/0601272.shtml

There seems to be some confusion over the best strategy for feeding the close up dry cows and after calving. It's been standard practice for some time for cows to consume a lower energy, higher fiber diet during the first half of the dry period followed by a ration with more energy (more grain) for at least two weeks pre partum. After calving some producers have continued to feed a lower energy, lower fat diet to enable the cow to "ease" into lactation. Others recommend immediately transitioning fresh cows to a high energy diet. In a study conducted in Wisconsin, dairy cows were fed either high (.77 Mcal NE/lb.) or low (.71 Mcal NE/lb.) energy diets from 4 weeks pre partum until calving.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension/ Dairy Pipeline/ Robert E. James, February 2006
Source URL: http://www.ext.vt.edu/news/periodicals/dairy/2006-
02/feedingdairycow.html

This study assessed the repeatability and the reproducibility of the leg score system, and the consistency of the advice given subsequently about trimming of the hind claws of all cows in the herd.

In conclusion, the leg score is not a reliable method for determining the optimal moment for claw trimming in dairy cattle. The reasons for the inconsistent observations require further investigation.

Source: Assessing the repeatability and reproducibility of the Leg Score: a Dutch Claw Health Scoring System for dairy cattle. Tijdschrift Voor Diergeneeskunde 130 (14-15): 440-443, 2005. Holzhauer, M.; Middelesch, H.; Bartels, C.J.M.; Frankena, K.; et al.

Healthy calves are a boon to the dairy industry. Inexpensive, high quality replacements can improve dairy productivity and reduce overall costs. On the other hand, weak and sick calves are the bane of the industry. Although there are no comprehensive figures regarding the actual costs associated with morbidity and mortality of calves (either on dairy farms or calf ranches), the common wisdom is that far too much time, money and energy is spent keeping young calves alive and growing to their genetic potential.

At first blush, the prevalence of twinning would be positive for producers – two calves “for the price of one” so to speak. However, notwithstanding the common problem of infertility of freemartin heifers (heifer twin calves born with a male), twin calves are often regarded as more of a problem than a benefit for dairy producers. Why?

Source: Calf Notes/ Jim Quigley, Jan. 21, 2006
Source URL: http://www.calfnotes.com/pdffiles/CN114.pdf

With dairy farming, the producer doesn't get to the point of having a productive and profitable herd without a lot of planning, a lot of paying attention to detail, and without all members of the farm team working together. Doing well each day on the farm creates first downs. Enough first downs each week helps the farm score points each month. Some may be field goals and some may be touchdowns. Eventually, all the points scored by the end of the year, using successful management practices, moves that farm family closer to a successful dairy operation. Games are not won just by waking up one day with the team going out and playing the game. It takes planning, then practicing over and over again to be consistently better until they have plays perfected. For the dairy family, little improvements made each day add up to the larger goals being reached every week and month. By the end of the year, the dairy farm family can be successful in moving toward their goals for more financial stability and the quality of life they desire.

Source: University of Minnesota/ Neil Broadwater, Jan. 28, 2006
Source URL: http://www.extension.umn.edu/dairy/dairystar/01-28-06-Broadwater.htm

Researchers at Penn State have devised a novel way to clean and disinfect milking equipment, using little more than salt water. The new method could be a safer and cheaper alternative to conventional cleaning systems.

"Concentrated chemicals used in the conventional cleaning are stored on the farm and on contact, they can cause serious burns in the eyes and on skin," says Ali Demirci, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering. And, he says the chemicals are also expensive.

Source: Penn State University/ News Release, Jan. 30, 2006
Source URL: http://live.psu.edu/story/15763

Some humans would like to be as lucky as the dairy cows on a few California farms. Among the lucky animals are the 2,850 cows at Edgar De Jager’s dairy in Chowchilla. The comfortable cattle rest on plush water beds.

De Jager said the 48-by-72-inch beds are easier to clean—thus reducing odor—and the comfortable cows offer up more milk. He started using them three years ago.

Source: Rutland Herald/ Fresno Bee/ Dennis Pollack, Jan. 29, 2006
Source URL: http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20060129/NEWS/601290381/1024

America’s dairy farms wouldn’t be the same without the familiar sight of black and white dairy cows grazing in green pastures. But the story might be different in the United Kingdom, which soon might see Holsteins in shorter supply.

Holsteins make up between 90 percent and 95 percent of the U.K. dairy herd.

Source: The Scotsman/ Vic Robertson, Jan. 27, 2006
Source URL: http://business.scotsman.com/agriculture.cfm?id=132662006