In a historic move the state Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Board unanimously approved on Wednesday what is being called the most important right to farm legislation in a decade. Approval of ATCP 51, the Livestock Siting Rule, represents a 30-month public process to find common ground between farmers, environmentalists and local communities seeking to end battles over siting new or expanding livestock operations.

The rule establishes statewide standards for siting new or expanding livestock facilities.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection/ News Release, Feb. 9, 2006
Source URL: http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/press_release/result.jsp?prid=1756

In most cases, when you ask, “Got Milk?” the answer is yes, or at least the white stuff is just a short distance away. But in Ohio, the Dannon Co. has to travel to surrounding states to secure enough milk to make yogurt.

In Ohio, the demand for milk outstrips production.

Source: Newspaper Network of Central Ohio/ Associated Press, Feb. 10, 2006
Source URL: http://www.centralohio.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/B8/20060210/NEWS01/602100316/1002&template=B8

Prospective dairy farmers in Wisconsin may soon have an opportunity to learn the business without putting a farmer’s herd in jeopardy as they gain knowledge.

A group of farmers, business people and educators want to build a $10.2 million school to train those interested in the dairy business. The school, dubbed Dairyland Sate Academy, would be in western Marathon County. Organizers hope to have the money to open the school by September 2007.

Source: Duluth News Tribune/ Associated Press, Feb. 12, 2006
Source URL: http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/13856381.htm

This publication provides a picture of the likely developments of agricultural markets up to 2012, based on a certain number of assumptions and on the statistical information available in December 2005. The report, which constitutes an update of the medium-term projections published at the end of July 2005, contains two chapters.

The EU dairy sector is foreseen to display a decline in the production of butter and SMP over the medium term as more milk is used for the production of cheese and other high value-added dairy products.

Source: Europa/ News Release, February 2006
Source URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/publi/caprep/prospects2005b/index_en.htm

Cows representing the average (AFP) and high (HFP) fat plus protein selection lines maintained at the ISU dairy were selected to participate in a study to identify indicators of energy mobilization. Differences between HFP and AFP cows in the expression of genes in adipose tissue, and the production of metabolic hormones are being defined. These differences will reveal physiological mechanisms important to the mobilization and utilization of energy reserves. This work will lead to the identification of indicators of metabolic stress, and aid in the selection of dairy cattle better able to sustain optimal levels of milk production.

Source: Iowa State University/ Megan Westall, Tara McDaneld, Diane Moody Spurlock, 2006
Source URL: http://www.ans.iastate.edu/report/air/2006pdf/R2091.pdf

In order to evaluate fertility parameters using the Ovsynch protocol in crossbred dual purpose cows, and to determine optimum time for timed-Al (IATF), 37 out of 48 noncycling cows were assigned to different groups: T1: day 0: GnRH; day 7: PGF(2)alpha day 9: GnRH (Ovsynch) + IATF 24 h post-last injection of GnRH, (n = 14); T2: Ovsynch + IATF 16 in post-last injection of GnRH, (n = 11); C: control, (n = 12).

In conclusion, IATF 24 h post GnRH resulted in a higher TC and shorter ITP when used in conjuction with the Ovsynch treatment. The Ovsynch protocol presents analternative for postpartum anestrus control and improves the reproductive efficiency in production systems using dual purpose cows.

Source: Using of Ovsynch protocol in anoestrus control in dual purpose crossbred cows. Revista Cientifica - Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias 15 (1): 13-Jul, 2005. GutierrezAnez, J.C.; PalomaresNaveda, R.; SandovalMartinez, J.; DeOndizSanchez, A.; et al.

Recent feeding systems for contract-raised commercial dairy heifers at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center (SROC) Calf and Heifer Research and Extension Facility in Waseca have evaluated grain mix options for group pens following post weaning transition from individual calf pens. Heifers are fed their calf starter diets for the first 7 to 10 days in group pens then offered grower diets. The objectives of the programs are to develop consistent heifer growth to attain target goals for frame size and body weight by 25 weeks of age without excessive body condition. An important aspect is to reduce the variation within and across pen groups, which will improve efficiency of the feeding program.

Source: University of Minnesota/ Hugh Chester-Jones, Feb. 11, 2006
Source URL: http://www.extension.umn.edu/dairy/dairystar/02-11-06-ChesterJones.htm

Folklore in the dairy barn led many milk producers to believe that black teats are better than pink teats when it comes to mastitis vulnerability. A new study says different.

Lincoln University in conjunction with Dexcel studied about 570 Holstein-Friesian cows, and no connection between teat color, shape or type and mastitis was found.

Source: New Zealand Herald/ Owen Hembry, Feb. 13, 2006
Source URL: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=3&ObjectID=10367955

In the case, which dates back two years, Arla is accused of contravening the Danish Competition Act’s paragraph 11 by abusing its dominating position in the Danish market to the detriment of a competitor.

Arla stands accused of paying the wholesaler, Metro, to remove products from Hirtshals co-operative dairy from the chain’s stores in Denmark.

Source: Arla Foods/ News Releases, Feb. 10, 2006
Source URL: http://www.arlafoods.com

Just about every other dairy company wishes it could post growth in profit similar to that announced by China’s leading dairy, Yili.

The company said it had a profit of $61.5 million (US) in 2005, a whopping 30 percent year-on-year surge.

Source: People’s Daily Online/ Xinhua, Feb. 13, 2006
Source URL: http://english.people.com.cn/200602/13/eng20060213_242309.html