March 10, 2009 is the cutoff for dairy producers to become members of the Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) program if they are considering submitting a bid in the next CWT herd removal.

CWT Chief Operating Office, Jim Tillison, reported in Thursday’s DairyLine that they are trying to build participation.

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He said that, “With the way things are out in the country right now, we’re going to have to take some significant action regarding herd retirements in the coming 12 months and, to do that, we’re going to need the support of as many dairy farmers as we can get.”

He quickly added that “CWT exists for people that want to stay in the dairy business.” Its goal is to “get milk prices at a level where it’s a profitable business to be in,” and “because of what CWT does, people lose track of that.”

An advertising program is being conducted to get participation as high as possible, he said, “So the program can be as effective as possible and take out the number of cows that need to be removed so we can get milk prices back up to where they need to be.”

Is CWT big enough to give the dairy industry the supply management it needs? Tillison answered, “It certainly is for this time.” He said the industry is in the position it is today, not because dairy farmers have overproduced but because the world and domestic markets have collapsed, “So CWT is asking producers to sign up for two years and, with a two year commitment we’ll be able to have the resources necessary to have a significant impact on their milk price.”

Dr. Jude Capper of Cornell University speaks about her published research results on the far reaching impact biotechnology can have on the environment. Listen to this podcast to hear more details about this groundbreaking study that shows a 10-pound increase per cow, per day reduces the carbon footprint of a gallon of milk by 9%. Elanco Animal Health is Eli Lilly’s agricultural division, which develops products that enhance animal health, wellness and performance to help the food industry produce an abundant supply of safe and affordable food.

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Recorded 2/11/09 at Western DairyBusiness Magazine’s Dairy Profit Seminars at World Ag Expo

Proper lesion identification in dairy cows can provide a wealth of information that directly translates into improved profitability on your dairy. Dr Dana Tomlinson, dairy research nutritionist with Zinpro Corporation, shares his insights on a recent year-long field study on lesion identification, its financial impact and profile a new Lesion Identification Guide (LIG) developed by Zinpro in conjunction with global leaders who focus on dairy lameness education and research. (recorded 2/11/09 at Western DairyBusiness Magazine’s Dairy Proft Seminars at World Ag Expo)

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AFACT reports on dairy battles to save industry technology. Liz Doornink and Carrol Campbell speak for the grassroots group of producers, which is becoming vocal in an effort to keep technology available for use on the farm. Doornink, who milks 1,550 cows on a farm near Baldwin, Wisconsin and Campbell, who milks 250 cows in south central Kansas, are co-chairs of AFACT, or American Farmers for the Advancement and Concervation of Technology.  (Recorded 2/10/09 at Western DairyBusiness Magazine’s Dairy Profit Seminars at World Ag Expo)

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Vitamin Levels in the blood of dairy cows at the time of calving are extremely important in preventing disease, boosting immunity and ensuring a successful lactation. In this podcast, we learn how low blood vitamin levels have been linked to mastitis, metritis, and retained placenta in fresh cows.

Dr. Kevin Hoogendoorn of Van Beek Natural Science is the moderator. Jose Campos of Rob Van Grouw Dairy in Visalia, California. (Recorded 2.10.09 at Western Dairy Business – Dairy Profit Seminars – World Ag Expo)

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The questions surrounding immigration issues and how they can successfully be addressed, holds an important place on every dairy producer’s list of concerns.

In this Dairy Profit Seminar Podcast, Anthony Raimondo, an attorney with McCormick Barstow, LLP in Fresno, California addresses labor related issues.

Later in the podcast, Charlie Garrison, a policy expert with Garrison Group shares his insight woking on the immigration issue in Washington D.C.

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Recorded Feb. 10, 2009 at World Ag Expo Hilvers Building as part of Western DairyBusiness Magazine Dairy Profit Seminars.

Good information makes for good decision making and, with that in mind, DairyLine listeners were informed in Wednesday’s broadcast of a free “webinar” on March 18 by the parent company of Downes-O’Neill dairy brokers, FC Stone.

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The one hour session will address dairy and meat prices which may be more volatile than ever in the months ahead, according to dairy broker Eric Meyer. Meyer explained that a webinar is like a traditional “meeting” where speakers are brought in to provide information to attendees only it’s done through an internet and telephone connection.

The webinar is designed for dairy producers, processors, end users, or anyone interested to log on with their computer and call into a conference line and be able to watch the presentation from their home, listen, and participate. Even if one does not have internet access, one can still participate through a phone line.

Meyer said the webinar is a good opportunity for industry participants to get more of a background and history of the dairy and meat markets and dairy producers will learn what meat analysts are saying about the beef market and see the latest market outlooks and tools that are available to them and to ask the questions they have on their minds. Register at www.dairy.nu or call 1-800-231-3089. Click Here for More Dairy News!

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Cheese prices plunged Monday, likely in response to Friday’s Cold Storage data, according to the University of Wisconsin’s, Dr. Robert Cropp, in Tuesday’s DairyLine.

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Cheese production has been pretty strong, he said, running about 6 percent ahead of a year ago on Cheddar.

Cropp said he thought cheese prices were perhaps a little too strong. He was encouraged by the movement however reports indicate that production is slowing and featuring is happening at the retail level but foodservice is slow.

“It’s the restaurant business that’s a big share of that,” he said. “That remains very soft but, as retail prices come down, there’ll be more improvement in sales.”

He believes prices will strengthen despite USDA’s projections being “pretty pessimistic.” He looks for $1.30-$1.40 per pound by summer or the second half of the year.

On a more positive note, butter crept up a penny and a quarter Monday, the first movement in 10 trading sessions. Butter stocks are not quite as burdensome, according to Cropp, and retail sales have been pretty good as features have driven sales. Cream supplies are also going into other products such as cream cheese for the Easter/Passover holiday, according USDA.

Dairy Management Incorporated’s, David Pelzer, discussed the February 16 launch of a new partnership between the dairy check off and Domino’s Pizza.

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Pelzer reported that the check off is working with the pizza industry to find ways to sell more cheese on pizza.

Entitled the American Legends promotion, the chain introduced six new pizzas that use up to 40 percent more cheese and Pelzer expects the partnership will greatly help the sales of various kinds of cheese used on pizza.

A teleconference was held February 16 and it was pointed out that if we can add one additional ounce of cheese per pizza, we would sell 250 million more pounds of cheese per year or the equivalent of as much as 2.5 billion pounds of milk.

Dominos uses about 10 million pounds of cheese per year, according to Pelzer, and he anticipates that this new line of pizzas will add about 100 million pounds of milk sold and with Dominos being a leader in the pizza industry we really feel this could have an influence on other pizza companies to also add cheese to their pizzas.

Dominos also carries a message on their delivery boxes congratulating America’s dairy farmers and one of the TV commercials called the “Secretary of Taste” compliments dairy farmers for producing the milk that goes into the cheese that goes on Domino’s pizza.

The check off is also priming the promotion pump by investing about $12 million over two years but that’s complimented by Dominos who are investing about four to five times that amount. More details are posted on the check off website at www.dairycheckoff.com.

DairyLine‘s Bill Baker talked with California dairy producer Vernal Gomes at this weeks World Ag Expo. Gomes represented Mycogen Seeds at Expo and he talked about Mycogen’s Silage Specific corn hybrids in Fridays DairyLine.

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