Monday June 1 Ag News

Herzinger and Lewis Win National FFA Scholarships

The National FFA Organization hundreds of scholarships to members who plan to further their education after high school in Agricultural related fields of study. Scholarships are sponsored by businesses and individuals through the National FFA Foundation.

Scholarships are available to match a wide variety of skills, experiences, career goals and higher-education plans. Approximately $2.4 million in scholarship money was awarded to FFA members across the nation in 2015.  Nebraska FFA members were awarded $88,500 in scholarships from the National FFA Foundation.

Sarah Herzinger and Erica Lewis completed and submitted their applications by February 1, 2015.  Results of the national judging were announced in mid-May and will help finance their 2015-2016 years at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln where they are majoring in Food Science and Technology.

Sarah Herzinger is the daughter of Mark and Louise Herzinger of Beemer.  Sarah received her $1,500 scholarship from Monsanto’s American Farmer’s Grows Ag Leaders program.  Sarah was recognized at the UNL Food Science Technology Department Spring Honors Banquet for Academic Excellence  during her Freshman year at UNL. She serving as Reporter of the Wisner – Pilger FFA Chapter. Sarah’s SAE project has been in the area of Wildlife Management and Production. The main focus of Sarah’s SAE project has included learning how to manage and operate a trap line to remove over populated predators in her area while also increasing desired wildlife populations. Sarah was named as the 2013 FFA State Winner in her Wildlife Management and Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency project also earning a silver medal at National FFA Convention. Sarah has been an active member throughout her FFA career and has excelled along with her team at the Meats Judging Contest, receiving first place individual honors at districts, third place individual honors at state, and a silver medal along with her team at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY in October, 2013. Sarah was an active member of the Land Judging Contest with the team placing first at districts, first at state, and earning a trip to National Land Judging Contest in Oklahoma in April, 2014. Other activities Sarah has been involved in were: Food Science, Farm Management and Agri-Science Teams, Natural Resource Speech, and Parliamentary Procedure. Sarah has also received her Greenhand and Chapter Degrees, attended Chapter Officer Leadership Training in Aurora, Washington Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. last summer, attended State Convention where she received her State Farmer Degree, and has also attended National Convention. Sarah was active in One Act Play Production, National Honor Society, Band, Cross Country, 4-H, and was selected as the 2013 Cornhusker Girls State Delegate.

Erica Lewis served as Secretary of the FFA Chapter and is the daughter of Jerry and JoAnn Lewis of West Point. Erica’s $1000 National FFA Scholarship is awarded by Archer Daniels Midland.   Her SAE and proficiency area is Sheep Production Entrepreneurship where she excelled winning the 2014 State Top Gold Plaque qualifying to compete nationally. She has developed her own sheep herd through her project.  Erica also won the State Food Science Proficiency Award in 2013. In Leadership Development Events Erica has qualified to compete in the state Contest for three years winning a gold medal in 2014 Cooperative Speaking.  In Career Development Events contests, Erica has placed in the top two individuals each of her four year FFA Career.  As a Freshman Erica was first in Ag Communications in the broadcasting area; she finished second in meats judging as a Sophomore; first individual in meats judging as a Junior; and finished as second individual in food science as a Senior. Erica said, “CDE contests are where I have found great success every year”.   She was a member of the Meats Identification Team that represented Nebraska in the National FFA Meats Identification Contest in 2013 and competed in the National Land Judging Contest in May, 2014. She has participated in Chapter Officer Leadership Training and Washington Leadership Conference as well as State and National FFA Conventions.  She played basketball and participated in track for four years, was a member of the National Honors Society, Choir, One Acts, Musicals and Spring plays.  Erica has completed all of the requirements to earn the American FFA Degree that will be announced at the 2015 National FFA Convention in Louisville in October.



Managing Market Risk: Protecting Profits in a Volatile Cattle Market Workshop

Nebraska Extension will be hosting a beef marketing workshop on Thursday, June 18, 2015, from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Holt County Courthouse Annex in O’Neill, NE. Join Dr. Jay Parsons, Dr. Kate Brooks, and Jim Jansen as they present a beef marketing workshop on information and tools designed to help manage market risk, and develop a marketing plan to achieve your market risk management goals. Topics covered during the workshop include understanding risk preferences and setting marketing goals, understanding available marketing tools, hands-on simulation training, livestock market outlook, and developing a marketing plan. This workshop is made possible through the work supported by USDA/NIFA under award number 2012-49200-20032. There is a $10.00 cost to attend this meeting and a meal will be provided as part of the event. For more information and to pre-register please call the Nebraska Extension Office in Holt County at 402-336-2760.




Beef Checkoff Hosts Nutrition Adventure

The Nebraska Beef Council, in partnership with the Kansas and Missouri beef councils, hosted a select group of 32 registered dietitians from eight states in Kansas City, May 20-22 for Nutrition Adventure 2015. The checkoff-funded event emphasized beef’s nutritional profile and culinary versatility through practical applications and immersion experiences. The attendees were selected given their high level of involvement on social media and blog platforms. To date, the event has already yielded 696 Tweets and over 1 million potential Twitter impressions, as well as 821 likes, 66 posts and 56 comments on Instagram for a total of 25,447 Instagram impressions, all under #NutritionAdventure.

The first day’s sessions carried a culinary theme illustrating beef’s flexibility in meal planning and preparation. Dani Shubert, Associate Director of Meat Science with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association led a meat cutting demonstration, fabricating roasts and steaks from multiple sub-primals. Afterward, Chef Chris Gigiel, Manager of the Culinary Center at NCBA presented culinary techniques to maximize taste, flavor, and eating experience of beef dishes. This culminated with a hands-on cooking competition in which attendees were placed in groups of four and tasked with creating beef dishes utilizing unique and trendy ingredients.

On the second day, the group headed to the Fairchild/Knox hay barn and milk parlor historical site in Tonganoxie, Kansas for research presentations by Dr. Stuart Phillips of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario and Dr. Nancy Rodriguez from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Phillips and Dr. Rodriguez were both part of the scientific steering committee for the Protein Summit 2.0, intended to review and underscore the importance of optimal intakes of high-quality protein and timing of protein intake throughout the day to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, improve metabolic function and support healthy aging. Together they provided the dietitians with practical applications for client based programming regarding optimal protein intake. After a networking lunch with producers and local cattlemen, the group was given a tour of Tailgate Ranch, a cow-calf operation managed by Kirk Sours. To complement this experience and connect all segments of the beef production lifecycle, attendees took part in a Producer Panel discussion featuring Sours, feedyard operator Jack Klosterman of Grass Valley Farms in David City, Nebraska, and Angie Siemens, Vice President of Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory for Cargill Meat Solutions. Dietitians spent several hours asking the panelists questions and learning firsthand about a variety of topics from organic, natural and grass-finished beef to growth hormones.

Healthy Living Advisor with Meijer and Personal Chef, Maribel Alchin, MDA, RD, LDN of St. Charles, Illinois said the event increased her confidence in the beef supply chain. “I was very impressed by the expertise of the Beef Community panel. Hearing the panel talk about their sustainable practices and food safety measures made me feel good about eating my beef! All of the speakers were incredibly knowledgeable,” Alchin said.

The program concluded Friday with a professional development workshop by registered dietitian, national speaker, and media personality Sarah-Jane Bedwell. The nutrition communication session provided techniques and strategies for attendees to extend their social media reach and engage consumers. Many of the principles and examples were shown utilizing beef-specific messaging on nutrition and preparation, thus providing additional outreach for the beef community.



Heroes of the Dinner Table
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

Nebraska feeds the world. Our farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers generate products that are used and consumed nearly everywhere – from restaurants in Los Angeles and New York City to dinner tables in South America, Europe, and Asia.

Free trade is important to Nebraska. Countless parts of our economy rely on the free flow of goods across our nation and around the world. Nebraska is leading the way. In 2013 alone, Nebraska exported $7.3 billion in products tied to the agriculture and processing industries. By trading internationally, we are creating jobs and long-term income stability here at home. International trade, including exports and imports, supports over 280,000 Nebraska jobs. That means more than one in five Nebraska jobs are impacted by trade. 

The financial gains from trading internationally are very real. For example, in 2014, international trade of cattle added approximately $350 per head for U.S. producers. Additionally, soybeans, our state’s top agricultural export in 2013, resulted in $1.6 billion for Nebraska and the economy. That kind of surplus has a lasting impact on Nebraska’s farm families. It is real income that could mean the difference between sending your kids to college, covering your electric bill, or taking a family vacation.

As you read this, the world’s population continues to grow. In more and more countries worldwide, there is a growing middle class with an expanding appetite. And what do they want to eat? High-quality meat, produce, and food products from American farmers. Nebraskans have a tremendous opportunity to capture these new markets and reach more consumers worldwide. The best avenues to open our markets, increase productivity, and create jobs are through strong and comprehensive free-trade agreements.

But new markets cannot develop unless our country is at the negotiating table ensuring our job creators receive a fair deal. That’s why I was pleased to support the bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill that passed the Senate last month.

TPA is a vital trade tool that effectively combines Congress’s authority to regulate foreign commerce alongside the president’s authority to negotiate treaties. It reinforces the role of Congress to set our negotiation priorities and requires the president to consult extensively with legislators throughout the entire negotiation process. This longstanding partnership between the legislative and executive branches of government is essential to finalizing any free-trade agreement. America is ready to take the lead with these ambitious, pro-growth deals.

Furthermore, TPA ensures that the unsung heroes of the American dinner table – including Nebraska’s farmers, ranchers, food processors, and their families – will be able to market their products to the world. Our farmers and ranchers are the very best at generating safe, high-quality products. It is imperative that global markets remain open, inclusive, and fair so that a level playing field is ensured for America’s producers.

TPA will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration. Through this important legislation, we can break down barriers, boost our economy, and create greater opportunities across Nebraska and our nation.



TWO CASES OF HPAI IN IOWA'S HAMILTON AND CALHOUN COUNTIES

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is responding to two cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Hamilton and Calhoun counties.  The Department has quarantined the premise and once the presence of the disease is confirmed, all birds on the property will be humanely euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease.

Hamilton 2 - Turkey farm with an estimated 36,000 birds that has experienced increased mortality.  The APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames has confirmed the site as positive for highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza.

Calhoun 2 – Turkey farm with an estimated 21,000 birds that has experienced increased mortality.  Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza.  Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.



Iowa Extends Bird Flu Disaster Proclamation Through July 1

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad announced that he is extending the State of Disaster Emergency in response to the avian flu outbreak until July 1. The governor's original disaster declaration was set to expire May 31. The proclamation can be read here.

As of May 28, Iowa had 68 cases of the disease in the state. The disease is affecting birds in 18 counties. The counties affected at this time are: Buena Vista, Sac, Osceola, Sioux, O'Brien, Kossuth, Clay, Pocahontas, Cherokee, Madison, Wright, Palo Alto, Lyon, Plymouth, Calhoun, Adair, Webster and Hamilton.

The proclamation of disaster emergency can be read below and does the following:

1. Activates the disaster response and recovery aspect of the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department's (HSEMD) Iowa Emergency Response Plan.

2. Authorizes the use and deployment of all available state resources, supplies, equipment, and materials as are deemed reasonably necessary by the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and Iowa HSEMD in order to do the following:

-- Track and monitor instances of confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza throughout the state of Iowa and the country,

-- Establish importation restrictions and prohibitions in respect to animals suspected of suffering from this disease,

-- Rapidly detect any presumptive or confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza within Iowa's borders,

-- Contain the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within our state through depopulation, disinfections, and disposal of livestock carcasses,

-- Engage in detection activities, contact tracking, and other investigatory work to stop the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within our state, and

Eliminate the disease in those disaster counties where it has been found and lessen the risk of this disease spreading to our state as a whole.

3. Temporarily authorizes the Iowa HSEMD, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), other state agencies, and local law enforcement agencies and private contractors employed by the same to remove and/or dispose of live animals and animal carcasses on publicly or privately owned land when those live animals and/or carcasses threaten public health or safety.

4. Authorizes the Iowa HSEMD, the Iowa DOT, the Iowa DPS, the Iowa DNR, IDPH, other state agencies, and local law enforcement agencies to implement stop movement and stop loading restrictions and other control zone measures as are reasonably deemed necessary, including establishing buffer zones, checkpoints, and cleaning and disinfecting operations at checkpoints and borders surrounding any quarantine areas established by the IDALS or at any other location in the state of Iowa, in order to stop the spread of this contagious disease.

5. Authorizes state agencies to assist the IDALS in disinfection, depopulation, and livestock carcass disposal efforts.

6. Temporarily waives restrictions to allow for the timely and efficient disposal of poultry carcasses.

7. Temporarily suspends the regulatory provisions pertaining to hours of service for commercial vehicle drivers hauling poultry carcasses infected with or exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza or while hauling loads otherwise related to the response to this disaster during its duration, subject to certain conditions outlined in the disaster proclamation.

The United States has the strongest Avian Influenza (AI) surveillance program in the world. As part of the existing USDA avian influenza response plans, Federal and State partners as well as industry are responding quickly and decisively to these outbreaks by following these five basic steps: 1) Quarantine -- restricting movement of poultry and poultry-moving equipment into and out of the control area; 2) Eradicate -- humanely euthanizing the affected flock(s); 3) Monitor region -- testing wild and domestic birds in a broad area around the quarantine area; 4) Disinfect -- kills the virus in the affected flock locations; and 5) Test -- confirm that poultry farms in the area are free of the virus.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in partnership with the Iowa Department of Public Health are working directly with poultry workers at the affected facility to ensure proper precautions are being taken.

These virus strains can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick. People should avoid contact with sick/dead poultry or wildlife. If contact occurs, wash your hands with soap and water and change clothing before having any contact with healthy domestic poultry and birds.

All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard flock owners, should continue to practice good biosecurity, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state/federal officials, either through their state veterinarian at 515-281-5321 or through USDA's toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.



New ISU Grazing Program for Young and Beginning Graziers

A new grazing education and networking program intended for young and beginning graziers will be offered this summer and fall by the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University. ISU Extension and Outreach beef specialist Joe Sellers said Grassroots Grazing is a three-part series that will be held in five locations.

“This is designed to fit the busy schedules of young and beginning producers and involves a shorter time commitment than IBC’s Greenhorn Grazing or Certified Grazier programs,” he said. “Each location has its own schedule of three evening discussions and pasture walks.”

The series is sponsored by the Beginning and Young Livestock Producers Network initiative of ISU Extension and Outreach and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and sessions will be led by local ISU Extension and Outreach beef specialists with assistance from county extension staff.

“There is no fee to attend, but we strongly encourage preregistration to ensure adequate materials for everyone,” Sellers said. “Participants will receive an in-depth grazing resource guide and join discussions with other producers from their region and with extension specialists.”

The date, start time and address for the initial session at each location are listed below, along with the contact person for each site. The program flyer has more information.

June 8, 6 p.m., Blairstown — Brian Kreutner pasture, across from 7980 22nd Ave. Dr, Blairstown. Conversion of CRP to pasture including paddock division, fencing off the stream, adding an above-ground gravity flow watering system and expansion of the initial grazing plan. Contact Denise Schwab, 319-472-4739, dschwab@iastate.edu.

June 22, 6 p.m., Cascade — Nathan Manternach pasture at 23476 Hwy 136, Cascade. Pasture development including paddock division, in-paddock watering system, EQIP opportunities and use of annual crops to extend the grazing season. Contact Denise Schwab, 319-472-4739, dschwab@iastate.edu.

June 22, 6:30 p.m., Osecola — Darrell Mateer farm, 1963 205th Ave, Osceola. Setting objectives for the grazing plan, pros and cons of various grazing systems, and how to develop more diverse and productive pastures. Contact Jennifer Pollard, 641-342-3316, jpollard@iastate.edu, or Joe Sellers, 641-203-1270, sellers@iastate.edu.

June 25, 6 p.m., ISU Extension and Outreach, Mahaska County Office — 212 North I St., Oskaloosa. EQIP funding and young producer programs, matching beef cattle genetics with grazing management, developing a grazing plan, and pasture productivity. Contact Pat Wall, 515-450-7665, patwall@iastate.edu.

June 30, 6 p.m., ISU Extension and Outreach, Cass County Office/Community Building — 805 West 10th St., Atlantic. Setting objectives for the grazing plan, pros and cons of various grazing systems, and how to develop more diverse and productive pastures. Contact Chris Clark, 712-769-2650, caclark@iastate.edu.



Iowa Corn Growers Association Criticizes EPA Announcement on the Renewable Fuels Standard

Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2014, 2015, and 2016 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). RVOs are set annually by EPA to dictate the amount of renewable fuel that is blended into the motor fuel supply.  The 2014 and 2015 RVOs have been significantly delayed in their release.

“While at face value the numbers might appear to be an improvement over the proposal released back in 2013, this new rule still doesn’t meet the requirements Congress set in statute. It also continues to use a flawed methodology which is almost more damaging than the RVO numbers themselves,” said Jerry Mohr, a farmer from Eldridge and President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA). 

“Now is a critical time for farmers to step up and engage on this issue that will significantly impact our farms since the rule won’t be finalized until this fall. Unfortunately, so far, the EPA continues to fail our farmers and consumers to side with Big Oil.”

The current RFS statute requires 14.4 billion gallons of conventional corn-based ethanol be blended in 2014 and 15.0 billion gallons be blended in 2015 and 2016. For 2014, the rule proposes 13.25 billion, for 2015 13.4 billion, and in 2016, the proposed rule will provide 14 billion gallons. This means over three years 3.75 billion gallons less of corn-based ethanol will be used, reducing corn demand by 1.3 billion bushels.   

“The Iowa Corn Growers Association is extremely concerned about the impacts the proposal will have on the corn industry and rural economies,” says Mohr. “We have the largest corn carryover stocks since 2005, prices are below the cost of production, and so far, it appears we will grow stocks even larger with the current ideal growing conditions.”

This will negatively impact the agricultural economy by:
-    Negatively impacting economies of rural communities at a time when corn prices are already low.
-    Creating higher prices for consumers at the pump as more gasoline will be used, driving up petroleum demand and prices.
-    Increasing greenhouse gas emissions with more gasoline usage to adversely impact our air quality.
-    Decreasing investment in advanced and 2nd generation biofuels such as cellulosic that would allow expansion of renewable, home-grown fuels.
-    Decreasing investment in biofuels infrastructure like E15, E85 and flex fuel pumps.

“This is a proposed rule and farmers still have time to influence the outcome,” said Mohr. “We are asking the Administration, on behalf of Iowa’s corn farmers, to meet the standards laid out by Congress on the RFS and let the industry drive investment to offer higher blends and volumes of ethanol to support U.S. farmers.”



USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for June 2015

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for June 2015. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for June is 0.250 percent, unchanged from 0.250 percent in May.

The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during June is 1.250 percent, unchanged from 1.250 percent in May.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for June are as follows, 1.875 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 1.875 percent in May; 2.125 percent with 10-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.125 percent in May and; 2.250 percent with 12-year loan terms, up from 2.000 percent in May.



AgChat Foundation Collaborates With Award-Winning Film Maker

Will there be enough water to survive? "Thirsty Land" is an exciting new documentary that tells the story of drought, its impact on agriculture, communities and the global food supply.

Filmmaker, Conrad Weaver is already well known for his award-winning documentary "The GreatAmerican Wheat Harvest." Working with farmers and harvesters has led him to turn the focus of his company, Conjostudios LLC, exclusively to agriculture, and now he's focusing on the drought that's strangling our landscape, and threatening our food supply.

"The story of drought needs to be told! Our global food supply and our very survival of humans depend on clean, abundant fresh water. I want to make the audience think about it every time they take a drink of water, enjoy a shower or water their lawn."

The AgChat Foundation is collaborating with Weaver as the in-kind "Fiscal Sponsor" and fundraising partner of "Thirsty Land" film. The Foundation will provide fundraising support as a 501c3 non-profit organization, enabling Weaver to receive grants, and other tax-deductible donations for the film project.

"I'm thrilled to be able to work with AgChat Foundation," says Weaver, "Their mission for connecting consumers to their food is completely in line with the mission of our film. The films we produce at ConjoStudios are all about helping consumers understand how agriculture works, so our collaboration is a win-win for both of us!"

Jenny Schweigert, Executive Director of AgChat Foundation says, "Participation with ConjosStudios,LLC, and the Thirsty Land film is an incredible opportunity to connect consumers to the farmers and ranchers who are producing our food, fuel and fibers. The AgChat Foundation's overall goals are two-fold: to empower those in agriculture with the tools they need to develop meaningful conversations with consumers and to provide conduit for our industry to connect with those who are not involved with farming or ranching. Conrad has a unique eye for creatively grabbing viewers' attention while also framing situations, such as the drought, in a way which inspires everyone to become part of the solution. We are honored to assist Conrad in bringing the dire conditions of drought to the forefront of everyone's mind by supporting the conduit provided by Thirsty Land."

Weaver is launching a "Crowdfunding" campaign for "Thirsty Land" on June 1 through IndieGoGo.com with a goal of raising $25,000 to help with the production of the film.

Visit https://conjostudios.leadpages.net/thirstyland-trailer/ to view the film trailer, and sign up for more information.



ACE launches E15 website for retailers
As part of an ongoing retailer-focused campaign called Flex Fuel Forward, today the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is debuting www.FlexFuelForward.com, a new website for gas and fuel marketers who have questions about E15, E85, and other flex fuel blends.

“When convenience store owners consider a new product, the information they trust most comes from people like them – other retailers who have already done what they’re thinking about doing,” said ACE’s Senior Vice President, Ron Lamberty. “Fuel marketers thinking about new fuels want to hear from another retailer that adding those choices increased gallons, and led to better customer counts and higher profits - and that’s what we’re hearing from retailers who added E15 and flex fuels.”

“Unfortunately, most station owners don’t know anyone who sells E15 or flex fuels, and what they think they know about higher ethanol blends is warped by fictional ethanol horror stories, written by people who have never sold a drop of either product,” Lamberty said. “That’s why the centerpiece of the FlexFuelForward.com site is a short documentary that introduces three fuel marketers who saw through the anti-ethanol ghost stories and added E15 and flex fuels to their product mix.  Their real-world results show the doom and gloom predictions have not come true, and the rewards have been higher volume, more customers, better margins, and higher profits.”

FlexFuelForward.com provides additional fuel marketer-focused information to help station owners decide whether they want to add E15 and/or flex fuels, including links to fuel, equipment and government websites that have even more detailed information. “This site is aimed at capturing the attention and answering the main questions of marketers who have not responded to the ethanol industry’s other campaigns,” explained Lamberty. “We want to address the top concerns that are keeping station owners from considering E15 or flex fuels, and from there, point them to the people or information they need to get another E15 or flex fuel location built.”

“We can’t bring experienced E15 and flex fuel marketers with us to every trade show or retailer workshop ACE attends,” Lamberty said. “So we’ve done the next best thing – we’ve brought their stories to a place where they will be available 24/7, for marketers who live and work in the 24/7 convenience store world.”



 CWT Assists with 3.8 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 6 requests for export assistance from Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) and Upstate Niagara/O-AT-KA who have contracts to sell 3.702 million pounds (1.679 metric tons) of Cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese, and 110,231 pounds (50 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia and the Middle East. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from June through November 2015.

Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 35.177 million pounds of cheese, 26.592 million pounds of butter, and 20.071 million pounds of whole milk powder to twenty eight countries on five continents. The amounts of Cheese, Butter and Whole Milk Powder in these sales contracts represent the equivalent of 1.070 billion pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program, in the long-term, helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively impacts all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.