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HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY 2 OF 4-STATE DAIRY NUTRITION AND MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE (6.10.10) Provided by Jon Urness, Vita Plus National Forage Specialist
The second day of the 4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference held June 9 and 10 in Dubuque, Iowa focused on management strategies for quality forages and feeds.
The day kicked off with a talk by Tom Oelberg from Diamond V on “Improving TMR Consistency through TMR Audits.” A TMR audit, according to Oelberg, is an on-farm evaluation of the preparation, mixing and delivery of the TMR. It is designed to help find solutions to improve the efficiency of the feeding operation.
So far, Oelberg has conducted over 135 TMR audits across the U.S. in the past couple of years that have focused on two areas: factors causing TMR variation and labor/feed wasters. The results show that the biggest factors in descending order that affect variation in TMR nutrients and particle size include:
Oelberg found the following factors to be major feed and labor wasters:
Pat Hoffman, University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher, talked about the “Chemistry of High Moisture Corn” and offered these conclusions: Traditional chemical analysis of HMC in regards to ADF, NDF, CP and starch indicate a static condition throughout the storage period, but are not well suited for determining factors that influence starch digestibility of HMC in ruminants. The truth is, HMC is not a static feedstuff with a fixed value nutrient composition. Nutrient availabilities change and are dependent on physical processing, the strength of the starch-protein matrix at ensiling, fermentation conditions at ensiling and the length of the storage period.
An important take-home message from Hoffman’s presentation was that the starch/protein degradability is far different on the day of harvest than it is weeks and months later. Ration adjustments need to be made to account for these differences.
Low starch dairy rations have received a lot of attention lately and UW-Madison’s Randy Shaver offered comments that complimented Hoffman’s presentation. Shaver showed data that supports these low starch rations as long as the corn is replaced with a highly digestible fiber source such as soy hulls. Research work has shown that low starch diets in the 18 to 20 percent range yielded lower milk production when formulated with beet pulp or citrus pulp. However, lactation performance was not reduced in diets as low as 16 to 17 percent starch when soy hulls were used to partially replace corn grain. It’s imperative that the starch sources in these low-starch diets be highly digestible.
Shaver has also been doing some work regarding the addition of amylase products to low-starch diets to improve starch digestibility. The results show some promise and the inclusion of these products may play a role in the future.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY 1 OF 4-STATE DAIRY NUTRITION AND MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE (6.9.10) Provided by Jon Urness, Vita Plus National Forage Specialist
How are you dealing with the recent dairy economic turndown? That was the question posed to speakers and panel members on day one of the annual 4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference held June 9 and 10 in Dubuque, Iowa.
Mike Hutjens from the University of Illinois opened the afternoon session by listing the top “good” decisions made during this period as defined by a group of nutritionists, veterinarians and educators in a recent survey.
A renewed focus on forage quality was the No. 1 good decision made by dairy producers to cope with low milk prices. Surprisingly, the second-ranked good decision was to stay the course in terms of management practices on the dairy. This of course implies that many things were already being done right and any changes could result in lower production. The third highest priority listed was a greater emphasis on ration nutrient balancing, particularly amino acid balancing in an effort to gain ration and production efficiency.
Rounding out the top four decisions was greater attention to strategic culling. Conversely, the top “bad” decisions revealed in Hutjens’ survey included:
Hutjens said the use of forage inoculants would certainly be a part of producing high quality forages. He recommended their use and said, ”With the quality if inoculants that we have today, the value of forage inoculants is astronomical.”
Regardless of strategies used in the past few months, Hutjens emphasized his take home message: “You can’t afford to lose milk!”
From the perspective of a lender, Vita Plus Director of Dairy Development Gary Sipiorski urged dairy producers to try to understand the banker’s point-of-view. “Bankers are bottom line people and they sometimes think producers need to be cutting cost. However, they need to understand the value of some of these strategies,” said Sipiorski.
In addition, Sipiorski noted that three things worry bankers during this downturn and may affect their ability and willingness to extend funds. Cattle and land values top that list as equity erodes and pressure from regulators sometimes hamstrings a bank’s ability to work with producers. Regardless of what strategies are implemented, Sipiorski reminded attendees that the basic financial rules cannot be broken:
So what are producers saying about management strategies during the last year or so? Doug Scheider from Sheidairy Farms Inc., Freeport, Ill., in a sort of tongue-in-cheek manner, quoted Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
Scheider related how he was able to convince his lender that a major capital improvement was a good thing during this time of low prices.
“We switched to sand bedding and of course this was a major capital expenditure,” explained Scheider. “Had we known the depth of the dairy economy downturn we probably would not have proposed this project to our lender. However, by making that expenditure and realizing the benefits of sand bedding, we feel now that we’re in a better position to weather low milk prices.”
According to Scheider, the immediate response to sand bedding was a lowered somatic cell, a lower cull rate and better production.
The 4-State Dairy Nutrition Conference continues with day two on Thursday, June 10.
VITA PLUS EARNS SAFE FEED/SAFE FOOD CERTIFICATION (5.26.10) Marjorie Stieve, Marketing Services Manager - 608.250.4284 (Madison, Wis.) – Vita Plus, an employee-owned company based in Madison, Wis. and serving customers throughout the upper Midwest, has been certified by the Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program administered by the American Feed Industry Association. All eight of the Vita Plus feed manufacturing facilities earned certification.
AAA STAKEHOLDERS SUMMIT: IN DEFENSE OF FARMING (4.29.10) The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a tradition of “sifting and winnowing” to provide students with a well-rounded and socially aware education. When Chancellor Biddy Martin announced “In Defense of Food” for the inaugural year of Go Big Read last spring, the UW common book program, farmers and agriculturists across the state came together to “sift and winnow” through author Michael Pollan’s form of advocacy journalism and provide consumers with the true stories of food production in Wisconsin.
As part of the program 7,000 books were purchased and used in freshman classes. In addition, several book discussions throughout the community were also held. The highlight event was having Pollan visit the UW campus last September for a “rockstar-like” speaking engagement at the acclaimed UW-Madison Kohl Center – a venue with an audience of about 7,500. Marjorie Stieve, Vita Plus marketing services manager, shared the three-pronged strategy used by producers, Vita Plus and other industry advocates during the Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit in Washington D.C. April 29.
Stieve said it was important for everyone involved to not just criticize the program, react with anger and risk shutting down dialog with the organizers of the reading project. However, because the university was already committed to bringing Pollan to campus, it was much more valuable to take a proactive role in balancing the discussion and work with the university to find opportunities to express other points of view.
Stieve said, “It took a great deal of thought and effort to identify the opportunity in Go Big Read.”
The effort, which became known as “In Defense of Farming,” capitalized on three areas according to Stieve. First, organizers reached out to the UW leadership of the project to determine what event details of Pollan’s visit could be impacted. Through numerous conversations, farmers and agriculturists respectfully shared their concerns and widened the narrow spotlight that was given to Pollan. Organizers soon came to realize that not everyone shared all of author’s views.
Those conversations led to several positive outcomes. First, the chancellor acknowledged agriculture’s significant $60 billion contribution to the state’s economy during her introductory comments at Pollan’s Kohl Center appearance. The following day, Pollan’s scheduled talk was modified into a panel discussion that included a local journalist and Madison farmer’s market vendor, a progressive dairy producer and a UW-Madison agricultural journalism student with a strong farming background.
The next key aspect of the In Defense of Farming campaign was that it “helped to give farmers a voice.” Approximately 100 farmers and 150 students and industry partners joined in the effort, donned green t-shirts with “In Defense of Farming” written across the back and shared their stories with event attendees. The overall goal was to call attention to modern agriculture, share producers’ values and discuss production practices. Participants were encouraged to respectfully engage consumers and were provided with suggested talking points.
The third key aspect was to use the media. This included news briefs and personal calls to several news outlets in the Madison area. Stieve said In Defense of Farming made it as easy as possible for the reporters to include farmers’ perspectives in their stories. They reminded journalists that “leaving a farmer out of your story will really only be telling half of the story.”
Stieve readily admitted that the efforts did take away a lot of time and attention from other business and the producers’ operations. However, the work was worth it. Pollan seemed to change the angle of his speech and kept from criticizing modern agriculture as he had done in his books. Furthermore, the event was covered by most news outlets and picked up in 26 TV spots during a three-day period. Almost every story labeled “In Defense of Food” as controversial.
Stieve reminded Summit attendees that they need to invest the time into understanding exactly what message the other side is using to advance its agenda.
“Education is key to credibility,” she said. “Put time and effort into knowing the points of differentiation.”
She also said that farmers are the best individuals to communicate with consumers. They are the ones who can ensure consumer confidence in the products on grocery store shelves. Once they share their stories and values, consumers begin to see that – even though they may be miles and generations removed from the farm – their families and farmers really share the same values.
Stieve said, “When we can have farmers talk about their values and just be surrounded by consumers, that’s so positive.” AAA STAKEHOLDERS SUMMIT: SOCIAL MEDIA NOT JUST FOR SHARING WHAT YOU ATE FOR LUNCH (4.29.10) Social media can easily overwhelm the common computer user with its vast lingo. With terms like “Writing on my wall,” “status update,” “tweets,” “dashboards” and “Blogspots,” it’s easy to give up on the newest media tools before you ever start. That fact - coupled with the idea that “I don’t really care what you ate for lunch” - prevents many agriculturists from engaging in online conversations.
Sarah Hubbart, communications coordinator with the Animal Agriculture Alliance (AAA), told producers they shouldn’t give up so quickly. During her presentation at the AAA Stakeholders Summit in Washington D.C. on April 29, Hubbart cited a few statistics that she said prove the power of social networking:
Hubbart said the best way to begin using social media is to try it for yourself. She said, no matter your age or computer aptitude, you can grasp the technology in a short amount of time. Hubbart demonstrated that, within 30 seconds, you can log into Twitter, write a message and share your ideas with hundreds of followers.
Once you have a grasp of the technology, the next step is to effectively grow and reach your audience. Mary Kathryn Covert, Financial Dynamics assistant vice president of public affairs, highlighted three key steps to generate value from social media.
First, improve your search engine optimization (SOM). One way to do this is to link to as many web pages as possible. Another is to change your language and use key terms that the American public is already searching on the Internet. For example, a producer may want to talk about using freestall barns to improve cow comfort, but an average consumer is unfamiliar with those terms. Instead, use the words the consumers hear commonly. A myth-fact format is especially applicable. Use the myth of “factory farms” and then explain how you best care for your animals by providing comfortable housing. She said it’s important to debunk these myths with the public.
The next key for agriculture to capitalize on social media is to “find and follow digital heroes," according to Covert. Take a few minutes to find people in agriculture who are frequently posting captivating stories and information. Follow these people, re-post their messages and try to build upon their ideas as much as possible.
“Social media centers on people who have a big following,” said Covert.
Lastly, “be intentional about reaching beyond the choir.” Covert recognized that connecting with fellow producers and strengthening those relationships is very valuable. But don’t stop there. Build relationships with neighbors, consumers, media and policymakers. These people make up your target audience because it’s their opinions that will effect how food is produced in the future. By connecting with consumers and putting a face to the issues, farmers will be able to explain their technology and practices as well as their values and commitment to producing wholesome, nutritious foods.
Covert said, “It’s meeting all of you that will ultimately change consumers’ minds.”
AAA STAKEHOLDERS SUMMIT: HSUS STRATEGICALLY TARGETING ANIMAL AGRICULTURE AT THE STATE LEVEL (4.28.10) (Arlington, Va.) - During his comments at the opening session of the Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit, Mike Zumwinkle, director of government relations and corporate affairs with Cargill, said the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is targeting states for animal rights legislation instead of attacking at the federal level. The organization is doing that for a reason.
“Things move rather slowly in D.C.,” he said. “In the states, they move very rapidly.”
According to Zumwinkle, “the level of animal welfare legislation is unprecedented.” He said that 67 bills have been introduced in over half of the U.S. state legislators, beginning in 2002 with bans on sow gestation crates in Florida. HSUS started with states where animal agriculture accounts for a minor fraction of the agriculture industry. That change in 2008 with California’s 2008 Proposition 2 – the “deal changer” for the animal rights movement.
Zumwinkle said the “heart and soul of livestock” production will be next on the HSUS target list: this includes Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois and Oklahoma. He estimated that Indiana, New York and Minnesota will follow a few years down the road.Once HSUS has pushed legislation through enough states, its agenda will advance to the federal level.
Zumwinkle said that currently 40 percent of the U.S. House of Representatives is composed of legislators from states that have already passed animal rights legislation. If HSUS has another three years that are successful as the past three, that number will increase to 50 percent according to Zumwinkle.
How can producers and industry organizations be proactive in dealing with animal rights? Zumwinkle said he supports strategies that deal with issues state-by-state and avoid federal legislation. Because he views the effort as bipartisan, Zumwinkle recommends collaboration from numerous industry groups and non-traditional partners, similar to the initiatives that successfully established the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board.
During the question and answer session, another summit attendee said the issues of animal rights will continue to be a part of state and federal politics. The attendee said the Humane Party has just announced itself. It plans to endorse a Congressional candidate in 2012 and a Presidential candidate in 2016. AAA STAKEHOLDERS SUMMIT: ANIMAL RIGHTS AND ANIMAL WELFARE NOT THE SAME THING (4.28.10) (Arlington, Va.) - Producers actively engaged in animal agriculture are committed to providing excellent care to their livestock. That’s animal welfare.
Animal rights is a completely different concept, according to Wesley Smith, senior fellow in human rights and bioethics with The Discovery Institute.
“Animal rights is not about treating animals more nicely,” said Smith. “Animal rights is an ideology. It is a dogma.”
While People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has become known for its extreme demonstrations, Smith said the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is a “stealth organization” and bases its campaigns on “hyperemotionalism.”
He said this leads to consumers giving more consideration to animal rights than human rights. These individuals are willing to give up animal agriculture and the nutritious products provided by the livestock industry.
An even more extreme demonstration of this movement isn’t far off, according to Smith. Animal activists will soon be pushing for legislation that grants animals litigation power in lawsuits. In other words, if activists have their way, your herd will be able to sue you for an alleged infringement on animal rights.
Smith’s solution is to fight back by forming strong coalitions between industry groups. Citing a quote from Ben Franklin, Smith said, “If you don’t hang together, you will certainly hang separately.”
To learn more, check out Smith’s most recent book, “A Rat Is A Pig Is A Dog Is A Boy.” AAA STAKEHOLDERS SUMMIT: HUMANEWATCH.ORG - ENGAGING IN THE ANIMAL RIGHTS DEBATE (4.28.10) (Arlington, Va.) - The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has long been painting a negative picture of animal agriculture. Now it’s time to turn the discussion around, asserts David Martosko, director of research for the Center for Consumer Freedom and editor of www.humanewatch.org.
Within the last year, HumaneWatch has gained significant interest as a watchdog organization that exposes HSUS activities. The public’s interest is evident by the over 30,000 fans of the HumaneWatch Facebook page, which has only existed for 10 weeks.
Martosko said it’s time to change the direction of the game and place public scrutiny on HSUS activities. Most recently, HumaneWatch has called attention to the fact that HSUS gives less than 1.5 percent of its funds to local humane shelters. In contrast, more than five times that amount is invested in employee pension plans.
“These are people who plan to be doing what they’re doing for the long hall and retiring on the benefits,” Martosko said.
According to Martosko, HSUS is “in the business of creating conflict between you and your consumers.” He emphasized that HSUS is no different than People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The two organizations have the same agenda and goals. The only difference is that PETA is known for its extreme demonstrations while HSUS is calm and sleek. Martosko argued PETA’s whole purpose is to make HSUS look reasonable by comparison.
Martosko reminded the audience that “public opinion is everything” and that the livestock industry needs to do two things to take on the animal rights organization. In addition to telling your story and sharing your values, you need explain how HSUS uses its money and expose its real missions.
“You can’t win a football game without a defense and an offense,” he said.
Martosko recommended these three approaches to addressing HSUS messages:
PATTON NAMED VITA PLUS BEEF SALES SPECIALIST (4.15.2010) Marjorie Stieve, Marketing Services Manager - 608.250.4284 (Madison, WI) – Steve Patton, Frankfort, Ind., was recently named Vita Plus Beef Sales Specialist. In his new position, Patton will work with progressive beef producers in Indiana and Illinois. His primary responsibilities will include balancing rations and creating customized feeds to best meet customers' needs. He will also offer his vast experience and technical expertise to help producers strengthen their overall nutrition and management programs. AMARAL NAMED VITA PLUS DAIRY TECHNICAL SPECIALIST (3.29.2010) Marjorie Stieve, Marketing Services Manager - 608.250.4284 (Madison, WI) – Dr. Bruno Amaral was recently named Vita Plus Dairy Technical Specialist. Serving Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, Amaral will work to further develop dairy customer relationships by providing technical and management expertise. His key responsibilities will include service of progressive dairies, on-farm technical support for Vita Plus customers and staff, and coordination of technical training for eastern region staff. Amaral earned a bachelor's degree in animal sciences and a master's degree in animal production from the University of Lavras in Brazil. He then earned his Ph.D. in dairy nutrition from the University of Florida, where he also conducted his post-doctorate research in dairy physiology and management. Some of his research projects included "Heat stress abatement during the dry period" and "Effects of dietary unsaturated fatty acids on reproduction." He is a member of the American Society of Animal Sciences, American Dairy Science Association, National Scholars Honor Society and Gamma Sigma Delta, an agricultural honor society. Vita Plus Corporation is an employee-owned company headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. Vita Plus has been serving livestock producers since 1948. More than just a feed supplier, Vita Plus consultants offer the latest cutting-edge technology, nutrition and management information. MICHAEL NAMED VITA PLUS DIRECTOR OF DAIRY INITIATIVES (3.12.2010) Marjorie Stieve, Marketing Services Manager - 608.250.4284 (Madison, WI) – Dr. Neil Michael, DVM, MBA, was recently named Vita Plus Director of Dairy Initiatives. In this newly created position, Michael will work with the entire dairy team to implement targeted initiatives in dairy nutrition and management. His activities will range from consulting on individual dairies to development and implementation of support tools for Vita Plus staff. He will serve as a resource for dairy customers and staff on dairy records, nutrition, management and reproductive strategies. Michael graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Purdue University. He continued his education at Purdue, earning veterinary certification in 1982 and a Masters of Business Administration in 2006. He practiced veterinary medicine, primarily in Wisconsin, from 1982 to 1997 before working in sales and technical services with Monsanto Dairy Business. For the past 10 years, Michael worked in technical services at ABS Global, Inc. in Deforest, Wis., most recently as Director of Global Technical Services. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Dairy Science Association and Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association. Vita Plus Corporation is an employee-owned company headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. Vita Plus has been serving livestock producers since 1948. More than just a feed supplier, Vita Plus consultants offer the latest cutting-edge technology, nutrition and management information. VITA PLUS WORLD DAIRY EXPO SECURE SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS ANNOUNCED (10.30.2009) Marjorie Stieve, Marketing Services Manager - 608.250.4284 (Madison, Wis.) – Vita Plus Corporation is pleased to announce the winners of the World Dairy Expo Secure Sweepstakes promotion. These winners include: Viaduct Holsteins, LLC, David, Bangart, Greenwood, Wis. Each of these producers will receive a free case of Secure calf colostrum replacer, valued at $265. The Secure giveaway promotion began on Sept. 29 and ran through Oct. 9 in conjunction with a World Dairy Expo promotion. Five winners were determined Oct. 19 by a random drawing of entries received online and through the mail. Vita Plus wishes to thank all the producers who visited the Vita Plus booth at the 2009 World Dairy Expo and participated in the Secure sweepstakes promotion. Vita Plus Corporation is an employee-owned company headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. Vita Plus has been serving livestock producers since 1948. More than just a feed supplier, Vita Plus consultants offer the latest cutting-edge technology, nutrition and management information. For more information about the organization call 1-800-362-8334 VITA PLUS NEWS BRIEF - BREAKDOWN ON THE CWT BUYOUT PROGRAM ANNOUNCED (8.17.2009) Gary Sipiorski - 608.250.4267 294 herds were selected in the latest CWT buyout program. This represents 87,000 dairy cows and 3,200 heifers. These cows account for 1.8 million pounds of milk and averaged 20,800 pounds per cow. The final numbers adding up to the 87,000 cows will be coming later. Here are some of the highlights.
Those with accepted bids will be notified by August 31, the cows will be purple tagged and sent to market in short order. VITA PLUS NEWS BRIEF - USDA MILK PRICE SUPPORT (8.6.2009) Gary Sipiorski - 608.250.4267 On Friday July 31, 2009 Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Obama Administration was increasing the Dairy Product Price Support Program (DPPSP). Due to the prolonged low milk price the USDA is extending a hand to help increase the milk price by elevating the purchase price of:
Many Midwest dairy producers are paid based on Barrel Cheese on the Class III market. This should result in a mailbox price of an additional 0.18 for cheese. Doing the math: 0.18 x 10 (10 pounds of milk to make 1 pound of cheese) = $1.80 x 90% (a general market discount from market price to milk mailbox price) = $1.62. Results may look like this: average all U.S. July mailbox price was $11.30 versus August price of $1.62 higher with the increase in USDA cheese purchase the mailbox price would be $12.92. We do not know what the August Class III will be as the writing of this brief. This gives you some idea of the impact of the $1.28 Milk Price Support. Some key points to remember: This additional Milk Price Support increase is only temporary. It is for the months of August through October 31, 2009. My guess is that the USDA is hoping the market will recover by October. This does take money from the MILC payment program. It is not real clear at this time how the mechanics work on the trade off but Congress is starting to mandate itself in new spending. If money is to be allocated it must have a neutral impact on the budget. Also remember that cheese processors must repackage the cheese to government specifications. The question is with only a three month new window will cheese makers spend the time and money to repackage, if they do not the Class III can fall below the support price as it has in the past. Results of additional government purchases:
ZWALD AND ZELDENRUST NAMED VITA PLUS DAIRY SERVICE SPECIALIST (6.4.2009) (Madison, Wis.) – Annette Zwald of Hammond, Wis. and Laura Zeldenrust of Fremont, Mich. have been named Vita Plus Dairy Service Specialists and will join the dairy nutrition and consulting team in Michigan. Zwald is a 2009 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with majors in dairy science and life sciences communication. She has an extensive background in the dairy industry and worked on her family farm since childhood. She also worked as the membership assistant for the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin and as a sales and marketing intern for Elanco Animal Health. On campus, Zwald was active in many student organizations, including the Sigma Alpha Sorority, Badger Dairy Club and the National Agri-Marketing Association. In addition, Zwald participated in research projects with the UW-Madison Department of Dairy Science and served as a member of the UW-Madison Dairy Challenge Team which placed first at national competition. Zeldenrust is a 2009 graduate of Michigan State University with a major in animal science. She developed a diverse background in the dairy industry through various internship experiences during her college career. Most recently, she interned with ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc. in dairy feed product sales. Zeldenrust was an active member of the Michigan State Collegiate Dairy Judging Program and was named the All American individual at the World Dairy Expo competition. She was also a member of the MSU Dairy Club, 4-H, Student Senate and the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Team. In their new positions, Zwald and Zeldenrust will assist dairy producers in Michigan as consultants and nutritionists. They will aid in on-farm servicing of current and prospective clients, complete nutritional training modules and attend industry meetings and conferences. These new employees will work closely with other members of the dairy team to add value to customer operations and promote Vita Plus products and services. Vita Plus Corporation is an employee-owned company headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. Vita Plus has been serving livestock producers since 1948. More than just a feed supplier, Vita Plus consultants offer the latest cutting-edge technology, nutrition and management information. For more information about the organization call 1-800-362-8334 or go online at www.vitaplus.com. "OUR FUTURE IS IN AGRICULTURE PROGRAM" SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED (5.26.2009) (Loyal, Wis.) – Two local students were named recipients of the 2009 "Our Future is in Agriculture Program" scholarship. This program, sponsored by Vita Plus Loyal and SoyPlus, awarded $1,000 in scholarship money to qualified and deserving students. Abby Walters of Wausau and Brett Gregorich of Spencer will each receive $500 toward funding their pursuit of agricultural related majors at various universities. WALTERS' PASSION DRIVES HER TO PURSUE VETERINARY MEDICINE
GREGORICH WORKS TO CONTINUE THE FAMILY FARMING TRADITION
BEHLING NAMED VITA PLUS DAIRY NUTRITION AND MANAGEMENT FELLOW (11.11.2008) (Madison, Wis.) – Linda Behling has been named to the Vita Plus dairy nutrition and management fellowship. Behling is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a major in dairy science. In the upcoming year, she will work with Vita Plus as she pursues a Masters of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison dairy science department. Behling grew up in Fox Lake, Wis. and was an active member of her local 4-H club and FFA chapter. During her collegiate career, Behling built her professional skills as a member of Sigma Alpha Professional Agriculture Sorority, Association of Women in Agriculture, Badger Dairy Club and the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association. Through her three years of involvement with the UW-Madison Collegiate Dairy Judging Team, Behling earned top individual and team honors at several national dairy judging events, contributing to her comprehension of physical type appraisal and defended decision making skills. Through this yearlong fellowship, Behling will work part-time with Vita Plus as she pursues her graduate studies. Her training will include product formulation and production, on-farm nutrition consulting, reproduction protocols and herd checks, cow comfort, and feed and forages management. She will also participate in an on-farm research project. The fellowship is funded and directed by Vita Plus. VITA PLUS MAKING A DIFFERENCE BREAST CANCER RAFFLE RAISES $6,500 (11.11.08) (Madison, Wis.) – Vita Plus Corporation recently raised $6,500 in the Making a Difference Breast Cancer Raffle. Proceeds were donated to the Marshfield Clinic Breast Cancer Research Fund and its Women Living with Hope Support Group. The raffle was held in conjunction with the annual Vita Plus Chick Day event. Marshfield Clinic is a multi-specialty medical practice that includes 41 centers around Wisconsin and serves more than three million patients. They are an aggressive research leader in cancer clinical trials of which the benefits and knowledge learned are shared nationwide. With advances in research, preventative care and awareness, the breast cancer survival rate has reached 89 percent. Because of this, Vita Plus Chick Day organizers were proud to partner with Marshfield Clinic to make a difference in the lives of millions of women. At Vita Plus Chick Day on August 29, 100 women met at Halls Calf Ranch in Kewaunee, Wisconsin to learn about dairy herd health, financial relations, and farm management. Jenne' Fromm, national spokesperson for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Campaign, shared her experiences as a cancer survivor and encouraged attendees to be the best of who they were meant to be. Kim Bremmer, Vita Plus nutrition consultant, said, "Chick Day is a great way for today's women agriculturists to network, share their experiences and increase their knowledge of today's farming industry. It was great that we could also use this event to raise $6,500 for breast cancer research through our Making a Difference Breast Cancer Raffle. We're proud to know that this event will have an important impact on women across our state and nation." Vita Plus Making a Difference Raffle Winners were:
SIPIORSKI NAMED VITA PLUS DAIRY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (09.17.08) (Madison, WI) – Gary Sipiorski, a long time Wisconsin dairy industry financial leader and enthusiast was named by Vita Plus to a newly created position of Dairy Development Manager. Sipiorski, who had been the President and CEO of Citizens State Bank of Loyal will join Vita Plus starting October 1. In his new role Sipiorski will be providing management and financial expertise along with other services focused on increasing the bottom line of producers while working alongside of the Vita Plus nutritional consultants. He will also be manager of ABC Consulting which is part of the Vita Plus organization. Sipiorski had spent the last seventeen years at Citizens State Bank of Loyal, serving as President since 2002. In addition to his role with the bank he currently serves as an appointee on the Agricultural Advisory Committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He is a Past Chairman of the Governor's Task Force on Growing Wisconsin Agriculture. He has served on the Board of Visitors of the University of Wisconsin Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and as Chairman of the Advisory Board of the University of Wisconsin - River Falls. He started his career in the dairy industry as a sales representative for a feed company. He is a regular contributor to major dairy industry publications and is a popular speaker and moderator at numerous industry events. VITA PLUS ANNOUNCES STAFF ADDITIONS (07.10.08) (Madison, WI) – Two new employees recently joined the Vita Plus Corporation: Jarrod Bakker of Dike, Iowa and Peter Coyne of Spring Valley, WI Bakker Named Swine Consultant Jarrod Bakker, Dike, Iowa, has been named Swine Consultant for Vita Plus. He is a 2006 graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. Bakker has a diverse background in the swine industry. He worked at several swine production facilities, where he was responsible for everyday animal care, artificial insemination and semen collection, communication with growers and customers, and marketing efforts. As co-owner of Bakker Bros. Genetics, Bakker used his skills and experience to make business decisions as he grew his company from the local to the national level. In his role at Vita Plus, Bakker will work in Eastern Iowa where his responsibilities will include assisting in research studies, implementing nutrition and management programs on farms, and designing recommendations to fill customers' needs. Coyne Named Dairy Field Service Specialist Peter Coyne, Spring Valley, WI, has been named Dairy Field Service Specialist for Vita Plus. Coyne has an extensive background in the dairy industry and has managed or owned a dairy farm for the past 26 years. Most recently, he worked as the production manager of Jon-De Farms in Baldwin, Wis., where he was in charge of overseeing herd health issues, managing employees and trainees, and increasing efficiency and profitability through introduction of numerous farm and employee systems. At Vita Plus, Coyne will work in Western Wisconsin to provide consulting and training in nutrition, management and production to dairy clients, formulate feed rations, coordinate feed production, and network with key industry influencers. Coyne enjoys using his expertise to support his children and other youth by serving as a 4-H Adult Leader and dairy judging coach. |
Abby Walters, a senior at Wausau East High School, has the dream of becoming a large-animal veterinarian. This dream is rooted in hard work from her family's dairy farm. Milking, cleaning, feeding and caring for cows and young stock is all in a day's work for Walters, but her day does not stop there. She participated in the Agriculture Apprenticeship program offered through her high school, taking courses at Northcentral Technical College her senior year. Walters is also active in her FFA chapter, serving as president and vice president, and participating on the dairy judging team. Besides FFA, Walters is a member of National Honor Society and her volleyball team for the past nine years. To work towards becoming at veterinarian, Walters will attend University of Wisconsin-River Falls for dairy science and pre-veterinary medicine.
Becoming the third generation dairy farmer in his family is exactly what this Loyal High School senior is working towards. Brett Gregorich has always been involved in the family operation, and enjoys working alongside his father and grandfather. The operation, consisting of 85-head milking herd and nearly 500 acres, is responsible for fostering many skills and has been a large part of Gregorich's life. Off the farm, Gregorich is very involved in choir, receiving all-conference honors for three years, cross country, basketball, baseball and National Honor Society. He is also a contributing member to the Loyal FFA, having served as vice president of community development. This fall, Gregorich will attend Northcentral Technical College studying dairy science.
