latest news http://westernuniteddairymen.com Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:17:37 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://westernuniteddairymen.com/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://westernuniteddairymen.com latest news http://westernuniteddairymen.com/content/view/865/45/ Swiss voters overwhelmingly rejected a referendum that would have compelled all cantons (member states) to hire lawyers to defend the rights of animals, a setback to animal-rights organizations. According to preliminary results, 71% of Swiss voters rejected the proposal on Sunday, with the rest voting in favor of the measure. <more> (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703936804575107811656131100.html) March 8, 2010 Wall Street Journal Newsflashes - Newsflash Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:01:11 +0100 http://westernuniteddairymen.com/content/view/864/45/ Organic milk may yet provide North Coast dairy farmers with the niche market they need to survive, but this year it won't protect them from the pain of overproduction amid a sluggish economy. The recession has caught up with the organic business, said George McClelland, a Two Rock dairy farmer who sells both organic and conventional milk to Clover Stornetta Farms. <more> (http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20100307/BUSINESS/3071052/1036?Title=Dairies-facing-price-cuts) March 8, 2010 Santa Rosa Press Democrat Newsflashes - Newsflash Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:59:55 +0100 http://westernuniteddairymen.com/content/view/863/45/ - -The FDA ruling that the combination drug of neomycin and oxytetracycline can no longer be used in its current 2:1 dosage in milk replacer will influence the medication options that milk replacer manufacturers offer their customers in the near future. The change in medicated milk replacer regulations gives calf raisers an opportunity to focus on preventing coccidiosis from day one. <more> (http://www.dairyherd.com/news_editorial.asp?pgID=675 ed_id=10755) March 8, 2010 Dairy Herd Management Newsflashes - Newsflash Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:59:06 +0100 http://westernuniteddairymen.com/content/view/862/45/ The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will announce any possible increase in water supply next week for Westlands Water District and other federal water contractors on the Valley's west side. Usually, the announcement would come in the third week of the month, but federal officials are aware that west-side farmers need to know of any increase as soon as possible. At the end of February, federal officials announced the deliveries would be 5% of the west-siders' contractual allotment. But they said farmers might get 30% if storms continued pounding the state, as they have. Statewide, the snowpack already is at 100% of average for April 1, the day most experts say the precipitation season unofficially ends. March 8, 2010 Fresno Bee Newsflashes - Newsflash Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:58:18 +0100 http://westernuniteddairymen.com/content/view/861/58/ PRESS RELEASE WESTERN UNITED DAIRYMEN CONTACT: Michael Marsh ( 209)-527-6453 March 5, 2010 Modesto, CA - - The center of the California dairy industry will be in Modesto from Wednesday, March 10 to Friday March 12 as members of Western United Dairymen gather for their annual convention at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Modesto. Here is a look at what the convention has to offer: Wednesday: Convention workshops offer help on labor, environmental issues Those attending the Western United Dairymen in Modesto Wednesday March 10 will have a multitude of workshops to pick and choose from on topics ranging from labor law to using social media to reach consumers. The sessions are open to WUD members as well as non-members and there is no cost to attend. The convention gets underway at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Modesto. Sessions will provide the latest information on air and water quality, carbon credits, workers' compensation and crime prevention. Here is a look at the Wednesday lineup: 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. Harvest Hall San Joaquin Valley Air Quality Update - Sheraz Gill, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District 8:15 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Arbor Theater Managing Working Capital in a New Financial Environment - Paul Anema, Partner, Genske Mulder. 9:20 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. Harvest Hall Carbon Credit Opportunities - Tom Hintz, SeaHold and Carl Morris, Gallo Cattle Company 9:20 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. Arbor Theater Workers' Compensation - Rick Adams, Winton-Ireland, Strom Green Insurance Agency. 9:20 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. Pistache Room Simplifying Dairy Nutrient Management Panel: Dino Giacomazzi, Giacomazzi Dairy, Jim Wyeth, Wyeth Dairy. Moderator Joe Choperena, Sustainable Conservation 9:50 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. Arbor Theater Hay Fire Prevention - Rick Adams, Winton-Ireland, Strom Green Insurance Agency. 10:25 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Harvest Hall Labor Update for Dairy Producers - Tony Raimondo, Attorney, McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard Wayte Carruth. 1:05 p.m. - 2:05 p.m. Harvest Hall ‘Ag Criminals...Don't Become Their Next Target - Stanislaus County Sheriff Department 2:10 p.m. - 3:10 p.m. Arbor Theater The Conversation: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, the Dairy Industry - Dairy Producer Panel: Dino Giacomazzi and Barbara Martin. Moderator - Mark Looker, WUD Communications Director 2:10 p.m. - 3:10 p.m. Harvest Hall Alternative Groundwater Monitoring Well Proposal Western United Dairymen Staff and attorney Tess Dunham. 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Harvest Hall Diesel Truck Rule - How to Comply - Brandon Rose, Air Pollution Specialist, California Air Resources Board 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Arbor Theater Central Valley Water Quality Update - Western United Dairymen and Western United Environmental Services Field Staff Thursday: HumaneWatch.org leader set for HSUS talk at WUD convention The Humane Society of the U.S. is, well, a wolf in sheep's clothing, says the leader of a newly launched website HumaneWatch.org dedicated to analyzing each and every step HSUS takes. David Martosko, the Center for Consumer Freedom's director of research, will be a guest speaker Thursday, March 11 at Western United Dairymen's annual convention, highlighting a day full of speakers addressing issues of interest to California dairy families. Those attending the 11:20 a.m. session in Harvest Hall of the Modesto Plaza Center can expect to hear plenty of blunt talk from Martosko who has titled his remarks: Dealing with the ‘Humaniacs': Why It Matters and What You Can Do. According to the CCF, the public doesn't realize that most of their donations aren't going to help lost cats and dogs, or help out underfunded animal shelters. Instead, the majority of the money allegedly is being used to bankroll anti-meat campaigns and PETA-style propaganda, said Martosko. The new website includes a blog written by Martosko; a library of documents regarding HSUS's financial spending and other matters; and a database that will track the scores of non- and for-profit organizations that are connected to HSUS. We think there's a huge disconnect between the financial reality and what the public thinks, Martosko said. We are going to lay out the evidence, little by little, showing that HSUS is PETA with a nicer wristwatch. Other Thursday speakers include: Luncheon speaker Jerry Kozak, CEO, National Milk Producers Federation, who will talk about the Foundation for the Future being built through a series of policy initiatives as the nation's dairy producers attempt to recover from the ongoing economic crisis. Noted dairy economic analyst Jerry Dryer will discuss global opportunities for the U.S. dairy industry in his 2:30 p.m. address. Jerry went into business for himself in 1989 by starting JDG Consulting Inc. In 1991, he created the Dairy Food Market Analyst, a weekly newsletter and several years ago he joined Rice Dairy, a brokerage company in Chicago, as Chief Market Analyst. He continues in these three roles today. Animal well being is a hot top in the livestock industry and Dr. Michael Payne of the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program will discuss the latest developments in his 3:30 p.m. presentation. CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura is slated to speak at 9:50 a.m. about the state of California's agricultural economy. WUD's political advocate Charlie Garrison will offer a report on the latest news from the nation's capitol in his 10 a.m. talk WUD's Director of Environmental Affairs Paul Martin will provide an environmental update for dairy producers in his 10:20 a.m. talk. WUD's Director of Government Relations Gary Conover will take a look at the 2009 legislative highlights and provide a glimpse of what the current session in Sacramento may have to offer in his 10:40 a.m. presentation. WUD's Director of Economic Analysis Tiffany LaMendola will discuss the current economic outlook in her 11 a.m. talk. It's not all business at convention- plenty of food and entertainment WUD's annual convention is a great time for California's dairy families to gather, renew acquaintances, make new friend and have a good time. There will be plenty of opportunities for socializing at this year's event. Here is a look at the food and entertainment lineup: Wednesday, March 10, Continental breakfast 7:30 a.m., sponsored by American AgCredit 9 .am. Coffee service, sponsored by Commodity and Ingredient Hedging Lunch social, sponsored by Yosemite Farm Credit 3:10 p.m. Milk and Ice Cream Break sponsored by DeLaval 4:30 p.m. Wine and cheese tasting. Wine donated by D L Carinalli Vineyards. Cheese donated by Fiscalini Farmstead Cheese, Don Francisco and Hilmar Cheese Company. 6 p.m. Membership dinner at Modesto Portuguese Hall sponsored by Conestoga-Rovers Associates. Thursday, March 11, Breakfast sponsored by Nasco 9:30 a.m., Coffee service sponsored by Allflex, USA Luncheon, sponsored by Farm Credit 2 p.m. Milk and ice cream break sponsored by Pfizer 5:30 p.m. Cocktail social sponsored by Winton-Ireland, Strom Green 7 p.m. Annual Banquet sponsored by Elanco Friday, March 12, Breakfast, sponsored by A.L. Gilbert Master magician and comic Jay Alexander will provide entertainment at the Wednesday banquet. He has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, MTV, and is a favorite on many local morning shows. Jay creates magic with the audience, including the revelation of the words, names, and dates merely thought of by the audience. As the Human Lie Detector, Jay Alexander offers $1,000 to any audience member who can lie to him without getting caught. His New Swing Circus recreates the allure of a 1920s speakeasy. This exciting offering in themed events combines the mystery of a speakeasy and the thrill of vaudeville. Convention lodging alternatives available At this edition of Weekly Update went to press, it appeared that all rooms at the Doubletree Hotel may be sold out for March 10-12. To inquire about availability, call the Doubletree Hotel at (209)525-3045 or (209) 526-6000 but don't use the code or mention the Western United Dairymen rate. Alternative hotels for lodging are: Courtyard by Marriott (209) 577-3825; Hampton Inn Suites (209) 543-3650; Springhill Suites by Marriott (209) 526-2157 and Holiday Inn Express Suites (209) 543-9009. Dairy risk management examined by convention panel Managing price risk on your dairy is the topic of a panel set for Friday, March 12, at the WUD convention. The panel gets underway at 8:30 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom. Speakers include Chris Atten, Hedge Specialist, First Capitol Ag; Duane Banderob, President, Blimling and Associates and Eric Meyer, Risk Management Consultant, Downes-O'Neill, a division of FCStone. WUD is a voluntary membership organization representing more than 60% of the milk produced in California. Membership benefits include resources in labor law, environmental regulations and pricing issues. Members decide the direction of state and federal legislative efforts affecting the dairy industry. -30- Press Releases - 2010 Press Releases Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:51:40 +0100