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....
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...
- -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...
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...
WUD Group Legal Counsel Anthony Raimondo will present a labor update for dairy producers on Wednesday, March 10, at the Western United Dairymen Convention. The 10:25 a,m. presentation will cover recent developments in labor and employment law that impact dairies, union activity in the dairy industry, and the greatest risks...
March 5, 2010 - - There are just a few rooms left at the Doubletree Hotel, Modesto, for WUD's annual convention March 10-12. Members may also run into the problems of "no rooms available" if they call the hotel and ask for the "Western United Dairymen" rate. There are no...
Western United Dairymen publishes a weekly newsletter for our members. The Weekly Update is published every Friday, except for holidays, and delivered to members and non-members. The main delivery system is the U.S. Postal Service. As many of you know, postal costs continue to rise and postage costs for mailing...
The California Dairy Quality Assurance Program (CDQAP) is once again offering free classes in air quality, one of the components needed for environmental stewardship certification. Dr. Frank Mitloehner, UC Davis, will teach the classes, which cover air quality-related environmental issues, regulatory requirements and management practices for dairy producers. Producers wishing...
Feb. 18, 2010 - - Western United Dairymen is offering informational meetings for members who want to learn more about the diesel truck rule being implemented by the state Air Resources Board.
Another informational session will be held at WUD's annual convention on Wednesday, March 10, from 3:30...Read more...
Kraft Foods Inc.'s fourth-quarter earnings soared amid lower restructuring costs as well as hedging gains. In the latest period, the maker of Kraft cheese, Oscar Mayer lunch meat and Planters nuts reported a profit of $710 million, or 48 cents a share, up from $178 million, or 12 cents a...
A three-day dairy herdsman short course sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension will be held in Tulare April 27-29. The course is designed for working dairy employees and is designed to provide information on the latest technology and training in all aspects of dairy management. Simultaneous translation will be available to...
Swiss voters say no to mandating state lawyers for abused pets
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> March 8, 2010 Wall Street Journal
Recession has caught up with organic milk business
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> March 8, 2010 Santa Rosa Press Democrat
- -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> March 8, 2010 Dairy Herd Management
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
