Industry News

Dairy Checkoff Leader Shares Vision for Building Public Trust in Dairy Send to a friend The dairy industry has a growing challenge in keeping the public trust and confidence needed to maintain and increase dairy sales. At the joint annual meeting of dairy farmers and industry representatives in Reno, Nev., one dairy checkoff leader cast a vision for becoming more proactive in telling dairy’s story, as Brian Baxter reports in this audio segment with Tom Gallagher - CEO, Dairy Management Inc. Download more info

Dairy Producers Score with Fuel Up to Play 60 Send to a friend Former NFL star and Fox Sports commentator Howie Long was a keynote luncheon speaker at the joint annual meeting of dairy producers and industry representatives in Reno, Nev. And, over the past year, the NFL partnership with dairy producers has grown stronger, as Brian Baxter reports. Download more info

Dairy Checkoff Partnerships Grow Dairy Sales Send to a friend Nearly 1,000 dairy producers and industry representatives from the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA), National Milk Producers Federation and National Dairy Promotion and Research Board gathered in Reno, Nev., at their joint annual meeting, where they learned more about the success of dairy checkoff partnerships in driving sales of milk and dairy products. Brian Baxter has more in this audio interview with Bill Siebenborn - chair, UDIA & Missouri dairy producer. Click here for more info.

Get the Facts on Dairy Send to a friend The dairy aisle has changed in the past few years with myriads of choices for families to enjoy. But many of the same questions linger about lactose intolerance, whole milk vs. fat-free milk, flavored milk and other dairy myths. Get the facts for yourself in this brochure. Download more info

Dairy Farmers Committed to Providing Safe, Wholesome Milk Send to a friend Americans enjoy one of the safest food supplies in the world — largely due to the efforts of the nation’s farmers, ranchers and the federal government. When we enter our local supermarket, we should be confident that items on the shelf, in the produce aisle or in a refrigerated dairy case are safe — regardless of labeling claims. Dairy farmers take great pride in producing safe, wholesome milk for you and your family. So, when a food or beverage marketer claims to produce dairy products that are safer than others in the dairy case, you should be skeptical. All U.S.-produced milk and dairy products are safe — regardless of the labels on the package, the supplying dairy or processor, or the on-farm production methods used. Dairy farmers and processors work closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state regulatory officials to establish and enforce safety regulations for milk production, hauling, product safety, equipment sanitation, and labeling. Milk and dairy products undergo numerous quality and safety procedures, including pasteurization, making them among the safest and most highly regulated foods available. Today, less than 1 percent of all foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States involve dairy products. What’s more, the U.S. dairy industry conducts more than 3.5 million tests each year to ensure milk safety. Every tanker of milk is tested for various residues, including antibiotics. Milk that tests positive is disposed of immediately, never reaching the public. If you would like more information on modern dairy farming, visit www.dairyfarmingtoday.org. Safety should never be a marketing gimmick — it should be a given.

Proper Cow Care Is a Dairy’s Livelihood Send to a friend Most of us are at our best when we take good care of ourselves — eating right, drinking plenty of water, scheduling regular medical checkups, being physically active, and getting plenty of rest. Dairy farmers know that dairy cows are no different. They are at their best and most productive when they are healthy and well cared for. Unfortunately, their story isn’t often heard when special interest groups spread misinformation about how dairy cows are treated. And because many Americans don’t personally know a dairy farmer or have access to a dairy farm where they can see for themselves how cows are treated, misperceptions can spread. The truth is that dairy farmers need to take good care of their cows, because they are their livelihood. Dairy farmers provide cows with a nutritious diet, good medical care and healthy living conditions. Dairy cows receive regular medical check-ups and vaccinations, and any illness is quickly treated. To protect cows from the elements, dairy farmers build and maintain housing facilities that shield animals from bad weather. Many farms use “free stall housing,” a type of barn that allows cows to eat and sleep whenever and wherever they choose. Dairy cows always have access to feed and fresh, clean water. Many sleep in a climate-controlled barn on waterbeds, sand beds or mattresses made of rubber or foam. Anyone who has taken the time to visit a modern dairy farm will learn what most rural residents already know — dairy farmers care for their cows. For more information on modern dairy farming, visit www.dairyfarmingtoday.org.

Dairy Farmers Are Environmentalists, Too Send to a friend It takes high-quality building materials to build a beautiful house. It takes fresh foods and other ingredients to create a superb, five-course meal. As a dairy farmer, I need clean water to produce quality, wholesome and nutritious milk for you and your family. It should come as no surprise that dairy farmers understand the importance of protecting the land, air and water. It is in their best interests to protect their natural resources, because not only do they work on their farms, they live on them, too. Dairy farmers are always working to be better environmental stewards. They employ a wide range of environmentally sound practices, including basic manure management programs, water recycling systems and natural pest control. They also work with university researchers across the country to implement new technologies to help conserve natural resources and protect the environment. For instance, many dairies today inject manure directly into the ground to eliminate odor and enhance nutrients in the soil. Others use methane digesters to convert manure into electricity. Dairy farmers are committed to protecting the earth. However, it should also be noted that environmental practices on all dairy farms are tightly regulated by both federal and state agencies. And while requirements vary from state to state, dairy farmers consistently meet or exceed these regulations. It just makes good sense for their businesses and for our families. So, the next time you hear special interest groups questioning whether dairy farmers are responsibly managing resources, you may want to question their motives. If you would like more information on modern dairy farming, visit www.dairyfarmingtoday.org.

Meet Ohio's Dairy Farmers Send to a friend A new campaign by the American Dairy Association Mideast highlights real-life stories of Ohio Dairy Farmers. The campaign, which features online profiles, photographs, videos and television ads of dairy farm families, explains the steps Ohio dairy farmers take to ensure responsible animal care, environmental stewardship and safe, affordable dairy foods. Click here for more info.

Taking Action for Healthy Kids- In Schools and Beyond Send to a friend June 2009 Hoards Dairyman Article discusses the checkoff support of Action for Health Kids and the successes reached in the past several years, as well as the opportunities ahead. Download more info

Milk Does a Planet Good Send to a friend Learn five facts about the dairy industry's commitment to our environment. Download more info

U.S. Dairy Sustainability Facts Send to a friend America’s dairy farmers protect the environment by incorporating modern technology and environmentally friendly farming techniques that help reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. Download more info