The Dairy Dispatch: Vol 15, Issue 3

THE DAIRY DISPATCH

Apublicationdevotedtosupportingthe KansasDairyFarmers&Industry

DAIRY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

REBUILD OF THE KSU DAIRY TEACHING AND RESEARCH UNIT

By Dr Mike Brouk, Dairy Extension Specialist, K-State Research & Extension

WeareexcitedabouttheplanstorebuildtheKSUDairyTeachingandResearch Unitinthenextfewyears. Thisprojecthasbeendiscussedforovertwenty yearsandwearemakingsignificantprogresstowardtherealityofanewdairy. We aregratefulforthesupportofourKansasDairyProducersthroughthepledgefrom theKansasDairyCommission. Thecommissionhaspledged$500,000toward theproject. Thecommissionidentifiedtheinitialpledgetenyearsago andhaveincreasedtheamountoverthepasttenyears Kansasdairyfarmershavelead thewaywiththefirstpledgetowardtheproject

Thecurrentdairywasdedicatedin1977andisnolongerasuitableteaching,researchandextensionfacility

Thenewfacilitieswouldbelocatedinthesameareaasthecurrentfacilities. Stage1wouldbetomovetheheifer calvestoanotherlocationtomakewayforthenewfreestallandmilkingfacility. Allthematurecowswouldbe locatedinatunnelventilatedfreestallbarn. Milkingforthemainherdwouldbeona30-stallrotaryparlorequipped withprepandpostdiprobotsrepresentinghowlargeherdsaremilked.Thefacilitywouldalsoincludetworobotic milkingboxesrepresentingthetypeofmilkingequipmentutilizedonsmallerdairies.Thiswillallowstudentsto experiencedifferenttypesof equipmentaswellasexpandtheresearchcapabilitiesoftheunit. Additionalstagesof constructionwillreplacetheheiferdevelopmentarea,feedcenterandofficecomplex.

Theherdconsistsof310maturecowswitharollingherdaveragepoundsof30,587(milk),1069(fat)and919 (protein)makingitatopuniversitydairyherd.Theherdalsohas250developingfemales.Thisfacilitywillmeetthe educationalandresearchneedsofKSUformanyyears. Itisourhopetohaveauniquefacilitythatrepresentsboth largeandsmalldairies NootherUSuniversityhasthesecapabilitiesunderoneroof Rebuildingthedairywould giveafirstclassherdofcowsamodernhousingenvironmentthatwouldprovideadditionalcowcomfortand protectionfromtheheatandcold

Ifyouhavequestions,pleasecontactDr MikeBrouk,mbrouk@ksuedu

Dr MikeBrouk

Morethan70studentsfromacrosstheU.S.competedon19teamsatthe 2022NorthAmericanInternationalLivestock ExpositioninLouisville,KYinNovember. Theteamwascoachedby JillSeilerandMaggieGilles.

"Tripstoanywhere,especiallyacontest,costalotofmoney.Thesupportof KansasDairyallowedustofocusonstudyingdairycattleandpracticing reasons.Withouttheirsupport,wewouldn'thavebeenabletogoand experienceNAILEandKentucky."

-KansasLange(Garfield,KS) "MyfavoritepartaboutjudgingatNAILEwasbeingabletojudgesomeofthebestcowsinthenation

Kansas Lange.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

By Tom Bruno

Governor'sRace

IncumbentDemocratLauraKellydefeatedRepublicanDerekSchmidtforasecond term.Thevoteisclose,49%-47%(499,849–477,591).Third-partycandidates receivedmorethan31,500votes.GovernorKellyhasannouncedtwochangesto hercabinet,DeAngelaBurns-Wallace,SecretaryofAdministrationandJulieLorenz, SecretaryofTransportationareleavingtheadministrationatthebeginningof2023 NoincumbentKansasgovernor,whowonthejobinastatewidevote,haslost reelectioninmorethan25years.

AttorneyGeneralRace

FormerKansasSecretaryofStateKrisKobachovercameanearlyformidablevote deficittowinthejobofAttorneyGeneral Facingheavyoppositionfromvarious interests,KobachdefeatedDemocratChrisMannby17,000votes.

StatewideOffices

Republicansswepttherestofthestatewidepositions.VickiSchmidt,thecurrent InsuranceCommissioner,wasthelargestvotegetterofanyoftheRepublicansonthe ballot ShewillcontinueasInsuranceCommissioner StevenJohnsonwonthe positionofStateTreasurer.JohnsoniscurrentlyamemberoftheKansasHouse. ScottSchwab,thecurrentSecretaryofState,wonanotherfouryearterm.

StateHouseResults

To help monitor bills that could directly impact Kansas dairymen and the dairy industry, Kansas Dairy uses services from Tom Bruno & Associates.

Tom Bruno Bruno & Associates Office: 785-354-8172 Cell: 785-633-2127 kslobby@cox net

TherehasbeenalotofinterestintheKansasHouseracesthisyear Goingintotheelection,followingre-districting, therewerealotofquestionswithwhatthepartisanmake-upoftheHousewouldbe Theprevioussplitwas86 Republicansand39Democrats.ThereweresomeearlyestimatesofuptofivemoreDemocratsintheHouse.During thecampaignseason,thereweresomeguessesthatRepublicanscouldpickupasmanyasfour.Thatmadetheelection resultsmoreinterestingthantheyusual.Aftertheelection,thecurrentpartisandividewillbe85Republicansand40 Democrats,apick-upofonefortheDemocrats.

TheHouseheldleadershipelectionsinearlyDecember ElectedwereSpeakeroftheHouseDanHawkins(the Speakerhastheauthoritytocreatecommitteesandappointthemembers),MajorityLeaderChrisCroft(whois chargedwithsettingthelegislativeschedule),SpeakerProTemBlakeCarpenter,(whoconvenestheHousewhenthe Speakerisnotpresent).Thesepostsweredecidedbythemajorityparty,Republicans.TheDemocraticCaucusmetto selecttheirpositions,MinorityLeaderVicMillerandAssistantMinorityLeaderValdeniaWinn.TheDemocrat Leaderappointsminoritypartymemberstothecommittees

2023Session

The2023LegislativeSessionwillbeginJanuary9.

CEO

Janet Bailey 785-656-9330 jbailey@ksdairy.com

Kansas Dairy Association Board of Directors

President, Josh Rottinghaus Vice President, Nathan Campbell Secretary, Lynda Foster Terry Schwarz Aaron Pauly Ted Boersma Doug Unruh

Kansas Dairy Commission Board of Directors

Chairman, Brent Buessing Vice President, David Rottinghaus Secretary, Anita Rokey Justin Ohlde Greg Bethard Steve Strickler Maggie Gilles Dr Michael Brouk, K-State Research & Extension Dean Representative, Ex Officio Jeff Jones, Representative Secretary Kansas Dept. of Agriculture, Ex Officio

By Janet Bailey, CEO, Kansas Dairy

ManyintheKansasDairyindustryareconnectedtoCallHall Icecream isoftenfirstassociatedwiththebuilding But,fordairypeople,CallHall representssomuchmore

Recently,IwasinvitedtospeaktotheDairyScienceClubatKansas StateUniversity Appropriately,theymeetinCallHall Iarrivedearly andobserved WitheverypassingyearIfindgreaterjoyinwatchingcollegestudentsrunameeting,make decisions,setprioritiesandlaughtogether Inbusiness,andlife,allofthoseelementsareimportant

JanetBailey

IsharedwiththestudentsandtheiradvisorsomeofmylessonsfromCallHallasastudentafewdecades ago.IrememberDr.JohnShirleytellingustopayourselvesfirstinDairyManagementClass.Farmvisits andstudygroupsshowedwecouldlearnsomethingfromeveryone.Ilearnedthevalueoffindingand adoptingmentors.Loyaltyisrare.IlearnedinCallHalltoappreciateandhonorit.Indairy,it’snever abouttheindividual.Operationsworkthankstoafamily,managementteams,employees,consultantsor otherunsungheroes.Professorshavelivesoutsideofcampus,andsomearethegreatesthumanitarians youwilleverknow.Wedon’thaveenoughyearstolearnfromgoodmentors.

Theimprintofthosewhocaredenoughtospendtimewithus,builtrelationshipsandtaughtushowto growandadaptastheindustry(andourcircumstances)changedhascarriedmeoverthedecadessince graduating,andfoundmereachingouttothepeoplewhohavecontinuedtooccupytheofficesinCall Halloverthedecades ForthosewhobelievethatmanyofusareblindlyloyaltoK-State,wetella differentstory LongbeforeIwasborn,dairyspecialistshavebeenservingdairyfarmersinKansas Itis theywhohavebeenloyal And,tothemandforourindustry,weoweourgratitude

DairyisthefastestgrowingsegmentinKansasagriculture Itistimeforallofdairytosharetheirstories andtelltheirlegislatorswhytheysupportanewdairyfarmatK-State Asadairykidfromnear Manhattan,IspendmydaystalkingaboutthefutureoftheKansasdairyindustry IdosobecauseIknow ofthecenturyofdairyhistoryatmylandgrant OURlandgrant THEFIRSTlandgrant

Iappreciatejoiningyouonthismission,andforthegracious supportofStephanieEckroatwhohasservedyourorganizations withdistinctionoverthelasteightyears.IfirstmetStephyearsago attheKansasStateFairwhenshedidmilkingdemonstrations.I haveadmiredherpassionfortheindustryandsincerededicationto dowhatisbestforthedairyfarmersinourstate.AsSteph transitionstoanewphaseIknowthatthedairyfarmersandallied partnersjoinmeinthankingherforservingdairyfarmerswith distinction

Interested in advertising in the 2023 Editions of the Dairy Dispatch? Contact jbailey@ksdairy.com for more details.

Injusttwodays,SouthWestDairyvisitedHaysHighSchoolFFA,BrightMindsAcademy,St Mary'sSchoolinEllisand 4th-gradestudentsinHaysforKid'sAgDay TheeventwascoordinatedbyEllisCountyFarmBureau

TheKansasDairyCommissionprovidedcheeseforeverystudentandteacherinattendance.

SouthWest Dairy Visits Nearly 500 Children in Ellis County!

Women Managing the Farm Conference

Thetwo-dayWomenManagingtheFarm ConferencewillbeFebruary15-17in Manhattan.The2023Conferenceoffers womenthechancetoexplorehowtogrowtheir operations,communitiesandthemselves. throughJanuary15,2023 increaseto$200 Registeronlineat http://womenmanagingthefarm.com/registration

Earlybirdregistrationsare$175andrun AfterJanuary15,registrationwill

Insights from First Semester Dairy Science Professor

By Dr. Billy Brown

AsIfindmyselfinthefirstsemesterasAssistantProfessoratKansasStateUniversity,Iam excitedtoembarkonamissiontoenhancelearningoutcomesforthedairyindustry throughbothteachingandresearch.MyprimaryroleatKSUisteaching,andthisfall Ihavebeenleadingtheintroductorydairyscienceclasswhichmeetsforhalfasemester. Ienjoyedtakingthisclass17yearsagoasafreshmanwhenDr.JeffStevensonwasatthe helm.Iamgratefulthathehassharedresourcesandadvicetoprovideaseamlesstransition toteachingthiscourse.IwanttosharesomekeythingsthatIhavelearnedaboutteaching.

Whatisadairycow?Withthedeclineindairyfarmsacrossthecountry,therearefewer studentscomingtocampuswithpreviousdairyexperience.InasurveyIconductedatthe beginningofmyclass,only2ofthe89studentsgrewuponadairyfarm,andafewhadinteractedwithdairycattleat thecountyfair.Fortherest,theironlyinteractionwiththedairyindustryhasbeentheconsumptionofdairy products.Wemuststartatthegroundlevelinourintroductorydairycourses!ThefunpartisthatIgettoseethem experienceourindustryfortheveryfirsttimeandwatchasthiscoursesparksaninterest.Asaresultofthisclass alone,wehavestudentsseekemploymentattheuniversitydairyfarmandjoinourdairyscienceclub.Weareserving asagatewaytofuturecareersinthedairyindustrythattheyneverconsideredbefore.

Ourdairyfarmisagreatresource.Oneofthebenefitsofteachingthisintroductorycourseisthatwehaveample timetovisittheuniversitydairyfarm.Studentshavebeenabletotestmilksamples,analyzefeedparticlesize,conduct cowpregnancytests,andevensamplerumencontentsthroughacannula.Studentslovegettingoutoftheclassroom andlearnwiththeirhands.Ourimpactwouldbereducedgreatlyifwedidn’thaveadairyfarmsoclosetocampus. Totrulytrainourstudents,wemustenhancethisfacilitytomakesureweareprovidingindustry-relevantteaching opportunities.

Wehavegreatstudents.WehaveanactivedairyscienceclubthatIco-advise,andclubmembersaremakingabig impactatKSU.Thedairyscienceclubdrawsstudentsfrommultipledepartmentsacrosscampus(includingan internationalstudentstudyingcomputerengineeringwithnodairybackground!).Iamimpressedwiththebreadth ofactivitiestheytackle.Thisfall,theyhaveplannededucationaloutreachactivities,hostedspeakers,toureddairy farms,volunteeredtheirtime,andtraveledtoWorldDairyExpo.Thesestudentsaregoingtobewell-roundedand impactfulcontributorstoourindustryinthefuturebecauseofwhattheyhavedoneoutsidetheclassroom.

Ourgoalisandwillcontinuetobetoprovidehigh-qualityeducationtostudents.Iamexcitedtobeapartoftraining thenextgenerationofdairyleaders.BasedonwhatIhave learnedfromteachingandadvisinginmyfirstfourmonths asaprofessor,Iamconfidentourindustrywillbein goodhands.

Dr. Billy Brown teaching students in a general agriculture course about prepartum dairy cow nutrition strategies at the KSU Dairy Teaching and Research Center in October.

Dr BillyBrown

Kansas Dairy Producers' Needs Survey: Herd Demographics and Milk Production and Quality

By Dr. Victor Gomez-Leon

TheUS dairyindustryhaschangedrapidlyovertheyears ThestateofKansashasoneofthe fastestgrowingdairyindustriesinthenationasareflectionofthehardworkperformedby farmersandsupportedbygovernmententities,alliedindustries,andacademia Withsuchchanges, anassessmentoftheKansasmoderndairyproducers’needsseemednecessarytotargetfuturepaths forextensionandresearchprograms Thus,fromFall2021tosummer2022,asurveywas conductedwithdairyfarmersinKansasfocusedon(1)herdmanagementstrategies, (2)reproductionpractices,and(3)education/extensionprograms.Thesurveywasconductedby Dr.VictorGomez-Leon,AssistantProfessorandExtensionSpecialistfromKansasStateUniversity.

About20%ofthegradeAdairyproducersinKansasparticipatedinthisvoluntaryandanonymousinitiative. Moreover,68%oftheresponseswerefromdairyherdswithlessthan250lactatingcows,13%between251and500lactatingcows, and19%fromherdswithmorethan1,000lactatingcows.ThisisagoodrepresentationoftheKansasdairyherdsizedistribution,and forthisarticle,wewillrefertothemassmall,medium,andlargeherds.

Smallherdshadvariouspercentagesofprimiparouscows(15%ofherdshad<20%ofprimiparous;27%ofherdshad21to30%of primiparous;31%ofherdshad31to40%ofprimiparous;19%ofherdshad41to50%ofprimiparouscows).Incontrast,60%of mediumherdshad31to40%ofprimiparouscows,while70%oflargeherdshad41to50% Thisisperhapsarepresentationofthe growingstageoflargeherdsinthestate,whichfollowsthenationalindustrytrend Anopportunityisobservedforthosesmallherds withlowerprimiparouspercentagesbecausenewanimalswithbettergeneticscouldbeintroducedtotheherdfastertoimpact profitability

Theresponseswerequiteinterestingregardingmilkproductionandqualityandprovidedsomeopportunities Table1Adisplaysthe resultoftheherddistributioninpercentagesforeachofthemilkproductioncategoriesinlbs percowperdayduringthecolder monthsoftheyear(OctobertoMay),whileTable1Bdisplaystheherddistributioninsomaticcellcountduringthesametimeofthe year Asobservedinthetable,someherdshavetheopportunitytoimprovemilkproductionandquality,perhapsthroughparlor management,genetics,reproduction,cowcomfort,andtransitionmanagement Itisimportanttohighlightthatlactatingcowsin certainsystems,suchasopenlots,mayrequiremoreattentionintheparlorcomparedtofreestallsand-beddingsystems

ThegrowthoftheKansasdairyindustry andtheopportunitiesrevealedbythis surveymakeourstateagreatplaceto workindairy.Asaninitialresultofthe 2021survey,Dr.VictorGomez-Leon hasstartedtooffermilkingschools focusedongoodpracticesandwhy producersortechnicians shouldcareaboutit.

Ifyouareinterestedinschedulinga milkingschoolforyourherd,please contactDr VictorGomez-Leon atvgomezleon@ksuedu

Table 1 Small (< 250 cows), Medium (251 to 500 cows), and Large herds (> 1,000 cows) distributed by milk production per cow per day (A) and somatic cell count (B)

A) Milk production per cow per day in lbs.

Herd size < 40 41 to 50 51 to 60 61 to 70 71 to 80 > 81

Small 23% 12% 15% 8% 19% 23% Medium 0% 0% 0% 40% 20% 40% Large 0% 0% 0% 14% 71% 15% B) Somatic cell count in 100,000 of cells Herd size < 160 161 to 180 181 to 200 201 to 240 > 241 NR Small 35% 15% 8% 8% 31% 4% Medium 40% 0% 40% 20% 0% 0% Large 71% 0% 0% 14% 14% 0%

NR: No responses

Dr VictorGomez-Leon

KANSAS DAIRY HIRES NEW CEO

KansasDairynamedJanetBailey,Manhattan,ChiefExecutiveOfficeroftheKansasDairyCommissionandKansasDairy AssociationinAugust,2022

Bailey,whowasraisedonadairyfarm, bringsthreedecadesofassociationandagricultureindustryexperiencetothedairy organizations Hercareerhasbeenanchoredinagriculturalandfoodpolicy,ruralissuesandmarketplacestrategy

“Dairyisinapivotaltime Consumersfacemoreoptions,newtechnologiescreatenewopportunities,theregulatorypressures areconsistentandlaborneedscontinuetochallengetheindustry,”Baileysaid “Morethanever,dairyproducersneedtoknow thattheyhaveorganizationsleaningintothechallengesandbringingthemvalueandsolutions.Iamhonoredtoworkwiththe leadershipoftheAssociationandCommissionandourpartnersaswedelivervaluetoourdairyproducersandalliedindustry partnersinKansas.”

"AstheCommisisonlookstothefutureandtheresponsibilitytosupportdairyindustrydevelopmentweareexcitedtobring Janetintotheroleofadministrativeleadership,”saidBrentBuessing,Chairman,KansasDairyCommission,Baileyville.“We knowthatthefutureispromising,andnotwithoutchallenges.AsCommissionboardmembersweareexcitedtoworkwith Janettosupporttheresearch,educationandinformationcampaignsoftheindustry.”

“TheKansasDairyAssociationwelcomestheenergyandenthusiasmthatJanetbringsastheCEO,”saidJoshRottinghaus, Chairman,KansasDairyAssociation,Seneca “Throughhercareerinagriculture,shehasbeenapartnertothedairyindustry andweareconfidentoftheopportunitiestospeakwithaunitedvoiceforthedairyproducersofKansas”

“I'mexcitedtohaveJanetworkingwithourDairyCommissionandDairyAssociation,”saidMikeBrouk,ProfessorandDairy ExtensionSpecialist,KansasStateUniversityDepartmentofAnimalSciencesandIndustry “Janetbringsawealthofexperience thatwillbeinvaluableinguidingourdairyindustry Herenthusiasmandinterestinthedairyindustrywillbeavaluablecatalyst toaddressthemanychallengesfacingdairyproducerstoday. Ilookforwardtoworkingwithherandthedairyproducersaswe continuetobuildandstrengthenourKansasdairyindustry.”

KansasDairyisanagreementbetweentheKansasDairyAssociationandtheKansasDairyCommission.TheKansasDairy Associationwasformedin1994torepresentdairyproducersinKansas.Duringthelegislativesessionof1995,theKansas legislaturepassedlegislationtoformtheKansasDairyCommission.Eachorganizationmaintainstheirspecificprogramsand responsibilities.Learnmoreatksdairy.com.

Focused on Dairy Farm Investment: Midwest Dairy Update

By Ron Grusenmeyer

MidwestDairyhasbeenworkinghardonfarmers’behalf,focusingonbeingefficient andeffectiveregardingtheir15-centinvestmentforpromotionandresearch nationwide In2021,westartedathree-yearstrategicplanwithavisionof“BringDairy toLifeforaBetterWorld!”andthemission“WorkwithOtherstoGiveConsumersanExcellentDairyExperience”Throughoutthepasttwo years,MidwestDairyhasfocusedonmaximizingdairyfarmerinvestmentbycreatingprogramsandresourcesthat:

IncreaseDairySalesthroughcollaborationwithretailandfoodservicepartners,embracingandenhancingconsumers’shifttowards eCommerce.Manyprogramstrulymovedtheneedlefordairythispastyear,includingpartnershipswithretailerssuchasCasey’s,Hy-Vee, PizzaRanch,Freddy’sFrozenCustard&Steakburgers,andothersacrossour10-stateregion.

GrowTrustinDairybyworkingthroughpartnerstoshowcasedairy’suniquewellnessandsustainabilitybenefitsthrougheventsand activationssuchasEarthDay,statefairs,DeannaRoseFarmstead,WonderscopeChildrenMuseuminKansasCity,andmoretoform deeperconnectionswithconsumers.

AdvancedResearchinDairythroughidentifyingthemostsignificantopportunitiesforcategorygrowthandhowpartnerscanusethis informationtofueldairysalesandinnovation.

CreatedDairyCheckoffAdvocatesbycontinuingtoworkwithfarmers,processors,anddecision-makers,onhowMidwestDairy continuestoprovidetoolsandresourcesdesignedtosharedairy’sstoryandthevalueofcheckoffpromotion

DevelopedFarmandCommunityLeadersinDairybyworkingwithfarmersthroughleadershipprogramssuchasAdoptaCowand EngagedTrainingtoprovidethemwithresourcesandempowerthemtousetheiruniqueskillstoshareabouton-farmpractices, sustainability,andproductswithconsumers

2023willbethefinalyearofourthree-yearstrategicplan

Ourgoalistobringthestoryofdairy'suniqueabilitytonourishpeopleandtheplanet totoday'sconsumersthroughoutKansasandtheentire10-stateregion

MidwestDairyvaluescollaboration,andwerealizeitiskeytothedairyindustry’ssuccessacrosstheUnitedStates Wewillcontinue collaboratingwithDairyManagementInc (DMI)andotherstatesandregionstopromotedairybecausewhatwelearnfromthemstrengthens ourprograms WearealsohighlyproudofMidwestDairy’sleadershipinthefederation Forexample,MidwestDairywasapartofdevelopinga highschoolSTEMprojectfeaturingdairyallowingourteamtoworkcloselywithhighschool-agedstudentsacrosstheMidwestandsharesome ofourresearchandfindingswithintheGenZsector Otherprojectsincludeoutreachtocollegestudents,featuringdairytopromoteasolution tobringingthememotionalandhealthbenefits.Theseprojectsshowcasethatwearealwayswillingtoshareourlearningwithothersinvolvedin dairypromotionbutalsojumpinandhelpoutwithanyefforttoincreasesalesandtrustindairy.

Yourdairystory–theuniquewellnessbenefitsofdairyandyourdedicationtocaringfortheplanetandyourcowsisalwaysatthecenterof whatMidwestDairydoes,andwearehonoredtoworkonthefarmer’sbehalf.PleasereachouttoRonGrusenmeyer,FarmerRelations Manager,atrgrusenmeyer@midwestdairy.comifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutcheckoffresourcesorwouldliketogetinvolved!

Applications Open for the Kansas Local Food Purchase Assistance Program

TheKansasDepartmentofAgricultureisnowacceptingapplicationsfromproducerstoparticipateintheKansasLocalFoodPurchase AssistanceProgram(LFPA).Theprogramwillassistinstrengtheningthestate'sfoodsystembyexpandingwholesaleaccesstoKansas producers.ApplicationsareduetoKDAnolaterthan5:00p.m.CSTonFebruary15,2023.

Theapplicationcanbefoundathttps://fs22.formsite.com/KansasDeptAg/LFPA/.ProductseligibleforsaleundertheKansasLocalFood PurchaseAssistanceProgramincludeproduce,dairy,meat,eggs,honey,andprocessedfoods.ProductsmustbeproducedlocaltoKansastobe eligibleforsaleundertheprogram.

HILMAR CHEESE BREAKS GROUND IN DODGE CITY

KANSAS HOLSTEIN ASSOCIATION UPDATE

BesuretocheckoutHolsteinAmericaonRFD-TV,showcasingRegisteredHolsteindairyfarmersfromacrossthenation.Youcanview pastepisodesonYouTubeoratwww.holsteinusa.com

Forthoselookingtoexpandandbroadenyourfarm'ssireprogramcheckHolsteinMarketPlaceSires.Youcanchoosefromavarietyof bullsatareasonableprice.ThelatestreleaseisIRPRIMETIME712SM02001.PRIMETIMEisthefirstHOLSimbulladdedonthe MarketPlaceSireslineupandishomozygousblackandpolled.Youcanordersemenonlineoroverthephone.

AstudyatMichiganStateUniversityfoundthatHolsteincowsonaverageare$456moreprofitablepercowannuallythananyother breed!ThestudyconfirmsthatpoundsofcomponentscountwithHolsteinsproducingabout810additionalpoundsofcomponents annually.

Toeventakeyourdairytothenextlevelweinviteyoutotakealookatwaysyoucanaddvaluetoyourcowsanddairybyregisteringyour animalsandbecomingamemberofourstateassociation.Tolearnmoreaboutthisandgetinvolvedwithyouthactivities,localandstate shows,wewelcomeyoutoreachouttoamemberinourstateassociation.

Weinviteyoutojoinusatourupcomingannualmeetingearlythisspring.

BLOSSOM FINDS NEW HOME

A&HFarms,Manhattan,wasthewinningbidtogiveBlossom,theretiredKansasStateFairAgrilanddairycow,anewhome.The farmandagritourismventurehostsstudents,groupsandindividuals,andsellsproduceandpreparedfoods.OwnersAndreaand HugoDeJesuscontinuetoexpandtheirofferings,mostrecentlywiththeadditionofHildebrandsoft-serveicecream.Proceeds fromthesaleofBlossomhavebeendesignatedtobe donatedonbehalfofKansasDairyfarmerstotheFlintHillsBreadbasket, Manhattan,forthepurchaseofdairyproducts AccordingtoFHBB ExecutiveDirectorKarlaHagemeister,gueststotheBreadBasketlove togetdairyproducts,andhavingthemavailableintheirfoodselection roommakeitpossibleformorearearesidentstoenjoymilk,cheeseand butter-someoftheirfavoriteitems

Andrea and Hugo DeJesus, A&H Farms, Manhattan, pictured with Janet Bailey, CEO, Kansas Dairy, as Agriland's Blossom the Cow was retired. Blossom was replaced in Agriland by a new cow, Maybelle, courtesy of Midwest Dairy