Editor's Choice: 18 Reasons to read

Throughout 2008, each of Progressive Dairyman’s 18 issues has contained 18 reasons readers should be reading the magazine. The 18 reasons section is a quick synopsis of the best of the magazine’s content. This issue we highlight the 18 reasons why you should have been reading Progressive Dairyman this year. Here they are in no particular order.

1. Animal welfare review
What’s so important about animal welfare? You found out why in seven of our 18 issues this year which studied the proposed National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative (NDAWI) and the evolving discussion about animal welfare stirred up by numerous HSUS videos. We also reviewed the final changes to the NDAWI announced during World Dairy Expo.

2. Ethanol production
Why does it pit corn producers against dairymen? You learned how ethanol production may increase your production risk. Then the ethanol industry explained why it is wrongly blamed for creating a battle between food versus fuel and increasing commodity prices.

3. Genomics introduced
How will this new technology change the industry? You discovered how genomics works and how it will be used by A.I. companies in reporting sire summary data and selling semen.

4. CWT buyouts
Was the second buyout a surprise? You’ve found out the details about CWT’s two herd retirements this year and why the check-off funded group continues to operate its export assistance program.

5. Launch of Proud to Dairy
R U Proud? You’ve seen the logo announced at World Dairy Expo. Proud to Dairy was established to give dairymen all over the country a tangible representation of their inner conviction that what they do may not be glamorous but it is important and is something to be proud of. More than 40 producers have been featured in videos placed on YouTube, with more than 1,000 web users viewing them.

6. Facebook
What is social networking? You’ve found out more about one of the fastest growing forms of social networking earlier this summer and how agricultural producers are using it to positively educate and promote what they do with their friends and contacts. Join the hundreds of readers who have already joined the Progressive Dairyman magazine and Proud to Dairy Facebook groups.

7. Progressive dairy operations
How do they do that? You’ve read about forward-thinking producers and what they’re doing to be more efficient and profitable. Do you remember what “progressive profit breeding” is?

8. Getting ready for a dairy career
Which student is most likely to succeed in school and long-term? You heard the opinions of university educators and industry professionals. This section garnered the most reader interaction of the entire year.

9. $7 corn
Could it still go to $12? You’ve read how marketing specialist Scott Stewart accurately predicted $7 corn in Progressive Dairyman nearly a year before it happened. See what Scott says about his previous prediction of $12 corn on page 43.

10. Peeuwww! Something stinks
Why does the public continue to pick on agriculture? You’ve read the analysis of the Pew Commission report on large-scale animal production and why the committee of professionals might have had a negative review. The report was released in April and seemed like another swing at animal agriculture.

11. Crossover section
How do I manage a Hispanic labor force? Most 100+ cow dairies in America have at least one Hispanic laborer and their presence on dairies is only going to grow. That is why Progressive Dairyman developed the Crossover Section. An author writes an article for dairy producers and upper managers and then a second article on the same subject for mid-level managers and employees that runs in English and Spanish in El Lechero. Then producer and employee can discuss what they read, increasing understanding and communication.

Watch for live-event Crossover Seminars in 2009!

12. Flooded dairies
Who could have guessed there would be so much mud? You’ve read about devastating floods in northwestern Washington during the beginning of 2008 and what the surrounding communities did to help producers get back on their feet.

13. Management articles
What type of articles do producers want most? You’ve seen nearly 100 pages about it in 2008. It’s management, including everything from hiring and firing to setting goals and compensating.

14. AFACT emerges
The producer-led group American Farmers for the Advancement and Conservation of Technology (AFACT) announced their organization and its goals at the World Ag Expo. Progressive Dairyman had an exclusive interview with spokesmen after their announcement to get a better understanding of what they hoped to accomplish. While at World Ag Expo, AFACT talked a lot about rBST but they also want producers to be able to use pesticides and other advancements in technology to be more efficient and effective. They hold national meetings often to educate farmers on what is happening around them and how to talk about advancements in agriculture.

15. We win an award
What? You’ve read how Progressive Dairyman was recognized as the most-improved magazine by the Livestock Publications Council. We strive to serve dairymen nationwide by hard work, continuous improvement and industry involvement. Thank you to our readers for your loyalty.

16. International dairy articles
Where in the world is Leon Leavitt? You’ve read our emeritus publisher’s interviews with dairy producers in Chile, where he is serving a church service mission. One of our most popular articles about an international producer told readers how a Scottish dairy uses biodegradable plastic to jump-start its corn silage.

17. Introduction of City Boy
Who designs the City Boy cartoons? You’ve watched a City Boy leave his desk job in the city to start a dairy. City Boy is written by Assistant Editor Ryan Curtis. The comic panels detail the antics of City Boy trying to make his niche in the dairy industry and gives a humorous view of dairying’s everyday tasks.

18. Progressive Events
Do you have an event we could feature? You’ve read the accounts of Progressive Dairyman staff as they have visited trade shows and events all over the country. We have developed the Progressive Events section to highlight these events, including bus tours, expos, shows, symposiums and more.