The first U.S. Precision Dairy Conference and Expo is taking place in Rochester, Minnesota, June 25-27. The program includes a tour of nearby farms, a two-day agenda packed with the latest research and industry information, and a trade show dedicated to the latest technology in robotic milking and precision management.

The Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) announced its recent decision to strategically refocus the association’s priorities and industry role. DCHA will be redefining the information and services provided to its members to ensure relevant and progressive training and educational resources are available.

Dairy market information and analysis is now available on a new free app for mobile devices using Apple or Droid platforms. Daily and weekly spot and futures settlement prices are available in an easy-to-read format from the app’s main page. For deeper analysis, users touch “Futures Markets” to access CME Group futures, Daily Dairy Reports (for subscribers only) and the latest statistics.

Oscar winning and two-time Emmy winning filmmaker James Moll has announced the production of a feature-length documentary about the next generation of American farmers and ranchers. The yet-to-be-titled film will profile farmers and ranchers in their twenties, all of whom have assumed the responsibility of running the family business.

Golden Guernsey, the Wisconsin dairy plant that closed unexpectedly in January, may re-open this summer. The plant was purchased during a bankruptcy auction by Lifeway Foods Inc. of Morton Grove, Illinois, for $7.4 million. The only other bidder was Superior Dairy LLC from Canton, Ohio.

Construction of the $85 million dry milk processing plant in Fallon, Nevada, is more than halfway complete, according to Northern Nevada Business Weekly. It was originally planned to open this summer but winter weather and other complications delayed the project by 6 months.

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) resumed farm payments, which had been temporarily suspended due to sequestration, on May 8. This includes payments for the Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC), 2011 Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE) and the Noninsured Crop Assistance Program (NAP).

Heather Hunt
Archbold, Ohio
Dairy Business Development Specialist
Agri-Nutrition Consulting