IN THE NEWS
MHA members & MN Dairy in the News
University of Minnesota Completes Fall Judging Season with Win at Louisville, KY
Pacing a field of 16 teams, the University of Minnesota placed 1st overall in the collegiate dairy cattle judging contest held November 7 in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition, Louisville, KY. In addition to placing 1st overall, the team was 1st in oral reasons (by a 12-point margin), 1st in Guernsey, and 1st in Holstein. Team members were Jayne Esch, River Falls, WI; Theresa Twohey, Stewartville, MN; David Hanson, Goodridge, MN; and Jacob Achen, Sauk Centre, MN. All are students in their junior year at the University of Minnesota.
Individually, Esch was 1st overall, 1st in oral reasons, 1st in Jersey, 2nd in Guernsey, 2nd in Holstein, and 7th in Jersey. Twohey placed 8th overall, 8th in reasons, 3rd in Guernsey, and 8th in Brown Swiss. Hanson was 10th overall, 7th in reasons, and 3rd in Holstein, and Achen placed 12th overall, 7th in Holstein, and 9th in Guernsey. Coaches of the University of Minnesota teams are Dr. Les Hansen, Scott Ellinghuysen, and Alicia Thurk.
Photo caption: Junior team of the University of Minnesota placed 1st of 16 teams in the collegiate dairy cattle judging contest at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY (l to r): Jacob Achen, David Hanson, Jayne Esch, Theresa Twohey, and Dr. Les Hansen.
Senior Judging Team from the University of Minnesota
Places 5th at World Dairy Expo
The senior dairy cattle judging team from the University of Minnesota placed 5th overall among 21 collegiate teams on October 3 at World Dairy Expo, Madison, WI. The team also placed 2nd in oral reasons, 2nd in Milking Shorthorn, 4th in Guernsey, 4th in Red & White, and 5th in Holstein. Team members were Caitlin Durow, Mazeppa; Elizabeth Olson, Hutchinson; Karen Anderson, Lester Prairie; and Emily Achen, Sauk Centre. Individually, Durow was 2nd overall, 1st in oral reasons, 2nd in Red & White, 8th in Guernsey, and 9th in Holstein. Olson was 6th in Guernsey and 10th in Red & White, Anderson was 3rd in Milking Shorthorn, and Achen was 7th in Guernsey.
This team of four women placed 1st in oral reasons in 3 of 4 contests in which they competed in 2010 and 2011 – the Accelerated Genetics contest, Viroqua, WI, the North American International Livestock Exposition, Louisville, KY, and the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, PA. The team also had the 1st individual in oral reasons in all four contests – Elizabeth Olson at both Viroqua and Harrisburg, Karen Anderson at Louisville, and Caitlin Durow at Madison. A remarkable achievement!
Coaches of the University of Minnesota teams are Dr. Les Hansen, Scott Ellinghuysen, and Alicia Thurk.
Photo caption: Senior team of the University of Minnesota placed 5th of 21 teams in the collegiate dairy cattle judging contest at World Dairy Expo, Madison, WI (l to r): Dr. Les Hansen (coach), Elizabeth Olson, Caitlin Durow, Karen Anderson, Emily Achen, Alicia Thurk (coach), and Scott Ellinghuysen (coach).
Bonnie Mohr Recognized as 2011 Young Dairy Leaders Institute Distinguished Alumna
Brattleboro, Vt. (January 9, 2012)…Bonnie Mohr, Glencoe, Minn., has been named the Holstein Foundation’s 2011 Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) Distinguished Alumni Leader Award honoree. This award annually recognizes YDLI alumni who have made notable contributions and utilized skills gained during their YDLI participation for the betterment of the dairy industry. Mohr was a member of YDLI’s inaugural class held in 1994 and 1995.
“An important benefit I took away from YDLI was the resources and networking opportunities,” said Mohr. “I think those are two very important things, contacts and ideas. There are people I met at YDLI that I would have never met otherwise.”
Mohr is a renowned dairy artist who has been involved with the dairy industry her entire life. Today, she, her husband, John, and their five children own and operate Glenmark Genetics, which is also the home of and provides inspiration for Bonnie’s art studio. The Mohr’s Registered Holstein farm provides numerous opportunities to reach consumers, seeing an average of 500 to 1,000 guests annually. She has had the honor of visiting with people from elementary school children to international visitors, and groups ranging from Teachers’ Associations and various community organizations, to the 3,000 dairy enthusiasts who attended a state June Dairy Day event held in 2000 on their farm. Bonnie and her family have been long time members of Holstein Association USA, the Minnesota Holstein Association, and the McLeod County Holstein Association.
Mohr has used her talents as an artist to reach those outside of agriculture, as well as for the benefit of agricultural organizations. She created a painting for the Holstein Foundation, “The Beautiful Cow,” which was sold at the 2010 National Holstein Convention and raised $80,000 for the Holstein Foundation’s Dairy Leaders for Tomorrow Campaign.
“I think any time you’re involved in an industry organization that you love and appreciate, it instills a want or desire to give back,” said Mohr. “Because of this life long journey and benefits I have derived from the dairy industry - I realized I had the opportunity to 'give back' through my painting at the 2010 Convention. I believe in the power of each person playing a part to make a worthy contribution in life, because we all have something different to give. Paintings are my way of giving back.”
The Young Dairy Leaders Institute, a program of the Holstein Foundation, is a nationally recognized three-phase leadership and communication skills development program for young adults working in the dairy industry. For more information on YDLI or other Holstein Foundation programs, visit www.holsteinfoundation.org or contact Jodi Hoynoski at 800.952.5200, ext. 4261 or jhoynoski@holstein.com.
###
The Holstein Foundation, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vt., is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1989. The Foundation’s cornerstone program for young adults is the renowned Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI). Current programs targeting youth ages 9-21 include the popular Dairy Bowl and Dairy Jeopardy competitions. The Holstein Foundation also focuses on youth education and outreach activities, offering free workbooks and ribbons for local shows.
DR. JIM LINN RECIPIENT OF BRUCE COTTINGTON FRIEND OF DAIRY AWARD
Minnesota Milk Producers Association recognized Dr. Jim Linn as the 2011 recipient of the Bruce Cottington Friend of Dairy Award during the Midwest Dairy Expo on November 29 in St. Cloud, Minn. In 2006, Minnesota Milk awarded the first ever Friend of Dairy award to Bruce Cottington. Since then, the name of the award has been changed in honor of Bruce Cottington’s name and legacy, and Dr. Linn is the second recipient with this new title.
Dr. James Linn is a nationally known dairy expert who served as the Head of the Department of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota from June 2007 until his retirement in September 2011. He earned his Ph.D. in dairy cattle nutrition from the University of Minnesota in 1978, and was on the faculty at Iowa State University as Extension Dairy Specialist from 1978 to 1979 before returning to Minnesota as an Extension Dairy Nutritionist with research, teaching and extension responsibilities.
He specialized in dairy cattle nutrition and focused his research on forage quality, calf nutrition, direct fed microbials, feed intake and feed efficiency. He served as faculty supervisor for the animal facilities on the St. Paul Campus, which includes a dairy herd of 140 Holstein cows.
Dr. Linn has been active in the American Dairy Science Association, having served on the Board of Directors as well as President, and he chaired the Production Division Council. He also served as Overall Program Chair for the 2002 joint meeting of American Dairy Science Association, American Society of Animal Science, and the Canadian Society of Animal Science.
Dr. Linn was a member of the 2001 National Research Council (NRC) committee for dairy nutrition that authored the "NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle" and served on the NRC committee that reviewed “Minerals and Toxic Substances in Diets and Water for Animals.” He was named Outstanding Graduate Faculty Member of the Department of Animal Science, and he advised 10 MS and 5 PhD students during his tenure at the U of M.
Dr. Linn has authored and co-authored over 600 publications and popular press articles covering numerous calf, heifer and cow nutrition topics. He has given over 500 talks on dairy nutrition in Minnesota alone and has been invited to speak at numerous national and international seminars and meetings.
“But, as you all know,” said Pat Lunemann, President of Minnesota Milk Producers Association, “Jim is not a person of accolades and accomplishments. He is all about the people he served – dairy farmers. His true dedication of service to Minnesota dairy farmers is without reproach.”
Minnesota Milk Producers Association serves as the “Voice of Minnesota’s Dairy Industry,” a grassroots organization for the industry with a democratically elected board of dairy producer directors. Its mission is to promote a positive image for the dairy industry while protecting dairy farmers’ business interests and way of life.
Kvamme Receives Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award
Conrad Kvamme of Arlington was awarded the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award at the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation’s (MFBF) 93rd Annual Meeting Awards Banquet held at the Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park on November 18. This is the most prestigious award given by the federation.
Kvamme is the president and CEO of Space Age Dairy Sales, a company he started in 1972 that was developed for feed supplements. He also consults with regard to dairy cattle nutrition, management, breeding and housing. In addition to his business, Kvamme also serves as a consultant and coordinator for Midwest Dairy Beef Assurances Center and the Retail Beef Promotion for the Minnesota Beef Council.
This businessman has spent his life promoting dairy in Minnesota. He is a past president of the Minnesota Foundation for Responsible Animal Care and the Minnesota Forum for Animal Agriculture. Kvamme has been the Minnesota Holstein Association Person of the Year and is a member of the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Hall of Fame.
“I am gratified for this recognition and thanks to all who have supported us in promotional ventures,” said Kvamme.
Bob Shepard of Cannon Falls was the other recipient of the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.
Minnesota Farm Bureau is the largest general farm organization in the state representing Farmers • Families • Food. Nationwide, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has over 6 million members in approximately 2,800 county Farm Bureaus. For more information about the benefits of becoming a Farm Bureau member, contact your local Farm Bureau office or log onto www.fbmn.org.
New Dairy Economist Begins Work on Behalf of Dairy Producers
ST. PAUL, Minn. – In the two months since he officially began his work as a dairy economist with the Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center, Marin Bozic (MAH rin BO zic) has traveled more than 5,000 miles getting to know the Midwest dairy industry. The people and companies he’s met during those travels are providing the input he needs for his new job identifying and quantifying opportunities for dairy producers to capture economic benefits from the consumer market.
Bozic is an assistant professor of dairy foods marketing economics in the Department of Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota, a position funded by dairy producers through Midwest Dairy Association. He completed his doctorate at the University of Wisconsin in Madison just before he started work in August. A native of Croatia, Bozic was selected by a committee of Midwest dairy industry leaders last spring. They had identified a void in the economic research available to the industry – one that could provide the economic analysis for developing and delivering dairy foods and ingredients to meet consumer needs, and drive dairy demand and consumption.
“The position is unique,” says Bozic. “Dairy economists usually work on policy or milk production issues. To my knowledge, this position is the only one actively working to find the right match between dairy products and ingredients, and the market.”
“We have many resources to help producers with the economics at home on the farm,” explains Ken Herbranson, chairman of Midwest Dairy Association’s Minnesota Division board and a dairy producer from Clitherall who served on the selection committee. “What we didn’t have was a good model to help us know if we’re producing the right products and dairy ingredients. We hope this new focus will help us to provide the economic analysis of these important market dynamics.”
Bozic is charged with capturing synergies between the work of the Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center, various departments at the three universities connected to it (South Dakota State, Iowa State and the University of Minnesota), the industry and producers. He’ll rely on an Economic Advisory Board to identify and prioritize issues, obtain research support and access, and evaluate results.
“I will also have the opportunity to work across disciplines,” Bozic adds. “My job is to be objective, and to figure out what dairy products the Midwest can be most competitive in.” He explains his role as understanding prices, markets and consumers. More specifically, he hopes to evaluate the economic value of new product development, consumer preference and willingness to pay, market penetration and markets, and feasibility of processing investments.
While he gets to know the Midwest dairy industry, Bozic is also preparing two breakout sessions for producers attending the Midwest Dairy Expo in St. Cloud Nov. 29-30. His topics, “Don’t Bet the Farm: Surviving and Thriving in Volatile Markets” and “Dairy Exports and Your Milk Check,” capitalize on his knowledge of dairy marketing.
“It’s clear the expectations for my work are high, but I chose this position because of the wholehearted support I felt from the industry,” Bozic says. “It feels like family already.”