Some scenes from the Wisconsin Holstein Convention that took place over the weekend!

WI Holstein Award Winners: Distinguished Breeder Allen Rippchen & wife Pat Rippchen; Young Distinguished Breeder Todd Borgwardt; and Distinguished Service Recipient, Mike Snyder.

Top seller at the WI Convention Futures Sale (L to R): Sale Committee member Chad Ryan, Ron Sersland representing Lookout
Holsteins & Marita Holsteins of Quebec, Canada, Consignors Ron & Sue Hackmann and Sale Chair Bob Traynor.

As producers of “nature’s most perfect food” we should be aware of issues facing other segments of the food industry and two very interesting stories came across the desk this morning. One is very much an “are you kidding me?” type of story, while the other is a “it’s about time they found out” story. If you agree or not, we still think they are interesting. And even more important to think about…the microscope is on full power in the food industry. Be ready. Be prepared. Be able to think on your feet. And most importantly – do things right. We don’t know what inquisitions are coming next, but we do know they’re coming.
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Pediatricians call for choking label for hot dogs
The American Academy of Pediatrics has called for the Food & Drug Administration to require warning labels on certain foods, such as hot dogs, that are proven to be a choking risk for children or, in lieu of a label, for manufacturers to redesign the food items to minimize the risk. The academy noted that more than 100 children 14 years old or younger die from choking every year and that 61 of the 141 choking deaths in kids in 2006 were food related.

Besides hot dogs, the Academy also cited apples, grapes, raw carrots, hard candies, peanuts, popcorn and marshmallows as creating a high risk for choking and said parents should cut these foods into small pieces to keep them from getting caught in a child’s throat.

Hot dog manufacturers — representing approximately half of the market — already are labeling their hot dogs as a choking risk, with suggestions that parents remove casings from hot dogs, if present, and cut hot dogs into small pieces before serving them to children, as well as supervise their children’s eating behavior, according to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council President Janet Riley.

Riley, who is senior vice president for public affairs at the American Meat Institute, added that a study on the effectiveness of choking-hazard labels should be conducted before mandating such labels.
Source: Feedstuffs FoodLink, Rod Smith

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Whole Foods Market “Organic” food made in China.
For those of you who watch YouTube, you’ll want to click on the link below for an investigative news report done by a television station in Virginia. They uncovered a truth about leading organic food marketers, Whole Foods. It appears that many of the foods marketed as organic actually come from China where organic-status regulations aren’t monitored the same as they are in the U.S. We’re not saying that the foods aren’t organic, but it’s hard to say if both the U.S. and Chinas have the same regulations for farms being certified organic. In the YouTube segment, it also reveals consumer’s shock and surprise at what they feel is somewhat false labeling on products.

Here’s how to see the video – see what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ31Ljd9T_Y&feature=player_embedded

We’d be interested in your thoughts on either story. Do you think the dairy industry is safe from these kinds of investigations/regulations? Email your comments to kknutsen@dairybusiness.com, and we’ll keep you posted on any feedback we get here on the AllBreeds Blog.

The Pennsylvania Holstein Convention Annual Awards Banquet just concluded and Holstein World Staffer Frank Putman was on hand to capture the 2010 award winners. The convention concludes tomorrow with the PA Convention Sale at 10:00 AM in Washington, PA. Special congratulations to these special breeders!

Jill & Mike Ammon of Ammon Farms were presented the Young Breeder Award.

Hall of Fame Inductee – Harry Thompson of Fountain Farm

Hall of Fame Inductee – George Cashell

The PA Holstein Association has assembled a great line-up for tomorrow’s sale. Animals will be sold in a new multi-media format – all online video, no live animals present. Prior to convention, Frank was able to capture this picture of Lot 2 – Pennwood Drm Rocky Rose-ET. She is a 3/16 Durham out of Pennwood Leader Rocklyn (2E-95).

Co-founders of Transamerica Genetics (TAG) Patrice Simard and Alan Bryson were part of the TAG team in attendance at last week’s World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA. Their booth, combined with Androgenics, featured a wealth of information on their sire lineup, including genomic tested sires that are part of the TAG –G holstein, Red-TAG Series, TAG Jersey lineup and the Podium Performance lineup, all trademarks exclusive to TAG & Androgenics Inc.

For more information, visit www.transamericagenetics.com.

Brian & Mary Olbrich of Holbric Holsteins in Harvard, IL, are excited to announce the arrival of a beautiful baby girl – Peyton Brianna!! She was born Monday, Feb. 15th at 4:57 p.m. and weighed a healthy 8 lbs 10 oz, and was 21.5 inches long. Peyton will have fun growing up on the farm with big sister, Morgan, and little brother, Adam. The family is doing well and enjoying getting to know Baby Peyton!

Congratulations from Holstein World and the rest of your Holstein family

Attendees of the Ladies’ Luncheon at the NY Holstein Convention in Utica, NY on Friday had the pleasure of listening to a presentation on the brand new Keeley’s Cheese Company. Keeley McGarr grew up on McGarr Farms in King Ferry, NY along with her parents Dan and Connie, sister Meghan and brother Pat. McGarr Farms is a well-known name in the Holstein business and Keeley has recently decided to begin a new venture on the home farm by producing and marketing her “Farmstead Cheese from the Fingerlakes.”

In preparation for the cheese making process, McGarr Farms began grazing their Jersey and Holstein herd while Keeley traveled to Ireland to learn the cheese making craft. The first type of cheese she decided to produce is called “Washed Rind” cheese, which she liked for its distinct flavor and because it was the most interesting cheese she discovered on her travels. Keeley began making cheese about 4 months ago at SUNY Morrisville and then began aging it in the basement of her grandparents’ old farmhouse at McGarr Farms. She and her family are in the process of renovating the basement in this house to accommodate her cheese making and sales. Keeley’s first day of cheese sales was at the King Ferry Winery in December, and she is extremely excited for what the future of her business has in store.

Keeley answers the various questions the ladies had on her new business.

Everyone at the luncheon had the opportunity to taste some of Keeley’s delicious washed rind cheese!

This is Keeley’s first cheese label for her washed ride cheese, named from the common term, “Pondhopper,” that she encountered during her travels in Ireland.

Keeley and her mom Connie after Keeley’s presentation

The New York All-Breeds Convention came to a close on Saturday morning, January 16th, and as adult members were checking out, over 300 New York Holstein juniors were checking in for their convention that winds up this morning. Chaired by Jason and Holly Pullis, the adult convention ran smoothly and included a very successful ET Sale, a trip to nearby Turning Stone Casino, a popular ladies luncheon, well attended meetings and one of the best main banquets in history, with a very funny David Rama handling emcee duties and a large crowd who gave a standing ovation more than once to honor their peers. Following are scenes from the three day event!

A familiar crowd! Tom and Nancy Murray, Don Hosking, Dave Reynolds and Boot Hosking enjoy the sale. Tom purchased the high seller of the night at $17,000, a first choice Super from UFM-Dubs Shari-ET (VG-87 DOM), a Shottle daughter with a GTPI in August of +2331 and a 2-year-old record of 2-00 3 365 31,440 4.5 1424 3.5 1089. The sale averaged $6378.

Gearing up for their Joleanna Sale in May are three of Delaware County’s best – Luke, Derek and Holstein World’s own Katy Johnson!

They look a little different this time! Jen Sherwood joins the newlyweds – Luke & Theresa Pullis – in the same ballroom where the couple just had their wedding reception in early January!

Morrisville State College provided some of their homemade ice cream for the dairy bar.

Scholarship winners for this year include Kristin Davenport, Katie Donnan, Casey Gillis, Katie Hanehan and Reid Lundy.

Keeley’s Cheese Company at McGarr Farms, “Farmstead Cheese from the Fingerlakes” was the focus of the Ladies Luncheon during convention. Keeley McGarr learned how to make this delicious cheese in Ireland and made her first cheese at Morrisville in August/September of 2009. Her first day of sales was at the King Ferry Winery in December.

Dr. Tom Mercuro was the featured speaker during Friday’s afternoon business meeting. Mercuro, head of Recipient Solutions in Maryland, talked to the group about the differences in embryo transfer work versus in vitro fertilization.

Ken Beneke of Millerton, NY, was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Breeder Award.

Ed and Barb Tyler of Ty-Hill Holsteins received a standing ovation for winning the Retired Master Breeder Award.

The crowd was on its feet again, this time to honor Merry & Dave Rama for earning the “Friend of New York Holstein” award. Dave’s tireless efforts in bringing producers and government officials closer together to solve the milk price issue were greatly appreciated.

It’s Vanna! Holstein classifier Dick Wright holds up one of the auction items sold to support the Scholarship Fund.

Winning the Active Master Breeder Award was Brad Cates of Co-Vale Holsteins. Brad and his wife Sarah are seated and joined by Brad’s parents Ray & Georgia, and long-time friend and award presenter Charlie McEvoy.

A very active Holstein USA Regional Meeting was held Saturday morning. Some interesting numbers presented – Genomic testing from 11/08 through 11/09 was up 58% and Holstein Complete up 6% during same time period. Also – much discussion surrounded the newly released National Judges List.

Marion Seifert announced the 3rd Annual Show Calf Summit on April 2-3, open to juniors in the Northeast, and hosted again by Cowtown Holsteins in Derby Line, VT.

Tom Kugler of Fly-Higher Holsteins, announced his decision to run for National Holstein Director for Region 1.

Hats off to the Jersey world and their achievements in 2009! They achieved a record number of registrations AND announced yesterday that new records for production were also established.

I am a regular recipient of press releases from the association and most often times we post them to AllBreedAccess.com, but this time thought a bit more exposure was due to the little brown cow! Congratulations Jersey breeders!

The official Jersey lactation average increased to 18,498 lbs. milk, 859 lbs. fat, and 666 lbs. protein. On a Cheddar cheese equivalent basis, average yield is 2,248 pounds. All are new category records.

A record 87,911 lactations were processed by the AJCA. This was a gain of 9,687 records (12.4%) over the previous year, and also represents a 22% increase in records processed since 2007.

The lactation average is calculated on a standardized 305-day, twice daily, mature equivalent (m.e.) basis.

The American Jersey Cattle Association, organized in 1868, compiles and maintains animal identification and performance data on Jersey cattle and provides services that support genetic improvement and greater profitability through increasing the value of and demand for Registered Jersey™ cattle and genetics, and Jersey milk and milk products. For more information on USJersey program and services, call 614/863-3636 or visit the web site at www.USJersey.com

Anthony and Debbie Crothers of Pitcher, NY, welcomed their fourth child (and fourth girl!) into the world on New Year’s Eve! Macy Julia Crothers joins sisters Kennedy, Blake and Cameron at their central New York farm. Congratulations!

Holstein breeders and friends around the country will be happy to hear that Heath Penick, the Indiana dairyman injured this fall, is walking again! See the update below!
“A quick update on Heath… he just got released to start walking!!!!! He is waiting to find out if he is accepted to go to another facility for his brain injuries…still doing amazing work!!! Keep the Penicks in your prayers as Terry hit a patch of ice today and broke his collarbone… did a number to his truck too… please keep praying!”

Thanks to Sara Long for keeping us updated with the news!