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the registration form and send it in if they want.)
New Hampshire Dairy Management Conference March 18
How many times have your cows encountered calving difficulties and you weren’t able to help? You call the veterinarian and he/she was late. After a short consultation, you realize it wouldn’t take too much to help the cow, if you just knew what to do.
The simple steps to help in difficult calving situations will be a topic at the 34th annual New Hampshire Dairy Management Conference, sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension and the NH Dairy Practices Committee.
The conference takes place Thursday, March 18, from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Fireside Inn & Suites, located in West Lebanon. This year’s featured speaker will be Dr. Carlos Risco from the University of Florida.
Dr. Risco graduated from the University of Florida with both his Bachelor of Science degree in dairy science and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He became board-certified in Theriogenology in 1990. From 1980-90, he was a partner in a nine veterinarian private practice in California, where he specialized in dairy practices. In 1990 he joined the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine as an assistant professor in the Rural Animal Medicine Section, Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department.
Currently he is a professor with the Food Animal Reproduction and Medicine Service devoted to the science of food animal health maintenance and improved quality and production of beef and dairy products. Dr. Risco has been actively researching the effect of calving-related disorders on postpartum health. He has also collaborated with Dr. Bill Thatcher on the development and application of timed artificial insemination technologies in heifers and lactating cows.
Dr. Risco will focus on management of calving related problems, first aid calving assistance, and strategies that producers can implement to monitor postpartum health for early diagnosis and treatment of common fresh cow problems.
Registration is $20 in advance or $25 at the door, which includes refreshments and lunch. Student rate is $10. NH FFA students are free. Checks can be made payable to NH Dairy Practices Committee and must be mailed by March 12, to Michal Lunak, 3855 Dartmouth College Highway, Box 5, No. Haverhill, NH 03774.
For more information and a registration form call (603)787-6944 or go to http://extension.unh.edu/Counties/Grafton/Docs/2010DMC.pdf
New Hampshire Dairy Management Conference
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Registration for the conference is $20 in advance or $25 at the door, which includes refreshments and lunch. Student rate is $10 each. NH FFA students are free.
Name _________________________________________ Phone Number __________________
Address _____________________________ City ______________ State________ Zip _______
# Attending __ at $20each # Student(s) __ at $10each # FFA __ TOTAL ENCLOSED = $______
Make checks payable to NH Dairy Practices Committee. To guarantee meals; send your reservation by March 12, 2010 to Michal Lunak, 3855 Dartmouth College Highway, Box 5, No. Haverhill, NH 03774. Make overnight accommodations directly with Fireside Inn & Suites Conference Office (603) 298-5906, Ext. 270. To check conference details or to request accommodations to participate, including dietary, physical access, or other accommodation requests, including the ability to pay, please contact Michal Lunak (603) 787-6944. Ten working days are needed to facilitate specials needs requests.
Dairy Book Donated to New Hampshire Libraries (Dairybook.jpg)
Granite State Dairy Promotion (GSDP) is providing 240 copies of the book The History and Economics of the New Hampshire Dairy Industry to all state libraries. John Porter, UNH Cooperative Extension professor and dairy specialist, emeritus and Amy Hall, GSDP director, signed letters that will accompany the books.
The dairy farmers of New Hampshire are providing a copy of this reference on New Hampshire’s dairy industry to every public library, making this information available to the citizens of the state. The book has already been used as a key resource for state legislators and the congressional delegation in drafting local and national policy regarding dairy farming.
Granite State Dairy Promotion and UNH Cooperative Extension collaborated to produce the book. It contains the collective expertise of 10 contributing authors intimately involved with the state’s dairy industry. Chapters include information on history, modern farming, producers-distributors and commercial processors, milk marketing, ecology, open space, the role of the University of New Hampshire in the industry, economics, and the future of dairy farming.
This project was initiated by the New England Family Dairy Farms Cooperative (NEFDFC), which through its Keep Local Farms initiative (www.keeplocalfarms.org) has the goal of educating citizens about the financial challenges facing farmers, and to ask consumers to pay an increased amount for local milk and dairy products, and thus improve the sustainability of dairy farming. This publication was written as part of that educational effort, documenting the history of the New Hampshire dairy industry and how it contributes beyond the agricultural economy to the state’s quality of life, tourism industry, and the ecological values of the landscape.
All commercial dairy producers in New Hampshire should have received a complimentary copy of the dairy book. If you haven't received yours, contact Amy Hall at 271-3696. To purchase a copy on line, go to: extension.unh.edu and click on publications, or mail a check for $24 ($19.95 plus shipping and handling) payable to UNH Cooperative Extension and mail to UNH Publications Center, Nesmith Hall, 131 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824 or call 603-862-1564.
NH Dairy Farm of the Year for 2009 Recognized (Photo – Dairyofyear.jpg)
Ath-Mor Farm of Lee, was recognized as the NH Dairy Farm of the Year for 2009 at the New England Green Pastures banquet. The farm was chosen by a group of former New Hampshire winners based on their production practices, management, community involvement and environmental stewardship.
The farm is operated by Russ Atherton and Tom Morrell. They presented the story of their farm, along with the other five New England winners, to a group of over 100 people representing farmers and the agricultural industry from throughout the region. Ath-Mor Holsteins are known for quality cattle and high milk production. Their herd average is 29,830 pounds of milk, 1056 pounds of butterfat and 912 pounds of protein. Recent improvements at the farm include an addition of side-wall curtains, high velocity fans, cow kennels for dry cows and new trusses and roof over part of the free stall.
At the annual industry awards ceremony at the Farm and Forest Exposition in Manchester, Ath-Mor Farm received recognition and a farm sign provided by Granite State Dairy Promotion. They will also be honored one more time in West Lebanon at the NH Dairy Conference on March 18.
Shown in the photo are Jordan and Cole Atherton holding the sign in front of their parents, Kristie and Russ Atherton; Carol and Tom Morrell; and Gail McWilliam-Jellie, from the NH Dept. of Agriculture, Markets and Food, presenting the Green Pastures silver pitcher.
Federal Inspection of Dairy Farms
By Leah Keller, NH Dept. of Health and Human Services, Dairy Sanitation Program
Milk, as any dairy farmer will tell you, is one of the most highly regulated food commodities in this country. Each tanker load of raw milk is tested for antibiotics, and often bacteria and added water, before it is unloaded at a milk plant. Each farm is inspected by the NH Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS) at least once every six months, milk plants are inspected and pasteurizers tested quarterly, milk and milk products are tested for quality, water supplies are tested, bulk milk truck drivers are evaluated and tankers are inspected.
In addition, federal ratings are conducted on each farm group and Grade “A” milk plant by certified state personnel every two years. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) personnel conduct federal check ratings on farms and plants every four years and a full evaluation of the DHHS dairy program every three years.
All these activities are used to make sure milk produced and processed in New Hampshire meets the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) requirements. This benefits the public by ensuring milk products they consume meet all standards for quality and safety. This also benefits the dairy industry by allowing milk and milk products to be shipped freely in interstate commerce.
Each rating is divided into two parts, sanitation and enforcement. Both must score 90 or higher so the milk or milk products can be shipped across state lines. To the dairy farmer or milk plant operator, the sanitation rating is the most visible part. This is an inspection of their farm or processing facility. The enforcement rating is an in-depth review of the DHHS dairy program to make sure all state requirements in the PMO also are met. This, in part, explains why inspectors sometime seem to focus on non-critical items such as floors, walls and ceilings instead of product quality. DHHS doesn’t want FDA to take adverse action against New Hampshire farms or milk plants because the department failed in its responsibilities.
Enforcement debits are taken against the state for a number of reasons. Required frequencies must be met for inspections, milk or water samples, and pasteurizer tests. Inspectors must interpret inspection items correctly. There must be appropriate follow-up on failed inspections and samples. Ledgers of inspections, pasteurizer tests and sampling results must be kept complete and accurate.
Bulk milk haulers must be evaluated as required and must be doing their jobs properly. Appropriate action must be taken and documented when there is a violation of the PMO. Files must be maintained and all other PMO requirements of the regulatory agency must be met.
Correct interpretation of inspection items is why the inspector marks non-critical items, like that crack in the floor. The enforcement can be debited if the inspector didn’t mark a non-critical item on the previous inspection but the rating officer does. But if the same non-critical item has been marked on consecutive inspections and the state didn’t take any action to make sure the item got fixed, that is also a debit. DHHS generally loses points for this because regulatory action isn’t taken if the non-critical items aren’t corrected.
Undoubtedly, at times DHHS comes across as too strictly regulatory and not supportive of the dairy industry. But DHHS is also held accountable by FDA and the public. Good sanitation and enforcement scores really do benefit everyone. Not only do milk and milk products from New Hampshire continue to cross state lines, but the public can be assured of a safe, wholesome product.
Keep Local Farms
Amy Hall, Director, Granite State Dairy Promotion
Hannaford is the first major supermarket chain to embrace the Keep Local Farms (KLF) program. The initiative will help raise funds for New England dairy farmers, ensure a local, fresh supply of milk, and provide consumers and shoppers a way to support their local dairy farmers. All of Hannaford’s 171 New England and New York grocery stores are participating.
KLF goals are twofold: educating the public and consumers on the current plight of New England dairy farmers. “People who work in the dairy industry are acutely aware of hardships facing dairy farmers. A large number of consumers and shoppers know of the struggles and want to help. Keep Local Farms is not an instant fix, but it’s certainly a start,” said Amy Hall, director of Granite State Dairy Promotion.
The second goal is the return of much-needed funding to New England’s dairy producers. Beginning in February, Hannaford customers can donate $2 or $5 at checkout to benefit Keep Local Farms. The New England Family Dairy Farm Cooperative will collect donations and distribute them to members at least twice a year.
Colleges and universities have also stepped up to boost New England’s dairy industry. The University of Vermont and Harvard are participating with 10 cents of all single serve milk going to the Keep Local Farms program. The University of New Hampshire has been promoting KLF in its cafeteria and other food kiosks on campus. UNH has also hosted campus events educating the public and students about KLF.
Granite State Dairy Promotion Director Amy Hall, NH Agriculture Development Director Gail McWilliam-Jellie and Commissioner of NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, Lorraine Merrill sit on the Keep Local Farms advisory board.
Assumptions Can Prove Fatal to Your Business
By Michal Lunak, Extension Assistant Professor/Specialist, Dairy
Developing a new business or an added value business requires setting assumptions about how the business will operate. These assumptions might include how many customers you reach, your product price and how many people you need to hire. However, even a careful business plan will be full of presumptions you make about things you don’t know.
Here are some assumptions that can become fatal to your business if they aren't carefully researched:
· Know your competitors – thinking there is no competitor for your product is evidence you haven’t done your homework. Every business or product has competition. Define your product market, identify your competitors (both what they offer and how they offer it), and think how you are going to respond.
· Our product will sell itself – this approach isn’t sufficient. You don’t want to just exist, you want to be visible, the best, and you have to tell this to your customers. It is necessary to remind your customer you have an excellent product again and again.
· We can easily make profit with our sales – don’t assume every single customer will buy your product. Do your market research.
· My financial plan is realistic – support your project with sources, procedures, assumptions. Your creditors will want to know if and when you start to make money. Have ready the three basic financial statements: cash flow statement, income statement, and balance sheet.
· The income statement showed profit at the end of the year, so we are in a good shape – remember, profit and cash flow aren’t the same. An income statement will indicate the difference between your revenues and expenses (profit), but cash flow tells you when you have and when you need cash. The timing of needed cash is the strength of the cash flow statement.
I can manage everything myself – well, most likely not. You need a team that will get you further, with fewer mistakes, than you could alone. Look for a diverse team, with different skills and resources, but maintain the final say.