California Ag Network

Category: Dairy Industry

  • Another Clean Sweep for California’s Vierra Dairy Farms in International Jersey Show

    Vierra Dairy Farms of Hilmar, California had a historic day at the International Jersey Show, exhibiting the Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, and Honorable Mention Grand Champion. This is the third consecutive year Vierra Dairy Farms has won Grand Champion Female and Reserve Grand Champion Female at World Dairy Expo.

    The winning Junior Three-Year-Old Cow and Intermediate Champion Female, Rivendale VIP Eloise, finished on top as the Grand Champion Female and earned the $1,000 Udder Comfort Grand Champion Cash Award and the Allen Hetts Grand Champion Trophy. Stoney Point Impression Blenda, the first-place Lifetime Cheese Production Cow, followed Eloise as Reserve Grand Champion Female and was Senior Champion Female. To round out the Triple-Crown win for Vierra Dairy Farms, River Valley Colton Juliette-ET topped the Five-Year-Old Cow Class and went on the be named Honorable Mention Grand Champion Female and Reserve Senior Champion Female.

    Carly & Rebecca Shaw and Kash-In Jerseys of Tulare, California, found success in the International Jersey Show as they exhibited Budjon-Vail Jordan C Shaneese-ET. Shaneese was named the Reserve Intermediate Champion Female and won the Senior Three-Year-Old Cow Class.

    The first and second place Fall Heifer Calf pair found success in the Junior Champion drive. Junior Champion Female honors went to Rivendale Venue Colby Jack-ET, shown by Trace Johnson and Sarah Fitzgerald of Poplar Grove, Illinois. Stookeyholm Gentry Treasurer, who stood behind Colby Jack as the second place Fall Heifer Calf, was named Reserve Junior Champion Female, exhibited by Mallarie Stookey of Milford, Indiana.

    Pacific Edge of Tillamook, Oregon, was named Premier Breeder, while Premier Exhibitor honors went to Vierra Dairy Farms of Hilmar, California. Premier Sire of the International Jersey Show was Chilli Action Colton. In the heifer show, Premier Breeder honors went to Vierra Dairy Farms, Hilmar, California while Glamourview – Iager & Walton of Walkersville, Maryland was named Premier Exhibitor. Rapid Bay Indiana Gentry-ET was the Premier Sire of the Heifer Show.

    Placing a total of 439 animals in the International Jersey Show were official judge Keith Topp of Botkins, Ohio and associate judge Ryan Krohlow of Poynette, Wisconsin.

    Complete class results can be found at worlddairyexpo.com.

    Intermediate Champion of the International Jersey Show, Rivendale VIP Eloise, Vierra Dairy Farms, Hilmar, California; Reserve Intermediate Champion of the International Jersey Show, Budjon-Vail Jordan C Shaneese-ET, Carly & Rebecca Shaw and Kash-In Jerseys, Tulare, California

  • California Dairy Leaders Program Helps Build Industry Leaders of Tomorrow

    Like most farmers and ranchers, dairy farmers know a lot about farming but often need to learn more about the ways government actions and farmer checkoffs affect their businesses.

    That’s where the California Dairy Leaders Program comes in. After a COVID-related hiatus, the program – sponsored by Western United Dairies (WUD) – has selected its 16th class of dairy professionals who will spend the next several months learning about the state and federal legislative and regulatory process, how milk products are marketed and ways they can communicate effective messages about the dairy industry.

    Participants in the 2022/2023 California Dairy Leaders Program are:

    • Anthony Agueda, dairy farmer, Alberto Dairy, Stanislaus County
    • Eric Fast, Maas Energy Works, Redding
    • Tyler Ribeiro, dairy farmer, Rib-Arrow Dairy, Tulare County
    • Linda Sousa, Farm Credit West, Tulare County
    • Allison Tristao, Tristar Dairy, Tulare County

    Darby Pedrozo, until recently WUD’s Technical Field Services Representative, said the program is a great learning experience – and she knows that first-hand, having participated in the 2019-20 sessions.

    “I had just started at WUD, and it was great to meet other people in the industry. I made connections and friendships I’ll have for the rest of my life,” she said. “It was a big learning experience and I’m extremely thankful I was able to participate.”

    Art Moessner, Vice President, Agribusiness Dairy Team Lead, with American AgCredit, said Farm Credit sponsors the program to help train future industry leaders by giving them a broader perspective.

    “This program has done a great job over the years in giving dairy producers a better understanding of the forces that shape their industry beyond what they do on the farm,” Moessner said. “Every organization needs a steady stream of new leaders, and Farm Credit is proud to help build the future leadership of WUD.”

    American AgCredit, CoBank, Farm Credit West and Yosemite Farm Credit provide funding for the program. The organizations are part of the nationwide Farm Credit System – the largest provider of credit to U.S. agriculture.

    The program begins with communications and leadership training, environmental and regulatory law that govern the California dairy industry, followed by a trip to Sacramento to learn about the state legislative process and how WUD advocates for key issues affecting the dairy industry. Participants also learn about the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) and dairy market risk management strategies. Dairy’s unique pricing system and subsequent supply side economics are capped off for Dairy Leaders with a trip to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange to get a national perspective on dairy promotion.

    After that comes a trip to the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., to meet with federal agencies and other ag-related trade associations, as well as learning how the federal legislative process works.

    In all, participants are away from their businesses for about 14 days over the course of a year.

    “It’s important for our dairy families to understand all facets of the industry, especially where their milk check deducts are going,” Pedrozo said. “This program gives them an insight into the work Western is doing to represent them, along with groups like the Dairy Export Council and the DMI (Dairy Management, Inc.) and the state checkoff California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB).”

    Mark Littlefield, President and CEO of Farm Credit West, noted that the dairy industry is being particularly affected by state and federal efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, and said it was important for dairy producers to understand the major steps the industry has already taken to reduce emissions and share these successes within the industry and with government leaders.

    “Many larger producers are participating in new systems to capture methane, pipe the emissions to digesters that upgrade the gas and use it to produce renewable electricity, renewable natural gas or hydrogen fuel,” Littlefield said, adding that smaller dairies are also reducing methane through less-costly means.

    “California has set an ambitious goal of reducing dairy methane emissions by 40%, and our state’s producers are on track to meet that goal,” he said.

    Pedrozo said producers are also concerned about the drought and the reduced amount of water available to grow feed and to water their cows. But on a brighter note, she said while fluid milk consumption continues to decline nationally, the industry is still holding its own due to the growth in other areas, such as cheese, butter, and ice cream.

    And she should know. Besides working for WUD, Pedrozo has two aunts who married dairymen and in June she married a dairy farmer in Visalia. The couple now own and operate the farm together.

    More information about the program is available here.

    About Farm Credit:
    American AgCredit, CoBank, Farm Credit West and Yosemite Farm Credit are cooperatively owned lending institutions providing agriculture and rural communities with a dependable source of credit. For more than 100 years, the Farm Credit System has specialized in financing farmers, ranchers, farmer-owned cooperatives, rural utilities and agribusinesses. Farm Credit offers a broad range of loan products and financial services, including long-term real estate loans, operating lines of credit, equipment and facility loans, cash management and appraisal and leasing services…everything a “growing” business needs. For more information, visit www.farmcreditalliance.com

    About Western United Dairies:

    Western United Dairies (WUD) is a voluntary trade association representing more than 75% of the milk produced in California. In appreciation of the tremendous dedication of capital, labor and caring concern that our dairy farming members have invested in their dairies, the staff and Board of Directors at WUD will earnestly and conscientiously work to promote sound legislative and administrative policies and programs for the success of the industry, welfare of the animals and the prosperity of our consumers. WUD is striving to advance strategies for the general welfare and longevity of dairy families, while maintaining the strong and positive public image of the entire dairy industry.

  • California Dairy Farmer Named NMPF “Communicator of the Year”

    Laton, California dairy farmer Melvin Medeiros, a family farm-owner of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), was named the National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) Farmer Communicator of the Year at the organization’s annual gathering of dairy-cooperative communicators. Tillamook earned top overall communications honors among NMPF member co-ops.

    Medeiros, who milks around 1,600 cows roughly 30 miles northwest of Visalia, is a member of NMPF’s executive committee. Melvin serves as chair of the Agricultural Council of California’s Dairy Committee, sits on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the California Cares and Environmental Justice Fund Committee. He is also chairman of DFA’s Western Area Council and a member of DFA’s Executive Committee.

    He’s also a member of NMPF’s Dairy Voice Network of farmer spokespeople and was profiled in a recent NMPF Farmer Focus. He is the second straight DFA farmer to earn Farmer Communicator of the Year, following last year’s awardee, Charles Krause of Buffalo, MN.

    “Melvin is a consistent advocate for dairy,” DFA wrote in its nominating letter. “This year specifically, Melvin testified in front of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture. It’s imperative that dairy farmers tell their story in front of the committees that work on relevant and pertinent farm policy, and we’re proud Melvin was collectively representing dairy farmers alike in front of this committee.

    “Producers like Melvin, who tell their story to the congressmen and women alike who are further away from dairy, create a trusted source and sounding board for policy decisions that directly affect dairy farmers.”

    Tillamook was recognized for its numerous first-place awards in NMPF’s annual communications contest, highlighted by its “Best in Show” recognition for its 2021 Annual Report, led by Tillamook’s Corporate Communications team.

    “Great balance of content across having the required business stats, mixed with content on leadership, cows, dairy products and most importantly the people who make it all happen,” read the judge’s comments in response to one of Tillamook’s prize-winning entries. “Loved the beautiful graphics, product highlights. Unique size/binding of the piece was a nice touch. Well done!”

    Medeiros and Tillamook were also recognized at NMPF’s annual meeting in Denver. A full list of the winners of the NMPF communications contest, which received entries from 13 member cooperatives, can be found here.

    The National Milk Producers Federation, based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more, visit www.nmpf.org.

  • Competition Spotlights Globally Inspired Dishes Featuring Real California Cheese

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced the inaugural Global Flavors Culinary Competition, a foodservice event that celebrates the broad application of Real California cheese and dairy products in global cuisines. This year’s competition will provide “A Taste of Italy,” with a focus on developing classic and innovative recipes highlighting Italian-style cheese and dairy products from California.

    Six professional chefs will compete for $27,000 in cash prizes and recognition as a global culinary leader in a cook-off event at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia in Napa, Calif. November 9, 2022.

    “The diversity of California cheese and dairy items lend themselves well to global flavors and regional cuisines from around the world. California’s leadership in Mozzarella and Italian-style cheese production makes Italian cuisine an important area of focus for CMAB,” said Mike Gallagher, Business and Market Development Consultant for the CMAB.  “We appreciate the innovation and passion of our chef community and are excited to see how these acclaimed chefs use California cheeses to bring their recipes to life.”

    The chefs for this year’s inaugural competition are:

    • Jay Adams, Local Kitchen, San Francisco, Calif.
    • Jose Gutierrez, Herbs & Rye; Cleaver, Las Vegas, Nev.
    • Giuseppe Musso, Michael’s Downtown Italian Kitchen & Café, Long Beach, Calif.
    • Freedom Rains, a Mano, San Francisco, Calif.
    • Gustavo Rios, Solage Calistoga, Sonoma, Calif.
    • Ismaele Romano, Via Focaccia, Las Vegas, Nev.

    Each chef will compete in two categories: Il Classico and Il Fresco. The Il Classico category will require chefs to develop an original entrée inspired by classic Italian cuisine commonly found on restaurant menus nationwide. The Il Fresco category will ask chefs to provide a fresh, new take on Italian cuisine, crafting an original appetizer or dessert that demonstrates creativity and innovation.

    The six chefs will use Real California cheese and dairy products as central ingredients in their two recipes and present their dishes side-by-side to an esteemed panel of professional judges for evaluation, including:

    • Nick Barrington, Executive Chef, East Lake Golf Club, and President of the American Culinary Federation, Atlanta Chefs Association
    • Neil Doherty, Corporate Executive Chef – Sr. Director of Culinary Development, Sysco
    • David Kamen, Former Executive Chef, and Director – Client Engagement, Culinary Institute of America (CIA)

    The judges will score each recipe and name a winner and runner-up in each category based on established criteria which includes:

    • Emphasis on Real California Cheese and Dairy
    • Commercial viability of the dish
    • Recipe innovation and creativity
    • Overall flavor profile and texture
    • Presentation

    Each category winner will receive a trophy and $5,000 prize. Category runners-up will receive $2,500, and each remaining finalist will earn $1,500, per category. CMAB will feature chefs and recipe content in ongoing promotion of California cheese and dairy at foodservice.

    Details and updates about the chefs, competition, categories, and winning recipes are available at: https://caglobalcompetition.realcaliforniamilk.com.

    California is a reliable, consistent source of sustainable dairy products used by chefs throughout the world. As the nation’s largest dairy state, California boasts an impressive lineup of award-winning cheesemakers and dairy processors who are helping to drive dining innovation. California is the leading producer of fluid milk, butter, and ice cream as well as Mozzarella, the premier Italian-style cheese for foodservice. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made exclusively with milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    About Real California Milk/the California Milk Advisory Board
    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs.

    The Foodservice Division of the CMAB supports foodservice operators and distributors that use Real California dairy products. The CMAB offers marketing and promotional support for foodservice operators that purchase dairy products with the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with 100 percent milk from California’s more than 1,100 family dairy farms, using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the nation.

    For more information on sourcing cheese from California, contact the foodservice team at 209.883.6455 (MILK),businessdevelopment@cmab.net or RealCaliforniaMilk.com/Foodservice, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

  • Benefits of Biosolids Spread Across Decades of Research for Plant Nutrient Uptake

    For more than four decades, biosolids have been applied to land and studied by researchers for many useful purposes. Biosolids are a product of the wastewater treatment process. Yes, that means sewage. However, the sewage is treated carefully to ensure it has beneficial properties and is not harmful.

    Biosolids are produced by separating liquids from the solids in wastewater. The solids are then treated to produce a semisolid that is nutrient rich. Jim Ippolito, a professor at Colorado State University, is an expert on the years of work on biosolids and its benefits. He and a colleague, Ken Barbarick, recently reviewed 45 years of biosolids land application research.

    “All of this research occurred in Colorado, which in and of itself is amazing. Most other states don’t have the same level or depth of research history,” Ippolito says. “Regardless, we highlight early work where scientists were using basic soil science knowledge to tackle the use of this product. We also discuss current discoveries where biosolids improve soil health in various ecosystems.”

    The research was published in the Journal of Environmental Quality, a publication of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.

    Jim Ippolito (right) and Steve Blecker (left) perform soil sampling in wheat-fallow rotation plots. The plots have received agronomic biosolids applications since 1999. Ippolito’s research highlights the benefits of biosolids land application to raise plants to feed animals, to raise crops to feed people, and to do these things safely. Credit: Jim Ippolito

    When and why did the use of biosolids begin? It can be traced back to the United States Clean Water Act of 1972. The act gave the Environmental Protection Agency a mission to govern potential water pollution. Part of this was setting standards for municipalities to meet when cleaning their wastewater prior to discharge. Cleaning wastewater generates biosolids, which also have federal regulations.

    “As far as I know, there are no other biosolids review articles that span the timeframe between the creation of the Clean Water Act to present,” he says. “This overarching review article is a one-stop shop for anyone interested in the beneficial reuse of biosolids. Our research highlights the benefits of biosolids land application to raise plants to feed animals, to raise crops to feed people, and to do these things safely.”

    Biosolids are visible on top of the soil in this wheat field during hot, dry, and windy conditions. The biosolids were applied about 10 months prior to the photo taken. Applying biosolids has been found to improve the health of the soil in semi-arid grazed rangeland settings to allow plant growth as a source of food for animals like cattle. Credit: Jim Ippolito

    Over the years, scientists have found many benefits of biosolids. One is that biosolids can be applied to semi-arid agricultural areas and supply crops, such as wheat and corn, with more of the mineral, zinc. This means that humans and animals can benefit from zinc consumption by eating these crops. This is particularly useful while billions of people across the world do not get enough zinc in their diet.

    “Micronutrients, like copper and zinc, found in biosolids actually come from the entire municipal infrastructure, such as copper piping and zinc solder,” Ippolito explains. “They are likely also present because they are necessary nutrients for plants, animals, and humans. Furthermore, we shed these and other elements when we go to the bathroom. They concentrate in biosolids along with copper and zinc from the municipal infrastructure.”

    Many cities have their own biosolids recycling systems.

    Biosolids have been found to improve the health of the soil in semi-arid grazed rangeland settings to allow plant growth as a source of food for cattle. In the face of a rapidly changing climate, it can make the landscape more resilient. Ippolito says that findings like these are highly valuable because one third of all land in the United States is rangeland or pastureland.

    Additionally, biosolids have been tested and found to be useful in other applications, such as when a landscape is recovering from a forest fire or when land has been mined. They provide energy for soil microorganisms which, in turn, improve nutrient cycling that helps plants thrive across landscapes.

    “We’ve done a lot of good for the state of Colorado and other similar states in terms of beneficially reusing this product that would otherwise be landfilled,” Ippolito says. “Why throw away something that is beneficial? I’ve essentially modeled my career around ways to use biosolids and other products to improve environmental quality in a sound manner.”

    Jim Ippolito gives special thanks to Dr. Ken Barbarick for creating a legacy in Colorado biosolids land application research.

    The yellow and green vehicle is a new piece of equipment used to spread biosolids at the Meadow Springs Ranch in Colorado. Biosolids are a product of the wastewater treatment process that are treated to enhance beneficial properties. Credit: Jennifer Ward

  • 2022 California Leopold Conservation Award Finalists Selected

    Two finalists have been selected for the 2022 California Leopold Conservation Award®. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the prestigious award recognizes those who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife resources in their care.

    In California, Sand County Foundation presents the award with American Farmland Trust, and state partners: Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm Bureau Federation.

    The finalists are:

    • Beretta Family Dairy of Sonoma County. Since the 1960s the Berettas have implemented conservation practices that focus on improving soil health, water quality, reducing groundwater usage, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting the federally recognized endangered species in the Laguna de Santa Rosa Watershed. They recycle their dairy’s wastewater, and have used the City of Santa Rosa’s reclaimed wastewater for irrigation since 1981. Pastures are managed with grazing practices that reduce fire fuels and provide bird and wildlife habitat.
    • Sardella Ranch of Standard in Tuolumne County. Sardella Ranch was Tuolumne County’s first property to be placed in a conservation easement. For decades, Mike and Julie Sardella have rotationally and seasonally grazed beef cattle to prevent erosion and sustain natural regrowth of their grasslands. Wildlife habitat and water quality have benefitted from the Sardella’s efforts to enhance the riparian habitat along a tributary of the Tuolumne River that runs through the ranch. Now retired from cattle ranching, Mike serves on the county’s Resource Conservation District Board.
      Sardella Ranch of Standard in Tuolumne County

      The Leopold Conservation Award will be presented during the California Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in December.The award recipient will receive $10,000 and a crystal award.“When it comes to protecting California’s natural resources, landowners are critical because they can implement on-the-ground environmental solutions,” said Ashley Boren, CEO of Sustainable Conservation, which has co-sponsored the award since its launch in California more than a decade ago. “The Sardellas and the Berettas work steadily and creatively to center their conservation ethos in their farming practices. We’re honored to recognize each family’s dedication to exceptional stewardship, and each are deserving of the award.”

      “On behalf of the California Farm Bureau we congratulate this year’s finalists for the Leopold Conservation Award. They are showcasing on a daily basis good environmental stewardship in managing their farm and ranch operations while producing safe, affordable food for Californians and consumers across the globe,” said Jamie Johansson, California Farm Bureau Federation President.

      “As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust, celebrates the hard work and dedication of the California award finalists,” said John Piotti, American Farmland Trust President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that conservation in agriculture requires a focus on the land, the practices and the people and this award recognizes the integral role of all three.”

      “These award finalists are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today. Their dedication to conservation shows how individuals can improve the health of the land while producing food and fiber,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO.

      Earlier this year, farmers, ranchers and foresters were encouraged to apply (or be nominated) for the award. Applications were reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural, forestry, wildlife, academic, and other conservation leaders.

      The first California Leopold Conservation Award recipient, Lange Twins Wine Estates of Lodi, was selected in 2006. Marie and Glenn Nader’s Witcher Creek Ranch in Modoc County received the award in 2021.

      The Leopold Conservation Award in California is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Sustainable Conservation, California Farm Bureau Federation, Sand County Foundation The Harvey L. & Maud C. Sorensen Foundation, Farm Credit, The Nature Conservancy in California, McDonald’s, and California LCA recipient alumni.

      In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage, which he called “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.”

      Sand County Foundation presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 24 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. For more information, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.

  • Dairy Webinar Features Mastitis Treatment Strategies (in Spanish)

    Join National Mastitis Council (NMC) for its next webinar – presented in Spanish – on Sept. 29, starting at 2 p.m. Central time (U.S./Canada). Alfonso Lago, an NMC board member and director of research and consulting solutions at DairyExperts, Inc., Tulare, Calif., will address “New Concepts and Opportunities in Mastitis Management” (“Nuevos Conceptos y Oportunidades en el Manejo de la Mastitis”). The one-hour webinar is free.

    During this NMC webinar, participants will get a better understanding of how and why clinical mastitis in dairy cattle has significant ramifications. Issues include adverse effects on the health and welfare of cows, financial losses to dairy farmers, and public health concerns due to antibiotic use for treatment. Therefore, there is a need to implement effective management strategies that also allow for judicious use of antibiotics. Not all cases of clinical mastitis benefit from antibiotic therapy. Some cases may benefit from different treatment strategies to optimize cure (e.g., short-term versus long-term), whereas chronic or unresponsive cases may be better managed through other means (e.g., dry-off the quarter, segregate or cull the cow).

    The goal of this webinar is to first provide information on how to develop a clinical mastitis management plan that pursues effective and justified treatment decisions. Second, offer monitors to evaluate the effectiveness of this plan. Third, describe a data management and evaluation system that allows the use of data – both in decision making at the cow level and in modifications of herd protocols. And fourth, point out opportunities for veterinarians/consultants to offer alternative services that increase farm profitability due to a reduction in the economic impact of mastitis.

    To register for this free webinar, go to: https://bit.ly/Sept29Lago and follow the prompts. If you are an NMC member and cannot attend the live program, you may access the webinar after Oct. 17, at: nmconline.org.

    National Mastitis Council is a professional organization devoted to reducing mastitis and enhancing milk quality. NMC promotes research and provides information to the dairy industry on udder health, milking management, milk quality and milk safety. Founded in 1961, NMC has about 1,000 members in more than 40 countries throughout the world. For more information, go to: www.nmconline.org.

  • Celebrating California’s Hispanic-Style Cheese & Dairy Products With Texas Retail Promotion

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) is celebrating the flavors and traditions of Mexico brought to life by California’s Hispanic-style cheeses and dairy products with a consumer retail promotion focused on Hispanic Heritage Month.

    The “Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with California’s Hispanic Dairy” promotion is designed to elevate awareness for Hispanic-style cheeses, cremas, breakfast cream and dips at Texas retailers using integrated digital media and in-store elements . Promotional support includes instant redeemable coupons, Instacart SEO, shopper marketing, Chicory recipe search and banner ads.. An advertising and public relations surround campaign will include digital banners, microinfluencer partnerships and social amplification as well as earned media outreach to spotlight recipe trends.

    The campaign will run from mid-September to mid-October, and includes the following Texas retailers: H-E-B, Central Market, Joe V’s Smart Shop, Kroger, Walmart, and Fiesta stores. A total of 1,103 stores will participate.

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer and makes more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. California is the largest producer of Hispanic-style cheese and dairy products. California products can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made with milk from the state’s dairy farm families using sustainable farming practices.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

  • Western United Dairies’ Melissa Lema Joins CA Milk Advisory Board Marketing Team

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), the marketing order representing California dairy producers, announced the addition of Melissa Lema as Director of Producer Relations.

    Lema joins the CMAB from Western United Dairies where she spent 11 years, most recently as a North Coast Field Representative focusing on all aspects of the relationship between producers and industry professionals, from laws and regulations to animal welfare, as well as overall industry communication.

    She spent much of her childhood on her grandparents’ dairy farm in the Ferndale Valley. She showed dairy cattle through 4-H for ten years, and participated in dairy cattle judging through FFA. Lema later majored in Dairy Science at Cal Poly, SLO, where she graduated in 2009. She has been active in local and statewide dairy and agricultural organizations throughout her career including Farm Bureau, 4-H, the California Cattle Health Advisory Task Force, and the District 1 Dairy Princess Committee.

    “As a farmer-funded organization focused on building demand for products made with milk from California dairy farms, Melissa’s deep relationships and understanding of all facets of the dairy industry is a tremendous asset to our team,” said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB.

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer, and makes more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. California is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made with milk from the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable farming practices.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

  • Sorghum Producers to Lead $65 Million USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Funded Project

    Quantifying the climate impact of incorporating sorghum and other tools into rotations while serving as a trajectory for the sorghum industry’s continuous environmental improvement throughout this decade and the next is the focus of a five-year, up to $65 million project by National Sorghum Producers.

    Funding for the project was provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. USDA announced award recipients Sept. 14 for pilot projects totaling $2.8 billion to create market opportunities for commodities produced using climate-smart practices.

    “This is a watershed day for the sorghum industry,” NSP CEO Tim Lust said. “Sorghum is and always will be The Resource Conserving Crop™. This award affirms that fact in historic fashion, and we appreciate USDA for the opportunity to realize sorghum’s potential as a climate-smart commodity. For the first time, participating farmers will be fully recognized and fully compensated for the good work they do to improve the impact of agriculture on the environment. We couldn’t be more excited to come alongside them in this important effort.”

    Rather than focusing on soil carbon sequestration alone, the NSP project will create a pathway for the impact of all practices to be quantified, tracked and verified with the intent to monetize these practices in ecosystems services markets of all kinds with an initial focus on low carbon fuel markets.

    Payments will be made to producers to introduce sorghum along with a suite of additional practices, and a strong measurement and quantification program will accompany these payments in order to highlight the climate impacts of associated practices.

    The program will center specifically on enabling farmers to take advantage of added value under the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) as this market requires the most rigid quantification, monitoring, reporting and verification systems and already consumes up to one-third of the U.S. sorghum crop annually.

    “The most important aspect of any program to incentivize climate-smart agricultural practices is robust demand from ecosystem services markets,” NSP sustainability strategy consultant John Duff said. “The LCFS is the most reliable and longest-standing such market, and building our program around its rigorous data requirements will enable a five-year beta test of our industry’s readiness for meeting the needs of ecosystem services markets for the coming decades.”

    The target geography of the project includes portions of six states and covers an average of 67 percent of the sorghum industry, or 4.4 million acres annually. The area includes more than 20,000 sorghum farmers and a region vitally important to U.S. agriculture.

    Irrigated agriculture in this area, which is highly threatened, is particularly important. Sorghum has a key role to play in prolonging irrigated agriculture in the region. Furthermore, the U.S. High Plains is the world’s leading region for nitrogen use efficiency and mitigation of nitrate leaching, volatilization and runoff. Sorghum is a primary tool in these mitigation efforts, and incorporating the crop into rotations in this region can improve the carbon footprint of U.S. agriculture overall.

    “NSP’s project is building on significant work to enhance climate-smart agricultural production in sorghum-based crop rotation systems at-scale,” NSP Sustainability Director Adam York said. “The U.S. sorghum industry has piloted numerous initiatives in recent years with key conservation non-governmental organizations, such as Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, to partner with our farmers and identify targeted solutions for working lands conservation. Through NSP’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities project, our efforts will reach new levels of collaboration to deliver on-farm resiliency and profitability throughout this sensitive and important region.”

    Timely consultation and technical delivery to farms is vital to the success of this project. As farmers choose to implement novel approaches to benefit their landscapes, such as improved biodiversity practices, local conservationists and biologists in our partnership network steeped in wildlife habitat conservation will be integral to helping farmers deliver more sorghum products with positive biodiversity impacts.

    “The Habitat Organization is excited and proud to partner in the effort to expand climate-smart sustainability practices while benefiting farm profitability and conservation,” noted Brent Rudolph, Director of Sustainability Partnerships for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “Working side-by-side with sorghum producers is a wonderful fit for this important USDA program.”

    The project will also include a robust diversity and community outreach program that will focus on in-reach and outreach to underserved communities in the project target area with a primary focus of creating opportunities for underserved farmers to participate in climate-smart sorghum production and realize the benefits of ecosystems services markets.

    In addition to National Sorghum Producers, project partners and supporters include Kansas Black Farmers Association, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Sustainable Environmental Consultants, United Sorghum Checkoff Program, Arable, Galvanize Climate Solutions, Kansas State University, Texas Tech University, Conestoga Energy Partners, Kansas Ethanol, Pratt Energy, Western Plains Energy, White Energy, American Coalition for Ethanol, Peoria Tribe Of Indians of Oklahoma, Women Managing the Farm, Kansas Agri-Women, Nu Life Market, Pinion, Kansas Department of Agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, Kansas Water Office, Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Kashi, RIPE, Trust in Food™, Colorado State University, Prairie View A&M University, Texas A&M University, Oklahoma State University, Argonne National Lab, National Cotton Council, Field to Market, Danone, Colorado Sorghum Association, Kansas Grain Sorghum Association, New Mexico Sorghum Association, Oklahoma Sorghum Association, Texas Grain Sorghum Association, Bayer Crop Science, CoBank, High Plains Farm Credit, ServiTech and No Chaff Group.

    The project is subject to completion of a contract with USDA. Learn more at SorghumGrowers.com/climatesmart.