The market for organic milk in California and the United States has seen better days; but over the past year, increased input costs are compounding the challenges for organic dairies in the state. Watch this brief interview with Melissa Lema from Western United Dairies as she explains, and read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Clean Energy for their industry support.
Enjoy this great throwback video with Ed DePeters from the Animal Science Department at UC Davis as he shares the significance of colostrum for the first few months of life of a dairy calf and successfully managing that for a healthy future. Read more about keeping calves healthy in California Dairy Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Clean Energy for their industry support.
While dehorning dairy cattle is performed for their own health and safety, it can be a painful and cumbersome process for both the animal and the dairy producer. This practice could be a thing of the past though as researchers have been able to successful isolate and modify this gene to breed hornless cattle. Watch this brief interview with Alison Van Eenennaam from the UC Cooperative Extension as she explains and read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Clean Energy for their industry support.
As drought conditions persist in California, dairy feed growers are taking more interest in replacing some of their corn fields with more drought-tolerant sorghum forages — however, sorghum has its own ideal growing condition growers should understand. Watch this interview with Jeff Dahlberg, former Director of the Kearney Agricultural Research & Extension Center, as he explains. Read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Clean Energy for their industry support.
The ongoing drought is putting more than enough pressure on our dairy feed producers as it is in California; however, alfalfa weevil also continues to wage war over the state’s alfalfa crop as insecticide resistance for this pest continues to build. Watch this brief interview with Ian Grettenberger from the UC Cooperative Extension as he explains the situation. Read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Clean Energy for their industry support.
California dairy producers want top quality hay for their cows, but they also want to maximize yields in their alfalfa fields. Watch this interview with Dan Putnam from the UC Cooperative Extension as he shares that the key to finding a happy balance between quality and quantity is in determining the best cutting schedule. Read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Clean Energy for their industry support.
66 students from eight Western U.S. universities and one Canadian college traveled to Modesto, California, for the 15th annual Western Dairy Challenge on February 20 – 22, 2020. The contest was hosted by Modesto Junior College.
The Western Regional Dairy Challenge is a three-day educational competition designed to prepare students for dairy careers. Working in mixed-university teams of four or five students, participants assessed all aspects of a working dairy farm, including facilities, nutrition, financials, reproduction and animal health. Students collaborated on a 20-minute team presentation that detailed their observations and suggestions to a panel of judges. Teams were ranked based on how well their evaluations matched the judges’ evaluations of the dairy operation.
On Thursday students learned about the structure of function of Hilmar Cheese at the Hilmar Cheese Visitor Center. Next, students participated in a team building event, where they met their teammates from other universities and competed in these teams to make cheese. As part of the team building exercise, they competed to determine which team had the highest yielding cheese production. They also kicked off the competition portion of the and spent the evening diving into the host dairy’s records to assess the strengths and weaknesses that show up in the numbers.
On Friday morning, the teams headed out to the local host dairy that graciously opened their doors to the students. They spent 3 1/2 hours walking the facility, observing the cows and the management aspects of the operation. Following the on-farm assessment, the students participated in a question and answer session with the owner of the dairy. Sponsors and volunteers attending the event networked with and mentored the students throughout the weekend.
On Saturday morning, students presented their findings to a panel of judges made up of a nutritionist, a veterinarian, a financial analyst and a dairy producer who ranked them on their presentation and conclusions. Students also had the opportunity to hear the judging panel’s full critique of the dairy’s opportunities to round out this learning experience.
Team 6 – Strawberry
Rebecca Hedges (University of Alberta), Lars Schilderink (Cal Poly State University – SLO), Katelin Baker (Washington State University), Anthony Buzzetti (University of Idaho), Madison Zamaroni (University of California, Davis
Team 7 – Olive
Alex Kelly (University of Idaho), Logan Real (California State University – Fresno), Kristofer Yelderman (Utah State University), Kolin Stock (Cal Poly State University – SLO), Karen Visscher (University of Alberta)
Team 8 – Orange
Summer Call (Cal Poly State University – SLO), Mariah Richards (Utah State University), Shai Searcy (Texas A&M University), Nathan Tollenaar (Cal Poly State University – SLO), Magnus Yoshimura (Washington State University)
Team 2 – Almond
Michael Campbell (Utah State University), Gerrit de Jong (Cal Poly State University), Courtnee Hainstock (University of Alberta), Regan Highsmith (Washington State University, Calissa Lubben (South Dakota State University), Mykaela Owens (University of Idaho)
Team 4 – Carrot
Jordan Bairos (California State University – Fresno), Kailey Foster (Utah State University), Trevor Maciel (Cal Poly State University – SLO), Logan Papinchak (Texas A&M University), Joseph Terry (University of California, Davis)
Team 12 – Lemon
Natalie Koke (Texas A&M University), Kylee Elmore (University of Idaho), Nicolaus Machado (California State University – Fresno), Danica Valencia (Cal Poly State University – SLO), Jenna Van Wyk (South Dakota State University)
A committee of dairy industry representatives organized the Dairy Challenge, led by local host volunteers. In addition, a long list of volunteers was important to the competition’s success, as is the case for every Dairy Challenge event. To volunteer or become a sponsor for the 2021 contest, contact Molly Kelley at mollyk@dairychallenge.org or go to dairychallenge.org for more information. All contributions are tax deductible and contributing sponsor listings are available on the website.
The Western Regional Dairy Challenge is under the guidance and support of the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC), which was established in April 2002 as a collegiate management contest to incorporate evaluation of all aspects of a specific dairy business. For more information, visit www.dairychallenge.org.
It is with great disappointment that we also share that North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge slated for March 26th to 28, 2020, in Green Bay, WI, has been cancelled. The safety of the students and volunteers planning to participate is of utmost importance to our organization, and this difficult decision was made in recognition of the declared global pandemic surrounding the COVID-19 viral disease and out of respect for the advisory surrounding large group gatherings by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. We want to thank the Green Bay dairy community for their hard work to prepare for this event and we hope to return in the future. During this difficult time, we appreciate the support of the sponsors, coaches, volunteers and friends of Dairy Challenge. Further updates on sponsorship, entry fees and other details will be provided on our website as they become available.
Clover Sonoma, a third-generation family-owned and operated dairy, today announced its B Corporation recertification and the first fully renewable plant-based milk carton in the United States as part of its continued focus on sustainability. As a result of better employee and community engagement, environmental standards, and corporate governance, the company received an improved score of 100.5 during its B Corporation recertification. Clover Sonoma attained a 96.9 score during its original certification in 2016. During its three-year certification term, Clover Sonoma’s commitment to curating its relationships with farmers, employees, community, suppliers, and consumers across California has improved its social and environmental impact, and influence as a mission-driven business.
“Owning more than fifty percent of the branded dairy market in Northern California means we have a responsibility to do what’s best for consumers,” said Clover Sonoma CEO Marcus Benedetti. “We’ve baked sustainability into our DNA and continue to look for ways to foster growth within our organization, and aim to set the bar high for our community and other brands across our industry. Packaging is a big part of our focus as we try to find innovative ways to decrease the use of fossil fuels, utilize less plastic, and encourage recycling. Our new fully renewable milk carton is a first for the U.S., and we hope to transition the carton across our fluid milk line within the next few years.”
Environmental pollution cannot be ignored; and plastic waste and fossil fuel-based packaging are main contributors to that pollution. In the past, Clover Sonoma made the conscious decision to reduce plastic waste by saying “no” to plastic caps on paper cartons. In doing so, the company prevented more than 227,000 pounds of plastic from entering landfills in 2019 alone. With its new Organic DHA Omega-3 + Choline Milk line, the company took its commitment a step further by partnering with 1% for the Planet to donate a portion of proceeds of the sale of the product to non-profit Plastic Pollution Coalition.
Now, Clover Sonoma is the first dairy in the U.S. to switch to a fully renewable plant-based milk carton. The company will be converting more than 10 million cartons this year and additional milk cartons until the entire line of milk cartons is fully renewable. There are two main components to a milk carton — the paperboard and the lining. The paperboard for our new carton will be Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) certified, which means that consumers who purchase the renewable milk carton are supporting responsible forest management and helping to protect forests for future generations. FSC certification helps ensure that the soils, water quality, wildlife, threatened and endangered species, special areas, social rights, and biodiversity are all protected.
The lining inside and outside of the carton will be made of fossil fuel free green plastic made from Non-GMO sugar cane. Bio-ethanol made from sugar cane is used for a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) coating inside and outside of the carton. The carbon footprint of Clover Sonoma’s renewable plant-based milk carton is less than fifty percent compared to conventional cartons (according to a European study by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research). Both the paper board and liner materials are also traceable to their origins. Renewable resources can be replenished naturally over time; and more importantly, they enable a move away from fossil fuel-based materials, reducing the environmental impact, as well as improving resource efficiency.
Clover Sonoma’s new packaging will be available on shelves this summer in our organic half gallon and quart milk cartons.
There are more than 3,200 Certified B Corporations from more than 150 industries and 71 countries with one unifying goal: to redefine success in business. B Corps are leaders of a global movement of people using business as a force for goodTM. The B Corp assessment process measures a company’s performance in five categories: governance, workers, customers, community, and the environment. Certified B Corporations also amend their governance structure so that, by law, they can make decisions and implement practices that consider not just shareholder value, but the impact on all stakeholders — employees, customers, society, and the environment.
“We are proud to have Clover Sonoma recertify as a member of our B Corp community,” said Manager of Community Engagement at B Lab Rebecca Jewell. “As the B Corp movement grows, we’re appreciative of companies, like Clover Sonoma, who continue to honor their commitment to this community and use business as a force good. Clover Sonoma’s improvement upon their score in the recertification process – no small feat – demonstrates their dedication to strive to do the best for their workers, their community, their customers, and the environment.”
Once certified, companies must document their positive impact to qualify and undergo verification every three years to maintain their certification.
For generations, Clover Sonoma has committed to building relationships within the Northern California community, evidenced by long-standing partnerships with farmers, employees, suppliers, consumers, and charitable organizations. All 30 Clover Sonoma dairy farms are family-owned and American Humane Association Certified. They are required to adhere to the company’s rigorous quality standards, also known as the Clover Promise of Excellence, and are paid a premium to support those standards. Clover Sonoma’s commitment extends to employees as well. All workers are confirmed to be receiving not only the individual living wage for their respective areas, but rather the family living wage which is estimated based on a family of four. In addition, the company supports its employees through generous health and wellness benefits.
As part of Clover Cares community giveback, the company gives at least five percent of profits every year to charitable organizations that fit within its mission of elevating dairy, empowering future generations, and supporting the community. The Clover Cares team selects and reviews each donation to make sure that every dollar is being maximized for the greatest social impact. Some of the programs supported through Clover Cares include a school garden project, a junior cooking challenge, education grants, and agricultural education. The giveback in 2019 alone came to more than $800,000 in cash and product donations.
More than half of Clover Sonoma’s supplier expenditure occurs with independent businesses within 50 miles of the main processing facility, and the majority of its charitable donations are directed to nonprofits in the surrounding communities. As a result, Clover Sonoma helps drive economic activity within a relatively concentrated area, and minimize the need for environmentally harmful transportation over greater distances. Even the majority of the company’s ownership and employees live locally to its operations, further ensuring that future commercial success will benefit Sonoma County.
Clover Sonoma is on the path to tracking and formulating reduction targets for the company’s energy use, water use, GHG emissions, and waste. For most of these areas, the company is tracking the amounts on a yearly basis. With this baseline data in place, Clover Sonoma will set annual reduction targets and formalize programs to achieve these targets, performing internal or external audits to check the efficacy of the programs implemented. To date, the company has already made significant progress in reducing and preventing plastic waste by investing in a plastic baler to recycle more than 80,000 pounds of plastic wrap annually.
B Corporation Certification helps consumers identify companies with a mission, and helps investors select investments that align with their values. Being a conscious company is at the heart of Clover Sonoma’s business, and recertifying as a B Corporation is a testament to the company’s heritage and mission-driven focus to building a sustainable future. As an early adopter of these best practices, Clover Sonoma looks forward to supporting this movement towards using its business as a power for good to benefit its community and industry.
For more information on Clover Sonoma’s B Corporation Certification Score and Impact Reports, please visit:https://cloversonoma.com/clover-cares/b-corp-certified/.
From floods to drought, fire to hurricanes, NRCS provides disaster recovery assistance to farmers, ranchers and landowners through a variety of USDA programs. Watch this brief interview with Brooke Pippi to find out how NRCS can support you.
Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and see them at their booth at Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, February 4-6 (Booth P1842).