Long Hollow Farm, Chickamauga                                                              Photo Credit: Rachel Millican-Cabe
UGA Mastitis Workshops This Month! Join UGA in Quitman on Feb. 5th!!


The University of Georgia Extension Service will hold 3 mastitis workshops in February in Quitman, Waynesboro, and Madison.  The details are as follows:
 
February 5         Brooks Co. Extension Office, 400 E. Courtland Ave., Quitman, GA
February 27       Burke Co. Extension Office, 715 West 6th St., Waynesboro, GA
February 28       Morgan Co. Extension Office, 440 Hancock St., Madison, GA
 
11:00 am             Introduction
11:15 am             Best Milking Practices and the NMC 10-point Mastitis Plan, Dr. Valerie Ryman, Extension 
                           Dairy  Specialist, ADS-Athens, UGA
12:00 pm             Lunch
12:30 pm             The Right Drugs for the Mastitis Bugs, Dr. Emmanuel Rollin, CVM  - Athens, UGA
1:15 pm               How Diet Affects Milk Components and Quality, Dr. John Bernard, ADS-Tifton,  UGA
2:00 pm               Questions and answers
 
Lunch will be provided.  Please register with the Extension office by noon the day before the meeting (or as listed below) to reserve your meal, the numbers for county offices are:
         
Brooks Co: (229) 263-4103 (Call by noon on January 30th)
Burke Co: (706) 554-2119
Morgan Co: (706) 342-2214
Lewis Harrison Honored at 2019 GA Dairy Conference

Lewis Harrison was recently honored at the Georgia Dairy Conference with the 2019 Friend of the Dairy Industry Award.  Harrison, a farmer and auctioneer, has served on many dairy related boards and committees throughout South Carolina and the U.S.  

Harrison's compassion and leadership has touched the lives of so many Southeastern dairy farm families. Georgia Milk Producers, Inc. appreciates his commitment and service; and proudly recognizes him with this honor.  Thank you Mr. Harrison for your service to Georgia's dairy industry!

The University of Florida is hosting its annual Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium on February 4-6, 2019 at the Best Western Gateway Grand in Gainesville, FL. This year marks the 30th annual year of the symposium. Early registration ends January 18, 2019.their website at http://dairy.ifas.ufl.edu/rns/info.shtml. 
From GA Farm Bureau

The Georgia Cattlemen's Association has announced Dale Sandlin as the association's new executive vice president. Sandlin will join GCA on April 1.

Sandlin currently serves as the managing director for the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council Inc., the Hawaii Beef Industry Council and the Hawaii Rangeland Stewardship Foundation.

"I think his experience and knowledge will be an asset to GCA," said GCA President Kristy Arnold.

Sandlin grew up on a small farm and ranch in Olney, Texas, raising cattle and wheat, which taught him the ethics of hard work and understanding of how every segment of our industry works together. Sandlin has a master's degree in ag communications and journalism from Texas A&M.    Read more  
By Merritt Melancon for CAES News

We are well aware of the concept of supply and demand. We are 
Managing one farm is a big job; managing a network of four teaching and research farms for the University of Georgia takes a different breed of farmer.

Running teaching farms is as much about working with people as it is about working with animals. That's one of the perks of the job, said Rick Utley, senior manager of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences farms in Eatonton and Athens.

"The people who work out there are the best part," Utley said. "The staff are great people and so are the students. They are good kids, and they're good to work with."

Utley took over the post as senior farm manager in late fall 2018 from recently retired manager Mike Mathis. As senior farm manager, Utley oversees the staff at the UGA Teaching Dairy, UGA's Double Bridges Farm, UGA Animal and Dairy Science Eatonton Beef Research Unit, the UGA Swine Research Unit and the UGA Animal and Dairy Science Equine Unit at the Livestock Instructional Arena.

In his new role, Utley supervises more than a dozen staff members and dozens of student workers. While his experience running commercial farms qualified him for the new position, it was his ease with people that got him the job, said Francis Fluharty, head of the CAES Department of Animal and Dairy Science.  Read more   
By Patti Hurtgen, Online Media Manager

We are well aware of the concept of supply and demand. We are all too familiar with milk's response. We produce a lot of milk, creating the supply. But, the demand is not keeping pace.

This week I received two announcements of dairy processors launching new products aimed at value-added milks. With much attention given to New Year's resolutions to exercise more and eat healthy, it makes sense to strike while the iron is hot.

With a growing number of people with food consumption issues (lactose and gluten), dairy processors are aware of those the trends, and have adapted.

Located in Seattle, Wash., the Northwest Dairy Association is the sixth largest dairy cooperative in the United States with 431 producers in the four most Northwestern states. Their dairy products are marketed under the Darigold brand. Their butter, egg nog, sour cream, yogurt, and a variety of white and chocolate milks are found in store dairy cases.

Their newest product is called FIT. This 2 percent fat milk is appealing for several reasons:  Read more 
 
U.S. farmers now have until Feb. 14 to apply for federal aid designed to offset the impact of retaliatory Chinese tariffs on American crops, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Monday, after delays caused by the month-long government shutdown.

The previous deadline for the aid program, officially known as the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), was Jan. 15. But a partial 35-day government shutdown that ended last Friday had delayed the application and payment processes for the aid.

"If you are a farmer or rancher whose commodities have been directly impacted by tariffs, you now have until February 14 to submit your application," USDA said in a tweet.     Read more 
 
A group of bipartisan freshman members of Congress urged the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to take strong action against manufacturers that falsely label non-dairy products as milk.

Reps. Anthony Brindisi (D., N.Y.) and John Joyce (R., Pa.) led a bipartisan letter to FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, along with Reps. Anthony Delgado (D., N.Y.), Daniel Meuser (R., Pa.), Angie Craig (D., Minn.), Dusty Johnson (R., S.D.), Ben Cline (R., Va.,), Jim Hagedorn (R., Minn.), Russ Fulcher (R., Ida.) and Anthony Gonzalez (R., Ohio), in objection to the growing trend of imitation or substitute dairy products labeled with standardized dairy terms, saying it "has undermined consumer confidence -- the very purposes of standards of identity for foods."   Read more
A new piece of legislation called the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2019 (H.R. 832) will allow whole milk to be allowed in school nutrition programs.

The bill was introduced by Reps. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Collin Peterson (D-MN), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. 

"Milk is the No. 1 source of nine essential nutrients in the diets of our students. But if they don't drink it, these health benefits are lost," Rep. Thompson said in a press release on his official website. "Milk consumption has been declining in schools throughout the nation because kids are not consuming the varieties of milk being made available to them. It is my hope that the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act will bring a wider range of milk options to American lunchrooms so students can choose the kind they love best."

Adding whole milk to school menus reflects research showing that such products benefit children and gives school administrators one more tool with which to develop healthy eating habits, according to the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF).   Read more
What's Healthy At The Grocery Store? Shoppers Are Often Confused, Survey Finds

A granola bar enthusiast walks into a grocery store, scouting for a healthy treat. The first shelf is lined with KIND Bars, with wrappers flaunting things like "five super grains" and zero genetically engineered ingredients. Below sit boxes of Quaker Chewy bars, 100-calorie oat snacks spotted with marshmallows and chocolate chips. Finally, there's Annie's Homegrown granola bars, gluten-free and "made with goodness."

So which product should a health-conscious snack fanatic chose? According to  a new survey by the American Heart Association and the International Food Information Council Foundation, they're probably a little stuck.
The report found 95 percent of shoppers at least sometimes seek healthy options when grocery shopping. And yet, only a little over a quarter said they find it easy to determine which products are good for them and which should stay on the shelves.  Read more 
SEEKING SEVERAL DAIRY POSITIONS

Georgia Correctional Industries has a position to fill in the Reidsville Georgia area for a: 
Dairy Manager - Milking
Plant Operator 4- Milk Processing
Plant Operator 3- Milk Processing
Farm and Livestock Specialist 2 -Milking

Applicants should be comfortable with computers and software and have good communication and organizational skills.  Applicants should also have two years experience in dairy processing and excellent knowledge of all Department of Agriculture guidelines pertaining to milk processing.  If interested send a resume to Nicole Gaulthney at:  ngaultney@gci-ga.com    
Dairy: a Proven Protein. It's time to call it out!
New Ensure Max Protein (pictured right) is described as containing 30 grams of high-quality protein to support muscles. The ingredient statement indicates this protein comes from milk protein concentrate and calcium caseinate. Sure wish the front label called out "dairy protein." All of the new products featured in today's blog contain dairy proteins. It's time to call them out!

In Chicago-which I proudly call home-and throughout most of the Midwest, Monday was a stock-up-with-essentials day in preparation for the polar vortex. It's true! Milk is the first food to be sold out. It was a beautiful site to see the empty coolers or near-empty coolers in multiple stores. (I was intrigued at the first location and had to see if it was everywhere. I visited an Aldi, Jewel, Marianos, Target and Whole Foods. They all were bare.)

It's survival instinct. Milk, meat and eggs, they are proven proteins. We know they contain all the essential amino acids in the proportions the body needs. They nourish. They satiate. They prevent illness. They even cause allergic responses. There's science to support their inclusion-and exclusion--in the diet. There's science. 

The polar vortex allowed me to catch up on reading, as well as the opportunity to have some very dynamic conversations with others experiencing cabin fever. Here's some food for thought.   Read more 
GA Dairy Classifieds

Young Stock Supervisor wanted - 
Hart Agriculture Waynesboro GA
Grazing 500-1000 animals, 
Must be familiar with rotational grazing and breeding
Please contact Maggie 352-507-2042 or  maggie@hartagriculture.com
 
Dairy Manager wanted - 
Hart Agriculture Waynesboro GA
300-700 milking cows, 
60 bale rotary, New Zealand style grazing system
Please contact Maggie 352-507-2042 or  maggie@hartagriculture.com

Heifers for Sale (SC): 
18 Bred Registered Holstein Heifers. Big heifers 6 Due in November, 5 Due in December, 3 Due in March  50 years in the Dairy business, Top herd in South Carolina. RHA 25,000, Closed Herd, All AI Sired, all AI Bred, and  Vaccinated. Contact: Debbie Glenn at  864-376-8582.

Bull Calves WANTED: Competitive pricing with 6 day a week pickup. Brandon Mason Cattle Company 912-632-4490

For HIRE: Southeast DHIA 
has a position to fill in the 
West Central Georgia area for a 
FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN. 
 Responsibilities include data 
collection on area dairy farms 
during milking time. S
chedule is somewhat flexible 
but the hours are non-typical. S
ome travel and out-of-town 
work likely. 
Applicants should be comfortable 
with computers and software and
have good communication and 
organizational skills as well as 
reliable transportation. Pickup Truck required. I
f interested send a resume to 

For Sale: Custom manure application and Dryhill manure equipment sales. 
Contact Edwin @ 478-299-0717 with Agboys Custom Services LLC  - 
New 8"x52' lagoon pump with outriggers $24,000 (Pictured right)

For Sale 3000 gallon Surge/Westfalia milk tank and wash system. Three phase condensers. 2002 model. Excellent condition. John B Gay, 478-494-5107

WANTED: DeLaval Westfalia
 Neck Transponders:  TN Dairy seeking used Westfalia neck band transponders. 
Please contact Bill or Peggy Howell if interested at 423-972-9254 or 423-371-3032.

WANTED: Looking for used pasteurizing and bottling equipment in working condition; Linda and Darrell Rankins, Jr.; 334-745-2357 (best times: mid-day and after 8 p.m.)

For Sale: 
Jersey cows, heifers and calves for sale.  Registered with AJCA, all ages! Contact Matt Holton at 770-718-8271, call or text.  Dawsonville, GA.

FOR HIRE:  Custom Silage Harvesting.  Late model JD chopper. Will travel. Let me put your quality forage up! Nic Haynes, Muddy H Farms, 678-617-3379.

FOR SALE: 
We have a continuous selection of fresh and springing heifers.
 
Call William at  (706) 768-2857 or visit our website at 
 

Bullcalves Wanted : Looking for Bullcalves to purchase - Barron Tench 864-844-2295 or  barron.tench@gmail.com     
Upcoming Events:

Feb 5 - UGA Mastitis Workshop, Quitman

Feb. 6 - GA Agribusiness Council's Legislative Breakfast, click here for more information


Feb. 27 - UGA Mastitis Workshop, Waynesboro

Feb. 28 - UGA Mastitis Workshop, Madison
For registration and more information - click here


GA Milk Producers|706.310.0020|  gamilkproducers@gmail.com|  www.gamilk.org