Thursday, August 22, 2019

Check out the New York State Fair Dairy Cow Birthing Center on YouTube Live

I encourage everyone to go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv0JmUHsS7E now through Sept. 2 to see calves being born right in front of your eyes.

This is the youtube live broadcast from the Dairy Cow Birthing Center at the New York State Fair. Watch a calf come into the world and learn about the process of putting those wonderful glasses of milk on your table each morning.

The Dairy Cow Birthing Center is run by the New York Animal Agriculture Coalition, a farmer founded and funded organization whose mission is to enhance the public’s understanding of and appreciation for animal agriculture by fostering a dialogue with consumers, engagement with farmers and cooperation among members of the industry.

Dutch Hill Maple Wins Grand Champion at State Fair for Third Year in a Row

Dutch Hill Maple does it again.

The maple producer from Tully in Onondaga County has won Grand Champion at the New York State Fair for its syrup.

This is the third year in a row Dutch Hill Maple has been Grand Champion.

So thrilled for Cristy and Nate Williams and the whole Dutch Hill Maple crew.

Go to https://www.dutchhillmaple.com/ to learn more about this maple producer.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Butter Sculpture Unveiled at New York State Fair

By DEBRA J. GROOM

This year’s New York State Fair butter sculpture is telling everyone to love milk because it’s real.
 

New York Dairy Princess Reegan Domagala with butter sculpture
“Milk. Love What’s Real” is the theme of the 51th sculpture — one of the most visited sites at the entire New York State Fair.
 

In the center of the Dairy Products Building across from Chevy Court, the sculpture is made from 800 pounds of butter made at O-AT-KA Milk Products in Batavia. 

This year’s masterpiece created by artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Conshohocken, Pa., shows a grandfather and child dunking cookies in milk and a young couple sharing a milkshake, illustrating how the love for real dairy connects many cherished moments in life.
 

“When we create meals, we create memories and real dairy is there,” said Joel Riehlman of Venture Farms in Fabius, Onondaga County. “From the ice cream at a child’s birthday party to our cheese pizza on Friday to the milk in our lattes every morning, milk plays an important role in our everyday lives.”
 

One side of the New York State Fair butter sculpture
Also on hand Aug. 20 to unveil the new butter sculpture was Reegan Domagala of Lewis County, the New York State Dairy Princess. One of the key parts of her job is to represent the state’s dairy industry at the New York State Fair and she was smiling and greeting visitors, dignitaries and media throughout the butter sculpture event.
 

After the fair is over on Labor Day, the sculpture will be taken apart by Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners and transported to Noblehurst Farms in Linwood, Livingston County, where it will be recycled in a methane digester to create electricity and liquid fertilizer for crops.
 

The American Dairy Association North East is in charge of the butter sculpture each year. The sculpture is sponsored this year by Wegman supermarkets.
 

The New York State Fair runs from Wednesday, Aug. 21 through Labor Day.

Monday, August 12, 2019

Holstein Association USA Looking for Research Proposals

From the Holstein Association:

Every great scientific discovery begins with an idea. Innovative research is the backbone of progress in any industry — and that includes the dairy community.
Holstein Association USA is currently accepting research proposals for the next round of funding. The applications must include expected outcomes to benefit the profitability of Holstein cattle. 

Submit applications for research grant funds to researchgrants@holstein.com by Aug. 15, 2019.
Supporting research is a top priority for Holstein Association USA, the world’s largest dairy breed association. 

Holstein Association USA is currently funding two projects. 


**One at North Carolina State University that’s looking at how genomic information can be used to manage inbreeding; and 

** A second project at the University of California-Davis exploring the opportunity to breed Holstein cows for heat tolerance using the slick hair gene. Both hold great potential for future progress with U.S. Registered Holsteins.

More details about the Research Grant Program guidelines and process can be found on the Holstein Association USA website at www.holsteinusa.com/programs_services/research_grant.html.