Legislators Go After NYC for Proposal to Ban Flavored Milks

Check out the Watertown Daily Times  story here https://www.nny360.com/top_stories/stefanik-others-arguing-against-nyc-schools-chocolate-milk-ban/article_366b66af-8938-5cfa-bb3e-b1d0d97e3d4f.html

Stewart's Shops Join New York State Grown & Certified Program

From New York State:

 

The New York State Grown & Certified program is expanding to include the New York dairy industry. 

The state is partnering with Stewart’s Shops to launch the promotional program that distinguishes agricultural products that are local and made by producers who meet safe food handling best practices and demonstrate environmental stewardship. 

Beginning next month, consumers will be able to find the NYS Certified label on Stewart’s dairy products in more than 300 stores across the state. Stewart’s egg supplier, Thomas Poultry Farm from Schuylerville, is also participating in the program.

"The Grown & Certified program connects consumers with high-quality, farm-fresh New York products, while supporting our hard-working farms, businesses and local economies across the state," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

"By partnering with Stewart’s Shops, we will expand this program to promote and provide a boost to some of New York’s best producers and support the dairy industry's continued growth and success," Cuomo said.

Starting in July, Stewart’s will launch new packaging for their half-gallon milk containers, which will prominently feature the New York State Certified label and a description of the program. 

Signage in-store and at the gas pump, as well as a promotional video, are already in stores, helping to educate consumers about the Certified program and what it means to them.  Many varieties of Stewart's milk, half and half, heavy cream, and ice cream will all carry the Certified seal.

Stewart’s Shops, a longstanding and well-respected dairy processor, adheres to the New York State Grown & Certified food safety and environmental management plan requirements.  

The company has stores in the Capital Region, North Country, Hudson Valley and Central New York regions. They proudly source all of their milk from local farms in Saratoga, Rensselaer and Washington counties.

In addition to Stewart’s dairy products, its eggs will feature the NYS Grown & Certified seal, highlighting Thomas Poultry Farm. The farm adheres to environmentally responsible practices and exceeds federal egg safety standards.

Ms. Absolute Bliss Wins Grand Champ at NYS Fair

Results from the Holstein competitions at the New York State Fair.

Go to http://www.thebullvine.com/news/senior-2-year-old-ms-absolute-bliss-wins-grand-at-new-york-state-fair/ to check them out.

Eileen Jensen new Director of Promotion and Outreach for New York Animal Agriculture Coalition

From the NEW YORK ANIMAL AGRICULTURE COALITION
 

Eileen Jensen and friend

Eileen Jensen has been hired as the director of promotion and outreach for the New York Animal Agriculture Coalition.
 
Jensen brings a lifetime of experience and passion for agriculture to this position, which will aid the farmer-founded, nonprofit organization advocate for animal agriculture and the state’s 5,000 dairy farms.
 
“We are very pleased to welcome Eileen to NYAAC,” said Dale Mattoon, chairman of NYAAC and dairy farmer from Cayuga County. “As society becomes further removed from the farm and the amount of misinformation continues to plague the minds of consumers, the need for advocacy work in the dairy industry has never been greater. We are thrilled to obtain Eileen’s diverse skill set and enthusiasm to the team.”
 
Jensen was one of 80 applicants to apply for the full-time, first-of-its-kind position with NYAAC. Her tenure and experience in marketing and agricultural education, coupled with her confidence and public speaking skills made her the top candidate.
 
“I am very excited to be relocating back to New York to join the NYACC team,” Jensen said. “NYACC is doing great things for New York agriculture and I’m looking forward to collaborating and continuing the positive momentum into the future.”
 
Starting May 16, 2016, Jensen will put her skills to good use contributing to the organization’s blogsite, along with creating content for its social media pages. She will be involved extensively with the organization’s flagship event, the Dairy Cow Birthing Center at the New York State Fair, where three calves are born daily and nearly a quarter of a million people come to witness the miracle of life.
 
There, she will serve as a spokesperson for the exhibit, as well as an event and volunteer coordinator. Jensen will also be busy working with the state’s 5,000 dairy farmers, helping them be better advocates for their livelihood through presentations and trainings, creative materials, events and more. She will also aid in fundraising for the newly designated 501(c)3 organization.
 
Jensen grew up on a dairy farm in the Finger Lakes, studied agricultural business at SUNY Cobleskill and received her masters in education at Cornell. She has worked both in the classroom, educating students, as well as for large corporations during her time as an account executive for two major agricultural advertising agencies in the midwest.
 
The New York Animal Agriculture Coalition is a farmer founded and funded nonprofit profit organization with the mission of working 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 state’s dairy industry. 

Its board is made of up representatives from American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Cayuga Marketing, Farm Credit East, the New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association, New York Farm Bureau and the Northeast Dairy Producers Association.  Pro-Dairy serves as an adviser to the board, which meets every other month.
 
For more information about NYAAC and its programs, visit www.nyanimalag.org or follow @NYAnimalAg on social media.

Columbia County Teen Named New York Dairy Princess

Emily Ooms, NYS Dairy Princess

Emily Ooms, of Columbia County, was named New York State Dairy Princess Tuesday night.

Selected as first alternate was Jill DeBlock of Orange County, while April Gokey of Franklin County was named second alternate.

Miss Ooms, 17, is a senior at Chatham High School and the daughter of Timothy and Kristine Ooms. She is a member of 4-H, the Holstein Club, Junior Dairy Leaders and the National Honor Society.

The New York State Dairy Princess contest concluded Tuesday with the crowning after a two days of judging at the Holiday Inn in Salina, north of Syracuse. 

Jill DeBlock, first alternate

The girls in the competition — who already have won their county dairy princess contests — take tests to judge their dairy knowledge and writing skills, go through intensive interviews with the three judges, give both impromptu and prepared speeches and also are judged on their informal interaction with others.
 
Judges evaluate contestants on communication skills, knowledge of the dairy industry, poise and personality.

Miss Ooms, Miss DeBlock and Miss Gokey were winners of the speech contest and Miss DeBlock and Miss Gokey were winners for product knowledge. Winners for written communication were Jessica Skellie of Wayne County, Katie Bower of Cayuga County and Stephanie Treadwell of Herkimer County.

April Gokey, second alternate

About 30 teens competed for the title. Miss Ooms will serve as New York State Dairy Princess for one year and will promote dairy farmers and dairy products throughout the state in schools, industries, companies and at special events.

The big event for the dairy princess each year is the New York State Fair in Geddes, west of Syracuse. She and other county dairy princesses man the dairy princess booth inside the Dairy Products building and make special appearances throughout Dairy Day on the first Monday of the fair.

The new princess takes over for Stephanie McBath of Saratoga County, who was New York State Dairy Princess for 2015-16.

Marks Farm Adding Manure System That Removes Water

Check out this story out of the North Country http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news04/marks-farms-to-add-manure-system-that-removes-water-reduces-spreading-need-20160112?utm_source=v2T2ks&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=wdt.me&utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com

Dairy of Distinction Applications Due April 15

From the Dairy of Distinction website:

Applications for the Dairy of Distinction Program are due April 15.

"Established in 1983, the Northeast Dairy Farm Beautification Program recognizes the hard work and dedication of dairy owner / operators who have attractive, well-kept farms and promote a good dairy industry image," states the website. "All active dairy farms in Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Vermont are eligible to apply for the Dairy of Distinction award."

Winning farms receive the special Dairy of Distinction roadside sign for their farmstead.

The Dairy of Distinction Program is based on the concept that attractive farmsteads enhance consumer confidence in the dairy industry. The award also recognizes the hard work and efforts of all Northeast dairy farmers.

 “This grassroots recognition has been the key to the program,” said William Underwood, New York’s first president and farmer from Tully, Onondaga County. “This is one way dairy farmers can directly promote their industry.”

To apply for the award, an application must be submitted to the secretary for your state by April 15. The New York state secretary is Nancy Putman, 80 Chipman Corners Road, Lisbon, (315) 322-5493, dairyofdistinction@gmail.com

Roadside farm judging takes place in May and is based on the condition of the farm and livestock.Winning farms will be notified in late May or June. Winners are re-judged every year to ensure they maintain the high standards of the award.

Saratoga County Dairy Princess Named State Dairy Princess

Stephanie McBath, NYS Dairy Princess

Stephanie McBath, the Saratoga County dairy princess, was named the New York State Dairy Princess for 2015-16 Tuesday night.

Courtney Dearnley

McBath, 17, a senior at Schuylerville High School, will serve as the primary spokesperson for the dairy industry throughout the state for the next year. She was chosen after a two-day event in which 22 county dairy princesses competed.

Victoria Treadwell

The girls took tests to judge their dairy knowledge and writing skills, had intensive interviews with the three judges, had to given both impromptu and prepared speeches and also were judged on their informal interaction with others. Judges evaluate contestants on communication skills, knowledge of the dairy industry, poise and personality.

The first alternate state princess is Victoria Treadwell, 19, of Herkimer County, a freshman at Mohawk Valley Community College. The second alternate is Courtney Dearnley, 17, of Columbia County, a senior at Taconic Hills High School.

The top seven in the pageant were McBath, Treadwell, Dearnley, Franklin County Princess Errolynn Bradley, Cayuga County Princess Taylor Gilbert, Cortland County Princess Courtney Randall and Ontario County Princess Samantha Wheeler.

Miss Congeniality was Samantha Wheeler of Ontario County. 

Grants Available to Form Dairy Profit Teams

From the New York Farm Viability Institute:

The New York Farm Viability Initiative is encouraging dairy farmers to apply now for $2,500 grants to form dairy profit teams for their farm.

“Right now, with milk prices so good, is the time to think about improvements. You want to maximize your yields, while continuing to manage your costs," said Ron Robbins, owner of North Harbor Dairy in Sackets Harbor and a Farm Viability Institute board member. "The right team of experts, all chosen by you, can help you see where the opportunities are. Lining up your money now, while it’s available, is a smart move.”

“I understand that taking that first step can be challenging. It’s hard to step back from the daily priorities and share with others the big picture of your operations,” Robbins said.

Profit teams are a well-proven concept in New York. The state’s farmers have been using this approach, sometimes called advisory teams, successfully for the last 10 years.

The New York Farm Viability Institute is honored to have been entrusted with a legislative appropriation through the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets to help dairy farmers who haven’t used profit teams get started.

“I hope more farms will enroll and utilize the funds available to them. Over the years I’ve seen such great results from this approach. In many cases the work from these teams has literally saved a business," said Managing Director David Grusenmeyer. "The funds are directed solely by the farmer; some teams are improving herd health, others are focused on milk quantity. Some are even working with financial advisors to develop succession plans. It’s all up to the farmer to decide.”

The application for a Dairy Profit Team grant can be found at www.nyfvi.org

State Fair Butter Sculpture Unveiled

The 2014 New York State Fair Butter Sculpture

The campaign to get more milk into food banks and onto the tables of lower-income families is the theme of this year's Butter Sculpture at the New York State Fair.

Sculptors Jim Victor and Marie Pelton have put together a piece that shows a dairy famer dropping off fresh gallons of milk at his local food bank. Dairy farmers, milk processors and Feeding America have joined forces to raise awareness and improve access to milk for families in need through the Great American Milk Drive.

And fairgoers will be able to help out too.

"We're encouraging fairgoers to make their own donations, either by visiting the website www.milklife.com/give or by texting MILK to 80088, to give $5 to Feeding America," said Rick Naczi, chief executive officer for the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council in Syracuse. "These donations will be converted into coupons for milk so that local food pantries can best manage their supply."

The state's food banks are able to provide only about one gallon of milk each year to the families they serve, according to statistics from the American Dairy Association. Feeding America, dairy farmers and milk processors -- through the Great American Milk Drive -- hope to bring more milk into food banks.



 

Cornell Makes Yogurt for Fair Yogurt Bar

Check out Cornell's yogurt at the New York State Fair.

Go to http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2014/08/cornell-dairy-makes-yogurt-state-fairs-yo2go to check out the story.

June is Dairy Month

Oops.

Sorry -- a day late.

Happy Dairy Month, everyone.

NY Again Named Nation's King of Yogurt

For the second year in a row, New York is the yogurt capital of the nation. 

Preliminary data indicates that in 2013, New York produced 741 million pounds of yogurt, up from 695 million pounds in 2012. As confirmed by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York was the top ranked yogurt producer in 2013, a position it ascended to in 2012. 

New York once again exceeded California, which produced 591 million pounds of yogurt in 2013. For the entire country, USDA-NASS reported total yogurt production of 4,718 million pounds for 2013, up from 4,416 million pounds in 2012. New York accounted for 15.7% of total US yogurt production in 2013.

“For the second year in a row, New York state has earned the distinction of being the yogurt capital of the nation. This is another example of how when government and the private sector work together, as we have done with New York’s dairy industry to eliminate barriers to growth, the result is positive economic activity that translates into jobs and new opportunities for New Yorkers,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “New York’s dairy farmers and yogurt producers are the cream of the crop in their industry, and I congratulate them on once again securing this well-deserved honor.”

This announcement comes on the heels of news from earlier this year that New York passed Idaho as the third highest producer of milk in the nation for 2013. Also announced two weeks ago, Agrana Fruit, the top producer of fruit preparations for the dairy industry, completed construction of their new manufacturing and distribution operation in Onondaga County. Already creating 60 new jobs to date, when fully operational, the company will employ about 120 people at the $50 million facility, which will process all types of fruit for yogurt, including the possibility of New York-grown fruit.

As the company sought to expand its market presence and meet customer demand in North America, it considered more than 50 Northeast locations, and ultimately chose New York. The flourishing yogurt industry was a key factor in Agrana’s decision, offering the company a central location for production and distribution to leading yogurt companies in New York as well as the Northeast and Canada.

The industry is also helping to spur growth in other sectors of the state, as evidenced by the recent expansion of Feldmeier Equipment in Herkimer County. As a manufacturer of stainless steel storage and processing equipment, Feldmeier’s expansion supplies even more equipment for yogurt companies including Chobani and FAGE.

In 2013, New York’s dairy manufacturers employed an estimated 9,470 people with total wages of $513 million, up from 7,759 jobs and $400 million in wages in 2010. According to USDA-NASS, cash receipts from marketing of milk in New York increased from $2.21 billion in 2010 to $2.85 billion in 2013.

New York is a diverse state in the area of dairy and is also the leading producer of cream cheese and cottage cheese in the country. In addition to a 6.5 percent increase in yogurt production, two large dairy plants will be coming online this year: Cayuga Milk Ingredients (Cayuga County), which will manufacture dairy ingredients, and WNY Enterprises (Livingston County), which will use a cold-separation process to make skim and cream components.

New York Now Third Largest Milk Producer in the Country

News from the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo:

New York state has passed Idaho and is now the third largest producer of milk in the entire country.

Data just released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirms that this is the first time since 2009 that New York has ranked third nationally in milk production after previously holding the number 3 spot from 1972 to 2009. It bypassed Idaho in 2013 by 57 million pounds of milk produced.

Compared to 2012, New York’s milk production increased by 2.2 percent in 2013, compared to growth of 0.4 percent nationwide. This strong growth represents the fourth consecutive year that New York has registered an increase in milk production. 

This growth is due to increased demand for milk, thanks in large part to the state’s booming yogurt industry, coupled with higher milk production per cow which increased by 10.2 percent from 2009 to 2013. New York is also the number one producer of cream cheese and cottage cheese in the country. 

“Milk production is fueling thousands of jobs across Upstate New York, revitalizing communities and providing a variety of nutritious products for millions of consumers across the country," Cuomo said. "This year, we will continue working together to grow our thriving agricultural sector, and I congratulate New York’s dairy industry on this achievement.”

The dairy industry is New York’s leading agricultural sector, accounting for more than one-half of the state’s total agricultural receipts. The increased milk supply has been very important in helping to meet the tremendous growth in the production of yogurt by plants located in New York state. 

In 2012, New York’s yogurt production was 695 million pounds. Compared to 2007, at 234 million pounds, production has nearly tripled. As a result, New York became the number one producer of yogurt in the country in 2012. 2013 data is not yet available.