All Milk in Stores is Antibiotic Free

Something everybody should read.

When you hear those commercials touting "antibiotic-free milk," don't be fooled. 

Go to http://www.hoards.com/Intel/160307_art1 to see the story.

It's National Beer Day

Today is National Beer Day.

According to the National Calendar Day website: 

Hops at Climbing Bines Hops Farm and Brewery, Penn Yan

"National Beer Day is celebrated annually April 7.  Celebrate with a pint of pale ale, lager, stout, wheat beer or mild ale.

One of the world’s oldest prepared beverages, beer possibly dates back to 9500 BC when cereal was first farmed.  It is recorded in the written history of ancient Iraq and ancient Egypt.

Beer is the world’s most widely consumed alcoholic beverage. Following water and tea, it is the third most popular drink overall."

The production of craft beers and hard ciders is growing by leaps and bounds in New York state, leading to new businesses and new jobs. A lot of the hops grown for making these beers also are grown right here in New York state.

Taste NY Partners With Baldor Specialty Foods

From the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets:

Taste NY is partnering with Baldor Specialty Foods, the East Coast’s premiere food distributor, to support the growth of local agribusinesses and farms.  

As part of this partnership, Baldor will support the Taste NY Restaurant Pledge through its own newly launched Pledge Local program to increase the use of New York grown and produced products at restaurants and businesses throughout the state.  

This partnership will be celebrated at the Baldor BITE event today (Wednesday, April 6) that brings together more than 1,500 chefs, restaurateurs and other industry members for tastings, cooking demos, contests, breakaway educational sessions and more.

“Baldor’s Pledge Local program complements the ongoing efforts of Taste NY to promote locally made food products and spur economic growth for our vital agricultural industry,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “This pledge bridges local growers and producers with the restaurants and businesses that help share their products with consumers from every part of the state and beyond.”

 

Baldor’s Pledge Local program makes it easier for restaurants to support local businesses. Through the program, customers authorize Baldor’s team of expert buyers to substitute commodity items with similarly priced local alternatives whenever possible.  

The company has already received commitments from major industry players and has identified nearly 500 customers who have the potential to benefit from the program. 

 

Through its partnership with Taste NY, Baldor’s website and Pledge Local webpage, www.baldorfood.com/pledge will promote and feature an opportunity for their customers to take the Taste NY Pledge, encouraging restaurants to increase the sourcing, marketing and education of New York state grown and made products. 

By signing the Taste NY Pledge, restaurants and chefs promise to expand their use of New York state products by 10 percent or more.

 

New York state also will promote Baldor’s Pledge Local program on its Taste NY website, www.taste.ny.gov, social media channels, and on the Taste of NY pledge sign up page at http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/Take_the_Pledge_Distribute.pdf

More than 400 restaurants are now signed up for the Taste NY Pledge.

New Executive Director Chosen for New York Wine and Grape Foundation

News from the New York Wine and Grape Foundation:

               

Filler

Samuel Filler will become the executive director of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation as of Jan. 1, said foundation board chair Trent Preszler.

He will replace outgoing President Jim Trezise, who has served in that position since the foundation was created over 30 years ago.

"When Jim announced his intention to step aside at the end of this year, the board began conducting an extensive search," Preszler said. "During that process, Mr. Filler clearly rose to the top and his appointment was approved unanimously by the board. 

"I am confident that his experience in economic development and his passion for the New York grape and wine industry make him a perfect fit for NYWGF at this particular moment in our history. I anticipate in the coming months and years we will see our vital organization rise to even greater heights," Preszler said.

Since 2012, Filler has been director of industry development for Empire State Development Corp. and directed the "One Stop Shop" and served as a vital liaison between state government and New York's wine, beer, spirits and cider industries. In that role, he administered $9 million in funding for craft beverage advertising, marketing, and tourism projects.

"Sam's direct experience with our industry in the regulatory, financial, and promotional arenas make him the ideal choice to propel the Foundation and industry forward into an even brighter future," said Trezise. "He is well-known and highly respected throughout the industry, and brings the energy and talent required to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."

Filler also has worked in economic development and public service positions in New York City, Washington D.C., and California. He completed leadership training as part of the Empire State Fellows Program, and is  enrolled in Cornell University's LEAD NY program for leaders in the food, agriculture and natural resources industries.  

Filler has a bachelor's degree from Vassar College, and a master's of urban planning from New York University.

"I am honored to be selected as executive director, and excited about this opportunity," said Filler. "The New York Wine and Grape Foundation has an extraordinary history of catalyzing the transformation of an industry from an economic crisis into a major economic development engine. 

"I am excited to build on the solid foundation created by Jim Trezise and the staff of NYWGF, and I look forward to using my experience in economic development and the knowledge I have acquired about this industry to advance that success," Filler said.

Filler will remain at ESD for the rest of 2016. Trezise will remain president of NYWGF until March 31,  working closely with Filler to ensure a smooth transition into the future. 

Spring Dairy Carousel Beings Friday

The New York Spring Dairy Carousel is scheduled for April 8 to 11 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Geddes, just west of Syracuse.
 
 

Holsteins grazing in New York.

New York Spring Dairy Carousel is recognized as the most prestigious and largest spring dairy event in North America. All seven major dairy breeds are represented in eight shows, five sales and several junior activities.
 
In 2015, more than 1,000 animals from 20 states and Canada attended and several thousand people attended the four-day event.
 
The event is open to the public and admission and parking are free. Food is available. 
Exhibitors and staff are happy to answer questions about cattle and the dairy industry during the show.
 
Here is a schedule of shows and sales:
8 a.m. April 7, barns open and cattle may move in
7 p.m. April 7, all cattle must be in place.
8 a.m. April 8, Holstein USA National Judging Conference
Noon April 8, junior showmanship.
2:30 p.m. April 8, Richard Keene Memorial Judging Contest, juniors welcome
6 p.m. April 8, protein breeds sale (Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Milking Shorthorn).
9 a.m. April 9, New York Junior Holstein Show, (resident New York juniors).
1 p.m. April 9, Ayrshire show
1 p.m. April 9, Guernsey show.
4 p.m. April 9, New York Spring Holstein Sale.
6 p.m. April 10, protein breeds sale.
8 a.m. April 10, Red & White show.
9 a.m. April 10, Milking Shorthorn show.
12:30 p.m. April 10, Jersey show and Brown Swiss show.
8 a.m. April 11, International Spring Holstein Show.

Hug Your Nearest Newsperson Today

This has nothing to do with agriculture, but I just wanted to put it out there.

Today is National Hug a Newsperson Day. As a journalist for 38 years, I do have to say, we need a hug now and then.

College Students Coming To Liverpool for Dairy Challenge and Dairy Challenge Academy

About 250 students from 39 colleges across the U.S. and two Canadian provinces will gather for The Dairy Challenge^® and Dairy Challenge Academy April 7-9 in Liverpool.

Students will put their textbook knowledge to work by evaluating a dairy operation and developing recommendations. The event is the largest gathering of collegiates pursuing a dairy career.

“Dairy Challenge is the premier program educating tomorrow’s dairy leaders,” said Barry Putnam of Cargill Animal Nutrition and chair of the upcoming event. “We are excited to showcase New York’s vibrant dairy industry through this event that reaches hundreds of dairy students and industry professionals,”

This year 128 students will compete in the national contest and 121 students will participate in the Dairy Challenge Academy. Between the national contest and Academy, collegiate participants will visit six dairy farms in the surrounding Syracuse area. This is the second year in a row that Dairy Challenge has been hosted in New York.

Contest participants will evaluate an operating dairy farm, analyze farm data and ask questions of farm owners. Then each team develops recommendations, which will be presented to farm owners and a panel of five judges. 

At a concluding banquet, eight college teams will be announced as award winners, meaning their recommendations most closely match those of the official judges.

North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge^® is funded through the generous support of 120 agribusinesses and dairy farms. Dairy Challenge was started 14 years ago through cooperation between universities, dairy producers and agribusinesses. 

The event expanded in 2013 with the Dairy Challenge Academy, providing hands-on learning where teams of students evaluate a dairy operation with the help of dairy industry professionals serving as Academy Advisors.

In addition to the national competition and Academy, students will also participate in other educational and networking activities such as interactive stations on a tour farm, participation in panel discussions with young dairy producers and dairy processors, presentations on cutting-edge research and industry trends, and interaction with agribusinesses in a career fair.

Supporters can follow the student activity through posts and photos at www.facebook.com/DairyChallenge and @DairyChallenge on Twitter and Instagram.

North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge^® is an innovative event for students in dairy programs at North American post-secondary institutions. 

Its mission is to develop tomorrow’s dairy leaders and enhance progress of the dairy industry, by providing education, communication and networking among students, producers, and agribusiness and university personnel. 

Over its 14-year national history, Dairy Challenge has helped prepare more than 5,000 students for careers as farm owners and managers, consultants, researchers, veterinarians or other dairy professionals.

In addition to the national competition and Dairy Challenge Academy held in April, four regional contests are held in late fall and winter; details are at www.dairychallenge.org.