Farm Babe Talking It Up at World Dairy Expo

Posted on October 3, 2008 by Chuck

Wisconsin Farm Report After a morning of interviews and photos I’m hitting the road back to ZimmComm World Headquarters.

I’ll leave you with this one of a hard working farm broadcaster, the Farm Babe herself, Pam Jahnke, Wisconsin Farm Report. Once again Pam invited farm broadcasters to her home and made us feel welcome as her husband, Buck, grilled brats and burgers. We had a good time although I had to leave before the serious story telling got started.

I’ve got lots of good interviews which I’ll be using primarily on World Dairy Diary, so if you’re interested keep an eye over there for a lot more information.

World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

AgriTalk at World Dairy Expo

Posted on October 2, 2008 by Chuck

Yes, I know, it’s AgriTalk again. No nice studio or even comfy table here at World Dairy Expo.

This time host, Mike Adams, just had a couple of chairs out in the hall outside the media room. However, he was able to pull off another good show with guests like Joe Bavido, Dairy Management, Inc.

So, there you go. AgriTalk, on-location in Madison, WI.

World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

NAFB at World Dairy Expo

Posted on October 2, 2008 by Chuck

Farm Broadcasters at World Dairy Expo Members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters posed for a photo at World Dairy Expo. This is in the room sponsored by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board for their 2008 Talk Session.

Basically, WMMB invites in a number of people who are available for interviews. I got several which will be featured in our Milking Parlor Podcast on World Dairy Diary later today. We used this opportunity for the photo since so many of these folks were working there already.

World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

National Dairy Animal Well-Being Guidelines Announced

Posted on October 2, 2008 by Chuck

At last year’s World Dairy Expo we heard about the announcement of the National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative. This morning they released the official principles and guidelines. The facilitator for the Initiative is Charlie Arnot. He described the process that got us to this point and says that now it’s time for the Initiative to move to the next step. He used a chart that he calls the “Continuous Improvement Cycle” to show each of them. Next in the cycle after today for example is “Apply Principles & Guidelines to on-farm well-being programs.”

The National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative is a producer-led Coalition that includes members from every sector of the dairy industry. On October 2, 2008 at World Dairy Expo, the Coalition introduced the broad Principles and Guidelines — a uniform umbrella of assurance that the industry is meeting its ethical obligation for dairy animal well-being. Our goal is to protect consumer trust and confidence in the dairy industry by demonstrating dairy producers’ commitment to animal well-being.

Also on the program today was Pennsylvania dairy producer Logan Bower. He talked about how they’re already beginning to use the Initiative’s principles and guidelines in their state. Here’s an example of some talking points provided to producers by the Initiative.

Dairy Producer Talking Points
Developed by the National Dairy Checkoff

* As a dairy farmer, caring for my animals is my No. 1 priority so that I can provide the public with safe and wholesome dairy products. I work hard every day ensuring the comfort and safety of my animals and providing them a nutritious diet.
* Farmers in my community oppose/are outraged by the inhumane treatment of animals, whether on or off the farm. Farmers support government investigations into any allegations of animal abuse, including those that occur at meat processing facilities.
* Dairy farmers support government regulations that prohibit non-ambulatory, or “downer,” cattle from entering the food supply.

You can listen to the presentation with Charlie and Logan here:

World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Keeping The Boot Off The Table at Essen Haus

Posted on October 2, 2008 by Chuck

Essen Haus Crew Where do farm broadcasters go in Madison, WI after the World Dairy Expo is over for the day?

Essen Haus. Where the boot is not allowed to touch the table. If you haven’t been to Essen Haus and don’t know what that means then you’ll have to ask one of these people.

All farm broadcasters are invited to the media room at 11:30 this morning for a photo that we can put in e-Chats.

World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

World Dairy Expo Guess Whose Boot

Posted on October 1, 2008 by Chuck

World Dairy Expo Guess Whose Boot This is a World Dairy Expo edition of “Guess Whose Boot.” Not boots, but boot.

It works like this. Guess by making a comment and the first person who gets it right will get an AgWired t-shirt.

So, guess away. It’s an easy one.

World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

Get Your Badger Grilled Cheese

Posted on October 1, 2008 by Chuck

World Dairy Expo Grilled Cheese Sandwiches The University of Wisconsin Madison Badger Club is a grilled cheese sandwich making machine at World Dairy Expo. I would like to try one again this year but the line is too long and never seems to go down.

With 139 members, Badger Dairy Club (BDC) creates opportunities for the membership to engage in activities and experiences within the college, community and the ever progressing dairy industry.

Purpose of the Badger Dairy Club

1. To provide opportunities for fellowship, friendship, service and to grow socially
2. To provide an opportunity to enhance the educational experience
3. To promote dairy cattle, products and the dairy industry
4. To learn of occupation opportunities
5. To make available the opportunity to make professional connections

World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

Marketing and Media at World Dairy Expo

Posted on October 1, 2008 by Chuck

John Rozum and Lisa Behnke The first two people I got to know at World Dairy Expo were John Rozum (sales) and Lisa Behnke (media). In fact, World Dairy Diary grew out of an idea that John had several years ago now.

I spoke to them this morning and the main message is “larger,” meaning more people and more exhibitors. Some of the numbers they mention include 717 exhibitors this year and 216 media representatives. Wow. Opening day attendance was up according to Lisa.

You can listen to my interview with John and Lisa as part of our Milking Parlor Podcast:

World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

GEA Farm Technology Brand Launched

Posted on October 1, 2008 by Chuck

Vern Foster I am now comfortably located in cool and brisk Madison, WI at World Dairy Expo. The media room is active and a number of us attended a breakfast time press conference given by WestfaliaSurge, now part of GEA Farm Technologies.

The CEO and President of GEA Farm Technologies is Vern Foster. He gave us a comprehensive presentation this morning (media and dealers) to explain the reasons behind the change and what that means for the company and its customers.

He says, “It’s to pull all of the organizations that are part of GEA Farm Technologies, Houle, Norbco, WestfaliaSurge, pull it under a common brand so it makes sense for the marketplace, makes sense for our investors, makes sense for our customers and our dealer distribution.” The GEA stands for Global Engineering Alliance, a 5.3 billion Euro company that operates in 50 countries. Vern says, “It helps us really re-focus under one umbrella as we continue to grow and create additional organizations and innovate into the field of agriculture.”

GEA Farm Technologies Since Houle, Norbco and WestfaliaSurge have separate sales forces he says they’ve been in discussion together to “offer a more total solutions package to a producer.”

He says you’ll start seeing the new GEA Farm Technologies brand at trade show and in their advertising. In fact, his business cards already show the new logo!

You can listen to Vern’s full presentation here:

You can also download the full presentation using this link (mp3 file).

You can also listen to an interview I did with Vern afterward as part of our Milking Parlor Podcast:

To subscribe to the Milking Parlor podcast, here are some instructions.

World Dairy Expo 2008 Photo Album

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Getting Ready For World Dairy Expo

Posted on September 28, 2008 by Chuck

It’s time to look forward to World Dairy Expo. This year’s theme is “Building Bridges – Making Connections.”

I’ll be on location again this year starting mid week posting mostly on World Dairy Diary. It looks like we’re in for a cool down in the midwest so I’m going to remember to bring a jacket. Nothing like getting to a farm show and wishing you had your boots, umbrella or coat.

I’ll be doing some interview work with WestphaliaSurge and BASF Plant Science as we kick start our Milking Parlor Podcast.

New Leaders for World Dairy Expo

Posted on March 21, 2008 by Chuck

World Dairy Expo Board The World Dairy Expo has elected some new leaders at their recent annual meeting as follows:

President: Mike Holschbach, Heatherstone Enterprises, Inc., Baraboo
Vice President: Phil Niemeyer, Nasco, Vice President, Fort Atkinson
Secretary/Treasurer: Dean Hermsdorf, Vita Plus Corporation, Cottage Grove

Also serving on the Executive Committee are:
John Dalton, Daltondale Farms, Hartland. Ray Kuehl, Purebred Breeders of World Dairy Expo, Waunakee; Roger Ripley Accelerated Genetics, Baraboo; Bill Barlass, Barlass Jerseys, Janesville; and Bob Kaiser, University of Wisconsin Extension, Juneau. World Dairy Expo General Manager, Mark Clarke and Will Hughes of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection serve as ex-officio members of the Executive Committee.

Holschbach succeeds Roger Ripley as president of the board. Ripley, who is the President and CEO of Accelerated Genetics, has served on World Dairy Expo’s Board of Directors since 1985. A member of the Executive Committee for 16 years, he served as board president for the past six years.

World Dairy Expo Summary

Posted on October 8, 2007 by Chuck

Fried Cheese Vendor Wow. It’s nice to be home. You can call this a catch up day and a much needed one. I’m going through cheese withdrawal right now.

It’s always interesting (to me) to summarize our activity when blogging an event. So here’s some current totals for World Dairy Expo:

42 posts on World Dairy Diary, 10 on AgWired
24 episodes of The Milking Parlor podcast – These are interviews conducted while there. Those have collectively been downloaded 244 times.
7 YouTube videos – Those have collectively been viewed 527 times.
242 pictures on Flickr – Those have collectively been viewed 9,725 times. (I took 383 total)

Here’s some official summary information from the World Dairy Expo staff that I thought you’d be interested to know:

Total Attendance: 67,143 (Last year’s attendance was 65,563)

International Guests: * 2,862 from 89 countries (2006: 2,131 from 80 countries)
Top five countries of international attendance: Mexico (273); Canada (269); Germany (201); Argentina (184); Japan (146)
* does not include International Dairy Short Course attendees as of 10/06/07

Commercial Exhibitors: 707 companies from 24 countries

2007 World Dairy Expo Photo AlbumWorld Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:

The Champions of World Dairy Expo

Posted on October 6, 2007 by Chuck

Supreme Champion The 2007 World Dairy Expo is over and it ended with a great Parade of Champions. You can see pictures of all the action in my photo album. There’s 242 of them in there!

Here’s your Supreme Champion, Indian Acres Mm Pistachio Pie, Ashley Elise Sears, So. Deerfield, MA . Jersey was the Reserve Supreme Champion, Llolyn Jude Griffen-et, Peter Vail & Budjon Farms, Lomira, WI.

You can listen to the announcing of the Reserve and Supreme Champions of the 2007 World Dairy Expo here:

You can also watch the announcement here:

2007 World Dairy Expo Photo AlbumWorld Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

International Forum for Women in Dairying

Posted on October 6, 2007 by Chuck

Kathy LaScala It’s the final day of World Dairy Expo and things are getting more relaxed for the agriblogger. It’s also a lot quieter here in the media room. We’re down to the die-hards I guess.

During our media talk session Kathy LaScala wanted to talk about the International Forum for Women in Dairying. I asked her what this is all about. She says you can find out more on their website. The dates are September 28 & 29, 2008 at the Madison Concourse Hotel.

International Forum for Women in Dairying Kathy says the conference will feature many speakers and plenty of opportunities for women to network with each other since they face the same challenges regardless of what country they’re from.

Listen to our “Milking Parlor” podcast with Kathy here: Listen To MP3 Interview with Kathy LaScala (MP3)

To subscribe to the Milking Parlor podcast, here are some instructions.

2007 World Dairy Expo Photo AlbumWorld Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Creating Farm Podcasting Listeners

Posted on October 5, 2007 by Chuck

Win an iPod at Schering Plough You’ve got to love all the companies that are giving away iPods to producers so they can listen to our farm podcasts!

Take Schering-Plough which is giving away an iPod here at World Dairy Expo (Booth 3817). That’ll be one more dairy producer who can subscribe to our Milking Parlor podcast.

The idea of listening to content when you want and where you want and that you can’t get anywhere else is getting easier and easier to do and so more and more farmers are doing so.

2007 World Dairy Expo Photo AlbumWorld Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:

Badger NAMA Chapter Meeting

Posted on October 5, 2007 by Chuck

Betsy Francoeur The Badger chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association held a meeting here at Expo and members from other chapters around the country were invited to attend.

It provided a great opportunity for networking and we had a program too. On hand was Leigh Rubin, syndicated comic artist.

We were welcomed by chapter President, Betsy Francoeur, Bader Rutter.

Afterward some of us also attended the annual Fabulous Farm Babe party. I didn’t take many pics but there are a couple in the photo album.

2007 World Dairy Expo Photo AlbumWorld Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:

Farm Podcasting at World Dairy Expo

Posted on October 4, 2007 by Chuck

DairyCast I’m not the only farm podcaster here at World Dairy Expo.

You can find DairyCast on display in the main exhibit hall building. If you’re feeling all stressed out then you should stop by for a stress release cow.

Host Ned Arthur is wandering around recording sessions and interviews for current and upcoming episodes of the program. I’m sure the folks at Truffle Media Networks are still getting questions from agricultural marketers who wonder if “anyone is listening.” I know I am. Well, while they’re wondering we’re out and about creating the web-delivered content that is fueling the new media phenomenon in our industry. By the way, yes producers are listening. We’re out here talking to them and that’s what they’re saying.

2007 World Dairy Expo Photo AlbumWorld Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:

National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative Announced

Posted on October 4, 2007 by Chuck

This morning at World Dairy Expo a producer-led coalition of dairy groups and companies announced the National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative. They’re proposing dairy animal well-being guidelines and principles. The effort held a press conference with several speakers.

One of the groups participating in the effort is the National Milk Producers Federation. I spoke with their Senior Vice President of Communications, Chris Galen (not pictured) about what his organization is doing and specifically about this new animal well-being initiative. He says that it would be naive to think that the animal rights activists (whackos would be my term to describe them) will ignore dairy since they’ve been so much on the attack of poultry and pork. The initiative effort he says puts the dairy industry on the offense in addressing the concerns that these well funded groups have on consumers.

Listen to the “Milking Parlor” podcast with Chris here:

To subscribe to the Milking Parlor podcast, here are some instructions.

2007 World Dairy Expo Photo AlbumWorld Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Getting a Charleston|Orwig Dairy Perspective

Posted on October 3, 2007 by Chuck

Mike Opperman In case you’d like a little more dairy news today I thought you might enjoy this. A quiet place to get away from the crowd at World Dairy Expo is the Charleston|Orwig suite in the Coliseum where they hold meetings and entertain clients.

Since Charleston|Orwig is one of our sponsors for coverage of World Dairy Expo this year, I did a “Milking Parlor” podcast with Mike Opperman, account supervisor. It was through the agency’s inquiries that we decided to start the Milking Parlor as a regular feature on World Dairy Diary, and for Charleston|Orwig, it is a way to help them demonstrate to their clients the potential for new media.

Listen to our “Milking Parlor” podcast with Mike here: Listen To MP3 Interview with Mike Opperman (MP3)

You can also watch the video here:

2007 World Dairy Expo Photo AlbumWorld Dairy Diary coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

New Media Coverage of World Dairy Expo

Posted on October 3, 2007 by Chuck

Cindy Working at World Dairy Expo It’s been a busy morning of interviews here at World Dairy Expo. Cindy and I are now editing away here in the media room. We’re shooting interviews on video from which we can take the audio so we can feed the Milking Parlor Podcast and post. An example is my interview this morning with Jerry Weigel, who represents our sponsor, BASF Plant Science – NutriDense.

Jerry says that besides talking with producers about NutriDense which is a nutritionally-enhanced corn that contains a stacked set of output traits, they’ve got some incentives for those that stop by their booth.

One of those includes a free world famous grilled cheese sandwich and a milk shake. So, you can watch the video or listen to the interview: