Animal Ag News 10/8

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) shared updated information about disaster relief programs available to cattle producers impacted by Hurricane Helene and opportunities to support disaster recovery through NCBA state affiliates. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended flexibilities and waivers to disaster relief programs making it easier for cattle producers to apply for these programs and receive timely payments.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is reminding students of internship opportunities available for the spring 2025 semester. Initiated in 1898, NCBA is the oldest and largest national trade association representing America’s cattle farmers and ranchers. Internship opportunities include a public policy internship, meetings and events internship, and a producer education and sustainability internship. Applications for the public policy and meetings and events internships close October 11. The producer education internship application closes October 22. To learn more about these internship opportunities and apply, please visit ncba.org.

For more than 30 years Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis, has provided cattle producers with valuable information to help improve their herds and businesses. This premier educational experience will be held in conjunction with CattleCon 2025, Feb. 4-6, in San Antonio, Texas. Cattle producers attending Cattlemen’s College are eligible for the Rancher Resilience Grant, which provides reimbursement for registration and up to three nights of hotel. For more information and to apply, visit www.ncba.org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant.
Register by selecting the Education Package, which offers the best value and combines admission to CattleCon and Cattlemen’s College. For more information, visit convention.ncba.org.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is excited to announce the addition of two accomplished professionals to its team. Samuel Alcaine, Ph.D., will join IDFA as vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs, and Jeffrey Cullen will take on the role of director of video production and digital communications. These additions further strengthen IDFA’s ability to deliver exceptional value and support to its members.

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is pleased to announce the addition of Meghan Dicks as its director of membership and engagement, effective Sept. 23.

NOVUS introduces its latest intelligent nutrition product – NEXT ENHANCE CGO Feed Solution – that supports greater returns on feed investments while providing a safeguard for feed inventories. NEXT ENHANCE CGO Feed Solution is scientifically shown to help dairy farmers get more out of forage by optimizing dry matter intake per kilogram/pound of milk produced while maintaining milk production and body weight/condition.

Farm Journal Foundation is launching a new effort to help states develop infrastructure to recruit and support veterinarians working in rural areas, with the aim of addressing the national shortage of veterinarians who specialize in treating poultry and livestock. The Veterinary Shortage State Readiness Program is backed by support from the Zoetis Foundation and works in partnership with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). It is currently underway in three states: Oklahoma, Kansas, and Indiana.

Renovo Seed announced the addition of a new forage mix, OptiHarv, into their portfolio at the 2024 World Dairy Expo. The mix is a diverse blend of millets, peas, beans, barley, and brassicas that produces immense tonnage for baleage, haylage, or grazing. The season-long growth provides high quality TMR and allows for multiple harvests from just one field.

TDSG, LLC, doing business as The Dairy Solutions Group, is pleased to announce it has finalized an agreement to acquire Performance Dairy Service (PDS), a long-time provider of dairy services and equipment based in Tulare, California.

Dairy farmers have a new tool that will help them enhance efficiency and sustainability while accommodating changing regulations that affect their operations. Now available for customer registration, the Milk Sustainability Center from John Deere and DeLaval is an innovative digital ecosystem that integrates agronomic and animal performance into one unified platform.

Attendee registration and general housing for the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) opened on Monday, Oct. 7. Attendees will experience the world’s largest annual display of technology, equipment, supplies and services used in the production and processing of eggs, meat and poultry, and those involved in animal food manufacturing. Already, the 2025 IPPE has more than 574,000 square feet of exhibit space and 1,190-plus exhibitors. Be sure to register online to receive a discounted price of $85 (USD) through Jan. 10, 2025. Beginning Jan. 11, the registration rate is $135.