House subcommittee holds Farm Bill hearing on livestock issues
On March 21, the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture held a public hearing entitled: The Next Farm Bill: Livestock Producer Perspectives.  The subcommittee heard testimony from four witnesses representing the beef, turkey, sheep and pork industries.
Witnesses included:
  • Mr. Craig Uden, President, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Johnson Lake, NE
  • Mr. Carl Wittenburg, Chairman, National Turkey Federation, Alexandria, MN
  • Mr. Bob Buchholz, Region V Executive Board Representative, American Sheep Industry Association, Eldorado, TX
  • Mr. David Herring, Vice President, National Pork Producers Council, Newton Grove, NC
Each of the witnesses mentioned the importance of agricultural research to their industry.  Below are selected quotes from their respective testimonies:

Mr. Uden stated support for increased funding for research on production practices, genetics, animal diseases, economics, nutrition, food safety, and environmental impacts. He went on to say that the research components of USDA and our Land Grant Universities continue to provide critical knowledge to our industry allowing us to be the most efficient and effective producers possible.
Mr. Wittenburg's testimony included a request for mandatory funding to support a four-part package of programs to target animal disease prevention and mitigation.  The package includes mandatory funding for a new Animal Pest and Disease Disaster Prevention Program, a vaccine bank, the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and research under NIFA.
Mr. Buchholz addressed the importance of minor use drug research and the Agricultural Research Service's U.S. Sheep Experiment Station (USSES) and Animal Disease Research Unit (ADRU).  He also stated support for the creation and maintenance of an FMD vaccine bank and continued research.
Mr. Herring expressed NPPC's support for expanding federal funding for research, education and extension programs by improving the quantity and quality of USDA research through the agency's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). Basic, competitive agricultural research allows America's farmers to remain globally competitive in the face of a growing world population, improves public health and strengthens national security.  NPPC supports increasing the funding for agricultural research to ensure that the U.S. livestock industry maintains its competitiveness in the global marketplace.
The importance placed on agricultural research by the four witnesses is a key step in building the foundation for increased support for research in the next Farm Bill.  More information on the hearing can be found here .
Nominations due for FASS-AFIA New Frontiers
in Animal Nutrition Award
The deadline to nominate colleagues for the FASS-AFIA New Frontiers in Animal Nutrition Award is quickly approaching.

The award is designed to stimulate, acknowledge, and reward pioneering and innovative research relevant to the nutrition of animals that benefits humankind and the nutritional value of foods from animals. The award will be presented at the meeting of choice of the award winner (during the ADSA , ASAS, or PSA Annual Meeting) in the summer of 2017.

Procedures: Nominations should be submitted on the FASS website:  https://www.fass.org/about/fass-afia-award . Complete instructions and FASS-AFIA award guidelines can be accessed on the website.

Deadline: All nominations must be SUBMITTED on the website no later than May 1, 2017, 11:59 pm CDT.

Instructions: Guidelines for the FASS-AFIA New Frontiers in Animal Nutrition Award are posted at  https://www.fass.org/about/fass-afia-award . Nominators are encouraged to review the instructions carefully and to follow these guidelines strictly to avoid nomination rejection.

Eligibility:
  • Nominee must have made an outstanding and innovative contribution to nutrition research concerning animals that benefits humankind and/or the nutritional value of food from animals.
  • Nominee must have published results of original research.
  • Nominee must have been a member of ADSA, ASAS, or PSA for at least five consecutive years and currently be a member of such society and in good standing.
  • No individual shall receive the award more than once. Preferably, the award shall be presented to one individual but may be bestowed to coworkers if deemed advisable by the American Feed Industry Association award committee.
If you require any assistance during this submission process, please contact Cara Tharp, FASS awards coordinator, at 1800 South Oak Street, Suite 100, Champaign, Illinois 61820, carat@assochq.org, 217/356-2426.
Dairy farmers should rethink cows' curfew
Dairy cows housed indoors want to break curfew and roam free, according to new research from the University of British Columbia (UBC) published in Scientific Reports.

The study measured how much work dairy cows will do to access pasture by pushing on a weighted gate. The cows worked hard to access pasture, especially at night. As a comparison, the researchers also measured how much weight the cows would push to access their regular feed when kept indoors; cows worked just as hard to go outside as they did to access fresh feed when they were hungry.

"Our findings show cows are highly motivated to be outside," said the study's lead author Marina von Keyserlingk, an animal welfare professor in the UBC faculty of land and food systems.

Von Keyserlingk said many dairy cows in Canada, the U.S. and other parts of the world are housed exclusively indoors. Indoor housing may meet the cow's basic needs for food, water, hygiene and shelter, but it does not allow the cow  to engage in natural behaviors.
Brazil scrambling as JBS SA suspends operations amid scandal
JBS S.A. announced last Thursday that it was suspending operations at 33 out of 36 beef slaughter plants in Brazil for three days after several countries announced bans on Brazilian meat. The bans resulted from a two-year investigation called "Operation Weak Flesh" that came to a head last week in a series of raids.

The raids that took place across several Brazilian states were reportedly the result of a probe into the alleged bribery of health inspectors by the meat companies. According to Reuters, the police said the investigation found evidence that meatpackers bribed inspectors and politicians to overlook unsanitary practices such as processing rotten meat and shipping exports with traces of salmonella.
ADSA News and Happenings

2017 ADSA Annual Meeting News
The ADSA Annual Meeting will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from June 25 to 28. We have created a world-class dairy science program for you, in a vibrant, bustling city. The scientific program will feature 1,100 oral and poster presentations from around the globe. Be sure to check out the current list of symposia and workshops, including speakers and their presentation topics, here: https://www.adsa.org/2017/program.asp.
While at the meeting you are invited to enjoy ADSA Night at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates and the American Dairy Science Association are partnering to offer discounted tickets to meeting attendees!  Visit beautiful PNC Park in person and watch the Pirates battle the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday June 27 at 7:05 pm along with other meeting attendees. Click here for more details and to purchase your tickets for the game.
Online registration for the  2017 ADSA Annual Meeting is open at
https://www.adsa.org/2017/reg.asp. Nonmembers are invited to join ADSA now and attend the meeting at the member rate of only $495. The saving on meeting registration will almost cover you annual membership fee and you will enjoy the great benefits of ADSA membership through December 31, 2017! The sooner you join, the longer you will enjoy the benefits of membership. Remember, in addition to your savings on registration for the ADSA annual meeting your membership includes discounts on your S-PAC subscription, savings on registration for Discover Conferences and all the other member benefits. As a bonus to all registered Annual Meeting attendees, the ADSA Foundation has approved a FREE 90-day trial subscription to S-PAC® (www.spac.adsa.org). Existing individual S-PAC subscribers who attend the meeting will have their current subscription extended by 90 days.
IMPORTANT ADSA 2017 ANNUAL MEETING DEADLINES
Housing:  May 19, 2017
Early Registration:  May 31, 2017
We look forward to seeing you in Pittsburgh.
 
32nd ADSA DISCOVER Conference on Food Animal Agriculture:
Dairy Replacement Heifers: Transitioning from Weaning through First Lactation
May 30-June 1, 2017
Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca, IL
Early Registration Deadline: May 1, 2017
Note: registration is limited to the first 150 registrants.
Registration fees increase by $90 after May 1.
To view complete conference information or to register visit:
https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/DiscoverConferences/32ndDiscoverConference.aspx
 
 
Would you like to help the animal and dairy science community and attend the 2017 ADSA Annual Meeting for free?
Referrals are the most tried-and-true way businesses grow, and the same is true for FASS. Do you know a colleague working with an animal science group that is in need of high-quality, cost-effective support services? Help them out by referring them to Jeremy Holzner, FASS Executive Director at jeremyh@assochq.org .
Help them benefit from the shared resource concept and the 264 years of collective experience the FASS staff have in working with non-profit animal science organizations. If your referral becomes a FASS customer prior to June 1, 2017, ADSA will comp your registration to the 2017 ADSA Annual Meeting that will be held June 25 to 28, 2017 in Pittsburgh, PA.  It's win-win-win. For more information about services offered by FASS, click here.
 
You can Still Become a Sponsor of the Large Dairy Herd Management (3rd edition, e-book)
 Nonprofit organizations, companies, and individuals are invited to take advantage of the opportunity to sponsor one or more of the remaining available sections of the Large Dairy Herd Management (LDHM) e-book currently in development. Sponsors will receive recognition for a three-year period as the e-book is used throughout the dairy industry worldwide. The ADSA® Foundation is publishing this extensively revised and updated edition of the book in early 2017.
 The third edition (98 chapters) will be available in e-book format (designed to allow for convenient updating) with completely new content. It will be sold at ADSA member, nonmember, and student rates and distributed directly by ADSA.
Anticipated users of the e-book include dairy management professionals, progressive producers, extension educators, consultants, upper-level university students studying dairy science and management, and allied industry representatives. The book is written in a practical application style but reflects the scientific rigor of the Journal of Dairy Science®.
As an e-book sponsor, you will receive international recognition for supporting the delivery of up-to-date, peer-reviewed dairy management information to the global dairy industry. Initial e-book section sponsors will have right of first refusal to renew after the initial three-year period of recognition. DON'T WAIT! There are only a limited number of sections available and sponsorship needs to be confirmed prior to publication.   For information on sponsorship and the worldwide recognition it will bring, please contact Larry Miller at largedairyherdmanagement@adsa.org
 
 
ADSA® on Linked In Tops 1,600 - Are you included?
Our ADSA Linked In group continues to grow. We now include 1,601 members from around the world, are you one of them? It's a great place to get information about ADSA and industry activities as well as to network with other dairy professionals from around the world.  Check it out here.






Integrating Dairy Science Globally

Make your plans now to attend the most comprehensive dairy science meeting in the world, the 2017 ADSA Annual Meeting. 

Included are invited symposia and special pre- and post-conference events. 

Visit the meeting website http://www.adsa.org/2017/ regularly for the latest information on the meeting.

See you in Pittsburg - The place where the dairy world meets in 2017.
 

Thanks to our Corporate Sustaining Members
                                 We appreciate your ongoing support of ADSA and the  Journal of Dairy Science ®.
Ag Processing Inc.
Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition
Dairy Nutrition Plus
Darling International Research
Diamond V
DuPont Pioneer
Elanco Animal Health
Grande Cheese Company
Lallemand Animal Nutrition
Nutriad, Inc.
Papillon Agricultural Company
Quali Tech, Inc.
Renaissance Nutrition Inc.
Zinpro
Zoetis
Zook Nutrition & Management Inc.
Calendar of Events
Mar 30-Apr 1  2017 National Contest/Dairy Challenge Academy, Visalia, Cal. For more information, contact Molly Kelly at mollyk@dairychallenge.org, 217-684-3007. www.dairychallenge.org

Apr 10-12, 2017   Congress on Gastrointestinal Function*, Gleacher Center, Chicago. For more information and registration, click here.

Apr 11-13, 2017  High Temperature Short time (HTST) Pasteurizer Workshop, Cornell University.  For more information, contact Louise M Felker, 607-255-7098, lmf226@cornell.edu
Apr 12, 2017  Herd Health and Nutrition Conference. Holiday Inn, Liverpool/Syracuse, NY. For more information, click here.

Apr 17 - 19, 2017    Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference, Grand Wayne Center, Fort Wayne, IN, For more information and registration click here
April 20, 2017  53rd FL Dairy Production Conference. For more information, click here.

Apr 23 - 25, 2017   ADPI/ABI Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, For more information visit www.adpi.org
Apr 23-27, 2017  The World of Cheese from Pasture to Plate Short Course, Babcock Hall, Room 205. University of Wisconsin-Madison. For more information, click here.

Apr 26-28, 2017  Dairy Ingredients 360 Short Course - Introduction to the Basics of Production, Marketing and Use of Dairy Ingredients. The James Hotel, Chicago, IL. For information visit: http://www.adpi.org/events/dairyingredients360
May 2, 2017   Wisconsin Cleaning & Sanitation Workshop, CDR-UW Madison Babcock Hall, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

May 3, 2017  Dairy HACCP Workshop, UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

May 4-July 19, 2017  Certification in Dairy Processing online course, CDR-UW Madison, WI. For more information, visit: https://www.cdr.wisc.edu/shortcourses/certificate_dp_5_17
May 9-10, 2017   Applied Dairy Chemistry Workshop, UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205, Madison, WI. For more information, click here. 

May 10-11, 2017   California Animal Nutrition Conference (CANC)*,  For more information click here
May 14-18, 2017  Membrane & Other Separation Technologies short course - "Applications in food, dairy, beverages and bioprocessing", TIPS building, Texas A&M University Campus, College Station, TX. For more information, click here.

May 22-23, 2017   Pennsylvania Association of Milk, Food and Environmental Sanitarians 78th annual meeting, Pen Stater and Conference Center, State College, PA. For more information and registration, click here.

May 30-June 1, 2017   32nd ADSA Discover Conference - Dairy Replacement Heifers' Transitioning from Weaning through First Lactation, Eaglewood Resort & Spa, Itasca, IL. For more information, click here.

May 30-June 1, 2017  Precision Dairy, Hyatt Regency Lexington, KY. For more information and registration, click here.

May 31-June 1, 2017  The Science of Yogurt (Basic Level), Oregon State University, For more information contact Louise M. Felker, Ph: 607.255.7098  lmf226@cornell.edu  
June 1-3, 2017  2nd Annual Dairy Cattle Welfare Symposium: Intersection of Best Practices and Sustainability, Milwaukee, WI. For more information and registration, click here.

June 6-7, 2017  Science of Yogurt & Fermented Dairy Products-Basic Level, Cornell University, For more information contact Louise M. Felker, Ph:607.255.7098  lmf226@cornell.edu   
June 6-8, 2017  Cheese Grading Short Course, CDR-UW Madison, Babcock Hall, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

June 13-15, 2017  Science of Yogurt & Fermented Dairy Products-Advanced Level, Cornell University, For more information contact Louise M. Felker, Ph:607.255.7098  lmf226@cornell.edu  
June 25-28, 2017  ADSA Annual Conference and Tradeshow, Pittsburgh, PA.  For more information click here
June 28-29, 2017  CDR Buttermakers Short Course, Babcock Hall, UW-Madison, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

July 8-15, 2017   2017 ADGA National Show. Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI. For more details, visit http://adga.org
July 16-21, 2017   36th International Society for Animal Genetics Conference 2017, University College Dublin, Ireland. For more information and registration, click here.

July 25-27, 2017  High Temperature Short Time (HTST) Pasteurizer Workshop, Cornell University, For more information contact Louise M. Felker, Ph:607.255.7098  lmf226@cornell.edu 
Aug 1-2, 2017  Milk Pasteurization Short Course. UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205. Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

Aug 08-09, 2017   Dairy Science and Sanitation, Cornell University, For more information contact Louise M. Felker, Ph: 607.255.7098  lmf226@cornell.edu  

Aug 21-22, 2017  HACCP/Food Safety Plans, Cornell University, For more information contact Louise M. Felker, Ph: 607.255.7098  lmf226@cornell.edu

Aug 23-24, 2017  Implementing SQF Systems, Cornell University   , For more information contact Louise M. Felker, Ph: 607.255.7098  lmf226@cornell.edu  

Aug 30-Nov 14, 2017  Certificate in Dairy Processing online course, CDR-UW Madison, WI. For more information, visit https://www.cdr.wisc.edu/shortcourses/certificate_dp_9_17
Sept 6-7, 2017   Cultured Dairy Products Short Course, UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205, Madison, WI. For more information, click here .
Sept 14-16, 2017  50th Annual Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Omaha, Neb. Nebraska CenturyLink Center. For more information visit, http://www.aadp.org
Sept 17 - 20, 2017 International Whey Conference, Chicago, IL, For more information visit www.internationalwheyconference.org

 Sept 19-22, 2017  33rd ADSA Discover Conference* Integrated Solutions to Fiber Challenges, Chicago Area. For more information, click here.

Sept 20-21, 2017   78th Minnesota Nutrition Conference, City Center Hotel, Mankato, MN. For more information, visit http://www.mnnutritionconf.umn.edu/
Sept 26-28, 2017  14th International Milk Genomics and Human Health Symposium, Quebec City, Canada. For details, visit http://milkgenomics.org/14th-international-symposium-milk-genomics-human-health/
Oct 3-7, 2017  World Dairy Expo, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

Oct 9-13, 2017  Cheese Tech Short Course, UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205, Madison, WI. For more information, click here. 

Oct 12-18, 2017  121st USAHA/AAVLD Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA. For more information, click here.

Oct 17-18, 2017  The Dairy Ingredient Applications Short Course, UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

Oct 24 - 26, 2017   Global Cheese Technology Forum, Peppermill Resort, Reno, NV, for more information visit www.globalcheesetechnologyforum.org
Oct 24-29, 2017   2017 ADGA Annual Meeting & Convention, Hilton Airport Convention Center, Atlanta, GA. For more details, visit http://adga.org
Nov 2-5, 2017   International Conference on Communications in Veterinary Medicine 2017 Innovating Clinical Communications, Hockley Valley Resort - Orangeville, Ont., Canada. For more information, click here.

Nov 8-10, 2017  The Wisconsin Cheese Grading Short Course UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

Nov 13-16, 2017   Symposium on Gut Health in Production of Food Animals, St. Louis, MO. For more information, click here.

Nov 15-16, 2017  Pennsylvania Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop. For more information, click here.

Nov 29-Dec 1, 2017  The Ice Cream Makers Short Course, UW-Madison, Babcock Hall, Room 205, Madison, WI. For more information, click here.

June 24-27, 2018   ADSA Annual Conference and Tradeshow, Knoxville, TN. For more information, click here.

Sept 20-21, 2017  78th Minnesota Nutrition Conference, City Center Hotel, Mankato, MN. For mopre information, visit http://www.mnnutritionconf.umn.edu
Sept. 3-6, 2019   ISRP 2019 - International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology, Kongresshalle am Zoo Leipzig, Germany. For more information, click here.

*An S-PAC Partner Conference
If your organization's conference isn't among the ever growing list that contribute proceedings and presentations to S-PAC®, ask your conference organizer to contact Ken Olson for more information about the benefits of participation.
If you would like to have an event included in the "Dates to Note," please contact Ken Olson.

ADSA Membership Benefits                                  
                                            
Did you know that your ADSA Professional Membership provides you with:

*        Electronic access to the Journal of Dairy Science®

*        Joint Annual Meeting at member rates

*        Discover Conferences at member rates

*        S-PAC: Free access to JAM and ADSA divisional abstracts

*        S-PAC subscription at member rates

*        Access to recorded symposia library                                                                       

*        ADSA News (association newsletter)

*        ADSA Dair e-news (ADSA industry newsletter)

*        Access to member directory

*        Peer recognition through ADSA and Foundation Award Program

*        Discounted page charges in Journal of Dairy Science®

*        A strong voice of advocacy for the animal sciences, animal agriculture and agriculture research

*        Broad author recognition through ADSA/Elsevier press release program

*        Linked In and You Tube sites for ADSA

*        Quality networking with academic and industry professionals

*        Travel awards for all graduate students attending Discover Conferences

*        Opportunity to serve peers via committee and officer positions

 
For more information on your benefits please visit: http://www.adsa.org/join.asp
To join now and gain these member benefits, visit: http://www.adsa.org/join.asp

American Dairy Science Association
1800 South Oak St., Suite 100, Champaign, IL 61820
Email: ADSA@assochg.org