Farm Bureau Award Winners Receive Tractor (Lancaster Farming, Dec. 24, ’05). “The winners of Pennsylvania Farm bureau’s 2005 Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award were handed the keys to a new Kubota tractor during a ceremony recently at their farm in Adams County.  John and Jaylene Hess of Gettysburg will have free use of the tractor for one year. . . . The Hess’s selected a 105 horsepower Kubota M105 tractor and loader. . . John and Jaylene are an integral part of a farm family partnership that operates a large dairy farm near Gettysburg. JoBo Holstein Farm milks 500 cows three times daily and has plans in place for future herd expansion.”

Stakeholders introduce Board members (Farmshine, Dec. 23, ’05). “The Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders Board of Directors elected new officers and directors. . . . Janice Burkholder, Chambersburg was elected to the secretary position. . . . Secretary Burkholder is a Franklin County dairy producer . . . . Beverly Minor, dairy producer in Washington County, completed her second term and retired from the board. . . . During Minor’s eight years as a member of the board, she shared leadership of several committees, the most recent being the Pacesetter Award and Board Structure committees. . . . Additional members of the 2006 Board include . . . Chuck Cruickshank, Land O’Lakes; Clifford Hawbaker, dairy producer; and Kirk Sattazahn, Select Sire Power.”

John and Jaylene Hess of Adams County were pictured in Farmshine (Nov. 25, ’05).  The Hesses were selected as the winners of the Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) Achievement Award, presented at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in Hershey.

Training Hispanics reduces risks, cuts costs in Farmshine (Dec. 2, ’05) discusses the educational loss control program for dairy farm families and their employees available in both English and Spanish introduced at the December 7th PDMP board meeting. “Larger dairies have more employees and in many cases those employees re Hispanics who may not fully understand operational instructions and/or safety instructions. It is those people who this program is specifically designed for. The program is also taught, of course, to English-speaking people. PDMP President Logan Bower has already graduated his family and employees though the program.”

Dairy farm management takes center stage as Farmshine (Nov. 18, ’05) begins an ongoing series “which will chronicle the decisions, activities, and planning of one multi-generation dairy farm family as they set new goals for the future. The dairy is Meadow Vista Farms owned by the Risser family: brothers Don and Gerald and Don’s son Eric are co-owners; Gerald’s sons Jarred, Jason and Justin are employees. . . . This week’s installment explores the role and function of a profit team, and offers an observer’s view of Meadow Vista’s profit team in action. Future articles in the series will follow the Risser family and their team of advisors as they analyze spreadsheets, tackle challenges, and make decisions about the future.”

Skills class for dairymen; opens eyes, builds confidence (Farmshine, Nov. 18, ’05).  Matt Ulmer, assistant manager, Guided-Path Farm, Bellefonte, PA is one of seven graduate of the Penn State Dairy Production Skills Certificate program launched last fall by Dairy Alliance and offered for the first time at Brubaker Farm in Mt. Joy, Lancaster County. The program “is an introductory-level production training program designed for recent high school graduates, new dairy farm employees, or long-time employees and producers who want to update their knowledge of dairy production methods, skills, and technologies.” The program “will be offered this fall and spring at Y-Run Farm in Troy, Bradford County. The new Penn State Advanced Dairy Production Certificate—the second certificate in the series—will be launched this spring at Burk-Lea Dairy in Chambersburg, Franklin County.”

There’s more than one way to feed cows is featured in Farmshine (Nov. 4, ’05). Author Sandy Crawford notes, “Panel members for the concluding segment of the Bradford County Mini-Dairy Day program . . .had three different feeding approaches in their herds. Glenn Kline, along with his brother Gary, and father, Ron, own and manage a 425-cow dairy near Troy, known as Y-Run Farm.  They expanded their herd and built a new freestall/milking parlor eight years ago. Production is around 87-88 lbs. Per day. They feed a TMR comprised of corn silage, haylage, brewer’s grain, corn meal, soybeans, and bakery waste.”

Profit teams make them money (Hoard’s Dairyman, Nov. ’05) reports on the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence profit team program. “Ten herds made up the initial pilot group. . . .The herd with the best herd average when the project started was Ar-Joy Farm located near Cochranville, in southeastern Pennsylvania. . . . Duane Hershey and his wife Marilyn, operate the recently expanded 470-cow farm. . . . The Hersheys’ team included three veterinarians from the nearby University of Pennsylvania who also do the farm’s nutrition work, as well as their banker, another local large herd dairyman, and their accountant who facilitated the meetings. . . .‘The profit team has been a huge benefit to us,” Duane says. ‘I think the added record keeping and budgeting that we do now has improved our relationship with our lender as well,’ Marilyn adds.

Hilecrest Farms Honored for Excellence in Small Business is featured in the Lancaster Farming Dairy Plus publication  “A Focus on Genetics” included in Lancaster Farming (Nov. 19, ’05). “The Blair County Chamber of Commerce recently broke new ground in presenting Hilecrest Farms of Tyrone its 2005 Business Award of Distinction for Excellence in Small Business. The recognition is significant not only for the honor it bestows upon David C. Hileman, a well-known dairy producer and leader in Pennsylvania, but because it marks the firs time that a dairy farm has been acknowledged as a ‘business’ within the greater business community. . . A founding member, former president, and current board member of the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania, Hileman has provided leadership for progressive dairy producers in the state.

Adams County Farmers Win PA Farm Bureau Young Farmer Achievement Award (Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Press Release, Nov. 15, ’05). “Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has selected John and Jaylene Hess of Adams County as the winners of the Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) Achievement Award during PFB’s Annual Meeting in Hershey.  The award honors the farmer or farm couple between the ages of 18 and 35 who have demonstrated outstanding farming and leadership achievements. The contestants were evaluated . . . on the basis of their farm operation, with emphasis on the farm’s growth and financial progress and the applicant’s record of leadership within and outside of Farm Bureau. John II and Jaylene are an integral part of a farm family partnership that operates a large dairy farm near Gettysburg.  JoBo Holstein Farm milks 500 cows three times daily and has plans in place for future herd expansion. . . Finalists for the YF&R Achievement Award included Tony and Rebecca Brubaker of Lancaster County.” Read the complete release at  http://www.pfb.com/news/release/YF&R%20ACHIEVEMENT%20AWARD.pdf

Teaching the Language of Worker Relations ( Penn State Outreach Magazine , Fall '05) highlights a Penn State Cooperative Extension "three-step program for improving Hispanic worker management on dairy farms." Stanley Burkholder at Burk-Lea Farm , where Extension Dairy Management Educator Vinton Smith piloted the program, says: "I really liked the process, especially when Vinton came back and reviewed the work."

DMS growth shows spirit of cooperation by Don Risser is featured in the "Letters from Readers" section of Farmshine ( Oct. 7, '05 ).

Pennsylvania dairy earns small business award ( Dairy Herd Management Online , Nov. 15, 2005 ). " Hilecrest Farms of Tyrone , Pa. , recently received the 2005 Business Award of Distinction for Excellence in Small Business from the Blair County Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce. The recognition is significant not only for the honor it bestows upon David C. Hileman , but also because it marks the first time that a dairy farm has been acknowledged as a 'business' within the greater business community." Read the complete article at http://www.dairyherd.com/news_editorial.asp?pgID=675&ed_id=4949 (free registration required).

Gov. Rendell Meets with Lancaster County Agricultural Community (PA Dept. of Ag website and various publications, Aug/Sept '05). "Gov. Edward G. Rendell met with more than 100 farmers, agribusiness representatives and state and local officials at Luke Brubaker's farm to discuss current issues faced by the state's farmers.  Those in attendance had the opportunity to present their thoughts on Pennsylvania agriculture and to ask questions about farm policy. The Governor was joined by state Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff." Read the press release at http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?Q=135754&A=390 .

Progress Through Communication For Agriculture. . . coordinated a tour of four Potter County farms. Lancaster Farming (Sept. 10, '05) reports, "The group of representatives, press, and government officials boarded a bus for a short ride to the Four Winds Farm, a dairy farm owned by Rick VanEtten . VanEtten told the group that it was hard to keep farm employees. The work is hard, the weather is a factor, and the hours are long. It takes a great deal of commitment to be in diary these days. VanEtten enlisted the help of his former feed manager, Todd Welty . . . . That was the beginning of the partnership that is moving the farm forward."

Fuhrmann: Streamline The Milking Routine (Dairy Plus section, Lancaster Farming , Aug. '05) "Fuhrmann, a veterinarian and founder of DairyWorks, an independent dairy consulting company from Arizona, was the featured speaker at an Aug. 4 professional development meeting put on by the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania (PDMP). The group of about 175 people, including PDMP members and others, heard Fuhrmann's presentation on milking parlor management at Wilson College in the morning, followed by an afternoon tour of Stan and Janice Burkholder's Burk-Lea Farms. . . . During the afternoon tour at Burk-Lea Farms near Chambersburg visitors had a chance to see milking procedures in action in the dairy's double-14 herringbone parlor, where the Burkholders' crew milks about 535 cows twice a day."

Lancaster Farming Salutes 2005 Dairy of Distinction Winners ( Lancaster Farming , July 30, '05 ). PDMP member Star Rock Dairy, Inc. , Conestoga, Lancaster County , is operated by brothers Rob and Tom Barley and cousin Abe Barley Jr. "The Barleys moved their new operation into new facilities, just up the road from the former dairy. The new setup includes an 850-stall barn and expandable double-16 milking center. The milking herd consists of about 1,060 Holsteins . About 750 replacement heifers are raised on the farm as well." PDMP member Way-Har Farm , Bernville, Berks County , "is a family partnership made up of Wayne and Shirley Lesher, their son William, and his wife Lolly. More than half of the milk from the herd of 110 cows is sold through the retail store on the farm. . . The grazing herd consists of about 60 percent Holsteins , with Jerseys , Brown Swiss, and a few Milking Shorthorn show animals rounding out the lineup."

The Art of Food Defense for the Dairy Industry ( Pipeline , MD & VA Milk Producers, Aug. '05) "The dairy industry has been diligently working with a variety of state and federal agencies for years, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and athe United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), to ensure that the milk supply is secure and protected from intentional contamination." This article is illustrated with a photo of Rod Carson , Martinsburg , PA , showing that he "posts signs warning visitors to first check in with farm management before venturing into bio-secure areas."

"The Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania (PDMP) has named Michael Brubaker as it's first executive director," reports Northeast DairyBusiness (July '05). "PDMP president Logan Bower announced the appointment in early June at the group's professional development meeting at Star Rock Dairy Inc., Conestoga, PA."

Separation anxiety: the good, the bad, the ambiguous ( Northeast DairyBusiness , May '05) uses a photo of Penn England Farm's screw-press separator to illustrate this article on manure separation. The caption notes, "Penn England Farms' screw-press separator runs a couple of hours a day, and processes much more bedding than the dairy needs."

Maryland & Virginia Invests $10,000 in Scholarships in 15 Future Dairy Leaders ( Pipeline , June '05). Scott Mosemann, son of Richard and Linda Mosemann , Warfordsburg , PA received a $500 award. Scott, "a junior at Penn State University , is majoring in animal bioscience with the goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian. . . . Scott is active in the dairy club and EARTH House and recently received his FFA American degree."

Land O’Lakes reports profits, honors members (Farmshine, Apr. ’05) “Land O’Lakes held its Unit membership meetings in March . . . During the meetings, members heard from their Land O’Lakes director and management team. Gordon Hoover, Gap, Pa., Dairy Committee chairman and Region 53 director, told members in his region, which includes southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, that he is excited about the cooperative’s future. . . . Land O’Lakes strength is in its brand name, according to Hoover. Land O’Lakes holds the number-one market share in butter and deli cheese and the cooperative grew its market share in core product lines in 2004.”

PMMB’s authority upheld by U.S. District Court (Farmshine, Apr. 8, ’05). “Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board Chairman Boyd E. Wolff announced . . . that the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has upheld the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board’s authority to set minimum wholesale prices. . . . Chairman Wolff and Board members Luke Brubaker and Barbara Crumbine thanked all segments of the Pennsylvania dairy industry, who worked together to defend this case.”

Less stress equals better milk is a “Dairy Edge” feature in Northeast Dairy Business (April ’05). The article highlights the presentation made by PDMP member Tom Barley of Star Rock Dairy, Conestoga, PA at the PA Dairy Summit in February. “Minimizing stress on cows is one of the best avenues to lower somatic cell count (SCC) and improve quality milk. . . . Barley’s 1,000-cow herd averages 150,000 SCC.” Tom Barley’s advice on minimizing stress is summarized, including Tom’s final recommendation, “Pay attention. ‘Constant monitoring is a priority.’”

Tell you neighbors this, says Rich Stup of the PA Dairy Alliance and an honorary member of PDMP (Northeast Dairy Business, Apr. ’05). “As part of the work done with the PA Dairy Task Force, Rich Stup . . . provided these three reasons to encourage farm growth in communities: 1. Dairy farms make long-term positive economic contributions to communities. . . . 2. Dairy farms create jobs on farms and in local support businesses. . . . 3. Dairy farms export milk to cities and import dollars to local communities. . . .”

YC Conference Delivers Recipe for Success & Recognizes Outstanding Young Leaders (Pipeline, MD&VA Milk Producers Coop. Assn, Apr. ’05). In the section headed Thriving in the Future: “ . . . Janice Burkholder, Chambersburg, PA, Zach Myers, Jonesville, NC, and Kevin Phillips, Waynesboro, VA, shared with YCs methods they’ve implemented that enable their diverse dairies to be successful. . . . In Emerging Leaders: “The 2005 Outstanding YCs are Byron & Carol Graybeal of Peach Bottom, PA. The couple will represent the cooperative at the National Milk Produccers Federation (NMPF) Annual Meeting and YC Conference this fall in San Francisco, Calif., and in Las Vegas, Nev., in 2006. They will also serve on the NMPF YC Advisory Council. Bryon is a partner in Graywood Farms, a 620 cow dairy in southern Lancaster County, and Carol is a school psychologist with Lancaster/Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13. The Graybeals are active in Solanco Young Farmers, who named Byron Outstanding Young Farmer under 30, Solanco Republicans and Lancaster 4-H.”

Graybeals named outstanding young cooperators (Farmshine, March 25, ’05). “Byron and Carol Graybeal of Peach Bottom, PA, have been chosen as the Outstanding Young Cooperators of Maryland & Virginia Cooperative Milk Producers Association. . . . Byron is a partner in Graywood Farms, a 620-cow dairy in southern Lancaster County . . . . The Graybeals are active in Solanco Young Farmers, who named Byron Outstanding Young Farmer under 30. . . . Byron and Carol will attend Maryland & Virginia’s annual meeting . . . and monthly Maryland & Virginia board meetings. The couple will represent the cooperative at the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) annual meeting and YC Conference this fall in San Francisco, Calif., and in Las Vegas, Nev., in 2006. They will also serve on the NMPF YC Advisory Board.”

Monitoring reproduction with Repmon (Northeast Dairy Business, March ’05) reports on a “series of programs for reproduction, nutrient management and production evaluation, developed by faculty at New Bolton Center, the large animal clinic for the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. . . . Using data from a dairy’s DHI records, these models assess the economic impact of management practices on a herd and on individual cows. . . . ‘Using these tools has helped us streamline our labor efficiency,’ said Walt Moore of Walmoore Holsteins, Chatham, PA. ‘They really help quantify management changes.’ Moore milks 630 cows on four farms he co-owns with his wife and parents. His family has been involved for 30 years with New Bolton Center’s field service program, in everything from nutrition to herd health.

Strong medicine for an ailing industry is an editorial by Susan Harlow in Northeast Dairy Business (Mar. ’05). Ms Harlow recounts problems in Pennsylvania’s dairy industry such as the 10% drop in milk production in the past five years, but also notes some positive signs such as the fact that “in the last quarter of 2004, milk production grew 1.2% above December 2003.” She then says, “Just as exciting was the buzz at the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit . . . with the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders and the Center for Dairy Excellence. . . . the talk in the corridors was all about new directions the producers planned to take their businesses.”

What expansion taught us was the theme of the 54th Annual Hoard’s Dairyman Round Table (Hoard’s Dairyman, Jan. 25, ’05). Keith and Kent Spicher, Kish-View Farm, Belleville, PA were featured along with owners of dairy farms in Virginia, Wisconsin and California. The article notes, “Expansion came in stages for central Pennsylvania’s Kish-View Farm, owned by brothers Ken and Keith Spicher. About 350 cows are housed in three free stall barns which were built as their herd size grew. The most recent was a 100-cow free stall barn built in 2003.” All the dairy farmers answered questions about how they dealt with a variety of issues involved in expanding their operations. “Though different in so many ways,” the article notes, “one common theme developed from their conversations…the importance of setting goals. . . . these farms were aggressive in taking advantage of opportunities and are now positioned for success in the future.”

Stan and Janice Burkholder, Burk-Lea Farm, Chambersburg, PA were recognized on the “2004 Member Honor Roll” as 25-year members in Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association in the February 2005 edition of Pipeline.

Luke Brubaker “Farmer of the Year” (PA Farm Bureau Country Focus, Feb. ’05). “State Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff presented the 2005 Country Folks Keystone Farm Show ‘Farmer of the Year’ Award to Luke Brubaker of Mt. Joy, Lancaster County . . . . Brubaker was recognized for his involvement in the dairy industry. In addition to his daily farming responsibilities that include 1,500 acres of crops, a 600-cow dairy operation and the raising of more than 250,000 broilers per year, Brubaker has also served two terms as a member of the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board. His prize package included a $500 scholarship in his name to the college or university of his choice.”

Membership is strongly recommended is the lead editorial by Dieter Krieg in Farmshine (Jan. 7, ’05). He says, “. . . we’d like to suggest a decision that is very likely going to make you a better dairyman: Join one of the relatively new organizations that have sprung up all over the country to offer milk producers a solid platform for stability and advancement. We are referring, of course, to those groups which bring dairymen together on a professional level. In Pennsylvania that’s the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania. . . . So, there you are…quite possibly the typical Pennsylvania dairyman with 70 or so cows and you’re thinking that the PDMP and similar groups are for the guys with 700 cows or more. No sir! You could have as few as seven cows and benefit from the information that they gather and present. Size makes no difference. But attitude does! . . . Please consider joining the professional group in your state. . . Consider the membership fee an investment in your future and that of your family.”

A Changing Way of Life, a special feature in the Business Matters section of the Centre Daily Times (Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005), features Dan Ulmer of Guided Path farm. Bellefonte farmer Dan Ulmer likes being his own boss, being able to control what happens on his farm and the time he gets to spend with his family. It is, quite simply, a way of life he enjoys. . . . His farm supported his family with 70 cows a decade ago, but now needs 175 to remain competitive. Another 150 replacement cows, from calves to mature cows, also need to be cared for as they wait to replace aging animals. . . . Hiring employees became necessary as the workload grew. Tasks he and part-time help could handle before now require additional manpower, even with the help of Ulmer's children, Matthew, Miranda, Nathan and Naomi. . . . Ulmer said new technology continues to surface, but to justify the investment, the farm needs to be larger. . . . It is likely the future holds more cattle, Ulmer said. The complete article is currently available at Business Matters II.

Built with an eye to cool cows (Northeast DairyBusiness, Jan. ’05) highlights Star Rock Dairy partner Tom Barley. “Summers in southern Pennsylvania are hot and humid – not ideal for dairy cows. So when Tom Barley and his partners made plans to build a new dairy in Conestoga, heat stress was high on their list of problems to address. . . . The steel barn has an overshot ridge vent and few trusses to impede a smooth flow of air through the barn and out the peak. The Barleys chose to cool the barn with fans rather than tunnel ventilation. . . . There is no insulation in the ceiling, and the barn’s excellent ventilation should keep the steel roof from rusting, Barley says. . . . Barley chose sprinklers over misters because he wanted to really soak down cows to keep them cool . . . . With one summer under this belt, the new facility has lived up to expectations, Barley says. Milk production, which averaged between 80 and 83 pounds per cow, is running about 86 pounds, for a herd average of 26,400 pounds.”

Take a team approach (Northeast Dairy Business, Nov. ’04) features the farm of Dan Mains and his father Francis Mains in Newville, PA. “The Mainses have had a business advisory team for about seven years.” In addition to the Mainses, the team includes the farm’s herd manager, assistant herd manager and accountant; the dairy’s feeder; the dairy’s veterinarian and nutritionist; their contract heifer grower; and representatives from AgChoice Farm Credit, Penn State Cooperative Extension, and Monsanto. “At 10 people, the team is at the maximum ideal size, Dan Mains says. . . . Mains schedules advisory team meetings about three months in advance, every six to eight week. . . The team meets “at a restaurant a few miles from the farm. ‘When we met here on the farm, we were constantly being interrupted’ . . . The team hears several reports – on finances, cost per hundredweight, and feed numbers such as costs, dry matter intake (DMI) and milk per DMI . . . Then team members discuss long-term issues and strategies. Their input really helps decision-making on the dairy, Mains says. . . . The advisory team also keeps the dairy’s management on track to make improvements.”

Pa. Governor proposes ACRE initiative is the “Environment” feature in the October 2004 edition of Northeast Dairy Business. Dave Hileman, president of PDMP, is interviewed on the Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment (ACRE) initiative. “To see how ACRE plays in the dairy community, we asked Dave Hileman, president of the Professional Dairy Mangers of Pennsylvania (PDMP). ‘It’s too early to really tell how ACRE will play out,’ Hilemen says. But it’s positive to see the emphasis on negotiation over litigation, he adds. Hileman isn’t sympathetic to rural residents who criticize farms for odors. ‘People move to the country and enjoy the odor of new-mown hay, but they take issue with other odors,’ he says. Hileman says agricultural operations should get credit for their positive contributions to air quality, made by growing green crops, for example, not just negative impacts. Finally, agriculture must find another word besides ‘manure.’ ‘Organic nutrient byproduct of the dairy industry,’ is Hileman’s choice. ‘We better start using it,’” he says.

Dairies get renewable-energy grants. USDA Secretary Ann Veneman announced 167 recipients from 26 states will receive $22.8 million in competitive grants to support renewable-energy efforts. A large percent of the applications selected this year will support anaerobic digesters and wind-power ventures. At least 16 dairies in four states, California, Minnesota, New York and Wisconsin, will receive grant money for anaerobic digester projects. PDMP member Penn England Farm received a grant of $203,725 for an anaerobic digester project. A complete list of the selected grant recipients and projects can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/newsroom/2004/EnergyLists0904.html.

Members In the News: 2006 | Members In the News: 2005