In brief
for Dairy on Feb. 26, 2010
Updated: Saturday, February 27, 2010 12:09 PM
Industrial cheese workshop set
Idaho's industrial cheese processors -- including plant operators, cheese makers and quality assurance and operations personnel -- will take part in a University of Idaho Extension and TechHelp workshop, "Principles of Industrial Cheese Making," on March 9-10 in Twin Falls.
Taught by Carl Brothersen, associate director of the Western Dairy Center, and Donald McMahon, professor of dairy foods at Utah State University, the workshop will cover milk composition, coagulants and standardization as well as cheese technology, starter cultures and ingredients, pasteurization, cheese evaluation, yields, mechanization and other topics.
Jeff Kronenberg, food processing specialist for University of Idaho Extension and TechHelp, directs the educational initiative in industrial dairy processing.
"We make huge volumes of cheddar cheese, whey and milk powder in Idaho," Kronenberg said. "Training improves the competitiveness of an industry that is a significant contributor to Idaho's economy."
Other workshops in the series include dairy hazard analysis and critical control points, pasteurization, whey processing, Global Food Safety Initiative food safety standards and evaporation and drying.
The workshop is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. March 9-10 at the Canyon Crest Dining and Event Center. Cost is $450 per person or $385 if group discounts apply.
Information: Contact Paula Peterman at 208-364-6188 or paulap@uidaho.edu or visit www.techhelp.org
Holstein sets milk record
WALDO, Wis. (AP) -- This Holstein is more than just another udder in the herd.
The cow from the Ever-Green-View Farm in eastern Wisconsin has set a new national milk production record.
A Holstein tagged number 1326 in Waldo has produced about 8,400 gallons of milk in one year.
The cow's milk production of 72,170 pounds is well above the previous record of nearly 68,000 pounds held by a cow in Marathon. The Holstein Association USA keeps records on top producers dating back to 1971.
Owner Tom Kestell says his standout Holstein received no special treatment and was never sick during the record-setting year, which ended Feb. 6.
Senator to offer new worker bill
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy says he plans to introduce legislation that would allow dairy farmers to hire foreign workers through a special visa program for seasonal laborers.
Leahy says he's deeply disappointed with the Department of Labor's new rules on H-2A agricultural workers.
Leahy says the department continues to allow some year-round farm workers access to the visa program and has added coverage for logging workers.
The new rules are an effort by the Obama administration to increase wages and job safety protections for temporary farm workers, reversing a Bush era policy that unions said fostered cheap labor and undercut domestic hiring. The rules also require growers to make a greater effort to fill jobs with domestic workers.
Regulators plan blanket permit
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- State environmental officials are proposing a blanket permit for large farms.
Right now, anyone who wants to start a farm with more than 1,000 animal units, the equivalent of about 700 dairy cows, must obtain an individual permit from the Department of Natural Resources.
The permits prohibit spreading liquid manure when the ground is frozen, among other things.
DNR regulators want to move to a general permit system for farms between 1,000 and 5,700 animal units. Farms with 300 to 999 animal units could be subject to a general permit if they have uncorrected pollution problems.
The permit's restrictions wouldn't change, but agency officials said the move would speed up the permit process. The agency plans to put the plan out for public hearings later this spring.