10.03.2011

Iowa State Dairy Association to Hold Policy Drafting Meetings

The Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA) will hold three regional Policy Drafting Meetings this year in an effort to reach more members. Please mark your calendar for one of the following meetings!

• Wednesday, October 19, at the ISU Sioux County Extension office, 400 Central Ave. NW, Suite 700, Orange City (downstairs classroom).
• Wednesday, October 26, at the Country Junction restaurant in Dyersville, located at the junction of Highways 136 and 20, 913 15th Ave. SE.
• Wednesday, November 9, at the ISU dairy farm classroom, 52470 260th St., Ames.

All meetings will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and lunch will be provided. All current ISDA members are invited and encouraged to attend. If you are not currently an ISDA member but would like to have a say in ISDA policy, new memberships will be taken at the door.

Attendees will review current policy and proposed resolutions, as well as draft new resolutions. This is an important meeting for ISDA members to share opinions and review ISDA policy. The 2012 legislative session starts in early January and it is essential for Iowa’s dairy industry to come together to draft resolutions that will drive the association’s initiatives in the year to come.

After the Policy Drafting Meetings, proposed resolutions will be sent to ISDA Annual Meeting Delegates for review. Final voting on resolutions will take place at ISDA’s annual meeting in January.

In order to get an accurate count for lunch and meeting handouts, please RSVP to Jessica Bloomberg by calling (515) 971-3620 or email jessicab@iowadairy.org and remember to indicate which meeting you will attend.

ISDA members unable to attend the Policy Drafting Meeting are welcome to submit resolutions and suggestions in writing. All comments must be received by Friday, November 4. You may submit via email to jessicab@iowadairy.org, by mail to 101 NE Trilein Dr., Ankeny, IA 50021 or by fax to (515) 964-5498.

You may review current ISDA policy by visiting the ISDA website www.iowadairy.org and clicking on the link to the 2011 ISDA Policy.


The Iowa State Dairy Association is a non-profit organization directed by the dairy producers and dairy industries of Iowa.


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8.09.2011

Shover Chosen for 2011 Ralph Keeling Leadership Award

The Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA) is proud to announce the winner of the 2011 Ralph Keeling Leadership Award. This year’s recipient is Larry Shover, a dairy farmer from Delhi, Iowa.

“Our family is honored to represent Iowa dairy producers in receiving this award,” says Shover, “dairy has been an important, special part of our lives.”

Along with his wife, Nancy, and his mother, Frances, Shover milks 105 registered Holsteins, farms more than 1,000 acres, and operates an independent farrow-to-finish swine operation.

He is a member of the Dairy Farmers of America Corporate Board, serves as treasurer of the Iowa Division of the Midwest Dairy Association, is the secretary of the ISDA board of directors, serves on the Dairy Lab Services board and is Chairman of the ADA of the Midwest. He is a founder and board member of the Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation.

Shover is an Iowa Distinguished Dairyman and Iowa State University Dairy Science Club Honorary Member. He has received Conservation Farm, 4-H and Delaware County Dairy Council Service awards and is an FFA Honorary Chapter farmer. He is a member of Golden Prairie Congregational United Church of Christ in Ryan, Iowa, where he is on the board of trustees, is a Deacon and a Sunday school teacher.

“We are thankful that we’re able to work with our cows and the land to produce nature’s most nearly perfect food,” says Shover. “I truly believe that dairy farming can continue to be a vital, economically-friendly, sustainable part of Iowa’s economy and culture.”

The Shovers have one son, Todd, who is an emergency room physician in Waverly, Iowa. Todd and his wife Nickole have three sons, Jack, Sam and Luke.

The Ralph Keeling Leadership Award is given in honor of the late Ralph Keeling. Keeling operated a successful dairy farm and business, devoting much of his time and talents to help the progress of Iowa's dairy industry. Since 1967, this award has been presented annually to outstanding individuals in various fields of the State’s dairy industry.

Nominations were reviewed by a committee consisting of the past three Ralph Keeling Leadership Award winners and a recipient was chosen from the field of excellent candidates.

Presentation of the award will take place during the Iowa State Fair on Friday, August 12, at 7 p.m. in the Livestock Pavilion on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. ISDA President, Wayne Dykshorn, will present the award and joining him this year in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Butter Cow is G. Joe Lyon, husband of the late Duffy Lyon, “the Butter Cow Lady.”

7.27.2011

Chocolate Milk to make Appearance at RAGBRAI

This year during RAGBRAI, The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, chocolate milk will be available during the route on July 28 near Baxter. Riders will be looking for Annabelle, the extra large Roberts Dairy display cow, to mark the driveway where they can pull in and enjoy a free ice-cold container of nutritious chocolate milk to keep them energized.

Midwest Dairy Association helped to coordinate a donation of 4,000 servings of chocolate milk supplied by Roberts Dairy and Dean Foods/Land O’ Lakes. “This is a great opportunity to be part of such a well-known event in Iowa. It is just one of our many strategies to help show people how chocolate milk can be a great refuel drink,” said Kent Lehs, Midwest Dairy Association industry relations manager.

Research has shown low-fat chocolate milk contains the right mix of carbs and protein to refuel muscles after a tough workout. Its unique blend of nutrients helps people rehydrate, replenish and rebuild after strenuous exercise.

RAGBRAI is a week-long bicycling tour across the state of Iowa. It draws thousands of spectators and participants, and its history has made it one of Iowa’s premiere summer events.

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(Source: Midwest Dairy Association)

7.18.2011

Nominees Sought for Ralph Keeling Leadership Award

The Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA) is now accepting nominations for the Ralph Keeling Leadership Award. Each year an outstanding member of Iowa's dairy industry is presented this prestigious award.

Nominations are open to producers, educators or industry persons in the dairy field who have significantly contributed to the progress of Iowa's dairy industry. Nomination forms are available for downloading on the ISDA Web site, www.iowadairy.org, or by contacting Jessica Bloomberg, ISDA Industry Relations Manager, at (515) 971-3620 or jessicab@iowadairy.org. Nominations are due Friday, July 22, 2011. For a list of past winners, visit the ISDA Web site.

The Ralph Keeling Leadership Award is given in honor of the late Ralph Keeling. Keeling operated a successful dairy farm and business, devoting much of his time and talents to help the progress of Iowa's dairy industry. Since 1967, this award has been presented annually to outstanding individuals in various fields of the State’s dairy industry.

Presentation of the award will take place during the Iowa State Fair on Friday, August 12, in the Livestock Pavilion on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey and Iowa State Dairy Association President, Wayne Dykshorn, will present the award.

The Ralph Keeling Leadership Award is sponsored by the Iowa State Dairy Association.

6.06.2011

June is National Dairy Month!

Beautiful weather has arrived just in time to celebrate Dairy Month! “June is National Dairy Month and what a perfect time to enjoy delicious, nutritious dairy treats!” says Wayne Dykshorn, President of the Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA). “June is also a great time to think about all the hard work that goes into making those products,” he continues, “Iowa’s dairy farmers are committed to producing the highest quality, most nutritious dairy products possible. They are dedicated to caring for their animals and making sure they are comfortable, especially in the summer heat. Dairy farmers also strive to care for the environment and take good care of our natural resources.”

Dairy farming is important to Iowa’s economy. It is estimated that more than 26,000 jobs are provided by dairy industry – including jobs on dairy farms, by dairy processors and other services that benefit and aid the dairy industry—resulting in more than $1.5 billion contributed annually to Iowa’s economy. “Iowa is home to 1,922 dairy farms and 209,000 dairy cows,” says Jessica Bloomberg, Industry Relations Manager for the ISDA. “Those cows produced 4.34 billion pounds of milk in 2010 making Iowa the 12th largest milk producing state.” Iowa also has 214 dairy goat farms and even a dairy sheep farm.

In addition to being an important part of Iowa’s economy, dairy is also an important part of a healthy diet. Milk naturally has nine essential nutrients making dairy products delicious and nutritious. Recent studies have shown that consuming dairy products as part of a balanced diet has many health benefits including helping maintain a healthy body weight, assisting in controlling high blood pressure and limiting the risk of osteoporosis. Studies also show that drinking low-fat or fat-free milk or chocolate milk after an endurance or resistance workout is a great alternative to sports drinks because the protein in milk helps build and refuel muscles, the carbohydrates replenish energy, and fluid and electrolytes replace what is lost in sweat to rehydrate the body.

“So while you are enjoying a glass of cold chocolate milk after a tough workout or having ice cream on a warm summer night, remember all the hard work that went into making those treats, and maybe thank a dairy farmer for his or her dedication,” says Bloomberg.

If you would like to learn more about Iowa’s dairy industry, plan a visit to one of the open houses being held in honor of June Dairy Month:
Saturday, June 11: Dairy Breakfast on the Farm, 8 a.m.—noon at The Dairy Center, 1527 Hwy 150 S., Calmar, Iowa.
Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, cubed cheese, milk, coffee and juice. This family-oriented event includes a tour of the 250-cow dairy farm at The Dairy Center, a farm animal petting zoo and interactive activities with NICC Dairy Science Club members.

Friday, June 17: ISU Dairy Farm Tour, 6—11 a.m. at the Iowa State University dairy farm, 52470 260th St., Ames, Iowa.
This is a free event for all ages! Enjoy a guided riding tour of the dairy farm and learn about animal care and comfort, product quality and environmental stewardship. Tours will run from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. Visit the Ag Discovery Center between 7 and 11 a.m. to learn more about Iowa agriculture and participate in fun activities for kids and adults. Guests will also enjoy delicious dairy treats!

Wednesday, June 29: VanEss Dairy Open House, 4:30—6:30 p.m. at the VanEss Dairy Farm, 2996 Sorrel Ave., Sanborn, Iowa.
Bring the whole family and learn about modern dairy production, enjoy a free meal, and learn about the importance of dairy products in a healthy diet. As part of the dairy industry’s partnership with the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, plans are being finalized for a special guest.

We hope to see you there!

The Iowa State Dairy Association is a non-profit organization directed by the dairy producers and dairy industries of Iowa.

2.08.2011

ISDA to Award College Scholarships

The Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA) is proud to announce that it will again award six college scholarships of $500 to Iowa students. “We are proud to once again be awarding scholarships to deserving students,” says Wayne Dykshorn, President of the Iowa State Dairy Association. “We had such outstanding applicants last year; we are excited to do this again!”

The scholarships are available to any level undergraduate student, incoming freshmen through seniors, pursuing a degree in any field.

Candidates must complete the ISDA scholarship application and attach a one-page essay. The essay should state his/her plans for the future and why the scholarship would help the applicant in his/her future endeavors. The essay should also explain the applicant’s connection to the dairy farm (i.e. what the dairy farm has meant to the applicant and what has been learned from being on the dairy farm). All applications and essays must be received by April 1, 2011. The ISDA scholarship application can be downloaded from the ISDA Web site (www.iowadairy.org) or contact Jessica Bloomberg, ISDA industry relations manager, to request an application at (515) 971-3620 or jessicab@iowadairy.org.

Return completed application and essay via email to jessicab@iowadairy.org, fax to 515-964-5498 (attention: Jessica Bloomberg), or mailed to: Iowa State Dairy Association, Scholarship Application, 101 NE Trilein Dr., Ankeny, IA 50021.

Applicants must be the child or grandchild of a current ISDA member. If you are not currently an ISDA member or if you have not yet renewed your membership for 2011, you can find a membership application on the ISDA Web site or contact Jessica Bloomberg to request a membership form.