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Western Iowa Dairy Alliance takes proactive approach Tuesday, January 22, 2008
By Nancy Vander Schaaf
news@agrinews.com
SHELDON, Iowa -- "Our industry is to the point were we cannot just go home and milk the cows, we need to be proactive," says Kayla Lyon, director of the Western Iowa Dairy Alliance.
The group held its annual meeting last week at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon.
WIDA's goal is to give all dairy producers a voice, regardless of size. They are a regional organization for western Iowa.
"We need to come together and work as one,'' Lyon said, to "take the industry in the direction we want it to go.''
Western Iowa Dairy Alliance members automatically become part of the state organization, the Iowa State Dairy Alliance.
"We are there to represent you," says Erin Vagts ISDA industry relations director.
WIDA will help ISDA connect better with western Iowa dairy farmers.
Guest speaker Maynard Hogberg, chairman of the Iowa State University animal science department, shared information on the new ISU dairy farm near Ames. They moved the cows into the new parlor this fall.
"In two days the cows acclimated, but the employees are still trying to acclimate," Hogberg said.
A manure composting system is part of the operation.
"Opportunities for dairy in the state are extremely good," Hogberg said.
Milk production and cow numbers are likely to increase in Iowa. Issues facing producers include dealing with high energy costs, dealing with odors and leaching nutrients, regulations, labor, and meeting consumer demands.
The best way to grow dairy is to have the industry, state government, and university work together, Hogberg said. |
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