Board of Directors
Craig Caballero, President Executive Committee
Jim Boyle, Vice President
Robert Van Hofwegen, Secretary/Treasurer
David Feenstra, Member at Large
Dan Boschma, Member at Large
Directors
Ian Accomazzo, Buckeye
Arie de Jong, Maricopa
Ben Dickman, Coolidge
Tom Dugan, Stanfield
Dan Gladden, Palo Verde
Gary Fehr, Willcox
Jen Millican, Buckeye
Justin Stewart, Gila Bend
Paul Rovey, Buckeye
Casey Dugan, Casa Grande
UNITED DAIRYMEN is published quarterly for the dairy cooperative members of the United Dairymen of Arizona, 404 W Broadway Rd , Tempe, AZ 85282
Additional distribution includes agencies, businesses and individuals associated with the production of milk Paid subscriptions are not available Membership list is not available for public use. Acceptance of advertising does not assure that merchandise or services advertised have been approved by United Dairymen of Arizona, the health department or other regulatory agencies. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of the written material or representations that appear in the advertisement. Editor- Roxy Helman
Table of Contents
Reviewing Biosecurity Plans
Cool Cows Eat Their Veggies
Kathryn Moss, Arizona DHIA
Microbiologist
Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Study
Committee on Water Security
Jeremy Gerlach, Sr. Director, Veridus
Be DairyKind
Michelle Schack, DVM, DairyKind
Strategies to Avoid Heat Stress This Summer
Yes to No-Cook Summer Meals!
House Agriculture Committee
Advances 2024 Farm Bill with Key Dairy Provisions
Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the NMPF
Arizona Milk Producers Update
Reviewing Biosecurity Plans
UDA is closely monitoring the recent spread of Avian Influenza (H5N1) in the dairy industry along with other national organizations and co-ops throughout the country. As part of this monitoring, many dairy farmers are revisiting their biosecurity plans to keep animals and workers healthy. Here are some things to evaluate as you review your farms’ biosecurity measures.
When introducing new animals consider these helpful tips.
Before buying new animals, consider vet-to-vet contact and animal testing. Herd-level tests such as Johne’s Disease, Mycoplasma and more should be evaluated before buying.
Milk quality and health records should also be collected and a physical performed before individual animals are brought to the farm.
Farm staff and the veterinarian should monitor the cows during a 21-day isolation period, when most diseases should be captured that don’t have an incubation period longer than a few months. It would also help to ensure new animals are kept with the smallest group of cows and not housed with animals at higher risk for infections such as calves.
Reviewing Biosecurity Plans
Aside from ensuring your new animal protocol is up to par in your biosecurity plan, it’s also important to look at your current/existing? overall daily management and things that could affect your cows’ health.
Keep a clean environment so that some of the most common dairy diseases that are spread through direct contact or fecal-oral transfer are minimized. This includes keeping the feed and water areas clean as well as vehicles, tools, clothes and boots. In fact, having multiple pairs of boots and clothes for different animal groups can help prevent the spread of disease and bacteria transfer. Store feed safely to prevent wildlife contamination. Since inhalation of aerosols is another common way to spread disease, sick cows that can spread disease through respiration droplets should be isolated from other animals with plenty of distance between pens so that the same airspace is not shared. Separation is essential to preventing disease from spreading and proper ventilation with humidity levels of 50 – 75% can also help prevent spreading.
Biosecurity plans should continually be evaluated and changed as disease risks evolve and differ for each farm. Protocols should be developed to prevent new diseases and localizing diseases on the farm. Detailed health records and routine testing can also help prevent outbreaks.
For more information on the current H5N1 situation and biosecurity, click here: https://www.cdc.gov/birdflu/situation-summary/index.html or Biosecurity – Secure Milk Supply Plan.
Cool Cows Eat Their Veggies
Kathryn Moss, Arizona DHIA Microbiologist
If we don’t give our animals the tools they need to succeed, we can’t be surprised when they don’t. Heat is hard on us all but it’s especially hard on dairy cows living in the desert.
Studies demonstrate that heat stress causes mammary gland injury. When cows experience heat stress, two cell functions are impaired: the production of DNA and the function of the mitochondria. Mitochondria are the energy factories of cells that produce ATP High environmental temperature causes cell death and stresses the systems that make a cell function properly. Mitochondria produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) but when they are under heat stress, they produce it in larger quantities.
An excess of ROS causes cellular dysregulation that results in inflammation and disease. One solution to heat stress is a form of vitamin B known as nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). This vitamin is a required cofactor in building DNA and in the production of ATP.
Studies have shown that when cows are pretreated with NMN, the function of their mitochondria and levels of ROS do not drastically change. Some of the effects of heat stress are neutralized through the consumption of NMN. NMN is a naturally occurring molecule that is found in many food sources. Most green vegetables, including avocado, cucumber, and broccoli contain NMN Soybeans and whole grains, which can be found in bakery waste and mill run, are also good source. Increasing the ration of bakery waste, soybean meal, and vegetables can decrease the effect of heat stress on dairy cows. Plus, they are easier to add than an avocado salad!
Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Study Committee on
Water Security
Jeremy Gerlach, Sr. Director, Veridus
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Biosecurity
Michelle Schack, DVM
Biosecurity is essential on dairy farms to ensure the health and productivity of the herd. Many dairy farmers feel that biosecurity is common sense, but training and setting clear expectations is very critical. Biosecurity practices safeguard the health of the cattle but also protect the people who work with them.
A comprehensive biosecurity plan prevents the introduction and spread of infectious disease. It involves controlling and monitoring the movement of animals and people, maintaining clean equipment, and keeping accurate records. It is important there are clear protocols in place to minimize the risk of contamination.
DairyKind offers comprehensive biosecurity training for both animal handlers and service providers. DairyKind has also placed some of this content on youtube for the dairy farmers It is incredibly important to understand how disease spreads, sanitation and disease processes.
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Every DairyKind module highlights the interconnectedness of animal well-being, human safety, and operational efficiency. Just as with stockmanship, patience and consistency are key. Cattle are sensitive to their environment, and a calm, orderly approach to biosecurity helps reduce stress and maintain productivity.
Annual biosecurity training is recommended for all employees involved in animal care, ensuring compliance with FARM program requirements. DairyKind's online courses provide accessible, effective training to help your team stay up-to-date with the latest best practices.
Implementing and maintaining strong biosecurity measures is a commitment to the future of your dairy. By protecting your herd from disease, you are also protecting the livelihoods of your workers and the success of your operation. Being DairyKind means prioritizing biosecurity as a fundamental aspect of animal well-being and dairy management.
Strategies to Avoid Heat Stress This Summer
100-degree temps are here for the next several months making heat stress top of mind on the farm. High temperatures affect every animal in the herd and while the focus is often on the lactating cows, the youngest members of the herd also need to be monitored just like the milking herd. Follow these five strategies to keep your calves healthy in the heat.
1.
Shade the sun. Shade provides relief from direct sunlight which helps to prevent overheating. Studies have shown that shade does reduce the temperature inside hutches and lowers calf body temperature and respiration rate.
2.
Circulate the air. Be strategic about where you place your hutches so you can take advantage of prevailing winds. Install as many openings as possible to utilize natural air movement, which can also improve by opening vents on hutches and placing a block under the back wall.
3. Feed fresh grain. When it gets hot outside it’s natural to eat less even for calves. Offer small handfuls of starter to keep calves eating and be more mindful of removing uneaten starter and wet, moldy feed to maintain freshness. A divider between the feed and water bucket can help keep things fresh during the summer months.
5.
Stay hydrated. Increased heat equals increased respiration which can lead to calves becoming dehydrated more quickly. Provide clean water to calves and refill water buckets more frequently throughout the summer.
4. Morning workouts. Early morning hours are the coolest part of the day and the best time to complete more strenuous tasks such as dehorning, vaccinations and pen moves. This ensures both the calf body temperature and the environmental temperature are at its lowest point of the day.
Yes to No-Cook Summer Meals!
Summer calls for no-cook meals to keep things cool in the kitchen when it’s hot outside, or simply to embrace lazy, stress-free summer days! Monica (@saltandsagenutrition) on TikTok had several requests for no-cook meals and her top video featuring a Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe features a few dairy favs. Not only is it no-cook but high in protein to keep you feeling energized for the day.
Here is how you make it:
Combine 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken (store-bought to keep with the no-cook theme), 2-3 tbsp buffalo sauce, 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt, 3 tbsp shredded cheddar and ranch seasoning. Serve with chips and veggies on the side!
Chocolate Milkshake with Greek Yogurt
Summer calls for no-cook meals but also for cool treats! Try this TikTok-inspired Homemade Chocolate Milkshake with Greek Yogurt featured on Undeniably Dairy.
1 banana, sliced and frozen
1 cup milk
¼ cup cocoa powder
1 cup Greek yogurt
¼ cup maple syrup
4 pitted date
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup ice cubes
Freeze a half-cup sliced bananas. Once the banana slices freeze, gather and measure the remaining ingredients. Place each ingredient into a blender, and blend until smooth and creamy. Divide the mixture in half and pour into two glasses.
House Agriculture Committee Advances 2024 Farm Bill with Key Dairy Provisions
By Gregg Doud President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation
The farm bill is moving forward in Congress, making it essential for Arizona dairy farmers to engage and stay informed. Passing a farm bill is never straightforward; it requires considerable effort, negotiation, and compromise. The effort, though, is always worthwhile, as the outcome is better policy.
The House Agriculture Committee, led by Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-PA, in late May approved a Farm Bill with critical provisions for dairy farmers, setting a positive tone for future developments. Key provisions include:
Restoring the “Higher of” Class I Mover: Reinstates orderly milk marketing and ensures fair compensation for dairy farmers.
Requires Mandatory Cost Studies: Directs USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost surveys every two years to provide dairy stakeholders with better data to help ensure accurate milk pricing
Supporting Conservation Programs: Enhances programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and improves certification for conservation planning. This supports dairy farmers in implementing sustainable practices and meeting Net Zero goals.
Boosting Dairy Trade Promotion Funds: Increases funding for programs like the Foreign Market Development and Market Access Programs, aiding U S dairy exporters as they seek to cultivate new market opportunities.
Endorsing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act: Includes the bipartisan bill to allow schools to serve whole and 2% milk in meal programs, encouraging milk consumption among students.
Increasing Funding for Animal Health Programs: Addresses the H5N1 outbreak with more support for programs protecting livestock health and welfare
We know that dairy is well-served by what the House Agriculture Committee has approved. And momentum isn’t limited to the House; both Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, and Ranking Member Sen. Jon Boozman, R-AR, have released their own farm bill blueprints, both of which contain many initiatives that benefit dairy It's essential for the full House and Senate to continue this momentum and pass a new farm bill soon, ensuring Arizona dairy farmers are well-supported and prepared for future challenges.
ARIZONAMILK PRODUCERS NEVADADAIRY FARMERS
RETAIL
The Arizona (AZ) team was an early adopter of Cooler Screen Inc.'s newly launched retail marketing tool. This technology displays video ads on cooler doors in retailers, activated by the movement of shoppers near the doors.
For the month of January video ads were installed in seven Kroger stores on the single serve beverage cooler doors, and in 45 Walgreens stores on the dairy and beverage cooler doors throughout AZ and Nevada (NV).
Messaging emphasized the hydration properties of milk, and highlighed its nutritional value as the ideal beverage for workout recovery.
Shoppers stopped to engage in ads for an average of 3.2 seconds. The ads delivered a combined 4.8M impressions
A digital ad campaign themed 'Not All Protein is Created Equal,' was launched on Instacart and ran for six weeks. Shoppable video and static display ads were delivered to AZ audiences based on shopping behavior. Ads were also activated based on keyword searches e.g. ‘protein bars’ or ‘almond milk’. When clicking on the ad, shoppers were taken to a custom landing page of local milk options to add to their cart. Brands included Shamrock, Fairlife, Sarah Farms, and AZ retail brands. Milk Sales attributed to ads: $59,184
CONSUMER COMMUNICATIONS
To capture AZ and Las Vegas Taylor Swift fans planning snacks for Super Bowl watch parties, the team connected with American Dairy Association North East (ADANE) to showcase a tater tot nachos recipe from their Savor website
Renamed as Taylor Totchos, savory images were displayed on websites and apps frequented by the targeting audience. Clicks on the ad led to a landing page to view the recipe, with an option to purchase ingredients via Instacart.
View Recipe
Ads delivered to 3,421 apps & websites 159,626 Impressions; 267 clicks to view
Thanks to their collaboraton with Mayo Clinic, National Dairy Council (NDC) worked with Mayo Clinic Press to develop nutrition and health education content. These articles are grounded in peer-reviewed science and resources provided by NDC. Furthermore, Mayo Clinic Press collaborated with several Mayo Clinic experts to produce the content.
Topics are centered around dairy’s contributions to nutritious diets that support health, and include the first 1,000 days (conception to 2 years), heart health, bone health, gut health and more! Several posts with links to the articles have been shared on AZ social media channels and in Dairy Council of AZ newsletters sent to health and nutrition professionals
Read Mayo Clinic PressDairy & Health Articles
CONSUMER COMMUNICATIONS
The Nevada team partnered with running influencer Ryan Sullivan to create a post-run smoothie recipe using whole milk frozen ice cubes. Messaging focused on milk’s nutrient package, including zinc to fuel a healthy immune system.
video views 391 engagements
A partnership was formed with University of Arizona’s (U of A) Esports team to develop influencer content focused on gamer performance, recovery, and dairy sustainability. Five social media posts were launched in March leading up to and during the Western Cactus League Esports tournament at Grand Canyon University Athletes were provided with cheese sticks and chocolate and strawberry milk at the tournament.
Video content included:
String cheese: Chomp or Peel?
Milk: Team Chocky or Team Strawbs?
Chocolate Milk Dance (costume courtesy of MilkPEP)
Mascots “Chocky” and “Strawbs” were created by the U of A team for use during sponsored events
1,760 video views 253 engagements
AZ and NV social platforms and websites deliver messaging to: general consumers; health, nutrition, and school professionals; and youth audiences. This quarter, National Milk Day, Super Bowl, nutrition for new year’s resolutions. and as always, delicious recipes were top features.
impressions
impressions
EXPERIENTIAL MARKETING
Although the Fiesta Bowl parade and game have passed, Arizona Milk Producers’ (AZMP) partnership activation continues. In February, high school athletes attended Fiesta Bowl’s girls’ flag football and boys tackle football clinics with AZMP as the main sponsor. The event was covered by seven media outlets, including AZ Family 3TV, and resulted in 29 social media posts, helping to amplify our reach and impact. Appearances by Arizona Cardinals player Jesse Luketa and coach Autry Denson, and college players Spencer Rattler and Jack Plummer coached the youth teams. Messaging was delivered to athletes and parents at each session on the the importance of nutrition for peak athletic performance, with a particular emphasis on the nutrient-rich package of milk. Fairlife and Shamrock Farms Rockin’ Protein shakes were provided for each athlete along with awards and dairy-themed giveaway items.
Youth athlete participants: 200+, plus parents
Social media impressions: 44,208; engagements: 1923
AZMP participated in Barrett Jackson’s STEM (Science, Technology, Mathematics) Fest, an interactive event designed to introduce students to their Gearing Towards the Future STEM Challenge program coming to classrooms.
The AZ team detailed the relevance of STEM on dairy farms, and discussed future innovations, careers, and technology in dairy.
Youth Attendance: 1500+ Interactions: 400+
Attendees at the Maricopa County Farm City Breakfasts were treated to a coffee bar featuring locally sourced milk and cream, provided by AZMP. Engaging conversations among consumers, agriculturalists, and industry representatives, focused on the impact and importance of the dairy industry in Arizona. 280 attendees reached over 3 days.
EXPERIENTIAL MARKETING
Arizona State University and University of Arizona Campus Pop-Up Events!
A custom set was built as part of a Gen Z-focused experiential marketing campaign activated on two college campuses The event elements included the following:
SAMPLE PLAY SURVEY
Students were provided samples of Fairlife chocolate milk and Shamrock Farms donated
How often do you consume cows milk
Would you consider drinking milk more often after today
What do you think the top benefits of milk are?
EDUCATE
The key benefits of milk, information on lactose-free milk, & debunking common myths were provided via display board and conversations.
Students were offered a chance to test their strength on the high striker game for a branded shaker cup, stickers, and hair scrunchies.
survey results survey results
Feedback was collected from participants through a brief survey
465 shaker 465 shaker bottles bottles
To add another touchpoint, recipe video ads were delivered through Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat to students located on both campuses for the week of the pop-up events 6600+ 00+ ssamples amples
SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION
The Dairy Council of Nevada (DCNV) team led the St. Rose Women Infants Children (WIC) staff in-service which consisted of a hands-on yogurt parfait demonstration including only WIC-approved ingredients. The demo showcased a variety of recipe options for each ingredient, allowing attendees to customize their parfaits while still remaining within WIC guidelines. The DCNV team engaged with participants, clarifying dairy terminology and providing insights into the WIC approval process for specific food items. The goal of of the in-service was to empower WIC staff to become advocates for dairy, boosting their knowledge, comfort, and confidence in promoting dairy products within the WIC community.
Attendees: 15 health professionals
Arizona Culinary Federation (ACF) chefs and school nutrition professionals enjoyed a farm tour at Arizona Dairy Company and Saddle Mountain Dairy. DCAZ presented on common dairy myths and sustainability efforts on farms.
I loved how you broke down I loved how you broke down the UHT, and what that means the UHT, and what that means to shelve life. That really to shelve life That really surprised me. I also enjoyed surprised me I also enjoyed the food prep snack - a lot of the food prep snack - a lot of good information! good information!
click to click to watch! watch!
Dairy Council of Arizona (DCAZ) formed a new partnership with Honor Health Desert Mission Food Bank to launch community hunger relief initiative, Holiday Adopt a Cow. DCAZ provided plush cows, adoption certificates, and cookies, while Fairlife generously donated milk for all who donated $25 or more to the food bank.
$2,670 was raised, resulting in 2,136 gallons or 18,370 pounds of milk to combat hunger.
- WIC Dietitian - WIC Dietitian
Attendee, Meegan Roberts from Villa Dolce Gelato shared a video of her positive farm tour experience on YouTube
SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION
DCNV’s January e-newsletter sent to health professionals contained free Continuing Education Unit (CEU) webinar links, National Dairy Council (NDC) and third-party articles, nutrition science summaries, and patient handouts, in both English and Spanish, on the nutritional profile of yogurt as well as its role in cardiometabolic and gut health.
Subscribers: 148 health professionals
Open Rate: 41.2% (Benchmark = 28.59%)
CTR: 9.5% (Benchmark = 3.7%)
AZ Second Quarter Farm Tours AZ Second Quarter Farm Tours
23 attendees
17 completed surveys
28% positive average increase in 5 categories: dairy farming perception, cow care, sustainability, milk safety, & nutrition
95% agreed or strongly agreed in all 5 categories
YOUTH WELLNESS
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension piloted a new youth agriculture program composed of Phoenix Union High School students. Students as well as Cooperative Extension staff enjoyed a farm tour of Saddle Mountain Dairy. Key learnings from the tour included the lifecycle of a cow, sustainable dairy operations, and the nutrition of milk.
DCAZ presented to Basha High School's FFA students on common dairy myths, and nutritional differences between real milk and plant-based alternative beverages Fifty three students participated in a milk tasting activity, with real milk coming out on top as the favorite. Many students were surprised that to find they could not tell the difference between lactose-free and conventional milk.
YOUTH WELLNESS
Tying into the Super Bowl, the Nevada team helped support GenYOUth’s Super Schools Meals to combat student hunger.
School food service equipment was donated to local school districts, highlighted by exciting events like kick-off rallies at Las Vegas schools and the star-studded 'Taste of the NFL' Charity Gala featuring celebrity chefs and NFL players.
School equipment grab-and-go meal carts donated to schools: 59+
Estimated 15,000 students impacted through grants
Media coverage included a front-page feature in the Las Vegas Review Journal
Taste of the NFL attendees: ~500
For National School Breakfast Week, DCNV collaboration with Clark County School District (CCSD) to provide students with nutritious yogurt parfaits, emphasizing the importance of a healthy breakfast that includes dairy products
Three in-school activations: ~1500 students
900 3oz yogurt parfaits
50 gift bags, 1000 cow ear headbands
As a sponsor, DCNV hosted a Nevada Annual Conference fo Leaders of America (FCCLA), Student Organization providin opportunities for students pu The Nevada team offered valu various career options in the D
Attendance: ~600
Monthly newsletters are delivered to youth educators in Nevada. This quarter, content included STEM lessons, nutrition education and curriculum, community resources and events, physical activity education resources, tools, and opportunities for professional growth for teachers and students
Total subscribers: 492