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Furth will step down from top AMPI spot

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Mark Furth, president and CEO of Associated Milk Producers Inc., is retiring from the milk marketing cooperative.

Furth, who began his career at New Ulm-based AMPI in 1970, announced his retirement last week to delegates and guests attending the cooperative’s annual meeting in Bloomington. The AMPI board of directors will begin the search for a sucessor.

"AMPI is strong, not just financially, but strongly focused on purpose,’’ Furth said. "The milk marketing business has what it takes to continue being a leading milk marketing cooperative — committed owners and employees.’’

Furth didn’t specify when he will retire in 2008.

AMPI has 3,600 member farms and $1.6 billion in annual sales. Member dairy farms are located throughout the Midwest.

Pleasantville council OKs deal for ethanol plant

PLEASANTVILLE, Iowa — The Pleasantville City Council has approved a deal for a company to build an ethanol plant in this southern Iowa town.

A development agreement with Red Rock Renewables paves the way for a groundbreaking this summer on 225 acres in northeast Pleasantville, said Max Smith, vice chairman of the 30-member board of Red Rock Renewables.

The council’s vote this week has prompted criticism from some residents who question the plant’s location within city limits. Opponents are also concerned about traffic, the plant’s water use, fire protection and possible pollution issues.

"Nobody wants to listen to us," said Pleasantville resident Judy Moon. "They do not care that this (plant) is going to ruin a beautiful town."

City Councilman John Franey said the ethanol plant is the city’s biggest economic development project, and that’s why the council is supporting it.

Holschbach will lead World Dairy Expo board

MADISON, Wis. — The World Dairy Expo’s Board of Directors has elected a new board president.

The new president is Mike Holschbach, Heatherstone Enterprises, Baraboo; Phil Niemeyer, Nasco, Fort Atkinson, vice president; and Dean Hermsdorf of Cottage Grove, secretary/treasurer.

Holschbach replaces Roger Ripley as board president. Ripley, who is president and CEO of Accelerated Genetics, has served on the World Dairy Expo’s board since 1985.

A member of the executive committee for 16 years, he was board president for the past six years.

Tom Camerlo will continue to lead DFA

KANSAS CITY — Tom Camerlo, a dairy farmer from Florence, Colo., has been re-elected to his sixth term as chairman of the board of directors for Dairy Farmers of America.

The election was held last month at the conclusion of the DFA’s 10th annual meeting in Kansas City.

Camerlo has served as DFA’s chairman since 2003. He is the chairman of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, serves on the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee and is on the board of Dairy Management, Inc.

He has owned and operated Camerlo Dairy since 1963.

MGE will begin trading HRSW options electronically

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis Grain Exchange will begin trading Hard Red Spring Wheat options electronically on April 14.

The exchange announced plans for side-by-side options trading following approval of the change by its board of directors last week.

HRSW options will trade electronically and via open public outcry from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

This follows the side-by-side trading that has been active in the HRSW futures contract since August 2006.

"We have seen significant volume growth in our market since futures started trading electronically,’’ said James Facente, MGEX director of market operations. "Electronic trading removes barriers to entry for market participants.’’

AGRIcareers celebrates 40 years of recruiting

NEW HAMPTON, Iowa — AGRIcareers of New Hampton is celebrating 40 years of recruiting.

The Iowa corporation is a recruiting firm specializing in agricultural-related positions. Employers contact AGRIcareers looking to find personnel ranging from trainees to top financial executives. At the same time, experienced candidates look to the company for help in advancing their careers.

AGRIcareers was founded by Roy Holland in 1968. He remains chairman of the New Hampton office and is chairman of a satellite office in Iowa City.

Udder Comfort offers mastitis testing product

EPHRATA, Pa. — Udder Comfort, a Pennslyvania-based company, is distributing a hand-held conductivity meter — the Wescor Mas-D-Tech. It is now available where ever Udder Comfort is sold.

The portable, cow-side device measures the non-visible changes in quarter-milk that signifies subclinical mastitis. It can be used to identify infected quarters in cows listed with SCC above 300,000 on the montly Dairy Herd Improvement test. It can also be used to check all quarters in a herd with elevated bulk tank SCC.

The product is manufactured in the United States.

John’s Disease Program funding renewed by USDA

WASHINGTON — USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service has awarded $4.8 million in renewed funding for the Johne’s Disease Integrated Program.

"Johne’s is a serious disease affecting large numbers of beef and dairy cattle and accounts for more than $200 million in economic losses,’’ said Gale Buchanan, USDA under secretary for Research, Education and Economics. "The continuation of this research will help develop practical solutions to ensure a safe and healthy food supply and stable economy.’’

Johne’s disease is an intestinal infection caused by bacteria most often seen in nutrient animals.

Kim Miller named officer iin Devon Association

PHILADELPHIA — Kim Miller, a Pennsylvania organic farmer and national leader in sustainable agriculture, is the new executive secretary of the North American Devon Association.

Miller, who has raised grass-fed beef and pastured poultry since 1993, takes over day-to-day operations of the largest Devon organization in America.

Miller joins a leadership team headed by veteran cattleman and genetics expert Gearld Fry. Fry is the president of the association and will focus on strategic planning and breed standards.