News & Featured Articles

October 14, 2024

Dairy Innovation Grant Now Open for Pre-Applications to Fund Technology Investments on PA Dairy Farms

The Grants Would Support Investments that Improve Efficiency, Enhance Production and Increase Energy Efficiency The Center for Dairy Excellence is now accepting pre-applications for Dairy Innovation Grants. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture introduced the Pennsylvania Ag Innovation Fund to support investments that embrace technology to improve efficiency and data analytics on dairy operations; enhance production;…

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October 10, 2024

Westmoreland County Dairy Farmer Opens Up About Farm Accident, Recovery and Building a Positive Team in New Podcast Episode

Matt Carr Was Interviewed in the “Cow-Side Conversations” Podcast In the Center for Dairy Excellence’s latest episode of the “Cow-Side Conversations” podcast, Matt Carr, a third-generation dairy farmer from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, opens up about a farm safety accident where he lost the fingers on his left hand. He describes how quickly the incident happened,…

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October 7, 2024

Grant Funding Available to Help PA Dairy Farms Work With Experienced Consultants and Form Advisory Teams

The Dairy Decisions Consultants (DDC) and Transition/Transformation Team Grants Are Now Open The Center for Dairy Excellence is now accepting applications for both the Dairy Decisions Consultants (DDC) Grant Program and the Transition/Transformation Team Grant Program for the 2024-25 year. Dairy producers can utilize the grants to work one-on-one with professional consultants in one of…

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October 3, 2024

Meet Gavin, an On-Farm Intern Who Experienced Personal and Professional Growth on 1,000-Cow Dairy

Gavin Brophy is a junior at North Carolina State University where he’s majoring in animal science on the pre-veterinary track. He is originally from Westchester, PA, which is only a 30-minute drive from where he spent the summer through an on-farm internship at Walmoore Holsteins, Inc in Cochranville, PA. Gavin grew up in the suburbs…

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October 1, 2024

Center to Host Next Industry Conference Call on October 9 With Updates About HPAI in Dairy Cattle, PA Response and More

The Next Dairy Industry Call Will Be Held on Wednesday, October 9 at 1 p.m. EST The Center for Dairy Excellence will host the next Dairy Industry Conference Call on Wednesday, October 9 at 1 p.m. EST to provide updates on the rapidly evolving health situation with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) affecting dairy cattle in the…

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September 30, 2024

Tioga County Dairy Farmers Share Strategy for Improving Costs, Analyzing Their Numbers and Working With Consultants

For Zach and Heidi Kreger of Kreger Farms, a 75-cow dairy in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, knowing their numbers and making their finances work is important to them since they both work full-time at the farm. By learning from outside consultants and taking advantage of programs like the Dairy Decisions Consultants (DDC) Grants through the Center…

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September 30, 2024

Cassandra Long Recognized as Inaugural Recipient of Harding Award

Award Established to Honor Service of Janet Harding Ruslavage Cassandra Long, owner of Kolb’s Farm Store in Chester County, Pennsylvania, was recently recognized as the inaugural recipient of the Janet Harding Ruslavage Memorial Service & Promotion Award. The award program was created in 2024 to honor the memory and distinguished service of Janet Harding Ruslavage…

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September 23, 2024

Center to Host Monthly “Protecting Your Profits” Webinar on October 4 to Share Annual Dairy Performance Indicators

The Free Webinar Will Take Place on Friday, October 4 at 12 p.m. EST On Friday, October 4 from 12-1 p.m., the Center for Dairy Excellence will host a monthly “Protecting Your Profits” webinar titled “Where Does PA Stand? Annual Dairy Performance Indicators.” Rob Goodling from Horizon Farm Credit will share key takeaways and data…

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September 20, 2024

Marketing and Branding Consulting Services Grants Now Open for Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey Dairy Businesses

The Grants Help Support Value-Added Consulting and Direct Implementation The Center for Dairy Excellence opened a competitive grant program for value-added dairy businesses looking to build their brand, create a marketing plan, and identify appropriate strategies to increase product sales and consumer access. Leveraging funds provided by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, the Marketing…

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September 20, 2024

Meet Darcy, an Intern Who Explored Food Science in a Dairy Processing Plant

Darcy Heltzel grew up on her family’s 120-cow dairy, Piney Mar Farm, in Martinsburg, PA. Her responsibilities on the family farm included feeding calves and milking cows. While she enjoys caring for animals, she discovered an interest in food science and is a rising sophomore studying food science at the Iowa State University. “I knew…

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