Hundreds of guests packed the Boise Centre on Nov. 6-7 for United Dairymen of Idaho’s annual meeting. Featuring Idaho’s dairy producers and processors, vendors, guest speakers and awards, the event drew attendees from multiple states. The meeting kicked off with the United Dairymen of Idaho’s (UDI) new CEO Karianne Fallow who shared some initial thoughts about the future of UDI, detailed in a strategy presentation later in the day, and unveiled a new logo for the brand.

“Idaho’s dairy farm families produce a very nutritious product for consumers, so we wanted to move away from the REAL seal logo that we’ve had for so long,” Fallow said.

"Our new focus is on promoting the dairy farm families and the extraordinary products that they provide for consumers not only in Idaho, but throughout the country and around the world.”

The keynote speaker for the UDI annual meeting was renowned professor and economist Dr. Lowell Catlett. His presentation, Understanding The World’s Largest Economy and Tomorrow’s New Future, highlighted the economic health of the country and bright future of dairy while sharing how technological advancements are improving the industry by monitoring everything from animal health to production.

He also reinforced the importance of the do-it-yourself values and abilities built on the farm, as developments like 3D printing expand the opportunity for anyone to manufacture the next innovation in their garage or on the farm. Additional sessions Nov. 6 were dedicated to the UDI business meeting and a legislative update.

Nov. 7 sessions kicked off with an inspirational presentation from Boise State University men’s tennis coach Greg Patton, who stressed the importance of chocolate milk in the athlete’s diet. Patton commended and thanked the dairymen for providing such an essential, nutrient-rich product for athletes. The remaining sessions focused on promoting dairy and looking to the future economics of the dairy industry.

In between sessions, dairymen were able to meet with and chat with numerous vendors in the agriculture space. This year’s UDI meeting saw an increased number of vendor requests and the establishment of a waiting list, as requests outpaced the available space for exhibitors.

One regular highlight of the UDI annual meeting is the award presentations. This year, three awards honored key contributors to the industry: UDI 2013 Idaho Dairy Hall of Fame, UDI 2013 Idaho Milk Quality Award and UDI 2013 Friend of the Industry.

UDI 2013 Idaho Dairy Hall of Fame
The 2013 Idaho Dairy Hall of Fame Inductee is Lon Tueller. Born and raised on the same dairy he runs today, Tueller has more than 58 years of dairy job experience. Throughout his life and career, Tueller has won multiple show awards for his cows. He has consistently received Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) quality milk awards and has received its quality recognition award for more than 20 years of producing high quality milk from his milk co-op. Tueller also gives back to his community in many ways, including serving as a mentor and providing work for troubled teens on his farm.

UDI 2013 Idaho Milk Quality Award
The 2013 Idaho Milk Quality Award recognizes the 13 finalists for excellence and superior milk quality, which is given to the dairy that produced the highest quality milk throughout the year. Processors who purchase their milk nominate the individual dairies considered for the award. John Rietkerk of Rietkerk Dairy No. 2, who supplies milk to Glanbia Foods in Twin Falls, Idaho, received the 2013 Idaho Milk Quality Award. ( Photo at top )

UDI 2013 Friend of the Industry
The 2013 Friend of the Industry Award is awarded annually to a non-dairy producer who advocates for and endorses Idaho’s dairy farm families and the dairy industry as a whole. This year’s recipient is John Billetz, executive director of the Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA). Through his work with IHSAA, Billetz has been able to cultivate and build a working relationship with UDI. For the past 30 years, Idaho’s dairy farm families, through UDI, have contributed nearly $8.3 million to IHSAA and the youth of Idaho.

Attendees and UDI staff consider the event a success, providing additional opportunities to collaborate and grow the Idaho dairy industry. PD

—From United Dairymen of Idaho

PHOTOS
Photos courtesy of UDI.