-- ST. PAUL - Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson has named Phillip Damhof of rural Willmar, Minn., the winner of the December Good Farm Neighbor Award. The award honors farmers who show concern and care for their neighbors, their animals and the environment. Damhof has been farming for 37 years and speaks with pride about his Level 4 Johne's-free dairy. He and his family milk a herd of 160 dairy cows. Damhof maintains a healthy herd by working with his veterinarian to establish a preventative animal health program. Damhof also has been working closely with the Hawk Creek Watershed District to prevent nutrient runoff. This includes the rebuilding of a ditch and the planting of an alfalfa buffer strip. He frequently tests the soil and water and leaves most crop residue on the ground to reduce wind erosion. The dairy operation also includes Damhof's two sons, who are involved in the milking as well as raising 600 acres of crops. Damhof uses natural fertilizers on his land by purchasing turkey and hog manure from neighbors and using his own cattle manure. Neighbors are notified in advance of the manure distribution.
Megan Minten named outstanding junior member-- KERRVILLE, Texas - Megan Minten of New York Mills, Minn., recently was named the 2006 Outstanding Junior Member during the annual Red Angus Association of America National Convention in
Kerrville, Texas. She has been active in the East Otter Tail County 4-H program for 13 years and Future Farmers of America for eight years. Minten joined the National Junior Red Angus Association in 2001. In 2003, she received the North Plains region JRA Traveling Female honor. In 2005, Minten was recognized as the Minnesota State FFA Beef Entrepreneurship winner and the National FFA Beef Entrepreneurship Silver. She was a star finalist and received her American Farmer degree. She has assisted in coaching the General Livestock Team for regional and state competitions. Minten is a junior at North Dakota State University in Fargo majoring in animal and range science with a minor in biotechnology.
Gary Fitzner joins Diamond V-- CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Diamond V Mills says Gary Fitzner has joined the company as a swine technical services scientist. Fitzner provides technical service support to the swine industry in the U.S. and Canada. Fitzner has held various positions in swine research, technical services and marketing since receiving his Ph.D. in swine nutrition from Kansas State University, Manhattan, in 1992. Before joining Diamond V, Fitzner was a business development manager with Cargill Animal Nutrition, responsible for marketing and selling several swine feed brands.
Dan Kuttenkuler appointed to Agrotain post-- ST. LOUIS - Agrotain International L.L.C. has hired Dan Kuttenkuler project manager for the new Stabilized Nitrogen Granulation Production Center in St. Louis. Kuttenkuler, who has a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, has been involved in the design and manufacture of nitrogen fertilizers for more than 25 years.
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- Agweek Staff and Wire Reports
