Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) is once again looking for three progressive dairy producers. The company is now accepting applications for its “Producers for Progress” Recognition Program which commends those who have shown commitment to the well-being of their animals through the judicious use of antibiotics.
Application forms are due Sunday, July 1, 2018, and can be found at Producers4Progress.com or by contacting your Boehringer Ingelheim representative.
The top producer, as determined by a panel of industry-expert judges, will receive the grand prize of a John Deere Gator Basic Package XUV825E; the first-place prize recipient wins five pairs of Bogs Rancher boots from Bogs Footwear; and an additional second-place winner will get 10 Udder Tech milking aprons.
The 2017 grand prize winner, Megan Hickey of Prairieland Dairy in Firth, Nebraska, shared what the Producers for Progress award meant to her: “Winning this award has reinforced that we are doing what is right for our animals and the dairy industry,” she explained. “It is not only important to show consumers how we operate our farms, but also our fellow dairymen, so they, too, can focus on prevention and be thoughtful about using antibiotics when needed.
“Others should apply to be recognized,” added Hickey. “A lot of dedication goes into dairy farming and making sure antibiotics are handled judiciously. I think it’s great companies have programs like this to recognize producers for their hard work and dedication to prevention and individual-cow care.”
Applicants are asked to answer a few open-ended questions about their preventive management practices, views on judicious use of antibiotics, and to describe their mastitis treatment protocols.
Three dairy producers will then be selected by the judges to receive the Producers for Progress recognition, based on the following criteria:
- Demonstrated understanding of and passion for judicious use of antibiotics
- Commitment to animal well-being
- Being a customer of at least one BI mastitis product
