Diamond D Dairy, Longmont, Colo., has been named this year’s dairy winner of the Beef Quality Assurance Award, announced this week in Denver.
Diamond D, operated by Jim Docheff and his family, milks 600 cows and now markets directly to consumers. This past March, the dairy opened a drinkable yogurt processing facility on the dairy. It markets the yogurt, branded as Yoforia, through a home-delivery system.
The dairy was recognized by the Beef Checkoff for its handling of thin and cull cows. Docheff does not immediately cull thin cows, but feeds them to put on additional weight and condition. While the practice costs more, the additional weight makes a more saleable animal plus lowers the risk of cows going non-ambulatory during marketing.
For more information on Beef Quality Assurance programs, go to: www.bqa.org
