Our convention theme is "From Farm to Table".

Convention Speakers
The first speaker, Jim Kuhn of Gossner Foods, Inc., will be speaking about animal health, feed, milking and milk storage. John Bruhn, Director of U.C. Davis Department of Dairy Research, will discuss the processing of milk into butter and cheese, including best practices for safe food. At press time it is unclear if Kimberly Cruelle of Trader Joe's will be able to join us. Due to a difficult pregnancy, she will likely be unable to travel. We expect to present another highly qualified specialty retailer speaker. Finally, Jacques Cornelis, the Executive Chef of the Resort at Squaw Creek, will speak about bringing cheese and butter products to the restaurant table.

We regret to announce the passing of two of CCBA's former members...

Ray Gaddis
Ray Gaddis was active in the dairy business since 1946, when he recognized an opportunity for the development of a substantial cheese industry in California. He was instrumental in California's rise from modest beginnings to its status as one of the world's prominent cheese producing regions today. He helped dairy farmers to establish world-class cheese manufacturing operations and assisted in the marketing of California cheese as a prominent national brand. Ray founded Pacific Cheese Company which continues today as one of the country's largest family-owned cheese businesses. Ray was actively involved in the CCBA for many years.

Claus Simon
Claus Simon came to the United States in 1947 from Germany. He joined Crescent Food Company in 1950 and shortly thereafter, formed his own brokerage company and cheese cutting business. As the cheese cutting business became more competitive, Claus gave full attention to his food brokerage business. In 1982, C. L. Simon Fine Foods became a wholly owned division of Bromar Southern California. Claus was actively involved in the CCBA during his 40 years in the business. He received CCBA's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990.

For an udderly good time, you're invited to compete in the L.A. County Fair Dairy Competition. The cheese grading and awarding of gold, silver and bronze medals to the "best of the best" will be taking place in August, 2001. The dairy competition dates are as follows:

The whole herd will be there September 7th through September 23rd to check out the winners!

If you have questions regarding participation, please contact the L.A. County Fair Exhibits Department at (909) 865-4230.

Please join us in welcoming our new members, Joseph Palus and Dale Schmidt of Stoelting, Inc.'s Process Equipment Division. Joe is Sales & Marketing Manager and Dale is Senior Sales Engineer.

The Stoelting Brothers Company was formed in 1905. They sold hardware and operated a sheet metal shop, fabricating tanks for farmers and cheesemakers. Full-scale production of cheesemaking equipment began in 1920, and the retail hardware business was discontinued.

In the late 1930's Stoelting started a second division, building machines to dispense soft serve ice cream.

During the early 1940's the company began designing and building conveyorized milk can washers for use by cheesemakers. A third division was created which was expanded into an entirely new product line for industrial parts cleaning.

Our congratulations go to Stoelting as they celebrate their 96th Anniversary on April 10, 2001.

UDDER FUN FACTS

• Only 4% of Americans can say they did not eat at a McDonald's during the past 12 months.
• 100 acres of pizza are consumed every day.
• It takes 300 cows to supply the National Football League with enough leather for a year's supply of footballs.
• Super Sunday now ranks number 2, behind Thanksgiving, among days of the year for U.S. food consumption.
• Pound for pound, hamburgers cost more than new cars.

Some of you may remember that in our last issue (written in January), we fearlessly predicted the block market for the full year. Needless to say, the market began moving north before the last stamp had been placed on "The Moos" and the block price now exceeds the high for the year we forecasted for September. This forecasting business is tough! At least we didn't suggest that the NASDAQ looked like a good buy.

Actually, you may recall that we aren't really forecasting the market at all. We are content to let the pros who are betting their own money do that. Our forecast is simply a formula-driven conversion of Class III milk futures - and has the futures market changed its tune!

Based on the Class III futures close of March 23, 2001 here is our updated outlook:

April		$1.247
May		$1.260
June		$1.345
July		$1.377
August		$1.375
September		$1.395
October		$1.376
November		$1.326
December		$1.275
January '02		$1.211
February '02		$1.185
March '02		$1.175

Will this forecast prove to be more on target than our last one? Keep reading "The Moos" to find out. We will revise in every issue in order to keep current with the latest turns of the futures market.

Here it is clear that, even at this late date, the futures market still anticipates a mild retreat of the block price due to the spring flush. However, many analysts are saying that we have already seen the market low for 2001. They expect the market to continue strong in anticipation of tight supply down the road.