Foremost Farms USA has acquired the naming rights to the new milking parlor at the Wisconsin State Fair Park for the next three years. The sponsorship began last month at the start of this year's Wisconsin State Fair, which concluded Aug. 15. The parlor made its debut in 2003 as part of the new 72,000 sq ft Double Decker Livestock Barn. This year's State Fair attendance is projected at 950,000.

Last month, IDFA's News Center reported that the two U.S. presidential candidates had weighed in on dairy issues during recent campaign stops. President Bush reminded a Wisconsin audience of his rival's previous support of the Northeast Dairy Compact, while Democratic challenger Senator John Kerry stepped out in favor of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) draft framework agreement that was released on August 1.

Kerry stated recently - also while in Wisconsin - that he would not support dairy compacts if he became president.

The number of Americans on a low-carb diet has remained stable at 11% of the U.S. adult population (24 million adults), according to new data from Opinion Dynamics Corporation (ODC) a market research firm that specializes in the food service industry. ODC has been tracking low-carb diet behavior on a regular basis over the last several months. Each study consisted of an independent, nationwide telephone survey of 900 U.S. adults. Each earlier study found 11-12% of the public saying that they were following a diet which restricted carbohydrates. While the number of current low-carb dieters has remained stable, the percentage of people who say they are merely making an effort to restrict their carbs has dropped substantially in the past few months.

Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream is working with Rock the Vote to get ice cream lovers to register and vote. Visitors to www.benjerry.com can take an oath to vote and have a chance to win an iPod or a trip to Vermont to become a B&J Guru for a Day. A portion of the proceeds from the new B&J flavor Primary Berry Graham is being donated to Rock the Vote, a not-for-profit group that encourages young Americans to register and vote.

Scottie Mayfield, of Mayfield Dairy, Athens, Tenn., a Dean Foods company, was recently the focus of a question and answer feature in the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Mayfield spoke candidly about growing up as a third-generation dairy processor and selling the family company to Dean Foods.