Merck Animal Health Launches New Informational Tool



Merck Dairy Market Central appDairy Market Central, a new app for iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets combining the latest news, markets, weather and resources, was released today by Merck Animal Health. The app was created in partnership with Hoard's Dairyman magazine.

"Dairy Market Central gives dairy producers a comprehensive industry update with the tap of a finger," said Terry Hansen, national dairy sales director for Merck Animal Health. "We are excited to bring together a variety of dairy-specific resources and top-level, decision-making information in one dynamic, easy-to-use application."

App features
"Dairy Market Central provides information when and where dairy producers want and need it," said Patti Hurtgen, online media manager for Hoard's Dairyman magazine. "Our editors constantly monitor the pulse of the dairy industry, and we are excited to deliver real-time news to the mobile dairy producer and industry professional."

Hoard's Dairyman magazine provides the news feed with content updated daily. The Hoard's Dairyman online database is accessible exclusively to subscribers using iPads and 10.1-inch Android tablets.

The app provides users a quick summary of dairy commodity markets with more detailed information available by simply selecting the commodity. It lists current prices on a variety of markets, from cheese and fluid milk contracts to cow sale prices. The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture dairy, hay and auction reports also are easily accessible. All versions of Dairy Market Central show the latest weather information, including current conditions, forecasts, and severe weather alerts.

Additional resources, such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Daily Dairy Report, long-term corn and soybean forecasts, regional heifer prices and economic outlook reports, are available on the app for iPads and 10.1-inch Android tablets.

"Apps like Dairy Market Central provide dairy producers with relevant and up-to-date information at our fingertips," said Don Jensen, calf and heifer manager at Lawnhurst Farms in Stanley, N.Y. "Merck Animal Health's new app reflects the progressive shift in the dairy industry and how dairy producers will be accessing information more dynamically in the future."

"Dairy producers need to keep up with a lot of information in order to manage risk and make critical decisions," said Hansen. "We are committed to delivering high-quality products, services and solutions like Dairy Market Central to help them be productive and profitable."

Dairy Market Central is free to download via the iTunes Store and Google Play (formerly Android Market).

For more information, contact your local Merck Animal Health representative.

About Merck Animal Health
Today's Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments the one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com.

About Hoard's Dairyman
Established in 1885, Hoard's Dairyman informs and educates dairy farmers and those who work with them. Every issue of the magazine places emphasis on feeding, breeding, and animal health, as well as general dairy farm management. Attention is also given to farm equipment, crops, facilities, milk quality and governmental activity. Contributing authors include researchers and extension specialists from agricultural colleges, veterinarians, dairy producers and other authorities related to dairying.

4.10.2012