EDITOR’S NOTE

BY EMILY KITTENDORF

If there’s anything we’ve learned in the past couple years, it’s that change is inevitable. Dairy farmers may know it best with the volatile market they successfully operate in every day. Most times it’s not about the change itself though, but the attitude about it that dictates the outcome. As revealed during the 106th Annual Delegate Meeting at the end of March, MMPA is set to take charge of change as we continue to face supply disruptions, labor challenges and an evolving consumer.

On the Cover

During the Annual Meeting, Koppenol Dairy Farms in Coopersville, Michigan, was recognized as MMPA’s Top Quality Award Winner. The Koppenols achieved the lowest somatic cell count among the membership for the second time in their history. Learn more about what they do on their farm to achieve success and focus on quality despite the ever-changing market environment around them on page 20.

Inside this Issue

The Koppenols aren’t alone in producing high quality milk. MMPA members received nearly half of all National Dairy Quality Awards, a true testament to the prestige of the Top Quality Award Winner and the hard work every MMPA member puts in on their farms (pg.18). Other outstanding MMPA members were recognized during the Annual Meeting (pg. 14), including milestone members reaching 35 and 50 years as MMPA members and 2021 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator finalists. And finally, flip to page 24 to see an overview of dairy’s numbers in 2021. The best way to approach change that is yet to come is by understanding what got us to where we are today.