Michigan 2015 Milk
T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F M I C H I G A N M I L K P R O D U C E R S A S S O C I AT I O N
VOL. 99 | ISSUE 3 | SEPTEMBER 2016
Opening the Plant Doors to Celebrate
100 YEARS
mimilk.com
SEPTEMBER 2016 FEATURES
On the Cover
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ENGAGED DAIRY YOUTH AT
Results from the Michigan 4-H Youth Dairy Days in dairy management, quiz bowl, dairy judging, showmanship and overall high rank awards.
MICHIGAN 4-H YOUTH DAIRY DAYS
In continuation of MMPA’s centennial celebrations, the co-op hosted an open house at the plant in Ovid, Michigan.
THE PLANT DOORS TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS 20 | OPENING
Members, MMPA retirees and community leaders toured the MMPA Ovid plant, learning more about how the co-op markets members’ milk.
Daisy the cow was prominently displayed as tour groups worked their way through the plant.
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BUILDING COOPERATIVE
Strength in membership, leadership, financial standing and employee involvement contribute to sustaining a century-old cooperative.
LONGEVITY
Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA), established in 1916, is a member owned and operated dairy cooperative serving approximately 2,000 dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio.
SEPTEMBER 2016 | MESSENGER
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CONTENTS
6 8
10 12 18
MMPA MATTERS
“First and foremost for cooperative longevity, the co-op must have a loyal membership base.”
Showcasing the Impact of Our Ovid Plant
QUALITY WATCH Judicious Drug Use: Less is More
NEWS & VIEWS
– JOHN DILLAND (PAGE 22)
LEGISLATIVE WATCH 8TH ANNUAL ‘SALE-ABRATION’
Ingham, Allegan and Tuscola county youth represent dairy industry
DEPARTMENTS
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A VERY ‘DAIRY’ EDUCATION: 2016 GREAT DAIRY ADVENTURE
29 MERCHANDISE
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OYDC IN FOCUS
Building Leaders, Expanding Cooperative Knowledge: 2016 OYDC Conference
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SPOTLIGHT ON THE BOARD
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QUALITY PREMIUMS
31 POLICIES 32 FREELINERS
Meet Director-at-Large Gertie van den Goor
33 CLASSIFIEDS
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YOUR DAIRY PROMOTION AT WORK
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Summer Updates
35 STAFF
MARKET REPORT
MMPA CORE VALUES: » QUALITY » INTEGRITY » PROGRESS » LEADERSHIP » COMMUNITY Managing Editor................................................ Sheila Burkhardt Editor...............................................................................Allison Stuby Advertising Manager......................................Nancy Muszynski Circulation..................................................................................... 2,843 An Equal Opportunity Employer – F/M/V/D Michigan Milk Messenger (USPS 345-320) is the official publication of Michigan Milk Producers Association, published monthly since June 1919. Subscriptions: MMPA members, 50¢ per year; non-members, $5 per year.
41310 Bridge Street P.O. Box 8002 Novi, MI 48376-8002
p: 248-474-6672 f: 248-474-0924 w: www.mimilk.com
Periodical postage paid at Novi, MI and at additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Michigan Milk Messenger, PO Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002. (ISSN 0026-2315)
SSEPTEMBER 2016 | MESSENGER
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MMPA MATTERS
Showcasing the Impact of Our Ovid Plant BY KEN NOBIS, PRESIDENT
In keeping with our plan to celebrate MMPA’s centennial year throughout 2016, an open house was held at MMPA’s Ovid milk processing plant on Aug. 2. Nearly 150 visitors took advantage of the opportunity to tour our state-of-the-art facility. Most of the visitors were MMPA members, but in addition we had extended invitations to local government offices and service clubs. We had a nice mix of producers and consumers present. Our plant manager, Colt Johnson, and his staff led small group tours of the facility. As always, they did an excellent job of explaining the various processes involved in producing a dairy product that is ready for the market. As they toured the plant, participants first saw the area where the milk is received, then moved on to see pasteurizers, separators, the butter churn, powder dryers, the refrigerated butter storage facility, and the powder warehouse. At each point in the process, the staff explained what was being done with the milk. I think that anybody who has been through the plant has garnered a better understanding of the complexities associated with milk processing and also the care taken to protect the quality of the finished product.
“I’ve had numerous people tell me that they knew the plant existed, have driven by it many times, but had no clue that we receive approximately five million pounds of milk a day and process it into end products that include liquid dairy blends, dry powders and bulk butter.”
I have had the opportunity to tour the Ovid plant many times as we have showcased the facility to local officials, MMPA members, governors, state legislators, U.S. Congressional Representatives, U.S. Senators, economic development groups and others. I find the tours interesting for me, but I also learn from listening to the reaction of people not familiar with the dairy industry. The Open House on Aug. 2 was no exception. I’m always amazed by the reaction of local business people when they learn how much milk goes through the Ovid plant on any given day, let alone the volume for a year. I’ve had numerous people tell me that they knew the plant existed, have driven by it many times, but had no clue that we receive approximately five million pounds of milk a day and process it into end products that include liquid dairy blends, dry powders and bulk butter. It is a pleasant experience to see the surprised looks on visitors’ faces when they become aware of the economic impact we have on the local community. Economic impact alone doesn’t suffice to keep a community pleased with your presence, though. Making a good impression at our plants and our individual farms is critically important for many reasons. We are a very heavily regulated industry and have been for many, many years. We produce a highly perishable food, so stringent food safety regulations go part and parcel with our industry. It’s important for consumers to understand all that is required of us in providing dairy products they can consume with confidence. The reaction of visitors at the Ovid plant is a great reminder of the need for extensive educational outreach by our co-op and each of our members individually. MMPA will continue to actively educate consumers not only about our product but also about our members’ role in providing a safe, affordable food supply. We understand the need for regulations, but we also recognize the chance that regulations can become very burdensome without adding an equal degree of confidence in food safety. Transparency in food production is important to consumers today. Insuring that they receive accurate information will fall more and more heavily on producers in the future. Our members’ true story, one of quality and integrity, is the one that we seek to place before the consuming public as we fulfill our mission to “market our members’ milk to the greatest advantage possible.”
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MESSENGER | September 2016
QUALITY WATCH
Judicious Drug Use: Less is More BY CHRISTY DINSMOORE, MASTITIS MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST AND NORTHEAST AREA SUPERVISOR
All dairy farms have the ethical responsibility to care for their animal’s health. Dairy farms care for their animals because it is the right thing to do. Occasionally, administration of antibiotics is necessary to save an animal’s life, but there is also a responsibility to limit the dairy industry’s contribution to the potential creation of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Many animal antibiotics are also part of human medicine. If drugs lost their effectiveness to treat bacteria it would be a hazard to herd health as well as human health. This can be accomplished by judicious drug use.
What is Judicious Use? Plain and simple, judicious drug use is using an antibiotic drug appropriately and only when necessary. Drug use and selection should be safe for the animal, effective in treating the disease, cost effective, result in no antibiotic residues in marketed product and it should not further the creation of resistant bacteria.
Take Action
“Drug use and selection should be safe for the animal, effective in treating the disease, cost effective, result in no antibiotic residues in marketed product and it should not further the creation of resistant bacteria.”
The following suggestions will help any dairy farm reduce their potential misuse of antibiotics: Prevention: Herd health plans should focus on prevention of all types of disease and normally what helps to prevent one type of disease usually helps prevent others. Educate yourself and employees on proper calf management including colostrum management, keeping housing environments clean, and managing a growth feeding problem. Cow health management includes effective feeding programs, a complete transition cow program, an excellent udder health program and keeping their housing environment clean. Supportive Therapy: Antibiotics are not always the first line of defense. Some diseases are not bacterial and will not respond to antibiotics, i.e. many times calf scours will improve with supportive fluids. Fever reduction can be accomplished with non-steroidal drugs. Work with your herd vet to develop the best approaches to correctly diagnose, treat and monitor treatment protocol success. Train all animal caretakers on your farm to follow these practices. Establish Written Treatment Protocols: Often times animals are treated based on clinical signs of disease such as discharge, difficulty breathing, scours and fever. This makes it necessary to have a protocol in place for animal care takers to follow. Criteria for treatment should be clear for all to follow even in the heat of the moment and should also be targeted and appropriate. Inventory On Farm Pharmacy: Review on farm drug inventory. Dispose out of date drugs or drugs no longer used or labeled for indicated diseases. Review the rest of the drugs with your veterinarian to understand what drugs are most likely to affect bacterial resistance. This will allow you to either develop alternative drug of choice or use this drug minimally.
Two Controversies in Dairy Industry Dry cow therapy and medicated calf milk replacer have been applied as a blanket administration in the past. Changes have already occurred with calf milk replacer. The FDA (Federal Drug Administration) has issued the VFD (Veterinary Feed Directive) which includes eliminating the use of feed additive drugs in milk replacer unless for therapeutic reasons and even then it is limited to 7-14 days with a herd vet’s prescription. Blanket dry cow therapy is also being reevaluated in light of selective dry cow therapy based on infection status of each cow. This would reduce drug usage by only treating those cows diagnosed with mastitis but effective prevention strategies would have to be ramped up to ensure continued udder health. However, careful monitoring of clinical mastitis after calving and also changes in the proportion of cows with high somatic cell counts at the first test date (if on DHI test) should be made before considering this option. Selective dry cow therapy can lead to problems unless a herds is willing to invest a high degree of monitoring such as culturing cows at dry off and tracking individual SCC during late lactation. One simple measure to reduce unnecessary use of using dry cow is to confirm pregnancy at dry off before infusions. Appropriate antibiotic use can save animal’s lives and ensures quality meat and milk products entering the marketplace. The dairy industry can not afford to lose the right to make decisions about administering drugs on farm. You can help by refining drug use on your farm today. 8
MESSENGER | September 2016
SEPTEMBER 2016 | MESSENGER
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NEWS & VIEWS
NEWS & VIEWS
Producers Scoring 95 percent or more on Grade A Surveys and Federal Check Ratings Terri Hawbaker* Nobis Dairy Farms* Evergreen Dairy Incorporated James Dershem Cornerstone II Dairy LLC* David Warnke Andrew Feldpausch* Fedewa Dairy LLC Chris Simon Simon Dairy Farm LLC Thomas / Dianne Cook* Sharrard Farms LLC Reid Dairy Farm LLC Kenneth Nielsen Timothy Mater Gregory / Shelly Messing Ashley Kennedy William Mazure *100 percent
Class III Price Rises The USDA announced that the July Class III milk price is $15.24 per cwt, up $2.02 from June’s price, but $1.09 below July 2015. The Class III price has averaged $13.73 so far this year. The Class IV price in July was $14.84, $1.07 higher than last month’s price, and $1.69 more than July 2015.
USDA Announces Safety Net Assistance for Milk Producers in Margin Protection Program Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced approximately $11.2 million in financial assistance to American dairy producers enrolled in the 2016 Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). The payment rate for May/June 2016 will be the largest since the program began in 2014. The narrowing margin between milk prices and the cost of feed triggered the payments, as provided for by the 2014 Farm Bill. Dairy producers who enrolled at the $6 through $8 margin trigger coverage level will receive payments. MPP-Dairy payments are triggered when the national average margin (the difference between the price of milk and the cost of feed) falls below a level of coverage selected by the dairy producer, ranging from $4 to $8, for a specified consecutive two-month period. All final USDA prices for milk and feed components required to determine the national average margin for May/June 2016 were released on July 29, 2016. The national average margin for the May/June 2016 two-month consecutive period is $5.76277 per hundred weight (cwt.), resulting in the following MPP payment rates: Margin Trigger Coverage Levels Payment Rate/cwt. $6.00 $0.237 23 $6.50 $0.737 23 $7.00 $1.237 23 $7.50 $1.737 23 $8.00 $2.237 23
To learn more about the Margin Protection Program for dairy, visit the Farm Service Agency (FSA) online at www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy or stop by a local FSA office. Producers may visit www.fsa.usda.gov/mpptool to calculate the best levels of coverage for their dairy operation. To find an FSA office near you, visit http:// offices.usda.gov. The enrollment period for 2017 coverage ends on Sept. 30.
2016 MMPA Advisory Committee
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District 1
District 5
Bruce Lewis, Jonesville........................................ 517-869-2877 Jeff Horning, Manchester..................................... 734-428-8610 Art Riske, Hanover............................................... 517-524-6015 Clark Emmons, Fayette, OH................................ 419-466-4471 Jeff Alexander, Hanover....................................... 517-740-9981
Mike Rasmussen, Edmore................................... 989-304-0233 Lyle Vanderwal, Lake City.................................... 231-328-4926 Tom Jeppesen, Stanton........................................ 989-506-5287 Bruce Benthem, McBain....................................... 231-825-8182 Amy Martin, Leroy................................................ 231-388-0496
District 2
District 6
Michael Oesch, Middlebury, IN............................. 574-825-2454 Mark Crandall, Battle Creek................................. 269-660-2229 Richard Thomas, Middlebury, IN.......................... 574-825-5198 Don Bever, Delton................................................ 269-671-5050 Heather Wing, Bellevue........................................ 269-660-0498
David Reed, Owosso............................................ 989-723-2023 Jamie Meyer, Ionia............................................... 989-640-3372 Kris Wardin, St. Johns.......................................... 989-640-9420 Aaron Gasper, Lowell........................................... 616-897-2747 Steve Thelen, Fowler............................................ 989-682-9064
District 3
District 7
Tim Butler, Sand Lake.......................................... 269-330-5538 Bill Gruppen, Zeeland........................................... 616-875-8162 Burke Larsen, Scottville........................................ 231-425-8988 Bill Stakenas, Freesoil.......................................... 231-425-6913 Gary Nelsen, Grant.............................................. 231-834-7610
John Bennett, Prescott......................................... 989-345-4264 Mark Iciek, Gladwin.............................................. 989-426-5655 Eric Bergdolt, Vassar............................................ 989-652-6500 Steve Foley, Millington.......................................... 989-871-4028 Rodney Fowler, Chesaning.................................. 989-302-2299
District 4
District 8
Marvin Rubingh, Ellsworth.................................... 231-588-6084 Jeremy Werth, Herron.......................................... 989-464-4022 Dave Folkersma, Rudyard.................................... 906-630-1957 Russ Tolan, Ossineke........................................... 989-471-2993 Ron Lucas, Posen................................................ 989-379-4694
Darwin Sneller, Sebewaing.................................. 989-977-3718 Bill Blumerich, Berlin............................................ 810-706-2955 Michael Bender, Croswell..................................... 810-404-2140 Patrick Bolday, Emmett........................................ 810-395-7139 Michael Noll, Croswell.......................................... 810-404-4071
MESSENGER | SEPTEMBER 2016
Upcoming Events Sept. 28
Advisory Committee Meeting, Novi
Oct. 4-8
World Dairy Expo, Madison, Wisconsin
Oct. 31-Nov. 2
NDB/NMPF/UDIA Joint Annual Meeting,
Nashville, Tennessee
MMPA 4-H Milk Marketing Tour Top Five Named The MMPA 4-H Milk Marketing Tour educated students about milk marketing principles and cooperative management. Following the tour in June, eleven students were invited to interview for one of five open slots on a trip to the National 4-H Dairy Conference and World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin this October. The top five individuals for 2016 are: Jacob Armstrong, Branch County; Chelsea Barnes, Ottawa County; Miriah Dershem, Clinton County; Jonah Haskins, Lapeer County and Jessica Nash, Clinton County. Two alternates were selected: Thomas Hull, Hillsdale County and Andrew Sanford, Sanilac County.
REAP Grants Available for Renewable Energy or Energy Efficiency Improvement Projects The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is open to Agricultural Producers and Rural Small Businesses. Grants can be used for the purchase, installation, and construction of a Renewable Energy System or Energy Efficiency Improvement. REAP Grants provide a 25 percent cash reimbursement of the total system costs, with a maximum grant of $500,000 for Renewable Energy Systems and $250,000 for Energy Efficiency Improvements. Applications for projects with Total Project Costs of $80,000 or less are accepted through Monday, October 31, 2016. Applications for projects with Total Project Costs greater than $80,000 are accepted through Monday, May 1, 2017. The Application Templates and Forms are available at USDA Rural Development Offices or the National Website at: www.rd.usda.gov/ reap under Forms and Resources.
Advanced Calf Care Schools Slated for Late October The next set of Advanced Calf Care Schools will be held Oct. 25-27 in locations throughout the state. Live calves will be available for handson management practice and an educational necropsy is scheduled to help attendees understand the inner workings of calves’ digestive and circulatory systems. The morning will consist of classroom-style training on topics including colostrum and newborn calf management. In the afternoon, a local vet will lead demonstrations and answer questions at each school. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., the agenda kicks off at 10 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. FOR INFORMATION ABOUT DATES AND LOCATIONS CONTACT MARIANNE GASIEWSKI AT 248-474-6672, EXT. 215 OR GASIEWSKI@MIMILK.COM. A $10 REGISTRATION FEE WILL COVER LUNCH AND MATERIAL COSTS.
SEPTEMBER 2016 | MESSENGER
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LEGISLATIVE WATCH
NMPF Asks USDA to Provide Assistance to Dairy Farmers Struggling from Global Milk Price Depression
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s America’s dairy farmers endure the lowest milk prices since the Great Recession of 2009, the National Milk Producers Federation asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide a measure of relief by purchasing at least $100 million worth of cheese products for donation to the needy – a measure that would help both farmers, and food insecure Americans who patronize food banks. In a letter sent Aug. 12 to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, National Milk urged the department to use all of its available authorities to purchase $100 to $150 million of cheese. NMPF asked USDA to utilize its Section 32 program, as well as additional authorities through the Farm Service Agency, the Food and Nutrition Service, and the Commodity Credit Corporation.
“Dairy producers here in the United States need assistance to help endure this 18-month depression in milk prices,” said Jim Mulhern, NMPF President and CEO. “This type of assistance would both help economically-strapped farmers, and also help those without ready access to nutritious dairy products.” A cheese buying program of up to $150 million would allow for the distribution of as much as 90 million pounds of cheese to nonprofit food banks. Donating this quantity of cheese would remove the equivalent of almost 900 million pounds of milk from the domestic commercial market and strengthen farm-level prices by about $0.16 per hundredweight over the course of a year, increasing the incomes of all U.S. dairy farmers by approximately $380 million.
Support the Michigan Milk Political Action Committee
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he Michigan Milk Political Action Committee (MMPAC) has helped members of MMPA express their interests to legislators in Lansing and Washington, D.C. since the 1970s. The PAC works to provide bipartisan support to state and federal candidates who demonstrate a willingness to work on behalf of dairy and agricultural interests. Over the past year, the PAC has enabled MMPA to be involved in the political process on a variety of national issues, including biotech labeling, immigration, the School Nutrition Act, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and tax relief measures. On the state level, MMPA has recently focused on the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program, The Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program and animal agriculture research funding. Even when the volatile dairy industry impacts producers’ milk checks, it is important MMPA stays involved politically. The candidates MMPA supports have an interest in agriculture and dairy issues, regardless of political affiliation. In November, the MMPAC will announce endorsements for candidates up for election this fall. These endorsements are made after each candidate completes a questionnaire and members provide input. MMPA delegates at the 100th Annual State Delegate Meeting adopted a resolution encouraging all members to contribute one dollar per cow per year to the MMPAC.
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MESSENGER | SEPTEMBER 2016
To make a contribution, and enable the MMPAC to have more power in the political process, fill out a state and/ or federal contribution form mailed to each member this month.
MMPAC Challenge Support MMPAC and you could be supporting one of your favorite charities! MMPA will award the MMPA district with the highest percentage of members contributing to the district’s choice of one of five selected charity organizations or youth foundations. The winning district can select from the following organizations: • Michigan 4-H Foundation • Michigan FFA Foundation • Michigan Dairy and Memorial Scholarship Foundation • United Way • Local charity with approval by MMPA board of directors Information on the MMPAC Challenge will be mailed to members in September. Contributions must be postmarked by November 4, 2016 to qualify for the MMPAC Challenge. The winning district will be announced at the Leaders’ Conference on Monday, November 21.
ENGAGED DAIRY YOUTH AT
Michigan 4-H Youth Dairy Days
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linton County youth Miriah Dershem and Ottawa County resident Chelsea Barnes were recognized as the highest point-getters in the senior division of this year’s Michigan 4-H Youth Dairy Days, an annual dairy youth activity held in conjunction with Michigan Dairy Expo. In the junior division, Isabella County youth Katie Wilson and Ottawa County resident Joshua Tripp were recognized as the highest point-getters. The 19th annual expo took place July 18-22 at the Michigan State University (MSU) Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education in East Lansing. As the youth-centered portion of the Michigan Dairy Expo, the largest annual dairy event in the state, Michigan 4-H Youth Dairy Days offers young people interested in the dairy industry opportunities to compete for premiums,
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MESSENGER | SEPTEMBER 2016
ribbons and scholarships in various educational activities, including dairy quiz bowls, dairy management contests, dairy cattle judging competitions and the Dairy Days youth show. This year, nearly 170 youth from around the state participated in one or more of the educational competitions, and winners may go on to represent Michigan in national competitions. The Overall Dairy Youth Dairy Days High Rank Award is awarded to the participant who accumulates the highest total rankings in three of four contest categories: dairy cattle judging (conformation placings and oral reasons), dairy management, quiz bowl and showmanship. The senior division is open to youth ages 15 to 19. A similar contest is held for youth ages 9 to 14 (junior division). Each participant may only win the high rank award once in the junior division and once in the senior division.
Melissa Elischer, Michigan dairy youth educator and director of Youth Dairy Days, said that the weeklong educational event serves as the stage for showcasing some of the industry’s most talented and engaged young people and future dairy industry leaders. She said youth must learn a number of skills and knowledge in the weeks and months leading up to the event. “It requires a lot of commitment on the part of young people to prepare for Dairy Days. These youth spend many hours learning and practicing with their teams and coaches to prepare for Dairy Days,” Elischer said. “Once here, youth then have to budget and prioritize their time to compete in back-to-back contests, often while being responsible for taking care of their show animals in the barn.”
Dairy Management Contest Results The dairy management contest is a practical, hands-on competition that tests contestants’ dairy knowledge. TOP 10 NOVICE
Olivia Black, Clinton County Lydia Deters, Isabella County Taylor Gager, Isabella County Braidy Abbott, Eaton County James Link, Kent County Wyatt Meekhof, Ottawa County Gavin McQueen, Isabella County Paul Meyer, Clinton County Matthew Whitaker, Clinton County Sam Meyer, Clinton County Katie Polzin, Washtenaw County Brianne Halfmann, Clinton County Sonja Ybema, Allegan County TOP 10 JUNIOR
Katie Wilson, Isabella County Hayley Wineland, Branch County Joshua Tripp, Ottawa County Joe Simon, Clinton County Gerl Pish, Branch County Adalee Thelen, Clinton County Casey Ybema, Allegan County Ian Black, Clinton County Drew Neyer, Isabella County Anna Wehler, Allegan County TOP 10 SENIOR
Shannon Good, Allegan County Miriah Dershem, Clinton County C.J. (Carl) Shearer, Ottawa County Miles Wixom, Allegan County Miriam Cook, Clinton County Alexis Butcher, Shiawassee County Chelsea Barnes, Ottawa County Caleb Shearer, Ottawa County Carmen Hicks, Clinton County Madeline Meyer, Clinton County Rachel Weidmayer, Washtenaw County
Quiz Bowl Results The Michigan Youth Dairy Days dairy quiz bowl competition tests the dairy knowledge of youth teams, who are awarded points for correctly answered questions. NOVICE TEAM WINNER: CLINTON COUNTY
The members of Clinton County Team B were: Olivia Black, of Eagle; Brianne Halfmann of St. Johns; Paul Meyer, of Ionia; and Matthew Whitaker, of Elsie. Ottawa County Team A placed second and Clinton County Team A finished in third place. JUNIOR TEAM WINNER: ALLEGAN COUNTY
This year’s team partnered youth from both Allegan and Isabella counties: Caleb Tucker, of Hopkins; Anna Wahler, of Caledonia; Emily Wilson, of Blanchard; and Casey Ybema, of Hopkins. Ottawa County Team A placed second and Clinton County Team A finished in third place. PHOTO CREDIT: MELISSA HART
SENIOR TEAM WINNER: CLINTON COUNTY
TOP 10 SENIOR
Clinton County Team A won the senior division. The winning team members were: Miriah Dershem and Carmen Hicks, of St. Johns; Madeline Meyer, of Ionia; and Jessica Nash, of Elsie. Allegan County earned second place. Youth from Clinton and Ottawa counties joined forces to place third.
Cameron Cook, Clinton County Lauren Heberling, Sanilac County Hope McAlvey, Clinton County Madeline Meyer, Clinton County Kristen Burkhardt, Livingston County Shannon Good, Allegan County Josh Markel, Clinton County Forrest Nash, Clinton County Allison Schafer, Clinton County Morgan Luoma, Calhoun County
Dairy Judging Results
SHOWMANSHIP RESULTS
TOP 10 NOVICE
Division 1 (10-11): Division 2 (11): Division 3 (12): Division 4 (12-13): Division 5 (13-14): Division 6 (14-15): Division 7 (15): Division 8 (16): Division 9 (16-17): Division 10 (17-18): Division 11 (18-19): Division 12 (19-20):
Taylor Gager, Isabella County Dori Battel, Huron County Kylee Slocum, Ottawa County Alex Halfmann, Clinton County Wyatt Meekhoff, Ottawa County Sam Meyer, Clinton County Levi Poling, Hillsdale County Tarrah Barnes, Ottawa County Brianne Halfmann, Clinton County Matthew Whitaker, Clinton County TOP 10 JUNIOR
Abigail Wilson, Isabella County Dakota Dershem, Clinton County Keagan Long, Ingham County Kaila Barnes, Ottawa County Ian Black, Clinton County Anna Moser, Ingham County Adalee Thelen, Clinton County Drew Neyer, Isabella County Katie Wilson, Isabella County Ashley McQueen, Isabella County
Abby Redman, Clinton County Elise Baker, Ottawa County Taylor Gager, Gratiot County Keagan Long, Ingham County Anna Moser, Ingham County Katrina Gentner, Huron County Makenna Davies, Allegan County Jonah Haskins, Lapeer County Jessica Nash, Clinton County Morgan Bolinger, Tuscola County Miriah Dershem, Clinton County Shelby Berens, Allegan County
SEPTEMBER 2016 | MESSENGER
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INGHAM, ALLEGAN AND TUSCOLA
County Youth Represent Dairy Industry at 8th Annual ‘Sale-abration’ Dairy product baskets representing supreme champion winners of 2016 Michigan 4-H Youth Dairy Days dairy cattle show generate $36,000
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outh from Ingham, Allegan and Tuscola counties were the supreme champion winners at this year’s Michigan 4-H and Youth Dairy Days dairy cattle show held July 19 at Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing. Dairy product gift baskets denoting the winners, in addition to the grand champion Michigan-made cheese, represented the dairy industry at the 8th annual Michigan Livestock ‘Saleabration’ auction held that evening at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education. The ‘Sale-abration’ also auctioned off champion animals selected the previous weekend at the Michigan Livestock Expo. Taylor Bolinger, of Tuscola County, showed the supreme champion dairy cow and Anna Moser, of Ingham County, exhibited the supreme champion heifer. The supreme champion showperson was Shelby Berens, of Allegan County. She
was selected from a field of 12 individual class winners. This year’s dairy product gift baskets – representing the supreme champion cow and heifer, showmanship winner, and grand champion cheese – raised $36,000. A majority of the funds generated from the sale of the dairy lots goes into a statewide dairy youth fund of the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund. The dairy portion of the fund supports dairy youth programs through educational grants and scholarships. The youth members who exhibited the winning animals or earned the champion showmanship award receive $1,000 each. The dairy product gift basket representing the Supreme Champion Dairy Showperson, Shelby Berens, of Holland, brought a final bid of $14,000. A syndicate of dairy industry supporters pooled their money to make the purchase: ABS Global, Inc.; Calder
Dairy; employees of the Farm Bureau Family of Companies; Farmer, Lumpe & McClelland; Golden Elm Dairy and the Eric Frahm family; Hudson Dairy; the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA); MOOville Creamery; NorthStar Cooperative, Inc.; Ken and Liz Nobis; and the Burkhardt family. Members of the buying syndicate who purchased the gift basket representing the Supreme Champion Dairy Heifer shown by Anna Moser, of Dansville, for $14,000 were: Caledonia Farmers Elevator, Cobank, Dairy Farmers of America, the law firm of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C., Zeeland Farm Services, Inc., and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan. The Kroger Company of Michigan and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan purchased the dairy product gift basket representing the Supreme Champion Dairy Cow exhibited by Taylor Bolinger, of Kingston, for $6,000. The United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) placed a final bid of $2,000 to purchase the grand champion cheese (Gouda) exhibited by Grassfields Cheese Co., of Coopersville, Mich. Michigan 4-H and Youth Dairy Days is an annual dairy youth activity held in conjunction with the Michigan Dairy Expo. This year’s expo – the 19th annual – took place July 18-21 at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education in East Lansing. SUPREME CHAMPION DAIRY HEIFER (L-R): ANNA MOSER, KRISTEN BURKHARDT, DAIRY AMBASSADOR; CHUCK COURTADE, DAIRY FARMERS OF AMERICA; JENNA TAYLOR, CALEDONIA FARMERS ELEVATOR; LIZA MOORE OF FOSTER, SWIFT, COLLINS & SMITH, PC; CHARLENE MCALVEY, DAIRY AMBASSADOR.
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MESSENGER | SEPTEMBER 2016
A Very ‘Dairy’ Education
2016 Great Dairy Adventure BY JESSICA WELCH
On a beautiful July morning, volunteers hustled to set up educational display areas for the 19th annual Great Dairy Adventure. Many of the volunteers are dairy farmers, milk haulers, or serve the dairy industry in multiple ways. They all have a story to tell: milk is wholesome, nutritious and pure.
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he Great Dairy Adventure is part of the Michigan Dairy Expo, a five-day event that brings 4-H clubs, FFA chapters and dairy youth together from across the state to compete in dairy knowledge, skill, showmanship and judging contests. In total, 15 educational displays explained the dairy industry from farm to plate. From milking a cow on a simulation demo, petting baby calves and learning about cow nutrition to learning about how milk is hauled from the farm to the processing plant, participants saw it all. Over 600 children and adults met local farmers and learned about dairy farming and the industry first hand. Sparty and Michigan State University
athletes participated in the featured activities including the new Fuel Up to Play 60 Fun Run and very popular opportunity to feel inside the stomach of a cannulated cow. MMPA hosted the craft station with a lace up a cow and dairy cow hats as well as the milk simulation demo “I Milked a Cow.” MMPA dairy communicators, employees, summer interns and milk haulers also volunteered and provided a positive learning experience.
milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream provided by various vendors. As the day wound down and the crowds thinned, volunteers shared stories and reminisced about the smiles and laughter that filled the MSU Pavilion for several hours. Next year will be the celebration of 20 years of the Great Dairy Adventure and the excitement has already begun.
Join us next year as a volunteer! For more information, contact Jessica Welch at 248-474-6672, ext. 303.
The Great Dairy Adventure event is offered to families, day-care providers and summer camps across the state is free for all participants. In addition to the educational component everyone enjoyed dairy treats such as chocolate
ABOVE: THE MMPA CRAFT STATION FEATURED A LACE-UP COW COLORING SHEET. KIDS AT GREAT DAIRY ADVENTURE AND THE MSU MASCOT SPARTY STOPPED BY DURING THE DAY TO COLOR A COW. LEFT: MMPA MEMBER REPRESENTATIVES KRISTA SHROCK (LEFT) AND LYNDSAY EARL (RIGHT) MANNED THE MILKING DEMONSTRATION STATION AT THE GREAT DAIRY ADVENTURE, TEACHING KIDS HOW TO MILK A COW.
SEPTEMBER 2016 | MESSENGER
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Opening the Plant Doors to Celebrate 100 Years MMPA CONTINUES CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS WITH OPEN HOUSE AT DAIRY PROCESSING PLANT IN OVID
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MESSENGER | SEPTEMBER 2016
ABOVE: MMPA PRESIDENT KEN NOBIS (LEFT) SPOKE WITH MEMBERS DURING THE OVID PLANT OPEN HOUSE. LEFT: MMPA OVID PROCESSING PLANT MANGER COLT JOHNSON (IN WHITE, CENTER) GREETED EACH TOUR GROUP, PROVIDING INFORMATION TO ATTENDEES ABOUT THE PLANT.
MMPA opened the doors of its largest dairy processing plant in Ovid, Michigan for an open house. The event highlighted the value of the plant to MMPA for over half of the cooperative’s existence and continued celebrations of MMPA’s 100 year anniversary. The dairy manufacturing plant— purchased by MMPA in 1957— operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, taking in approximately 5 million pounds of milk each day.
“Our plant in Ovid is a key component of reaching MMPA’s strategic goals. The quality products produced here from our members’ milk are nationally recognized and positively impact the local economy,” Ken Nobis, MMPA president said. “The open house provides an opportunity for us to showcase the successes at our plant while celebrating our cooperative that is now a century-old.” MMPA has invested over $96 million in the Ovid facility over the last ten years. The recent investments include a $62 million expansion, which has the capacity to process 60 percent more milk than before the expansion.
According to a study completed by the MSU Product Center, the Ovid expansion project could have an economic impact of over $183 million to the state of Michigan. More recent additions include an expanded wastewater treatment system, new whole milk powder packaging system and a new butter churn. Ovid Plant Manager Colt Johnson welcomed tour groups throughout the day. A continual stream of small tour groups walked through the plant to view the receiving area, pasteurizers, separators, the butter churn, powder dryers, the refrigerated butter storage facility and the powder warehouse. The tours offered an up close look at how milk is processed and how MMPA produces quality dairy products. Products made at the Ovid facility include condensed milk, dry milk powder, whole milk powder, buttermilk powder, liquid cream, skim milk, salted and unsalted butter. These products are used by MMPA customers in various end products such as salad dressing, ice cream, yogurt, infant formula, pudding, cheese, baked goods, frozen dinners, candy bars and other confections.
1957 Year MMPA purchased plant in Ovid
70 milk tankers received each day
5 million pounds of milk per day processed at the plant
1.4 billion pounds of milk processed in FY 2015
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POWER of the Past. Âť VISION for the Future.
BUILDING COOPERATIVE LONGEVITY WHILE AUTOMATION HAS STREAMLINED EVERYTHING FROM THE FARM TO THE PROCESSING PLANTS, THE STAFF AT MMPA WAS JUST AS IMPORTANT 100 YEARS AGO AS THEY ARE TODAY.
BY MELISSA HART
Centennial farms are scattered around the state and are prominently marked with green signs indicating the same family has been on that farm for at least 100 years. Greenstone Farm Credit Services is marking their 100th anniversary this year as they were established on July 17, 2016, when President Wilson signed the Federal Farm Loan Act into law. And as MMPA continues to celebrate its centennial birthday, the automatic question is: how?
How does a business last ten decades through wars, a depression and the ever changing social fabric of the farm and the consuming public?
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MESSENGER | SEPTEMBER 2016
I
s it because the farmers who own the cooperative remain in control of it? Is it because the three-sided triangle of producers, marketing and processing have stayed in equal balance for the last century? Or is it simply because the people involved are in sync and are willing to sacrifice personal gain for cooperative strength? Retired General Manager, John Dilland points to the people as the reason for the longevity of the cooperative. He wrote,
“First and foremost for cooperative longevity, the co-op must have a loyal membership base, which believes their elected co-op representatives and management are working in the best interest of all members.” While the members make the co-op and are the people who determine what happens with the cooperative, Leona Daniels of W-R-L Daniels Farm conveyed that the MMPA staff has not forgotten that they work for the individual farmer. She believes the secret to their longevity springs out of the communication of the MMPA leadership and its membership. Jack Barnes, General Manager from 19591985 pointed to the enlightenment of the producer as one of the reasons for MMPA’s success. Up until the mid 1950’s members never inquired about or perused the financial statements of the cooperative. But Barnes noted that the expectations of the members changed as their general education level went up and they demanded more marketing information and more details about their cooperative. The MMPA leadership delivered and they began publishing the annual report in the Michigan Milk Messenger. Current General Manager Joe Diglio cast a light on the longevity of the employees of the cooperative and the responsible management of the financial foundation. He elaborated on the longevity of the employees and their knowledge of the industry on a national level that has helped build the strength of the cooperative. Diglio also said that there is a strength in this business and over the years the financial position of the cooperative has remained strong and has been managed very well. CEO of Co-Bank, Robert Engel echoed the sound financial stability of MMPA when he commented, “The fact that Michigan Milk has endured for that
THIRTY FIVE YEAR MEMBERS ARE HONORED EVERY YEAR AT THE ANNUAL MEETING INDICATING LONGEVITY IN MEMBERSHIP OF MMPA
long is a very unique accomplishment. More important, over that period of time they have obviously done an awful lot of things right to be able to keep that membership support and to provide value to that member. “You cannot exist for that period of time without strong financial stewardship. But it’s also been in finding the balance of value as a customer and as an owner, how do we continue to drive the appropriate profitability and returns to our members while investing for a future that’s very different than it looked 100 years ago, 50 years ago, 10 years ago, even a year ago in a business that moves like this.” Engel concluded, “The fact that Michigan Milk has been able to do this, at the end of the day, points to one thing they’ve been very successful at and that is having the appropriate leadership. Leadership at the board level and leadership at the management level that have been great stewards of this organization.” Leadership at every level has played an important role in the past 100 years and many of those leaders came from multigenerational farms throughout the state like Preston Farms of Quincy, Michigan.
As the fourth generation on Preston Farms, Brian Preston became involved with MMPA and has witnessed first-hand how the co-op has helped farmers for the past century. “The co-op structure has given our farm a lot of stability,” Preston continued. “We’ve had a consistent place to send our milk and a consistent source of income. And we have the stability of knowing we can have a part of the decision making and an influence in where we send our milk.” Being a part of MMPA “gives a chance to producers to own processing further up the line and add value to their product and that’s really important in today’s agriculture.” MMPA has not achieved perfection, nor has every decision been made with ease and agreement. History has provided a solid blueprint for MMPA to use as a strong foundation but anticipating the trends of the future are important as well. In Jack Barnes words, “You can’t drive far by looking only in your rear view mirror. It goes forward by looking ahead.”
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OYDC IN FOCUS
Building LEADERS, Expanding Cooperative KNOWLEDGE:
2016 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators Conference
T
he morning of August 18, young dairy leaders trekked across the state and into metro Detroit, leaving their farm and the rural landscape behind. The group—the 2016 Top 10 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators (OYDC)—converged at MMPA’s headquarters in Novi for a two-day conference. The 2016 OYDC Conference brought together MMPA members to foster leadership and provide education on MMPA and the cooperative. On August 18 and 19, the group participated in tours, cooperative update presentations and competed to be selected as MMPA’s 2016 OYDC. The Top Ten OYDCs met and interacted with their cooperative’s employees while gaining a better understanding of the day-to-day operations of MMPA. The conference included a tour of the milk testing laboratory and presentations from MMPA’s president, Ken Nobis, and general manager, Joe Diglio. Nobis discussed national dairy industry issues such as the Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) export program and the Dairy Margin Protection Program. Diglio explained milk marketing and gave an overview of MMPA operations. Hosting this year’s conference was the 2015 OYDC Shawn and Beth VanDrie, with one-month old son Clark in tow. The VanDries guided the next class of Top 10 OYDCs through the process. Three judges – MMPA District 4 Director Corby Werth, MMPA member and former OYDC Jennifer Lewis and Michigan State University professor Ted Ferris joined the OYDCs throughout the process. There are over 1,000 participant alumni in the program’s 66year history, with many going on to become MMPA leaders by serving on the Advisory or Resolutions committees, board of directors or local or district boards. For some members, the OYDC Conference is their first opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the co-op and how member pay prices are determined.
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MESSENGER | SEPTEMBER 2015
“The OYDC program gave us an opportunity to learn how the milk markets work and gives us connections to network with other the co-op moving forward,” said Dave Tolan from Ossineke, Michigan.
In addition to developing leadership skills, the conference gives younger members the opportunity to connect with their peers in the cooperative. As Brady and Kellie Brown from Brown City, Michigan described, “This conference was a very fun and interesting experience. We have enjoyed getting to know the other couples and look forward to seeing friendships develop.” The winning OYDC and runners up—to be announced in the October Michigan Milk Messenger—were selected after the conference after the judges considered applications, interviews and tours of the top three finalists’ farms. The MMPA OYDC Program has been one of the co-op’s mainstays, developing young dairy leaders since 1950. The Top 10 OYDCs here at the conference were each designated by their locals and then selected by the state nominating committee from the pool of all nominated cooperators. During local meeting season this winter, MMPA will begin the process of determining the 2017 Top 10 OYDCs with each local asked to nominate a young individual or couple. If you are interested in participating, please contact your local. For more information on the OYDC program, contact the MMPA Member Relations Department at 248-474-6672.
MMPA CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS, HOSTS AND JUDGES INCLUDED: (BACK ROW, L-R) OYDC JUDGE JENNIFER LEWIS, OYDC JUDGE CORBY WERTH, DANIEL MINNIS, BRADY BROWN, GARY HUFNAGEL, CASEY SPARKS, NATHAN PYLE, DARRIN SIEMEN, DAVID TOLAN, 2015 OYDC SHAWN VANDRIE HOLDING BABY CLARK, AND OYDC JUDGE TED FERRIS. (FRONT ROW, L-R) SAMANTHA MAMARROW, AMANDA CAREY, SARAH MINNIS, KELLIE BROWN, RENEE HUFNAGEL, LAURA SPARKS, AMY PYLE, BARBARA SIEMAN, GRETCHEN TOLAN AND 2015 OYDC BETH VANDRIE.
2016 TOP 10 OUTSTANDING YOUNG DAIRY COOPERATORS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
BRADY AND KELLIE BROWN - DISTRICT 8, MID-SANILAC LOCAL
AMANDA CAREY – DISTRICT 5, ALMA LOCAL
GARY AND RENEE HUFNAGEL – DISTRICT 6, MID-MICHIGAN LOCAL
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2016 TOP 10 OUTSTANDING YOUNG DAIRY COOPERATORS - IN ALPHABTICAL ORDER (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25)
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SAMANTHA MAMAROW-DISTRICT 1, SALINE-ANN ARBOR LOCAL
DANIEL AND SARAH MINNIS – DISTRICT 1, INGHAM COUNTY LOCAL
NATHAN AND AMY PYLE—DISTRICT 3, WEST MICHIGAN LOCAL
DARRIN AND BARBARA SIEMEN—DISTRICT 8, HURON LOCAL
CASEY AND LAURA SPARKS—DISTRICT 3, MUSKEGON LOCAL
DAVID AND GRETCHEN TOLAN—DISTRICT 4, HILLMAN LOCAL
MESSENGER | SEPTEMBER 2016
SPOTLIGHT ON THE BOARD
» Meet Director-at-Large Gertie van den Goor « more and more important to get our message out. What do you like most about MMPA?
I really like the diversity of MMPA’s membership. It is awesome that some members are Amish while others milk cows with robots and everything that exists in between. Why did you want to join the board of directors?
I wanted to be elected to the board because I felt that the board needed someone who was not afraid to ask questions and think outside the box. DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE GERTIE VAN DEN GOOR
Marlette dairy farmer Gertie van den Goor was recently elected to serve a three-year term on the Michigan Milk Producers Association board of directors. van den Goor has served as an MMPA state delegate, MMPA Dairy Communicator and is a member of the Sanilac County Community Foundation. She holds a Registered Nursing (RN) degree. van den Goor and her husband, Geert, emigrated to the United States in 1999 and started Goma Dairy Farm with 250 cows. They previously held ownership of a farm in their native country, the Netherlands. Today, Goma Dairy Farm operates a 3,000 cow-dairy, farms 800 acres and is environmentally verified in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). The van den Goors were selected as the MSU Dairy Farmer of the Year in 2014 and the farm has hosted Breakfast on the Farm as well as blogger tours. They have three children: Anne, Giel and Lotte. The new member of the MMPA board takes a moment to share with fellow members her goals and vision as a board member.
What do you enjoy most about being a dairy farmer? My most favorite part is being out in the barn by myself when the rest of the world is still asleep. I enjoy feeding calves while thinking about the day ahead. Seeing every day that hard work pays of and enjoying the freedom that comes with being your own boss while taking on the responsibilities that comes with it. What makes your farm unique? Our farm is unique in that it is larger than the average farm. However, we are facing the same challenges that any other dairy farm faces. Like everyone else, I pray for rain when we need it and my day starts early in the morning and doesn’t stop until the chores are done. What is the biggest challenge facing dairy farmers? More and more people are disconnected from farming. The average person spends about 10 seconds reading a Facebook post or newspaper headline before moving on. But we need more than 10 seconds to keep people interested in ag and to teach them where their food comes from. It becomes
How do you want to best serve MMPA members?
I want to stay critical and outspoken, but at the same time humble and kind. When I hear the Tim McGraw song, “Humble and Kind,” it hits home very closely how I want to be a board member and also live my life every day. How do you see the next century of MMPA unfolding?
When we can close the gap between consumers and farmers the sky is the limit. Looking back at how MMPA got started we know, if we can dream it, we can make it happen. The only thing we need is to use what we learned from the past and not be afraid to make new decisions for the future. The better we become in working together as farmers and as an industry, the better our future will be. ————— van den Goor began serving her term on the MMPA board of directors in March, along with fellow new board members, Scott Lamb and Doug Chapin. They join 10 other dairy farmers on the MMPA board of directors, helping guide the direction of the cooperative and setting strategic goals. SEPTEMBER 2016 | MESSENGER
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YOUR DAIRY PROMOTION AT WORK
UDIM Summer Updates Redesigned Site Offers Better User Experience MilkMeansMore.org
This summer MilkMeansMore.org underwent a makeover. The new and improved site features more photos, enhanced functionality throughout, and expanded social sharing options to provide deeper engagement and improved visitor experiences. Consumers can learn more about locally produced milk in Michigan and how milk travels from your dairy farms to the grocery store in the Milk is Local section. The Healthy Eating page offers dairy nutrition resources and facts, as well as information for those living with lactose intolerance. Redesigned to showcase the library of appealing, dairy-rich recipes, the Recipes page is organized with new categories to meet your cooking, baking and entertaining needs. And, stay up-to-date with the Milk Means More blog, which features posts from Michigan dairy farmers, registered dietitians, and sports nutrition experts.
THE NEWLY UPDATED MILKMEANSMORE. ORG PROVIDES VISITORS WITH MORE PHOTOS, ENHANCED FUNCTIONALITY THROUGHOUT, AND EXPANDED SOCIAL SHARING OPTIONS.
Audience-specific sections for Health Professionals, Schools and Educators, Athletes, and Dairy Producers offer streamlined navigation, and the information visitors seek.
Interactive components helped them tap into the key words and personal stories they want people to know about dairy and helped to reiterate why we all need to connect with consumers.
As Dairy Producers, you can find information and materials to help share your dairy story. Farmers can apply online for UDIM’s Dairy Promotion Grant Program, download the dairy promotion toolkit, and order educational materials for local events.
Ambassadors have put into practice the training they received at a number of dairy promotion events they have volunteered at this summer.
Dairy Ambassadors Gather the Tools They Need to Tell Their Dairy Story In June, UDIM hosted a communication training to equip five Michigan Dairy Ambassadors with the tools and resources needed to share their dairy story throughout their year-long reign. During the training, these future dairy leaders created personal introductions to help demonstrate to consumers their commitment to their animals, practiced how to answer difficult dairy questions, and discussed ways to share their story.
Great Dairy Adventure Introduces Children to Dairy On July 20, hundreds of children and adults visited the Great Dairy Adventure at the MSU Pavilion to learn about dairy cows, the dairy community, and dairy foods. The event invited families, camps, and daycare centers to pet calves, learn how to milk a cow, learn what cows eat, and see firsthand how farm families care for their cows. Each person ended their visit sampling chocolate milk, string cheese, and ice cream sandwiches. New this year, Sparty and Jason Hanson lead children in a “Dairy Fun Run” to demonstrate the importance of being physically active and eating a balanced diet, including dairy.
Cheese Sculpture at U.P. State Fair Will Promote “REAL” Milk What’s better than a butter cow? How about a 720-pound cheese sculpture! That’s right, UDIM is proud to once again sponsor the beloved cheese sculpture at the U.P. State Fair in August. The theme this year is “REAL” milk, highlighting the products milk is made into and incorporating the REAL seal throughout the sculpture. Fair visitors watched the sculpture progress each day and picked up dairy promotion information that highlights the nutrition benefits of milk and dairy products in our diets.
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MESSENGER | SEPTEMBER 2016
MERCHANDISE
Filter Dispensers How many times have you had a visit from your state inspector and been told that it is time to replace your milk filter dispenser? This is one of those items that is often overlooked when preparing for Grade A surveys. Clean and dry milk filters are an important component for producing high quality milk. Keeping filters clean is the job of the filter dispenser and when it no longer can do the job, it is necessary to repair or replace it. The merchandise department stocks filter dispensers in various sizes. In the past the warehouse has carried filter dispenser boxes with a painted finish. Our vendors have begun to phase this finish out and as a result we have too. We still have some painted dispensers but when these are sold out we will begin to stock only dispensers made from stainless steel. These dispensers from Coburn are 24-gauge stainless steel and while they carry a slightly higher price tag, they are made of a more durable material and will require less maintenance. Listed below are the sizes we carry, stock numbers and the most current prices. DESCRIPTION 15” disc dispenser (special order)
STOCK #
MEMBER PRICE
Chemical, Sanitizer and Teat Dip Contact Information These are service personnel only. Order your Member Merchandise supplies through your hauler.
ECOLAB 24 -Hour Medical Emergency Hotline: 1-800-328-0026
5173 $104.25
24” sock dispenser (accommodates up to 3” wide socks) 4019
$91.50
For Service, call the
4 7/8”x 17” tube or sock dispenser
4026
$91.50
Ecolab Service Message Center
4 7/8” x 33/36” dispenser (painted finish)
4028 $80.75
1-800-392-3392
Chemical pumps
or one of the following
The warehouse also stocks chemical pumps designed to dispense fluids easily and efficiently. We have pumps for any size from one gallon containers through 55 gallon barrels. Our most popular pump has become the Ezi-Action Safety Drum Pump available for 5, 15 and 55 gallon drums. It is made of polypropylene materials and is chemical resistant to a range of acidic, caustic and chlorine based chemicals. It delivers approximately 15 oz. per stroke on both the up and down stroke for continuous action. There is also a service kit available (by special order) if the gaskets or parts begin to wear and effect the efficiency of the Ezi-Action pump.
service representatives: Ben Johnson 4461 Cambridge Dr. Port Huron, MI 48060 810-824-0636
Listed below are the stock numbers and current prices for the pumps we carry. DESCRIPTION
STOCK #
MEMBER PRICE
Pat Mitchell
I gal Jug pump (not suitable for caustic due to enclosed spring) 5241
$3.31
7273 N. Rollin Hwy.
5 gal jug pump
5235
$4.01
Addison, MI 49220
15 gal pump (standard)
5246 $35.04
Ezi-Action 5 gal. pump
4454
$37.94
Ezi-Action 15 gal. pump
4453
$41.44
Ezi-Action 55 gal. pump
4456
$52.75
517-403-0928
Three Ways to Order your MMPA Merchandise 1. Place order through your milk hauler 2. Call in your order:
Duane Farmer, Supervisor......................................................989-317-8370
Toll Free..................................................................................... 877-367-6455
Orders (Novi)..................................................... 800-572-5824 then dial 2
3. Fax in your order:
MMPA Merchandise fax........................................................... 989-317-8372
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PREMIUMS MERCHANDISE
MMPA Quality Premium Program
MMPA Member Testing Fees
Somatic Cell Count premiums and deductions (in addition to Federal Order SCC Adjustments computed in the producer pay price) will be paid at the following levels:
Payment for testing will be made through an automatic milk check deduction. All costs are listed per individual sample.
50,000 or below............ +55¢/cwt.
201,000-225,000........... +20¢/cwt.
51,000-75,000................+50¢/cwt.
226,000-250,000............+15¢/cwt.
76,000-100,000.............+45¢/cwt.
251,000-300,000...........+00¢/cwt.
101,000-125,000.............+40¢/cwt.
301,000-400,000..........- 30¢/cwt.
126,000-150,000........... +35¢/cwt.
401,000-500,000........ -$1.00/cwt.
151,000-175,000.............+30¢/cwt.
501,000-600,000.........-$1.50/cwt.
176,000-200,000.......... +25¢/cwt.
601,000 and greater.. -$2.00/cwt.
A payment of 5¢/cwt. will be added for each of the following, the count is equal to or below: • 10,000 Raw Bacteria Count • 20,000 Pre-Incubated (PI) Count There will be a deduction of 10¢/cwt. for: • Greater than 100,000 Raw Bacteria Count A high raw count deduction will be waived if the producer has received the quality premium the previous three months for raw bacteria count. To qualify for Raw and PI Bacteria Count premiums there must not be any of the following during the month: • Positive drug residue • Abnormal freeze points • High load count shipment or rejected load shipment • #3 or #4 sediment • Raw Bacteria count over 100,000 The count levels for raw and PI will be determined on one test run per month. To qualify for MMPA SCC premiums there must be: • No abnormal freeze points during the month To qualify for MMPA volume premiums there must be: • No abnormal freeze points during the month • An average somatic cell count of 350,000 or less
if
Cow Tests: $1 Cow samples may be tested for: Culture for Streptococcus agalactiae, Strep non ag, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staph, gram negative and/or SCC. Additional testing can be coordinated through your MMPA member representative to include: Raw bacteria count and components. All herd tests must be scheduled with the laboratory through your representative.
MMPA member
Additional Tests Available: All costs are listed per individual sample.
• Mycoplasma Cultures...........................................................................$13 • Bacteriology Cultures...........................................................................$15 – Includes identification of bacteria and drug susceptibility.
• Bovine Viral Diarrhea - PCR.........................................................................................................$40 - ELISA........................................................................................................$6 • Johne’s Milk Test - PCR.........................................................................................................$40 - ELISA – cows.........................................................................................$6 - ELISA – tank......................................................................................... $10 • Bovine Leukosis Test - ELISA – cows.........................................................................................$6 - ELISA – tank......................................................................................... $10 • Milk Pregnancy ELISA.................................................................... $4.50 Lab test results by mail: $2/month All tests must be scheduled through your MMPA member representative or the laboratory for proper sample submission protocol.
ANTEL-BIO TESTING Loc/Hlr/Producer # ______________________ Sample Date Member name_______________________________________________________________________________ Sample ID__________________________________________________________________________________ BLV ELISA_Johne’s ELISA____________ Johne’s PCR Pregnancy______________
Refer to above for current pricing. The cost of testing is the responsibility of the producer. This card MUST be filled out completely when sending in samples to be tested by Antel-Bio to avoid potential service charges.
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MESSENGER | SEPTEMBER 2016
POLICIES MERCHANDISE
MMPA Policy on Drug Residue in Milk MILK ON FARM – DRUG RESIDUE SUSPECTED
MILK SHIPPED — POSITIVE DRUGS CONFIRMED
If a member suspects milk in the farm bulk tank contains drug residue:
If a member ships milk from the farm and testing by approved laboratory methods show that the milk contained drug residue, the member will be assessed the penalties imposed by the state regulatory agency and be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums.
1. Call a MMPA member representative to have the milk in the tank tested. A “hold” must be placed on the tank contents until the test results are known.
OR 2. The member can test the milk on the farm. If dumped, the member must be sure to take the stick reading, record the number of pounds of milk and report the information to their member representative. • If the tank tests negative (no drugs present), the milk JUNE be released and shipped. • If the tank tests positive (drugs present), the member representative will authorize the member to dump the tank of milk. The member will be paid 75% of the value of the tank of milk involved.* • If for any reason MMPA personnel must pick up samples at the farm for testing three or more times within 12 consecutive months, the member involved will be charged $25 per trip.
If a loss is incurred by MMPA due to the disposal and/or non-marketability of a load of milk or milk products containing drug residue, then the member responsible will be provided an invoice for the entire value of the loss plus transportation and disposal costs as required by the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. This invoice JUNE be submitted to the member’s insurance carrier. MMPA must receive settlement on the invoice within 90 days of issuance. If settlement is not made within 90 days, the full amount of the invoice will be deducted from the next milk check unless other settlement arrangements are made. Milk from that member’s farm tank must be tested and found clear of drugs before the next tank of milk can be picked up. A hauler whose entire load sample shows the presence of drugs will if be charged the amount of an average shipment on that load the individual member samples all show negative.
ALL POSITIVE DRUG RESIDUE SHIPMENTS MUST BE REPORTED TO THE ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
MMPA Milk Quality Policy QUALITY QUESTIONABLE When a member suspects that the milk in the farm bulk tank is of poor quality they should call a MMPA member representative who will authorize milk in the tank to be dumped. If the member dumps the milk on their own, they must be sure to take the stick reading and record the number of pounds of milk, and report the information to the member representative. If the milk is dumped, the member will be paid 75% of the value of the tank of milk involved.* In order to receive payment for an added water voluntary dump, the member must install a Swingline Safety Switch. The Swingline Safety Switch can be ordered from the Mt. Pleasant warehouse. The MMPA member representative will verify the switch has been installed. Reimbursement for the Swingline Safety Switch and the voluntary dump will then be made to the member. The member assumes all liability for losses incurred as a result of shipping poor quality or contaminated milk.
MILK SHIPPED – HIGH BACTERIA COUNT
If… 1. a load of milk is received (unloaded) at a dairy processing plant and, 2. a sample from the load has a bacteria count of 300,000 or more and, 3. testing of the individual member samples on that load identifies the member or members having a bacteria count of 300,000 or more, then the member or members involved will be charged the value of one-half of one day’s production** and will be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums. * The member will only be paid for two (2) voluntary dumps in a rolling 12 month period. ** For members using more than one bulk tank, the assessment will be based on the value of milk in the tank or tanks in violation of the MMPA quality policy.
REJECTED LOAD SHIPMENT
If… 1. a load of milk is rejected (not unloaded) at a dairy processing plant and, 2. the milk cannot be sold through normal Grade A channels for reasons of quality which results in the load being sold or disposed of at a loss to MMPA, and, 3. testing of the individual member samples on that load identifies the member or members that caused the contamination or rejection of the load, then, the member or members responsible will be charged the full value of the loss to MMPA plus transportation and disposal costs, and be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums except for loads rejected for temperature. 4. MMPA will provide an invoice to the member for the amount of the loss, to be submitted to the member’s insurance carrier. MMPA must receive settlement on the invoice within 90 days of issuance. If settlement is not made within 90 days, the full amount of the invoice will be deducted from the next milk check unless other settlement arrangements are made. If a member has three or more occurrences within 12 consecutive months, that member must appear before the MMPA board of directors to review steps taken on the farm to correct the quality problem which will enable MMPA to continue to market the milk for this member.
HAULER A hauler whose entire load sample exceeds 300,000 cells per mL bacteria count will be charged the amount of an average shipment on that load if the individual member samples all are less than 100,000. A hauler will be responsible for all costs incurred by MMPA for loads rejected for temperature. Charges and assessments made under this program will be withheld from milk checks of members or haulers involved.
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FREELINERS
To place your freeliner, please fax your ad to 248-426-3412 or email your ad to Muszynski@mimilk.com.
Bulls Registered Holstein Bulls: We now have a nice selection of service age bulls, sired by top AI sires. Green Meadow Farms, Elsie, MI. 989-862-4291 or visit www.greenmeadowfarms.com. Service age Holstein bulls. Call Steve Alexander, 810-622-8548 evenings or 810-404-8548. Registered Holstein breeding bulls, all AI sired from top bulls, b&w, red, red carrier and some polled, high production, low SCC herd. Bulls are priced to sell. Ver Hage Holsteins, 269-673-4886 or 269-217-6076, ask for Tim. www.verhageholsteins.com.
Cows & Heifers Complete herd dispersal – 35 Holsteins. Most in first lactation. Dan Herschberger, Dowling, Mich. 269-758-4029.
Dairy Equipment 32-gal. Milk Mixer. Used very little, $500 obo. 989-418-8605.
Equipment H&S Hydraulic Drive Feed Wagon on H&S 14-ton trailer, $1,500. Also H&S 500 Forage Box for parts, bad floor, $500 obo. 989-848-5541 (no Sunday calls). Harvestore Roller Mill 3-phase 3hp $1,000 new rolls. Goliath 20' silo unloader 7.5hp 3-phase $4,000 Alliance 20' unloader w oiler 15hp 3-phase $10,000. 30'x16" Harvestore belt conveyor $500. Val-metal 170 cu ft. stationary chain mixer 3hp 3-phase $4,500. Case IH 600 forage blower excellent condition $5,000. 989-297-1850. New Holland 240 forage chopper with KP, hay head & 3-row corn head, field ready, excellent condition, always housed, $42,000 OBO. 989-345-1501.
2012 NH FP230 Chopper with kernel processor, 2 row corn head, 9 ft. hay head $35,000. Gehl 940 Chopper wagon 12 ton gear, 16 ft. $3,500. Gehl 970 Chopper wagon 12 ton gear, 16 ft., $3,000. (2) Gehl 980 Chopper wagon 12 ton gear, 18 ft. $4,500 each. New Holland 499 Haybine $6,000. Case IH Forage Blower 600 $3,500. JD 466 Round Baler Net/Twine Wrap $12,500. Pique 9 ft. Hay Tedder $800. Luck/Now 185 stationary TMR mixer - will be ready to sell in December 2016 $2,500. Allis Chalmers 1976 7040 Tractor $5,000 obo. All equipment always housed in excellent condition. Call Mark at 989737-2389 or Paul at 989-295-1167.
Misc. Corn Silage, Haylage, Snaplage and 4 x 5 net wrapped round bales for sale. Delivery available. 231-250-8592. 136 acre worked farm land, 64x70 pole barn, 920 ft. of road frontage, approximately 15 acres trees. This is an exceptional piece of farm land, it is also great hunting for geese and deer. Even though there is a lot of open land, the deer come. Close to state land and Black Mountain trails. Great investment. Asking $225,000. That’s $1,655 per acre. Cheboygan, Mich. Call 231-625-2036. Concrete upright silos. (2) 20 x 60 with roof, one is smooth sided, the other has ridged sides. Still in good working condition, just emptied HMC. Free if you remove, take one or both. Unloader is available also. Call Luke at 616-893-1623 with questions. Cover-Crop Rye Seed. Call 231-349-4059 Purebred Australian Blue Healer pups. Call for details 231-843-8871 leave message. Clean wheat straw, stored, 4x5 round bales, net wrapped. Delivery available 616-218-9350.
Wanted Metatron 12 milk meters and concrete bunker silo in good condition. 269-275-5323. Good Holstein breeding bull. 616-218-9350.
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MESSENGER | SEPTEMBER 2016
CLASSIFIED ADS
Cost for classifieds is $20 per ad, up to six lines. All ads must be received by the 10th of the month before the month of desired publication. Send check or money order for $20 for up to 6 lines with your order. MMPA neither sponsors nor endorses products or services advertised in the Messenger. You may submit your ads by:
Concrete Grooving and Texturing
MAIL:
Classified Ads | Michigan Milk Messenger
Toll Free: 1-800-294-1202
P.O. BOX 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002
Cell: 1-716-353-1137
EMAIL: Muszynski@mimilk.com FAX: 248-426-3412
OPPERMAN GROOVING: We can fix
FARMERS: INCREASE YIELDS
your scabbled floors. Diamond sawed
7 PROFIT by using the 1# crop
grooves, no hammering or cracking
production system. Distributors
of concrete. No hoof damage. Call
needed. 260-768-8137 ext. 1
Opperman Grooving Inc., Portland. 517-647-7381.
BARN WHITE WASHING AND CLEANING WITH HIGH PRESSURE
DAVIDSON CEMENT GROOVING, INC:
AIR: Serving all Michigan and Indiana.
NO water needed. Wider, rougher
Miller Spray Service, Inc. 574-825-9776.
grooves for better traction. We also offer texturing for your previously grooved floors. 3 operators will travel Michigan and other states. No interest
BARN WHITE WASHING: SCHOLTEN SPRAYING SERVICES. 616-895-6307. Allendale
payment terms. Est. since 1987. Call
2013 H-7230 NEW HOLLAND
1-800-365-3361.
DISCBINE, 10 ft. 4 in. Cut, $19,500.
CONCRETE GROOVING BY TRI-
517-543-4770
STATE SCABBLING, home of the 2”
2005 NEW IDEA 5209, 9 ft. Cut.
wide groove. Best traction, lowest
Very Nice! $9,500.00. 517-543-4770
prices. (800) 554-2288. www. tristatescabbling.com
2013 ROTO GRIND 760 TUB GRINDER. Very Nice! $16,000.00.
A SURE WAY TO KEEP YOUR COWS
Call: Jeff Brisky - Owner
517-543-4770.
UPRIGHT! Concrete grooving/ texturing provides high quality
2001 BB960R NEW HOLLAND LG.
traction in new & old concrete, fast
SQUARE BALER. 3x4 Bale, Roto Cut.
service. Call for your below pricing
Very Nice! $42,000.00. 517-543-4770.
PTO and Automatic Start Generators 1-800-248-8070 M-40 South Hamilton, MI 49419 www.hamiltondist.com
989-635-1494. BLUE RIBBON HOOF TRIMMING, LLC. FOR SALE: 5000-4000-3000-25002000-1500 OH MUELLER LATE MODEL BULK TANK MILK TANKS, complete, will trade. 1-800-558-0112. WANTED TO BUY: USED BULK MILK TANKS, 200 gallons & larger, Sunset & Mueller, 1-800-558-0112.
REGISTERED HOLSTEIN BULLS OVER 100 SERVICE AGE BULLS FOR YOUR SELECTION! A special herd sire or a truck load of breeder bulls. Ready to go to work on your farm!
• Sired by the top sires from the U.S. and Canada • From our top production cows
GREEN MEADOW FARMS
DRY HAY & STRAW (large & small
6400 Hollister Road, Elsie, MI 48831 Phone: 989-862-4291
bales) & BARLEY FOR FEED.
www.greenmeadowfarms.com
989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414. SEPTEMBER 2016 | MESSENGER
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MARKET REPORT
Statistical Summary | FOR MILK MARKETED IN JULY 2016 Market Statistics - Mideast Federal Order #33 (pounds)
This Month
Year Ago
% Change
Total Class 1 Sales
500,082,257
507,898,920
-1.54
Total Class 2 Sales
325,433,291
361,593,094
-10.00
Total Class 3 Sales
573,164,727
298,683,789
+91.90
Total Class 4 Sales
287,467,750
269,183,447
+6.79
1,686,148,025
1,437,359,250
+17.31
Total Production Class 1 Utilization
29.7%
35.3%
Mideast Federal Order #33 Total Producers........................................................................................................ 5,363 Avg. Daily Production per farm.......................................................................10,142 Avg. Protein Test....................................................................................................2.99%
National Trends* (million pounds) 2016
2015 % Change
California
3,377
3,405
-0.8
Wisconsin
2,562
2,509
+2.1
New York
1,268
1,219
+4.0
Idaho
1,273
1,228
+3.7
Pennsylvania
920
917
+0.3
Michigan
928
888
+4.5
Texas
893
855
+4.4
Minnesota
822
810
+1.5
New Mexico
651
659
-1.2
Washington
560
560
+0.0
Ohio
473
471
+0.4
Indiana
340
335
+1.5
Production
Avg. Butterfat Test................................................................................................ 3.58% Avg. Oth Solids Test..............................................................................................5.77% Avg. SCC - MMPA..............................................................................................183,000
Component Pricing Information Mideast Federal Order #33
Total U.S.*
16,828 16,589
+1.4
Butterfat Price /lb............................................................................................ $2.5964
U.S* Y-T-D
117,402 115,459
+1.7
Other Solids Price /lb..................................................................................... $0.0774
* For 23 States
Protein Price /lb....................................................................................................$1.9112
Class III Price @ 3.5%.......................................................................................... $15.24 Prod. Price Diff /cwt. - Mich Mkt..................................................................... $0.01 Uniform Price at 3.51........................................................................................... $15.25 SCC Adjustment /cwt /1000.................................................................. $0.00082
AMS Survey Prices Product
Monthly Avg
Cheese /lb................................................................................................................. 1.6419 Butter /lb.................................................................................................................. 2.3155 Nonfat Dry Milk /lb.............................................................................................0.8363 Dry Whey /lb........................................................................................................0.2742
34
MESSENGER | SEPTEMBER 2016
MMPA STAFF MERCHANDISE
MMPA Field Staff*
Novi Headquarters
Northwest Area Supervisor Ben Chapin, Blanchard......................................989-289-0731
Main Office Local line...................................................... 248-474-6672 Toll free......................................................... 800-572-5824
Energy Auditor Frank Brazeau, Oconto, WI................................906-250-0337
General Manager Joe Diglio................................................................ ext. 200
Animal Care Coordinator Deb Gingrich, Leroy...........................................248-520-3580
Chief Financial Officer Josep Barenys......................................................... ext. 240
Lyndsay Earl, Ludington.....................................231-519-2455
Member and Government Relations Sheila Burkhardt..................................................... ext. 208
Sarah Michalek, Portland...................................248-305-0537 Dirk Okkema, Blanchard.................................. 248-756-2062
Northeast Area Supervisor & Mastitis Management Specialist Christy Dinsmoore, Fairgrove.............................248-513-7920 Animal Care Coordinator, Energy Auditor Lindsay Green, East Lansing...............................989-488-8159 Ben Butcher, Durand.........................................248-514-5273 Ashley Herriman, Alpena...................................269-245-6632 Bridget Moore, Snover......................................231-414-4539
South Area Supervisor & Energy Auditor Ed Zuchnik, Three Rivers....................................269-967-7351 Krista Shrock, Topeka, IN...................................269-986-6792 Dave Brady, Grass Lake..... 517-522-5965 or (c) 517-937-9061 Elyse Martin, Charlotte......................................810-701-6460 Joe Packard, Kalamazoo....................................248-520-3481 Emily Smith, Bronson.........................................269-535-0822
Quality Amandeep Dhillon.................................................. ext. 305
Officers
Manufactured Product Sales Jim Dodson............................................................. ext. 229
Mark Halbert, Vice President
Laboratory Supervisor Patti Huttula........................................................... ext. 219
Joe Diglio, GM / Secretary
Member Services Dean Letter................................................... 989-289-9251
Todd Hoppe, General Counsel
Milk Sales/Dispatch Carl Rasch............................................................... ext. 244
Directors-At-Large
Credit/Insurance Cheryl Schmandt.................................................... ext. 210 Management Information Systems Gregory Schulkey.................................................... ext. 237 Andrew Caldwell.....................................................ext. 304 Communications Allison Stuby........................................................... ext. 296 Human Resources Cindy Tilden........................................................... ext. 220 Member Relations Jessica Welch.......................................................... ext. 303
Other Services Bulk Tank Calibration John Lehman, Elsie............................................248-444-6775 Technical Area Supervisor & Mastitis Mgt. Specialist Steve Lehman, Ithaca....... 989-875-3441 or (c) 989-330-1638 Merchandise Coordinator, Energy Auditor Katie Pierson, Coleman.....................................989-289-9686
Manufacturing Plants Constantine Dave Davis, Plant Manager............................ 269-435-2835 Ovid Colt Johnson, Plant Manager........................ 989-834-2221
MMPA Labs In Michigan....................................................800-572-5824 Ovid (Daily, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.)..................... 989-834-2515 Constantine (Daily, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.).........800-391-7560
Main Line......................................................... 989-317-8370 Toll Free............................................................ 877-367-6455 Orders (Novi)..................................800-572-5824, then dial 2 Fax................................................................... 989-317-8372
Eric Frahm, Treasurer
Josep Barenys, Asst. Treasurer
Ken Nobis, St. Johns 989-224-6170 or 248-474-6672, ext. 201 Rodney Daniels, Whittemore 989-756-4935 Gertie van den Goor, Marlette 989-550-8453 Mark Halbert, Battle Creek 269-964-0511 James Reid, Jeddo 810-327-6830 District Directors 1. Hank Choate Cement City 517-529-9032 2. Tim Hood Paw Paw 269-657-5771 3. David Pyle Zeeland 616-772-1512
5. Doug Chapin Remus 231-972-0535
Toll Free 800-233-2405
Supervisor: Duane Farmer
Ken Nobis, President
4. Corby Werth Alpena 989-464-5436
Novi (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Merchandise - Mt. Pleasant
Board of Directors
*If you are unable to reach your assigned member representative, please contact the representatives listed in your area.
6. Tony Jandernoa Fowler 989-593-2224 7. Eric Frahm Frankenmuth 989-652-3552 8. Scott Lamb Jeddo 810-327-6135
SEPTEMBER 2016 | MESSENGER
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