Milk Messenger: March/April 2023

14 MMPA hosts Annual Meeting

MMPA members gathered for the 107th Annual Meeting of MMPA on March 23 to recognize award-winning members, to hear business development updates and to conduct cooperative business.

18 MMPA DAIRY FARMERS SHINE IN NATIONAL QUALITY AWARD PROGRAM

MMPA members continue to produce some of the best quality milk in the country with 16 MMPA members awarded National Dairy Quality Awards. The 2022 winners make up over a third of total awardees in the national contest.

20 ORDINARY DETAILS. EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS.

Like most dairy farms, Bon-Dale Farms reviews the ordinary details like somatic cell counts and milk production averages, yet their attention to the details and the trends they cause is what has set their milk quality apart from MMPA’s membership, earning them the cooperative’s coveted title of Top Quality Award Winner in 2022.

“The dedication of MMPA’s membership to milk quality is second to none in the industry.

From the membership’s commitment to animal care, to their attention to the details at their farms, MMPA’s members continue to produce some of the best quality in the country.”

THE BRINKS FAMILY OF BON-DALE FARMS WAS AWARDED MMPA'S TOP QUALITY AWARD DURING THE 107TH ANNUAL MEETING IN MARCH.

MMPA MEMBER CRANDALL DAIRY FARM RECEIVED THE HIGHEST HONOR, A PLATINUM AWARD, IN THE NATIONAL DAIRY QUALITY AWARDS ANNOUNCED EARLY THIS YEAR.

Editor’s Note

BY EMILY KITTENDORF

Change is happening at an incredible pace in the world around us. MMPA’s107th Annual Meeting at the end of March addressed the impacts and how the cooperative is positioned to keep pace and take advantage of the changing markets. Since MMPA’s acquisition of Superior Dairy in 2022, their footprint has continued to grow, a credit to members, employees and customers linking arms and working together, facing change head on.

On the Cover

During the Annual Meeting, Bon-Dale Farms in McBain, Michigan, was recognized as MMPA’s Top Quality Award Winner. The Brinks family achieved the lowest somatic cell count among membership by paying extraordinary attention to ordinary details and trends. Learn more about what they do on their farm to achieve success and focus on quality on page 20.

Inside this Issue

Bon-Dale Farms isn’t alone in producing high quality milk. MMPA members received over a third 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. You can flip to page 24 to see an overview of that nation’s dairy industry in 2022, a numerical representation of how MMPA and the industry as a whole is continuing to change and grow.

Milk Messenger (USPS # 345-320) is published bimonthly by the Michigan Milk Producers Association, 41310 Bridge Street, Novi, MI 48376-8002. Periodicals postage paid at Novi and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Milk Messenger, PO Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Emily Kittendorf, messenger@mimilk.com, 248-474-6672, ext. 234

Publication Designer

reZüberant! Inc., Stacy Love rezudesign.com

Printing

Foresight Group, Stacey Trzeciak staceyt@foresightgroup.net

Publication Office

MMPA Milk Messenger

P.O. Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002

p: 248-474-6672 f: 248-474-0924

e: messenger@mimilk.com

w: mimilk.com

Established in 1916, MMPA is a member owned and operated dairy cooperative serving dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio.

An Equal Opportunity Employer – F/M/V/D

Subscriptions: mimilk.com/subscribe

MMPA members - 50¢ per year

Non-members - $5 per year

Circulation: 2,600 (ISSN 0026-2315)

Changing. Growing. Doing.

BY DOUG CHAPIN, MMPA BOARD CHAIRMAN

The year 2022 was one of record milk prices, with an average price of $25.60/ cwt. It’s important to mention though that inflation was also at historic levels. Even with record prices, we saw the Dairy Margin Coverage program pay out two different months and we saw milk production fall under the previous year’s production. That trend has reversed. We are trending up in cow numbers and milk production. The production trend up is modest, about 1% ahead of 2022, however, with our consumers facing inflation shock at the grocery store, we are seeing some headwinds in domestic consumption.

CHAPIN

I encourage everyone to stay optimistic. The production trends are still trailing normal growth, and culling numbers are strong. Exports set a record in 2022 and are expected to maintain strength in 2023. As producers, we have managed these volatile markets in the past, and Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) is definitely prepared to manage them going forward. We realize that record prices can’t last.

MMPA has completed its second year since the acquisition of Superior Dairy. The management team has worked hard to align MMPA operations with Superior Dairy operations, resulting in improved coordination and collaboration among staff. Today, the two entities are one. We have doubled the number of employees, added retail sales activities in multiple states, and achieved alignment through human resources, accounting, laboratories, field staff and other areas.

The acquisition has also allowed us to develop new relationships and partnerships with those businesses that deal directly with consumers. These conversations are essential to meet our goal of adding value to our milk and growing beyond ingredients and commodities. Another asset that came with the acquisition is Creative Edge, an innovation and research team. They’re continuously working on solutions for customers, improving plant operations and developing new products for the marketplace. While it’s hard to put an exact value on these efforts, I guarantee they’re providing more opportunities for increased value and efficiencies for MMPA.

In the past year, MMPA has also successfully participated in and led donations to local food banks. Utilizing the United States Department of Agriculture’s Dairy Donation Program, MMPA has donated over 275,000 gallons with the Food Bank Council of Michigan, and recently donated an additional 10,000 gallons to Palestine, Ohio in their efforts to overcome the devasting train derailment facing their community. The Ohio donation reminds us of how we started our donation program during the Flint water crisis.

I’d like to thank Joe Diglio, MMPA President and CEO for his commitment and leadership to our organization. Thank you to our management team and employees for all their efforts this past year. They work hard for members every day. Finally, I’d like to thank my fellow board members. As a board, we function with a level of professionalism, trust and integrity that is critical for our ability to continue changing, growing and doing. We don’t take our commitment lightly and we appreciate the opportunity to serve you, our members.

DOUG

Dairy Care ACADEMY

Dairy Care Academy is ONLINE, ON DEMAND! Help your farm meet training requirements for the FARM program by accessing the on-demand, FARM program compliant online training platform. The curriculum covers six different topics and is available for unlimited use whenever a new employee is hired, retraining is necessary or simply to brush up on your skills. Watch videos, complete a quiz and receive a printable certificate for each of the following topics:

MILKING PRACTICES

DAIRY STOCKMANSHIP CALF CARE

FITNESS TO TRANSPORT

NON-AMBULATORY ANIMAL MGMT

EUTHANASIA

Access the online platform on the member portal at producers.mimilk.com or by contacting your member representative.

What are the key takeaways from the National Mastitis Council Annual Meeting?

WE ASKED THE EXPERTS:

Putting science into practice was the theme at this year’s National Mastitis Council (NMC) Annual Meeting held in Atlanta. General sessions throughout the conference pulled on this inspiration while highlighting that the dairy industry has the unique job of translating research into practical application.

What hit home for me is that as an industry, we must find a way to combine animal wellbeing, on-farm technology, and traditional milking systems to produce high-quality milk in a way that has animal wellbeing and consumer concerns at its core. The dairy industry is working with increasingly agriculturally disconnected consumers and has the capability to flip the script and take the lead on research and practices that address social concerns and provide dairy farmers with the technology and freedom to produce high-quality milk, efficiently.

Dairy farms do not operate the way they did 100 years ago, and the next 100 years will look vastly different as well. The challenge ahead of us is to advocate for scientifically proven methods that keep animal wellbeing at the forefront while encouraging production of high-quality milk on farms today and into the future.

The 62nd annual meeting was recently held in Atlanta, GA bringing together people from research, industry, veterinary practice, and dairy production to share perspectives on udder health and milk quality from around the globe. This year’s theme, “Science into Practice”, worked to translate innovation in science and technology to practice farm-side application.

The opening session featured lectures around dairy cattle welfare and consumer expectations and how the dairy industry can use automated behavioral technology to monitor animal well-being and improve management of both cows and calves. Today’s parlors operate nearly around-theclock so a session on milking system function, testing and new technologies highlighted advancements in the parlor but also practice ways to evaluate milking system function and airflow with little downtime in the parlor.

The highlight of the annual meeting is always honoring the recipients of the National Dairy Quality Platinum Award. This year, outstanding dairies from New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota received this coveted award.

During the NMC Annual Meeting, researchers, veterinarians, farmers and industry professionals gathered together and shared their perspectives on producing quality milk with a focus on technology, animal wellbeing and employee training and retention. It was really good to hear everybody’s unique perspectives.

In breakout sessions, we had the opportunity to directly hear from each other as we worked through farm cases together. In small groups we talked about what we would do to help the farm get back on track for mastitis, how we would go about troubleshooting the problems and where we would turn for solutions. During regular sessions in the meeting, we heard about a lot of technology for not only animal well-being and as a solution to employee turnover, but also for employee training.

Overall, the NMC Annual Meeting was impactful because of the combination of hearing everyone’s voices in the industry. From professors to farmers to field staff to DMI staff, I was surprised by how many ways a problem can be tackled and how everyone goes about solving the problem in a different way.

Christy Disnmoore MMPA Services Supervisor

MMPA Board Member

Linda Tikofsky, DVM

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.

THROUGH YOUR BEEF CHECKOFF, MICHIGAN CONSUMERS WERE REACHED

2,919,323 TIMES

MMPA producers scoring 95 percent or higher on Grade A Surveys and Federal Check Ratings

JERRY D LEHMAN*

MARLIN R MILLER*

VERLIN R MILLER*

CAREY FARMS LLC*

NORRIS DIARY FARM INC*

MARLYNN & CORLISS GULEM -

BO III & CORLISS GULEMBO IV

NORMAN & SARANN BYLER

MEGAN FILHART

DAN MAUER DAIRY LLC

STOUGH FARMS LLC

LARSEN FARMS

ROBERT MORLOCK, JEFFREY MORLOCK & TAMARA JONES

STAKENAS FARMS INC

LAVERN J KURTZ

LAVERN D MILLER

DELBERT L BONTRAGER

MARTIN YODER JR

JONATHAN WEAVER

SLATER FARMS LLC

SLATER FARMS BASELINE LLC

SLATER FARMS 88TH LLC

J-MAX LLC

*100

MMPA Distributes Cash Patronage Refunds

MMPA recently paid nearly $1.8 million in cash patronage refunds, equaling a payment of approximately 4 cents per hundredweight on milk marketed during the fiscal year, to its dairy farmer member-owners. This cash allocation represents 100 percent of the Farm Supply Store earnings and 25 percent of the milk marketing earnings. All members who marketed milk through MMPA for fiscal year 2022 received a portion of the allocation. Cash patronage funds are based on the amount of milk each individual member farm marketed and on the supplies purchased through the cooperative during the year in which the earnings were achieved. This payment, in combination with the additional $5 million allocated to Certificates of Equity, resulted in a total $6.8 million allocated to members from the business conducted during the fiscal year. In total, the combination of cash refunds and Certificates of Equity equals approximately 14 cents per hundredweight for Fiscal Year 2022.

U.S. dairy exports post third straight record year

U.S. dairy exports set new volume and value records again in 2022 despite rampant inflation and a host of other challenges to international trade. It was the third straight record year for volume and the second for value.

Export volume on a milk solids equivalent (MSE) basis increased 5% to 2.4 million metric tons (MT). Export volume in 2022 was equivalent to 18% of U.S. milk produced last year, also an all-time high. Export value finished the year up 25% to $9.6 billion—the first time it has ever crossed the $9-billion mark.

“We’ve had three consecutive years of record U.S. dairy exports while facing some of the strongest dairy export headwinds that we’ve ever seen,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC). “Last year, we saw historic global inflation, slowing economic growth, lingering supply chain challenges and severely reduced Chinese demand. U.S. dairy export performance under those conditions is a testament to U.S. suppliers’ commitment to global markets and also to the value consumers in those markets have come to place on U.S. dairy products.”

The United States continued to assert itself as a growing player in international dairy trade. Through 11 months, it had increased its global market share by 2 points to 25% (full-year results are unavailable until the European Union reports December data). The U.S. set annual export records in cheese, whey and lactose. U.S. cheese shipments were particularly notable, rising 12% to 451,370 metric tons (MT) or nearly 1 billion lbs.

“The U.S. dairy industry didn’t get to this point overnight. It’s taken more than two decades of hard work to reach it—work strengthening the global reputation of the U.S. as a reliable supplier of high-quality dairy products, building relationships with overseas buyers, promoting dairy consumption in high-potential markets, and investing in people, products and infrastructure specifically to serve the varying needs of consumers from Tokyo to Dubai to Lima,” Harden said.

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives Annual Meeting

MMPA Board Chairman Doug Chapin shares cooperative expansion perspective on NCFC Annual Meeting panel

During the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives’ Annual Meeting held in Orlando, Florida in February, MMPA Board Chairman, Doug Chapin, served on a panel discussion that explored the shift in how cooperatives finance expansion in a post-zero interest rate policy world and how they can plan for the future while building equity. Chapin shared his perspective on a panel, along with Rob Fox from CoBank, Marshall Spivey from Premium Peanut.

During the panel, Chapin and others shared their opinions on financing cooperative expansion. Chapin commented on the acquisition of Superior Dairy and how the capital retain program allows MMPA to explore business development and expansion opportunities.

“I always enjoy learning from other organizations and appreciated the opportunity to talk about our approach which is highlighted by our members interest in growing and strengthening the co-op to better serve their futures. Our capital retain program is the investment that has allowed MMPA to meet their needs both today and tomorrow,” said Chapin.

MMPA Communication Efforts Receive Awards at NCFC Annual Meeting

MMPA was recognized for outstanding achievement in the field of communication during the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives’ (NCFC) Annual Meeting Cooperative Information Fair in February. The contest featured entries from agriculture cooperatives throughout the nation and was judged by distinguished communication experts and professors.

In the contest, the Milk Messenger magazine received first place membership magazine and was awarded the 2022 Chairman’s Prize, a top honor celebrating telling the farmer cooperative story. In addition, MMPA’s membership newsletter titled Member Connection and MMPA’s 2021 Cooperative Sustainability Report Addendum placed third in their respective categories.

“I congratulate Emily Kittendorf on the well-deserved honor of receiving the NCFC Chairman’s Award in communications,” says Joe Diglio, MMPA President & CEO. “It is a prestigious honor to be recognized among the wide range of cooperative organizations throughout the U.S. and exemplifies the caliber of our communication efforts.”

NCFC is the voice of America’s farmer-owned cooperatives, helping advance their business and policy interests in Washington, D.C. The Cooperative Information Fair hosted by NCFC is designed to encourage cooperatives to improve the techniques by which they promote their businesses, inform their members and disseminate information to the general public.

PICTURED ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT: CHUCK CONNER, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF FARMER COOPERATIVES; MARSHALL SPIVEY, PREMIUM PEANUT; DOUG CHAPIN, MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION; ROB FOX, COBANK

New Funding for Oversubscribed USDA Conservation Programs Announced

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced in mid-February that the USDA is making new funding available for farmers to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices.

NMPF supported this funding and helped make it happen as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Totaling $850 million for fiscal year 2023, these funds will support oversubscribed conservation programs that support dairy, including:

$100 Million for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands or protect farms through conservation easements.

$250 Million for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to dairy farmers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

$250 Million for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funds locally developed, targeted partnership projects, emphasizing initiatives that incentivize or target reduced methane emissions.

$250 Million for the Conservation Stewardship Program

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) offers technical and financial assistance to help farmers take their conservation efforts to the next level. The program is designed to compensate producers who agree to increase their level of conservation by adopting additional conservation activities and maintaining their baseline level of conservation.

NMPF-led efforts in the agricultural community last year secured nearly $20 billion for USDA conservation programs in the Inflation Reduction Act. This included gaining an additional $100 million for Conservation Innovation Trials that will be targeted toward projects that use diet and feed management to reduce enteric methane emissions from livestock. This availability will be announced later the spring.

Spearheaded by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, Inflation Reduction Act funding will help dairy farmers advance their proactive sustainability efforts by enhancing voluntary conservation programs. The remaining funds will be spread out over the next few years, through fiscal year 2026.

NMPF will continue to work with USDA as the agency further considers how to spend these new resources over the coming years.

NMPF Board of Directors unanimously endorses FMMO modernization proposal

The National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) Board of Directors unanimously endorsed a proposal to modernize the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system during its March meeting, a milestone that caps more than two years of discussion and more than 130 meetings on different aspects of the proposal. The board reviewed a package of changes initially developed and proposed by a task force of NMPF cooperative experts and later approved by the organization’s Economic Policy Committee. The adopted changes can be found online at: https:// www.nmpf.org/ issues/milk-pricing-economics/ federalmilk-marketing-order/. With the board’s approval, NMPF’s next step is to move toward submitting the proposal to USDA as the basis for a Federal Order hearing while continuing conversations with other dairy stakeholder partners.

FDA offers guidance on plant-based milk labels

In February, FDA released long-awaited guidance to manufacturers of plant-based beverages calling for voluntary product labels that would reveal if the product has fewer nutrients than dairy milk. The guidance allows plant-based beverages to be labeled as ‘milk’ but encourages manufacturers to identify their plant source.

The agency’s justification of terms including “almond milk,” “soy milk” and other terms as commonly accepted relies on circular reasoning, using its previous nonenforcement of its standards of identity to justify further inattention. And as guidance, the portion that does improve the consumer marketplace – front-of-packaging disclosures by plant-based beverages of their inferiority to dairy – does not have the same strength as regulation. FDA can “guide” a manufacturer, but company disclosures are voluntary.

As such, FDA’s proposal contains a major win for dairy: the acknowledgment that consumer confusion over nutritional content is a public health issue that requires agency intervention. For nearly a decade, that’s been NMPF’s core argument against the mislabeling of plant-based beverages. And by accepting it, FDA has laid the groundwork for work toward the logical conclusion of the need to end nutritional confusion: Reserving the use of dairy terms for dairy products only, in keeping with FDA’s own standards of identity.

MMPA DELEGATES GATHER TO CONDUCT ASSOCIATION BUSINESS

107th Annual Meeting

The world as we know it has changed dramatically in the last few years. There’s an increased reliance on technology from the farm level to the plants, innovation in the dairy sector is responding to a new generation of consumers, and consolidation in the industry is accelerating. MMPA delegates gathered in Novi, Michigan for the 107th Annual Meeting at Suburban Collection Showplace Center on March 23, 2023, to conduct business that will propel the cooperative into the future. During the meeting, MMPA delegates and guests learned how in 2022, the acquisition of Superior Dairy grew MMPA’s footprint and expanded their presence in the Ohio market. This growth was credited to MMPA members and employees linking arms and working together for the betterment of all cooperative stakeholders.

Thanks to the business conducted by MMPA delegates during the Annual Meeting, MMPA has never been more ready for the future. Delegates took action to help the cooperative change with the world around us, grow strategically to provide value for members and customers, and reaffirm their commitment to doing what they do best – producing quality milk and dairy products for the enjoyment of everyone.

Milestone Members

During the Annual Meeting, MMPA members reaching 50 and 35 years of membership were recognized.

50-Year Members

Gerald C Cottle

Chippewa County Local, District 4

Gary L Protzman

Huron Local, District 8

Michael W Zagata

Huron Local, District 8

Lorene J Zagata

Huron Local, District 8

35-Year Members

Roger A Burgess

Mid-Sanilac Local, District 8

Wayne R Burgess

Mid-Sanilac Local, District 8

Robert L Cnossen

Evart Local, District 5

Norman Hammond

Barry-Eaton Local, District 2

Gerald D Hoolsema

Chippewa County Local, District 4

Debra K Krafft

Frankenmuth Local, District 7

Charles N Nelkie

Sunrise Local, District 7

Thomas C Schultz

Mid-Sanilac Local, District 8

Carl P Stakenas

West Michigan Local, District 3

William J Stakenas

West Michigan Local, District 3

Gary T Thelen

Mid-Michigan Local, District 6

Mary M Wagner

Blossomland Local, District 2

Larry Werth

Hillman Local, District 4

Fred Werth

Hillman Local, District 4

Toby E Yoder

Constantine Local, District 2

MMPA Annual Report: 2022 in Review

Middlebury Plant Recognized or Employee Safety

MMPA’s plant in Middlebury, Indiana received two International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) safety recognition awards in categories for Workers Safety and Most Improved in Workers Safety. The annual Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Awards program, cosponsored by IDFA and Dairy Foods magazine, honors U.S. dairy facilities and trucking operations for outstanding worker safety.

Superior Dairy Acquisition Provides Greater Innovation

Since MMPA’s acquisition of Superior

MMPA Hosts Successful Cover Crop Field Day

In conjunction with Michigan State University Extension and MMPA customers, MMPA hosted a successful in-person cover crop field day in 2022 at Jem-Lot Dairy. The program celebrated the Cover Crop Project’s success and educated members about the sustainable benefits of cover crops. Originally launched in 2020, the program has grown from 10 members in the project’s initial year to 30 members in 2022.

MMPA Members Take Home Nearly Half of All National Dairy Quality Awards

TODAY IS A NEW DAY. THE FOUNDATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED A WHILE BACK ARE STARTING TO PAY-OFF. FROM INVESTMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY AND PEOPLE TO RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE GROWN INTO PARTNERSHIPS, WE ARE DOING WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO: CHANGE, GROW AND DO.”

– JOE DIGLIO, MMPA PRESIDENT & CEO

MMPA Dairy Farmers Shine IN NATIONAL Q UALITY AWARD PROGRAM

Sixteen Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) dairy farms were awarded National Dairy Quality Awards by the National Mastitis Council (NMC). Recognized during the NMC Annual Meeting in Atlanta, these MMPA members make up 35 percent of the 45 nationally recognized farms in the annual award program.

One MMPA farm earned the highest honor, which was granted to only six dairy farms in the U.S. The platinum award winner was Crandall Dairy Farm in Battle Creek, Michigan. MMPA farms also won four gold awards, eleven silver awards, plus two honorable mentions.

“The dedication of MMPA’s membership to milk quality is second to none in the industry. From the membership’s commitment to animal care, to their attention to the details at their farms,

MMPA’s members continue to produce some of the best quality in the country. This year’s representation in the NMC National Dairy Quality Awards is a testament to the hard work of our members and dedicated field staff to maintaining excellence,” Ben Chapin, Director of Member Services said.

MMPA offers a portfolio of member services to help members produce the highest quality milk possible, with field representatives working closely with each member to achieve quality goals. MMPA also offers a quality premium incentive for its members producing higher quality milk. Overall, MMPA members’ milk quality continues to be impressive through the years, with somatic cell counts (SCC), a key milk quality indicator, reaching record lows in 2021. MMPA offers its own quality

award program and this year presented awards to 289 member farms for the production of outstanding quality milk over the last fiscal year.

MMPA’s large representation in the NMC National Dairy Quality Award Program further underscores the hard work of the cooperative’s farms while competing against other well-performing farmers across the country.

NDQA judges considered many criteria when reviewing finalists’ applications. In addition to milk quality indicators, judges looked at specific details about each operation, including milking routine, cow comfort, udder health monitoring programs, treatment and prevention programs, strategies for overall herd health and welfare, and adherence to drug use and record keeping regulations.

This year’s NDQA sponsors included Boehringer Ingelheim, GEA, Ecolab, IBA Inc., Conewango, Cargill, Hoard’s Dairyman and NMC. NMC is an international professional organization, based in Minnesota, devoted to reducing mastitis and enhancing milk quality.

PICTURED ON PAGE 18: PLATINUM AWARDWINNING CRANDALL DAIRY FARM. BACK ROW (L-R): ZACH CRANDALL, BRAD CRANDALL, LARRY CRANDALL, MARK CRANDALL, THOMAS WAGNER. FRONT ROW (L-R): KYLIE CRANDALL, MONICA CRANDALL, STACY KOYL, TJ PAUL, KELLEY WAGNER, JACKSON WOOD.

MMPA National Quality Award Winners

Platinum

Crandall Dairy Farm (Brad Crandall), Battle Creek, Michigan

Gold

Dick Haven Farms (Gordon, Dale and Mark Dick), McBain, Michigan

Gross Farms (Steve, Phil and Kevin Gross), Weidman, Michigan

Michigan State University Dairy Farm, Lansing, Michigan

Tjerk and Ramona Okkema, Blanchard, Michigan

Silver

Benthem Brothers (Doug, Bruce, Jason, Ryan and Kyle Benthem), McBain, Michigan

Bode Valley Farm (Charles Bode), Marion, Michigan

Garlomar Farms (Gary Zuiderveen and Christ Martz), Falmouth, Michigan

Hammond Dairy Farm (Norm, Kim and Derrick Hammond), Downling, Michigan

Koppenol Dairy Farms, Inc. (Alan and Deborah Koppenol, and Ken Raterink), Coopersville, Michigan

Louis and Ronald Brecht, Shepherd, Michigan

M & H Family Farms (Barry Gillhespy), Wayland, Michigan

Michael Bosscher, McBain, Michigan

Tacoma Dairy (Dave and Rick Tacoma), Falmouth, Michigan

Taylor Creek Farm (James Kronemeyer), Pickford, Michigan

Williams Family Farm (John, Brent and Shane Williams), Spring Arbor, Michigan

Honorable Mention

Horning Farms (Earl, Jeffrey, Lynda and Mason Horning, and Katelyn Packard), Manchester, Michigan

Slater Farms 88th (Allen and Aaron Slater), Holton, Michigan

With you every step.

Season after season, GreenStone is here to support your efforts, providing financial tools and cooperative benefits so you can focus on what you do best. Let us help make the journey easier, your local team is ready to assist with your lending needs

800-444-FARM

www.greenstonefcs.com

ORDINARY DETAILS.

EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS.

EXTRAORDINARY

BY EMILY KITTENDORF

Like most dairy farms, Bon-Dale Farms reviews the ordinary details: somatic cell counts in Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) cow records, herd milk urea nitrogen (MUN) counts in milk quality reports and milk production averages for bulls’ sire summaries. Yet attention to the details and the trends they cause is what has set their milk quality apart from Michigan Milk Producers Association’s membership, earning them the cooperative’s coveted title of Top Quality Award Winner in 2022.

“I always fall back on trends that I see,” Kurt Brinks said, the cow person on Bon-Dale Farms. “We’ve had employees here in the past who we have had scheduled to work Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, the somatic cell counts kind of come up and then Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, they’re kind of coming back down. That’s when I know that something’s going on.”

Somatic cell count, a common milk quality indicator, is one of the many details Kurt and his parents, Dale and Bonnie Brinks, pay attention to on their farm in McBain, Michigan. They also encourage their employees to pay attention because milk quality and attention to detail begins in the parlor.

In The Parlor

“We try to get the milkers to pay attention to cow health in the parlor,” Bonnie said. “If they have a question, we’d rather have them catch a cow than let her go and tell you the next morning that they didn’t think she was feeling good last night.”

They set their employees up for success in the way that they manage their farm. In addition to spending a lot of time milking alongside their employees, the Brinks also separate their milking herd into high production and low production groups, allowing employees to easily monitor daily milk production in comparison to cows they should be performing similar with.

“I don’t know how many dairy farmers in my position are in the parlor as much as I am,” Kurt said. As someone who milks at least five times a week,

THE BRINKS CONSIDER THEMSELVES TO BE HANDS-ON MANAGERS, WORKING ALONGSIDE EACH OF THEIR EMPLOYEES IN THE PARLOR AND IN THE BARNS. DESPITE BEING MANAGERS ON THE FARM WITH PLENTY OF OTHER TASKS TO COMPLETE, THEY REGULARLY MILK IN THE PARLOR WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES BECAUSE THEY GENUINELY ENJOY THE WORK AND THE LIFESTYLE THAT COMES WITH IT.

he recognizes that time spent in the parlor is “a very good way to monitor people and how they’re following through on protocols.”

When there is a deviation from proper practices or a change in trends on reports, the Brinks are quick to provide refreshers on training and work alongside their employees to get milk quality and cow health back on track, ensuring they “get the details back where you want them.”

“I don’t necessarily think that there’s a right or wrong procedure to follow in the parlor, but I think cattle are such

creatures of habit that if the timing of things isn’t right, then you’re going to start having issues,” Kurt said. “I know you can get udders clean by wiping them faster than I wiped them, but there’s a stimulation aspect there and if that cow isn’t properly stimulated then you aren’t going to get a complete milk out and that allows for the potential that bacteria is built up following the milking.”

In The Barn

The attention to detail also translates to making artificial insemination breeding decisions. From considering leg set to prevent cow slips and falls to evaluating bulls’ milk components and milk production, the Brinks select bulls that are robot ready, despite milking in a traditional double-8 parlor.

“When selecting bulls, I pay quite a bit of attention to udder composition,” Kurt said. “If the udder isn’t right, the cow won’t last you very long, so proper spacing, four udder attachment, and teat length are important. A lot of the bull books have these robot ready cows, which means it’s a nice uddered cow. That’s what I’m going to lean towards whether we have robots or not.”

The attention to their herds’ udders is another reason that Kurt does most of his cow evaluation in the parlor, rather than in the barns. A benefit he

THE BRINKS RELY ON LIMITED AMOUNTS OF TECHNOLOGY FOR DAY-TO-DAY FARM OPERATIONS. FOR MONITORING THEIR HERD’S BREEDING CYCLES, THEY RELY ON AN OLDFASHIONED BREEDING WHEEL POSTED INSIDE THEIR MILK HOUSE.

he has and his involvement.

“I don’t like disturbing the cow barn a whole lot,” Kurt said. “Getting out in the cow barn and getting cows on their feet, running, walking around when it’s not really necessary is an opportunity for them to get their udders dirty. Cows that are running, can slip and fall and an udder injury of any kind is going to increase your chances of bacteria issues.”

Looking throughout the entire operation, Kurt will be the first to recognize that their success isn’t a result of just one thing, but many different things that affect milk quality. The biggest key to success though is consistency in the parlor and communication between everyone on the farm, including external partners.

“Our feed nutritionist does a really good job and has helped our rations be more fine-tuned than they used to be,” Dale says. “We do a lot of moisture checking, making sure that the dry matter state in our feed is the consistent.” As a result, Kurt recognizes that, “We’re shipping a higher pounds per cow than we ever have.” And Bon-Dale Farm’s components in their milk is also improved.

The small adjustments are part of an ongoing effort to improve their farm’s efficiencies. With an adjustment to genetics to reduce the number of heifer calves and the tweaks in cow nutrition to improve milk production, they’re on a mission to do more with the 210 cows they milk and the 600 acres they operate.

“Our goal the last three to five years has been trying to improve our efficiency and make the most out of what we have,” Kurt says. “We really have less cows today than we had a year or two ago, but the cooler is just as full now as it was then. We’re making more milk with fewer cows.”

The improvements in efficiencies and the gradual small changes the Brinks have made overtime may have contributed to their success, but Dale humbly recognizes, “We don’t do anything out of the ordinary, we just pay attention to the details.”

THIS IS A SYSTEM THAT HAS DEFINITELY PAID FOR ITSELF

“I believe CowManager has helped profitability in a couple of ways. On the nutrition side, if we see a ration that the cows don’t react to like we thought they should right away, and we see a drop in eating or rumination, we can make a change pretty quick. Also, with cows that show early signs of sickness, instead of them going off milk, we are able to catch them right away and keep their production and health going well. This is a system that’s definitely paid for itself. You can see it pretty easily just looking at records year-over-year on treatments, sick cows and cows leaving the herd.”

Todd Augustian, Augustian Farms LLC, Kewaunee, Wis.

www.cowmanager.com

ON BON-DALE FARMS, MILK QUALITY BEGINS IN THE PARLOR. WITH JUST OVER 200 COWS, KURT AND HIS TEAM NOTICE SICK COWS AS SOON AS THEY ENTER FOR MILKING BY LOOKING FOR A CHANGE IN THE WAY THEIR EYES LOOK AND A SLACK IN THEIR UDDER.

YOUR DAIRY CHECKOFF AT WORK

NATIONAL UPDATES

E-Commerce and Dairy Dairy sells in stores, but does it sell online? Hear from Beau Hayden, Dairy Management Inc. Vice President of Insights, Sales and Trust, and Stephanie Taylor, Dairy Management West, Director of Business Development, who share how the dairy checkoff has worked with partners like Amazon, Instacart, Walmart and others to drive demand for dairy digitally. With 12-13% of grocery store sales happening online (compared to 3% pre-pandemic), the future is bright for online grocery shopping – but where does dairy fit in? Download the podcast at https:// dairycheckoffpodcast.com.

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit www.usdairy.com.

Butter board campaign becomes viral sensation

If you’ve spent time on social media, more than likely you’ve seen a butter board pop up on your feed. Soft butter is spread on a plate or board, with a variety of ingredients sprinkled on top and served with bread or crackers. The idea came from the national dairy checkoff program and went viral when social media influencer, Justine Doiron, created a short video on TikTok. “We are meeting Gen Z where they are,” said Serena Shaffner, senior vice president of communications at DMI, in a recent online discussion. “Right now, the TikTok video has over 320 million views and the hashtag #butterboard is now a trend. The concept was to put butter on the lips of people across the country,” she said. It’s an example of a growing trend in advertising and marketing: partnering with social media influencers for broad reach, without the expense of traditional avenues.

CRISIS CORNER

Young farm workers are more susceptible to harm, says Roger Tormoehlen, a professor of agricultural and biological engineering at Purdue University. For over two decades, he and his colleague, William Field, also a professor of agricultural and biological engineering, have addressed this vital issue with their Gearing Up for Safety curriculum. Completely accessible online and free to download, the comprehensive safety and health training program targets young and beginning agricultural workers ages 12-20. The program seeks to enhance the quality of life for farm families and those working in agriculture by reducing farm injuries and occupational health risks.

The program has also been distributed in flash drive format to all 3,300 Extension offices and 10,000 agricultural science teachers in the U.S. The mailing campaign garnered positive feedback, and Tormoehlen and Field also travel the country to present their curriculum to agricultural science educators. Tormoehlen says of young farm workers, “They’re excited and want to be involved but may not have the knowledge to be safe. The curriculum really gives them the resources to develop better safety practices.” The entire Gearing Up for Safety curriculum, including all supporting materials, is available for free download at www. gearingup.info now.

SHUTTERSTOCK/BUTTER BOARD/SUZANNE TUCKER

LOCAL UPDATES

UDIM Food Pantry Grants

We awarded 110 grants in 2022, 56 of those increased infrastructure such as coolers, so pantries can store and distribute dairy foods properly. 48 grants provided matching funds for organizations to purchase additional products to help our neighbors gain access to fresh dairy foods. To make producer investment go further with partner dollars, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan donated $193,500 to help us serve more pantries.

College athlete spreads the great dairy message

Elite University of Michigan track and field sprinter Ziyah Holman has partnered with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, under the “Conquer with Milk” brand, to support local farmers by sharing the impact dairy has had on her success in sports and the classroom.

Indiana Dairy Farmers

Gather at Ft. Wayne Farm Show

Over 100 farmers came together to share information and understand how their checkoff investment is being put into action. American Dairy Association Indiana (ADAI) staff joined with farmer board members to showcase the many programs at the state level that influence students, health professionals, community leaders and others to trust dairy farming and foods. The year ahead was discussed and including farmers

in school tours, farm visits, and thought leader events has become increasingly important to developing a strong reputation for dairy. If you are interested in being a part of these events, please contact Allie Rieth at 317-842-3060 or rieth@ winnersdrinkmilk.com.

UDIM Explores Esports

The Explore Esports Conference, hosted by partners at the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), gave UDIM an opportunity to share the importance of dairy with high school gamers, coaches, teachers and

school administrators. At the conference UDIM presented how dairy provides proper nutrition for competition. The student-athletes competed in games such as Super Smash Bros., League of Legends, and Rocket League. UDIM supplied the student-athletes with chocolate milk as they got ready to fight for their state titles. Following the conference, the 200+ attendees were surprised with chocolate milk and canned lattes on behalf of Michigan’s dairy farmers. UDIM is just skimming the surface with Esports - stay tuned for more updates!

UNITED DAIRY INDUSTRY OF MICHIGAN

ZIYAH HOLMAN / UNITED DAIRY INDUSTRY OF MICHIGAN

TO SUBMIT FREELINERS AND CLASSIFIED ADS, CONTACT MMPA VIA EMAIL AT MESSENGER@MIMILK.COM OR VISIT MIMILK.COM/FREELINER-CLASSIFIED.

Freeliners FOR SALE: POLLED HOLSTEIN, JERSEY AND NORWEGIAN RED BULLS. AI bred from very functional dams. Thirty to choose from of various ages. Hardy and healthy with strong feet and legs, raised on pasture. Competitively priced. For pictures and pedigrees call or text 906-287-0746.

FOR SALE: DOUBLE FOUR AUTOFLOW MILKING PARLOR. Best offer. Call 810-728-6237.

Freeliners Policy

Non-GMO products available FREELINERS AND CLASSIFIEDS

The Freeliners column is open to current MMPA members who wish to advertise—at no charge—goods or services relating directly to their dairy farm operations.

• An item submitted will be published for no more than two consecutive issues (one issue, unless otherwise requested). After that, it will be withdrawn.

• It will be published again for no more than two consecutive months only if the member resubmits the item by writing or calling the Novi office.

• Reference to a name of a firm or other commercial enterprise with which a member is involved will be deleted, with permission of the member.

• If the member does not wish such deletion, he/ she may choose to have the item published as a Classified Ad at the regular per-line rate.

3500 GAL MUELLER TANK FOR SALE WITH 2 COMPRESSING UNITS. $24,000 or best. Will be in use until beginning of November. Call 734-776-0285.

MEYER 500 SELF-UNLOADING FORAGE WAGON, excellent shape, field ready, and stored inside. $5,800. Call 810-728-6237.

3 NH 890 CHOPPERS in excellent condition with hay, corn or snapping heads. Call 810-728-6237 for details.

FOR SALE: SUNSET MILK TANK, 1575 gallon with wash pump, two compressors and a controller. $9,800 OBO. Call 810-728-6237.

FOR SALE: (2) NH 258 ROLLABAR HAY RAKE. Call 810-728-6237.

FOR SALE: 4 BASKET SITREX TEDDAR. C all 810-728-6237.

FOR SALE: STRAW CHOPPER for a 7700 John Deere combine. $200 or best offer. Call 810-404-0468.

GOOD REGISTERED HOLSTEIN 4-H SHOW CALVES OF VARIOUS AGES FOR SALE.  14 Boumatic automatic takeoffs and milk meters. Call 616-262-0551.

FOR SALE: WESTFALIA SURGE DOUBLE 12 PARLOR with Metatron 12 metering take-offs. Variable speed vacuum pump. Excellent condition. We upgraded to robots. Call 989-657-4151 or 989-471-2993.

LOOKING FOR A FACILITY who recently went out to move my cows within an hour of Allegan County. Call Barry at 269-509-2848.

Classifieds

Classifieds Policy

Cost for classifieds is $25 for the first 35 words and then $5 for each additional word. Payment due with order. All ads must be received by the 10th of the month preceding desired month of publication. MMPA neither sponsors nor endorses products or services advertised in the Milk Messenger

Co-Products Menu

OPPERMAN GROOVING: We can fix your scabbled floors. Diamond sawed grooves, no hammering or cracking of concrete. No hoof damage. Call Opperman Grooving Inc., Portland. 517-647-7381.

Contact merchandisers at ZFS, Inc: MI/IN/OH: 866.888.7082 WI: 800-523-6760 www.zfsinc.com/divisions/ingredients

CONCRETE GROOVING BY TRI-STATE SCABBLING, home of the 2” wide groove. Best traction, lowest prices. 800-554-2288. www.tristatescabbling.com

A SURE WAY TO KEEP YOUR COWS UPRIGHT! Concrete grooving/texturing provides high quality traction in new and old concrete, fast service. NIENOW GROOVING. Call Cliff at 989-635-1494.

FOR SALE: NEW & USED MILK TANKS. We stock all sizes, makes, models. Special prices to co-op members, corporate & private farms. Contact us anytime day or night. Special on 2000 gal. Muellers for $13,900 & up. 2700 & 4000 gal. Muellers call for quote. 800-558-0112.

STRAW & DRY HAY (large & small bales). Feed Oats, Feed Barley and Corn Silage. Delivery available. Call 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

ALFALFA HAYLAGE (EXCELLENT & FAIR GRADES) & CORN SILAGE. Please call 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

NEW KATOLIGHT PTO GENERATOR, 60 KW, keep everyone warm and producing if there is a power outage. Call Brent at 248-770-5122.

SEED CORN - "Minnesota 13" Open Pollinated 85 Day Yellow Field Corn Seed. High Protein, High Yield, High Fat, Fast Drydown. Great Digestibility! 80,000 graded seeds $100.00 JanksSeeds.com or 989-284-5052

FOR SALE: USED 55-GALLON MILK TAXI C ALF MILK PASTEURIZER. Trailer model for sale. $6,000. Call Nick Clark, 989-305-0143.

TUTHILL VACUUM PUMP with two yr old 10HP Motor. Good Condition. Call 810-724-8825.

HOLSTEIN BREEDING BULL FOR SALE. Bring a trailer and your checkbook and we will make a deal. Call 989-239-9592.

Microflex Midknight

Microflex Midknight disposable gloves are now available from the MMPA Farm Supply Store. This new glove offers tough protection for udder prep and many other farm tasks. It is medical grade and compliant with U.S. Food Contact regulations. Midknight gloves are a black, powder free nitrile glove with a fully textured design for a confident grip. The palm thickness is a 4.7MIL and the fingers are 5.5MIL which makes for a sturdy, durable glove. Midknight gloves are available in sizes ranging from XS through XXL. If you wish to order these new gloves please contact us at the MMPA Farm Supply Store and look for them soon on our website.

THREE WAYS TO ORDER MMPA

FROM THE FARM SUPPLY STORE

CHEMICAL,

These are SERVICE personnel only. Order your supplies through your hauler.

MMPA Field Staff Novi Headquarters

Main Office

Local line 248-474-6672

Toll free ...............................................................................800-572-5824

President and Chief Executive Officer

Joe Diglio ext. 202

Chief Corporate Affairs Officer

Sheila Burkhardt ext. 208

Chief Financial Officer

Tom Downey ext. 240

Chief Operations and Business Development Officer

Greg Soehnlen ext. 341

Director of Business Development

Brad Parks ext. 341

Laboratory Supervisor

Patti Huttula ext. 219

Quality

Sudeep Jain ext. 305

Member Services

Emily Keranen ext. 203

MMPA Labs

Human Resources

Kelly Kerrigan ext. 301

Retail Sales

Judy Lofgren ext. 333

Commodity Sales

Molly Costaris ext. 209

Communications

Emily Kittendorf ext. 234

Corporate Controller

Jeannie Strain ext. 312

Board of Directors

Officers

Doug Chapin, Board Chairman

Tony Jandernoa Board Vice Chairman

Eric Frahm, Treasurer

Joe Diglio, President and CEO

Sheila Burkhardt, Secretary

Tom Downey, Assistant Treasurer

Greg Soehnlen, COO

Todd Hoppe, General Counsel

Directors-At-Large

Carlton Evans, Litchfield, MI 517-398-0629

Aaron Gasper, Lowell, MI 616-291-4092

Kurt Steiner, Creston, OH 330-464-1219

Bruce Benthem, McBain, MI 231-920-1615

Kris Wardin, St. Johns, MI 989-640-9420

Farm Supply - Mt. Pleasant

Member Relations

Jessica Welch ext. 303

Manufacturing Plants

Canton, Ohio  Chris Soehnlen, Plant Manager 330-477-4515

Constantine, Michigan

Dave Davis, Plant Manager 269-435-2835

Mt. Pleasant

Farm Supply Sales Representative

Jake Riley, Mt. Pleasant

989-289-9686

248-912-5070

John Lehman, Elsie, Bulk Tank Calibration................................248-444-6775

Ovid, Michigan

Cliff Merritt, Plant Manager 989-834-2221

Middlebury Cheese Company, Middlebury, Indiana Plant Manager 574-825-9511

If you are unable to reach your assigned member representative, please contact the representatives listed in your area. Your assigned member representative is listed on your quality statements or can be found by visiting mimilk.com/contact/field-staff and searching by your producer number.

District Directors

1 Brian Preston Quincy, MI 517-376-1350

2 Brian DeMann Martin, MI 269-720-7637

3 Bill Stakenas Free Soil, MI 231-425-6913

4 Corby Werth Alpena, MI 989-464-5436

5 Doug Chapin Remus, MI 231-349-4059

6 Tony Jandernoa Fowler, MI 989-593-2224

7 Eric Frahm Frankenmuth, MI 989-652-3552

8 Scott Lamb Jeddo, MI 810-327-6135

In the barns and fields, where cattle roam, a gentle creature finds its home. Its docile nature, a calming sight, bringing peace to mind both day and night.

With eyes so large and full of wonder, this bovine friend is quite the ponder. A curious soul, it loves to roam, and in its presence, we feel at home.

Photo by: Vickie Rupprecht, Vassar, Michigan

MMPA 4-H Milk Marketing Tour

June 13-14

“The 4-H Tour has opened my eyes to the many opportunities within the dairy industry. I’ve learned more about MMPA and the tour has pushed me to pursue more education within the dairy industry.”

For more information, contact Jessica Welch at 248-996-0752 or jwelch@mimilk.com.

– Mikayla Bowen, former 4-H Tour participant from Hillsdale County