Milk Messenger: May/June 2023

18

DRIVING THE FUTURE

There’s no shortage of passion involved in agriculture and it is at the forefront of Wilson Centennial Farm, driving business decisions and growth strategies. Their passion for the future of the industry earned them the coveted title of 2023 Dairy Farm of the Year awarded by Michigan State University (MSU).

24 SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT: FRANK BURKETT

Frank Burkett, a fifth-generation dairy farmer has sustainability at the core of his farming philosophy, and it’s his definition of sustainability that drives his decision making on Clardale Farms in Canal Fulton, Ohio.

16 OYDC FINALIST: JASON ELENBAUM

22 MSU STUDENTS RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FOR 2022-23

26 YOUR DAIRY PROMOTION AT WORK

28 FREELINERS & CLASSIFIEDS

29 FARM SUP PLY STORE

30 STAFF

31 MEMBER MO MENT

“Constructing an ethanol-processing plant at the Constantine facility gives us the opportunity to look at things differently and adapt to a changing environment. It’s exciting to see innovative solutions like this facility, which lead to growth and success for our members, employees, stakeholders and our communities.”

-JOE DIGLIO, MMPA PRESIDENT & CEO (PAGE 14)

MMPA'S COVER CROP FIELD DAY WAS HOSTED AT COOK DAIRY FARM IN PEWAMO, MICHIGAN.

WILSON CENTENNIAL FARM WAS NAMED 2023 DAIRY FARM OF THE YEAR BY MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY.

Editor’s Note

BY EMILY KITTENDORF

June is dairy month and it’s a great time to celebrate the innovative solutions and openminded thinkers that have created change and kept dairy relevant for consumers today.

On the Cover

Innovation within the industry starts on the farm and for Brent and Nancy Wilson, along with their family on Wilson Centennial Farm, it fuels their need to advance the farm for generations to come. Their unique drive for success and the partnerships they’ve developed led them to being named the 2023 Dairy Farm of the Year by Michigan State University. Learn more about their operation and success on page 18.

In this Issue

Sustainability innovation is also at the forefront of this issue. Learn more about MMPA’s recent groundbreaking announcement about the creation of an ethanol plant in Constantine, Michigan, in partnership with Dairy Distillery on page 14. The fact that low-carbon ethanol can be made from dairy is even more reason to celebrate dairy this month.

Also inside, MMPA member Frank Burkett is featured, sharing his outlook on the industry’s sustainability efforts and the steps he has taken to ensure profitability on his farm (24). You can learn more about another MMPA sustainability initiative, the Cover Crop Field Day in News & Views (11) and catch up with OYDC finalist Jason Elenbaum (17).

I hope you treat yourself to the goodness of dairy products and appreciate the innovation within the industry during the celebrations this month!

VOL. 105 / NO. 6

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

Joe Diglio

Managing Editor

Sheila Burkhardt, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer

Editor & Advertising Manager

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

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

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Milk Vodka to Low-Carbon Ethanol

BY OMID MCDONALD, DAIRY DISTILLERY FOUNDER/CEO

Dairy Distillery was started with the idea of turning milk permeate into vodka (Vodkow). When building our distillery in Almonte, Ontario, I discovered that excess permeate is a problem for dairy processors in Canada and around the world. Permeate is produced when the proteins in whey (whey permeate) or skim milk (milk permeate) are concentrated. There are some high value uses for permeate, such as making laxatives and replacing sugar or salt in foods. However, with over 500,000 tonnes of permeate produced a year in the U.S., most is used for low value animal feed.

During my research, I found that several large plants were built during the oil crises of the 1970s to ferment whey permeate into ethanol (technical term for pure alcohol) to fuel cars. These plants were decommissioned after the oil crises ended since they couldn’t compete with high volume corn ethanol. With the focus on carbon reduction, I thought it was worth revisiting permeate fuel ethanol. Biofuels reduce carbon emissions by displacing sequestered carbon (oil) in transportation fuel. The net amount of carbon ethanol displaces depends on the carbon emitted to produce it (its carbon intensity). For example, corn ethanol must account for the carbon emitted to grow, fertilize and harvest the corn. The lower an ethanol’s carbon intensity, the greater its carbon reduction when blended with fuel. Ethanol made from milk permeate would have an ultra-low carbon intensity and the financial incentives would make it commercially viable.

I was introduced to MMPA following their research into ways that permeate could be utilized in a different, more value-added manner. Our conversations evolved into making low carbon ethanol using Constantine’s permeate. As part of the greater dairy industry, MMPA is committed to lowering its carbon footprint and Dairy Distillery’s low carbon ethanol would allow it to make a significant reduction.

To begin the process, we partnered with MMPA to design the technical and business model for a permeate fuel ethanol that would see Constantine’s 14,000 tonnes of milk permeate piped to a co-located distillery and transformed into 2.2 million gallons of low carbon ethanol. The distillery waste would be combined with Constantine’s existing dairy effluent and fed to a wastewater system. The wastewater system would produce methane to power the stills and make the remaining water safe for river discharge. The ethanol would be trucked to local fuel blenders and displace 14,500 tonnes of sequestered carbon a year. Working with MMPA’s customers, we found a way of classifying our carbon offset as a Scope 3 carbon inset to directly reduce the carbon footprint of Constantine’s dairy products. In addition to creating carbon offsets and managing Constantine’s waste, the ethanol plant would provide a good financial return to MMPA and Dairy Distillery.

With the due diligence and planning complete, we were thrilled when the MMPA board of directors approved moving forward with the project. We’ve been fortunate to get significant financial support from the state of Michigan and through the Inflation Reduction Act. We’re aiming to break ground later this year and have the plant operational for early 2025.

My hope is that Constantine will be the first of many permeate ethanol plans creating value for dairy farmers and significant carbon reduction. An amazing story that started with a shot of milk vodka.

OMID MCDONALD

How can MMPA’s Calf Milk Pasteurizer Program help farms achieve their goals?

WE ASKED THE EXPERTS:

Katie Pierson

Merchandise Coordinator

MMPA’s Calf Milk Pasteurizer Program takes the guessing game out of safely feeding calves milk collected on farm. Just like how MMPA offers tests to make sure member’s cleaning practices and equipment in the parlor are working properly, the Calf Milk Pasteurizer Program can make sure members’ pasteurizer functions properly and the cleaning practices are effective.

By sending three milk samples into the lab, the program can diagnose and prevent health issues like scours by identifying harmful bacteria throughout the process. Any farm that implements a pasteurizer for their calves has made a fundamental management practice change that creates another process to manage. If the process isn’t managed properly, it can end up making even more work for farms. MMPA tries to support members in every way possible and this is just another tool to help farms succeed. If a member implements a pasteurizer on their farm, we have a system where we can help make sure it’s being done right.

Members that are interested in the Calf Milk Pasteurizer Program can contact their member representative or call the Novi laboratory to get started.

working on the farm. It also helps to identify problems that may arise during calf feeding and helps pinpoint where the cause of issues may be. There is no cost to the producer for these tests. For producers interested in further testing, the Novi lab can coordinate samples sent to CentralStar for butterfat, protein, other solids, lactose and somatic cell count testing, or sent to the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab for bacteriology. Bacteriology testing can identify types of bacteria that are present in the milk, helping diagnose issues on the farm. These tests come at a cost to producers.

Members that are interested in the Calf Milk Pasteurizer Program can contact their member representative or call the Novi laboratory to get started.

for pasteurized whole milk. While talking with my field representatives about the program, they explained it was a simple process of collecting three samples of milk: one prior to pasteurization, one immediately postpasteurization, and one when it was delivered to the last calf.

After collecting these samples, they were placed in an ice bath, and transported to the Novi laboratory via my milk hauler where they were tested. The time between sending the samples and receiving the results was three days. The reporting format was simple to read and understand thanks to the paper handout. The simplicity and price of this program made it an easy decision to incorporate it into our routine check that we will now conduct on a quarterly basis to continue to ensure our calves are receiving the highest quality nutrition.

MMPA

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.

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

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MMPA photo contest entries due July 1

The sixth annual MMPA member photo contest opened on May 1 with submissions due before July 1. Contest applicants are encouraged to submit photos that are reflective of what encompasses our cooperative and captures a wide variety of the dairy farm lifestyle.

Phone photographers are encouraged to submit entries! First, second and third place will be selected based on composition, quality and character of the image, suitability and/or creativity and overall impression of the photo. People’s Choice and Staff Choice awards will be selected based on public and staff popularity.

For more information and to see last year’s award-winning photos, visit www.mimilk.com/photo-contest.

$4.3 Million Paid to MMPA Members

MMPA made cash payments totaling $4.3 million in equity retirements to members this month. This is in addition to the $1.8 million in cash patronage from 2022 earnings paid earlier this year. MMPA’s strong financial position allows us to return allocated equities to members on a ten-year revolving basis.

MMPA members gather for Cover Crop Field Day

MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION (MMPA) MEMBERS

GATHERED IN LATE APRIL TO LEARN MORE ABOUT COVER CROPS FROM FARMER PANELISTS, INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES, AND MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY (MSU) EXTENSION EXPERTS.

Hosted at Cook Dairy Farm in Pewamo, Mich., the half-day program included a field tour, lunch, presentations by experts and a farmer panel. Participants learned about seed selection for forage cover crops, manure management, planting and harvesting methods, and the practical application of cover crops in a dairy crop rotation.

“MMPA is committed to cooperative social responsibility and sustainable business practices throughout our entire supply chain. The Cover Crop Field Day is one way for members to gather together, learn from each other and experts about the practical management and benefits of cover crops on dairies,” MMPA Board Chairman Doug Chapin said.

Since 2020, MMPA has partnered with Barry Callebaut and Unilever’s brand Breyers in a Cover Crop Project to study and share the feasibility of cover crops on dairy operations. As an extension of the Cover Crop Project, the Cover Crop Field Day included a panel of MMPA members who have participated in the project.

“In a dairy operation like mine, where we are tightly balanced between cows and acres, we’re always a little short on feed and a little long on manure. Cover crops address both of those problems,” Kris Wardin, MMPA member and Cover Crop Project participant shared on the panel. “With cover crops, I can get high quality feed while utilizing nutrients more effectively and reaping all the soil benefits that cover crops are known for. To me, using cover crops on our operation has become a real win.”

Sixty-one percent of MMPA farms utilize cover crops and the field day builds on MMPA’s sustainability mission to continually strive for a more sustainable future. For more information about the Cover Crop Field Day, Cover Crop Project and MMPA’s sustainability commitment, visit mimilk.com/cover-crops.

NMPF Submits Milk-pricing Plan to USDA, Moving FMMO Modernization Forward

In early May, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) submitted to USDA its comprehensive proposal for modernizing the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system, the product of two years of examination and more than 150 meetings held to build consensus behind updates to a program that last saw significant changes in 2000.

“Dairy farmers and their cooperatives need a modernized Federal Milk Marketing Order system that works better for producers,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. “By updating the pricing formulas to better reflect the value of the high-quality products made from farmers’ milk, by rebalancing pricing risks that have shifted unfairly onto farmers, and by creating a pathway to better reflect processing costs going forward, we are excited to submit this plan as a path toward a brighter future for dairy.”

Upon official acceptance, USDA will have 30 days to review the plan and decide whether and how to move forward with a federal order hearing to review the plan. Highlights include:

• Updating dairy product manufacturing allowances (the “make allowance”) contained in the USDA milk price formulas;

• Discontinuing the use of barrel cheese in the protein component price formula;

• Returning to the “higher of” Class I mover;

• Updating milk component factors for protein, other solids and nonfat solids in the Class III and Class IV skim milk price formulas; and

• Updating the Class I differential price system to reflect changes in the cost of delivering bulk milk to fluid processing plants.

NMPF will pursue two other components of its Federal Order proposal, approved unanimously by the organization’s Board of Directors in March, outside of the federal-order hearing process, as they don’t involve changing federal order regulations. The recommendations, which remain essential parts of NMPF’s modernization plan, are:

• Extending the current 30-day reporting limit to 45 days on forward priced sales on nonfat dry milk and dry whey to capture more exports sales in the USDA product price reporting, which can be implemented through federal rulemaking; and

• Developing legislative language for the farm bill to ensure the make allowance is regularly reviewed by directing USDA to conduct mandatory plant-cost studies every two years.

Mulhern urged USDA to grant a hearing on the entire NMPF proposal, noting how the effectiveness of some components are dependent on the inclusion of others. Mulhern also thanked other organizations that have helped NMPF forge necessary producer consensus by sharing views and insights throughout the process, saying that spirit of unity and good-faith discussion will help FMMO modernization move forward more quickly.

“From state and regional dairy associations to the American Farm Bureau Federation, dairy farmers have had many allies and friends throughout this process,” Mulhern said. “As Secretary Vilsack has stated, consensus is necessary to successful modernization. We have that producer consensus, and we look forward to working together toward adoption and implementation of our plan.”

JIM MULHERN

As Secretary Vilsack has stated, consensus is necessary to successful modernization.. We have that producer consensus, and we look forward to working together toward adoption and implementation of our plan.”

The thing about any long journey is, even after you’ve come a long way, you still more steps to take. But with proper preparation and a clear plan, the rest of your journey may be smoother. That’s our hope now that we’ve submitted to USDA our comprehensive proposal for Federal Milk Marketing Order reform. Without torturing the metaphor further by saying we have the wind at our backs, I will say that our disciplined approach has had encouraging results. More than 150 meetings over nearly two years, with many of the industry’s best minds, including producers of all sizes and in all regions of the country, as well as the cooperative-led processing community, has generated a strong consensus among producers that portends well for the proposal we’ve presented USDA. The Federal Milk Marketing Order system is, in the end, focused on farmers – and we’ve gained unanimity among our producer-leaders in backing this proposal.

And it’s not just us at NMPF. We deeply appreciate the collaborative spirit and helpful conversations we’ve had with numerous national, state and regional groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation. Many of these groups have their own perspectives specific to their circumstances, and we’ve appreciated the good faith efforts to find consensus. Those conversations have made our proposal stronger as it’s deepened our producer support.

A lot of work has gone into this effort. We have examined the program in great detail and come up with a plan to modernize and update federal milk marketing orders so they can work better for today’s dairy industry. And it’s also important to note, to everyone involved, how much the elements of our proposal rely on one another to succeed.

Take the make allowance, for example – a key priority of our hearing request. That specific portion of federal orders, which helps cover processing costs, is of intense interest to some, but still needs to be addressed in a way that benefits all. The make allowance is important; it hasn’t seen a meaningful update in 15 years. But handling that issue in isolation would have the effect of reducing milk prices to farmers, a non-starter in a program that’s ultimately supported by a vote from producers.

And the make allowance is far from the only issue the USDA needs to address. That’s why we have the make allowance issue in our proposal, but as one of five provisions on which we’re seeking a hearing. Other necessary updates to milk pricing help economically offset our proposed make allowance adjustment, by bringing pricing formulas up-to-date and minimizing disruption to markets.

Modernization of the Federal Milk Marketing Order system has been due for some time, and the pandemic experience, which exposed disorderliness in the system, underscored just how overdue this effort has been and created the necessary momentum for change. Yes, we’ve been deliberate – but we wanted solutions that had benefits for everyone, and we wanted to make sure that we addressed the concern that Agriculture Secretary Vilsack had stated, well over a year ago, when he said it was important to have consensus within the producer community.

We have achieved that consensus. I’ve been very heartened by the strong degree of support for the proposal that we submitted to USDA on Monday. To keep this momentum going, we now need to prepare to make the best case possible before USDA. And we’ll need to maintain the strong consensus we’ve achieved. That’s important for the best outcome, and it’s important for keeping the pledge we made at the outset to pursue modernization that leaves this industry better positioned to meet today’s – and tomorrow’s – challenges.

The key to a successful journey is to prepare well, anticipate the challenges in advance, go in with a plan, and execute that plan without wasting energy. We’ve been dedicated to those principles so far, and they will continue to guide this process. That’s not just how you reach a destination. It’s how you succeed – and in less time than others may have thought possible. Thank you to everyone who has helped bring us this far. It’s time now to move forward.

Jim Mulhern, President & CEO, NMPF

PICTURED FROM L-R: TOM DOWNEY, MMPA CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER; JOE DIGLIO, MMPA PRESIDENT & CEO; OMID MCDONALD, DAIRY DISTILLERY CEO; AND DAVE GEROS, DAIRY DISTILLERY CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER.

Michigan Milk Producers Association, Canadian Dairy Distillery partner to upcycle dairy byproduct into biofue l

Partnership will build a low carbon ethanol plant in southwest Michigan to add needed biofuel supply and help lower the dairy industry’s carbon footprint .

Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) and Canadian Dairy Distillery announced a joint initiative that will transform a dairy byproduct into the world’s lowest carbon-intensity ethanol, adding to the biofuel supply for cars and trucks.

Ontario-based Dairy Distillery developed technology to transform a lactose-rich dairy byproduct, called milk permeate into vodka, aptly named Vodkow This high value use of milk permeate caught the attention of MMPA whose Constantine, MI facility produces 14,000 tonnes a year that’s being used for animal feed. Looking to create more value for its dairy farmer members, MMPA

partnered with Dairy Distillery to build a plant to process its milk permeate into 2.2 million gallons of ethanol. When blended with transportation fuel, the permeate ethanol will offset 14,500 tonnes of carbon a year. This offset will reduce the carbon footprint of the milk processed at Constantine by 5%.

“I’ve been inspired by MMPA dairy farmers and their commitment to sustainability. Using a milk byproduct to reduce the carbon footprint of dairy is an innovation that will make a significant contribution to MMPA’s net zero carbon emissions goal.” explains Dairy Distillery CEO Omid McDonald

Ethanol production at the $41 million ethanol plant is planned for early 2025. The project received $2.5 million in funding from the Michigan Strategic Fund, showing the state’s commitment to the future of clean energy.

“Constructing an ethanol-processing plant at the Constantine facility compliments our focus on sustainability and provides a progressive, unique opportunity to utilize new technologies

that add value to our current processing operations while further diversifying the markets we currently serve,” MMPA President and CEO Joe Diglio said. “It’s exciting to see innovative solutions such as this facility, which lead to growth and success for our members, employees, stakeholders and our communities.”

“Projects like these are a prime example of the diversity and strength of our dairy industry and demonstrates the Whitmer Administration’s commitment to growing agriculture businesses in Michigan,” said Tim Boring, director, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “In 2022, MDARD provided a $100,000 Value-Added Grant to the Michigan Milk Producers Association and Dairy Distillery in this first of its kind venture. The department is proud to support business expansion with multi-pronged benefits – creates good-paying local jobs; opens up new markets for Michigan’s farmers to continue to thrive; lowers carbon footprints; and reduces the overall waste stream. I hope this serves as a model for others into the future.”

JASON ELENBAUM

Jason Elenbaum has his eye on the future. He’s the first to step up, lend a hand and volunteer, leading him to holding a variety of positions in his community and the cooperative. Jason believes in the importance of working with neighboring farms in the area, and serves others as his area’s go-to chopper, baler and milk hauler. When someone’s in need of a helping hand, Jason’s there.

Q&A :

What do you love about being a farmer? Waking up to new challenges every day.

What’s the key to running a dairy farm? Communication and cooperation. You have to be able to listen and work together.

Is what you’re doing now what you dreamed of doing as a kid?

For the most part. All I’ve ever wanted to do is farm. As a child I found other aspects of farming interesting, like milk hauling and after countless trips to the Country Fresh plant as a kid, I never dreamed I would have my own route going to Ovid.

What’s your favorite chore? Why?

Running the chopper! Because it’s fun!

How can someone easily improve their milk quality? We started milk testing with CentralStar. It’s helped us find the problem cows and make better decisions on how to handle her.

What’s one practice you’d try on your farm if you knew it was impossible to fail? Robots

What does your farm look like in 30 years? It looks like a small dairy farm that helps other dairies in my area keep doing what they love to do! .

Hometown: Mayville, Michigan

ON THE FARM

Jason milks 65 cows and farms 250 acres on Elenbaum Farms in Mayville, Michigan. He capitalizes on the resources he has, breeding with bulls during planting and harvesting, working on his own silos, chopping his own forage and hauling his own milk. Jason is a firm believer that trusting who you work with and working with the right team makes or breaks a farm in this day and age.

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

DRIVING THE FUTURE

WILSON CENTENNIAL FARM, 2023 DAIRY FARM OF THE YEAR

Owned and operated by Brent and Nancy Wilson, alongside their sons, Ben and Tyler, Wilson Centennial Farm in Carson City, Michigan, is grounded in their faith and family is at the foundation of what they do. “We’re a very close-knit family and the number one thing we do is get along. Everybody loves each other,” Nancy says. Milking 1,000 cows, Brent recognizes that with their team of sixteen employees and a growing number of grandkids, “we’re still small enough where we can feel like a family.”

Relying on each other, the Wilsons use each of their unique skillsets to advance the farm. While Brent focuses predominantly on herd health, Nancy handles accounting and payroll, Tyler manages herd breeding and nutrition, and Ben tackles crops and fieldwork.

“Tyler and Ben have honored Nancy and I greatly by choosing this occupation and they didn’t choose it lightly,” Brent said. “We required them to go

someplace else to get work experience before driving a John Deere around here. When they returned to the farm, we wanted them to have management experience because if you’re going to run this farm, you’re going to take it to the next generation.”

The drive to advance and move forward is a cornerstone of their business operation. Anything done on Wilson Centennial Farm is done with excellence and the future in mind.

“We have grown here in a step-by-step process year after year after year,” Brent explained. “We don’t go to Greenstone and say, ‘we’re going to build a barn’ or ‘we’re going to build a parlor.’ We just grow and we build a barn when we have enough cows to fill it. And once we fill it, we think about what we’re going to do next.”

In order to determine what’s next, the entire family works with consultants and outside experts and in their initial meetings, the groundwork is laid. “I take our DHIA sheets out and I say, “We’re number one or number two or number four in the state. How are you going to take us to the next level?”

Achieving the next level time and time again is what’s made the farm the success that it is today. Brent is adamant on not settling and is now relying on his sons to continue the precedent he’s set.

“Since I’ve been managing the herd and living here at the home farm, I have not bred to a Holstein bull that has been

“

We have grown here in a step-by-step process year after year after year … we build a barn when we have enough cows to fill it. And once we fill it, we think about what we’re going to do next.”

negative on protein or butterfat,” Brent said. “We have the genetics for high protein and high butterfat, and then Tyler as a dairy nutritionist knows what to feed to maximize milk production.”

Brent’s drive for a challenge is only fueled by his involvement in serving in leadership roles and attending meetings and conferences off the farm.

“I discovered that for me to get my mind engaged, I have to get off this farm. I need to be challenged,” Brent said. “One of my first years being on the MMPA board of directors, I went to the National Mastitis Council (NMC) meeting, and it made me wonder if I could get my somatic cell count down. So, I started paying attention to cows and mastitis.”

The attention paid off with his herd going on to receive numerous milk quality awards, including receiving the National Platinum Milk Quality Award by NMC for each of the past six years, which Brent credits to opening the door for opportunities.

“Having one of the top herds in Michigan for dollar value because of our high components and winning national awards for somatic cell counts, I have served on all kinds of boards and committees,” Brent said. His explanation may be an understatement with experience serving as a district board member for the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) and on the board of directors for Isabella Bank, GreenStone Farm Credit Services,

Gratiot County Farm Bureau, Gratiot County Development and as board chair of the Sparrow Carson Hospital.

Brent’s off-farm experience started after graduating from Michigan State University (MSU) with a dairy science degree and beginning his career as a member representative with Michigan Milk Producers Association. After serving cooperative members for five years, Brent went on to work as a dairy agent with Michigan State University Extension for over a decade.

“We are always interested in helping Michigan State University with research studies and projects,” Nancy said, as a connection to Brent’s continued devotion to MSU. “They bring students out here to evaluate as part of a class and we’ve maintained a partnership with Michigan State University.”

The partnership is one of many for the Wilsons who are continuing to advance for the future. Currently, they have a 44-stall rotary parlor in construction, and they continue to implement sustainable cropping practices that work hand-in-hand with their business’s drive to succeed.

“We farm with the least amount of tillage, working with the manure we have and always planting a cover crop to scavenge those nutrients,” Brent said. “The exciting thing to me is that we’re leaving this soil in better shape than what we did when I started, when my dad started, when my grandpa started. We’re building it up and it’s doing better than ever before.”

Now carrying on the seventh generation, Brent’s personal drive and dedication to agriculture is what ultimately led him to returning to his family’s farm full-time, and he’s never looked back. “I was trained from the time I was small for hard work, and here I am,” he says. “In my lifetime, I’ve tried to take what I know and affect change for the betterment of agriculture.” Working with partners and his family, Brent has used Wilson Centennial Farm to drive the future of Michigan’s dairy industry.

MSU Students Receive Scholarship Awards for 2022-23

The Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation and endowments honoring Howard Cowles and Rolland Patenge have awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to Michigan State University (MSU) students pursuing dairy industry-related programs of study for the 2022-23 academic year.

The following students were awarded a named Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation Scholarship. Named scholarships are established endowments within the MDMSF that each have specific criteria related to the individual the scholarship is named after.

The 2022-23 MDMSF named scholarship recipients include:

MDFSF Scholarships

Glenn & Anne Lake Scholarship, $8,500: Shannon Good, a senior in Animal Science from Caledonia, MI

Russel Erickson Scholarship, $6,000: Drew Neyer, a junior in Animal Science from Shepherd, MI

Donald and Valera Murray Scholarship, $5,000:

Brianna Hill, a sophomore in Animal Science from Gregory, MI

John and Barbara Dilland Scholarship, $5,000:

Adalee Thelen, a sophomore in Animal Science with an Agribusiness Management minor from St. Johns, MI

John and Barbara Dilland Scholarship, $5,000:

Katie Wilson, a senior in Animal Science with an Agribusiness Management minor from Blanchard, MI

Archie Studer Scholarship, $5,000: Mikayla Bowen, a senior in Animal Science from Addison, MI

Nick Bellows Scholarship, $5,000: Kelsey Pasch, a senior in Animal Science from Beal City, MI

George and Shirley Hazle Scholarship, $5,000:

Abby Van Dyk, a senior in Agribusiness Management and Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education from Kalamazoo, MI

Red and Edna Cotter Scholarship, $5,000: Monika Dziuba, a fourth-year student in Veterinary Medicine from Riverview, MI

Harold and Lillian Gremel Scholarship, $5,000:

Jared Sanderson, a fourth-year student in Veterinary Medicine from Sandusky, MI

Velmar Green Scholarship, $5,000: Tyler Klopfenstein, a second-year student in Ag Tech Dairy Management from Galien, MI

Gary and Carolyn Trimner Scholarship, $5,000:

Emmy Schuurmans, a fourth-year student in Veterinary Medicine from Caledonia, MI

MDMSF Scholarship, $3,500:

Calvin Bontekoe, a senior in Animal Science from Howell, MI

Rachael Bosse, a senior in Animal Science from Wayland, MI

Juanita Bulloch, a second-year Ag Tech student in Dairy Management from Hartland, MI

Ashley DeCock, a senior in Animal Science from Marine City, MI

Deandra Franklin, a junior in Animal Science from Brownstown, MI

Grace Herkimer, a senior in Animal Science from Monroe, MI

Lane Herrman, a junior in Animal Science from Buchanan, MI

BreAnna Laughlin, a junior in Animal Science from St. Louisville, OH

Irie Moussiaux, a junior in Animal Science from Almont, MI

Emily Ockerman, a senior in Animal Science from Davison, MI

Lauren Ringewold, a sophomore in Animal Science from Battle Creek, MI

Danielle Rummel, a junior in Animal Science from Frankenmuth, MI

Chase Rievert, a senior in Animal Science from Bay Port, MI

Brooke Voelker, a senior in Animal Science from Paris, MI

Samantha Whitehead, a senior in Animal Science from Corunna, MI

Katrina Beaton, a first-year student in Veterinary Medicine from Traverse City, MI

MDMS First-Year Scholarship, $3,000:

Jaylin Dilsaver, Animal Science major from Decker, MI

MDMSF Scholarship, $2,500:

Marissa Wilcox, Animal Science senior from Columbiaville, MI

Thanks to the generous support of donors, the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation oversees the largest scholarship program in the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and one of the largest at MSU. The MDMSF was established in 1957 through contributions made in honor of individuals who have served the dairy industry. Income from the endowment has generated scholarships for deserving students who want to pursue careers associated with the dairy industry.

Howard Cowles

Dairy Scholarships

The Howard Cowles Dairy Scholarships are given annually to students in Animal Science who have attained junior status and demonstrated a strong interest in dairy. Academic achievement and participation in extracurricular activities are given strong consideration. The scholarships are provided by revenue from a gift from the estate of Howard E. Cowles, who was a long-time employee of Sealtest Dairy. This year’s recipients of $1,000 scholarships are:

Deandra Franklin of Flat Rock

Irie Moussiaux of Almont

Samantha Whitehead of Corunna

MORE INFORMATION

L-R, FROM BOTTOM: GRACE HERKIMER AND ADELE THELEN, ABBY VAN DYK, RACHAEL BOSSE, KATRINA BEATON, DREW NEYER, ASHLEY DECOCK, DEANDRA FRANKLIN, BRIANNA HILL, JAYLIN DILSAVER, KATIE WILSON, DANIELLE RUMMEL, MONIKA DZIUBA, MIKAYLA BOWEN, KELSEY PASCH, LAUREN RINGEWOLD, EMILY OCKERMAN, BROOKE VOELKER, SAMANTHA OCKERMAN, BROOKE VOELKER, SAMANTHA WHITEHEAD, TYLER KLOPFENSTEIN, SHANNON GOOD

Rolland Patenge Endowed Scholarships

The Rolland Patenge Endowed Scholarships are given annually to students in Animal Science who have attained junior status and demonstrated a strong interest in dairy. The scholarships were created by Mary Patenge in memory of her husband Rolland, who was a dairy farmer near East Lansing prior to taking over the operation of Wohlert Corporation in Lansing. This year’s recipients of $1,000 scholarships are:

Calvin Bontekoe, Mikayla Bowen, and Shannon Good of Caledonia

Katie Wilson of Blanchard

For information on making contributions to honor members of the dairy industry or to support student scholarships, please contact the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources External Relations at 517-355-0284. To learn more about the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation, contact Dr. Miriam Weber Nielsen in the MSU Department of Animal Science at 517-449-7941.

Frank Burkett

MMPA IS COMMITTED TO COOPERATIVE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE SUPPLY CHAIN. AT THE FARM LEVEL, MMPA MEMBERS ARE ALSO ON A SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY. WE’RE CHECKING IN WITH A HANDFUL OF MEMBER FARMERS LEADING THE CHARGE WITH THIS SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT SERIES.

Frank Burkett, a fifth-generation dairy farmer has sustainability at the core of his farming philosophy.

“When I consider sustainability, I ask myself, ‘Could what we’re doing on a day-to-day basis today be repeated for perpetuity?’” Burkett said. It’s this philosophy that drives his decision making on Clardale Farms in Canal Fulton, Ohio.

“When we look at sustainability on our farm and what we’re most proud of, it’s definitely the fact that we farm in a very developed area amongst a lot of people and we try to be as open as possible, giving tours and telling the story of agriculture, sharing what we’re doing here.”

1,900 acres of corn, alfalfa and soybeans

“I think there’s an educational component of sustainability. Are we learning from what we’re doing and making adjustments from there?”

Burkett is a firm believer in agriculture’s sustainability story and along with sharing it with neighbors and those in his community, he recommends all farms invite local regulatory agencies to visit and tour farm operations. Building relationships and instilling trust in farming is critical to solving the larger sustainability issues at play.

“As we look to the world’s growing global population and analyze the fact that the United States dairy industry continues to expand exports, there is an opportunity for American dairy farmers to lead the sustainability dialogue within the dairy industry on a global scale,” Burkett said. “I am fortunate to know dairymen across the United States and I have a high degree of confidence that they’ll continue to innovate, and they’ll continue to actually show our global competitors how it should be done.”

His passion and confidence in dairy’s sustainability journey, recognizing that “agriculture is the beacon of sustainability,” comes with witnessing improvements through the decades.

“When you look at farming and what we’ve accomplished, the efficiencies that have been gained in agriculture over the decades, it’s impressive,” Burkett said. “It takes a lot fewer cows to produce safe dairy products for consumers today than it did 10 years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years ago. It’s only possible because we continue to adopt and learn and put new technologies into practice.”

“On Clardale Farms, these technologies start in the parlor where cow health is at the forefront of the data they collect. Using daily milk weights and cow activity monitors, Burkett and his team use the data to ensure the cows are healthy, happy and cared for.

“We focus on putting healthy animals into great facilities and really getting out of their way,” Burkett said. “We let them do what they do best and then surround them with an incredible team of people.”

The team of 13 full-time staff at Clardale Farms take animal wellbeing and environmental sustainability seriously and are critical to driving the future of the farm forward, one sustainable business decision at a time.

“I think there’s an educational component of sustainability. Are we learning from what we’re doing and making adjustments from there?” Burkett said. “We have technology and innovation coming at us continually, and if we’re not adapting and changing to meet that, then I don’t know if we’re going to be sustainable one year from now.”

Burkett humbly recognizes though that working with nature and making sustainable business decisions isn’t

KEYWORDS

always as crystal clear and simple as it seems it should be, so he relies on peers to help guarantee success in the many innovations and technologies he encounters every day.

“I don’t have the ability to make the right decision every time,” Burkett recognizes. “Most of us hope we make more right decisions than wrong decisions, but I guarantee you, most of us, if we’re honest, we’ve made some bad ones. The more that we can share those bad decisions with others, we can hopefully try to accomplish the same sustainable outcomes just in a different way.”

But to achieve those sustainable outcomes, Burkett knows that profitability is critical to be able to invest in sustainable practices, technologies and innovations.

“Profitability isn’t a dirty word, it’s something that needs to happen for sustainability to be there, for the communities that thrive around us,” Burkett said. “The dairy farms that exist today, across the country are vital to their communities. The jobs that they enable have a huge impact and as family-owned businesses, we care about the community and where we are at. We live here too.”

COW ACTIVITY MONITORS: COW ACTIVITY MONITORS MEASURE COW ACTIVITY OR MOVEMENT. THE COMPUTER TAKES THIS INFORMATION AND COMPARES IT TO PREVIOUSLY COLLECTED DATA TO DETERMINE WHEN A COW’S ACTIVITY IS INCREASING OR DECREASING. IN ADDITION TO ACTIVITY, MANY OF THESE SYSTEMS ALSO MONITOR COW TEMPERATURE, EATING TIME AND COW POSITION (STANDING VS. LYING). COW ACTIVITY AND THESE OTHER MEASUREMENTS ARE OFTEN COMBINED TO PROVIDE AN OVERALL INDICATION OF COW HEALTH.

SOURCE: PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

VERIFICATIONS

MMPA Sustainability Survey, Nutrient Management Plan, Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Animal Care, Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Environmental Stewardship

MMPA SUSTAINABILITY MISSION

To continually strive for a more sustainable future for our community, our environment, our economy’s health, and for the lives and world around us.

YOUR DAIRY CHECKOFF AT WORK

NATIONAL UPDATES

Checkoff’s modernized national marketing campaign to reach Gen Z has successfully increased perceptions of dairy’s nutrition two years running. This summer’s new campaign will focus on how dairy farmers continually innovate to bring even greater care for the cows and natural resources, another key area of interest for Gen Z.

Powerful partnerships with the Mayo Clinic, the American Academy of Pediatrics and media partners like What To Expect When You’re Expecting and Healthline are helping checkoff surround new parents with reasons why milk is an essential part of a healthy childhood.

Digital activations with Instacart, Walmart and Amazon Fresh are reminding new e-commerce shoppers to put real milk in the basket, returning $14 for every dollar invested, three times the industry average – this shows that consumers who love real milk often need easy reminders of milk’s role when shopping for coffee or cereal, or that there are lactose-free options.

LOCAL UPDATES

Farm Tours for Future Health Professionals

Educating the next generation of health professionals, who will ultimately influence consumers about healthy eating, continues to be a priority for your dairy checkoff program. ADA Mideast provides educational sessions and on-farm experiences for collegiate food and nutrition programs to reinforce dairy’s important role in the diet.

Each year, ADA Mideast takes dietetic students and their professors from Ohio and West Virginia universities to local dairy farms to learn how dairy farmers care for their cows and protect the environment. Students also gain a better understanding of dairy’s nutritional benefits to help them recommend dairy to their future clients and address common misconceptions. Surveys following the farm tours and educational sessions indicate that these future health professionals feel positive about dairy foods and farming.

This Spring, ADA Mideast conducted dairy farm tours for West Virginia University, Bowling Green State University, Youngstown State University, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio University and Miami University. More will be planned for the fall.

CRISIS CORNER

A tragic barn fire, a rollover with farm equipment or an employee injury can happen quickly and without warning. Your checkoff teams are here to help you prepare for an on-farm crisis.

Let us help develop your farm’s plan:

Indiana

Allie Rieth: 317-443-2296

Michigan

Jolene Griffin: 224-567-1894

Ohio

Erin Brown: 740-487-6816

Kicking up School Breakfast

Starting the day with breakfast just got easier for Richmond High School, who received a new breakfast cart to better serve students on their way into the building. The Indianapolis Colts and American Dairy Association Indiana were proud to award the cart to Richmond and kickoff the first day during National School Breakfast Week in March! Dairy farmers Maike Goltstein and Sanne Goltstein Turner greeted students with Colts players, cheerleaders, and mascot Blue in the cafeteria with yogurt, smoothies, and other great breakfast foods. Originally, only about 300 of the 1500 students at the school participated in school breakfast, which research says leads to higher test scores, better attendance, and more successful students. Through the ADAI grant, the entire school will now have access to a healthy, convenient breakfast.

Busch’s Milk Drive: 51,000+ Gallons of Milk to Food Banks

UDIM once again partnered with Busch’s Fresh Food Market in Southeast Michigan to encourage consumers to donate milk. Spurred by the goal of a neverbefore-hit number of 50,000 gallons of milk donated, 16 high school athletic teams, and Busch’s stores worked to not merely hit this goal, but blow past it, finishing with a final tally of 51,599 gallons donated. That’s an average of 3,686 gallons of milk a day donated. And the cherry on the top for the participating teams, they will each get an extra $500 grant as thanks for their part in making this achievement happen by posting frequently across social media channels. This milk drive, a long-running partnership with Busch’s, continues to serve our communities as well as athletic programs at schools around the state!

Dairy at the Explore Esports Conference

UDIM shared the importance of dairy with more than 200 high school gamers, coaches, teachers and school administrators, surprising them with dairy treats on behalf of Michigan dairy farmers at the Explore Esports Conference.

Connecting School Principals to UDIM

UDIM participated in the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA) conference in Traverse City to share our different resources, programs and grants. At least 500 principals from across the state attended the event.

Student Athletes and Coaches Learn About Caring for their Bodies with Dairy

UDIM hosted an event at the Detroit Pistons training facility to share dairy nutrition education with studentathletes and coaches. More than 65 students and coaches walked away with a deeper appreciation for dairy and the importance of taking the time to care for their bodies on and off the courts.

Promoting Milk’s Essential Nutrients

As a result of ongoing nutrition research, dairy foods continue to be highlighted as a key source of nutritional value. As a result, milk is recognized for 13 essential nutrients, versus the nine nutrients previously documented. And most recently, 9 nutrients have been identified as essential in yogurt (increased from 7), and 8 nutrients as essential in cheese (increased from 6)!

This new information creates even more opportunity for health professionals to recommend milk, cheese and yogurt as part of a healthy diet. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics named 14 nutrients as critical in early brain development from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday. Dairy foods provide 7 of these nutrients, making it an excellent solution for both prenatal and child nutrient needs, as well as setting the stage for a lifetime of wellness.

Recognizing that this may be new news to health professionals and parents, your dairy checkoff is educating pediatric health care providers with evidenced-based science, as well as providing contemporary dairy wellness messaging to reach parents.

In Ohio and West Virginia, ADA Mideast has been highlighting this research, along with the key nutrients in dairy, with the state chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics and WIC, as well as The Ohio State University School of Nursing.

UNITED DAIRY INDUSTRY OF MICHIGAN

SHUTTERSTOCK/MILK GLASS: ALTER-EGO

Freeliners

Freeliners Policy

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.

• Freeliners must be received by the 10th of the month preceding desired month of publication.

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.

3500 GAL MUELLER TANK FOR SALE WITH 2 COMPRESSING UNITS . $24,000 or best. 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: DOUBLE FOUR AUTO-FLOW MILKING PARLOR. Best offer. Call 810-728-6237.

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

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

GOOD REGISTERED HOLSTEIN 4-H SHOW CALVES of various ages for sale. 14 Boumatic automatic takeoffs and milk meters. Call 616-262-0551.

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

FOR SALE: COMPLETE DOUBLE SIX HERRINGBONE PARLOR, surge vacuum and pulsation, delevalve milkers receiver, plate cooler, Mueller 800-gallon bulk tank, new 4hp compressor in 2021, many extra parts, GEA stalls new in 2012. Call 269-377-2638.

FOR SALE: 800-GALLON MUELLER BULK TANK. H&S 5126 side slinger manure spreader. Call 989-551-5977.

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

Soybean meal, canola meal, hominy, oat hulls, wheat midds, citrus pulp, malt sprouts, beet pulp, soybean hulls, cereal feed, cottonseed, distillers, gluten feed, wet feeds and more!

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

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.

DAVIDSON CEMENT GROOVING, INC: No water needed. Wider, rougher grooves for better traction. We also offer texturing for your previously grooved floors. Three operators will travel Michigan and other states. No interest payment terms. Est. since 1987. Call 1-800-365-3361.

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

FGUTTER CLEANER 360FT. OF RIGHT HAND CHAIN. Used a couple of years with a 20 ft. ramp. $1500 or OBO 269-793-3306

ON DEMAND VACUUM PUMP USED - in good condition. Westfalia Surge 1500 with circuit board/ controls. $1500 or OBO. call 269-793-3306 Hopkins, MI.

BARN WHITE WASHING AND CLEANING WITH HIGH PRESSURE AIR: Serving all Michigan and Indiana. Miller Spray Service, Inc. 574-825-9776.

SilagePro – More Than Just an Inoculant

With purified enzymes and four cascading lactic acid bacteria, SilagePro lowers pH fast, reduces dry matter losses, and saves energy losses. The enzymes splinter the cell walls and release sugars that feed the bacteria. SilagePro enzymes are unique because they work at any pH level and the four cascading bacteria in SilagePro start working immediately at any pH level during the fermentation process.

Silage pH is usually stable within 96 hours and by dropping the pH fast in haylage, the chance of producing butyric acid is eliminated.

The MMPA Farm Supply Store stocks Silage Pro in two varieties, granular and water soluble (concentrate). Silage Pro granular comes in a 50 pound bag and treats 100 tons. We also carry two concentrates: Silage Pro 100 and Silage Pro 250. The Silage Pro 100 treats 100 tons while the Silage Pro 250 will treat 250 tons.

For more information on SilagePro and other products offered by American Farm Products, go to their website at afpldt.net or call the American Farm Product representative, Kevin Kotas 248-916-7449.

THREE WAYS TO ORDER MMPA MERCHANDISE FROM THE FARM SUPPLY STORE

1 Order online at www.mimilk.com/farm-supply-store

2 Call in your order: Main Line: 989-317-8370 Toll Free: 877-367-6455

Orders (Novi): 800-572-5824 then dial 2

3 Fax in your order: 989-317-8372

CHEMICAL, SANITIZER AND TEAT DIP CONTACTS

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

ECOLAB

24-Hour Medical Emergency Hotline: 1-800-328-0026

Service Message Center: 1-800-392-3392

Service Representatives:

» Pat Mitchell – 517-403-0928 - 7273 N. Rollin Hwy., Addison, MI 49220

» Jason Wolfe – 540-553-5755 - 1890 Canter Drive, Riner, VA 24149

MMPA Field Staff Novi Headquarters

President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Diglio

Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Sheila Burkhardt

Chief Financial Officer Tom Downey

Chief Operations and Business Development Officer Greg Soehnlen

MMPA Labs

Farm Supply - Mt. Pleasant

Farm Supply Sales Representative

Jake Riley, Mt. Pleasant 248-912-5070

John Lehman, Elsie, Bulk Tank Calibration

202

208

240

Board of Directors

Officers

Doug Chapin, Board Chairman

Tony Jandernoa Board Vice Chairman

Eric Frahm, Treasurer

341 Laboratory Supervisor Patti Huttula ext. 219

Quality

Sudeep Jain ext. 305

Member Services

Emily Keranen ext. 203

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

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

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.

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

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

Amidst the lush green grass of spring, a little calf peers, so calm and serene, its eyes glisten with a sense of wonder, as it explores this world full of thunder. On a dairy farm, the season of growth, brings a sense of renewal, a chance to both: tend to the land and care for the herd, as the cycle of life continues undeterred.

PHOTO BY JULIA TROYER, LAOTTO, INDIANA

MMPA Photo Contest is Open!

The 2023 MMPA Photo Contest is accepting entries through July 1!

Photos reflective of what encompasses our cooperative, like cattle, crops, equipment, dairy events and families working together, are eligible to compete.

For details, please visit www.mimilk.com/photo-contest

Photo Credit: Julia Troyer, “Red, White & Moo”