Milk Messenger: July/August 2023

14

features

Dairy checko s make a di erence in students’ lives by educating and providing resources to schools that capitalize on the deliciousness of dairy products and provide creative ways to enjoy eight ounces of dairy.

18

SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT: JIM REID

Jim Reid, of Reid Dairy Farm in Jeddo, MI, has taken advantage of every opportunity to be sustainable on his dairy. With aspirations to pass the multigenerational farm to his son Jeff, he has committed to practices that protect and prepare the environment for the next generation.

22 DAIRY COMMUNICATOR SERVICE AWARDS

MMPA Dairy Communicators are involved in a wide variety of dairy promotion activities that support our industry. These dedicated members have committed many years of service and are key to helping their local communities develop relationships with local farmers.

31 MEMBER MO MENT

“I want to help be progressive in setting up producers to be their best through MMPA’s field staff services, and I want to contribute to MMPA’s efforts to be an elite co-op that is ahead in manufacturing products, beyond just commodities.”

BRIAN DEMANN, MMPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, DISTRICT 2 DIRECTOR (PAGE 20)

BRIAN

DEMANN

JIM AND JEFF REID, MMPA MEMBERS FROM JEDDO, MICHIGAN

BRIAN DEMANN, MMPA DISTRICT 2 DIRECTOR

Editor’s Note

BY EMILY KITTENDORF

School will be back in session before we know it. As members of the dairy community, we know how critical dairy is for proper youth nutrition and often enjoy a glass of milk with our own meals at home. Parents on dairy farms send their kids to school with string cheese in their packed lunch and know they’ll pick up a chocolate milk from the lunch line. The same can’t be said for all students across the Great Lakes region.

I had the chance to catch up with the work our dairy checkoffs in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio are doing in schools to combat that. I learned more about the importance of their work and why their efforts focus on more than just school milk. You can read more about it on page 14.

In This Issue

Dairy promotion efforts don’t stop at checkoffs. MMPA’s Dairy Communicators are hard at work providing grassroots promotions and they recently met to recognize service award recipients. See the recipient list and learn more about how longtime Dairy Communicator Cami Marz-Evans takes advantage of everyday moments to tout dairy’s message (pg. 22).

Also inside, you can meet Jim Reid, an MMPA member focused on making his farm sustainable to pass it on to the next generation (pg. 18). He cares about consumer perception of dairy and utilizes solar panels as a source of renewable energy on his farm. In addition, meet Brian DeMann, a recently elected MMPA board member (pg. 20), and learn the exciting news about a newly established scholarship endowment for Dr. Joe Domec (pg. 24).

VOL. 106 / NO. 1

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On The Edge of Creativity: 96-Ounces of Milk

BY GREG SOEHNLEN, MMPA CHIEF OPERATING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Innovation is central to MMPA’s vision and the future of the dairy industry. The acquisition of Superior Dairy in 2021, included Creative Edge, a think tank with experience in creative packaging solutions, that helps deliver on MMPA’s mission to market members’ milk to the greatest advantage possible.

This summer, MMPA is launching the next innovation from Creative Edge: a 96-ounce bottle made from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). Like all innovations, it may be new to the market, but it isn’t new to us. Our team has been working on the idea of the 96-ounce bottle made from PET since 2016, as a new iteration of the current caseless technology we developed in the early 2000s.

Similar to the foundation of the caseless technology that doesn’t require the return of the pallet/case after dropping the product off at the retailer, this new innovation came through partnership with several large retailers that led to conducting research interviews. Through the interviews, we discovered that the future of dairy packaging isn’t necessarily about enhancing dairy, but developing a business model that targets consumer products.

When we set out to begin our next innovation, we didn’t intend to create a bottle made from PET, but to recon gure a bottle made from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), the standard packaging material for a gallon of milk. As we continued to design, we found ourselves migrating to PET because it is about three times stronger than HPDE with a very clear appearance when it is in its nal form.

PET has very good moisture and vapor barriers and is used for a broad spectrum of consumer products, making it even more appealing given that it aligns with consumer trends outside of our industry. PET bottle manufacturing utilizes preforms which are premolded resin blocks that are fed into a stretch blow machine that forms the bottle. This manufacturing process is exible, allowing us to create different sized packages using similar equipment, another bene t of PET.

A downfall of the PET technology is that it doesn’t allow for the traditional handle found on milk gallons, so instead requires grip features on the sides of the bottle. Creative Edge addressed this challenge by studying other engineered PET products in the market and spent two years developing different grip features and testing them with consumers. The team utilized 3D printing and consumer focus groups to gain feedback and understanding of what’s important when you reach into a dairy case and grab a gallon of milk.

After successful testing and preparation to launch, the innovation was delayed with the onset of COVID-19. Today, the entire team is excited to launch this innovation in a production setting after years of development. The production team at Canton has been able to successfully integrate the 96-ounce package through its current lling system and after our initial launch, Creative Edge will continue to adapt to consumers reaction to the package, merchandising and shipping.

Now, the team at Creative Edge is looking for the next challenge. The innovations will not stop here, as we work to continue enhancing our members’ milk and nding value in future innovations.

GREG SOEHNLEN

What’s new with the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance?

WE ASKED THE EXPERTS:

The National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) was held April 3-7, 2023 in Indianapolis, IN. Proposals to modify the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) were reviewed and voted upon by committees and councils (made up of industry and regulatory personnel) and the delegate body (one regulatory vote from each state and Puerto Rico) before moving on to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for nal concurrence prior to inclusion in the PMO.

This past conference was the rst time that MMPA has had representatives seated on all three councils. I served on Council I, Ben Chapin served on Council II, and Dean Letter served on Council III. Members of each council are balanced between rating/enforcement agency, processor, and producer representatives. All councils deliberate on joint council proposals that fall across the responsibilities of each council.

For several years, FDA has issued memoranda of interpretation that have been used to determine PMO compliance. It has recently been determined that these memoranda may not be the nal source used to determine PMO compliance for ratings. Beginning with this year’s conference, these memoranda are being reviewed and portions will be incorporated into the future revisions of the PMO as determined by conference participants.

Some highlights from this year’s conference that directly affect dairy producers are: Incorporation of drug labeling, use and storage requirements, and inspectional areas into Item 15r of the PMO.

Modi cation of Item 12r of the PMO to provide de nition of and exception for the positive ventilation requirement for automatic milking installations.

Elimination of the milking time inspection portion of the enforcement rating and the equal redistribution of the points across the remaining ten parts of the enforcement section.

Lindsey Giles-Austin State Sanitation Rating Officer

During the NCIMS, representatives from both industry and regulatory agencies discussed and voted on 72 proposals. Until the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concurs with these proposals and issues an IMS-a, the proposals passed by the voting delegates at the conference are not of cially approved. Here are some key changes from the conference, awaiting FDA concurrence:

A facility that only receives Grade “A” dairy products for the sole purpose of use as an ingredient in a manufacturing grade product does not need to be permitted as a Grade “A” facility.

The NCIMS Hauling Procedures Committee will review Section 4 and item 5r of the 2019 PMO and report back at the 2025 NCIMS conference. Stay tuned for more labeling and direct load guidance.

A committee has been assigned to identify and develop biosecurity strategies to minimize risks to human and animal safety and assist in inspection ef ciency on dairy farms.

During plant inspections, food allergen controls will be addressed under 15p(A) as a 3-point debit; and animal food controls will be addressed under 15p(C) as a 1-point debit. Item 22p, “Surroundings” has been changed from a 2-point debit to a 1-point debit.

If a milk plant is not in substantial compliance with Appendix T of the Grade “A” PMO after a re-inspection for Appendix T, the facility will no longer be required to be delisted but will work with state regulators and FDA to develop a plan of correction.

Farm and plant rating dates will expire every 24 months, plus the remaining days of the month of expiration.

For more information, visit www.ncims.org.

Milk is a single source of food that can help maintain proper health in people of various ages and health conditions. Milk also has the potential to serve as a vehicle of disease transmission and has, in the past, been associated with disease outbreaks of major proportion. The PMO, published by the FDA, provides practical guidance to milk producers, haulers, and processes to maintain the safety and integrity of milk from farm to nished product.

MMPA facilities make a variety of milk products such as uid milk for retail sales, cream, condensed milk, milk powders, ice cream, half-and-half, whipping cream, butter, cheese, and ultra- ltered milk. Irrespective of the product being made, all MMPA processing facilities comply with the PMO requirements in all aspects of milk processing operations, from picking raw milk from the farms to nished products distribution and everything in between.

One proposal presented at 2023 NCIMS conference was for establishing a Study Committee to identify and develop strategies to prevent contamination of milk or milk products with chemical sanitizers. Another interesting proposal passed is for yogurt parfait and the rules governing its production. According to this, Grade “A” yogurt will be produced in dairy plants that meet Grade “A” requirements, but food production facilities that make yogurt parfaits will not be required to carry Grade “A” licenses, if they operate under, and meet the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Preventive Controls requirement. Even though MMPA does not manufacture yogurt, our customers do, and it is prudent for MMPA to be aware of rule changes that affect our customers.

MMPA producers

on Grade A Surveys and Federal Check Ratings

MMPA OYDC Katelyn Packard visits Capitol Hill

Katleyn Packard, 2023 MMPA Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator (OYDC), joined other young dairy farmer leaders from throughout the U.S. in Washington, D.C. June 5-6 for the National Young Cooperators (YC) Program’s annual Dairy Policy and Legislative Forum, held in conjunction with NMPF’s June Board of Directors meeting. Katelyn joined forty-nine other young and beginning dairy farmers from 21 states representing ten member cooperatives. The two-day event included discussions about political engagement and dairy policy issues, along with training on how to be an effective advocate and spokesperson for dairy. Katelyn visited Capitol Hill and spoke with members of Congress and their staffs about NMPF priorities including farm bill programs, dairy labeling, common cheese names and market access funding.

“As part of MMPA’s young cooperator program, the Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator program is an opportunity for members under the age of 41 to meet with others facing similar challenges both in our cooperative and across the nation while expanding their leadership skills,” Jessica Welch, MMPA Member Relations Coordinator said. “The NMPF National YC program is just one of many opportunities that MMPA’s OYDC can take advantage of to learn valuable skills and build strong relationships with industry peers and partners.”

MMPA members under the age of 41 interested in representing their cooperative in this way are encouraged to complete an online Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator application this fall. For more information, please contact Jessica Welch at 248-897-3400 or at jwelch@mimilk.com

scoring 95 percent or higher

PICTURED L-R: KATELYN PACKARD, MMPA OYDC; SEN. DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI); KARL WEDEMEYER, NMPF YC PARTICIPANT.

NMPF Board of Directors Names Gregg Doud New President and CEO

The National Milk Producers Federation’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to name Gregg Doud, a globally recognized agricultural leader, as its next president and CEO, succeeding Jim Mulhern, who is retiring at the end of the year.

“Dairy farmers across the nation are pleased to endorse a true champion of agriculture, someone who both understands the hard work we do and the opportunities and challenges we face both here and abroad,” said Randy Mooney, chairman of the NMPF Board. “NMPF has long been blessed with leadership that’s been able to take its advocacy for dairy to a higher level. We strongly believe that Gregg Doud more than amply provides the expertise, the background, and the passion we will need as we navigate a challenging, but promising, new era.”

Doud has served in numerous leadership roles in trade association and government work in his more than 30-year career in agricultural policy and economics, most recently at Aimpoint Research, a global intelligence rm specializing in agriculture and food. From 2018 to 2021 he served as Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the U.S. Of ce of the Trade Representative, appointed by President Donald Trump and con rmed by the Senate, where he led numerous successful efforts to create a fair, prosperous environment for U.S. agricultural exports, including the U.S.China “Phase One” agreement and the USMCA negotiations.

Before that role, he served as president of the Commodity Markets Council, a trade association for commodities exchanges and industry counterparts; as senior professional staff on the Senate Agriculture Committee; and as chief economist for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, among other roles.

Doud said that as the organization’s next leader, he’s excited to engage on critical issues facing dairy farmers. “From the policy arena to new technologies, there are many great new opportunities for dairy producers at home and internationally,” he said. “It is a tremendous privilege to have the opportunity in these exciting times to lead NMPF, one of Washington’s oldest, most prestigious and well-respected agricultural trade associations.”

Doud was born and raised on a 1,000acre grain, hog and cattle farm near Mankato, KS. He is a graduate of Kansas State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s in agricultural economics. He remains actively engaged in production agriculture through partnership in a cow-calf operation and lives with his wife and two children on their horse farm in Lothian, MD.

Doud will begin of cial work at NMPF in September as its chief operating of cer before assuming the role of president and CEO upon Mulhern’s retirement.

MMPA Scholarship Opportunities

MMPA members, children of members and employees of members attending Michigan State University (MSU), Purdue University or The Ohio State University are eligible to apply for MMPA scholarships. Authorized by the MMPA Board of Directors, the scholarships encourage post high school study for careers in dairy management to continue the education and implementation of innovation on member’s dairy farms.

Students attending MSU who are pursuing a dairy management certi cate in the Institute of Agricultural Technology or who are enrolled in the Dairy Concentration Program in the Department of Animal Science may apply for $1,750 per semester (for members or children of members) or $1,500 per semester (for employees of members) scholarship monies. Preference given to those students enrolled in the 2-year dairy management program. Scholarship applications are due by September 1.

At Purdue University and The Ohio State University, there is a $1,000 scholarship available for a student who is a member or child of a member enrolled in any agriculture-related major. To apply online or to nd more information about scholarships, visit mimilk.com/scholarships.

MMPA VISITS NATION’S CAPITOL

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives’ Annual Legislative Conference

Over 130 farmer co-op leaders, including representatives from Michigan Milk Producers Association, from around the country came to Washington, D.C. in June to participate in the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives’ annual legislative conference.The top legislative issue attendees heard about was the upcoming farm bill, with sessions giving a general outlook, delving into how the budget will impact the bill, and looking at what the debate on nutrition programs will look like in light of the debt ceiling bill. Attendees heard from both majority and minority staff from the House and Senate agriculture committees, learning that while the committees are committed to nishing the farm bill by the end of the year, the process needs to move forward without delay to avoid a possible extension this December.

In a session that moved beyond some of the traditional ag policies, two attorneys from Sidley Austin LLP held an informative and engaging session looking at how new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (and California EPA) proposed regulations to reduce carbon

emissions from on-road vehicles would impact co-ops and their members. Attendees also had a chance to hear from the Biden administration top two of cials dealing with trade and agriculture—Ambassador Doug McKalip, the agricultural trade negotiator with the Of ce of the U.S. Trade Representative, and Alexis Taylor, under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Both emphasized that their of ces wanted to maintain an open-door policy with ag stakeholders and that they wanted to hear from co-ops experiencing challenges in the trade arena so their staff can engage to help resolve any issues.

The biggest news made at the conference was when Rod Snyder, the senior agriculture advisor to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, talked about the “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule in his prepared remarks. As you may recall from previous newsletters, the fate of the Biden administration’s proposed WOTUS rule was thrown into uncertainty by the recent Supreme Court decision greatly limiting federal jurisdiction. Snyder noted that the EPA was currently making “surgical” changes to their proposed rule (as opposed to a wholesale rewrite) and that they hoped to have them nalized by September 1.

SOURCE: NCFC

The biggest news made at the conference was when Rod Snyder, the senior agriculture advisor to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, talked about the ‘waters of the U.S.’ (WOTUS) rule in his prepared remarks . . . noting that EPA was currently making ‘surgical’ changes to their proposed rule (as othe pposed to a wholesale rewrite) and that they hoped to have them finalized by September 1.”

FROM L TO R: JOE DIGLIO, MMPA PRESIDENT & CEO; KURT STEINER, MMPA BOARD MEMBER; TONY JANDERNOA, MMPA BOARD MEMBER; SHEILA BURKHARDT, MMPA CHIEF CORPORATE AFFAIRS OFFICER

Dairy Checkoffs Are School Student Savvy

BY EMILY KITTENDORF

DAIRY CHECKOFFS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN STUDENTS’ LIVES BY EDUCATING AND PROVIDING RESOURCES TO SCHOOLS THAT CAPITALIZE ON THE DELICIOUSNESS OF DAIRY PRODUCTS AND PROVIDE CREATIVE WAYS TO ENJOY EIGHT OUNCES OF DAIRY.

Dairy is a nutritional powerhouse. With 13 essential nutrients, more hydrating than water and packed with protein, milk plays a critical role in youth nutrition. Dairy checkoffs are hard at work to ensure the science is being shared with decision makers in school systems. Their work ensures that dairy is in schools making a positive impact on students’ lives –both during the school year and over summer months.

“We know dairy foods deliver a unique package of 13 essential nutrients that help not only with building strong bones and muscle, but also support a healthy immune system and provide energy to grow and learn,” Hanna Kelley, RD, LD, Director of Health and Wellness at American Dairy Association Indiana Inc. (ADAI) said. “Milk, cheese, and yogurt contain high quality protein to keep students fuller longer, and is particularly helpful when students have to wait longer for their next meal due to after school jobs, events and activities.”

While milk is federally required to be offered during school meals because of the critical role it plays in youth nutrition, dairy checkoffs recognize the value of nding creative ways to make students’ experience with dairy products even more enjoyable.

“In our schools, 80% of school meals include a milk. Schools must offer milk with every meal, but students are not required to take one,” Scott Higgins, President & CEO of American Dairy Association (ADA) Mideast said. “We work with schools to include multiple dairy products on their daily menu. This helps ensure that the child who doesn’t choose

milk can choose yogurt or a yogurtbased smoothie. It’s about increasing student access for additional dairy products.”

The focus on expanding dairy offerings in schools is consistent for all checkoffs in the Great Lakes region. Each program, although slightly different,

involves checkoff staff partnering with school administrators and lunch coordinators to provide equipment, recipes and resources to diversify the types of dairy products offered.

“We have a program called Moolah for Schools where schools can apply for a grant that provides equipment and resources for programming around smoothies, hot chocolate, milk and lattes,” Cortney Freeland, MPH, CHES, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) said. “As part of all of those different categories, we’re working to support schools in ensuring that kids have the best experience with mealtime and speci cally dairy.”

Providing unique dairy offerings allows students to receive the bene ts of dairy in a fun, exciting format. The most popular Moolah for Schools grant program right now is for lattes at the high school level.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

“

We know dairy foods deliver a unique package of 13 essential nutrients that help not only with building strong bones and muscle, but also support a healthy immune system and provide energy to grow and learn.”

“Students are going to Starbucks or a local convenience store and bringing lattes into school, so why not translate that into additional revenue for the school and additional nutrition for the students?” Cortney said. “Our latte program brings high schoolers into the cafeteria to get what they were already going to go get, only this time we can ensure that it has a full serving of dairy.” Similarly, in Ohio, ADA Mideast has had success with their smoothie program.

“We did a post analysis of the 94 schools we brought smoothie equipment into this year and found that we sold ve

tons of yogurt,” Higgins said. “That’s ve tons of additional yogurt each month that otherwise would never have been made available in schools and it was only because we went in and said, ‘Hey, have you ever thought about yogurt in smoothies?’”

The creativity in dairy offerings mutually bene ts dairy farmers and students by growing dairy sales now and creating future dairy buyers, while also ensuring students receive the bene ts of dairy and school administrators seeing the positive effects.

“After enrolling in one of our dairy programs, school administrators see test scores improve, attendance go up and the number of illnesses go down,” Higgin said. “Once we’ve proven the difference dairy can make and shown it to a school district, it’s amazing how many schools want to be like that school district and do it the same way.”

These bene ts go on to further encourage neighboring school districts to get involved with the dairy checkoff, expanding the checkoff’s in uence in schools. With students’ attention captive in classrooms and lunchrooms for nine months out of the year, checkoffs recognize how important that opportunity to market dairy is.

“If school is the moment that we have an opportunity to give students our best product, we should be doing everything we can to offer them opportunities to enjoy milk, cheese, yogurt, smoothies and hot chocolate,” Higgins said.

Schools are also the perfect setting to make a difference in student lives because of the dairy industry and school administrator’s aligned goals.

“Everyone is working so hard to feed our kids and our food service directors really understand the value of dairy as part of school meals,”

“

The pandemic solidified the need for our support and work that we do in schools, and that our efforts are truly a partnership with the schools.”

Freeland said. “The pandemic solidi ed the need for our support and work that we do in schools, and that our efforts are truly a partnership with the schools. We’re all working towards the same thing, which is feeding our kids and ensuring they have the nutrition that they need.”

The goal of meeting students’ nutritional needs doesn’t end during the school year. Checkoffs’ partnerships with schools and state level organizations extend over the summer months, ensuring that dairy continues to ll what is often a critical gap in student nutrition.

“Many schools provide both breakfast and lunch opportunities for students to help meet their nutritional needs during the school year,” Kelley said. “Without them, kids living in foodinsecure homes, may have little to nothing on the table. Summer meals programs ll in the gaps, making sure that every child is getting the nutrition they need to grow up as healthy, happy, productive people.”

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By providing nutrition education and resources in school settings, dairy checkoffs are not only improving dairy sales, but making a positive difference in the lives of students both now and in the future. www.greenstonefcs.com

Jim Reid

BY MIKAYLA BOWEN

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.

Preserving our environment is what drives Reid Dairy Farm to be sustainable. “Our job is to protect and prepare the environment for the next generation, so we want to make sure we leave the land as good or better than the way we found it,” Jim Reid owner of Reid Dairy Farm in Jeddo, Michigan.

Jim intends to pass this multi-generational farm to his son, Jeff Reid. Their openness to adopting innovative sustainability practices has been key to ensuring pro tability on the dairy.

“

When approached by DTE Energy in 2010, they took advantage of capturing solar rays for energy conversion and installed 96 panels on the roof of their milking barn. “They pay me for every kWh that I generate when I’m not milking. When the sun is out and the parlor isn’t in use, it’s generating electricity that’s going back on the grid.” The panels provide the dairy with 20% of their energy needs throughout the year.

In addition to utilizing solar panels for a renewable energy source, the Reid’s have focused on improving their energy ef ciency by installing a variable speed vacuum pump, investing in a larger plate cooler and using all LED lights in the barns. Next on the agenda is installing thermostats on the fans to make an even bigger reduction in their farm’s energy usage. Along with energy conservation, the Reid’s have experimented with their feed ration to incorporate a new feed additive product, Agolin, that is both reducing their enteric emissions and positively impacting their component values. Like other feed additives focused on reducing cows’ carbon impact, Agolin was created with the intention to optimize feed intake and gut health for livestock.

“We’ve been using the Agolin feed additive for two years now, and ever since my components have held at that 4% butterfat level and the protein at 3.35%,” Jim said. “Even in the heat of the summer, when we have a heat stress period, the cows seem to recover quicker.”

The Reid’s focus on nding ef ciencies in their herd’s diet also includes providing a sustainable food source through incorporating carbon sequestration practices in their cropping strategy every year.

“We try to balance agronomy and environmental practices. The last few years we’ve done very little fall tillage,” Jim said. “For the soybean crop, we don’t till at all so that we’re not stirring up the soil and releasing the carbon into the atmosphere.”

As someone who has farmed their whole life, Jim has plenty of experience under his belt. “I was with my dad all the time and I was up on the tractor when I was probably three years old.”

The practices have changed over the years and now he’s focused on bringing on the next generation. “I’ve learned through the years that when a problem occurs, which it seems like happens daily, I don’t get too upset about it, I just sit back and think of a solution.” Often, for the Reid’s, that solution is grounded in nding a better way to steward the land so they can continue farming for many more generations.

KEYWORDS

RENEWABLE ENERGY: ENERGY DERIVED FROM WIND, SOLAR, RENEWABLE BIOMASS, OCEAN, GEOTHERMAL OR HYDROELECTRIC SOURCE, OR HYDROGEN DERIVED FROM RENEWABLE BIOMASS OR WATER. SOLAR PANELS, OR SOLAR COLLECTORS, ARE DEVICES THAT ABSORB AND ACCUMULATE SOLAR RADIATION FOR USE AS A SOURCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY.

CARBON SEQUESTRATION: CARBON SEQUESTRATION IS THE PROCESS OF CAPTURING, SECURING AND STORING CARBON DIOXIDE FROM THE ATMOSPHERE. THE IDEA IS TO STABILIZE CARBON IN SOLID AND DISSOLVED FORMS SO THAT IT DOESN’T CAUSE THE ATMOSPHERE TO WARM. ON FARMS, CARBON IS SEQUESTERED IN SOIL BY PLANTS THROUGH PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND CAN BE STORED AS SOIL ORGANIC CARBON.

SOURCES: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE; UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS

VERIFICATIONS

MMPA Sustainability Survey, Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan, FARM* Animal Care, MAEAP Cropping, Livestock and Farmstead

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.

... When the sun is out and the parlor isn’t in use, it’s generating electricity that’s going back on the grid.”

“I’ve learned through the years that when a problem occurs, which it seems like happens daily, I don’t get too upset about it, I just sit back and think of a solution.”

Meet District 2 Director Brian DeMann

MMPA delegates recently selected Brian DeMann to serve a three-year term on the MMPA board of directors as a District 2 Director. DeMann joins the 12 other dairy farmers on the MMPA board of directors, helping guide the direction of the cooperative and setting strategic goals

Cl earview Dairy Farm has been in operation since 1958, with Brian having an active role since 2005. Today he operates 1,450 acres and milks 649 cows on the dairy. Previously, he was active in MMPA serving as a district delegate.Along with being an Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator (OYDC) in 2019, Brian has also received numerous dairy quality awards.

How has MMPA impacted your farm?

MMPA has been a partner with the farm, not only in marketing our milk but having a place to process it. The services that eld staff offer play a big role in the success of our operation. By making sure that we are following the FARM program and are progressive with our sustainability practice

What do you value most about MMPA?

I value that MMPA is a member owned co-op. All of us producers are in this together. There’s no competition because we all have a sense of ownership.

Why d id you want to join the board o f directors?

Being involved on the board as a producer helps me feel like I’m doing my part for the better of everyone. There is a lot of experience on the board and thinking ahead I do not want my generation to all be new on the board all at once. I want to serve our cooperative while I can take the time and learn from the people that are

serving now, and it is not something that can happen overnight, it will take many years of experience.

What are your goals and vision while serving on the board of directors?

To continue to provide a very fair and competitive market for producer’s milk. I want to help be progressive in setting up producers to be their best through MMPA’s eld staff services, and I want to contribute to MMPA’s efforts to be an elite co-op that is ahead in manufacturing products, beyond just commodities.

What would you tell members looking to become more active within the cooperative?

Do whatever you can. With the new governance structure there’s going to be an opportunity for people to have more say within the co-op. The only way people are going to get to know you is by knowing what you believe in and then building a trust in you that you would be able to make decisions within MMPA.

BRIAN DEMANN

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

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.

DAIRY COMMUNICATORS: DECADES OF DEVOTION TO DAIRY PROMOTION

The MMPA Dairy Communicator program is an on-going effort of approximately 60 members in the Great Lakes region. Dairy Communicators work diligently to speak out and communicate on behalf of dairy farmers in their local area. Dairy Communicators are involved in a wide variety of local promotion activities ranging from hosting farm tours, going to schools to present to classrooms and engaging with consumers of various social media platforms. The Dairy Communicators met on June 19 to swap promotion ideas and recognize service award winners.

Thank you, MMPA Dairy Communicators, for your years of service to the dairy industry and your local communities.

15 YEARS

Kristie Lamb

Cami Marz-Evans

10 YEARS

Kathleen Clinton

Katie Schumacher

5 YEARS

Amy Bodnick

Pat Bolday

Renee McCauley

MMPA Dairy Communicators Meet in St. Johns

In June, MMPA Dairy Communicators met at AgroLiquid in St. Johns, Michigan to enjoy a full day of fellowship and sharing dairy promotion ideas. They had the opportunity to hear from MMPA leadership, learn about Michigan Ag Council’s promotion efforts and receive an update from the United Dairy Industry of Michigan. Dairy Communicators reaching a service milestone were also recognized. The MMPA Dairy Communicator program is an on-going effort of members who work to promote dairy in their local communities in the Great Lakes region.

Cami Marz-Evans

Farm Name: Evans Livestock

Hometown: Litch eld, Michigan

Became involved in dairy farming: 1986

Became a Dairy Communicator: 2008

What do you enjoy most about being part of the dairy community?

I enjoy how everyone in the dairy community really helps each other out, especially when the chips are down. The entire community is very sincere and hardworking. We go out there every day to do what we do 365 days, seven days a week. We all hold the same values.

How has the MMPA Dairy Communicator program helped you promote dairy?

Throughout the years, we’ve done numerous dairy promotions, everything ranging from passing out cheese at community events to hosting Breakfast on the Farm. We’re active in Project RED and have thrown a centennial dairy farm celebration. I take what I learn at MMPA Dairy Communicator meetings and explain our impact and dairy footprint to our consumers. One of the rst question people ask when I say I’m a dairy farmer is, “Where does your milk go?” I’m able to share the brands and companies that has MMPA milk in it thanks to the MMPA Dairy Communicator program.

Share your favorite dairy promotion memory.

My favorite dairy promotion memory is helping with Breakfast on the Farm at Pleasant View Farms! I was integrally involved in that. There was a lot of dairy memorabilia there at the event, so it was just a great day with lots of generations of dairy farmers. It attracted a lot of people who don’t have exposure to the farm, so we had some cool interactions and met cool people through that.

What advice would you share with someone just starting their dairy promotion journey?

Tell your story! There are lots of resources out there to help you get started. The United Dairy Industry of Michigan has been integral in providing assistance to many of the events I’ve helped with. I also recommend attending every meeting you possibly can to soak up the information, talk to people and get yourself out there.

Sometimes it’s easier for people who aren’t as comfortable sharing their story to get their kids involved in it and use the activities they are already attending with their kids as an education forum. The environment when you’re sitting on the bench or bleachers is a whole lot easier and is just as great of an avenue to share what we do in our everyday life in dairy farming. For people who don’t want to stand up in front or don’t have the time to plan an event, take advantage of the time that you have with others and away from the farm because it’s precious little, so use those experiences to weave in the way that we live.

Michigan’s Dairy Industry Recognizes Dr. Joe Domecq with Established Endowment

In an e ort to recognize Dr. Joe Domecq’s lifelong service to the dairy industry, industry partners came together to establish an endowment fund through the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation. Industry partners began their fundraising e orts in 2021, and the $50,000 fundraising goal was met this summer, establishing the Dr. Joe Domecq Dairy Judging and Teaching Endowment.

Domecq works with young dairy leaders in his roles as Michigan State University (MSU) Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) dairy management program coordinator, animal science academic specialist, MSU dairy challenge team coach and 4-H, IAT, and MSU dairy judging coach.

Dr Domecq serves as Coordinator and Advisor for Dairy Education programs at MSU. The scholarship endowment pays homage to Domecq’s involvement in MSU’s dairy program and will provide ongoing nancial support to students participating in dairy judging and the dairy management programs at MSU. In addition to being recognized with this endowment fund, Domecq has previously received Hoard’s Dairyman Youth Development Award in 2012, the dairy industry’s highest award recognizing a dairy youth educator. The future of Michigan’s dairy industry is strong because of Domecq’s unique ability to guide students toward meeting their short-term and long-term life and career goals.

Domecq’s endowment is established through the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation (MDMSF), one of the largest scholarship program in the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. MDMSF is made possible through contributions made in honor of individuals who have

served the dairy industry. The Domecq endowment is now one of many named endowments managed by MDMSF that will help students further their dairy education.

Thanks to generous donors, MDMSF provides scholarships annually to worthy MSU students with plans to advance the future of the dairy industry. This year the foundation was able to award $126,000 in both scholarships to MSU students pursuing dairy industry-related programs of study and nancial support of intercollegiate dairy teams.

Donations to MDMSF and the Dr. Joe Domecq Dairy Judging/Management Endowment are still being accepted:

VIA CHECK:

Payable to Michigan State University, Designate Domecq, CANR (A105121), mailed to University Advancement, Spartan Way, 535 Chestnut Rd., Room 300, East Lansing, MI 48824 OR VIA CREDIT CARD: Visit https://givingto.msu.edu/gift or call 517-884-1000.

DR. JOE DOMECQ

YOUR DAIRY CHECKOFF AT WORK

NATIONAL UPDATES Starbucks Features Dairy Farm Sustainability Stories

The coffee giant, a partner in the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative, posted a story to the “Starbucks Stories” section of its website, providing an overview of its Sustainable Dairy Program in the U.S., with examples of working with farmers. The story features two dairy farmers and the on-farm practices contributing to a smaller carbon footprint. In 2020, Starbucks joined the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative (NZI), a partnership of the U.S. dairy community working to accelerate industry-wide progress toward achieving greenhouse gas neutrality and improvements in water conservation and quality on farms. Starbucks has committed to invest $10 million toward the research and implementation of new practices in feed production to manure management, nutrition and on-farm energy ef ciency with the goal of providing farmers with technology and environmental practices. With over half of Starbucks beverages containing real dairy, this impact of this partnership continues to in uence a large share of the market.

TIME® magazine features dairy cows as solution to food waste

The world-wide publication shared branded content from the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy highlighting dairy cows as the ultimate upcyclers, including quotes and insights from national checkoff scientists Juan Tricarico and Lori Captain and examples from Reinford Farms in Pennsylvania. In addition to highlighting the ways cows consume byproducts and keep byproducts out of land lls, the piece also showcases how the dairy industry is maximizing impact to reduce methane emissions through research, on-farm pilots and partnerships across the country.

LOCAL UPDATES

Indy 500 Gives International Spotlight to Dairy Farmers

Winner of the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 ® Josef Newgarden had a celebration for the ages, including dairy farmer Kerry Estes of Fountaintown, IN. The two had met in 2022 when Josef

visited Kerry’s farm, spent time with the family, and lmed several videos. Driver and farmer reunited in Victory Circle to complete the iconic tradition of drinking milk at the end of the race. During the month of May, dairy farmer stories reached 790 million across 91 media outlets. This coverage is worth an estimated $7.3 million, created through partnerships in traditional and social media. Buzz around the drivers’ selection of milk and the dairy farm families that produce it increased social media traf c by 514%, reaching over 234,000 people on ADAI social platforms. The decades of support from the racing community for this unique tradition continues to grow excitement and build trust in dairy.

Partnerships with the Indianapolis Zoo promote Dairy

The Zoopolis 500 started as a lead up to the iconic race in May and has taken on a life of its own. With coverage across 43 media outlets and a potential reach of over 4.9 million nationwide, the tortoise race at the Indianapolis

Zoo is a strong partnership with the Indiana dairy checkoff. Tortoises race for their favorite snack, and the zookeeper “pit crew” gets to drink milk for the winning reptile, just like at the Indianapolis 500 ® . Parents and children also celebrate with milk, hitting an important target audience with young families. Dairy facts can be found around the event and zoo property. The partnership has also led to the Zoo making milk the of cial drink of their kids meals.

UDIM Introduces New Chocolate Milk Grant

From 2011-2023, Milk Means More offered the Chocolate Milk: Nature’s Sports Drink grant to Michigan High School Athletic Teams to refuel teams with chocolate milk and support overall growth and development of growing teens. The recent evolution of the Chocolate Milk Grant to a buildingwide, multi-year approach will provide a more inclusive and sustainable opportunity to refuel ALL students after school: athletics, marching band, activities/clubs and more. The goal is to support students’ growth and development, education, as well as all extracurricular activities.

UDIM Works with Blue Cross Blue Shield to Provide Grants to Food Pantries

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, United Dairy Industry of Michigan and Blue Cross Complete of Michigan are proud to collaborate to address food and nutrition insecurity. This grant

opportunity will provide refrigeration equipment and resources to Michigan’s food pantries to support increasing access and distribution of dairy foods and other nutrient-rich fresh food options to clients. Our goal is that all clients visiting these pantries have access to healthy choices like milk, cheese, fruit, vegetables, yogurt and cottage cheese.

Promoting Chocolate Milk for Student Athletes

Chocolate milk is the of cial beverage of high school sports in Ohio and West Virginia. As a partner of the Ohio High School Athletic Association and West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission, the American Dairy Association Mideast is inspiring student athletes to power their potential with chocolate milk in more than 950 schools. Chocolate milk is also promoted at OHSAA and WVSSAC state championship events via video boards, banners, announcements and fan engagement, as well as during radio broadcasts and online streaming opportunities. At select championship events, chocolate milk is provided to participating student athletes, like the recent OHSAA championships for boys volleyball, baseball, softball, boys tennis, and track and eld.

To further help student athletes, ADA Mideast developed a series of dairyfriendly sports nutrition fact sheets with tips on what to eat and drink before, during and after the game. The series is available on Drink-Milk.com in the Sports and Fitness Nutrition section.

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO

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.

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.

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

No bull. LEGENDAIRY.

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!

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.

DARI-KOOL VACUUM PUMP , self-contained, for bucket milking, 30-gallon tank, new condition, $100.00. Ph. 616-406-5611.

3000-GALLON SURGE BULK TANK. Model 87310 Serial No 931001. Was used since new 30 years ago, never moved in that time. Just upgraded to a bigger tank. Included are the Control Box, Wash Pump, 2 single phase 5hp compressors, and a GEA Super Heater. Asking $20,000 and can help you load it. Contact Brian 269-720-7637.

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

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

DAVIDSON CEMENT GROOVING, INC: No water needed. Wider, rougher grooves for better traction. We also o er 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

FREELINERS AND CLASSIFIED ADS, CONTACT MMPA VIA EMAIL AT

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 Cli 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.

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

FOR SALE: “AG BAGGER” , Model G6000, 10 ft. tunnel. Stored inside. Comes with one 10x250’ bag, owners manual, service/parts catalog. Machine is ready to bag. $14,999.00, OBO. Cheboygan, Mi. 231-625-2036.

6000 GAL SURGE BULK TANK. 3 cooling units, 240v single phase. Approx 18’ long, 8’10” wide, 10’7” to top of agitators 9’8” top of lid. $35,000.00. (Also have D16 Herringbone Westphalia Surge parlor set up for sale.) Contact Mike at 989-304-0233.

Three ways we’re looking out for your bottom line.

COMBATING ESCALATING CHEMICAL COSTS

We know that the cost of your consumables is something that farms keep a close eye on. To help combat this, we have partnered with North Country Dairy Supply (NCDS), a chemical manufacturer out of Albany, New York. They have a long history in the industry on the East Coast and are excited to expand their market into the Midwest. Check out our website to see the new products and if you’re interested in having a chemical comparison done at your facility, please give us a call at 877-367-6455.

FINDING SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE FARM PROFITABILITY

We recently teamed up with J & L Hoof Gel out of Murtaugh, Idaho to supply a gel and spray aid for healing foot rot, warts and abscesses. The gel is air and waterproof and is body heat activated. Cows can still use foot baths while spray, gel and wraps are applied. We are also stocking their organic gel formulation. These products help keep cows at the rail longer by battling lameness.

NEGOTIATING LOWER PRODUCT PRICING

We recently negotiated lower pricing on copper sulfate and disposable gloves. Our goal is to always get the best product at the best price. Check our website for the latest pricing.

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

DIP

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

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

Service Message Center: 1-800-392-3392

MMPA Field Staff Novi Headquarters

Main O ce

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

Teresa Farmer ext. 219

Quality

Sudeep Jain ext. 305

Member Services

Emily Keranen ext. 203

Human Resources

MMPA Labs

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

Farm Supply - Mt. Pleasant

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 Plant Manager ...................................................................... 989-834-2221

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 (District 1) 517-398-0629

Aaron Gasper, Lowell, MI 616-291-4092

Kurt Steiner, Creston, OH (District 1) 330-464-1219

Bruce Benthem, McBain, MI 231-920-1615

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

District Directors

2 Brian DeMann Martin, MI 269-720-7637

2 Brian Preston Quincy, MI 517-376-1350

3 Doug Chapin Remus, MI 231-349-4059

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

4 Eric Frahm Frankenmuth, MI 989-652-3552

248-444-6775

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/ eld-sta and searching by your producer number.

4 Corby Werth Alpena, MI 989-464-5436

5 Tony Jandernoa Fowler, MI 989-593-22245

5 Scott Lamb Jeddo, MI 810-327-6135

Beneath a summer sky of blue so bright, A cow grazes in a pasture, black and white. Her eyes gleam with wonder and delight, the farmer finds peace at the sight.

Amongst the green fields, she roams and plays, an enchanting sight under the sun’s warm rays. In this scene of gentle bliss, time’s worries fly, a cow’s curiosity under the summer sky.

PHOTO BY JULIA TROYER, LAOTTO, INDIANA

WE ARE PICKING OUT ONLY THE COWS WE NEED TO LOOK AT

“We are milking 3,200 cows and before CowManager, we were locking-up every group to give shots, vaccines, check cows on the sick list, and take temperature on cows that were 20 days or less in milk. All the cows were locked up for a long time because it took a lot of time to sort to find the right cows. It took forever. With CowManager we pick out only the cows we need to look at and we can get through it all in about three hours. Out of a group of 400 we’re probably sorting out 10 cows to actually work, so the other 390 can eat, lay down, drink, and do whatever they want. Overall, I think not having them locked up so long helps with production and the health of the cows. CowManager has simplified our process and made us more e cient.”

JASON BENTHEM, BENTHEM BROTHERS DAIRY, MCBAIN, MI www.cowmanager.com